June 1918:
Les Taylor and his wife Dolly Grey, plan the biggest jewellery heist in
Melbourne's history, and intertwine this with a scheme to expand their gang. In early 1919, Spanish Flu hits Australia,
putting 16 year old Lilly Kelly out of work.
When Dolly arranges a meeting with the Fitzroy gang but is mistreated,
Les launches retaliation which realises his ambition. Lilly crosses paths with Les and Dolly and
soon becomes friends with the now well-known gangster and his wife.Les Taylor is more of a thinker and a planner, but it isn't until one evening when Les dances with the young Ida 'Babe' Pender, and Ida becomes Les's girl, that his true nature is revealed. With Ida's encouragement, Les becomes ever more audacious. When Les and Ida go 'into smoke' Les becomes a city-wide folk hero. Meanwhile Lilly Kelly, friends with Les and Ida, has her own problems to deal with.
Into Smoke is a story of love and soulmates, tragedy too, set in a time of great change.
Into Smoke has everything going for it: place, time, characters, story, and plot threads that make you think. Recommended – five stars. Alice Pickard – author.
Into Smoke has the hallmarks of a mature author who's confident with his craft, including realistic characters, being both good and flawed, a fast-moving plot, and touching upon multiple themes which is a characteristic of Mark Morey's writing. Kate Baldwin – author.
Into Smoke is one of the best novels I've ever read. Owen Green - author
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