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SHOVELING SMOKE
by Austin Davis
Chronicle Books, October 2003
320 pages
$23.95
ISBN: 0811841529


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Clayton Parker is ready for change in his life. He lost his job at a prestigious Houston law office as well as his wife. He agrees to take a job with Chandler and Stroud in Jenks, TX. Parker hopes that this small town will allow him the chance to rediscover himself. Unfortunately, things do not work out the way he planned. Gilliam Stroud, one of his law professors, has given into his vice and is a raving alcoholic. According to Stroud, Parker was brought to the practice to rescue Hardwick Chandler from his vice, which is women. Chandler informs Parker that he was brought to the practice in order to save Stroud from his vice. Parker was not hired as a lawyer but as a nurse.

Unfortunately for everyone, their biggest case is about ready to blow up in their faces. Bevo Rasmussen is on trial for insurance fraud. His insurance company claims that Bevo burned his herd of horses in order to receive the insurance money. Bevo claims he is innocent; however, no one believes him. Due to Chandler and Stroud’s other passions, the have not followed procedure and will not be allowed much freedom with the trial. As Parker attempts to find a way to argue the case, his life is threatened by people searching for Bevo. Parker must determine Bevo’s actual guilt as well as keep Bevo’s numerous creditors from killing them.

SHOVELING SMOKE looks at the idea of insurance fraud, small towns and the law. However, none of these topics are treated seriously. The lawyers in this book frequently bend the law in order to accomplish their objectives. Even though their actions are technically outside of the law, those innocent continue to prevail. In addition, this small town, which now has three lawyers, is full of interesting and unusual characters. For example, the waitress at the local Dairy Queen helps Parker out by spying on the customers.

SHOVELING SMOKE has a feel similar to Carl Hiaasen’s books. The book is silly and funny; yet, somewhere under everything there is the tiniest of morals. The actions and decisions of the characters are over the top and seem almost unbelievable; yet, they continue to top themselves. This book also has a similar breezy style that is both enjoyable and addictive. The narrative draws the reader in until the only priority is to see what happens next. Many have attempted this style; yet, only a few master the style. Luckily, Austin Davis has accomplished this successfully.

SHOVELING SMOKE is the debut novel of Austin Davis. Assuming he can continue writing in this manner, Davis should have a successful future in this field.

Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, September 2003

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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