This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. It was a unique story and had a good pace. Definitely got me out of a reading slump

A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada, Doubleday Canada for an e-ARC for my honest review.

There was a lot going on in this story. A young man is murdered on a moored houseboat in London. Several of the characters had motive, but which one did the actual deed? The were all suspicious and had something to hide, I wasn't sure which one was the murderer until the end. She had lots of twists and misdirections. For sure it was suspenseful until the truth slowly gets revealed.
I also listened to an audio version and the narrator was wonderful in keeping the suspense riveting.

#ASlowFireBurning #NetGalley #PaulaHawkins #RosamundPike

A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

This one seems to be dividing a lot of readers and reviewers, but I really enjoyed this one (more than “the girl on the train…”).

From the publisher:

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?

The title says it all - this one is a slow burn. All of the characters are damaged in their own way and so fascinating. I really started to care about some of them (Laura and Irene) and developed an extreme hatred of others. You could feel the tension slowly building throughout the novel. Very well-written (and the performance on the audiobook by Rosamund Pike is excellent!)

I jumped at the chance to read the new book by Paula Hawkins, this is Paula Hawkins after all, author of The Girl on the Train. I had previously plunged into Into the Water as soon as it was released.

I’m beginning to think that Paula Hawkins may have created a massive problem for herself with the brilliance of her debut book. You see, Hawkins is a really good author, she creates incredible, flawed characters. Her plot lines challenge that old expression that the truth is stranger than fiction. But as a reader I want the same intensity of The Girl on the Train, which may be a once in a lifetime kind of magic.

A Slow Fire Burning has a terrific ensemble cast. The web of connections between the characters is so entangled, it all unbelievably makes sense. Hawkins is a master of dialogue and internal thoughts; each character is an individual, no two are alike. She filled her mystery/thriller with some fabulous snarky one-liners dripping in sarcasm. This was perfect for lightening up the mood when necessary.

In the end, my Hawkins’ bar was set a bit too high; the author just didn’t fulfill my expectations. I think that the story may have lacked the focus of a protagonist; A Slow Fire Burning split these duties amongst several characters. I missed having a focal point.

*3.5 Stars

When a young man's body is found on his houseboat the police begin to investigate, but where to begin. With family? His mother has passed away but his aunt Carla and her estranged husband Theo live nearby. Miriam lives just a few houseboats away. What did she see? Laura, a troubled young lady who had visited his houseboat may know more than she's telling.
Not for those who require action but an excellent read for those who love character driven stories. Highly recommend.
#ASlowFireBurning#NetGalley

I first want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review. It is as so many reviewers have already said, a slow, teasing, meticulous buildup, smouldering till it does ignite. I think the damage written into every character is what makes this the psychological murder mystery it is, and reading it to its conclusion is defiantly worth it. I can also say that it has been worth the wait.

I enjoyed this fast paced thriller by the author of The Girl on the Train. The ending was a bit predictable, however. The connections of the three female characters to the murder took a while to sort out, but everything ties together quite well at the end of the book. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the domestic thriller genre. Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for an advance copy on NetGalley. #indigoemployee

Well know author does it again. Far better than her last book which I had to admit had let me down a little. Here we get a very good and likeable character that lead us on a great intrigue. Very good! i recommend reading it!

Happy to include it in “What to read in August,” the August instalment of my monthly look-ahead fiction picks column for Zoomer magazine’s Books section.
(Preview at link.)

Another solid release from Hawkins, with the psychological twists and turns one expects. I did struggle some with the slow pace (it was indeed - drumroll, please - a slow fire burning) and the narrative style, but it was well-written and kept me guessing until the end.
Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.