Their new start implodes when they become targets

Until recently Irene Rivers was the Director of the FBI, a hard-as-nails leader whose codename was Wolverine. When she uncovered corruption at the highest levels of government she didn't shy away from her duty and she ended up toppling the president himself, ending her own career in the process. Her actions remain highly controversial, she is either a hero or a traitor (people feel strongly one way or the other), and high levels of vitriol have been directed at her and the two children she is raising. She hoped that their move to a farm in West Virginia she inherited from her grandparents would help them all escape the fury in Washington DC and have a new start. Her teenaged daughter Kelly is not at all happy about the move (she isn't shy about showing her displeasure on a daily basis), and is not settling into her new school; her nephew Wyatt is a brilliant but unconventional 12 year old who is having his own shares of problems in school. Being connected with Irene Rivers is not earning them any points in their new town. Irene thought they could gain a measure of anonymity; instead, the skeletal remains of an unknown teenager are found stuck in a cave on her property which sets of a firestorm of public interest. She has also been approached by a local couple to act in her new capacity as a private investigator, to find proof that their son, recently arrested for the brutal murder of a teenage girl, didn't commit the crime of which he is accused. Local law enforcement has an overwhelming amount of evidence against the boy, but the parents insist that he is innocent and is being railroaded by the police. Irene reluctantly takes the case, and is troubled by what she finds. She doesn't have much support from her former colleagues, and the locals are downright hostile....and soon it is clear that she, Kelly and Wyatt's lives are in jeopardy. Can she keep her family safe and find justice for the wrongly imprisoned boy when the opposition seemingly holds all the cards?
Readers of author John Gilstrap's Jonathan Graves series know Irene Rivers well as a secondary character, one who believed in following the rules. Now that the system she led has turned on her, her attitude is changing. She's still tough as nails, but is juggling motherhood to two teenagers, starting up a new career and dealing with the continuing fallout from her final actions as FBI Director...add in a skeleton that appears to be a victim of foul play, a powerful local family that are corrupt and psychopaths (one of whom has decided that Kelly should be his girlfriend) and a compromised law enforcement community, and Irene more than has her hands full. As the plot unfolds, she has multiple balls in the air and knows that if she drops any of them her whole family will suffer. Its a page-turner that grips the reader from page one and doesn't let go, introducing some new characters (with a brief cameo by Venice from the Jonathan Graves books) while letting Irene evolve in her new roles. Fans of the original series will enjoy this spin-off, the first in what promises to be a new series, as will readers of Karin Slaughter, Lisa Gardner and Meg Gardiner. If you like your female protagonists strong, resilient and determined, you'll like Irene Rivers. My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me access to this intriguing novel in exchange for my honest review...I eagerly anticipate the next in the series.

Burned Bridges is the first book in a new series from John Gilstrap.

"Former FBI Director Irene Rivers has left the Agency after the fallout from exposing corruption at the highest levels of government. She takes her kids to the farm that belonged to her grandparents in the panhandle of WV. The trouble starts when her 12-year-old nephew finds a body on the property. The problem is that there are people that don't want this body identified. And they're willing to do whatever it takes to keep this secret."

Gilstrap fans will recognize Irene from the Jonathan Grave series (code name - Wolverine) According to the author notes, she first appeared in At All Costs - Gilstrap's second book - as a young FBI agent. This book has the feel of a Reacher book - small town, a corrupt family in charge, no one willing to stand up to them. When they poke the bear that is Irene Rivers they get more than they bargained for. Irene has resources they can't imagine and she will do everything to protect her family. There are many wild moments and lots of story tension. There's an explosive ending. And one big twist at the end that lets you know we'll see more of Irene Rivers.

Great action-thriller from Gilstrap. Great book for an escape to the beach.

This is the first book in a new series for John Gilstrap. He is a great thriller author and I always reach for his books when I get the chance.

Description:
She thought she and her loved ones would be safe here. The lovely farm nestled in the heart of West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle looks like the perfect refuge from the backstabbing maelstrom of DC politics. But this seemingly peaceful new home is anything but safe for former FBI director Rivers and her children.

Troubles begin when Irene’s 12-year-old nephew finds a dead body in a cave on the property. Grim evidence points to a long-ago murder and cover-up. Powerful forces will do anything—including kill again—to protect their interests. Soon Irene’s family is the target of the kinds of threats and intimidation she’s seen before from major crime syndicates . . . but this time, the enemy determined to tear them down is homegrown.

Then comes the attack she most fears. With everything she cares about at risk and an impossible deadline looming, Irene knows she won’t get any help from the local police force. And she’s burned too many bridges in Washington to get help from the FBI. This time, Irene Rivers is on her own.

Packed with nail-biting suspense, gripping drama, and searing intrigue, Burned Bridges takes readers into a compelling world of unseen dangers and unexpected heroes.

My Thoughts:
This series is definitely going to be a big hit for Joh Gilstrap. Former FBI Director Irene Rivers is a great character with her no-nonsense personality and distinct style. She's just formidable. After taking down a president and a bunch of leaders, her plan for a peaceful existence in West Virginia was blown up with a series of events that began with finding a body on her property. This led to a much wider problem that was full of action and violence. There is definitely lots of action and lots of tension in this book. It is a complex mystery with many facets to piece together. Irene and her family are great characters. The Rutledge family is just evil to the core. Thriller lovers are going to love this book!

Thanks to Kensington Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.

This new series features Irene Rivers, former FBI director, who has been through the wringer and has moved to West Virginia to put her family first. She's hoping for a quiet life and plans to work as a private investigator. Unfortunately, what she finds is anything but peace and quiet. And it all starts when a dead body is found on her property.

This is a new-to-me author and I was totally hooked on this story. Irene is a strong female character who has years of experience that serve her well as she navigates the corruption she finds not only in the small community where she lives but also in an unexpected place. At times it's hard to tell whether a character is good or bad as there are so many involved in covering up the corruption. Then there's the challenges her kids face in the modern day of the internet. I loved the multiple layers to the story, the fast-paced action, the danger, and various characters. I can't wait for the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Burned Bridges is the first in a new series by John Gilstrap, featuring former FBI director Irene Rivers, featured in the Jonathan Grave series.

Rivers has left the FBI and people are split on whether she is a hero or a traitor. She and her family move to inherited family land in West Virginia, where she hopes for a quieter life. That is bit to be as her nephew finds a long-dead body on their land. Soon she also finds herself pulled into an investigation as a private investigator. But corruption in this West Virginia county runs deep, and powerful people want the truths to stay hidden.

I really enjoyed this fast-paced, action packed mystery! Irene is a strong character, and I look forward to reading more books in this series.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the authors in a, the publisher, and Netgalley.

If you enjoy an action-packed and suspenseful crime thriller with a strong main female protagonist, then look no further than Burned Bridges by John Gilstrap. It’s the first novel in a new series featuring former FBI director Irene Rivers. She has moved to West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle in Jenkins County with her daughter Kelly and nephew Wyatt. She thought they would be safe on her grandparents’ farm she had inherited. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Troubles start when Wyatt finds a dead body on the property and evidence points to a long-ago murder and cover-up. Powerful individuals will do anything to protect their interests. Soon Irene and her family are targeted by threats and intimidation followed by attacks. Irene’s plans to care for and protect her family becomes harder than anything she’s experienced before now.

Irene had prioritized her career in the past, but she now worries that in saving the country she loves, she may have hurt the family she loved at least as much. She’s courageous, versatile, and trying to do the right thing for Kelly and Wyatt. She always seeks justice versus grandstanding and casting blame. Kelly didn’t want to leave their old house and her friends and is taking a lot of criticism for what Irene did in her role as FBI director. Wyatt likes to read, but isn’t into looking for the symbolism in classics. While he enjoys reading, he is struggling with mathematics. He loves to explore the family property with this dog Ruger. He likes being around other people and listening to what they have to say, but he prefers to not share his opinions.

As in other Gilstrap novels, the first chapter grabbed my attention. It’s chilling, with a scene from 35 years ago. And after shifting to the present day, it is still intense, emotional, and suspenseful. Gilstrap is an excellent storyteller who combines a creative plot with gripping scenes and plenty of action. This kept me engaged throughout the book. As usual, his expertise in weaponry is shown during the action scenes. There are a couple of subplots that add complexity, twists, and depth to the story. The author has weaved another page-turning installment involving corrupt officials, lawbreakers, greed, power, murder, intimidation, blackmail, family, cover-ups, and violence. I thought it was profound how the author depicted both bravery and loyalty throughout the story. The ending was spectacular and provides a thread for the next book in the series.

Overall, this is a powerful, emotional, intense, and riveting novel with great characterization, a solid mystery, and it’s a strong start to the series. Readers familiar with the author’s Jonathan Grave series will remember that Irene is a recurring and supporting character in those novels. Those who like Gilstrap’s novels, crime thrillers, and novels with strong female lead characters will likely enjoy this series.

Kensington Publishing and John Gilstrap provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 27, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Irene Rivers is a bad-ass. She was when she first appeared and that hasn’t changed. She can’t do everything Jonathan Grave can backwards and in heels, but that’s because she doesn’t wear heels. I thoroughly enjoyed this start to a series of her own and look forward to seeing how she handles the fallout from this story as it progresses!

Start this book early in the day or be prepared to read until dawn, Burned Bridges is just that good.

Irene Rivers, a character from the Jonathan Grave series, is the former head of the FBI who took down the President of the US for corruption. After being fired from her job, she retreats to her grandparents property in West Virginia to build a new life outside the D.C. area. As they settle into the community, things are not what they seem.

A young boy framed for the murder of a female classmate, a body that is found on Irene's property, a murdered pathologist, and the possibility of a love interest for Ms. Rivers. So much going on!

There are twists and turns around every corner and you can't be sure who the good guys or the bad guys are. The writing is fabulous and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat as the book progresses. A very satisfying mystery/thriller. This is the first book in the series and I can't wait for the next!

I really wanted to like this but without Jonathan Graves as the protagonist, I was skeptical. I became more skeptical as the beginning of the story was SLOOOW and I could not get into the plot. At 33% I was about to make this a DNF but out of respect for the author ( I’ve loved all of his books thus far) I kept on for a bit more… then BOOM! The two seemingly unrelated storyline’s ( and a 3rd subplot) gelled and the unique plot picked up speed , intensity, and excitement. It was an electrifying read! Better yet, former FBI Director Irene Rivers (finally);found her footing and nailed her spot as a bad ass, even though she wanted to lead a quiet, reclusive, private life in retirement, I am thrilled how her character transformed. The climax was absolutely riveting and the denouement set the stage for a sequel! The dialogue, character development and plot were pitch perfect ( after I got past the beginning lull). Bravo, Mr, Gilstrap! I’m so glad Irene Rivers is alive and well… and definitely NOT retired! I look forward to the next installment!

As a long time fan of John Gilstrap's Jonathan Graves series, I was thrilled find a key character from that book get her own series. Like the Jonathan Graves series, the characters are well developed, the action is non stop and the pacing is impeccable. I couldn't put it down and read it straight through in one day. As an added bonus one of my favorite characters from the Jonathan Graves series makes a cameo appearance. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an advanced reader copy.

This was my first John Gilstrap and it won't be my last - I can't wait for the next in the Irene Rivers series!

From the blurb I feared this would be a stereotypical "small place tyrant" plot, but this is rather a book about a strong female who fights all the way. As should be, she also gets help from normal, good people. Very entertaining, great characters, easy to read, and a good start for a new series.

Another electrifying book by John Gilstrap.
Irene Rivers is trying to live her life with her family. She thought they were safe until a decomposed body is found on her property. Now she’s up to her eyeballs in an old kidnapping case and about to run head long into the areas most corrupt family. No one is safe, not her not her family. The end explosive
This is going to be another must read series.

Thank you #netgalley #kensington for this ARC

Burned Bridges by John Gilstrap is on fire with tons of action, bad guys who are supposed to be good guys, trained gunfighters, family protectors, and tech-savvy saboteurs. The story starts with finding a long-buried body and races non-stop through crime to crime from there.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is my first John Gilstrap novel and I'm already adding his previous books to my TBR pile. I really enjoyed this suspense/mystery starring former FBI director Irene Rivers. She is a force to be reckoned with!. After joining forces with some strong supporting characters, she unravels multiple mysteries involving local townspeople and her own daughter. The pace was appropriate and the writing was great. I sped through this book and did not want to put it down. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Irene Rivers moves her family to an old family ranch in West Virginia, wanting to get away from all of the press from D.C., where she was the Director of the F.B.I., now a former Director after taking down the President and others. Her people, though,h people will not let her live that down. It only becomes worse when her nephew discovers bones on her property, which sends the people responsible for the act into a panic, and they end up killing more people, which puts her on guard, and then she goes after the people who are after her family. A very good book from start to finish, with many different characters, but they all add to the story. Very much worth the read.

I need more Irene Rivers!

Former FBI Director Irene Rivers is a recurring character in the Jonathan Grave series by John Gilstrap. In Burned Bridges, the start of a new series, we see a different side to Irene. She burned her career in the latest book of the Jonathan Grave series. She took the President of the United States down with her. Irene has moved to rural West Virginia on property inherited from her grandparents. With her are her children, 16-year-old daughter, Kelly, and nephew 12-year-old Wyatt. Irene is trying to start over as a PI while staying under the radar with the press.

Staying under the radar is impossible once Wyatt discovers a skeleton in a cave on the property. Things are not as idyllic as they seem in the backwoods of West Virginia. Targeted in a scandal Kelly enlists help from Venice, a tech guru employee of Jonathan Grave. There is an undercurrent of danger running through Jenkins County and it has been around a long time. Something is rotten and Irene doesn’t know how far the corruption goes. When her new PI case runs afoul of the criminals in the county, she is hard-pressed to keep herself and her children safe.

Burned Bridges is a great start to an exciting new series. I loved the story and it has a different flavour than the Graves books. There is more mystery than your standard thriller but it still has plenty of action and intrigue. Irene is a competent bad-ass woman juxtaposed with her complex family situation. She is somewhat floundering with the pitfalls of raising two teenagers. This is an endearing storyline that allows us to see her as a whole person and not just a powerful woman. I laughed at many of the snarky conversations between her and her kids. The story is fast-paced and suspenseful. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read and I am eager for the next book in the series. You don’t need to read the other series to enjoy this book, but I highly recommend both series.

Thanks to Kensington Publishing for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.

After taking down a corrupt President and losing her career with the FBI Irene Rivers is looking for a quiet life. She has moved to the wrong place, corrupt politicians and locals who keep the citizens in fear and she has somehow landed in the middle. This book is edge of your seat suspense, I didn’t want to put it down. It is the start of a new series by this author and I look forward to reading the next book. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I was eagerly awaiting this spinoff of Irene Rivers following the blurb that was included in the last Jonathan Grave book, so was pleased to receive this ARC for review. In Burned Bridges, Irene has moved to the "quiet" life of retirement at her grandparents old farmhouse in rural West Virginia. Little did she know there's also quite the murderous hillbilly family gang in this town as well, which is my first problem with the retired director of the FBI not doing a little research on where she'll live with her children, but that's a minor quibble. The story itself revolves around an old body that her nephew and their dog find in a cave on their property which brings all kinds of trouble out of the woodwork. All in all a decent first foray into Irene's new life, but the cliffhanger at the end leaves me excited to see where the series goes from here. Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the early read in exchange for my honest opinion. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.. Burned Bridges by John Gilstrap is a thrilling and suspenseful novel that is a truly enjoyable read. I love both the Graves and Emerson novels, and this new series more than lives up to those. I will happily recommend this novel to others, and I look forward to the next installment in the series.