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Killing Fire #1
A Killing Fire
“Full-bodied and dynamic characters carry this one along a mystery, tying a brutal past with a bloody present that will keep you guessing right up to the finale.” — Unnerving Magazine
As a child forced to witness her father’s crimes, homicide Detective Raven Burns dedicates every waking moment to proving that she is not her father’s child. But when she shoots a suspect who has what turns out to be an unloaded weapon, Raven finds that she must confront both the demons of her past and the stains on her soul in order to stop a killer.
FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress
As a child forced to witness her father’s crimes, homicide Detective Raven Burns dedicates every waking moment to proving that she is not her father’s child. But when she shoots a suspect who has what turns out to be an unloaded weapon, Raven finds that she must confront both the demons of her past and the stains on her soul in order to stop a killer.
FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 22, 2019
10 people are currently reading
1620 people want to read
About the author
Faye Snowden
12 books65 followersFaye Snowden is the author of noir mysteries, poems and several short stories. Her novels include Spiral of Guilt, The Savior, Fatal Justice, and A Killing Fire, a dark, southern gothic tale featuring homicide detective Raven Burns. A Killing Fire is first in a four-part series. The sequel, A Killing Rain, is underway.
Faye’s short story, One Bullet. One Vote was selected as one of the best American mystery and suspense stories of 2021 by editors Steph Cha and Alafair Burke. The story will be anthologized along with many other talented authors in The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2021.
Faye has a master’s in English Literature. She has been awarded writing fellowships from Djerassi and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime (SinC) where she serves as Board Secretary for SinC National.
She has participated on many writing panels, appeared as a guest lecture in several university writing classes, and taught information technology courses at the university level. Today, Faye works and writes from her home in Northern California.
Faye’s short story, One Bullet. One Vote was selected as one of the best American mystery and suspense stories of 2021 by editors Steph Cha and Alafair Burke. The story will be anthologized along with many other talented authors in The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2021.
Faye has a master’s in English Literature. She has been awarded writing fellowships from Djerassi and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime (SinC) where she serves as Board Secretary for SinC National.
She has participated on many writing panels, appeared as a guest lecture in several university writing classes, and taught information technology courses at the university level. Today, Faye works and writes from her home in Northern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
October 18, 2022
A KILLING FIRE is a page turner that I am so glad to have had an opportunity to read. Snowden takes a unique and darker twist with detective Raven Burns. Not only is she fighting to establish her place with respect in a small town police department, she is also fighting set perceptions of her as the only daughter and suspected accomplice of an infamous serial killer Floyd 'FIRE' Burns who earned his nickname in a brutal and personal way. Added to all of that stress and residual trauma, Raven is also being visited by the specter of her executed father whose legacy and proclivities she is terrified of having inherited. Floyd is the devil in her ear encouraging her to do whatever is necessary to protect herself at all costs.
Raven Burns is probably one of the most emotionally damaged characters that I have come across. Snowden does a really good job making her a sympathetic character without making her pitiable. Raven is strong and courageous but is capable of making some really unfortunate decisions. There were several instances where I wanted to hold my breath while silently hoping that she wouldn't do that stupid thing that was obviously going to happen and I still wanted to groan when it did. Raven's inability to fully trust made her ripe for unnecessary mistakes and decisions that made her life harder both professionally and personally.
I enjoyed pretty much everything about A KILLING FIRE. The characters and their backgrounds, the way the story unfolded, and even the opaque ending. I can't actually tell if this is going to be a series or a stand alone story because of the ending. I would love for this to be a series so that I can follow Raven's struggles to figure out who she is, what she wants to be, how hard she is willing to fight to get there, and where she eventually lands. However, I can also see where this could be a satisfying stand alone because a story ending on what is basically a fade to black ellipses like dangling end can also be good even though it left with a 'GAH' what the hell happened?! As always, I admit and embrace that I am a greedy reader when it comes to stories that I enjoy-it is what it is y'all. I am very much looking forward to reading whatever Snowden delivers next.
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monica Is Reading*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @monicaisreading
Instagram: @readermonica
Raven Burns is probably one of the most emotionally damaged characters that I have come across. Snowden does a really good job making her a sympathetic character without making her pitiable. Raven is strong and courageous but is capable of making some really unfortunate decisions. There were several instances where I wanted to hold my breath while silently hoping that she wouldn't do that stupid thing that was obviously going to happen and I still wanted to groan when it did. Raven's inability to fully trust made her ripe for unnecessary mistakes and decisions that made her life harder both professionally and personally.
I enjoyed pretty much everything about A KILLING FIRE. The characters and their backgrounds, the way the story unfolded, and even the opaque ending. I can't actually tell if this is going to be a series or a stand alone story because of the ending. I would love for this to be a series so that I can follow Raven's struggles to figure out who she is, what she wants to be, how hard she is willing to fight to get there, and where she eventually lands. However, I can also see where this could be a satisfying stand alone because a story ending on what is basically a fade to black ellipses like dangling end can also be good even though it left with a 'GAH' what the hell happened?! As always, I admit and embrace that I am a greedy reader when it comes to stories that I enjoy-it is what it is y'all. I am very much looking forward to reading whatever Snowden delivers next.
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monica Is Reading*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @monicaisreading
Instagram: @readermonica
April 23, 2025
Floyd was the BEST part of this book. Raven stomped on every single nerve I have. I have never disliked a detective more, she was the worts law enforcement officer ever 😂 I mean granted, she’s bound to have some daddy issues considering but GIRL !!! She drove me up the wall.
August 17, 2019
Hi and welcome to my stop on the blog tour for A Killing Fire! Massive thanks to Anne Cater for the invitation and to Flame Tree Press for my gorgeous review copy, it totally made my day when it arrived, and then again when I was reading it!
A Killing Fire tells the story of homicide Detective Raven Burns. Talking about fire, Raven sure has a lot of it, she has quite the fiery personality, she’s a bit volatile at times, but I really liked her. I wouldn’t mind at all sitting down with her on a porch and sharing a plate of fried catfish and sweet potato fries and a pitcher of sweet iced tea with some Buckwheat Zydeco playing in the background, no sirree, I would not mind that at all! And oh the talks we would have, sitting on that porch on a hot and damp Louisiana night! She could tell me all about her dad, Floyd “Fire” Burns, ’cause you know, the girl is still not over all that shit, and I really think it would help if she talked about it. I mean, five-old girls are not supposed to see their dads murder their mums, right? Who wouldn’t be traumatised to witness their mum being killed by their dad at that tender an age (or any age for that matter). And it’s not like Floyd Burns stopped at that! No, he got a taste for it, and became an actual serial killer, don’t you know. Rest assured, Floyd is long gone, but Raven keeps hearing his voice in her thoughts and she’s struggling with it, because she’s wondering what else she’s inherited from him besides her “ghost eyes“, and so are the people in her little town of Byrd’s Landing.
Come to think of it, I’m not sure Raven would have the time or the energy to sit down with me for a chat and a snack. After all, a girl has been murdered and it’s a known fact that she and Raven did not get along at all. So Raven is not just in the middle of a murder investigation, she’s also trying to prove her innocence, because there are some elements to this murder that remind people of the murder of Raven’s mum. And then another murder is committed and it seems that Raven has another serial killer on her hands. Oh it’s one hot mess, I tell you, and I’m not talking about the weather in the bayou! I’m not talking about the book either, for the record. A Killing Fire is anything but a mess, it’s not uncontrolled wildfire, it’s a carefully controlled flame. It burns slowly but steadily and Ms Snowden keeps on feeding it, until you find yourself consumed by it, hypnotised, unable to turn away. I completely missed the signs that would have pointed me in the right direction, in hindsight I realise they were there, I stared the killer in the face but I did not see them. Like Rachel wrote in her cracking review earlier on the tour: I would love to see Ms Snowden turn this into a series, I would love to be reunited with Raven, especially in Byrd’s Landing but anywhere else is fine too. In the meantime Ms Snowden has told Twitter that there is indeed a second Raven Burns novel in the works, and let me tell you, it cannot come quickly enough!
Let’s talk about the setting for a minute. A Killing Fire is set in Louisiana, which is a part of the USA I haven’t been, but it is definitely on my travel bucket list. Having lived in Louisiana for 8 years, Ms Snowden obviously knows what she’s talking about but she does not force Louisiana down your throat, New Orleans is mentioned, and so is Katrina, but the Louisiana vibes are integrated in the story subtlely, without a flashing arrow pointing them out. As such, A Killing Fire oozes Southern atmosphere all over the place, and I gobbled it up (and put a visit to this US state a little higher on that travel bucket list).
A Killing Fire is an excellent crime thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed both the murder investigations and the characters’ personal histories, especially Raven’s but also her partner Billy Ray’s. The murder mystery is executed flawlessly, clues, red herrings, and in combination with the well-fleshed out and complicated characters and their relationships, I would definitely say A Killing Fire will satisfy a wide range of readers. Recommended!
A Killing Fire tells the story of homicide Detective Raven Burns. Talking about fire, Raven sure has a lot of it, she has quite the fiery personality, she’s a bit volatile at times, but I really liked her. I wouldn’t mind at all sitting down with her on a porch and sharing a plate of fried catfish and sweet potato fries and a pitcher of sweet iced tea with some Buckwheat Zydeco playing in the background, no sirree, I would not mind that at all! And oh the talks we would have, sitting on that porch on a hot and damp Louisiana night! She could tell me all about her dad, Floyd “Fire” Burns, ’cause you know, the girl is still not over all that shit, and I really think it would help if she talked about it. I mean, five-old girls are not supposed to see their dads murder their mums, right? Who wouldn’t be traumatised to witness their mum being killed by their dad at that tender an age (or any age for that matter). And it’s not like Floyd Burns stopped at that! No, he got a taste for it, and became an actual serial killer, don’t you know. Rest assured, Floyd is long gone, but Raven keeps hearing his voice in her thoughts and she’s struggling with it, because she’s wondering what else she’s inherited from him besides her “ghost eyes“, and so are the people in her little town of Byrd’s Landing.
Come to think of it, I’m not sure Raven would have the time or the energy to sit down with me for a chat and a snack. After all, a girl has been murdered and it’s a known fact that she and Raven did not get along at all. So Raven is not just in the middle of a murder investigation, she’s also trying to prove her innocence, because there are some elements to this murder that remind people of the murder of Raven’s mum. And then another murder is committed and it seems that Raven has another serial killer on her hands. Oh it’s one hot mess, I tell you, and I’m not talking about the weather in the bayou! I’m not talking about the book either, for the record. A Killing Fire is anything but a mess, it’s not uncontrolled wildfire, it’s a carefully controlled flame. It burns slowly but steadily and Ms Snowden keeps on feeding it, until you find yourself consumed by it, hypnotised, unable to turn away. I completely missed the signs that would have pointed me in the right direction, in hindsight I realise they were there, I stared the killer in the face but I did not see them. Like Rachel wrote in her cracking review earlier on the tour: I would love to see Ms Snowden turn this into a series, I would love to be reunited with Raven, especially in Byrd’s Landing but anywhere else is fine too. In the meantime Ms Snowden has told Twitter that there is indeed a second Raven Burns novel in the works, and let me tell you, it cannot come quickly enough!
Let’s talk about the setting for a minute. A Killing Fire is set in Louisiana, which is a part of the USA I haven’t been, but it is definitely on my travel bucket list. Having lived in Louisiana for 8 years, Ms Snowden obviously knows what she’s talking about but she does not force Louisiana down your throat, New Orleans is mentioned, and so is Katrina, but the Louisiana vibes are integrated in the story subtlely, without a flashing arrow pointing them out. As such, A Killing Fire oozes Southern atmosphere all over the place, and I gobbled it up (and put a visit to this US state a little higher on that travel bucket list).
A Killing Fire is an excellent crime thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed both the murder investigations and the characters’ personal histories, especially Raven’s but also her partner Billy Ray’s. The murder mystery is executed flawlessly, clues, red herrings, and in combination with the well-fleshed out and complicated characters and their relationships, I would definitely say A Killing Fire will satisfy a wide range of readers. Recommended!
August 6, 2019
This was one of the most hard-hitting unexpected reads. An authentic writing was what I would describe author Faye Snowden's style. Believe me, the story pulled me in so insidiously that I was mighty surprised to see myself completely immersed in it.
The plot arc was cops investigating a serial killer. The main difference was that the investigating officer, Raven Burns's father, Floyd Burns was a serial killer who had killed many women across state lines until he was caught and put to death. But his voice was the tiny nasty monotone that Raven heard all the time. Was she as sociopathic as her father was?
Now people associated with Raven were being murdered, and her father's calling card, a peacock feather, was left behind. Someone was setting the stage for her to be locked up. And she wasn't cooperating. Faye's writing gave me the emotions of anger, regret, helplessness, doubt, and determination, wafting off the main character, yet nothing showed on her calm face. Could she she keep dual faces as her father could?
Mixed in the present were the glimpses of her past with her father. Raven was with him during most of the kills, barely a child. They gave me a strong link to her as her father's cruelty made her what she was today. But was there some part of her like him, wanting to kill the ones who hurt?
The characters were powerful yet flawed, it felt as if the flaws gave them the strength to be different. Raven's life was quite a struggle, entrenched in the past moving into the future, wanting to be more than the father. Faye has shown this inner conundrum quite beautifully. I kept getting Raven's desperate need to be different. But she had her own vices. Was she more like her father in more ways?
There was warmth in the prose too. Her partner Billy Ray gave her the much needed friendship and camaraderie along with her right to privacy. He was there without being intrusive. But she wasn't truthful to him. Had her time with her father taught her more things than she knew?
Beautiful questions prepping up the story, a plot line with great surprises, a story which complexed characters, and a writing that is gritty and flawless, Faye Snowden' s book has it all. I loved it!
The plot arc was cops investigating a serial killer. The main difference was that the investigating officer, Raven Burns's father, Floyd Burns was a serial killer who had killed many women across state lines until he was caught and put to death. But his voice was the tiny nasty monotone that Raven heard all the time. Was she as sociopathic as her father was?
Now people associated with Raven were being murdered, and her father's calling card, a peacock feather, was left behind. Someone was setting the stage for her to be locked up. And she wasn't cooperating. Faye's writing gave me the emotions of anger, regret, helplessness, doubt, and determination, wafting off the main character, yet nothing showed on her calm face. Could she she keep dual faces as her father could?
Mixed in the present were the glimpses of her past with her father. Raven was with him during most of the kills, barely a child. They gave me a strong link to her as her father's cruelty made her what she was today. But was there some part of her like him, wanting to kill the ones who hurt?
The characters were powerful yet flawed, it felt as if the flaws gave them the strength to be different. Raven's life was quite a struggle, entrenched in the past moving into the future, wanting to be more than the father. Faye has shown this inner conundrum quite beautifully. I kept getting Raven's desperate need to be different. But she had her own vices. Was she more like her father in more ways?
There was warmth in the prose too. Her partner Billy Ray gave her the much needed friendship and camaraderie along with her right to privacy. He was there without being intrusive. But she wasn't truthful to him. Had her time with her father taught her more things than she knew?
Beautiful questions prepping up the story, a plot line with great surprises, a story which complexed characters, and a writing that is gritty and flawless, Faye Snowden' s book has it all. I loved it!
August 9, 2019
I wanted to avoid the obvious puns, but it cannot be helped, this book is lit.
From the very beginning you have a firm sense of the book's location, in the heart of Zydeco country, Faye establishes this as though the state is a character in the book and reflects the slow burn pace of the novel.Its beating heart is detective Raven Burns, her name both an action and a warning-she burns at injustice and has a seething fire inside her, so her very existence seeks to put right the wrongs of her father, a serial killer. Raven Burns. She feels that as a child she should have done something to stop him, she feels that a child could have been vrave enough, after all she saw his true nature at a very young age.
But as the book progresses, and she hunts a serial killer who leaves behind her father's calling card, she has to process what she has been through, her understanding of evil as a professional and as a survivor whilst learnign to forgive herself and solve the crime.
Raven is a startlingly original character in an overloaded genre, she absolutely stands out as someone different, driven and accomplished. She is a strong, female character whose tempestuousness is levened by her partner, Billy Ray, without being subjugated by it.
'A Killing Fire' may ostensibly appear to be a murder mystery, but it is so much more than that. It is a quest to find herself, reconcile herself with a past she cannot bear to think abaout and redemption. No matter how hard you try, you cannot escape your past and the things that made you, but you can rise above it through your actions and deeds. I enjoyed the way that Faye plays with the reader to get them thinking that maybe there is a side to Raven that even she doesn't not know about, could madness and murder be inherited?
I genuinely hope that this is the first in a series featuring Raven and Byrd's Landing, it is highly recommended for readers who enjoy James Lee Burke and Sara Paretsky.
From the very beginning you have a firm sense of the book's location, in the heart of Zydeco country, Faye establishes this as though the state is a character in the book and reflects the slow burn pace of the novel.Its beating heart is detective Raven Burns, her name both an action and a warning-she burns at injustice and has a seething fire inside her, so her very existence seeks to put right the wrongs of her father, a serial killer. Raven Burns. She feels that as a child she should have done something to stop him, she feels that a child could have been vrave enough, after all she saw his true nature at a very young age.
But as the book progresses, and she hunts a serial killer who leaves behind her father's calling card, she has to process what she has been through, her understanding of evil as a professional and as a survivor whilst learnign to forgive herself and solve the crime.
Raven is a startlingly original character in an overloaded genre, she absolutely stands out as someone different, driven and accomplished. She is a strong, female character whose tempestuousness is levened by her partner, Billy Ray, without being subjugated by it.
'A Killing Fire' may ostensibly appear to be a murder mystery, but it is so much more than that. It is a quest to find herself, reconcile herself with a past she cannot bear to think abaout and redemption. No matter how hard you try, you cannot escape your past and the things that made you, but you can rise above it through your actions and deeds. I enjoyed the way that Faye plays with the reader to get them thinking that maybe there is a side to Raven that even she doesn't not know about, could madness and murder be inherited?
I genuinely hope that this is the first in a series featuring Raven and Byrd's Landing, it is highly recommended for readers who enjoy James Lee Burke and Sara Paretsky.
August 15, 2019
Thank you to Flame Tree Press for sending this review copy my way!
A Killing Fire by Faye Snowden was a slow burn, crime fiction novel that follows Raven Burns, a Louisiana Homicide Detective with a past she so desperately wants to escape.
With a serial killer for a father, many of his crimes she witnessed, Raven struggles with her innocence and whether or not she was complicit in her father’s crimes. We feel Raven struggle with her identity, constantly hearing father’s voice in her head. We hear her lie and we witness her relationship with Billy Ray and her Chief become strained.
This book has so many twists and turns that you can’t help but to keep reading to figure out who the true killer was. While this book was a little slower moving for me, I still enjoyed the crime feel of the writing. There is solid character development throughout this book. Each character’s personality held true from the beginning of this book to the end. The unique perspective of having a serial killer for a father and all that ensues thereafter his death! Grab yourself a copy!
A Killing Fire by Faye Snowden was a slow burn, crime fiction novel that follows Raven Burns, a Louisiana Homicide Detective with a past she so desperately wants to escape.
With a serial killer for a father, many of his crimes she witnessed, Raven struggles with her innocence and whether or not she was complicit in her father’s crimes. We feel Raven struggle with her identity, constantly hearing father’s voice in her head. We hear her lie and we witness her relationship with Billy Ray and her Chief become strained.
This book has so many twists and turns that you can’t help but to keep reading to figure out who the true killer was. While this book was a little slower moving for me, I still enjoyed the crime feel of the writing. There is solid character development throughout this book. Each character’s personality held true from the beginning of this book to the end. The unique perspective of having a serial killer for a father and all that ensues thereafter his death! Grab yourself a copy!
July 23, 2019
What a rush! A Killing Fire is a page turning psychological thriller that will keep you guessing to the end.
Homicide detective Raven Burns is on the hunt to find the murderer of wealthy socialite, Hazel Westcott. Burns has dealt with many murder cases but this one is different. As the story progresses you find out that Burns father Floyd “Fire” Burns is a serial killer and the evidence is pointing to Raven as the killer.
This book was the perfect heart pumping, page turning read that I needed. First off, that intro was perfect. Faye wasted no time and got the action started from the first page. The backstory of Raven and her father was solid, the author didn’t leave anything out. Strong character dynamics and all the twist and turns had me glued to my chair. I don’t know why but the whole time I was reading I couldn’t get the show Dexter out of my head (a few similarities there). If you are looking for a fast pace read, I highly recommend this novel. Out August 22
Thank you, Flame Tree Press, for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rate: 4 out of 5 Stars
Homicide detective Raven Burns is on the hunt to find the murderer of wealthy socialite, Hazel Westcott. Burns has dealt with many murder cases but this one is different. As the story progresses you find out that Burns father Floyd “Fire” Burns is a serial killer and the evidence is pointing to Raven as the killer.
This book was the perfect heart pumping, page turning read that I needed. First off, that intro was perfect. Faye wasted no time and got the action started from the first page. The backstory of Raven and her father was solid, the author didn’t leave anything out. Strong character dynamics and all the twist and turns had me glued to my chair. I don’t know why but the whole time I was reading I couldn’t get the show Dexter out of my head (a few similarities there). If you are looking for a fast pace read, I highly recommend this novel. Out August 22
Thank you, Flame Tree Press, for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rate: 4 out of 5 Stars
June 8, 2019
Just finished this murder mystery, ‘A Killing Fire’ by Faye Snowden. Thanks to @flametreepress for the ARC! We follow Raven Burns, a homicide detective in the town of Byrd’s Landing. Raven is fiercely dedicated to her job because she feels it’s the only way to prove that she is a good person and not like her father, the infamous serial killer Floyd “Fire” Burns. Unfortunately, when people close to Raven are being murdered, and her long dead father’s calling card is being left at the crime scenes all signs point to Raven as the killer.
.
I enjoyed this book. I often forget how I used to exclusively read this genre. This novel was an entertaining visit back into it. The author builds strong characters. We spend our time mostly in Raven’s mind but I’m quite fond of her ever calm and steady partner Billy Ray. A good portion of the story is dedicated to the backstory of Raven’s father Floyd and his special brand of crazy. Those were my FAVORITE parts and I wanted more.
.
It becomes obvious that someone is setting Raven up. Following all her emotions of not knowing who to trust and also not knowing if she can even trust herself was a rollercoaster. I realized the who and the why only a little bit before the author revealed it but was no less entertained by the conclusion.
.
My rating of this book is ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 and I wouldn’t be mad if the author wrote another story in the same universe. As I said, very strong characters.
.
I enjoyed this book. I often forget how I used to exclusively read this genre. This novel was an entertaining visit back into it. The author builds strong characters. We spend our time mostly in Raven’s mind but I’m quite fond of her ever calm and steady partner Billy Ray. A good portion of the story is dedicated to the backstory of Raven’s father Floyd and his special brand of crazy. Those were my FAVORITE parts and I wanted more.
.
It becomes obvious that someone is setting Raven up. Following all her emotions of not knowing who to trust and also not knowing if she can even trust herself was a rollercoaster. I realized the who and the why only a little bit before the author revealed it but was no less entertained by the conclusion.
.
My rating of this book is ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 and I wouldn’t be mad if the author wrote another story in the same universe. As I said, very strong characters.
June 14, 2020
3.5 rounded up. I loved the authentic setting in Byrd’s Landing, Louisiana. The descriptions of the locations and diverse characters makes the story feel alive. Raven’s friendship with her long-time partner, Billy Ray, is filled with warmth and really needed in this dark book. The flashbacks to Floyd’s scenes are chilling and brutal, but superbly placed to show context to Raven’s behaviour.
As a police procedural though, it could be better. The murder investigation is compromised from the start. Raven is a notorious liar and even a possible suspect but this only comes up towards the end. I wish the book goes deeper into Raven’s mind where her father’s influence is concerned. On a personal note, I'm not a fan of how much the book sides with the police especially with Raven doing whatever she likes behind the badge. But overall, an unique take on crime fiction with some elements of horror.
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
As a police procedural though, it could be better. The murder investigation is compromised from the start. Raven is a notorious liar and even a possible suspect but this only comes up towards the end. I wish the book goes deeper into Raven’s mind where her father’s influence is concerned. On a personal note, I'm not a fan of how much the book sides with the police especially with Raven doing whatever she likes behind the badge. But overall, an unique take on crime fiction with some elements of horror.
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
July 20, 2020
A pretty average crime thriller about an detective whose father was a serial killer. This kinda reminded me of the TV series Prodigal Son. I enjoyed this but have read better such as the Dexter series. Or Chiefs by Woods.
August 15, 2019
Raven Burns is a Detective in the Byrds Landing Police Department, She is also the daughter of an executed serial killer. Floyd ‘Fire’ Burns.
She is called to a body of a young woman, no immediate sign of foul play, but the investigation begins….while searching young Hazel’s room, Raven finds something that brings back memories of her father……a peacock feather.
As the investigation progresses, there are more deaths and those close to Raven are in danger…..just who is trying to set her up? And why?
Set in Louisiana, with great characters and an intense plot, this is a dark and gripping crime thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book and this is my honest, unbiased review.
She is called to a body of a young woman, no immediate sign of foul play, but the investigation begins….while searching young Hazel’s room, Raven finds something that brings back memories of her father……a peacock feather.
As the investigation progresses, there are more deaths and those close to Raven are in danger…..just who is trying to set her up? And why?
Set in Louisiana, with great characters and an intense plot, this is a dark and gripping crime thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book and this is my honest, unbiased review.
October 10, 2022
Police detective Raven Burns has gone back to tiny Byrd's Landing, Louisiana, to escape her past. Her father was a serial killer, and she wants to go back to the one place she felt safe. The police chief there basically rescued her as a child, and she feels she owes him. Raven's father was executed some time later.
Pretty soon, though, murders are happening around Byrd's landing that echo her father's crimes in ways both large and small ... and Raven's the prime suspect in all of them. She has to find out who the killer is and stop them before it's too late.
This book is part fair-play puzzle and part thriller; the clues are laid out along the way. I started to suspect the "whodunnit" before the reveal, but there were still a good many twists and turns along the way to keep me entertained.
Pretty soon, though, murders are happening around Byrd's landing that echo her father's crimes in ways both large and small ... and Raven's the prime suspect in all of them. She has to find out who the killer is and stop them before it's too late.
This book is part fair-play puzzle and part thriller; the clues are laid out along the way. I started to suspect the "whodunnit" before the reveal, but there were still a good many twists and turns along the way to keep me entertained.
July 26, 2020
Enjoyed the suspense/action thriller! Have you ever tried to get out of your family's shadow only to still have your conscious make you feel like you will never run from the stigmatism that follows? Raven is haunted by the reputation of her father a d is constantly trying to be her own person. The cases that she becomes a part of always seem to have some kind of suspicious piece that reminds her of her father... Snowden keeps readers interested in this plot-twisting, suspense thriller!!
October 24, 2020
Intense and riveting! Compulsive and gripping! Dark and complex! Suspenseful and addictive! A sleek, edgy psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You can't go wrong with this book -- this book brings it ALL! Truly a MUST for your TBR list!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
October 30, 2023
First book by this author and i enjoyed it. I love a good story in Louisiana.
Detective Raven Burns was forced to watch her serial killer father Floyd "Fire" Burns' crimes as a child. She's back living in the small Louisiana town where she grew up and is an officer on the local force.
People keep dying and all the evidence is leading back to her. She's not only fighting crime, but also the demons of her past and her father's voice. Is she her father's daughter?
Detective Raven Burns was forced to watch her serial killer father Floyd "Fire" Burns' crimes as a child. She's back living in the small Louisiana town where she grew up and is an officer on the local force.
People keep dying and all the evidence is leading back to her. She's not only fighting crime, but also the demons of her past and her father's voice. Is she her father's daughter?
September 5, 2019
I really enjoyed this book! I'm looking forward to more from Faye Snowden.
A proper review coming soon .
A proper review coming soon .
July 19, 2020
Rewarding satisfying end.
If you reach 60-70 % , you won't be able to put it down.
If you reach 60-70 % , you won't be able to put it down.
August 15, 2019
*I was gifted an ARC copy from Flame Tree Press in exchange for an honest review*
Raven Burns is a police officer in Byrd's Landing, Louisiana, doing her damnedest to right the wrongs of the past. A strong-willed, admirable woman, product of a devious, murderous man. Raven's father was Floyd "Fire" Burns, false preacher and convicted wife-killer. She is haunted by his actions, he plagues her mind even after his death. As our story unfolds, it begins to appear that Fire continues killing long after he left this earth.
Raven is called to investigate the murder of a young woman, one that had quite a vocal opposition of our detective. Her crime scene is so devoid of clues, we have no idea where to begin looking. Raven is a brilliant woman, and a great detective. She comes up with more and more answers as the story progresses. But it leads us to wonder, does she know that because she is good at her job, or is she a little too involved...?
Most of this story is enjoyable. But if I had to use one word to describe my overall impression, it would be: reaching. I am predominantly a horror/true crime reader, so much of what had to do with the background, and police policies did not fit what I know very well. If I were less educated in these fields, I would have no qualms. However, the extent of Floyd's "serial" killing is not explained well-enough for me, nor are his crimes consistent enough in type/victim/MO to earn him the title of serial killer. He appears to have been labelled such because he has killed more than one person. While the need for Raven to be on a case with a massively damaging conflict of interest was explained, it is egregiously unethical.
There are plenty of twists and turns to this novel, but I would have preferred to know less of Raven's moves so we could truly perceive her as a suspect. It was definitely a different story, and I did like it. I did not love it, but I would love to read another book by Faye Snowden! I felt that her writing itself was beautiful, and I love her characters. I would be interested in the live and times of Floyd "Fire" Burns (in a hope that his image in my head could be redeemed!). I am giving this book a sold 3 stars because I expect a lot out of murder/crime/cop stories, and this missed a few of my boxes.
Raven Burns is a police officer in Byrd's Landing, Louisiana, doing her damnedest to right the wrongs of the past. A strong-willed, admirable woman, product of a devious, murderous man. Raven's father was Floyd "Fire" Burns, false preacher and convicted wife-killer. She is haunted by his actions, he plagues her mind even after his death. As our story unfolds, it begins to appear that Fire continues killing long after he left this earth.
Raven is called to investigate the murder of a young woman, one that had quite a vocal opposition of our detective. Her crime scene is so devoid of clues, we have no idea where to begin looking. Raven is a brilliant woman, and a great detective. She comes up with more and more answers as the story progresses. But it leads us to wonder, does she know that because she is good at her job, or is she a little too involved...?
Most of this story is enjoyable. But if I had to use one word to describe my overall impression, it would be: reaching. I am predominantly a horror/true crime reader, so much of what had to do with the background, and police policies did not fit what I know very well. If I were less educated in these fields, I would have no qualms. However, the extent of Floyd's "serial" killing is not explained well-enough for me, nor are his crimes consistent enough in type/victim/MO to earn him the title of serial killer. He appears to have been labelled such because he has killed more than one person. While the need for Raven to be on a case with a massively damaging conflict of interest was explained, it is egregiously unethical.
There are plenty of twists and turns to this novel, but I would have preferred to know less of Raven's moves so we could truly perceive her as a suspect. It was definitely a different story, and I did like it. I did not love it, but I would love to read another book by Faye Snowden! I felt that her writing itself was beautiful, and I love her characters. I would be interested in the live and times of Floyd "Fire" Burns (in a hope that his image in my head could be redeemed!). I am giving this book a sold 3 stars because I expect a lot out of murder/crime/cop stories, and this missed a few of my boxes.
August 30, 2019
Very slowly paced but once you get into you'll find it's worth it. Very strong characters with strong personalities. It's definitely different to what I have read before and I would read other titles by this author. It's a crime/murder mystery with also some angst thrown in. A good read.
March 22, 2023
This was my first introduction to Faye Snowden and it probably will not be my last. She is a wonderful story teller. I loved the way she described a scene with just a few words or cause some chaos with the slightest tone in her writing.
July 25, 2019
Read even more book reviews at: www.lifeofafemalebibliophile.com
This story follows Raven Burns, a homicide detective in the midst of a murder case.Raven struggles with the fact that she is the daughter of Floyd Burns, a notorious serial killer. She works as a cop to prove to herself and others, that she is nothing like him. She can’t seem to escape from the past, no matter how hard she tries.
The story is set in the present day, but has numerous flashbacks to the past. We see how Floyd has affected Raven and pulled her into his web and also the pure evil is as he destroys the lives of the innocent. His charming demeanor is offsetting to the reader because we know what all he’s capable of.
Raven fights a internal struggle through the novel because her tumultuous childhood and a tragic case from her job as a cop. She wants to make the right decisions in her job, but it’s difficult because it’s hard to look at everything through a “black and white” lens. People are not as they seem.
Billy Ray (her partner) and Raven work really well together as a duo. They read each other minds and are also good at discovering the subtlest of clues. They have a brotherly/sisterly relationship in which they can really confide in each other. As they solve the case, secrets about the town’s police department, local government, and people come to light making it for a thrilling read.
What I enjoyed the most about this book is though it follows some classic mystery genre tropes it stands out among many other mystery books I’ve read. Snowden lures her readers into a tangled web of lies inviting them to solve the mystery. The characters were diverse and complex which I appreciated. Readers are not sure of who to trust (including our narrator, Raven) and I like the way their backstories are pieced together as the plot progresses.
I would love to read more from Snowden in the future! The novel was gripping, intense, and suspenseful-everything I want in a crime fiction novel.
*Trigger warnings: Violence, Death
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Flame Tree Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This story follows Raven Burns, a homicide detective in the midst of a murder case.Raven struggles with the fact that she is the daughter of Floyd Burns, a notorious serial killer. She works as a cop to prove to herself and others, that she is nothing like him. She can’t seem to escape from the past, no matter how hard she tries.
The story is set in the present day, but has numerous flashbacks to the past. We see how Floyd has affected Raven and pulled her into his web and also the pure evil is as he destroys the lives of the innocent. His charming demeanor is offsetting to the reader because we know what all he’s capable of.
Raven fights a internal struggle through the novel because her tumultuous childhood and a tragic case from her job as a cop. She wants to make the right decisions in her job, but it’s difficult because it’s hard to look at everything through a “black and white” lens. People are not as they seem.
Billy Ray (her partner) and Raven work really well together as a duo. They read each other minds and are also good at discovering the subtlest of clues. They have a brotherly/sisterly relationship in which they can really confide in each other. As they solve the case, secrets about the town’s police department, local government, and people come to light making it for a thrilling read.
What I enjoyed the most about this book is though it follows some classic mystery genre tropes it stands out among many other mystery books I’ve read. Snowden lures her readers into a tangled web of lies inviting them to solve the mystery. The characters were diverse and complex which I appreciated. Readers are not sure of who to trust (including our narrator, Raven) and I like the way their backstories are pieced together as the plot progresses.
I would love to read more from Snowden in the future! The novel was gripping, intense, and suspenseful-everything I want in a crime fiction novel.
*Trigger warnings: Violence, Death
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Flame Tree Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 19, 2019
Floyd Burns, an infamous serial killer is a force to be reckoned with. Not only does he kill innocent people (seemingly for the heck of it) but he takes his daughter Raven along for many of his escapades. Disturbingly enough, his track record includes Raven's mother, her stepmother, and even her baby sitter. If you guessed that Raven's life is pretty messed up then you are not far off.
Raven eventually grows up to become a police officer in Louisiana. She made it her mission to stop the same crimes she witnessed as a young girl while traveling along with her father. The story starts out with the murder of a young woman named Hazel Westcott. Raven has to find the killer before her whole life is turned upside down.
I really enjoyed how the author presented this story to the reader. It wasn't your typical murder mystery. Floyd's story wrapped into Raven's really brings the novel together. We see the terrible life Raven grew up in which allowed the reader to realize the type of woman she became. Unfortunately, one of her vices is that she's a liar. Even though she lies to try and protect other people it doesn't work out that way of course, because who honestly likes being lied to? I did however appreciate the story involving her partner, Billy Ray. He didn't hold back on how he felt and even made sure to keep an open mind throughout each of the scenarios within the mystery. He was fairly levelheaded and eclectic. One of my favorite TV shows is 'Chopped' so I can appreciate the foodie aspect of his character as well
If you are looking for a new book to dive into this summer then I highly suggest that you add A KILLING FIRE to your TBR list as soon as possible. The author, Faye Snowden, is an amazing storyteller and I am excited to read more of her future works.
Thank you @flametreepress @smithpublicity for sending me over an ARC in exchange for my honest review. PUB DAY: AUGUST 8, 2019.
Raven eventually grows up to become a police officer in Louisiana. She made it her mission to stop the same crimes she witnessed as a young girl while traveling along with her father. The story starts out with the murder of a young woman named Hazel Westcott. Raven has to find the killer before her whole life is turned upside down.
I really enjoyed how the author presented this story to the reader. It wasn't your typical murder mystery. Floyd's story wrapped into Raven's really brings the novel together. We see the terrible life Raven grew up in which allowed the reader to realize the type of woman she became. Unfortunately, one of her vices is that she's a liar. Even though she lies to try and protect other people it doesn't work out that way of course, because who honestly likes being lied to? I did however appreciate the story involving her partner, Billy Ray. He didn't hold back on how he felt and even made sure to keep an open mind throughout each of the scenarios within the mystery. He was fairly levelheaded and eclectic. One of my favorite TV shows is 'Chopped' so I can appreciate the foodie aspect of his character as well
If you are looking for a new book to dive into this summer then I highly suggest that you add A KILLING FIRE to your TBR list as soon as possible. The author, Faye Snowden, is an amazing storyteller and I am excited to read more of her future works.
Thank you @flametreepress @smithpublicity for sending me over an ARC in exchange for my honest review. PUB DAY: AUGUST 8, 2019.
June 19, 2019
Floyd Burns, an infamous serial killer is a force to be reckoned with. Not only does he kill innocent people (seemingly for the heck of it) but he takes his daughter Raven along for many of his escapades. Disturbingly enough, his track record includes Raven's mother, her stepmother, and even her baby sitter. If you guessed that Raven's life is pretty messed up then you are not far off.
Raven eventually grows up to become a police officer in Louisiana. She made it her mission to stop the same crimes she witnessed as a young girl while traveling along with her father. The story starts out with the murder of a young woman named Hazel Westcott. Raven has to find the killer before her whole life is turned upside down.
I really enjoyed how the author presented this story to the reader. It wasn't your typical murder mystery. Floyd's story wrapped into Raven's really brings the novel together. We see the terrible life Raven grew up in which allowed the reader to realize the type of woman she became. Unfortunately, she's a liar. Even though she lies to try and protect other people it doesn't work out that way of course, because who honestly likes being lied to? I did however appreciate the story involving her partner, Billy Ray. He didn't hold back on how he felt and even made sure to keep an open mind throughout each of the scenarios within the mystery. He was fairly levelheaded and eclectic. One of my favorite TV shows is 'Chopped' so I can appreciate the foodie aspect of his character.
If you are looking for a new book to dive into this summer then I highly suggest that you add A KILLING FIRE to your TBR list as soon as possible. The author, Faye Snowden, is an amazing storyteller and I am excited to read more of her future works.
Thank you Flame Tree Press for sending me over an ARC in exchange for my honest review. PUB DAY: AUGUST 8, 2019.
Raven eventually grows up to become a police officer in Louisiana. She made it her mission to stop the same crimes she witnessed as a young girl while traveling along with her father. The story starts out with the murder of a young woman named Hazel Westcott. Raven has to find the killer before her whole life is turned upside down.
I really enjoyed how the author presented this story to the reader. It wasn't your typical murder mystery. Floyd's story wrapped into Raven's really brings the novel together. We see the terrible life Raven grew up in which allowed the reader to realize the type of woman she became. Unfortunately, she's a liar. Even though she lies to try and protect other people it doesn't work out that way of course, because who honestly likes being lied to? I did however appreciate the story involving her partner, Billy Ray. He didn't hold back on how he felt and even made sure to keep an open mind throughout each of the scenarios within the mystery. He was fairly levelheaded and eclectic. One of my favorite TV shows is 'Chopped' so I can appreciate the foodie aspect of his character.
If you are looking for a new book to dive into this summer then I highly suggest that you add A KILLING FIRE to your TBR list as soon as possible. The author, Faye Snowden, is an amazing storyteller and I am excited to read more of her future works.
Thank you Flame Tree Press for sending me over an ARC in exchange for my honest review. PUB DAY: AUGUST 8, 2019.
August 6, 2019
The first time Raven Burns saw her father kill, the victim was her mother. Afterwards, Floyd "FIRE" Burns set the house on fire, making Raven watch as the flames slithered across the yard like some unknowable language. Then he took her on a multi-state killing spree. She could've told or killed him in his sleep. But there were his constant whispers, his wet lips close to her ear saying that little girls who told were sent to hell, and their mothers were called down from heaven to take care of them.
By the time he is executed, Raven has become a cop with the sole purpose of putting men like him away. But she can't escape Floyd's terrorizing voice in her head, somehow guiding her steps while reminding her of the horrors he had forced her to witness. And she can't escape the questions that continue to haunt her: Did witnessing make her complicit? Had the same evil that lived in her father taken residence in her soul?
The town of Byrd's Landing, Louisiana appears to have made up its mind. The community accepts that Raven had nothing to do with Floyd's crimes. But when Raven shoots a teenager who points what turns out to be an unloaded weapon at her, stories about Floyd resurface. The whispers begin. No voice is louder than wealthy socialite Hazel Westcott. When Westcott turns up dead in the backyard of her Big Bayou Lake estate, the doubting voices reach a deafening crescendo, and the ghosts of her past rise up to greet her. To catch Westcott's killer, Raven must come to terms once and for all with who she is. And who she is not.
This was a very good book. The injustice that Raven must confront to clear her name is at once unfair and at thee same time scary. The author did an amazing job of putting the reader right in the action of things. Well done!
By the time he is executed, Raven has become a cop with the sole purpose of putting men like him away. But she can't escape Floyd's terrorizing voice in her head, somehow guiding her steps while reminding her of the horrors he had forced her to witness. And she can't escape the questions that continue to haunt her: Did witnessing make her complicit? Had the same evil that lived in her father taken residence in her soul?
The town of Byrd's Landing, Louisiana appears to have made up its mind. The community accepts that Raven had nothing to do with Floyd's crimes. But when Raven shoots a teenager who points what turns out to be an unloaded weapon at her, stories about Floyd resurface. The whispers begin. No voice is louder than wealthy socialite Hazel Westcott. When Westcott turns up dead in the backyard of her Big Bayou Lake estate, the doubting voices reach a deafening crescendo, and the ghosts of her past rise up to greet her. To catch Westcott's killer, Raven must come to terms once and for all with who she is. And who she is not.
This was a very good book. The injustice that Raven must confront to clear her name is at once unfair and at thee same time scary. The author did an amazing job of putting the reader right in the action of things. Well done!
Read
December 4, 2019When I first accepted to be on this blog tour, I admit I did so basically because I've had such success with Flame Tree Press titles. I knew there was some sort of mystery element to it but honestly, from the cover, I was getting a sci-fi feel. Well, be aware, this is not sci-fi but it's still a heck of a good read.
Raven Burns and her partner Billy Ray are detectives in a small Louisiana town. As a child, Raven was raised primarily by her father, Floyd, who became the well-known 4th of July serial killer. Raven works hard to put people like Floyd away, but secretly wonders how much like him she just might be. One night, Hazel Westcott, a wild-child from a prominent family, ends up dead following a 4th of July celebration. Raven and Hazel are not strangers, but how much does she really know about her death and what is she hiding.
This book was a very quick read. I think because of the mystery elements, I was constantly wanting to see what was going to happen next as well as find out if my amateur theories panned out. While I don't know that any of the characters were extremely likable, they were all flawed and very realistic. I did feel for Raven and what she had been though but there were a few times where I felt like her actions were actually complicating her life more so than making it easier. Billy Ray was a great partner and at time I believed he had to be the most patient and understand person on Byrd's Landing.
If you love mysteries and thrillers, you really need to consider picking up "A Killing Fire." This title could clearly go head-to-head with some of the more hyped thrillers on the market right now and dare I say that I actually have liked it better than so of the more popular ones I've read recently.
Raven Burns and her partner Billy Ray are detectives in a small Louisiana town. As a child, Raven was raised primarily by her father, Floyd, who became the well-known 4th of July serial killer. Raven works hard to put people like Floyd away, but secretly wonders how much like him she just might be. One night, Hazel Westcott, a wild-child from a prominent family, ends up dead following a 4th of July celebration. Raven and Hazel are not strangers, but how much does she really know about her death and what is she hiding.
This book was a very quick read. I think because of the mystery elements, I was constantly wanting to see what was going to happen next as well as find out if my amateur theories panned out. While I don't know that any of the characters were extremely likable, they were all flawed and very realistic. I did feel for Raven and what she had been though but there were a few times where I felt like her actions were actually complicating her life more so than making it easier. Billy Ray was a great partner and at time I believed he had to be the most patient and understand person on Byrd's Landing.
If you love mysteries and thrillers, you really need to consider picking up "A Killing Fire." This title could clearly go head-to-head with some of the more hyped thrillers on the market right now and dare I say that I actually have liked it better than so of the more popular ones I've read recently.
August 3, 2019
Thank you to Flame Tree Press for sending me a review copy of this book!
This crime fiction novel definitely surprised me! I wasn’t expecting to like this at all and I’m fairly new to the genre, but the synopsis (and the gorgeous cover) intrigued me, which is why I decided to take a chance and read this. However, Iet’s just I really did not know what I was getting myself into lol.
The phrase, “The sins of the father shall be visited upon the child”, immediately comes to mind when I think of this book because during the course of the novel I found myself contemplating if Raven would succumb to the evil thoughts brewing inside her and if she really was as demented and unhinged as her father because of some of her decisions, erratic behaviors, and questionable antics thoughout the novel. This made her a hard character to figure out and an even more hard character to trust. And even though the story is told in third person, having to relive Floyd’s crimes and hear his eerie whispers as the sometimes voice of Raven’s conscience, gave the story an extra creepy element that added to this psychologically thrilling read!
The way in which the story was told, with the current storyline being intertwined with flashbacks of Floyd’s criminal back story, were disturbingly some of my favorite parts of the story. And, despite being able to figure out the plot a few chapters before it was revealed to the reader, it did not take away the element of surprise in the story at all! I enjoyed the ride that the author was able to take me on and I hope that we get to see more of Raven in another book perhaps.
I would defintely recommend this book to crime fiction and mystery lovers and fans of Ruth Ware and Gillian Flynn.
Rating: 🦚🦚🦚🦚/5
(because peacock feathers were one of Floyd’s signatures)
This crime fiction novel definitely surprised me! I wasn’t expecting to like this at all and I’m fairly new to the genre, but the synopsis (and the gorgeous cover) intrigued me, which is why I decided to take a chance and read this. However, Iet’s just I really did not know what I was getting myself into lol.
The phrase, “The sins of the father shall be visited upon the child”, immediately comes to mind when I think of this book because during the course of the novel I found myself contemplating if Raven would succumb to the evil thoughts brewing inside her and if she really was as demented and unhinged as her father because of some of her decisions, erratic behaviors, and questionable antics thoughout the novel. This made her a hard character to figure out and an even more hard character to trust. And even though the story is told in third person, having to relive Floyd’s crimes and hear his eerie whispers as the sometimes voice of Raven’s conscience, gave the story an extra creepy element that added to this psychologically thrilling read!
The way in which the story was told, with the current storyline being intertwined with flashbacks of Floyd’s criminal back story, were disturbingly some of my favorite parts of the story. And, despite being able to figure out the plot a few chapters before it was revealed to the reader, it did not take away the element of surprise in the story at all! I enjoyed the ride that the author was able to take me on and I hope that we get to see more of Raven in another book perhaps.
I would defintely recommend this book to crime fiction and mystery lovers and fans of Ruth Ware and Gillian Flynn.
Rating: 🦚🦚🦚🦚/5
(because peacock feathers were one of Floyd’s signatures)
September 16, 2019
From the very first page until the very end Faye Snowden pulled me deep into Raven Burns’ story with all of it’s dark twists and tragic circumstances.
Not only is Raven forced to prove herself as a detective in a small town police department, she is also burdened with the heavy baggage that comes with her parental lineage. Floyd Burns, one half of her DNA, was a convicted serial killer who still haunts Raven’s subconscious in a effort to get her to accept her murderous legacy.
Undeniably Raven is extremely damaged on a deep emotional level. The toll of being her father’s unwitting sidekick resulted in some serious emotional scars. However, throughout the course of the book you can sense how tough Raven is. She works very hard to put up a wall to hide her true emotions. Sometimes though, that thick skin hinders Raven and leads to some rather unfortunate and tragic consequences.
The connection she has with her father does cast a wide berth of mistrust over her and she has a hard time letting people in, including her partner. Probably though, one of my favorite things about this book was Raven’s character. The internal struggles she faced was intense but I really admired her character.
Honestly, I wasn’t 100% satisfied with how the book ended. It sounds weird but I was hoping the “bad” person was someone else but I think that’s what made it so interested. It definitely surprised me a bit. Overall, I really loved the book. I thought it was a great read. The characters show immense growth, the descriptive language and back stories were also great.
I definitely look forward to the next literary treat from Faye Snowden!
Not only is Raven forced to prove herself as a detective in a small town police department, she is also burdened with the heavy baggage that comes with her parental lineage. Floyd Burns, one half of her DNA, was a convicted serial killer who still haunts Raven’s subconscious in a effort to get her to accept her murderous legacy.
Undeniably Raven is extremely damaged on a deep emotional level. The toll of being her father’s unwitting sidekick resulted in some serious emotional scars. However, throughout the course of the book you can sense how tough Raven is. She works very hard to put up a wall to hide her true emotions. Sometimes though, that thick skin hinders Raven and leads to some rather unfortunate and tragic consequences.
The connection she has with her father does cast a wide berth of mistrust over her and she has a hard time letting people in, including her partner. Probably though, one of my favorite things about this book was Raven’s character. The internal struggles she faced was intense but I really admired her character.
Honestly, I wasn’t 100% satisfied with how the book ended. It sounds weird but I was hoping the “bad” person was someone else but I think that’s what made it so interested. It definitely surprised me a bit. Overall, I really loved the book. I thought it was a great read. The characters show immense growth, the descriptive language and back stories were also great.
I definitely look forward to the next literary treat from Faye Snowden!
July 4, 2022
Raven Burns is a wonderful lead character, she is strong with drive and determination but at the same time does have her fault and a lot of baggage to carry. Her dad was a serial killer who had been sentenced to death, but throughout this story our lead character seems haunted by him and his voices inside her head.
Raven’s past never seems to be too far away as the local Community are fully aware of who her dad Floyd Burns was and what he had done and some people think in Raven maybe the Apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree. While on duty she shot and killed someone who turned out not to be armed but was cleared of any wrong doing but some people cannot and will not forgive her for that. One of which has now been found dead and it is up to Raven and her police partner Billy Ray to try and establish who killed this young woman.
The trouble with Raven is she is hotheaded and fiery and sometimes makes decisions that may end up getting her into serious trouble.
Throughout this story we find out about Raven when she was younger and her dad and his killings and how difficult it was for Raven as a child knowing what he was doing but not being strong enough to speak out, giving us a good insight as to why Raven is the person she now is.
The body count goes up and the pressure is on for Raven to find the killer before more people die but who is this sinister perpetrator and how far will they go?
Really enjoyed this audiobook and the narration bye Rachel Handshaw really brought the best out of some really wonderful characters and brought the story to life brilliantly!!
Raven’s past never seems to be too far away as the local Community are fully aware of who her dad Floyd Burns was and what he had done and some people think in Raven maybe the Apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree. While on duty she shot and killed someone who turned out not to be armed but was cleared of any wrong doing but some people cannot and will not forgive her for that. One of which has now been found dead and it is up to Raven and her police partner Billy Ray to try and establish who killed this young woman.
The trouble with Raven is she is hotheaded and fiery and sometimes makes decisions that may end up getting her into serious trouble.
Throughout this story we find out about Raven when she was younger and her dad and his killings and how difficult it was for Raven as a child knowing what he was doing but not being strong enough to speak out, giving us a good insight as to why Raven is the person she now is.
The body count goes up and the pressure is on for Raven to find the killer before more people die but who is this sinister perpetrator and how far will they go?
Really enjoyed this audiobook and the narration bye Rachel Handshaw really brought the best out of some really wonderful characters and brought the story to life brilliantly!!
October 15, 2020
Imagine being a black female cop in a small town police department. Now imagine your father is a convicted serial killer that took you along while he hunted. Many people think despite you being a child that you’re complicit in these murders. What I just described, that’s Raven Burns life.
Raven is living every day with her father haunting her. His crimes and his voice are constantly in her thoughts. Raven is unlucky enough to shoot a teenager in a park that was pointing a gun at her. Granted the gun wasn’t loaded but she didn’t know that. Raven falls under heavy scrutiny but is cleared of wrong doing by the department. Public opinion is something else entirely. Hazel Westport, a wealthy socialite is Raven’s staunchest critic. Unfortunately for Raven, Hazel is dead, victim of a brutal murder. Raven has to hurry to solve the case because someone is trying to frame her for the murder. They left her father’s calling card behind. Raven isn’t sure who she can trust, can she even trust her own mind?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and Raven evolved so much. The backstory was well done and believable. There were plenty of plot twists to keep me turning the pages. The action began on page 1 and didn’t let up til the last sentence. I will definitely read more books by Faye Snowden!
Thank you to @booksforwardpr and @fayesnowden for my copy of the book to review!! Also how beautiful is this cover?!
Raven is living every day with her father haunting her. His crimes and his voice are constantly in her thoughts. Raven is unlucky enough to shoot a teenager in a park that was pointing a gun at her. Granted the gun wasn’t loaded but she didn’t know that. Raven falls under heavy scrutiny but is cleared of wrong doing by the department. Public opinion is something else entirely. Hazel Westport, a wealthy socialite is Raven’s staunchest critic. Unfortunately for Raven, Hazel is dead, victim of a brutal murder. Raven has to hurry to solve the case because someone is trying to frame her for the murder. They left her father’s calling card behind. Raven isn’t sure who she can trust, can she even trust her own mind?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and Raven evolved so much. The backstory was well done and believable. There were plenty of plot twists to keep me turning the pages. The action began on page 1 and didn’t let up til the last sentence. I will definitely read more books by Faye Snowden!
Thank you to @booksforwardpr and @fayesnowden for my copy of the book to review!! Also how beautiful is this cover?!
August 11, 2019
What if the killer...is me? In A KILLING FIRE by Faye Snowden, we follow Raven Burns, a dogged police detective in Byrd’s Landing, Louisiana. She and her partner are investigating the murder of Hazel Westcott, a fancy socialite that has a rough history with Detective Burns. Through the use of flashbacks, we learn that Raven’s father was a notorious serial killer named Floyd ‘Fire’ Burns. As the case progresses and the murders continue, the evidence starts to mount that the killer is actually Raven. Throughout the story, we don’t know who to trust to the point that even Raven is unreliable. In order to solve the case and stop the murders, Raven will have to dig deep into the small-town secrets and shine a light into the dark corners of Byrd’s Landing.
This is a fast-paced crime procedural. The mystery is well crafted and I enjoyed getting to know Raven Burns and the town of Byrd’s Landing. I hope that this is the start of a series about Raven and Byrd’s Landing because there feels like there is more there to discover. I give it 4 stars and recommend it to any fan of mysteries, crime thrillers, and/or Louisiana.
I received this advanced reader book from Flame Tree Press in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fast-paced crime procedural. The mystery is well crafted and I enjoyed getting to know Raven Burns and the town of Byrd’s Landing. I hope that this is the start of a series about Raven and Byrd’s Landing because there feels like there is more there to discover. I give it 4 stars and recommend it to any fan of mysteries, crime thrillers, and/or Louisiana.
I received this advanced reader book from Flame Tree Press in exchange for an honest review.
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