One of the things about this novel that I loved was how much we got from the people around Reena, and eventually, when we meet Bo we get his story as well. I loved the work that went into making Reena's passion real and yet wasn't information dump as a way to make you aware of the work needed for Reena to succeed. I have to say that one can never say that Nora doesn't do her research, I have learned more about being an arson detective than I ever knew from watching t.v shows. Told in parts of Reena's life from the tragedy of her family's restaurant burning down to her becoming the officer she's wanted to be since the event, we have it split between her childhood, her college years and then her finally becoming arson detective with her hometown department. Luckily for her, the officer in charge liked her and shared what he could as a way to help her and her family deal with this tragedy. She is an astute & curious girl and is able to help the police officers in solving the crime, and being exposed to the process makes her want to learn more. Reena who's family is having to rebuild after the fire. It's told in several parts following mainly two characters. This started because of an earlier incident and I am so drawn into the story from here. That night is also the night she witnesses her family's restaurant burning to the ground. This starts off with a young girl blooming into an adult one summer night. I guessed the killer before she did but I didn't realize the extent of his depravity, my gawd I couldn't have guessed that at all.

I fell in love with the characters, the family and the relationships we were being introduced to. This story was fast-paced, absolutely absorbing and right on theme for the other two by Nora that I read back to back. Once again I fell into this book and that was all I knew for two days.

Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts