A Slow Fire Burning By Paula Hawkins

‘A Slow Fire Burning’ is the latest book by author of ‘The Girl On The Train’, Paula Hawkins.

Laura has spent most of her life being judged. She’s seen as hot-tempered, troubled, a loner. Some even call her dangerous. Miriam knows that just because Laura is witnessed leaving the scene of a horrific murder with blood on her clothes, that doesn’t mean she’s a killer. Bitter experience has taught her how easy it is to get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Carla is reeling from the brutal murder of her nephew. She trusts no one: good people are capable of terrible deeds. But how far will she go to find peace? Innocent or guilty, everyone is damaged. Some are damaged enough to kill.

It’s been a while since a new book by Paula Hawkins, so excitement was high when ‘A Slow Burning Fire’ was announced.

I absolutely adored ‘The Girl On The Train’, it had everything that gripped my attention, an unreliable protagonist with suspense building with each page and the latest book was just as thrilling.

The story is seen through multiple narrative after the discovery of a dead body on a boat. As the police investigate various individuals, all with possible motives. Outspoken Laura, who had after an accident as a child has a quick temper and no filter. Carla and Theo who are the aunt and uncle of the victim who both never got over the death of their little child. Miriam, who lives on a riverboat and was the neighbour of the man who was murdered. She’s a loner who never recovered from being abducted with her best friend and was the only survivor whilst Irene is Laura’s neighbour and is the only person who is really there for the volatile young woman and doesn’t judge her behaviour.

The multiple narratives make for fascinating reading in this book, all flawed and all dealing with their internal struggles. I particularly connected with Laura, who once had the world at her fingertips but was let down desperately by those close to her and really struggles to rationalise her thoughts. I loved her vibrancy and her bold behaviour and felt from all the characters she really stood out. I loved the moments with her and Irene, as Irene was unable to have children sees Laura as a daughter and is there for her during the difficult times.

Like Paula’s previous novels, this book flows at a fast pace with short snappy chapters that really pull the reader in. Each narrative gives a further insight into the character and their part and this makes for compelling reading.

With a cleverly crafted plot line that slowly burns to a monstrous bonfire, ‘A Slow Fire Burning’ is a terrific return to Paula’s writing and is the perfect thriller to get absorbed in.

You can buy ‘A Slow Fire Burning’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.