A review by jonetta
Fireproof by Alex Kava
3.0
Maggie O'Dell and R. J. Tully are assigned to a serial arsonist case that suddenly deviates from pattern. What was once viewed as nuisance arson events changed when a body was found at the scene of the last fire. Exacerbating the investigation is a cable TV news reporter covering the blazes.
First, what I liked about the story. It was nicely paced and intriguing with the investigation moving at a good clip and moving forward progressively. Maggie, Tully and Julia Racine worked really well as a team. I also enjoyed Maggie's half brother, Patrick (yes, the author corrected the relationship), having a major presence in the story. I also liked that there was more definition to Maggie's relationship with her "friend" Ben. But, that was an area I also found troublesome.
Now, for my issues. I'm going to sound like a broken record as, again, we don't see Maggie doing a lot of profiling in this story, behaving more like a detective. While her relationship with Ben was better defined, I cry foul on the direction chosen. It's just inconceivable for two people of this age and it's the example for all the areas where Maggie just stands still. Lastly, I've grown weary of the unsatisfying endings of this series. Two cases, connected and disconnected; one poorly resolved, one left dangling. Every story shouldn't end this way.
This was a pretty good story until the very end so it was worth my time reading it, even if I'd figured out the probable perpetrator(s). There's one book left in the series (if you disregard the spinoffs) and I think that will signal my end with this character as there's no way she'll achieve the growth I'd hoped for since the first book. 3.5 stars
First, what I liked about the story. It was nicely paced and intriguing with the investigation moving at a good clip and moving forward progressively. Maggie, Tully and Julia Racine worked really well as a team. I also enjoyed Maggie's half brother, Patrick (yes, the author corrected the relationship), having a major presence in the story. I also liked that there was more definition to Maggie's relationship with her "friend" Ben. But, that was an area I also found troublesome.
Now, for my issues. I'm going to sound like a broken record as, again, we don't see Maggie doing a lot of profiling in this story, behaving more like a detective. While her relationship with Ben was better defined, I cry foul on the direction chosen. It's just inconceivable for two people of this age and it's the example for all the areas where Maggie just stands still. Lastly, I've grown weary of the unsatisfying endings of this series. Two cases, connected and disconnected; one poorly resolved, one left dangling. Every story shouldn't end this way.
This was a pretty good story until the very end so it was worth my time reading it, even if I'd figured out the probable perpetrator(s). There's one book left in the series (if you disregard the spinoffs) and I think that will signal my end with this character as there's no way she'll achieve the growth I'd hoped for since the first book. 3.5 stars