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Sunday, August 15, 2021

Review: A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

A Slow Fire Burning
by Paula Hawkins

Thank you Penguin Random House Audio & Libro.fm for this gifted book.

Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
Publish Date: August 31, 2021
Audiobook
9 hrs 19 min
Standalone
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense

When a young man is found gruesomely murdered in a London houseboat, it triggers questions about three women who knew him. Laura is the troubled one-night-stand last seen in the victim’s home. Carla is his grief-stricken aunt, already mourning the recent death of yet another family member. And Miriam is the nosy neighbor clearly keeping secrets from the police. Three women with separate connections to the victim. Three women who are – for different reasons – simmering with resentment. Who are, whether they know it or not, burning to right the wrongs done to them. When it comes to revenge, even good people might be capable of terrible deeds. How far might any one of them go to find peace? How long can secrets smolder before they explode into flame.

My Review:


An anticipated release, Hawkins has been a name on thriller readers lips ever since Girl On A Train.  Now, I really enjoyed that book but didn't love it as much as some readers.  But I was super excited to read Into The Water, which was just an ok read for me.  And her latest, A SLOW FIRE BURNING, reminds me of Into the Water in terms of a very large cast and the apropos title as this is definitely a slow burn of a suspense read.

One man found dead.  Three women who have every reason to kill him. LET'S GO!  It took me a bit to get into this story as it has a very slow start.  The many characters are unreliable and very unlikeable, both of which I do not mind in the least, and which makes for a very character driven book.  These types of books are usually very hit or miss for me and for this particular read, it ran a bit down the middle.  I really did love the premise of this and Hawkins keeps you guessing through every chapter.  I think the trouble I have is the pacing, which inevitably had me checking out a bit towards the middle.

So, in a weird turn of events, there's no pin pointing of why I did or didn't enjoy this book.  Hawkins, as usual, does an oustanding job of throwing a lot at you and bringing it all together at the end.  I am once again impressed with how she keeps this all organized as she's writing.  Maybe it's my mood that didn't allow for me to enjoy this as much as I could have.  Maybe I have to come to terms with the fact that she may not be the author for me. 🤷

★★★

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