Firetrap

Marko Zorn #3

by Otho Eskin

A dangerous drug is spreading through Washington, D.C.—can Marko Zorn take down the company behind it?

Washington, D.C. homicide detective Marko Zorn takes on a far-reaching, complicated investigation when a narcotic more deadly than fentanyl spreads across the city, causing countless fatalities. His search for the people behind the off-label drug leads him to a Big Pharma company run by mysterious, psychopathic twin brothers. Anyone who crosses them is dead.

Marko discovers that the company will soon release another dangerous prescription opioid analgesic, but when the company learns that this information has been leaked, more bodies pile up. Let down by his higher-ups, Marko sets off to solve the deadly ring of crime that now surrounds him, all while evading repeated attempts to kill him.

Marko will need all his wits, skills, and contacts both inside and outside of the law to shut down the twin brothers’ criminal drug empire. Can a painting from a major art theft decades earlier provide the key to how Marko can cripple the whole operation? Only if Marko isn’t killed first.

Perfect for fans of David Baldacci and Daniel Silva

While the novels in the Marko Zorn Thriller Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence

The Reflecting Pool
Head Shot
Firetrap

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Thriller Suspense, Mystery Thriller

320 pages, Hardcover

Published January 16, 2024

About the author

Before he turned to writing fiction, Otho Eskin served in the U.S. Army and in the United States Foreign Service in Washington and in Syria, Yugoslavia, Iceland and Berlin (then the capital of the German Democratic Republic) as a lawyer and diplomat. He was Vice-Chairman of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, participated in the negotiations on the International Space Station, was principal U.S. negotiator of several international agreements on seabed mining and was the U.S. representative to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. He speaks French, German, and Serbo-Croatian. He was a frequent speaker at conferences and has testified before the U.S. Congress and commissions.

Otho’s career in the Foreign Service unknowingly prepared him for thriller writing later in life as he witnessed political corruption at every strata of society. While stationed in East Berlin during the cold war, the East German intelligence service (Stasi) operating on behalf of their Soviet masters, published a book entitled “Who’s who in CIA (correct title), translated into several languages and with wide distribution. This propaganda effort listed Otho and was intended to claim that he was a U.S. spy. (He was not). This was part of East German and ultimately Soviet, disinformation campaign to make the work of U.S. Foreign Service officers serving abroad more difficult.

Otho Eskin has also written plays including: Act of God, Murder as a Fine Art, Duet, Julie, Final Analysis, Season in Hell, among others, which have been professionally produced in Washington, New York and in Europe.

Otho is married to writer Therese Keane and lives in Washington, D.C.

Reviews

[Holly B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective Marko Zorn is back in this third installment of the series.

Marko is based in Washington, D.C. and gets entangled in a case involving a dangerous drug called Speedball that has hit the streets. It is the most powerful drug ever seen and is killing people. He starts digging into the Pharma company and the ruthless people behind it.

He goes head to head with his boss, Chief Flynn and has to go behind the scenes to stay off the radar and takes many risks to get to the bottom of the drug company.

Full of action packed scenes and some disturbing scenes. The drug scheme gets a bit complicated and takes away from the momentum. Marko is a strong character who always takes chances with his own safety. Beware, there is harm to an animal (off page) that happens early in the book (I could have done without that)!

I loved the second in this series, but this one was a bit too heavy in the whole drug theme for me. 

Thanks to NG for my arc! OUT Jan 16, 2024

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

For his third book in the Marko Zorn series, author Otho Eskin tackles, the pharmaceutical industry in one of the fastest reading books that I have had the pleasure to read in the past decade. Marko Zorn is a Washington DC homicide detective who many times does work outside of the police department, and not always following the rules of the police department. The book begins with a horrific car fire in which an individual has been locked inside a car that was deliberately set on fire and his horrible death was a shock to everyone’s system. From there, we discover that the deceased may have been connected with an illegal drug called Speedball, which is an offshoot of a prescription drug and which has extremely dangerous and deadly effect to anyone who takes it. The pharmaceutical company is owned and controlled by a pair of sinister, twin brothers, who have built an evil empire that basically keeps them out of range of any regulatory agency, governmental officials or law enforcement agencies. They own a security company who's not afraid to kill, even if it's one of their own people. As I said, this is a fast reading book, and it takes us to many different locales as we have the daughter of the new police chief of Washington DC being kidnapped when Marko gets too close to investigating to the deaths related to the company and Speedball. While this is the third book in the series, you don’t need to read the first two to follow the action, and there is action galore. If you are a fan of action, adventure, and thrillers then this is a book that is right up your alley. Zorn does whatever he can to bring down the empire the twins only to have a potential shocking twist at the very end, and which just leaves us to believe that the author is not yet finished with this pharmaceutical saga.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So happy to see homicide detective Markus Zorn back in Firetrap. Thais is the 3rd book in the series but can easily be read as a stand-alone. If you are a fan of police procedurals then you need to pick up this book. It is a fast paced thrill ride from start to finish.

So much going on in DC. when does this man sleep!! Zorn is rebel who does things his way and screw the consequences. But he has a big heart, mess with him or anybody close to him and he will get his revenge. In this instalment we have a roller coaster ride of big pharma, fires, suicide, kidnapping, extortion, murder, murder, murder. And that is just to begin with.

A great series that I am happy to have discovered. Thanks to Oceanview Publishing for the advanced copy of this book to read. Published on January 16th.

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Well, this was a hell of a funky ride! All I could think while reading this was what a movie it would make-if it were set in the 1940's. I kept getting a noir feeling from this entertaining and illogical novel!

A cop who doesn't carry a gun it's illogical but unique, so I figure I'll keep on reading. A cop that works with a major drug dealer and helps them to get rid of another dealer...okay, sure! But I kept on reading, and my ability to suspend disbelief wore thin. You may even think of Marko Zorn as a sort of modern-day Robin Hood, stealing from the corrupt major drug dealers (Big Pharma/illegal drug manufacturers) and keeping for himself.

While these books can be read as stand-alone, this book ends on what can almost be called a cliffhanger. I wonder what the major players will be doing in the next novel? I'm not sure if I really feel the need to find out.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Oceanview Publishing, the author, and NetGalley.

[Monnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my reading pleasure, nothing makes me happier than a good old shoot- 'em-up police story with no annoying flashbacks in time or character perspective - just a straightforward investigation with plenty of action. And when the main character is as, well, unorthodox as Washington, D.C.-based Marko Zorn, it's a special treat. I've read the first two in the series, and my reaction to both was exactly the same (this one, the third, can be read as a standalone, though).

This one begins as Marko, who's almost always at odds with his department superiors, visits a grisly scene at which a human has been incinerated along with the car in which he (or she) was sitting. As what's left of the body is extricated from the ashes, Marko is called elsewhere: Sister Grace, elderly leader of a sort of Washington crime underworld, wants to see him immediately. It's not a request, but a command; and when he's escorted in to see her, she issues another one: Marko is to rid the city of a rival criminal element that is bringing in a deadly drug known as Speedball - thereby encroaching on Sister Grace's territory and giving her territory a bad name.

When it turns out that the body in the car belongs to a biochemist who owned a prominent drug company, some of the puzzle pieces begin to fall into place; this leads to discovery of an off-label and extremely dangerous drug produced by a company owned by two elderly - and elusive - twin brothers. Marko's drive to find the twins for a "come to Jesus" meeting is fraught with danger, especially after he discovers their possible connection to the theft of a priceless work of art.

Yes, it's a rather complicated story, but one that's quite easy to follow and hard to put down. Will Marko once again emerge triumphant, or will he finally push the patience of the powers-that-be over the line with his unorthodox methods? Well, you'll just have to read the book to find out as I did. Now I'm looking forward to the next installment, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. Well done once again!

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marko Zorn is back with a new problem to solve, there's a new drug on the streets of Washington D.C. Firetrap by Otho Eskin is the third book about this different homicide detective. He usually doesn't carry a gun because he is afraid of what he would do with it. He don't do things by the book and he has a close contact with some of the worst criminals in the city. I really love the writings of this author, he has created a unique character and the books are filled with solutions we normally don't see when it comes to solving crime. Marko Zorn has his own take on justice and he has a conscience with a lot of room. I found this book filled with hilarious situations and some great twists. Don't forget some really great characters. If you have missed this author there is time to rmedy it before this one is out in stores. I must thank the author for writing this and the publisher, Netgalley and Edelweiss for letting me read it.

[Wendi Flint Rank (WendiReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly have enjoyed all three of the books in this series. Otho Eskin is one of my favorite modern day suspense
writers, He keeps his protagonist, Detective Marko Zorn (DC Homicide) on the front lines of current events with
extra side stories that really keep the suspense / thriller genre very strong in his books. When he blends a new
deadliest yet fentanyl derivative with money laundering, art thievery and murder it’s a very interesting ride from
every angle. It must be said that the fentanyl driven epidemic is not solely street drugs~
the pharmaceutical companies are dug into the problems deeper than the D.C. Police have been able to crack.
The $ generated is linked to the theft of a painting worth millions of dollars that has not been seen in decades,
But is tied to the criminal enterprise run by the two brothers who run the company that pretends their drugs are
not killing people.
Marko Zorn is not having any more of this, but his methods are just a bit outside the lines and the Chief fires him…
Until she needs him to find her missing daughter, which opens this whole mess wide open.
This is a fantastic book, full of everything you could want from murder to mayhem! The Author reminds me just
a bit of a Daniel Silva book, or perhaps a David Baldacci.
I recommend that while it is a stand alone story,
It would be best to read the first two books,
I recommend it to anyone who loves Police Suspense novels.
My thanks to Oceanview Publishing via NetGalley for the download copy for review purposes.

[Doug Yonce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story and protagonist. Third book with Detective Zorn, and I’ve already picked up the first two to read immediately. Big Pharma is the bad guy in this story and so many characters are brought in that Zorn, with his own way of doing things, is constantly finding himself in dangerous situations. Starting with a burning car, progressing through a murder disguised as a mugging, a kidnapping, a firing from his job, suicide, and more, Zorn finds a way through the maze in his fight for the right. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.

[Ellie Hawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dangerous drug is spreading through Washington, D.C.—can Marko Zorn take down the company behind it?

Washington, D.C. homicide detective Marko Zorn takes on a far-reaching, complicated investigation when a narcotic more deadly than fentanyl spreads across the city, causing countless fatalities. His search for the people behind the off-label drug leads him to a Big Pharma company run by mysterious, psychopathic twin brothers. Anyone who crosses them is dead.

Marko discovers that the company will soon release another dangerous prescription opioid analgesic, but when the company learns that this information has been leaked, more bodies pile up. Let down by his higher-ups, Marko sets off to solve the deadly ring of crime that now surrounds him, all while evading repeated attempts to kill him.

Marko will need all his wits, skills, and contacts both inside and outside of the law to shut down the twin brothers’ criminal drug empire. Can a painting from a major art theft decades earlier provide the key to how Marko can cripple the whole operation? Only if Marko isn’t killed first.

This novel was quite an adventure. In some ways, I felt like I was watching an episode of Doctor Who mixed with Person of Interest. While more character depth was desired, I enjoyed this read. It was very fast paced and had an entertaining plotline. There were some parts of the story that didn't flow as well as others.

This is the 3rd novel in the series, but can be read as a standalone which was nice as well. Overall 3.5/5 stars.

[Chesney Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve started and finished a book in the same day. I was hooked by the first couple chapters. Every page kept you on the edge of your seat. Definitely recommend!

[Carole Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some problems require a different kind of police detective in order to be solved.

A scientist set on fire inside his car on the streets of DC. A new drug named Speedball, more addictive and more deadly than fentanyl spreading on the streets. Homicide Detective Marko Zorn is called upon to solve both of these problems, although only in one of the cases is the directive coming from within the power structure of the police department. Zorn soon finds that the two situations are in fact linked, and that the drugs are being produced and distributed by a Big Pharma company headed by two elderly but psychopathic men with a lot of power and money that insulates them from punishment. Unfortunately for them, Zorn doesn’t generally follow rules, he can’t be bought off, and when he promises to get something done….he does. And he has promised to get Speedball off the streets permanently, by any means necessary.
Firetrap is the third in author Otho Eskin’s Marko Zorn series, but can definitely be read as a standalone….I had not read the two preceding books (though I plan to rectify that), and was able to get a sense of Zorn’s character and background quickly. When the book opened up with a body burning in a locked car, and the detective on the scene was commanded to appear before the woman who runs much of the crime in that area of the city (and went), I knew that this was no run-of-the-mill police procedural. I was attracted to the setting of the book, and the author definitely delivered on that score, from a lunch at the Four Seasons in Georgetown to businesses on K Street as well as neighborhoods known more by the police than by the average tourist. Interesting characters, a criminal enterprise that is timely and believable, and a protagonist who colors outside the lines to get the job done combined to make a fantastic read. Whether you have already read one or both of the preceding installments in the series, or you are a fan of Michael Connelly, David Baldacci or Brad Meltzer, this is a must-read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for allowing me access to an early copy of Firetrap.

[Yvonne G · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Marko Zorn: Mad, bad and dangerous to know"

Otho Eskin was a new to me author, so before reading and despite all assurances, I must admit to having been a little sceptical about whether this, book #3 in the Washington DC Homicide Detective, Marko Zorn series, would truly work as a stand alone story! However, I should have had a little more faith, because as soon as I began reading, I felt right at home in Marko's company, as if I had know him all my life. Any backstory details were added without breaking stride in the storyline, and I'm certain not in a way which would have caused any confirmed series readers to complain of repetition. All of which bodes well for when I get the opportunity to revisit Marko's world and catch up with the first two episodes.

...

Marko Zorn and his partner Tyrone Clifford, open the action on this case when they attend a car fire, in the not so well known, dirt-poor, crime-ridden side of the City of Washington DC. However, what Marko assumes is a simple case of arson, soon escalates into something much more sinister and demanding of their attention, when the burnt-out wreck gives up its gruesome secret, shocking everyone, including the most dangerous person on this side of the tracks and the one who controls just about every illicit deal which goes down, including the vibrant drugs market. This part of town definitely belongs to 'Sister Grace'; small and deadly, she rules with an iron fist, but now even she is seriously spooked by a lethal new drug which has appeared on her patch and she wants Marko to find the distributors and put them out of business. In fact, so worried is she, that Sister Grace assigns one of her own men, ex-con Stryker, to work alongside Marko on the case, as much for his protection as anything else, although it is a well known fact that unorthodox as he is, maverick Marko, the cop without a gun, always gets the job done.

All of which is terrible timing for Marko, whose reputation preceding him, is called in front of the new Police Chief Kelly Flynn, who is determined to have a zero tolerance policy towards corrupt officers who work side hustles and is heading a clean-sweep of any perceived outliers. It would seem however, that Kelly sees something different in rebel Marko, as she gives him just one more chance to conform to the rules before condemning him to her 'has-been' folder. Marko contrives to set Tyrone off on a separate strand of the investigation, so that he and Stryker can track down the source of the new lethal drug which is fast dominating the streets. Their investigation takes them right to the heart of one of the largest pharmaceutical companies, which is backed and controlled by outside resources, ultimately emanating from the twisted, crooked world of the psychopathic Poole family; reclusive, elderly and disabled twin brothers and their much younger niece. They have surrounded themselves with a cloak of generosity and largesse of spirit, all of which conceals their greed and avarice, especially when Marko is astute enough to realise that they might well also be involved with what is the unsolved case of arguably the theft of the most valuable artefact in the world.

The closer to the core of the operation Marko and Stryker get, the more the body count mounts up, with Marko seemingly at the top of everyone's hit list. Then he is dealt the most punishing of blows, when Kelly Flynn demands to meet with him, only to summarily dismiss him from the force with immediate effect. However, it transpires that there is more to Kelly's instant decision than meets the eye and she more or less gives Marko free range to bring the case to a conclusion in any way he sees fit, so long as her own personal and highly emotional interest in proceedings, is top of his agenda, especially when Marko sees fit to confide in his boss the exact reason for his reluctance to bear or use arms on a daily basis. Now, even for Marko, who prides himself on his ethical approach to policing, negotiating with such dastardly adversaries is ruled out of the equation, the gloves are off and all bets cancelled, as the situation has become desperate, urgent and life-threatening. Marko might believe in the appeasement option first, but mess with someone he is close to, at your peril!

...

Wow! Marko Zorn is a real enigma, a big-hearted rebel with a cause, and whilst part of me thinks he is my kind of law enforcement officer, the other half has to admit that a cop who hustles on the side to support his opulent lifestyle, shouldn't be lauded in any way shape or form - although perhaps that is just me looking at modern day policing (no matter which side of the Atlantic I may live on), through rose-tinted glasses!

This fast-paced and relentless, action-packed storyline, is presented in short, east to navigate chapters and narrated in the first person by Marko himself, truly making this his own personal take on the investigation from beginning to end, and what an ending. Well structured, this sometimes complicated story, is interesting in its depth and range of social issues discussed; from art theft and kidnapping, to murder, extortion and pharmaceutical espionage. It calls on all Marko's skills and knowledge, which are far above average to say the least, to bring all the perpetrators to justice and thus bring down the entire network, permanently and right to its very core. I do also enjoy a good story woven around art theft, so this strand of the storyline really interested me, even though I found it hard to believe that such a valuable piece would have been kept in such appalling conditions and treated with such complete disregard and almost contempt by those who had purloined it, especially as they prided themselves on the value and worth of their total collection.

There was quite some cast of totally despicable, dislikeable and generally not very nice to know personalities populating this storyline, who really got under my skin and made it crawl, which I suspect is just the response author Otho Eskin desired when he conceived them. The Poole brothers in particular were so duplicitous, manipulative and malevolent, it was little surprise that they lived in an isolated and disgusting penury of their own making, surrounded only by their protection team, and for me, they deserved everything they had coming to them! Marko was, of course, the most easy to relate to of the characters, together with his boss Kelly Flynn, although I was left somewhat aghast, even though I understood why he did it at that moment in time, at the secret he chose to share with her. When the case was resolved he was taking quite a risk as to whether Kelly would stand by her dismissal of him, or would re-instate him immediately, although such was his own personal moral and ethical compass, I don't think he would have strongly objected either way.

This is the first book I have read for a while now, where there is a clearly defined place of action, which suits an 'armchair traveller' such as myself, down to the ground, as I could track real place names on my map. A slightly more descriptive sense of time and place around individual locations might have added that bit more pizzazz to the overall storyline, however the action bowled along quite nicely with verve, taking in the surrounding sights and sounds more than enough for a truly immersive experience.

There is just a hint of a blossoming romance between Marko and Kelly, although whether that is ever destined to go anywhere, given Kelly's strong bond with her daughter (who also has a teenage crush on him) and her strong sense of duty to the force, remains to be seen...

[Toni Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marko Zorn book #3

A more deadly narcotic than fentanyl spreads across Washington, D.C. homicide detective Marko Zorn search for whom is behind this off-label drug brings him to a Big Pharma company run by psychopathic brothers with killer instincts. Marko will need all his wits and skills to shut down the brothers’ criminal drug empire.

While this novel stands on its own I am told the novels in this series can be read in any order. “Firetrap” is my first experience reading Eskin Otho and it will not be my last.

This story has a little bit of everything: action galore with many twists and turns, police forensics to educate us, lots of suspense and intrigue to keep us on our toes, played out by a compelling and brilliant protagonist who is also witty, wise and eloquent. The story is also filled with clever personalities and shady power players .With its fast and furious pacing, a tempo that never let go it was hard not to stay captivated from the get-go. “Firetrap” is a chilling political drama hard to put down and quite a page-turner. I could go on and on, but no spoilers from me.

Excellently written, entertaining story well played out by great characters. What is not to like....

My thanks to Oceanview Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced copy

[Texas · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIRETRAP - My first read by this author and of this series. It did not matter that I missed the first two books; their contents were never mentioned. I like the writing style of Mr. Eskin, his variety of characters, the intriguing storylines, and the constant pace, which made for an immersing and enjoyable read. Entertaining. Source: Won a GoodReads giveaway. 5*

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve all heard about Purdue Pharma, its painkiller OxyContin, and the Sackler family. Well, in the entertaining FIRETRAP, Otho Eskin does a riff on the Sacklers and America’s opioid tragedy as DC-based Detective Marko Zorn, Eskin’s protagonist and the eponymous hero of his Marko Zorn trilogy, gets on the case and, well, accomplishes everything. In particular, he:

o Damages, at least temporarily, the nefarious operations of the drug company Altavista and its parent company Magma Capital Management, which is a deep-pockets hedge fund. In doing so, Detective Zorn learns that these are the corporate entities that finance and promote the production of Zemlon, a legitimate painkiller that’s losing its patent protection. But these are also the entities that take the formula for Zemlon, tweak it, and are now about to offer—thanks to connections at the FDA—the highly addictive Neuropromine to the American market. And it turns out that these entities, on the sly, are already selling an even more addictive version of Neuropromine to drug abusers in DC and the rest of America as the street drug Speedball. To forestall this, Zorn contacts a hacker on the dark web who …

o Discovers where in Mexico Altavista manufactures Speedball. To do so, Zorn bluffs his way into the office of the executive that runs Altavista. And his timing is impeccable, since this bold deed occurs while this CEO is unhinged by the murder of Dr. Harvey Young, a whistleblower and the scientist who first developed Zemlon. Dr. Young, btw, is murdered in a car that thugs, in the employ of Altavista, turn into a firetrap. To Zorn, this executive spills the beans and the detective then… well, you’ll have to read the book.

o Locks horns with the Poole brothers. These are elderly, bizarre, and ruthless men who are also the purported owners and masterminds of Altavista and Magma. As a plot wrinkle, Eskin makes the Poole brothers, like the Sackler family, generous philanthropists while Rebecca Poole, their niece, manages her uncles’ charitable activities. And these include planning a museum for the Washington Mall to which the Pooles will donate their world-class art collection. She supposedly knows nothing about the deadly scheming of her uncles although she does admit that they live in a run-down estate. Incidentally, Marko, while guarded by Mr. Hammer—his trope is The Dragon and he is the chief enforcer of the Pooles—looks around the brothers’ vast and squalid living room and says: “With the smoking and the oxygen, this is a real firetrap.”

In FIRETRAP, Detective Zorn, as a sidelight, also solves the 1990 Gardner Museum heist. Sheesh, it’s about time someone figured that one out.

Rounded up and recommended.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘The car, once a Ford Explorer, is a roaring inferno.’

Washington, DC. Homicide detective Marko Zorn is called to a scene where a rental car is on fire. It is quickly established as a homicide and equally quickly becomes part of a complex investigation. There are a few things to keep track of here. Marko Zorn’s new chief of police, Chief Kelly Flynn, doesn’t like his unorthodox methods. His new partner, Tyrone Clifford, previously worked in Internal Affairs and Zorn is sure that he’s keeping an eye on him. Meanwhile, at the scene of the fire, Zorn is approached by a man named Stryker who tells him that Sister Grace wants to see him. Sister Grace, it turns out, is the most dangerous woman in Washington DC. She wants Zorn’s assistance in getting a new highly addictive narcotic drug off the streets because it is both deadly and interfering with her drug-dealing business.

‘Something strange is going on here.’

All of this unfolds as a first-person narrative, so we see exactly what Zorn does and share his interpretations. Yes, the homicide is connected to the drug. Yes, a Big Pharma company is involved, under the control of two elderly psychopathic twin brothers. The body count continues to grow as both those taking the drug and those investigating the drug become collateral damage.
Zorn, who never carries a gun, is constantly in danger. But then he makes a connection which just might enable him to make both Chief Flynn and Sister Grace happy.

Okay. This story moves at a rapid pace and while I needed to suspend disbelief more than once, I was mostly quite happy to do so. I say mostly because there was an aspect of the ending which had me rolling my eyes so much, I became disorientated.

‘Let’s see where this takes us.’

This is the third novel in the series and while I read it as a standalone, I am intrigued enough by Marko Zorn that I’ve already added the first novel to my reading list. If you enjoy high-octane thrillers and can willingly suspend disbelief, then you may enjoy this as well.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Stephen Clynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Washington, D.C. homicide detective Marko Zorn takes on a far-reaching, complicated investigation when a narcotic more deadly than fentanyl spreads across the city, causing countless fatalities.

Although Firetrap is the third book in the Marko Zorn series, it can be read as a stand-alone. Otho Eskin is a new author for me and I wondered how British readers would get along with this American thriller set in Washington, D.C. written by an American author living in the same city. Well the way Otho writes his story, British readers will have no problem reading this book as it clearly has global appeal and the locations are irrelevant.

Reading the blurb I was looking forward to a complicated conspiracy around the manufacture, distribution and sale of off-label drugs. Character development of Marko Zorn was very good and he is a cop who routinely bends all the rules. I liked how this is a first person narrative so the reader learns everything through Marko’s ears and eyes putting you at the centre of the action. And boy, there is plenty of action going on. Marko is not a desk bound cop but an all action hero taking daily risks in getting justice.

I found Firetrap to be a GOOD 4 star read but felt let down that the promise of a complicated conspiracy did not happen. I found the action and contacts made by Marko Zorn were too far fetched and lacked realism…

I examine the padlock dial and make out faint smudges - fingerprints users have left when they spun the combination dial and needed to stop the rotation when they reached the number they were looking for. I count four of these faint prints on the dial.

…And bingo! Marko Zorn opens the padlock! For all the action Marko stumbled into, my first thoughts were always that this would never happen in real life.

I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher on the understanding that I write a review.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story begins with Marko being called to a scene where a vehicle is burning. While he is there, he gets a message that Sister Grace wants to see him now. When talking to Sister Grace he is told about and asked to stop specific drugs being available in the area. He agrees, but unknown at the time, he later learns that thw two items are connected. When he arrives at the station, he is told that the new chief wants to see him. At the meeting Kelly, the new chief, lays the facts of what she expects from him, otherwise he won't be around any longer.

Once Marko begins following leads on the fire killing, he runs into more issues and had a decision to make on how to proceed. He ie is able to talk with a member of the Food and Drug Administration, but before learning the next day what important information the victim of the fire had, that person is killed. He later learns from the assistantant about a new drug that a company was applying pressure to have approved. Using this information, he now had a name of a company that he began looking into. As a result of his search, he was soon targeted. It got so bad that the new chief fired him. However, she showed up at his home and had a request for him. He agree to help her and as a result ultimately came to a conclusion who was the responsible and laid a plan to bring them to justice.

To learn who was behind the killings, what the chief's request was, how the request eventually led to closing the case and what dangers Marko had to overcome, then you need to read this book. The ending will astound you.

[Joe Steininger · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Goodreads for selecting me to be a contest winner to receive a free copy of
Firetrap. I read this book on a standalone basis since I have not read anything by Otho Eskin previously. I found the novel to be an enthralling fast paced adventure.

On first becoming acquainted with Marko Zorn I find him to be a compelling character. Marko like many previous detectives does not always play by the rules, which makes him dangerous not only
to the prey he is pursuing but also to the forces he is supposed to be working for. He often finds himself behind the eight ball, but he rescues himself with cunning, violence and wit.

The story moves along rapidly with the main character taking on a large pharmaceutical company and some sinister individuals that are involved with it. It is a story that can easily
be read in tomorrow's newspaper. Also, the book seems like it could be easily made into a movie
relevant and interesting to today's audiences.

If you are a reader who enjoys a fast-paced thriller with a good amount of violence and action and some unseen curveballs you will enjoy this novel.

[Leane · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I’ve written before, Marko is coated with Teflon because he successfully dodges bullets and assassination attempts with acrobatic style. Read my review of the 1st Marko Zorn, The Reflecting Pool, for more details. I am not impressed with this 3rd in the series: more tell than show and the ratio of belief in Marco’s success against the political and financial might of two geriatric and psychotic billionaires dwindles as he jumps from one fire to the next. The fantastical overcame the procedural in this one. The dialogue seems wooden and hackneyed in too many spots. Marko remains a flawed, compelling CH and a survivor, but the writing in Plot, other CHs’ development, and procedural details needs to tighten up for me to continue with the series. The first one reminded me of George Pelecanos, Barry Eisler, and Joseph Finder’s combination of flawed lone wolf lead, procedural precision, and government involvement and setting. This one not so much. RED FLAGS: Graphic Violence; Immolation/Arson; Kidnapping/Harm to children/Drug Use

[Eric Cousineau · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has delivered a fast paced and deliciously wicked tale. The characters are well rounded and come across as believable, whether you love them or hate them. This is a taut, character-driven psychological thriller, filled with suspicion and tension. Marko Zorn, the chief protagonist, is a policeman with his own take on justice and with serious authority issues. His strong moral compass and unorthodox views bring him in contact with some of the worst criminals in Washington; anything goes when in the pursuit of justice.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Tracey Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otho Eskin's Firetrap is the third excellent thriller in the Marko Zorn series. Firetrap is a well-thought-out, perfectly paced, and gripping thriller in Washington, D.C.

Things take a darker turn from the start with a high-profile killing, and a healthy dose of vendettas, politics, drugs, crime, and government interference. Eskin once again does a great job of creating pacing that keeps the reader fully engaged from start to finish.

I thoroughly enjoy Marko’s satirical sense of humor, and when he gives his word, he keeps it, even when he promises to help less-than-honorable types. One of the standout aspects of Firetrap is the way each character is fleshed out with their own backstory, motivation, and perspective, whether they be allies or adversaries.

Firetrap can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I recommend reading the first two books in the series simply for the pleasure of knowing how it all began.

I highly recommend Firetrap as a must-read for fans of intelligent thrillers. Erskin can easily keep this series going indefinitely, as Marko Zorn and his cast of characters are most enjoyable.

Thanks to Edelweiss Plus and Oceanview Publishing for providing a free ARC. This review is provided voluntarily.

[Svetlana Tishchenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firetrap it is. This book has done a very difficult job of ticking too many boxes when it comes to tropes, genres, plots and sub-plots.
I have not previous adventures of Marko Zorn, but in the Firetrap Marko is trying to everything, everyone and everywhere. One head spins constantly from trying to follow all the story lines. It felt like Marko was some sort of jack-in-the box waiting to jump out at you from every which corner.
This book was difficult to read and hard to get into. It was a bit of white noise-caused headache.

[Patricia Gussin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Firetrap, you will find a uniquely compelling protagonist—homicide detective Marko Zorn—who navigates both the political powers and the dark underbelly of Washington, D.C., with equal expertise. Zorn is cunning, resourceful, often unordadox. Eskin’s style gives us, the reader, a front row seat to what really happens when politics and criminals collide—and conspire. In Firetrap, Zorn is navigating the world of extreme opioid abuse. I found it a heart-pounder.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

I read this book, unaware that it was part of a series, but despite this, this can still be read as a standalone, which was a positive for me, the ending of the book did end what can almost be called a cliffhanger. A great way to get readers to continue on with the story, especially for those who enjoyed the book.

While it took me a while to get into it, I found the plot good overall.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firetrap by Otho Eskin is a fantastic, fast-paced thriller. It opens with Marko Zorn investigating a burned vehicle with a charred body inside. This is the beginning of a wild ride of a novel that includes eccentric millionaires, illicit drugs, stolen art, and lots of action and drama that keep you on the edge of your seat. Reading it is like enjoying a good action packed movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks to the author/publisher for this Goodreads Giveaway.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marko Zorn needs to find and stop the people/company from the distribution of a drug that is very addictive and kills. Good plot, cast of characters, and some far fetched action scenes. I just couldn't get into the book, but others might enjoy it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing who provided me with an ARC of this novel.

[Jay Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another very enjoyable read in this series - full of bad guys and highlighting the dark sinister underbelly of the drug world. I really like detectives who can go rogue without batting an eye and I find Marco Zorn makes a great main character.

4 stars

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

This was book three of the Mark Zorn series. Even though I had not read any books in the series I was still able to get through the story line and characters. This was an enjoyable read and very much a story line that I’m sure takes place within the pharmaceutical world today. I would recommend this book.

[ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story! I read it as a sort of neo-noir -- definitely modern setting but the MC has a very old school detective vibe in my head. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.