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Smoke and Murders: Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 442 ratings

Maybe my time in Rainy Dale has run its course.

Things are spiraling out of control for our indelicate, but occasionally loveable, Doctor Thornton. His romantic life is already in turmoil, but when someone sets fire to his medical practice, his finances are also in jeopardy.

Sheriff Royce Callum offers Maxwell a safe place to stay as he searches for the arsonist. Maxwell can easily rub people the wrong way, which makes it challenging for Royce to figure out if the attack on Maxwell’s business was personal or random.

When other fires begin to pop up in Rainy Dale, it becomes obvious there’s a serial arsonist spreading terror through town. Things go from bad to worse when one of the fires turns deadly.

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Product details

Listening Length 12 hours and 6 minutes
Author S.C. Wynne
Narrator Matt Haynes
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date March 07, 2023
Publisher S.C. Wynne
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0BXM788Y7
Best Sellers Rank #274,598 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#285 in LGBTQ+ Mysteries
#1,060 in LGBTQ+ Mystery (Books)
#37,400 in LGBTQ+ Romance (Books)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
442 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the book's engaging plot and believable characters. They found the mystery intriguing with plenty of twists and surprises. The story held their interest from start to finish.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

15 customers mention "Readability"13 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it interesting and recommend reading the series for its M/M romance and mystery elements. The story holds their interest from beginning to end, with a good plot and satisfying conclusion. However, some feel the storyline drags on too long.

"...Thornton Murder Mysteries and found it to be an excellent installment in this fun series...." Read more

"...Don't get me wrong it's not a bad story, it's actually a decent book and I did enjoyed the mystery even though I guess one of the bad guys way too..." Read more

"...It's easy to follow and when it is done well, as it is here, it moves the story forward...." Read more

"...The author continues this wonderful fun reading series with #4. The main characters continue to grow as the mystery action builds around them...." Read more

10 customers mention "Plot"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot. They find the mystery interesting and well-developed, with many clues, suspects, and surprises. The twists keep readers guessing and make the book fun to read.

"...the mysteries at the heart of this book are multilayered with many clues, many suspects, many surprises, and many red herrings...." Read more

"...it's not a bad story, it's actually a decent book and I did enjoyed the mystery even though I guess one of the bad guys way too early...." Read more

"...The mystery was interesting and seeing Royce go through the process was interesting, although I did guess the perpetrator...." Read more

"...These are fun reads and keeps the reader guessing along the way. Highly recommend reading this series for its M/M romance/mystery qualities!..." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the believable characters and their journeys.

"...It is fast-paced, well-plotted, and the characters are believable...." Read more

"...book: Page-turner /Entertaining /Whimsical / /Easy-to-read /Wonderful characters /Great world building" Read more

"I’ve bought all the books in this series because I’m enamored of the main characters’ journeys...." Read more

"I have to say I enjoy S.C.'s writing very much. Her characters are real people...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2021
    I just finished reading SMOKE AND MURDERs, the 4th installment in S.C. Wynne’s enjoyable Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries and found it to be an excellent installment in this fun series. At the beginning of this book, Max arrives at his medical clinic, which is also his home, and finds it flames. But this is fire is no accident. Rather, it is the handiwork of an arsonist. With no place to live, Max is forced to move in with his estranged lover, Sheriff Royce Callum. And though their relationship is strained, Royce still cares deeply for Max and vows to find out who set fire to Max’s life. With the strain between these two men hanging over them like an executioner's axe, Max weighs the pros and cons of trying to make things work with Royce or giving up on trying to build a life in the small town of Rainy Dale, Texas, giving up on rebuilding his practice and moving back to LA where he can get a fresh start and maybe pick up the pieces of his shattered life. It turns out that Max’s fire was only the beginning—there’s a serial arsonist at work in Rainy Dale. Some folks in Rainy Dale would love to see Max leave town for good, but not everyone feels the same. Max is taken by surprise by how many of the town’s people rally around him and the other victims of the escalating series of fires. But will Max and Royce ever find the time to have that long-overdue heart-to-heart conversation and try mend their broken relationship, or will this be the end of the road for them? In the process, Max stumbled into yet another murder in Rainy Dale and must rely on Royce, yet again, to save him from imminent peril.

    This was an enjoyable read. A bit longer than the previous editions in the series, the mysteries at the heart of this book are multilayered with many clues, many suspects, many surprises, and many red herrings. It is fast-paced, well-plotted, and the characters are believable. I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it to other readers of M/M mysteries or anyone who would like a good, romantic mystery.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2021
    I was impatiently waiting for this book but after reading I feel slightly let down and I'm not exactly sure I can explain why. I just felt that this book didn't live up to my expectations. Don't get me wrong it's not a bad story, it's actually a decent book and I did enjoyed the mystery even though I guess one of the bad guys way too early. Maybe it was the MCs that I had an issue with; there did seem to be a change to Maxwell and Royce behavior. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I just enjoyed the first 3 books in this series a lot more. Regardless , this book is worth reading, I'm not sorry I bought it and I will definitely be buying book 5 in December.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2021
    For now, I give this a full 5 stars and, note that I reserve full 5 star ratings for books that I love and will reread.

    Why for now? Because this series has been catching my eye since the first book came out and I kept putting it off and then I started with this book, the fourth in the series.

    What I loved: I'm a sucker for law enforcement and Royce is a sexy sheriff. I much prefer older MCs (mid-twenties and up) and these guys are over 30. I have come to enjoy the first person PIC alternating by chapter. It's easy to follow and when it is done well, as it is here, it moves the story forward. The mystery was interesting and seeing Royce go through the process was interesting, although I did guess the perpetrator. I liked the twists, too!

    No spoilers but I will say I fell completely for Royce and I'm getting there for Max. (I need to read the series from the beginning to get to understand Max better but it's clear that Max has had some positive character growth.) I am a fan of explicit sex scenes and, somewhat surprisingly to me, I loved that these guys don't jump each other every other page. (I've just finished a couple books like that and my have needed a break! 😂) Their PDA of quick kisses here and there and their sex life fits them. They definitely still have chemistry so don't worry about that!

    This is a new author to me, with a nice long backlist, so I am hopeful I have found a new author to watch for. I'm off to start this series at the beginning next.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2024
    Recommended and rated this book: 5 stars
    The author continues this wonderful fun reading series with #4. The main characters continue to grow as the mystery action builds around them. This one of the few times that I have been able to identity the arsonist before the characters do! These are fun reads and keeps the reader guessing along the way. Highly recommend reading this series for its M/M romance/mystery qualities!
    Reasons I enjoyed this book: Page-turner /Entertaining /Whimsical / /Easy-to-read /Wonderful characters /Great world building
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2021
    I’ve bought all the books in this series because I’m enamored of the main characters’ journeys. The author tells a good story and plots out the mysteries nicely. What keeps me from giving the books in the series a higher score is the bad grammar. Ms. Wynne consistently and annoyingly misuses objective and subjective case pronouns. She never met an objective case pronoun that she didn’t like, even though she should have used the subjective case, almost every time. So, here is an example that I’m making up, though there are dozens upon dozens of examples I could have pulled from the books: John makes more money than me. NO. John makes more money than I. Why? Because John makes more money than I make (not than me make). It’s not hard to use a grammar checker. I just wish she would, if she can’t remember the rules. Also, there are several editing or proofreading mistakes that grammar checking software would likely help her find. I sincerely hope she reads this review. Finally, the author has given the sheriff in this story police responsibilities. A quick Google of the responsibilities of a Texas sheriff would have informed her that her sheriff should have been the police chief. Texas sheriffs aren’t responsible for murder and arson investigations.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • petey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Smoke and Murders: Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries
    Reviewed in Canada on August 11, 2021
    I enjoyed this as much as the previous 3. Can't wait for the next instalment.
  • Dawn Barrell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best One So Far
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 14, 2021
    Poor Maxwell, when he stood outside his home and clinic and watched it burn and realised he had lost everything I literally felt his pain. He was already feeling low after Royce “tapped the brakes” on their relationship and the slimy new holistic doctor arrived in town and seemed to want Royce as well as Maxwell’s patients and just when he thinks things can’t possibly get any worse they do!

    I have loved this series but I think this one might just be my favourite. As usual there was mystery and suspense laced with Max’s special brand of dry humour and sarcasm and hot sex but at last Max and Royce actually communicate and Max, realising just how much losing Royce hurts has to lower his defences and make himself vulnerable to show Royce just how much he cares. With everything back on track in their relationship and Max really wanting to be a better person, not so cold, isolated and selfish, he decides to stay in Rainy Dale and rebuild his practice which I am sure is not going to go down too well with River the new holistic doctor, I’m with Max I do not trust him, he obviously has his own agenda!

    I love Dr Maxwell Thornton and the way he is trying so hard to get along with people which helps if you are a GP and the lovely Sheriff Royce who is always kind and has a smile for everyone, chalk and cheese but they go together so well.

    We have to now wait until December for the next book.
  • EmilyRose
    4.0 out of 5 stars A great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2021
    I was eager to read this book after the cliffhanger of book 3. There were lots of different things going on, we were introduced to new characters in Rainy Dale and, unfortunately for Maxwell, his bad luck definitely isn't over. This book was slightly different to the others that came before it as the crime this time was different; it was quite refreshing to see different people come into play, particularly seeing Royce work with Randy the arson inspector. Like with book 3, I solved the main case pretty quickly which upset me slightly but (again like book 3) there were lots of subplots I didn't predict and this definitely intrigued me throughout. It made me happy to see Maxwell and Royce on firmer footing and the steamy scenes are also back! In addition, I'm so curious what River and Lucas are up to - it's definitely nothing good!

    Overall, this was a really enjoyable book in the series. I think the characters have definitely turned a corner and that book 5 will be a real treat, especially as it's not set in Rainy Dale! I'm really looking forward to it. I'd definitely recommend this book if you like whodunits but it needs to be read as part of the series, not a standalone! I've given it 4 stars because it's a great read (only improved if I hadn't been able to solve it so quickly)
  • miffy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 17, 2021
    This series gets better and better, so enjoy reading about Max and Royce and the mysteries are good too. Would definitely recommend.
  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Ok
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2021
    I liked this better than the previous book, there was a little less telling us how awful Max was and a bit more storyline. At least the relationship between him and Royce is a bit more settled