September 2021

I tiptoed my way into Paula Hawkins’ new novel, A SLOW FIRE BURNING. I enjoyed THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN but was disappointed in her second book, INTO THE WATER. However, a few chapters in, I felt that Paula once again had hit her stride. The more I read, the more I saw how she had ratcheted up her game.

The book is full of moments when you’re sure that you know who killed Daniel on his houseboat, but then you get another equally plausible culprit presented to you. There was a girl named Laura seen running away with blood on her shirt. Miriam saw it all from her houseboat across the dock and is happy to tell her story to any investigator who will listen. She is quite a storyteller; later on, you will see just how good. And there are relatives who could be involved, like Daniel’s Aunt Carla. What does Carla know about Daniel’s death, and what did she find as she cleared her sister’s house of its possessions? Just when you think you have the perfect cast of would-be murderers, let’s toss in Carla’s husband, Theo, the novelist who has his own fingerprints on this tale.

There are times when you may get lost as you read; this book demands careful attention. While you’ve been torn in many directions, the ending will be satisfying and bring good closure. At least it did for me. I was caught up in it right until the very end!