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Khaled Talib
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Smokescreen by Khaled Talib: espionage and spy thrillers Kindle Edition

by Khaled Talib (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 out of 5 stars 51 ratings
At an ancient café in Cairo, two veteran spies plot a covert mission to resolve - once and for all - the Israeli - Palestinian conflict. The pledge: Israel will make a major concession as part of the peace treaty. In Singapore, Jethro Westrope, a magazine journalist, stumbles onto the scene of a murder: the beautiful Niki Kishwani directs him, in her last breath, to a digital recorder, evidence that puts Jethro's life in serious danger. And, much worse, he is framed for Niki's murder. Jethro sets out to find Niki's killer and is drawn into a web of deception and intrigue involving officials from the Singaporean, Israeli, and American governments, each with a complex, competing, and potentially deadly agenda. Against this pulse-pounding backdrop, Jethro races to find answers and save himself -yet nothing is as it seems. He finds himself at the centre of a political plot so diabolical and sweeping in its world implications that he is stunned to discover tomorrow's news headlines today. He is being set up not only as a murderer but as an assassin, and something much larger than his own fate is in his hands.
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  1. Print length
    344 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    February 18, 2020
  4. File size
    1.2 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Devious! Diabolical! Lurid! Intelligent and deftly plotted. Pick it up if you dare. Put it down if you can.
- Ruth Harris, million-copy New York Times Bestselling co-author of Hooked and Brainwashed


Khaled Talib's novel Smokescreen is a cocktail of Deighton, Ludlum, Hitchcock, and two parts adrenaline.
- Keith Thomson, author of the New York Times Bestselling novel Once A Spy


In this action-packed thriller, Khaled Talib explores the little-known relationship between Singapore and Israel, spinning a web of international intrigue that expands across the globe as inexorably as it tightens around his protagonist's throat.
- Jon McGoran, author of Drift

I have published two novels set in the police and security services in Singapore, and I am here to tell you that Smokescreen is nearer to the truth of that closely controlled little country than you might believe. It is a gripping and creepy tale of how governments can rig the way we all see the world. - Jake Needham, author of The Umbrella Man and The Ambassador's Wife

From the Author

publishersweekly.com/ASINB08DBYMY8H

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B084Z4WYK4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Khaled A. Talib; 2nd edition (February 18, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 18, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 344 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 51 ratings

About the author

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Khaled Talib

Khaled Talib

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I am a former magazine journalist and Public Relations consultant.

I have authored four thrillers since 2014. My next novel, Far Out, will be released in 2024 by Running Wild Press in California.

I am a member of the International Thriller Writers.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
51 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a riveting international suspense/thriller with several unexpected twists. They describe it as fun to read with vivid descriptions and fast pacing.

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9 customers mention "Plot"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as a riveting international suspense/thriller with several unexpected twists.

"...The author weaves vivid and believable scenes, from the back streets of Cairo, where the story begins, to the pulsating atmosphere of Singapore,..." Read more

"...It’s got a politically driven plot based on current events, an everyman hero, and enough double-dealing and deranged killers to keep the reader..." Read more

"The debut novel, SMOKESCREEN, by Khaled Talib is a riveting international suspense/thriller that has a unique plot, fast-pace action, and vivid..." Read more

"...The title sounds like a spy thriller that SHOULD have been filmed by Alfred Hitchcock—North by Northwest, Vertigo, Topaz—Smokescreen...." Read more

5 customers mention "Enjoyment"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fun to read, with one mentioning it's not confusing for the reader.

"...gray rather than wholly bad, yet the plot stays linear and the reader isn’t confused, which is an improvement over several Ludlum novels...." Read more

"...Recommended for all readers!" Read more

"Fun to read, plenty of action. The author makes a great job at making the characters realistic. Excellent descriptions, fantastic story...." Read more

"Loved this book and could not put it down! Thank you" Read more

5 customers mention "Vivid descriptions"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the vivid descriptions in the book.

"...The author weaves vivid and believable scenes, from the back streets of Cairo, where the story begins, to the pulsating atmosphere of Singapore,..." Read more

"...suspense/thriller that has a unique plot, fast-pace action, and vivid descriptions...." Read more

"...Descriptions of the exotic places are vivid and well-drawn, the characters are three-dimensional, portrayed with sympathy...." Read more

"Exciting, fast paced and story vividly told...." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book fast.

"...an easy target for manipulation find to their cost is that he is a fast learner, a man who quickly discovers who his friends really are...." Read more

"...riveting international suspense/thriller that has a unique plot, fast-pace action, and vivid descriptions...." Read more

"This is definitely a fast-paced work. The main character, Jet West, isn't introduced as the most likable guy...." Read more

"Exciting, fast paced and story vividly told...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • LS Winders
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fast-paced page turner. Hugely enjoyable.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Set on the island of Singapore, this high octane thriller from debut novelist Khaled Talib has everything the thriller reader could wish for. I like my thrillers fast-paced, full on and with high body counts. This novel does not disappoint in any of those aspects. I have been following Khaled on Twitter and his enlightening, inspiring and sometimes amusing muses have been a delight to read. His first foray into fiction doesn't disappoint. It is a roller coaster from start to finish. With a healthy sprinkling of shady spies (including the enigmatic X), ruthless assassins, and Chan, the ambitious, powerful and duplicitous politician, this book is difficult to put down.
    At the centre of the story is the unfortunate Jet West, a journalist who is plunged into the middle of a plot to kill the Israeli prime minister. The Israeli government want to put an end to the Palestinian conflict by making major concessions to bring about peace. But there are those for whom peace with the Palestinians is to be avoided at all costs. Jet is chosen to be a scapegoat. Painted as a radicalised convert to Islam, he will be blamed for the murder of the prime minister of Israel when he comes to Singapore for an official State visit. Jet is framed for murder and on the run in a country where it is difficult to hide. What those who would see him as an easy target for manipulation find to their cost is that he is a fast learner, a man who quickly discovers who his friends really are. Courted by the American, diplomat, Dexter, Jet refuses to trust anybody except himself and Nicole, a friend of the woman whose murder Jet has been framed for.
    The author weaves vivid and believable scenes, from the back streets of Cairo, where the story begins, to the pulsating atmosphere of Singapore, where the bulk of story is played out. There is even an exciting scene in a graveyard in Buenos Aires, giving more credence to the international flavour of the book.
    I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this talented writer.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Hamed Talib
    4.0 out of 5 stars A gripping yarn of international intrigue.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    It gripped me from the very first paragraph, right through every single page till I got to the last sentence.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • CA reviews
    5.0 out of 5 stars A thriller for today’s audience
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Smokescreen by Khaled Talib is a thriller for today’s audience. It’s got a politically driven plot based on current events, an everyman hero, and enough double-dealing and deranged killers to keep the reader entertained.

    What makes Smokescreen such a contemporary stand-out, however, is that unlike most popular thrillers, the hero is neither American nor British and the action doesn’t emanate from either Washington or London. Instead, our hero is a mixed-race citizen of Singapore, but with a lifestyle and motivations that have universal appeal. The Asian nation of Singapore, portrayed in the novel as an international espionage crossroads, is a surprisingly terrific setting for a thriller. I started checking on flights just to go walk the novel.

    Jethro “Jet” West is a pampered local journalist of mixed descent who writes a society column, takes martial arts classes, and is sleeping his way through the ladies of Singapore’s upper crust. But he also plans to edit a new independent newspaper, a move which gets him some unwanted attention. He’s identified as a convenient fall guy in a plot to assassinate the Israeli Prime Minister by radical members of the Israeli military—aided by a sympathetic Singaporean official and his hired guns-- when the PM visits Singapore. Seems the PM is going soft on Palestine and has offered up one too many concessions for the hard right wingers in Israel.

    Basically, they are going to kill the PM, but not before creating a criminal past for West. When the PM bites it, their logic runs, no one will be surprised that West is the culprit as he’ll have a “past” that fits his newly minted profile as a killer run amok. Talib does a good job of keeping West confused and angry by what is happening, yet figuring out how to survive and figure out what is going on. In the end, it’s West’s talents as a journalist that will be key to his survival.

    The book has the thriller’s edge of a Ludlum. West’s comfortable world suddenly implodes and he finds himself on the run. A shadowy American ambassador-cum-spymaster is his only help. Yet that man has his own agenda, questionable contacts, and reasons for helping. More characters are gray rather than wholly bad, yet the plot stays linear and the reader isn’t confused, which is an improvement over several Ludlum novels.

    I would have liked the big climax to have circled back to the Israeli PM’s visit. But the right things happened and there’s potential for Jet West to make a repeat appearance. If he does, I hope he’s still in Singapore. Sights, sounds, and smells are on full display in the book, ensuring that the setting provides stiff competition to the action. Highly recommended.
    One person found this helpful
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  • L D Tanner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting International Suspense/Thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The debut novel, SMOKESCREEN, by Khaled Talib is a riveting international suspense/thriller that has a unique plot, fast-pace action, and vivid descriptions.The story begins when unknown persons wants to kill the Israeli Prime Minster after the Israeli government secretly makes major concessions in a peace treaty with the Palestinians.The announcement of this historic peace deal is to be made in Singapore upon the prime minister's visit. An unsuspecting high society magazine reporter, Jet Westrope, has been picked to be the scapegoat for this assassination.

    Jet is first pulled into the diabolical plot when he is framed for the murder of a beautiful woman who had tried to warn him of this conspiracy. On the run from unknown assailants, Jet must find out who is her murderer to clear his name. But in his desperate search for the truth, he is drawn deeper into danger when he uncovers his involvement in the sinister plan to assassinate the prime minister.There are several unexpected twists and heart-throbbing action leading to the climax.

    What make this novel stand out was the unique plot and unexpected twists. Khaled Talib is a master at creating heart-throbbing action scenes. His vivid descriptions of Singapore and other locations made me feel as if I was there. A must read international thriller/suspense.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • JemimaMcC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Smokescreen: spies, secret missions and a scapegoat. Talk about exciting reading. This book has kidnapping and killings from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed it and didn't want to put my Kindle down!

    The prologue, being set in the middle East, had me slightly concerned that I might not understand the politics behind the assassination plot... but it was not an issue and no re-reading was required.

    Anyone who has ever visited or lived in Singapore will enjoy the setting, as Khaled's descriptive writing brings the story to life.

    The ending is very satisfying too.
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  • Deborah Mitton
    5.0 out of 5 stars An intelligent read, with an excellent twists
    Reviewed in Canada on November 26, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Khaled Talib's first novel is an action packed political thriller that had me guessing the ending right until the very end. An intelligent read, with an excellent twists, turns and plots, with well thought out characters and vivid descriptions.
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  • ghost12345
    4.0 out of 5 stars Amusing plot
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The paperback does contain some errors but there is enough momentum to the plot to keep the reader turning the pages
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