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Nick Vada #2
Into The Flames
When 17-year-old Belle Smith is reported missing, the Darfield police were busy helping fight one of the worst bushfires the region has ever faced. In a case that gripped the nation, she had simply vanished into thin air, and the local police force have no leads.
Twenty years later, the case is brought back to the nation’s forefront, when the smash hit podcast, ‘Into The Flames’ is released, and asks the question. Just what happened to Belle Smith?
Due to the renewed interest into the cold case, DS Nick Vada is tasked to return to Darfield and look back into her disappearance, and soon discovers that nothing here is what it seems, and Belle’s family and friends may know more about what happened to her than first thought.
Twenty years later, the case is brought back to the nation’s forefront, when the smash hit podcast, ‘Into The Flames’ is released, and asks the question. Just what happened to Belle Smith?
Due to the renewed interest into the cold case, DS Nick Vada is tasked to return to Darfield and look back into her disappearance, and soon discovers that nothing here is what it seems, and Belle’s family and friends may know more about what happened to her than first thought.
- GenresCrime
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2023
334 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 28, 2024
Into The Flames: Australian Crime Mystery is a book two in the A Nick Vada Thriller Series by Jason Summers. After several podcasts aired discussing this case, Nick Vada became involved in a missing 17-year-old Belle Smith case. On arrival in Darfield, Nick discovered more about this case than what was reported. Into The Flames's readers will continue following Nick Vada's investigation to discover what happens.
Into The Flames is the first book I have read by Jason Summers, and it is enjoyable to read. I engaged with this book from the first page and continued to the end. I did enjoy Jason Summers's writing style and the plot of this book. I love Jason Summers's portrayal of his characters and the way they intertwine with each other. Into The Flames is well-written and researched by Jason Summers. I like Jason Summers's description of the settings of Into The Flames, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Into The Flames will learn about the issues that rural property owners encounter during bad times. Also, the readers of Into The Flames will learn about the dangers of drugs.
I Recommend this Book.
Into The Flames is the first book I have read by Jason Summers, and it is enjoyable to read. I engaged with this book from the first page and continued to the end. I did enjoy Jason Summers's writing style and the plot of this book. I love Jason Summers's portrayal of his characters and the way they intertwine with each other. Into The Flames is well-written and researched by Jason Summers. I like Jason Summers's description of the settings of Into The Flames, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Into The Flames will learn about the issues that rural property owners encounter during bad times. Also, the readers of Into The Flames will learn about the dangers of drugs.
I Recommend this Book.
August 17, 2025
Setting: rural New South Wales, Australia; modern day.
This is the second book in the Australian crime series featuring Detective Sergeant Nick Vada.
Hot on the heels of his previous success in solving murders in rural communities, Nick is despatched to the town of Darfield where, 20-odd years earlier, teenager Belle Smith went missing from her family home as a catastrophic bushfire approaches.
Now, as a crime podcast again highlights the disappearance, Nick starts trying to work out what happened all those years ago - then, a local man who knew Belle when they were teenagers but now works as a private investigator, is found murdered....
I had previously read the first book in the series which I rated as only 2.5 stars due to the very poor editing and grammar. This one still had a few stupid errors in wording, improper use of capitals and punctuation and quite clunky narrative. And there were also a couple of issues I had with the plot on this one: . Having said all that, it was a better read than the first book - less errors (but still some annoying ones!) and an intriguing storyline led me to rate this one as 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 - 7/10.
This is the second book in the Australian crime series featuring Detective Sergeant Nick Vada.
Hot on the heels of his previous success in solving murders in rural communities, Nick is despatched to the town of Darfield where, 20-odd years earlier, teenager Belle Smith went missing from her family home as a catastrophic bushfire approaches.
Now, as a crime podcast again highlights the disappearance, Nick starts trying to work out what happened all those years ago - then, a local man who knew Belle when they were teenagers but now works as a private investigator, is found murdered....
I had previously read the first book in the series which I rated as only 2.5 stars due to the very poor editing and grammar. This one still had a few stupid errors in wording, improper use of capitals and punctuation and quite clunky narrative. And there were also a couple of issues I had with the plot on this one: . Having said all that, it was a better read than the first book - less errors (but still some annoying ones!) and an intriguing storyline led me to rate this one as 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 - 7/10.
October 9, 2024
I liked this second book of this series so much more! It was far less predictable and the characters were stronger in my opinion. It kept me going until the end and I found it easy to read.
November 26, 2024
This book grabbed me from the start and got better and better, I will stick with this author. Highly recommended.
July 14, 2023
Again another amazing book by Jason Summers. Was waiting in anticipation to know what happened to Belle.
Definately a good read
Definately a good read
December 7, 2024
The first book in this series featuring Detective Nick Vada was difficult to slide into.
The character develops slowly, at times a little clumsily, I didn’t rate that book but decided to give the second book a go.
Into The Flames saw the character of Nick Vada start to self evolve for the reader, much more comfortably for the reader and I found myself invested in that evolution.
The personal demons and challenges of his personal relationships has been a delight to understand.
The novel describes perfectly our outback towns and the vast open spaces of The Northern Territory, where I spent two years.
I’m very much looking forward to following Nick on his policing and personal adventures in book three.
Glad I stuck with it and five stars from me.
The character develops slowly, at times a little clumsily, I didn’t rate that book but decided to give the second book a go.
Into The Flames saw the character of Nick Vada start to self evolve for the reader, much more comfortably for the reader and I found myself invested in that evolution.
The personal demons and challenges of his personal relationships has been a delight to understand.
The novel describes perfectly our outback towns and the vast open spaces of The Northern Territory, where I spent two years.
I’m very much looking forward to following Nick on his policing and personal adventures in book three.
Glad I stuck with it and five stars from me.
February 24, 2024
Satisfying.
How did I feel at the end of this book? Satisfied.
Rarely are books completed with all the loose ends brought together in such a tidy way, and then it isn't always logical or easy to connect it to the storyline. Sometimes I felt on the outer, then in would come those known clues to guide me back to understanding, very clever. Sometimes I've had to work hard, then bit by bit it falls into place.
Yes, a very satisfying read, thank you.
How did I feel at the end of this book? Satisfied.
Rarely are books completed with all the loose ends brought together in such a tidy way, and then it isn't always logical or easy to connect it to the storyline. Sometimes I felt on the outer, then in would come those known clues to guide me back to understanding, very clever. Sometimes I've had to work hard, then bit by bit it falls into place.
Yes, a very satisfying read, thank you.
April 16, 2025
INTO THE FLAMES
Into the flames (A Nick Vada Thriller book 2)
I have read a few of your novels Jason Summers and have enjoyed them immensely.
Into the flames kept my interest all the way through.Cant wait to start reading the next one.
Into the flames (A Nick Vada Thriller book 2)
I have read a few of your novels Jason Summers and have enjoyed them immensely.
Into the flames kept my interest all the way through.Cant wait to start reading the next one.
March 27, 2024
great Aussie outback thriller
Another twist and turning thriller with the likeable Nick Vada. Just like the Australian movie scene its quality entertainment. Highly recommended
Another twist and turning thriller with the likeable Nick Vada. Just like the Australian movie scene its quality entertainment. Highly recommended
May 4, 2024
brilliant
Nick Vada is a great creation and the supporting cast so well drawn
A great series of books can’t wait to read the next one
Nick Vada is a great creation and the supporting cast so well drawn
A great series of books can’t wait to read the next one
March 10, 2025
stunning page turner
Couldn’t stop reading this book. From start to finish and with each gripping moment the author slowly leads you through the process.
Couldn’t stop reading this book. From start to finish and with each gripping moment the author slowly leads you through the process.
April 25, 2024
My second book from Jason Summers and it won’t be my last. A really easy read & I don’t want to put his books down. I think his books are truely interesting and well thought out. Can’t wait to start the third in the series!
November 20, 2024
A good read
It is a good story with several twists adding to the mystery. I enjoy reading Jason's books and looking forward to the next one, having decided to read the series in order.
It is a good story with several twists adding to the mystery. I enjoy reading Jason's books and looking forward to the next one, having decided to read the series in order.
August 31, 2025
great read
November 4, 2024
Really enjoying this author.
Great characters, good storyline, and some good twists and turns.
I just ignore the minor errors in lack proofreading prior to publishing, as overall it is a cracker of a read. Looking forward to book 3 in the series.
Great characters, good storyline, and some good twists and turns.
I just ignore the minor errors in lack proofreading prior to publishing, as overall it is a cracker of a read. Looking forward to book 3 in the series.
November 19, 2023
Sadly I could not finish this novel.
As a story itself, this is another ripper yarn by Jason Summers; as an author he has a talent for hooking the reader in with what might be cliched stories, but his development of both characters and the story itself have you wanting to stay up late and continue you until you finish, all the while saying "oh damn!!!" at the latest "oh my god" moment.
If that's the case then why did I not finish this novel?
As I mentioned in my review of Warranilla, the book was let down by the lack of professional proof reading. In this case, it's more of the same except to say it's gotten worse; so much so that I couldn't ignore the blatant grammatical and spelling errors as it was taking me out of the story.
I also mentioned in my review of Warranilla that it could have benefited with a fresh set of eyes going through the manuscript; it is no doubt hard to find mistakes in your own work, but even a non professional reader (i.e. a beta reader), could have picked up on some of the mistakes.
All in all I have decided to end my Nick Vada journey half way through the novel; yes I skipped to the end to see the ending, but no I won't spoil it for you.
From what I did read, this was another ripper yarn to add to the ever growing outback noir genre in Australian fiction, and if you can ignore the mistakes, I still recommend the two novels.
I may return to the Nick Vada journey, but sadly our paths will sadly now diverge for the time being.
As a story itself, this is another ripper yarn by Jason Summers; as an author he has a talent for hooking the reader in with what might be cliched stories, but his development of both characters and the story itself have you wanting to stay up late and continue you until you finish, all the while saying "oh damn!!!" at the latest "oh my god" moment.
If that's the case then why did I not finish this novel?
As I mentioned in my review of Warranilla, the book was let down by the lack of professional proof reading. In this case, it's more of the same except to say it's gotten worse; so much so that I couldn't ignore the blatant grammatical and spelling errors as it was taking me out of the story.
I also mentioned in my review of Warranilla that it could have benefited with a fresh set of eyes going through the manuscript; it is no doubt hard to find mistakes in your own work, but even a non professional reader (i.e. a beta reader), could have picked up on some of the mistakes.
All in all I have decided to end my Nick Vada journey half way through the novel; yes I skipped to the end to see the ending, but no I won't spoil it for you.
From what I did read, this was another ripper yarn to add to the ever growing outback noir genre in Australian fiction, and if you can ignore the mistakes, I still recommend the two novels.
I may return to the Nick Vada journey, but sadly our paths will sadly now diverge for the time being.
August 22, 2023
I’ve become quite a fan of Australian back blocks noir novels. Sadly, Into the Flames though a good story had me wanting to use a red pen on the numerous grammatical errors, malapropisms (tact for tack) and general lack of sense to some sentences. I read the Kindle edition so couldn’t use a red pen. I persevered and did finish the book but wonder if it has been published straight from the author’s first draft with no proof-reading by anyone at all. Unfortunately I also bought the 3rd book in the series The Storm. If the lack of editing is the same, I’ll be returning it.
September 26, 2023
Into the Flames is a good story spoiled by terrible (if any) editing.
Grammatical errors (lots of them) made me cringe, a missing word left me guessing whether it was a word, a sentence or a paragraph that was lost, and words used incorrectly ("he should of known") all lead me to the conclusion that this was published before being edited, to the detriment of a good basic storyline with believable characters.
Grammatical errors (lots of them) made me cringe, a missing word left me guessing whether it was a word, a sentence or a paragraph that was lost, and words used incorrectly ("he should of known") all lead me to the conclusion that this was published before being edited, to the detriment of a good basic storyline with believable characters.
July 9, 2024
This review is harsh because of the inaccuracies, grammatical errors and inconsistencies in the text that detract from the novel. The plot is interesting and Nick Vada is a likeable protagonist. However, this novel needed serious editing and proofreading. Or was it just the Kindle version? I won't risk the next book in the series.
June 15, 2025
A Good Australia Read
Love the feeling of place and the characters that fit that place. If you have been there it reminds you, if you’ve not been there you should go.
Love the feeling of place and the characters that fit that place. If you have been there it reminds you, if you’ve not been there you should go.
January 3, 2025
Now that I have read Jason Summers first 2 books with Nick Vada, both within 3 days each, i will be reading all the others. Wasn't sure i would after Nick Had a drinking problem in Warranilla, not being a drinker myself but connected to some who did. Jason toned that down in this book thank goodness. Great story or should say 2 stories interwoven. Wonder who he "fall in love with" in next book. Jason gives hints about "dead or alive" and keeps readers guessing about the murderer. And whether a person can be changed from the past. For me the story has to be realistic in its detail and the characters believable. Done well.
June 21, 2024
The story is ok - a bit predictable and there are some inconsistencies as well as points where it’s best just to suspend disbelief but all in all I would rate it average within its genre. It’s the lack of accurate punctuation, poor grammar, poor editing and repetitive use of starting a sentence with a continuous verb that earned my one star. Of particular note ‘could of, ‘would of’, ‘should of’ was knocked out of my generation in primary school and if the car belongs to Nick then it’s Nick’s car not Nicks car. Hopefully a more meticulous proof reader will be involved in future publications.
June 4, 2024
I really enjoy the easy reading of the Vada thrillers and this was no exception. I must admit I have looked at some of the other reviews focused on grammar and spelling and wonder how hard it must be to read a book for pleasure when you spend your time frustrated by the way it is written versus the content and storyline
Personally I really enjoy the way Jason writes and enjoy following the fictional Nick Vada
Just great reads and stories
Personally I really enjoy the way Jason writes and enjoy following the fictional Nick Vada
Just great reads and stories
August 1, 2023
This is the second in the series both of which I've really enjoyed. Good balance of twisty plot, characters and the atmosphere of small towns baking in Australia. Main detective comes across relatively regular unlike in many other novels when they are portrayed with questionable personality flaws! Looking forward to the third book. Thank you for a really good read.
March 13, 2025
This is the second book in the Nick Vada series and a really good addictive read. My only criticism of this book and the first in the series, Warranilla, is there are a number of grammatical errors that should have been picked up during the proof reading stage (easy to do if you are both the writer and the proof reader).
Looking forward to reading book 3 in the series…. Thanks Jason!
Looking forward to reading book 3 in the series…. Thanks Jason!
August 19, 2025
I really like this author however the proof reading of this book was terrible. Lots of "typos" repeated words and incorrect grammar. Lets the author down as it's an annoying distraction. I personally think this is not acceptable given today's tech. I think the author himself would be horrified and needs to address this with his publisher.
February 8, 2026
In my opinion, this is the best of the Nick Vada series so far.
Strong story line with believable characters. Threads neatly tied up.
There were enough clues along the way to let you know, or guess, who the guilty party was and the probable ending.
Not wrapped in Bec's character, yet I can't put a finger on why.
Reccomended reading.
Strong story line with believable characters. Threads neatly tied up.
There were enough clues along the way to let you know, or guess, who the guilty party was and the probable ending.
Not wrapped in Bec's character, yet I can't put a finger on why.
Reccomended reading.
February 17, 2026
After reading Warranilla I was excited to see where Nick Vada would land. Into the flames was exceptional. Twists and turns that were at times frustrating but drag you deeper into the story. I throughly enjoyed the whole novel.
Jason Summers is right up there with Jane Harper and Patricia Wolf in painting beautiful landscapes and page turning tales. Eager to see where the series goes.
Jason Summers is right up there with Jane Harper and Patricia Wolf in painting beautiful landscapes and page turning tales. Eager to see where the series goes.
November 2, 2023
Great pulp crime fiction.
.Reading this, in sequence having found Warrinalla hard work & this fella DS Vada grows on this reader Shall turn to the rest soon! Greetings from the Old Country.
.Reading this, in sequence having found Warrinalla hard work & this fella DS Vada grows on this reader Shall turn to the rest soon! Greetings from the Old Country.
January 18, 2024
Into the Flames
Another gripping mystery,awesome characters, police finally finding out the truth after many years.Great detective work and persistent enquiries, found out the full story.
Another gripping mystery,awesome characters, police finally finding out the truth after many years.Great detective work and persistent enquiries, found out the full story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews