Scan barcode
dodgerjess's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
j_reads_nightmares's review against another edition
1.5
I tried so hard to like this, but I was so incredibly bored. The writing seemed repetitive and seemed to hand-holdy; instead of letting the reader draw their own conclusions, every sentence explained exactly what was happing. Sometimes more than once.
I also had problems with how a things were portrayed:
1. Hazel being bipolar. While rarely discussed, it seemed to “omg, she was biopolar so of course she was crazy?!?”
2. Substance abuse. One scene shows someone working in a hospital was is currently getting help for their addiction. Raven & her partner Billy Ray wanted to throw them straight to jail. It seemed like poor understanding that addiction is a disease.
I also had problems with how a things were portrayed:
2. Substance abuse. One scene shows someone working in a hospital was is currently getting help for their addiction. Raven & her partner Billy Ray wanted to throw them straight to jail. It seemed like poor understanding that addiction is a disease.
readbydusk's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up. I loved the authentic setting in Byrd’s Landing, Louisiana. The descriptions of the locations and diverse characters makes the story feel alive. Raven’s friendship with her long-time partner, Billy Ray, is filled with warmth and really needed in this dark book. The flashbacks to Floyd’s scenes are chilling and brutal, but superbly placed to show context to Raven’s behaviour.
As a police procedural though, it could be better. The murder investigation is compromised from the start. Raven is a notorious liar and even a possible suspect but this only comes up towards the end. I wish the book goes deeper into Raven’s mind where her father’s influence is concerned. On a personal note, I'm not a fan of how much the book sides with the police especially with Raven doing whatever she likes behind the badge. But overall, an unique take on crime fiction with some elements of horror.
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
As a police procedural though, it could be better. The murder investigation is compromised from the start. Raven is a notorious liar and even a possible suspect but this only comes up towards the end. I wish the book goes deeper into Raven’s mind where her father’s influence is concerned. On a personal note, I'm not a fan of how much the book sides with the police especially with Raven doing whatever she likes behind the badge. But overall, an unique take on crime fiction with some elements of horror.
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
neilsb's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
locpressedbooks_'s review against another edition
4.0
Oh my goodness.
This was great! I am a sucka for a strong female detective with a tragic back story trying to overcome all that people who know about her pass and do some good in the world, by becoming a cop. And a damn good one until one of her “mortal” enemies comes up dead and Raven Burns is on the case. This was a slow burn of a mystery that leaves you guessing all the way til the end. Very enjoyable, very well written.
I need more.
This was great! I am a sucka for a strong female detective with a tragic back story trying to overcome all that people who know about her pass and do some good in the world, by becoming a cop. And a damn good one until one of her “mortal” enemies comes up dead and Raven Burns is on the case. This was a slow burn of a mystery that leaves you guessing all the way til the end. Very enjoyable, very well written.
I need more.
readermonica's review against another edition
4.0
A KILLING FIRE is a page turner that I am so glad to have had an opportunity to read. Snowden takes a unique and darker twist with detective Raven Burns. Not only is she fighting to establish her place with respect in a small town police department, she is also fighting set perceptions of her as the only daughter and suspected accomplice of an infamous serial killer Floyd 'FIRE' Burns who earned his nickname in a brutal and personal way. Added to all of that stress and residual trauma, Raven is also being visited by the specter of her executed father whose legacy and proclivities she is terrified of having inherited. Floyd is the devil in her ear encouraging her to do whatever is necessary to protect herself at all costs.
Raven Burns is probably one of the most emotionally damaged characters that I have come across. Snowden does a really good job making her a sympathetic character without making her pitiable. Raven is strong and courageous but is capable of making some really unfortunate decisions. There were several instances where I wanted to hold my breath while silently hoping that she wouldn't do that stupid thing that was obviously going to happen and I still wanted to groan when it did. Raven's inability to fully trust made her ripe for unnecessary mistakes and decisions that made her life harder both professionally and personally.
I enjoyed pretty much everything about A KILLING FIRE. The characters and their backgrounds, the way the story unfolded, and even the opaque ending. I can't actually tell if this is going to be a series or a stand alone story because of the ending. I would love for this to be a series so that I can follow Raven's struggles to figure out who she is, what she wants to be, how hard she is willing to fight to get there, and where she eventually lands. However, I can also see where this could be a satisfying stand alone because a story ending on what is basically a fade to black ellipses like dangling end can also be good even though it left with a 'GAH' what the hell happened?! As always, I admit and embrace that I am a greedy reader when it comes to stories that I enjoy-it is what it is y'all. I am very much looking forward to reading whatever Snowden delivers next.
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @monicaisreading
Instagram: @readermonica
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
Raven Burns is probably one of the most emotionally damaged characters that I have come across. Snowden does a really good job making her a sympathetic character without making her pitiable. Raven is strong and courageous but is capable of making some really unfortunate decisions. There were several instances where I wanted to hold my breath while silently hoping that she wouldn't do that stupid thing that was obviously going to happen and I still wanted to groan when it did. Raven's inability to fully trust made her ripe for unnecessary mistakes and decisions that made her life harder both professionally and personally.
I enjoyed pretty much everything about A KILLING FIRE. The characters and their backgrounds, the way the story unfolded, and even the opaque ending. I can't actually tell if this is going to be a series or a stand alone story because of the ending. I would love for this to be a series so that I can follow Raven's struggles to figure out who she is, what she wants to be, how hard she is willing to fight to get there, and where she eventually lands. However, I can also see where this could be a satisfying stand alone because a story ending on what is basically a fade to black ellipses like dangling end can also be good even though it left with a 'GAH' what the hell happened?! As always, I admit and embrace that I am a greedy reader when it comes to stories that I enjoy-it is what it is y'all. I am very much looking forward to reading whatever Snowden delivers next.
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @monicaisreading
Instagram: @readermonica
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
bnjreads's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Flame Tree Press for sending this review copy my way!
A Killing Fire by Faye Snowden was a slow burn, crime fiction novel that follows Raven Burns, a Louisiana Homicide Detective with a past she so desperately wants to escape.
With a serial killer for a father, many of his crimes she witnessed, Raven struggles with her innocence and whether or not she was complicit in her father’s crimes. We feel Raven struggle with her identity, constantly hearing father’s voice in her head. We hear her lie and we witness her relationship with Billy Ray and her Chief become strained.
This book has so many twists and turns that you can’t help but to keep reading to figure out who the true killer was. While this book was a little slower moving for me, I still enjoyed the crime feel of the writing. There is solid character development throughout this book. Each character’s personality held true from the beginning of this book to the end. The unique perspective of having a serial killer for a father and all that ensues thereafter his death! Grab yourself a copy!
A Killing Fire by Faye Snowden was a slow burn, crime fiction novel that follows Raven Burns, a Louisiana Homicide Detective with a past she so desperately wants to escape.
With a serial killer for a father, many of his crimes she witnessed, Raven struggles with her innocence and whether or not she was complicit in her father’s crimes. We feel Raven struggle with her identity, constantly hearing father’s voice in her head. We hear her lie and we witness her relationship with Billy Ray and her Chief become strained.
This book has so many twists and turns that you can’t help but to keep reading to figure out who the true killer was. While this book was a little slower moving for me, I still enjoyed the crime feel of the writing. There is solid character development throughout this book. Each character’s personality held true from the beginning of this book to the end. The unique perspective of having a serial killer for a father and all that ensues thereafter his death! Grab yourself a copy!
teamredmon's review against another edition
4.0
What if the killer...is me? In A KILLING FIRE by Faye Snowden, we follow Raven Burns, a dogged police detective in Byrd’s Landing, Louisiana. She and her partner are investigating the murder of Hazel Westcott, a fancy socialite that has a rough history with Detective Burns. Through the use of flashbacks, we learn that Raven’s father was a notorious serial killer named Floyd ‘Fire’ Burns. As the case progresses and the murders continue, the evidence starts to mount that the killer is actually Raven. Throughout the story, we don’t know who to trust to the point that even Raven is unreliable. In order to solve the case and stop the murders, Raven will have to dig deep into the small-town secrets and shine a light into the dark corners of Byrd’s Landing.
This is a fast-paced crime procedural. The mystery is well crafted and I enjoyed getting to know Raven Burns and the town of Byrd’s Landing. I hope that this is the start of a series about Raven and Byrd’s Landing because there feels like there is more there to discover. I give it 4 stars and recommend it to any fan of mysteries, crime thrillers, and/or Louisiana.
I received this advanced reader book from Flame Tree Press in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fast-paced crime procedural. The mystery is well crafted and I enjoyed getting to know Raven Burns and the town of Byrd’s Landing. I hope that this is the start of a series about Raven and Byrd’s Landing because there feels like there is more there to discover. I give it 4 stars and recommend it to any fan of mysteries, crime thrillers, and/or Louisiana.
I received this advanced reader book from Flame Tree Press in exchange for an honest review.
booknooknoggin's review against another edition
3.0
A pretty average crime thriller about an detective whose father was a serial killer. This kinda reminded me of the TV series Prodigal Son. I enjoyed this but have read better such as the Dexter series. Or Chiefs by Woods.
charmandareads's review against another edition
3.0
*I was gifted an ARC copy from Flame Tree Press in exchange for an honest review*
Raven Burns is a police officer in Byrd's Landing, Louisiana, doing her damnedest to right the wrongs of the past. A strong-willed, admirable woman, product of a devious, murderous man. Raven's father was Floyd "Fire" Burns, false preacher and convicted wife-killer. She is haunted by his actions, he plagues her mind even after his death. As our story unfolds, it begins to appear that Fire continues killing long after he left this earth.
Raven is called to investigate the murder of a young woman, one that had quite a vocal opposition of our detective. Her crime scene is so devoid of clues, we have no idea where to begin looking. Raven is a brilliant woman, and a great detective. She comes up with more and more answers as the story progresses. But it leads us to wonder, does she know that because she is good at her job, or is she a little too involved...?
Most of this story is enjoyable. But if I had to use one word to describe my overall impression, it would be: reaching. I am predominantly a horror/true crime reader, so much of what had to do with the background, and police policies did not fit what I know very well. If I were less educated in these fields, I would have no qualms. However, the extent of Floyd's "serial" killing is not explained well-enough for me, nor are his crimes consistent enough in type/victim/MO to earn him the title of serial killer. He appears to have been labelled such because he has killed more than one person. While the need for Raven to be on a case with a massively damaging conflict of interest was explained, it is egregiously unethical.
There are plenty of twists and turns to this novel, but I would have preferred to know less of Raven's moves so we could truly perceive her as a suspect. It was definitely a different story, and I did like it. I did not love it, but I would love to read another book by Faye Snowden! I felt that her writing itself was beautiful, and I love her characters. I would be interested in the live and times of Floyd "Fire" Burns (in a hope that his image in my head could be redeemed!). I am giving this book a sold 3 stars because I expect a lot out of murder/crime/cop stories, and this missed a few of my boxes.
Raven Burns is a police officer in Byrd's Landing, Louisiana, doing her damnedest to right the wrongs of the past. A strong-willed, admirable woman, product of a devious, murderous man. Raven's father was Floyd "Fire" Burns, false preacher and convicted wife-killer. She is haunted by his actions, he plagues her mind even after his death. As our story unfolds, it begins to appear that Fire continues killing long after he left this earth.
Raven is called to investigate the murder of a young woman, one that had quite a vocal opposition of our detective. Her crime scene is so devoid of clues, we have no idea where to begin looking. Raven is a brilliant woman, and a great detective. She comes up with more and more answers as the story progresses. But it leads us to wonder, does she know that because she is good at her job, or is she a little too involved...?
Most of this story is enjoyable. But if I had to use one word to describe my overall impression, it would be: reaching. I am predominantly a horror/true crime reader, so much of what had to do with the background, and police policies did not fit what I know very well. If I were less educated in these fields, I would have no qualms. However, the extent of Floyd's "serial" killing is not explained well-enough for me, nor are his crimes consistent enough in type/victim/MO to earn him the title of serial killer. He appears to have been labelled such because he has killed more than one person. While the need for Raven to be on a case with a massively damaging conflict of interest was explained, it is egregiously unethical.
There are plenty of twists and turns to this novel, but I would have preferred to know less of Raven's moves so we could truly perceive her as a suspect. It was definitely a different story, and I did like it. I did not love it, but I would love to read another book by Faye Snowden! I felt that her writing itself was beautiful, and I love her characters. I would be interested in the live and times of Floyd "Fire" Burns (in a hope that his image in my head could be redeemed!). I am giving this book a sold 3 stars because I expect a lot out of murder/crime/cop stories, and this missed a few of my boxes.