VERIFIED REVIEWS
Skillfully Written Historical Fiction Novel That Pays Attention to Detail
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2025
During the Irish War of Independence, Tom Sutton believes that he has lost everything. He flees to Africa, where a chance encounter with a young girl, Heidi, changes his life. The two feel a connection to each other and attempt to create a viable path forward for themselves. However, a series of nearly insurmountable challenges await them.
A tender and beautifully rendered epic, this historical fiction novel is full of memorable characters and situations. Go on a journey with Tom Sutton as he seeks the peace and redemption that turn out to be so elusive. The period detail in this tale is unsurpassed and proves that the author is a master storyteller in full command of all the most compelling literary elements.
Steven Finkelstein
A gripping historical adventure!
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2025
The Thundering Smoke Book 1: The Price Of Freedom by Guy Quigley is a gripping historical adventure that blends emotional depth with vivid storytelling. The author crafts a powerful tale of loss, redemption, and resilience. The themes of grief, healing, and the search for purpose are portrayed with honesty and grit, making it a moving read for fans of character-driven historical fiction. The writing is immersive, filled with cinematic detail and raw emotion. I enjoyed the story’s heart and complexity. Overall, it is a compelling start to what promises to be an epic series.
Momna
Involving plot!
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2025
If you’re looking for a novel that combines romance, war, desire, and redemption, this is the novel you should choose. ”The Thundering Smoke” tells the story of Tom Sutton, who travels to Africa trying to escape his past and the loss of his family. What he doesn’t know is that in that place he will find a dangerous path to find the peace he needs. This novel has a great narrative, and I really love the description of the places that the author describes in this novel.
Margarita garcia
Justice, Vengeance and redemption in the Liberation War for Freedom in Ireland
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2025
“The Thundering Smoke: Book 1 The Price of Freedom” written by Guy Quigley is a powerful historical saga exploring war, loss, redemption and the vast unforgiving landscapes of both Ireland and Africa. Thomas Edward Sutton, the main character, fought in the liberation war for freedom, in the early 1920s and struggled with events which happened in the conflict. Thomas known as Tom drown himself in drinks, after his wife’s horrendous death and thinking his son also to be dead. But the kindness of an African girl saves him from drinks. Readers who appreciate historical fiction intertwined with themes of personal growth and human connection will find this book a compelling read.
Clarence Joseph
A Heartfelt Story
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2025
A heartfelt story about heartbreak, loss, inner demons, survival, hope, and love. Even though the main character, Tom Sutton, is dealing with so much bloodshed and cruelty during the war in Ireland, along with addiction, he ends up finding a new purpose in life after moving to Africa and developing special connections with other people. The author did a great job of creating complex and relatable characters, along with powerful world-building. I felt like I was right there in the story rooting for Tom. Recommended.
L DeRollo
Riveting drama
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2025
The Thundering Smoke refers to Mosi-oa-Tunya, the breathtaking waterfalls of Zimbabwe. However, the internal world of this book’s protagonist is also as tumultuous as thundering waters. The book is set in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe’s former name. It is a riveting tale of courage, friendship and a past that won’t cease haunting the protagonist Tom Sutton. Definitely a book that’s worth reading and that had me on the edge of my seat.
SA_ostrich
Justice, Vengeance and Redemption
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2025
“The Thundering Smoke: The Price of Freedom” by Guy Quigley is a gripping tale of love, loss and the fight for justice. Set against the vast African landscape, it follows Tom Sutton as he battles personal tragedy and political turmoil. Torn between vengeance and redemption, he navigates war, betrayal and unexpected love. The novel blends history with raw emotions and thus painting a vivid picture of resilience, survival and immense struggles. This is a powerful story of sacrifice and strength as it captures the complexities of freedom and the cost it demands along with the challenges.
Wizard
Entertaining Historic Read
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2025
The Thundering Smoke: Book 1 – The Price of Freedom by Guy Quigley is a powerful start to a historical fiction series. It follows Tom Sutton, an Irish war veteran haunted by loss—his wife tragically killed, his son missing. Seeking a fresh start, Tom journeys to Africa, where he meets Heidi and travels to Victoria Falls, hoping to escape the past. But violence isn’t easily left behind. Quigley captures the aftermath of Ireland’s Liberation War and the colonial tensions in Africa, weaving a powerful story of redemption, resilience, and healing. If you like historical sagas, you will be pulled in by its emotional resonance and the realistic writing.
V.E.
Very well researched story
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2025
The Thundering Smoke: BOOK1 The Price of Freedom by Guy Quigley is the first installment in a series that will follow Tom Sutton in his journey from Ireland to the heart of Africa. Tom fought in the Liberation War in Ireland in the early 1920s and struggles with the events that happened in the conflict. His wife dead from a horrific event and his son missing, Tom looks for a new beginning and finds himself in Africa. Soon he and a girl named Heidi make their way to Victoria Falls where they hope to start a new life away from the violence in Ireland. But violence has a tendency to creep its way back into even the most peaceful lives. Quigley has done an excellent job of bringing this piece of history to life in a realistic yet entertaining way. The Liberation War in Ireland marked a turning point in the history of the country and its relations with England, and the author has presented this in a way that shows the history in a simple but captivating light. The events in Africa also show the history of European ties to the continent. Fans of historical fiction will greatly enjoy this and the well researched insights the author has put into the work.
Phil Bolos
From Irish Bloodshed to African Storms.
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2025
The Thundering Smoke: The Price of Freedom by Guy Quigley tells the story of Tom Sutton’s broken journey through the wild lands of Africa and Ireland during the Irish Revolution. At first, Sutton drowns himself in drink after his wife’s horrendous death and he thinks his son is dead. But the kindness of an orphan girl saves him. Rhodesia’s rails and gold mines are where their journey ends at the roaring mist of Victoria Falls, where family land gives them unstable comfort. Violence, on the other hand, forces Sutton to choose between love and revenge. The way the author weaves together death and rebirth makes for an epic saga where people’s resolve goes up against fate’s harsh currents. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction.
Piaras
From Heartbreak to Hope and Redemption
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2025
This first book of the series portrays a massive heartbreak, which eventually culminates in hope, showing that life goes on, and although one is miserable, they can become the reason for living for someone else. Rich in Irish culture, it shows the first hand struggles for freedom from the British crown and how so much casualties went into it, some not so marked. Filled with bloodshed and cruelty, the book nevertheless ends in love, nurture, and hope, and a promise for a better future in the upcoming sequel.
Book Worm
Intense and emotional historical fiction novel
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2025
“The Thundering Smoke: The Price of Freedom” by Guy Quigley is a powerful historical fiction novel set during the Irish Liberation War, following Thomas Sutton as he flees to Africa after tragedy strikes his family. The novel vividly describes the brutality of war and its emotional toll. Quigley was so descriptive in his writing that at times it left me emotional and angry; however, it really helped me in connecting to the characters and the struggles they faced. He truly brought the intensity of war and the loss associated with it to life. This is the first book in this series, and I’m definitely curious to see what comes next in this intense trilogy.
Robin
A thought-provoking and immersive read!
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2025
The Thundering Smoke: BOOK1 The Price of Freedom by Guy Quigley is a historical epic that transports readers to turbulent times.
The author’s writing is engaging and accessible, blending rigorous historical research with dramatic narration. This book is a thought-provoking, immersive read that challenges traditional historical narratives.
It is an essential pick for history enthusiasts and lovers of epic adventures seeking depth, authenticity, and inspiring storytelling.
Mogul
Loved the rawness
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2025
From the moment I started The Thundering Smoke, I was hooked. Tom Sutton’s story is tragic, yes, but also beautifully redemptive. His journey from heartbreak in Ireland to unexpected purpose in Africa is epic. The historical backdrop adds richness without overwhelming the human drama at the core. I loved how Quigley portrayed relationships as messy, real, and meaningful. It’s a war story, it’s a tragic story, and it’s a story of starting over, when starting over seems impossible.
Jacob
Highly Recommended
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2025
“The Thundering Smoke: BOOK1 The Price of Freedom” offers a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences, painting a realistic and immersive portrait of a man’s quest for freedom and redemption in the face of adversity. Readers who appreciate historical fiction intertwined with themes of personal growth and human connection will find this book a compelling read.
Elthon B. Cabanillas
Beautiful and uplifting
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2025
It’s a gripping tale that starts in the heart of the 1920s Irish War of Independence. Tom Sutton, a passionate revolutionary, is shattered when his wife is brutally murdered by the Black & Tans, and he believes his son has perished too. Seeking solace, he stumbles into Africa, where he battles alcoholism and despair. But then, a little girl named Heidi, with nothing but a bowl of soup, offers him a glimmer of hope. Together, they embark on a journey through the rugged African landscape, from the Rhodesian railways to the majestic Victoria Falls. Along the way, they face challenges, forge new bonds, and confront the ghosts of Tom’s past. It’s a story of resilience, redemption, and the unbreakable human spirit. If you’re into historical adventures with a touch of romance and a whole lot of heart, this one’s for you.
Grace Eliot
Follow along with Tom, Heidi, and Weasel on their adventure through Africa!
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2025
After the author spent some time writing this story with some breaks in between, readers get to read The Thundering Smoke! The Thundering Smoke is a historical adventure story about Tom Sutton and his adventure through Africa. Tom’s adventure unfortunately has a bad start with losing his wife and son during the Liberation War, and ending up in Africa by mistake, but the adventure turns into a better story once he meets up with Heidi. Tom’s adventure if full of excitement as he and Heidi are traveling the railway looking for work in the goldmines before making it to Victoria Falls or the title of this book called The Thundering Smoke! Even while working in the goldmines, readers also get to learn about Tom’s vision for a better future with starting a farm one day! Yes the adventure is not all sunshine and rainbows as readers will get to see some of the unfortunate things Tom and Heidi had to experience and even at the end of the book as well with someone in the hospital. With the way the story ends as well, hopefully there will be a sequel for Tom and Heidi in the future, because I enjoyed reading about their adventure and hopefully they will be able to meetup again one day!
Kenika Peach
A Must Read !!!
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2025
This novel promises a sweeping historical epic, blending war, loss, redemption, and the vast, unforgiving landscapes of both Ireland and Africa. Tom Sutton’s journey is a deeply emotional and turbulent one—marked by personal tragedy, self-destruction, and an eventual quest for meaning. The story’s foundation, set against the brutal backdrop of the Irish War of Independence, immediately captures attention with its high stakes and raw emotional weight.
Overall, this has the makings of a compelling historical novel—one that is both action-packed and emotionally resonant, capturing the spirit of resilience and the unpredictability of fate. If executed well, it could be an unforgettable journey through love, loss, and redemption.
Bookside Press
a powerful exploration of loss, hope, and redemption
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2025
The Thundering Smoke: BOOK 1 The Price of Freedom by Guy Quigley is a gripping tale set during the violent Irish Liberation War of the 1920s. The story follows Tom Sutton, a broken-hearted revolutionary whose life takes a tragic turn after the brutal murder of his wife by the Black & Tans. Believing his son to be lost, Tom spirals into alcoholism, only to be saved by a chance encounter with a little girl, Heidi.
Their journey through Rhodesia in search of work in the small gold mines is a testament to resilience, survival, and the unexpected bonds that can emerge even in the darkest of times. Quigley’s storytelling is rich with historical detail, blending personal tragedy with larger political themes.
This novel is a powerful exploration of loss, hope, and redemption amidst turmoil. With well-developed characters and a vivid setting, it’s a compelling read for anyone interested in historical fiction with a personal touch.
Jeyran M
Tragedy, personal struggles and challenges....
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2025
“The Thundering Smoke: The Price of Freedom” by Guy Quigley is a powerful historical saga exploring war, loss and the fight for redemption. It provides interesting details of Tom Sutton’s journey through personal tragedy and political upheaval. The story captures the tension between vengeance and forgiveness. It intertwines personal struggles with historical realities. Overall, this compelling novel offers a vivid portrayal of resilience in the face of fate’s relentless challenges.