The Smoke that Mystifies - Alyson Quinn

nThis is a story that challenges identity, and leaps impetuously into uncharted territory with two unsuspecting strangers who bump into each other on a busy street. Billy defines himself as gay, and came out of the closet years ago - so why is he suddenly fantasizing about this woman? Anna, in a committed relationship, is equally overwhelmed by her sudden fascination with Billy.n nA disaster in Latin America sends Anna, an NGO staffer, to Guatemala. Her return to Vancouver is both alluring and uncomfortable to Billy, who takes an opportunity to fill in at his old job as a travel writer. His subsequent trip to Zimbabwe shakes his core beliefs and points him towards his truth.n nThe novel peels back and reveals complex layers regarding identity, culture and political turmoil and challenges the reader to dive headlong into turbulent waters and immerse themselves in the cauldron of it all.n nn nEverything felt like it was drowning in meaning. Alyson Quinn's latest novel is true to her fascination with the deep connections possible between disparate human beings. She presents us with characters who refuse to live within conventional labels. Her work is an exploration of soul. Roger Blenman, author of Dead'ern nAs a reader you are quickly transported into the lives and intimate thoughts of Anna and Billy through the author's immersive writing. The fragility of the heart and ambiguity of whom we fall in love with resonates throughout the story against a backdrop of political turmoil and human disaster. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will include it in our book groups top reads. Jill Mercer (UK author of 3 books)n