Summary: A group of friends attempt to recover after a shooting.
In 2012, I posted about Thin Blue Smoke being my favorite novel of the year. I wasn’t alone, Englewood Review of Books also had it as their favorite novel that year. About 18 months ago I ran across Doug Worgul on BlueSky. I reread Thin Blue Smoke because of that connection and just over a year ago he sent me an early edition of The Night Office for comment. I made comments, but I loved the book and was invited to blurb the book. (My blurb is 3rd in the ebook version.)
I missed that it was released in June and stumbled across The Night Office looking for something else. I bought a copy immediately but didn’t have time to pick it up until I got back from vacation. I am not an objective reader at this point. I have declared my love. I was an early reader and I blurbed the book. But I really do love The Night Office.
Thin Blue Smoke brings together a diverse cast who seem to only be tangentially related because of a BBQ restaurant. But they form a real community that cares for one another. While they all have their flaws and histories, there is real beauty in that community.