Serenity has had a gift for her whole life. She can see and communicate with dead and missing people. She has a show which has made her famous and she doesn't meet the people who want to reach out to their loved ones before the show is in progress. This has helped solidify her following. That is, of course, until she has two disastrous programs.

This is a short story. I had the audio version. I listened to the entire performance in about 1 1/2 hours. I thought the story was a great introduction to the character and I found that I wanted to know more about her. The narrator is great.

Intriguing short story, that's an easy accompaniment to a run or drive and showcases the storytelling skills of Picoult.

This audiobook, while skillfully narrated and well-constructed, didn't fully capture my personal connection. The voice performances and pacing were well-done, helping to bring the characters and story to life. For listeners who resonate with the themes or emotional arcs, it offers a fulfilling journey that’s immersive and thought-provoking. However, for those who may not connect with the core message, it could feel a bit distant. Overall, it’s an engaging listen that will likely be a rewarding experience for those who can relate, showcasing the beauty of storytelling through sound.

I didn't like this book. I usually really enjoy Jodi Picoult's books, but this fell flat for me. I liked the physic aspect, it was unusual for her.. looking forward to her next release.

I went to into this blind, knowing only that it’s connected to Leaving Time, which I haven’t read. I’m on a bit of a Jodi Picoult binge so was happy to see where the journey would take me.

Serenity Jones is a psychic, an acclaimed medium with a hit TV show. She has genuine gifts but always keeps one eye on the prize, the fame, ratings and public perception.

Serenity has a war widow on her and messages from the other side may be damaging and controversial. As Serenity seeks to undo the damage she may be leaping out of the frying pan into the fire…

I thoroughly enjoyed this short story, it’s short and sharp and lures you into Serenity’s world. Who knew the troubles celebrity psychics have to deal with?

The narration and enhanced audio production (with some music and sound effects) are great. Recommended in its own right and sure to delight those who already know Serenity Jones through Leaving Time.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio

This was a short audiobook, as stated based on a character from another book by the author Leaving Time. I have listened to some work in the past by this author. However, not that one in particular, so it's as if this was a little snippet to see if it is of any interest.

It was well narrated and flowed well, giving the feels of an American type sitcom / movie playing out in your ears.

As it was so short, there isn't much to say on the actual audiobook other than it gives a good indication of the authors work and, of course, in particular the book Leaving Time.

With thanks to Netgalley & Bolinda Audio for this ELC. 🎧

I enjoy Jodi Picoult's novels so was intrigued to try a short story from her. This one however felt a bit more like a prequel to her next book which I understand is coming out in October rather than a short story as the ending was extremely abrupt. Perhaps the rationale for this was to introduce us to the main character and leave the reader wanting to know more about Serenity, the psychic, so we will buy the full book? The audiobook was well narrated and the additional sounds and music created a more immersive experience.
I am grateful to the publishers and NetGalley for an advanced listener copy of this audiobook and will look out for the main book when it is published later in the year.

A well written and narrated short-story audiobook which explores the psychic abilities of the protagonist and some of the people and spirits she encounters through her line of work. I do enjoy a short story, but find they end just as I'm getting invested. I definitely wanted more, which is testament to a good tale. #wheretheressmoke #jodipicoult #netgalley #short-story #netgalley

I really enjoyed this short story which explored what it means to have psychic gifts and what happens when you don’t honour and respect them as you should.
It’s short enough that you can listen to it in one session. The plot is interesting whatever your viewpoint on psychics. I really enjoyed the world building in terms of the afterlife. I found the story invoked a wide range of emotions from humour to sorrow which is impressive given how short the story is. The narrator is brilliant, providing a range of accents for the listener to enjoy and the sound effects add depth to the experience too. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to fans of the author or of the magical realism genre.

Thanks for the author, publisher and NetGalley for a chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this short story although there is a lot of ambiguity as is often the case with short stories.

Thank you for the audio.

This was disappointing. I normally love everything Jodi Picoult writes. In fact recently I listened to her latest book By any other name and very much enjoyed it.
This one was not great in my opinion, for these readings: a) it was far too short
b) the protagonist is a clairvoyant/medium
c) it doesn't seem to relate to any of her previous books and doesn't even read like one of her books.

A really enjoyable short story, with excellent narration by Amy Finegan. I find the psychic world fascinating so this ticked all the boxes for me and Serenity Jones is a character I would love to meet again in future reads.

I felt for Serenity when she was torn between her producer's demand for increased ratings and her own moral compass. I loved how it was her spiritual guides who helped to pull her back into line, rather than her living family and friends.

Too good to be so short!

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Jodi Picoult and Bolinda for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Well, I guess I better put the book on the tbr now that I’m invested! There’s a reason I don’t request excerpts, I’m too nosey and I need to know what happens next. However I believed this was an actual short story, which it is, it is in fact a prelude to Leaving Time. Now I have to read it!!

Seems like a lot went into the production of this title, and the narration had me hooked.

My thanks to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future

Where There’s Smoke by Jodi Picoult

This is a short story (only 66 minutes long) the author wrote in 2014 and the audio is releasing on 1 April 2025. Serenity Jones is one of the characters in her book Leaving Time.

Since childhood Serenity Jones has always ‘seen’ people, and now as an adult she is a well-known psychic with her own tv show. She has two spirit guides, Lucinda and Desmond, who she speaks to in her mind. Serenity is trying to boost her tv ratings so decides to do a military themed show and gets a young war widow with her baby on the show. The woman just wants to hear from her husband but the message that Serenity relays is not what the young widow or the audience were expecting.

I enjoyed the short story and the narrating was good with special effects in the background like doors creaking or audience members clapping. It is a short story but I could have listened to more.

Thank you NetGalley for my audio arc.

🎧4⭐️

A short story as a prequel to Leaving Time’s main character Serenity Jones who is a psychic.

Read by Amy Finigan and incorporates sound effects and music. The narrator is great, but not sure that the incorporation of the music and sound effects adds anything to this short story.

I’ve only recently discovered this author binging several of her books.
I can’t say that I like the main character, she seems a bit up herself, but it’s whetted my appetite, so will move on now to listening to Leaving Time as I enjoy books about psychics.

It’s short and enjoyable, felt that it ended abit abruptly, but good to be left wanting more.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was great! This is a short story and I wish it were a full length book but it is done so well. Jodi Picoult is one of my all time favorite authors and I never miss anything she writes. Highly recommend this one!

Thank You Netgalley and Bolinda for letting me listen to this one. I always know a Bolinda audiobook won’t disappoint.

I wish this was a full fledged book. I really do. Some short stories leave me craving for more. And Jodi Picoult did a great job with this one. I loved the narration too.

All in all, a good book.

An excellent taster and teaser short story that has drawn me to read the book `Leaving Time` which contains more of the character Serenity Jones. Serenity Jones is a genuine psychic with a TV show. She’s been psychic all her life, something her mother recognized from her great-grandma, an Iroquois healer. I listened to the new audiobook the narrator and extra sound effects were great and really enhanced the experience for me. Can`t wait to dig into Leaving Time.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for the ALC. This is my honest review.