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nova_for_words 's review for:
Burned Bridges
by John Gilstrap
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-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:
Yes
Burned Bridges launches a new series spotlighting Irene Rivers—formerly the formidable FBI Director from Gilstrap’s Jonathan Grave thrillers. In this installment, Irene trades the cutthroat politics of Washington for what she hopes will be a quiet life in rural West Virginia. But peace is short-lived when her young nephew discovers a corpse in a nearby cave, unearthing secrets that powerful enemies would kill to keep buried.
What follows is a tense, high-stakes thriller that blends small-town crime with the wide-reaching consequences of political power. Irene’s background as a seasoned FBI agent gives her the grit and skill to face what comes, but this time she’s on her own—no Bureau resources, no allies in DC, and no second chances if she fails.
Gilstrap’s writing is sharp and cinematic, packed with suspense and relentless pacing. The rural setting adds a layer of claustrophobia and danger, where enemies are closer than they appear, and even local law enforcement can’t be trusted. The personal stakes—protecting Irene’s family—make the story hit harder, pulling the reader in beyond the mechanics of the mystery.
While Burned Bridges follows many of the beats of a classic cop thriller, Gilstrap injects freshness by centering the story on Irene, a strong yet vulnerable lead navigating both family bonds and mortal threats. Fans of authors like Catherine Coulter and Patricia Cornwell will feel right at home, though newcomers may find some moments a little formulaic.