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Tuesday, June 09, 2015

After the Fire by Jane Casey

As compelling as her previous novels, I was unable to put After the Fire down and finished it the day I started it.  It is easy to get caught up in Casey's plots and characters. 

Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent  (somewhat to their surprise) are once again partnered by their superior officer and sent to the scene of a fire in which one of the bodies may have political repercussions.

There were three fatalities in the fire that ravaged the 11th floor of a London tower block, but more secrets are involved than just those concerning the individuals who didn't survive.

While one of the fatalities was high profile and mysteriously out of place, two other unidentified victims were locked in a flat, unable to escape.  Among the survivors: a young mother suffering injuries from an attack, an elderly woman who may have information she doesn't consider important, a seven-year-old whose burns are horrifically severe,  and a young boy who can't find his mother.

Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent  (somewhat to their surprise) are once again partnered by their superior officer.  Once the fire is determined to have been arson, the police begin investigating whether or not one of the victims was specifically targeted.  While their boss favors one theory, Derwent has another one that he wants to pursue, and both theories have some twists.  But those two theories are not the only ones that might have an impact on the investigation.

In addition to the arson case, Maeve is still being stalked by Chris Swain.  

My only regret is that I missed book 5, and without realizing it, went ahead and read After the Fire.  To make up for my carelessness, I now have The Kill  (#5 in the series) heading this way.

NetGalley/Random House UK

Police Procedural/Crime.  June 18, 2015.  Print version:  464 pages.



12 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good series, went to Amazon and ordered the first one, The Burning.

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    1. I hope you like it! It is a series that gets more involved, and I think, better as it continues!

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  2. Um, yes. You need to read The Kill. Think you'll enjoy it. So looking forward to this book. Can't wait and have preordered it from the UK. Because I couldn't wait. LOL

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    1. Yes, there were a few details that made me realize I'd missed an installment, but most I could explain through remembering book #4. Not that you need to read them in order to enjoy them, but having read the first four consecutively, I have appreciated the character development. I think you will love After the Fire!

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  3. I don't read a lot of books that involve arson, but it's not for lack of interest. I actually have a fire phobia, but it doesn't extend to reading about it. I do want to try this series at some point.

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    1. It is a great series, and I think you would enjoy watching the character development. :) I have a couple of fears in real life that I am fine with reading about, even if my shoulders tense while reading.

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  4. I know I've to read this series after reading so many great reviews from you and Kay. I hope July will come quickly so my reading schedule will be back to norm. ;-)

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    1. Aah, you are still busy entertaining the girls. :)

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  5. You had me on "I couldn't put it down." :-) I'll add this series to my list.

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    1. I've found all the novels in the series compelling. Keep it up, Jane Casey!

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  6. You know sometimes I wish publishers would list the books in order somewhere in the pages. I really don't like to read books out of order especially with series I really love. Anyway, so glad this was another winner! I'm only on book three so I need to catch up!

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    1. I was actually waiting on the next book, but had forgotten the title. When this one was offered on NetGalley, I didn't stop to realize I was skipping one. I really liked the fourth book, The Stranger You Know--it was my favorite at that point.

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