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simone_walker's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley and The Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars rounded down
I liked this thriller a lot. I liked that we had a main detective whose character flaw was a deranged parent. No wholly original but not the most obvious one either. I like the setting and the side characters too and the pacing was good.
Unfortunately I guessed quite early on who did it which is why I can't rate it higher. it really wasn't subtle but i wasn't 100% and really wanted to get to the end to confirm I was correct.
3.5 stars rounded down
I liked this thriller a lot. I liked that we had a main detective whose character flaw was a deranged parent. No wholly original but not the most obvious one either. I like the setting and the side characters too and the pacing was good.
Unfortunately I guessed quite early on who did it which is why I can't rate it higher. it really wasn't subtle but i wasn't 100% and really wanted to get to the end to confirm I was correct.
readermonica's review
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
neverwithoutabook's review
4.0
What a rush! A Killing Fire is a page turning psychological thriller that will keep you guessing to the end.
Homicide detective Raven Burns is on the hunt to find the murderer of wealthy socialite, Hazel Westcott. Burns has dealt with many murder cases but this one is different. As the story progresses you find out that Burns father Floyd “Fire” Burns is a serial killer and the evidence is pointing to Raven as the killer.
This book was the perfect heart pumping, page turning read that I needed. First off, that intro was perfect. Faye wasted no time and got the action started from the first page. The backstory of Raven and her father was solid, the author didn’t leave anything out. Strong character dynamics and all the twist and turns had me glued to my chair. I don’t know why but the whole time I was reading I couldn’t get the show Dexter out of my head (a few similarities there). If you are looking for a fast pace read, I highly recommend this novel. Out August 22
Thank you, Flame Tree Press, for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rate: 4 out of 5 Stars
Homicide detective Raven Burns is on the hunt to find the murderer of wealthy socialite, Hazel Westcott. Burns has dealt with many murder cases but this one is different. As the story progresses you find out that Burns father Floyd “Fire” Burns is a serial killer and the evidence is pointing to Raven as the killer.
This book was the perfect heart pumping, page turning read that I needed. First off, that intro was perfect. Faye wasted no time and got the action started from the first page. The backstory of Raven and her father was solid, the author didn’t leave anything out. Strong character dynamics and all the twist and turns had me glued to my chair. I don’t know why but the whole time I was reading I couldn’t get the show Dexter out of my head (a few similarities there). If you are looking for a fast pace read, I highly recommend this novel. Out August 22
Thank you, Flame Tree Press, for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rate: 4 out of 5 Stars
bookertsfarm's review
When I first accepted to be on this blog tour, I admit I did so basically because I've had such success with Flame Tree Press titles. I knew there was some sort of mystery element to it but honestly, from the cover, I was getting a sci-fi feel. Well, be aware, this is not sci-fi but it's still a heck of a good read.
Raven Burns and her partner Billy Ray are detectives in a small Louisiana town. As a child, Raven was raised primarily by her father, Floyd, who became the well-known 4th of July serial killer. Raven works hard to put people like Floyd away, but secretly wonders how much like him she just might be. One night, Hazel Westcott, a wild-child from a prominent family, ends up dead following a 4th of July celebration. Raven and Hazel are not strangers, but how much does she really know about her death and what is she hiding.
This book was a very quick read. I think because of the mystery elements, I was constantly wanting to see what was going to happen next as well as find out if my amateur theories panned out. While I don't know that any of the characters were extremely likable, they were all flawed and very realistic. I did feel for Raven and what she had been though but there were a few times where I felt like her actions were actually complicating her life more so than making it easier. Billy Ray was a great partner and at time I believed he had to be the most patient and understand person on Byrd's Landing.
If you love mysteries and thrillers, you really need to consider picking up "A Killing Fire." This title could clearly go head-to-head with some of the more hyped thrillers on the market right now and dare I say that I actually have liked it better than so of the more popular ones I've read recently.
Raven Burns and her partner Billy Ray are detectives in a small Louisiana town. As a child, Raven was raised primarily by her father, Floyd, who became the well-known 4th of July serial killer. Raven works hard to put people like Floyd away, but secretly wonders how much like him she just might be. One night, Hazel Westcott, a wild-child from a prominent family, ends up dead following a 4th of July celebration. Raven and Hazel are not strangers, but how much does she really know about her death and what is she hiding.
This book was a very quick read. I think because of the mystery elements, I was constantly wanting to see what was going to happen next as well as find out if my amateur theories panned out. While I don't know that any of the characters were extremely likable, they were all flawed and very realistic. I did feel for Raven and what she had been though but there were a few times where I felt like her actions were actually complicating her life more so than making it easier. Billy Ray was a great partner and at time I believed he had to be the most patient and understand person on Byrd's Landing.
If you love mysteries and thrillers, you really need to consider picking up "A Killing Fire." This title could clearly go head-to-head with some of the more hyped thrillers on the market right now and dare I say that I actually have liked it better than so of the more popular ones I've read recently.
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