When a development in South London catches fire mid-construction, a close-knit team of fire fighters runs in to save a man spotted at the window.
They come out without a body. They quit the service. They plan never to speak to each other again.
Five years later one of them is set alight at his own wedding. Soon after, a second is found, nothing but a smoking corpse. It appears that someone knows what they did that night. What they chose over their duty. And there are still three men left to burn . . .
DI Alex Finn and his new partner DC Mattie Paulsen are an unlikely pairing, but they need to discover who is behind these killings before the next man faces the fire.
If, like me, you are the kind of reader who likes to be in on the ground floor of a brand new series, then get The Burning Men on your pre-order to be read lists because this is one of those times…
This is a police procedural but also has psychological elements that are highly intriguing, a great hybrid that also has the benefit of being an extremely well written page turner.
Main protagonists Finn and Paulsen are indeed an unlikely partnership but a genuinely engaging one – both bringing personal demons to the table- the developing and ongoing relationship between them is one of the strengths of this story, playing into the riveting mystery element pitch perfectly. The supporting cast all add their own intrigues so the set up for future books is cleverly achieved.
On this particular case, there are plenty of twists and turns, a central “villain” who I rather adored, a layered mystery that is compelling and unpredictable. The author has a great descriptive sense of place and personality that keeps you involved throughout and there’s a great edgy feel to it that works really well.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. An intelligent police drama with an excellent and realistic plot, no annoying loose ends but plenty of future possibility.
Yes. Good then. Count me in.
Recommended.
You can purchase The Burning Men (Hodder) Here.
Happy Reading!
