Smoke Screen [Paperback]

Kyle Mills (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2004

Through a series of unwanted promotions, Trevor Barnett has become the lead spokesman for the tobacco industry-just as a two-hundred-billion-dollar lawsuit is about to bankrupt it. Now, Big Tobacco is going on the offensive-and Trevor is caught in the crossfire.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With this sixth novel in as many years (following last year's Sphere of Influence), Mills departs from his usual suspense thriller format of mass murder, conspiracy and terrorist threat. What he presents instead is a timely and chilling tale hinging on the power of Big Tobacco to bring the American government and economy to a standstill. Trevor Barnett, 32, is heir to a giant tobacco conglomerate called Terra. He is also a lazy ne'er-do-well who works for the company only because his trust payments are tied to his employment in the tobacco industry. He knows cigarette smoking kills people, but doesn't really care, believing that smokers have the right to make their own decisions. The tobacco industry is about to lose a $250-billion class-action lawsuit, a judgment the industry cannot appeal. Such a ruling will permanently bankrupt all of the tobacco companies, and Terra's ruthless CEO, Paul Trainer, is not about to let that happen. After making some snappy and irreverent comments at a board meeting, Trevor suddenly and unwillingly finds himself spearheading a tobacco offensive that shakes the nation. Big Tobacco closes all its plants and recalls all its tobacco products in a clever game of chicken, facing down the courts, Congress, the White House and the antismoking lobby. The result is a catastrophic loss of tax revenue and political donations, and an angry population of smoking voters who want their cigarettes back. The novel's plot is carefully crafted and original, filled with corporate and political intrigue, treachery, betrayal and the complex backroom deals that keep big companies humming along. With a refreshing lack of sanctimony, Mills turns the tobacco wars into grist for an absorbing business thriller.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Trevor Barnett is the ne'er-do-well descendant of one of the original tobacco dynasties. He lives off a trust fund and has an insignificant position at the family's tobacco firm. But the free ride may soon be over. The industry is looking at a $250 billion judgment in a lawsuit funded by the antismoking industry. A decision is made to throw Trevor to the wolves in a national television appearance with the anti-smokers' pit bull, Angus Scalia. Although scared to death, Trevor acquits himself well through a combination of honesty and anger at Scalia's personal attacks. Voila! The smoking industry has a likable persona. Trevor then develops the industry's new strategy: give up. Pull all product off the shelves, close distribution centers, stop buying from tobacco farmers, and lay off all their workers. The ensuing economic chaos leads to smokers' riots, attempts on Trevor's life, and, finally, a compromise in which it's acknowledged that tobacco users bear the responsibility for their own choices. Mills, best known for thrillers such as Sphere of Influence [BKL Ag 02], breaks away from the world-in-peril theme to explore a burning social issue. He does an exemplary job of presenting both sides of the issue--essentially, health versus choice--and presents a Swiftian solution designed to bring both warring factions to their knees. This may disappoint a few of the author's usual fans but will gain him many new ones. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Signet (September 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451212789
• ISBN-13: 978-0451212788
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #790,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kyle Mills is the New York Times bestselling author of twelve books, including the latest in Robert Ludlum's Covert-One series, The Ares Decision.

Growing up in Oregon, Washington, DC, and London as a the son of an FBI agent, Kyle absorbed an enormous amount about the Bureau, giving his novels their unique authenticity. He and his wife live in Wyoming where they spend their off hours rock climbing and backcountry skiing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Change of perspective but truely fun and enjoyable, November 10, 2003

By 

Kyle Anderson "Kyle" (Milwaukee WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smoke Screen (Hardcover)

First of all, the people who have written poor reviews of this book are clearly demanding that authors stay within the cookie cutter format of novel writing. I was surprised and pleased to see that Mr. Mills has expanded his horizons.
The key to a Kyle Mills book is taking a scenario in the real world and focus in on 3-5 main points or hooks and ignore the rest. With a narrow perspective on the world we're able, with only a small stretch of the imagination, to sit back and go on a fun ride. I can see how this is disappointing or frustrating for some because you're screaming at the book, "what about second hand smoke?!?" By focusing on some key points the author expects the reader to suspend disbelief. This isn't for everyone but for those it works for it's an incredibly fun ride.
His characters are wonderful; although the main character's love interest is a little under-developed.
I highly recommend this book to anyone.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Did anyone notice that this book is funny as hell?, June 24, 2005

By 

Oscar Gordon (Covington, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smoke Screen (Hardcover)

I have been reading Kyle Mills since his first novel, and have really enjoyed both his characters and his ability to ratchet up the tension. But while this book has the requisite suspense, it is not a pure thriller.

Mills has entered Christoper Buckley territory here, and has gone him one better.

Read it once for the pure "what happens next" tension that Mills builds up. Then read it again and appreciate the satire.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, October 25, 2003

By 

Konrad Kern (OFallon, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smoke Screen (Hardcover)

See book summary above.

I like Kyle Mill's thrillers. To see him come out with something different took me a little by surprise. I'm not disappointed, though. Smoke Screen is a tale of big business and the tobacco industry. There are arguments for both the anti-tobacco lobby and the Tobacco companys. The solution seems to me to be ideal, but not likely to come to fruition. So whether you're a smoker or not, you'll get plenty of ammo from this novel.
The protagonist, Trevor Barnett, did not strike me as a very likeable character. He seemed naive and wishy washy (not knowing which way to go on an issue).
This novel will have some naysayers, only because their used to the typical Mill's thrillers, but I enjoyed this foray into a different genre (probably because I used to smoke) and will continue looking for Kyle Mills on the book shelf.

Recommended.