This is a stunning true crime novel that sinks its teeth into you. The protagonist is a very brave, loyal person who seeks out the truth despite what it may cost her in peace of mind and soul. The pacing is intense enough to keep you locked in . Overall, great story.

Many thanks go to Frank C. Girardot and Lori Kovach Orr, Wildblue Press, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review. This is the story of a dedicated arson investigator and a dedicated arsonist. Who's who becomes apparent quite quickly. And it'll make your blood run cold. Orr was a victim of the arsonist. But nothing she owned was set on fire. Instead her life fell apart. The reader learns her story too. This was an engrossing story. I wanted this man caught desperately. The damage and deaths he caused were astronomical. And for no reason. He was evil. Giradot does an excellent job of being objective laying out the facts so the readers can judge for themselves.

I absolutely love true crime books and this wasn't any different. It always makes me want to learn more about the case and to do a ton of research and this was no exception. Such a sad story. Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I appreciate it. I will definitely be looking up this author for more books.

This book was interesting but a very dry read. I felt the people weren't fleshed out enough even though it's a true story. There is a serial arsonist on the loose but he's smart and knows how to cover his tracks. Most of the fires caused property damage but one caused fatalities. The investigation leads to a shocking conclusion. I mostly read it at bedtime because the style of writing was such that I wouldn't get all hyped up and want to continue when I should be sleeping. #netgalley #Burned #Frank C. Girardot Jr. and Lori Orr Kovach

I love a good true crime story, whether in book or television format. Ever since I was a small child, I would study cases of crime. Was always curious what went through these criminal's minds. So I picked this book, excited to read about someone I knew little of. And after reading this book? I still know very little. I feel like I picked up more information by reading the Wikipedia page of John Orr. We spent the first half of the book just describing every indiscretions of Orr and by the time we got to the actual crimes - I had lost interest. The writing just seems to bounce around everywhere and was poorly done. It drags far too much for what could have been quite the interesting story. Kudos to Lori Orr for telling her side of events and thoughts, it was the only redeeming factor in this book, I'm afraid.

I don't give a lot of one-star reviews, but this book is REALLY bad. It's poorly written, not interesting, and somehow ruins an epic story. John Orr was destined to be a murderer. If he lived in Florida, he would have been arrested and claimed he was "standing his ground." The writing was unprofessional to say the least. There were too many reused words, cliche phrases, and massive quotes for other sources. 40% of the book is Girardot Jr explaining over and over how Orr didn't listen to authority and broke the rules. WE GET IT. Get to the bloody crime. Get to the trial. Get to why I was interested in the book. I gave up before it ever got there, but honestly, I'm not really sure it ever gets there. Save yourself the time. Read the wiki page and then just apply the most stereotypical criminal profile ever. Done. Saved you hours of your time.

I felt this book could have included more. I admire the author for writing a book abut her father, but , the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.the book was not very interesting. It was an ok read but not one that grabbed me. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

This is a true crime murder story told from a daughter's point of view. Lori Orr Kovach idolises her fire fighting father but finds out there is a very different side to him. He is a fire investigator for Glendale Fire Department but also a fire starter. The book is written like a diary or memoir and some questions are left unanswered. Lacking a bit in background information but overall, a good read. How well do we know our families? Thanks to Net Galley for my copy. I reviewed on Goodreads, Facebook and Amazon.

This book was different from the usual true crime murder story in many ways. It starts out the same but is also given the added dimension of having the voice of the daughter of the book’s subject melded in throughout the story, giving her experience at different parts of the events. This gives a whole different flavor to it, and joined two books into one, making both better for it.

This is the story of a fire-starter, a fire-obsessed pyro who also just happens to be a pseudo-hero in disguise as the Glendale Fire Department’s fire investigator, Captain John L. Orr. He’d been in the Fire Department for a long time and had earned a reputation as a dedicated Investigator who really knew his stuff. He taught classes on arson investigation and had testified in court many times, along with writing lots of articles for industry magazines. 

Lori Orr Kovach shares her interactions with her father, which are quite enlightening, overall. A very interesting true crime read about a sociopath with a different twist to him, for sure. But he’s a very evil man, to be certain as the story lays out quite plainly. It’s like reading about two different men. An advance digital copy was provided by authors Frank C. Girardot Jr. & Lori Orr Kovach and the publisher for my unbiased review. 

Wildblue Press Publication: May 24, 2018

3 stars

Burned is an interesting look into California’s most prolific arsonist and is written by Lori Orr Kovach, one of the daughter’s of John Orr and journalist Frank C Girardot. Jr. Burned is a decently good book for as far as it goes; however, I am conflicted by this book for a number of reasons.

First of all, there was never an explanation of where the name “pillowcase pyro” came from or why John Orr was given that particular nickname.

Secondly, the writing style of this memoir is half diary/half investigative journalism style. It just didn’t mesh well for me. Some of the wording used in the book was off-putting as well; for example, the word pissed or pissed off is used a lot, yet most of the book is oddly formal.

Third, there just wasn’t enough background information from Orr’s daughter on her or her families experiences with her father. Those memories in a crime based memoir are expected and help tell the true story of both the criminal and the family. I feel if the book was an additional 100 pages, much more of the story could have been told.

Fourth, there is a number of inconsistencies within the book. For example, at one point, the authors call Orr,” a disgraced copper”. However, Orr was never a police officer, he was a firefighter.

Overall, this is a good book and I would think many people would be interested in the story the authors tell.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and WildBlue Press for allowing me to read this for an honest review.
I admit I had never heard about this so it was very interesting. And terrifying at the same time! One word to describe this book : WOW! The poor daughter! I just can't imagine! She thought her dad was a hero... then discovered he was a murderer!
It isn't fiction, it's real! And you feel it as you read what happened! This book changed me!

Review shared on twitter, Goodreads and Amazon when published.

I cannot imagine what it must have been like for this poor woman when she found out the dad she thought was a hero firefighter was really an arsonist and murderer. Her testimony saved him from Death Row, so obviously there were a lot of emotions involved that needed to be resolved. This book is nonfiction, but was as interesting as a lot of fiction I have read.