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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
I received this book as a goodreads giveaway.
I was quite intrigued when I received this book. From what I read I was expecting a fast paced, page turning thriller and to be honest I didn't feel like it was. I will say it was a very good story, with some very well thought out storylines but I could easily put the book down and be ok with not rushing back to read it, if that makes sense. That's why the 3 stars. Im really sorry. The characters were well thought out I liked Jessie and was a little freaked out by Sami. The story though just fell a little flat for me.
When I read the synopsis again at the end of the book it was the perfect description of the story, I dont know, I just got to the end and thought ok. That was it.
I hope I see Jessie Flynn again, and would certainly like to read about her again, but I was a little disappointed in this one.
I was quite intrigued when I received this book. From what I read I was expecting a fast paced, page turning thriller and to be honest I didn't feel like it was. I will say it was a very good story, with some very well thought out storylines but I could easily put the book down and be ok with not rushing back to read it, if that makes sense. That's why the 3 stars. Im really sorry. The characters were well thought out I liked Jessie and was a little freaked out by Sami. The story though just fell a little flat for me.
When I read the synopsis again at the end of the book it was the perfect description of the story, I dont know, I just got to the end and thought ok. That was it.
I hope I see Jessie Flynn again, and would certainly like to read about her again, but I was a little disappointed in this one.
At first I thought this was going to be another mystery thriller where everybody is miserable and it does start that way. Jesse Flynn has OCD a remnant from her brothers death 15 years ago. Army detective Callan is dealing with a bullet lodged in his brain. Not the setting for a cheerful book!
However the story is a tightly woven tale of a psychologically disturbed young boy and how he's linked to several murders. I loved the characters in the end especially Marilyn (Bobby to his mum) an aging rocker police DI that made me picture one of the Ramones. The idea of a detective wandering around in his too skinny jeans and hoodie was a nice change of pace from everything else.
It's intriguing, it's a real page turner once it gets going. The characters are interesting and I liked the twist of having them mainly be Army detectives and psychologists rather than general police. It added a nice twist. All the characters are well developed. An excellent read
However the story is a tightly woven tale of a psychologically disturbed young boy and how he's linked to several murders. I loved the characters in the end especially Marilyn (Bobby to his mum) an aging rocker police DI that made me picture one of the Ramones. The idea of a detective wandering around in his too skinny jeans and hoodie was a nice change of pace from everything else.
It's intriguing, it's a real page turner once it gets going. The characters are interesting and I liked the twist of having them mainly be Army detectives and psychologists rather than general police. It added a nice twist. All the characters are well developed. An excellent read
I really enjoyed the debut White Crocodile book by this author which was set in Cambodia and this second in the series (although standalone) is just as gripping. It’s a serious subject - psychological harm, damaged characters, PTSD - but the author really treats these with respect and a gripping story to pull you in, empathize and keep you hooked.
Dr Jessie Flynn, the military psychologist of the story is perhaps the most damaged of all and I found it really heartwarming yet poignant as she tried to help a traumatized 4 year old. I can’t imagine being a child looking at their father’s injuries like that and my heart went out to him. The entire novel and subject matter just felt so real and raw and even though I have no personal experience of this (thank goodness) I felt as if I understood and was shown the reality of what we never really see when war stories are reported.
Respect to the author for dealing with this subject in such a sensitive yet raw way as well as writing a novel which grips and moves you. No easy feat - the Medina magic has worked again.
Dr Jessie Flynn, the military psychologist of the story is perhaps the most damaged of all and I found it really heartwarming yet poignant as she tried to help a traumatized 4 year old. I can’t imagine being a child looking at their father’s injuries like that and my heart went out to him. The entire novel and subject matter just felt so real and raw and even though I have no personal experience of this (thank goodness) I felt as if I understood and was shown the reality of what we never really see when war stories are reported.
Respect to the author for dealing with this subject in such a sensitive yet raw way as well as writing a novel which grips and moves you. No easy feat - the Medina magic has worked again.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5⭐️
This was an interesting first novel from the new Jessie Flynn series by Kate Medina. I enjoyed the setting (although didn't always 'get' the finer army references) and appreciated the multi-layer approach. It was a little tropey in places and some of the 'twists' were a little clumsy. It was also quite political particularly with regards to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq but overall it held my interest and was a fast read.
This was an interesting first novel from the new Jessie Flynn series by Kate Medina. I enjoyed the setting (although didn't always 'get' the finer army references) and appreciated the multi-layer approach. It was a little tropey in places and some of the 'twists' were a little clumsy. It was also quite political particularly with regards to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq but overall it held my interest and was a fast read.
Book reviews and more at www.snazzybooks.com
Fire Damage is an interesting, gripping psychological thriller that addresses a slightly different theme and a fresh offering to that which we're used to reading about in this genre.
Jessie Flynn is a psychologist, currently working with the US Army, so she helps counsel members of the forces after they return from action. She is given a case which concerns a young boy who seems to be a little disturbed, and in investigating this, plenty of other - and some rather dark - issues come to the surface, not just with their family but with the wider community.
I liked that this novel had the police procedural elements to it mixed in with the psychology and information about life living with (or without, in some sad cases) army personnel. There are some characters which you feel really sorry for, and it highlights the plight of many veterans who are physically or psychologically damaged, often with PTSD, from their service. I found the subject matter really interesting, though disturbing and emotional at times, and felt like it was a breath of fresh air amongst many 'samey' novels.
Jessie Flynn is a likeable character. She has her own problems, but her vulnerability makes her even more likeable and you're willing her to be okay and not let her demons get the better of her - at least not completely, anyway. I enjoyed reading about both her work and her personal life - there's a good balance between both. I particularly enjoyed reading about her working (and personal) relationship with Callan, especially now he's no longer Jessie's patient and is instead working alongside her.
I haven't read any other novels by author Kate Medina, but would like to now! I think she handles some potentially upsetting and emotional subjects in a skilled and sensitive way, and thought this was a sparkling debut from what promises to be a great new crime/ thriller series. A recommended read!
* Many thanks to 4th Estate and Netgalley for a copy of this novel, on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review. *
Fire Damage is an interesting, gripping psychological thriller that addresses a slightly different theme and a fresh offering to that which we're used to reading about in this genre.
Jessie Flynn is a psychologist, currently working with the US Army, so she helps counsel members of the forces after they return from action. She is given a case which concerns a young boy who seems to be a little disturbed, and in investigating this, plenty of other - and some rather dark - issues come to the surface, not just with their family but with the wider community.
I liked that this novel had the police procedural elements to it mixed in with the psychology and information about life living with (or without, in some sad cases) army personnel. There are some characters which you feel really sorry for, and it highlights the plight of many veterans who are physically or psychologically damaged, often with PTSD, from their service. I found the subject matter really interesting, though disturbing and emotional at times, and felt like it was a breath of fresh air amongst many 'samey' novels.
Jessie Flynn is a likeable character. She has her own problems, but her vulnerability makes her even more likeable and you're willing her to be okay and not let her demons get the better of her - at least not completely, anyway. I enjoyed reading about both her work and her personal life - there's a good balance between both. I particularly enjoyed reading about her working (and personal) relationship with Callan, especially now he's no longer Jessie's patient and is instead working alongside her.
I haven't read any other novels by author Kate Medina, but would like to now! I think she handles some potentially upsetting and emotional subjects in a skilled and sensitive way, and thought this was a sparkling debut from what promises to be a great new crime/ thriller series. A recommended read!
* Many thanks to 4th Estate and Netgalley for a copy of this novel, on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review. *
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Fire Damage was okay to read. It started off a bit slow with the story of Sami. As a few chapters went on, I feel like the second storyline of the body found didn't seem to merge well with the main storyline.
I thought "wait why is this here and how it is relevant" I struggled to care or be interested in this mini storyline for a while.
The tension slowly built up but it did drop in a couple of places.
I also wasn't happy with the use of slurs and eventually, the harmful/racist stereotype of Afghan/Arab men, it ruined the entire book for me imo.
Definitely had the element of surprise in a couple of parts but after I finished reading Fire Damage, it was like "hm okay, that....ok"
I thought "wait why is this here and how it is relevant" I struggled to care or be interested in this mini storyline for a while.
The tension slowly built up but it did drop in a couple of places.
I also wasn't happy with the use of slurs and eventually, the harmful/racist stereotype of Afghan/Arab men, it ruined the entire book for me imo.
Definitely had the element of surprise in a couple of parts but after I finished reading Fire Damage, it was like "hm okay, that....ok"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
The books follows two, at first seemingly, unconnected storylines - psychologist Jessie Flynn is asked to provide counselling to the 4 year old son of a badly injured soldier whilst former patient of Jessie, and former soldier, is investigating the death of a soldier in Afghanastan.
This is an interesting story with complex characters and an easy read... I didnt guess the ending which is always a good thing!
However the first 2/3rds of book is at a to slow pace until in the last 1/3 the action heats up as if Medina suddenly realises the end is coming up and she hasnt covered everything.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
This is an interesting story with complex characters and an easy read... I didnt guess the ending which is always a good thing!
However the first 2/3rds of book is at a to slow pace until in the last 1/3 the action heats up as if Medina suddenly realises the end is coming up and she hasnt covered everything.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.