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Seven Ways to Start a Fire
A best-selling author goes for a run.
She doesn’t return.
But her stories keep on coming.
Nell Davenport has it all – a loving husband and teenage son, a big house on the edge of the moor, and a career as best-selling author.
But everything is not as it seems.
An old friend arrives unexpectedly on the doorstep.
A few weeks later, Nell goes missing.
Stories appear in the local paper, supposedly written by Nell.
Each one designed to teach someone from Nell’s past a lesson they will never forget.
Who is writing these stories?
Where is Nell Davenport?
Will the mystery of her disappearance be solved before the stories wreak further devastation?
Everyone is a suspect.
Everyone has their secrets.
Everyone is afraid they will be next.
Seven Ways to Start a Fire is a gripping story of intrigue and deception that will have you guessing until the very end.
She doesn’t return.
But her stories keep on coming.
Nell Davenport has it all – a loving husband and teenage son, a big house on the edge of the moor, and a career as best-selling author.
But everything is not as it seems.
An old friend arrives unexpectedly on the doorstep.
A few weeks later, Nell goes missing.
Stories appear in the local paper, supposedly written by Nell.
Each one designed to teach someone from Nell’s past a lesson they will never forget.
Who is writing these stories?
Where is Nell Davenport?
Will the mystery of her disappearance be solved before the stories wreak further devastation?
Everyone is a suspect.
Everyone has their secrets.
Everyone is afraid they will be next.
Seven Ways to Start a Fire is a gripping story of intrigue and deception that will have you guessing until the very end.
376 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2023
85 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 19, 2023
4.5 stars
This book is excellent. The short chapters and switching point of view had me zooming through. I was continually trying to guess what was going on and was repeatedly surprised. I liked the writing style and the different voices were distinct. I look forward to reading more from this author!
This book is excellent. The short chapters and switching point of view had me zooming through. I was continually trying to guess what was going on and was repeatedly surprised. I liked the writing style and the different voices were distinct. I look forward to reading more from this author!
August 27, 2023
I’d like to thank Rachel Mahood and my good friend Bex for sending this book my way.
👟From the moment Nell disappears it is clear that something is not quite right. The questions and theories just kept forming from start to finish.
🕵🏻When the fables started to appear my interest only grew. Could Nell be behind these, was something more sinister at play, why were these people being targeted? The slow unravelling behind this was brilliantly executed!
⭐Throughout the story I kept questioning every character, I trusted no one. Whilst I did figure out the who, I still doubted myself. The further revelations all built for a dramatic conclusion with lots of twists and turns!
👟From the moment Nell disappears it is clear that something is not quite right. The questions and theories just kept forming from start to finish.
🕵🏻When the fables started to appear my interest only grew. Could Nell be behind these, was something more sinister at play, why were these people being targeted? The slow unravelling behind this was brilliantly executed!
⭐Throughout the story I kept questioning every character, I trusted no one. Whilst I did figure out the who, I still doubted myself. The further revelations all built for a dramatic conclusion with lots of twists and turns!
February 24, 2024
Excellent book, gripped me by page 5! Really well written and twisty plot which I loved. Looking forward to reading more from Rachel!
August 19, 2023
A gripping read
Most enjoyable. Twists and turns aplenty. I really did not know how the story was going to pan out which meant I couldn't stop reading it (even when I really ought to have been asleep..!)
Most enjoyable. Twists and turns aplenty. I really did not know how the story was going to pan out which meant I couldn't stop reading it (even when I really ought to have been asleep..!)
June 13, 2024
To be honest this is probably a 4.5 star book.
I loved it, it was engaging, gripping and well written, one of those books where you don’t want to put it down and you read for far longer than you intended. I was pleasantly surprised as I knew this was the author’s debut novel, it was of excellent quality. The storyline was well thought-out, unpredictable and I enjoyed how it unravelled so that the reader knew what was happening before the characters found out. The use of the individual chapters for each character was a good mechanism to pace the story and it was paced really well with longer chapters in the earlier more descriptive phase and shorter ones when the pace was picking up towards the end.
I particularly liked that the family weren’t a typical family, Nell being an outsider within every aspect of her life added an interesting dimension to the story, it made me connect well with Nell and Huck’s storyline and understand the bond that they had and I liked how that was discovered through the disappearance storyline itself. It wasn’t a generic join-the-dots story that can be easily found elsewhere, even when you have found out the main story arc, there is still more to unravel until the very end, the use of the fables was an great concept which I hadn’t seen used elsewhere. It was affecting as I’ve found myself thinking about it after I’d finished which is always the mark of a good book.
If I was to pick fault, it would be a few minor things, I didn’t feel particularly connected to some of the characters, mainly Dalt and especially Amelia and this meant that I wasn’t invested in them as characters. Secondly it was set in the UK but it didn’t feel as though it was which made it hard to picture at times, it could quite easily have been set in America, with large expansive moors and scorching weather forming most of the scenery.
I’m already looking forward to Rachel’s next book, I’d actually like to read more of Nell’s story, maybe from her point of view as there are things that haven’t been answered.
I loved it, it was engaging, gripping and well written, one of those books where you don’t want to put it down and you read for far longer than you intended. I was pleasantly surprised as I knew this was the author’s debut novel, it was of excellent quality. The storyline was well thought-out, unpredictable and I enjoyed how it unravelled so that the reader knew what was happening before the characters found out. The use of the individual chapters for each character was a good mechanism to pace the story and it was paced really well with longer chapters in the earlier more descriptive phase and shorter ones when the pace was picking up towards the end.
I particularly liked that the family weren’t a typical family, Nell being an outsider within every aspect of her life added an interesting dimension to the story, it made me connect well with Nell and Huck’s storyline and understand the bond that they had and I liked how that was discovered through the disappearance storyline itself. It wasn’t a generic join-the-dots story that can be easily found elsewhere, even when you have found out the main story arc, there is still more to unravel until the very end, the use of the fables was an great concept which I hadn’t seen used elsewhere. It was affecting as I’ve found myself thinking about it after I’d finished which is always the mark of a good book.
If I was to pick fault, it would be a few minor things, I didn’t feel particularly connected to some of the characters, mainly Dalt and especially Amelia and this meant that I wasn’t invested in them as characters. Secondly it was set in the UK but it didn’t feel as though it was which made it hard to picture at times, it could quite easily have been set in America, with large expansive moors and scorching weather forming most of the scenery.
I’m already looking forward to Rachel’s next book, I’d actually like to read more of Nell’s story, maybe from her point of view as there are things that haven’t been answered.
August 19, 2023
Ooh this is good!
From the very first few lines I was totally hooked and just couldn't put it down. With fairly events, we know the nation loves a missing woman case and this makes for compelling reading. This felt edgier as instead of an hour by hour account after the day itself, it jumps ahead, which just left me wanting more.
A great concept, a trust no one environment, and some clues which kept me guessing what would happen next.
Kept me on my toes with its razor sharp plotting. Superb.
From the very first few lines I was totally hooked and just couldn't put it down. With fairly events, we know the nation loves a missing woman case and this makes for compelling reading. This felt edgier as instead of an hour by hour account after the day itself, it jumps ahead, which just left me wanting more.
A great concept, a trust no one environment, and some clues which kept me guessing what would happen next.
Kept me on my toes with its razor sharp plotting. Superb.
March 7, 2024
Awesome debut
I often read several books at the same time. I had just finished reading a highly reviewed thriller by a highly praised author and generously rated it 2 stars, only because I forced myself to finish it.
I started in again on Seven Ways to Start a Fire by Rachel Mahood and was richly rewarded with a gripping story, interesting characters, a satisfying ending, who could ask for more. I have found, over my lifetime of reading that I most enjoy reading a great debut novel by a fresh new voice, and this book BAM!!! Thanks for a great read Rachel ♥️
I often read several books at the same time. I had just finished reading a highly reviewed thriller by a highly praised author and generously rated it 2 stars, only because I forced myself to finish it.
I started in again on Seven Ways to Start a Fire by Rachel Mahood and was richly rewarded with a gripping story, interesting characters, a satisfying ending, who could ask for more. I have found, over my lifetime of reading that I most enjoy reading a great debut novel by a fresh new voice, and this book BAM!!! Thanks for a great read Rachel ♥️
December 27, 2023
I had high hopes for this book after receiving a signed copy from a competition but really struggled to get into it. I was finding myself not connecting with the characters and not being excited by the storyline. I couldn’t get out of my head that more wasn’t being done to search for Nell. The concept of the fables was clever and I did enjoy how it linked to stages or people from Nell’s life.
It did pick up towards the end but I’m afraid it wasn’t as good as I was hoping.
It did pick up towards the end but I’m afraid it wasn’t as good as I was hoping.
February 15, 2024
Amazing, Intriguing, Unputdownable, Thrilling
How is this Rachel's first book? She writes like an accomplished and seasoned author. The story is intriguing. A well known author disappears, and then strange things upstart to happen. The plot twists and turns, and kept me gripped to the extent I had to force myself to put it down and go to bed. Amazingly well written, I absolutely loved it. And the promise is for more. I can't wait.
How is this Rachel's first book? She writes like an accomplished and seasoned author. The story is intriguing. A well known author disappears, and then strange things upstart to happen. The plot twists and turns, and kept me gripped to the extent I had to force myself to put it down and go to bed. Amazingly well written, I absolutely loved it. And the promise is for more. I can't wait.
March 17, 2024
I’m sorry it ended!
I’d like to write a well-considered and erudite review, but all I keep thinking is, “wow, that was really good!” The characters are skillfully developed quickly, and by the time the plot really takes off, you understand and can easily see that world. The-different viewpoints are well established, there’s never confusion as to who is speaking. This is one of those rare books I a royally stayed up late to finish!
I’d like to write a well-considered and erudite review, but all I keep thinking is, “wow, that was really good!” The characters are skillfully developed quickly, and by the time the plot really takes off, you understand and can easily see that world. The-different viewpoints are well established, there’s never confusion as to who is speaking. This is one of those rare books I a royally stayed up late to finish!
October 22, 2024
Lost me in the first 2 pages
Maybe I had high expectations for this book, probably off the back of George's books, which I've really enjoyed.
I just couldn't follow what the author was trying to get across. It needed clarity around the concepts, better thought out and researched characters.
In the end I found I didn't care enough about the characters, the plot, anything really.
Maybe I had high expectations for this book, probably off the back of George's books, which I've really enjoyed.
I just couldn't follow what the author was trying to get across. It needed clarity around the concepts, better thought out and researched characters.
In the end I found I didn't care enough about the characters, the plot, anything really.
September 5, 2023
Loved it…!!!
It took me a chapter or two to shake off thinking Rachel would have the same writing style as her husband George, but I finally shook George out of my mind and got into Rachel’s style. Now I have another favorite author and can’t wait for her next book. Thank you Rachel for persisting…!!!
It took me a chapter or two to shake off thinking Rachel would have the same writing style as her husband George, but I finally shook George out of my mind and got into Rachel’s style. Now I have another favorite author and can’t wait for her next book. Thank you Rachel for persisting…!!!
September 27, 2023
This became a very interesting read. I found the first third of the book a bit slow with perhaps too much character and background development but by the time I got to 50% it got very interesting and it was a "page turner".
The plot was a combination of some predictability with enough unpredictability to make it interesting.
Looking forward to reading more from Racheal.
The plot was a combination of some predictability with enough unpredictability to make it interesting.
Looking forward to reading more from Racheal.
February 22, 2024
Enjoyable with plenty of twists and turns, although it was fairly obvious who was behind it from early on.
SPOILERS:
The ending didn't feel right. Too much of a coincidence when Nell returned, and who owns a holiday cottage in Devon and only visits it once a year at Christmas, and then doesn't have a TV or a radio. Minor quibbles.
SPOILERS:
The ending didn't feel right. Too much of a coincidence when Nell returned, and who owns a holiday cottage in Devon and only visits it once a year at Christmas, and then doesn't have a TV or a radio. Minor quibbles.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2024
It wasn't until I'd finished that I could see it from a different viewpoint than the one I had when reading it. I was disappointed when I sensed it was wrapping up -- too soon, I thought -- but after sticking with it I understood why the wrap-up started when it did. There was a lot to understand. There are many themes in this book...
January 22, 2025
Genuinely liked it
What a twisted road this book was! Halfway thru I was like yea yea I got it all figured out... kept reading and was right... then wrong! Then wrong again! My Facebook group I follow has her (the author) husband in, and he biasedly recommended it. I'm glad he did!
What a twisted road this book was! Halfway thru I was like yea yea I got it all figured out... kept reading and was right... then wrong! Then wrong again! My Facebook group I follow has her (the author) husband in, and he biasedly recommended it. I'm glad he did!
October 26, 2023
Great first effort by Rachel Mahood, a clever, unpredictable ending and sparking our curiosity with each turn. Very good character development and always ending with a surprise clue. Keeping the reader constantly finding a new twist. Stories within a story.
November 15, 2023
I have loved George Mahood's books and it was a breath of fresh air to read Rachel's book. She is a wonderful writer, I was lost in the book right away and couldn't stop till I reached the end. Bravo!!
March 1, 2024
Captivated from the start. This is one of those books you look forward to picking up again to continue reading
Loved the twists and turns…. kept me guessing to the end
A huge fan of George’s books, and now looking out for Rachel’s next novel.
Loved the twists and turns…. kept me guessing to the end
A huge fan of George’s books, and now looking out for Rachel’s next novel.
May 9, 2024
Incredible debut novel by Rachel Mahood. Very clever for a first book; really well structured and entertaining. It reads like a seasoned author; and as this first book is so well done I look forward to more to come. Highly recommend.
June 21, 2024
The book wasn’t easy for me to get into initially. The fables were the best part of the book. The ending felt haphazard and didn’t give me “thriller”, more just a disturbed teenager with major mommy issues.
January 26, 2025
I really enjoyed the author’s style. It’s a slow burn sort of book, which I really enjoy. I couldn’t get too excited about the unfolding of the storyline, but will definitely be reading other books by this author because her style is intelligent and well thought out!
April 20, 2025
Suspenseful read. Surprised by plot twists in the form of revelations about characters. Everyone was not who they appeared to be to outsiders looking in. Devastated by the revelations near-ending but definitely satisfied with the ending!
August 30, 2023
Fantastic
I can see life-size cutouts of Rachel in All the bookstore windows! Great book! It will draw you in and keep you wondering. Can't wait for more.
I can see life-size cutouts of Rachel in All the bookstore windows! Great book! It will draw you in and keep you wondering. Can't wait for more.
November 17, 2023
So clever, beautifully written and had me hooked throughout. I loved it.
March 25, 2024
I have always enjoyed her husband George's books, so I figured why not why not check it out. I am glad I did. This is her debut book and she hit it right out of the park! Go girl!
August 23, 2024
Rachel Mahood has produced a solid first novel and I for one look forward to many more. This was an entertaining read. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded and the multiple voices we hear from.
January 28, 2025
Brilliant, thanks Rachel.
Why is it called 7w2saf?
Why is it called 7w2saf?
September 7, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. Her character development was flawless and the story flowed beautifully.
April 6, 2024
Wonderful mystery! I was nearly obsessive about getting through it because it twisted and turned so unexpectedly. Did not go where I thought it would go (always a good thing).
What happened to Nell? Who was behind it?
What happened to Nell? Who was behind it?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews