Smoke and Embers

Smoke and Embers by John Lawton
5/13/25; 416 pages
Grove/Atlantic
Inspector Troy Novel #9

Smoke and Embers by John Lawton is a highly recommended detective/spy fiction set in 1950 and the ninth in the Inspector Troy series. This novel is more about events in the aftermath of WWII and the Holocaust than one that prominently features Scotland Yard inspector Frederick Troy.

Opening in London, Inspector Troy learns that his sergeant has been conducting an affair with the known mistress, Bryce Betancourt, of infamous London racketeer Otto Ohnherz, a German refugee. His associate Jay Fabian is said to be an Auschwitz survivor but there are doubts about his identity and he is suspected to be a spy. The two men also donated to the campaign of Troy’s brother, Rod, who was reelected as an MP for the Labour Party. After the opening intrigue, the novel jumps back in time to 1945 Poland during the end of the war. From here the action proceeds to cover changing identities across several countries and years.

This is an even paced novel that will hold your attention as it increases in complexity, deception, and intrigue with each chapter. The short chapters keep the steady pace moving as the cunning subterfuge continues across several countries and the layers of deception build as they try to survive. The historical details, descriptions of events and areas combined with the dialogue between characters help keep narrative interesting.

As mentioned, Inspector Troy actually plays a minor role in the novel. The focus is more on several other characters, the flood of refugees, and how they do what they need to do to ensure their survival following the end of WWII. The characters are portrayed as fully realized interesting individuals. No spoilers here, but the ending is great. There is an Afterword section which adds further details and information.

Smoke and Embers will best be appreciated by those who enjoy espionage fiction and post WWII novels. Thanks to Grove/Atlantic for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.