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Summer of Fire

(John Sinclair Mystery #3)

Kitty Pilgrim (Goodreads Author)

4.05 · Rating details · 98 ratings · 47 reviews

When nature takes charge, sparks fly

On the beautiful island of Capri, a royal princess begins a secret love affair, oblivious to the dangers that surround her. Internationally renowned novelist Kitty Pilgrim chronicles a modern thriller based in the historic volcanic region of Southern Italy. Her characters, archaeologist John Sinclair and oceanographer Cordelia Stapleton, ...more

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Published May 19th 2015 by River Grove Books (first published May 18th 2015)

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· 98 ratings · 47 reviews

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Jun 19, 2016 Piepie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: suspense-and-thrillers, read-in-2016

Still loving this series! Jim Gardiner and his domestic partner are absent, but Cordelia and Sinclair are living together and Sinclair is thinking about proposing. My heart was in my throat, and I couldn't read the ending fast enough! These books keep me on the edge of my seat!! ...more

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May 20, 2015 Italo Italophiles rated it it was amazing

Beautiful Capri, Italy, and southern Italy's volcanoes are the settings for many of the events in Summer of Fire, an International Romantic Thriller. The reader gets to jet-set along with the characters through Italy, with stops in England, Norway, Iceland and France. Good guys, bad guys, lovers, adventurers all come together for an exciting finish.

It all begins in Capri, which the author describes thus:

"There was a magical timelessness to Capri A special atmosphere, and a sense of history. ... Beautiful Capri, Italy, and southern Italy's volcanoes are the settings for many of the events in Summer of Fire, an International Romantic Thriller. The reader gets to jet-set along with the characters through Italy, with stops in England, Norway, Iceland and France. Good guys, bad guys, lovers, adventurers all come together for an exciting finish.

It all begins in Capri, which the author describes thus:

"There was a magical timelessness to Capri A special atmosphere, and a sense of history. ... Nowhere on earth was more romantic."

And Capri turns out to be a retreat for many of the book's characters, a place to escape the world, a romantic retreat.

We get lots of threads as the book builds its plot: a forbidden love affair, a death that is possibly a gangster hit, a policeman determined to keep Capri mobster-free, a Camorra boss and his killer/burglar, teen boys seeking adventure, priceless jewels, and a loving couple who might make a deeper commitment if given a moment's peace.

The author weaves all the stories together creating dangerous situations galore. There is some in-scene violence, and a handful of vulgarities. The writing is smooth (I always like more past-perfects than many writers use), and the story flows well. The voice is third-person limited, allowing us into the heads of various characters over the course of the book, but only one per section.

This is a European crime story with lots of romance and some thrills and chills. I liked that the author had our heroes feel horrible when they had to take a life to save themselves or others, showing the difference between them and the sociopathic bad guys.

"I know there was no real choice. But it's still hard to kill a man."

The author adds into the mix information on the active volcanoes in Europe, even putting us over one as it erupts, and on another as the lava starts to flow. This International Romantic Thriller is a fun read for a holiday, or when you just want to feel like you're on holiday, perhaps just to enjoy the fantasy of being in the Capri villa along with the book's characters. Magari!

Please visit my full and illustrated review at Italophile Book Reviews. I received a review-copy.
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...
...more

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Sep 08, 2015 Elayne rated it liked it

The Summer of Fire by Kitty Pilgrim

A Netgalley review

In March of 2015 - this year - it seemed that Iceland’s largest volcanic eruption for 200 years ended.
It was the Bardarbunga volcano that was causing a lava field to form in Holuhraun. The eruption had lasted 6 months. This lava field was 8 times bigger than the 2010 Eyjafjallajökul eruption that is showcased in this book but still very much smaller than the 1783 Laki eruption which was the one that caused mass famine and death.
Volcanic erupti The Summer of Fire by Kitty Pilgrim

A Netgalley review

In March of 2015 - this year - it seemed that Iceland’s largest volcanic eruption for 200 years ended.
It was the Bardarbunga volcano that was causing a lava field to form in Holuhraun. The eruption had lasted 6 months. This lava field was 8 times bigger than the 2010 Eyjafjallajökul eruption that is showcased in this book but still very much smaller than the 1783 Laki eruption which was the one that caused mass famine and death.
Volcanic eruptions cause our skies to change colour and it was noted by Turner and other great artists as they painted in the 1780s. Eruptions made the sky redder [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetec...] and it is claimed that Turner’s famous picture of The Lake was a good example of this. The 1815 Indonesian volcanic eruption demonstrated how this could happen as the particles scatter sunlight and the effect can be seen in Europe for some 3 years afterwards.
Also, the famous painting The Scream by Munch was meant to depict a volcanic eruption. - it was originally called The Scream of Nature. This was painted after the Krakatoa eruption of 1883.
This book not only has volcanology but also archaeology and oceanography within it for the scientist to explore further.
We learn some science along the way including that in psychopaths, the amygdala area of the brain is markedly less active than normal people and that the frontal cortex where the receptors for emotions such as empathy and remorse are contained are impaired.

Included in the characters that take part in the story are an Italian Gang boss aka Mafiosa; naive young boys; brave photographers; royalty; billionaires; and English country gentry. Was there any stock character that the author left out?
And just when you think that nothing more can happen because all the baddies have been killed off - they turn up again and something new and nasty happens!
I wish that I liked it more, but it all seemed a little too contrived and a little too full of the stock characters of crime novels. We didn’t explore the characters sufficiently as there were just too many of them…

3/3.5 stars. ...more

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Jun 17, 2015 Nancy rated it it was amazing

"Summer of Fire" feels like it has been written by a pro. A trip to Kitty Pilgrim's website proves that out with an impressive list of international credits and a marketing video of this book that makes me want to run out to see it as soon as possible on date night in my local theater! Not as yet a movie that I know of, but definitely should be!

Besides all of the intriguing elements here: dangerous volcanic eruptions, vicarious travel to exotic European locations, gorgeous royalty, priceless gem "Summer of Fire" feels like it has been written by a pro. A trip to Kitty Pilgrim's website proves that out with an impressive list of international credits and a marketing video of this book that makes me want to run out to see it as soon as possible on date night in my local theater! Not as yet a movie that I know of, but definitely should be!

Besides all of the intriguing elements here: dangerous volcanic eruptions, vicarious travel to exotic European locations, gorgeous royalty, priceless gems, beautiful and intelligent characters, crimes that need to be solved, and perils that need to be survived, there is quite a bit more . .

Smoothly worded and paced, there are so many reasons to be drawn in and riveted until the last page. There is, of course all the new knowledge of volcanic eruption you come away with, as a reader.

What stands out for me additionally is the quality of storytelling on a par with two of my favorite writers. The first, Barbara Taylor Bradford, in that the main characters, John Sinclair and Cordelia Stapleton, are finely drawn and well worthy of looking up to, real hero/heroine types. Both highly accomplished and widely recognized in their respective fields of archaeology and oceanography, they are the perfectly created character-types that we aspire to: highly intelligent and committed, deeply caring individuals, on the side of good, notably good-looking, perfectly paired, meticulously dressed with plenty of wealth, their international success providing them the ability to live and stay in all the most elegant houses and hotels across Europe.

And their ability to face danger head-on reminds me of another favorite writer, Daniel Silva with his character, Gabriel Allon, master artist and spy. Both sets of characters, the best in their field. In this day of few role models, I like seeing heroes worth emulating!

Anyway, as the other reviewers have touched upon, there is something here for everyone, an amazing adventure!! I always say, if you are going to make something up, make it up good!

Will definitely follow up by reading Pilgrim's other two "The Stolen Chalice" and "The Explorer's Code". ...more

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Jul 26, 2015 Lauralee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: france, england, mystery-suspense, adventure

Royalty, forbidden love, missing jewels, and volcanoes - who could resist such a plot? This novel also takes the reader to great places as the characters travel to different locations; from the ancient island of Capri, to the ancient city of Herculaneum, to the top of the active Mt. Etna that is on the verge of eruption, to Paris, and London. In this plot, archaeologist John Sinclair and Cordelia Stapleton team up to find the missing necklace of Princess Victoria which leads them to the dangerou ...more

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Aug 27, 2015 Jennifer Ritter rated it it was amazing

Summer of Fire by Kitty Pilgrim is the third installment in her international thriller series featuring archaeologist John Sinclair and oceanographer Cordelia Stapleton. Ms. Pilgrim's many years as anchor and correspondent for CNN brings special insight into international affairs and world events.

Sharing the spotlight in this book are the Icelandic volcanoes Eyjafjallajökull and Katla, as well as Mt. Etna in Sicily. Although poetic license is taken with exact timing and extent of these eruption ...more

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May 21, 2015 Annemarie Macken rated it really liked it

'Summer of Fire' is the perfect holiday read with something for everyone. The pace is fast and ever moving for the most part and there is never a dull moment. The main characters, whilst perhaps a little too aristocratic for some people's tastes, are interesting and well-developed - the fact that they are constantly tested within their very comfortable lives allows them to show multiple facets of themselves, which adds to their appeal. On the reverse side, the 'baddies' are equally engaging in t ...more

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Oct 21, 2015 Elaine rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult, contemporary, chicklit, contemporary-romance, adventure, detective

Rating: 4.5/5

This is another instance where I can’t believe I haven't discovered this talented author years ago….

If you enjoy hopping on a jet, visiting fascinating places that are superbly described by a highly talented author brining them to life in the imagination of the reader, you’ll love this enthralling thriller. The hero and heroine of the tale are John Sinclair and Cordelia Stapleton, both highly intelligent, well connected and ready for some rest and recuperation. They’ve gone to the i ...more

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Jul 25, 2015 Fizza rated it it was amazing

Wow! This book is a mixture of many things, there is mystery, thrill, romance, drama, danger, beautiful and interesting places and characters. In other words it is a book in which everyone can find something to like. at first the story moves slowly but after a while it picked pace and moved smoothly onwards.
There are many characters whose lives are intertwined in subtle way. At first connection may not be so clear but by the end of the book all of them come together. seemingly random events lead ...more

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Jul 24, 2015 Lillian Cummings rated it really liked it

One volcano eruption causes many problems for some. John & Cordelia have been enjoying a trip to Italy where they meet up with their friend Charles and his new lady. His new friend is Victoria princess of Norway and not everyone is happy with the relationship.
Charles & Victoria are just having fun, Charles can never be with her as his family history has some holes in it and the royal family would never allow them to be together anyway. He is so much older than her and Victoria will move on in ti ...more

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May 17, 2015 Anima rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adventure, old-school-romance

Quite impressed with my first Kitty Pilgrim novel. Apparently this is a series with recurring characters but each has it's own adventure. The relationships between the characters is explained easily and casually for those of us just starting the series. The story is a gripping thriller with mobsters, jewels, erupting volcanoes and a bit of romance. The characters were wonderfully 3-dimensional and brought a certain amount of charm to the story. Strong smart women surrounding themselves with inte ...more

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Jun 03, 2015 Julie rated it really liked it

Glamorous European locations, beautiful people with intelligence and lots of money, royalty, romance, and volcanoes come together in Kitty Pilgrim’s novel Summer of Fire. I chose this title from Netgalley offerings and am happy that I did. I had no idea that this book is the third in a series and although the characters’ relationships have evolved, the book stands strongly on its own. I’m eager to backtrack and pick up the first two books from the series. I was swept away with adventure and inte ...more

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May 19, 2015 Maxime rated it really liked it

I was lucky enough to receive this via @netgalley in exchange for an honest review

On the beautiful island of Capri, a royal princess begins a secret love affair, oblivious to the dangers that surround her. Internationally renowned novelist Kitty Pilgrim chronicles a modern thriller based in the historic volcanic region of Southern Italy. Her characters, archaeologist John Sinclair and oceanographer Cordelia Stapleton, team up once again for a tale of glamour and romance that spans every level o ...more

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Jun 06, 2015 Melanie Stewart rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Too few books

I have never been disappointed with a book by Kitty Pilgrim. Her books feel like a race from chapter one with plenty of action to keep the story interesting. I found myself reading later into the night than I planned. The volcanic eruptions made for a unique backstory further complicating the challenges Cordelia and Sinclair were facing. In three books we have come to know the leading pair and I am wondering if the happily ever after was not too happy signaling the end. Regardless, ...more

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Apr 11, 2015 Simera rated it really liked it

Thank you NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

SUMMER OF FIRE is a fast, page-turning read. There is a princess and a secret affair on the wonderful island of Capri. There is intrigue, romance and danger. John Sinclair and Cordelia Stapleton are teamed up again and they don't disappoint.
I enjoyed this novel.
...more

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Apr 19, 2015 Ann Cooper rated it it was amazing

I enjoyed this book a lot. There's something for everyone - mystery, thriller, romance - even kids! It moves at a fast pace and is complicated but worth the concentration! Having it all happen against volcanoes, Italy, Paris and London makes it even more exciting, especially once air transport is factored out! A great read and I shall look for more of Kitty Pilgrim's books! ...more

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May 07, 2015 Kim Bamber rated it really liked it

Thank you NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

SUMMER OF FIRE is a fast, page-turning read. The characters are very well written as is backdrop of stunning Island of Capri. Really, how can you go wrong? A princess and a secret affair; Intrigue, romance and danger.
I enjoyed this novel.

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Apr 23, 2015 Marie rated it it was amazing

Romance, danger and interesting elite charaters all set on the beautiful Island of Capri. A tale so well written you will lose yourself in the storyline. Descriptions so vivid you'll feel as if you are on the island itself.
Treat yourself to this book, you won't be disapointed. ...more

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May 11, 2015 Jacques rated it it was amazing

Great summer book. After a long winter, I was ready for summer to get going now, so I picked this book up. I had a blast reading it. And because both men and women can enjoy it, as soon as I finished, I passed it on to my mother. Perfect book to take on a family vacation to the beach.

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Jul 18, 2015 SW rated it it was amazing

It’s not a romantic novel! It's a suspenseful, mystery, laced with romance, drama and page turning adventure. The book's scenes shift adroitly and graphically between Iceland, Italy and England.
A Number 1+ read.
Kitty Pilgrim did it again!
...more

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Jul 25, 2015 Sherri rated it it was amazing

This book was amazing. It had all the components that make a great book.....enjoyable characters, suspense, romance, multiple story lines, and lots of fast paced action. This is the type of book that anyone will enjoy. I stayed completely engrossed through the very last page.

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Apr 19, 2015 Jenny rated it it was amazing

Loved this book -- a great exotic getaway, with a strong female protagonist and a engaging thriller plot line. Perfect if you want a summer beach read with some sizzle and muscle.

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May 07, 2015 Rhonda Lomazow rated it it was amazing

A book with romance mystery exotic locations a true page turner,a true page turner .

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Jul 24, 2015 Judy rated it really liked it

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, even though it started out a little slow for me. It took me several chapters to get interested in some of the characters and see how they all fit together.

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Jan 20, 2018 Melanie rated it it was amazing

I can't believe that I have not found Kitty Pilgrim before now. Such a great author that writes so vividly. When you are reading this story you feel like you are in the midst of the places Kitty take you to. From the ancient island of Capri, to the ancient city of Herculaneum, to the top of the active Mt. Etna that is on the verge of eruption, to Paris, and London. You get lost in the mystery, thrill, romance, drama, and danger that is all part of this lovely story.

This is a great read that I h ...more

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Jul 28, 2015 Marsha Keeper Bookshelf rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, series, keeper-bookshelf

First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

I love a story that can paint a beautiful, vivid word painting for me. A work of art that spreads out the colors, emotions and reactions in a beautiful palette of words. I have a vivid imagination, I believe it is one of the reasons I love reading so very much – I can put myself into the story location or surroundings with very little difficulty. Summer of Fire was such a delightfully word vivid painting of a story for me. I don’t know how to better describe it. First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

I love a story that can paint a beautiful, vivid word painting for me. A work of art that spreads out the colors, emotions and reactions in a beautiful palette of words. I have a vivid imagination, I believe it is one of the reasons I love reading so very much – I can put myself into the story location or surroundings with very little difficulty. Summer of Fire was such a delightfully word vivid painting of a story for me. I don’t know how to better describe it. You’ll use your imagination, but all you have to do is look to see the word picture already in place for you.

John Sinclair and Cordelia Stapleton once more take us on an amazing adventure, even if their original intent was to catch some rest and relaxation for themselves. While visiting their friend, Charles on the island of Capri they discover his other houseguest, a beautiful, young very royal princess who probably shouldn’t be where she is right now.

When the wrong element of people discover the presence of the princess, and nature’s elements in another part of the world erupt causing massive air traffic troubles across Europe – any chance for a bit of Rest & Relaxation flies out the window.

This thrilling adventure in reading will take us across the globe, expose us to some of Mother Nature’s most amazing natural fireworks, fight the underworld villains and solve the crimes… and so much more.

Summer of Fire is such a detailed, involved thriller that will keep you on the edge of your reading seat from opening scene to the thrilling finale. It is so easy to get caught up in this story. If this is the first of the John Sinclair Mysteries you’ve encountered, don’t worry you can easily read this one and then go back for the earlier stories without any trouble. Each can be read as a stand alone story with the recurring main characters providing the knowledge, charisma and entertainment that make this series so enjoyable. Go on, indulge yourself no matter what time of the year, perfect for a beach read or in front of a warm fire.

*I received an e-ARC of Summer of Fire from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.* ...more

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Sep 19, 2016 Carla Johnson-Hicks rated it liked it

Shelves: thriller-suspense, netgalley, romance

This book combines romance, drama and suspense to create a fast-paced story. John Sylvester and Cordelia Stapleton are on Capri for a holiday. They are heading to dinner at their friend's house, Charles to meet his new love, Princess Victoria of Norway. While this is going on, there is an eruption of a volcano on Iceland which could wreak havoc on the air and air travel. Of course this is Italy so no story would be complete without some time of corrupt mafioso or crime family. When they attempt ...more

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May 24, 2015 Paul Franco rated it it was amazing

Shelves: thriller

It’s always a bit annoying for me to jump into a series somewhere other than the beginning; it turns out this is the third in a series. In this case it took a few chapters to realize there really wasn’t one main character, some of them so obviously well-established that I figured they were in the previous books, others not so much, like the Norwegian princess—not a cruise ship—that had me thinking this might be a take on Roman Holiday.
Said Norwegian princess is in love with a man quite older tha ...more

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Aug 11, 2015 Jane Hunt rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley-reviewed

Summer of Fire (John Sinclair Mystery #3) by Kitty Pilgrim

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Summer of Fire - John Sinclair Mystery #3 - Kitty Pilgrim

'Summer of Fire' reads as a standalone, even though it is the third book in the 'John Sinclair Mysteries'. If you enjoy adrenaline packed thrillers, this one is for you. The writing is atmospheric and the pacing fast, some of the volcano scenes take your breath as you read.

John Sinclair and Cordelia connect a diverse group of characte ...more

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Jul 24, 2015 Angelnet rated it it was amazing

Shelves: on-kindle, net-galley

I was sent this book to review a few weeks ago. Every time I finished a book and was looking for a new one to start I’d look at the cover and mentally put it back on the pile. It just screamed dodgy summer romance at me and I couldn’t figure out why I’d requested it. It probably didn’t help that I’d never read anything by Kitty Pilgrim before. And let’s be honest, she sounds like she would write dodgy summer romances!

It turns out that I couldn’t be more wrong. Summer of Fire is actually the thi ...more

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