Blue Smoke Rises is the thrilling sequel to the coming-of-age story Mendel, set in the mid 1980’s on Chicago’s Southside. After being discharged from the hospital, Brandon James Jr. (BJ) is eager to pick up the pieces of his fractured life. He secures an unusual job, begins rehab with a savant, and even agrees to therapy to address nightmares and anxiety because of his “accident.” Yet, while BJ’s eyes are still on the prize of obtaining a collegiate track scholarship, a crooked coach uses the opportunity to blackmail him. At the same time, Keko, BJ’s father, tries to keep a gang war from spilling over into the family’s lives. And an unexpected low-life returns to Chicago igniting BJ’s lust for revenge. BJ must fight for the ones he loves and his own sanity while circumstances outside of his control threatens to ruin his future plans and relationships.