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DI Barton #5
The Fire Killer
Listening Length: 10 hours and 16 minutes
When DI Barton is asked to investigate a seemingly innocuous fire that kills, he believes it's either children fooling around or a worrying racially motivated crime.
As he delves deeper into the case, he soon realises that there is a history of similar blazes spread out over many years, all within a close area. And after an idea is suggested by pathologist Mortis, Barton suspects he has the arsonist’s motives wrong.
When a night worker comes forward with a tip, Barton narrows down the suspects. Yet all of them act suspiciously and he knows for sure that one or more of them are lying. And when a huge house blaze shocks everyone, Barton fears the killer has lost all control.
Who is The Fire Killer? What will be next to burn?
When DI Barton is asked to investigate a seemingly innocuous fire that kills, he believes it's either children fooling around or a worrying racially motivated crime.
As he delves deeper into the case, he soon realises that there is a history of similar blazes spread out over many years, all within a close area. And after an idea is suggested by pathologist Mortis, Barton suspects he has the arsonist’s motives wrong.
When a night worker comes forward with a tip, Barton narrows down the suspects. Yet all of them act suspiciously and he knows for sure that one or more of them are lying. And when a huge house blaze shocks everyone, Barton fears the killer has lost all control.
Who is The Fire Killer? What will be next to burn?
11 pages, Audible Audio
First published May 30, 2022
196 people are currently reading
470 people want to read
About the author
Ross Greenwood
43 books559 followersI was born in 1973 in Peterborough and lived there until I was 20, attending The King's School in the city. I then began a rather nomadic existence, living and working all over the country and various parts of the world.
I found myself returning to Peterborough many times over the years, usually when things had gone wrong. It was on one of these occasions that I met my partner about 100 metres from my back door whilst walking a dog. Two children swiftly followed. I'm still a little stunned by the pace of it now.
Fifty Years of Fear book was started a long time ago but parenthood and then after working in sales management all my life, i randomly spent four years as a prison officer. Ironically it was the four a.m. feed which gave me the opportunity to finish the book as unable to get back to sleep I completed it in the early morning hours.
I've now written five further books. My second book, The Boy Inside, was picked up by a publisher, and Lazy Blood is also out. All my books are thought provoking, and told with a sense of humour. Reading the reviews has been great.
The first three books are stand alone, however, some of the characters cross over, and you can see how at times, their lives overlap.
Abel's Revenge is something a bit different. It's a modern day love story set against the backdrop of an escalating serial killer. There's a whodunnit element to it, and some smiles along the way.
Shadows of Regret was inspired by my time on the women's side of the jail in Peterborough, and analyses the close relationship between victim and villain. You won't have read a book like it.
I hope you enjoy reading them.
Please feel free to get in touch.
https://www.facebook.com/RossGreenwoo...
I found myself returning to Peterborough many times over the years, usually when things had gone wrong. It was on one of these occasions that I met my partner about 100 metres from my back door whilst walking a dog. Two children swiftly followed. I'm still a little stunned by the pace of it now.
Fifty Years of Fear book was started a long time ago but parenthood and then after working in sales management all my life, i randomly spent four years as a prison officer. Ironically it was the four a.m. feed which gave me the opportunity to finish the book as unable to get back to sleep I completed it in the early morning hours.
I've now written five further books. My second book, The Boy Inside, was picked up by a publisher, and Lazy Blood is also out. All my books are thought provoking, and told with a sense of humour. Reading the reviews has been great.
The first three books are stand alone, however, some of the characters cross over, and you can see how at times, their lives overlap.
Abel's Revenge is something a bit different. It's a modern day love story set against the backdrop of an escalating serial killer. There's a whodunnit element to it, and some smiles along the way.
Shadows of Regret was inspired by my time on the women's side of the jail in Peterborough, and analyses the close relationship between victim and villain. You won't have read a book like it.
I hope you enjoy reading them.
Please feel free to get in touch.
https://www.facebook.com/RossGreenwoo...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
May 19, 2022
THE FIRE KILLER is the fifth book in a British Crime Thriller Series by Ross Greenwood featuring Detective Inspector John Barton. Having read and enjoyed the previous four books in the series, I was anxious to start this one. I can now see that it will be well received and appeal to a wide audience, as it combines many different genres. This novel can be read as a stand-alone but I would recommend reading the novels in sequence, as this book picks up from the last book.
Novels in this DI Barton Series Include:
The Snow Killer (Book 1)
The Soul Killer (Book 2)
The Ice Killer (Book 3)
The Cold Killer (Book 4)
The Fire Killer (Book 5)
This is my review of The Fire Killer.
DI John Barton and his partner, DS Shawn Zander from the Major Crimes Unit, Peterborough Police. are called to the scene of a fire in a dumpster where a burned body is discovered. Barton and his team, including DS Kelly Strange and DC Nicola Pignatiello, must identify the victim.
Is this just the case of kids fooling around or intentional arson?
But soon Barton discovers that there is a history of similar fires in the area over many years.
Who is The Fire Killer?
The POV chapters alternate between the police investigation and the fire killer…but with clues being released on a need-to-know basis, not revealing the true identity of the Fire Killer until the end. The pyromaniac admits to the reader of prior instances of fire setting and how it came about. This works out well increasing the suspense level to an incremental level.
The strength of this novel comes from the well-developed flawed characters and the dynamics between the characters, that add depth and believability to the plot. The story ends with the fire killer’s identity being a surprise.
The novel highlights the social issues and victims that exist in our system and society.
This psychological thriller will keep you guessing to the very end. Well done!
Many thank to the author and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
Novels in this DI Barton Series Include:
The Snow Killer (Book 1)
The Soul Killer (Book 2)
The Ice Killer (Book 3)
The Cold Killer (Book 4)
The Fire Killer (Book 5)
This is my review of The Fire Killer.
DI John Barton and his partner, DS Shawn Zander from the Major Crimes Unit, Peterborough Police. are called to the scene of a fire in a dumpster where a burned body is discovered. Barton and his team, including DS Kelly Strange and DC Nicola Pignatiello, must identify the victim.
Is this just the case of kids fooling around or intentional arson?
But soon Barton discovers that there is a history of similar fires in the area over many years.
Who is The Fire Killer?
The POV chapters alternate between the police investigation and the fire killer…but with clues being released on a need-to-know basis, not revealing the true identity of the Fire Killer until the end. The pyromaniac admits to the reader of prior instances of fire setting and how it came about. This works out well increasing the suspense level to an incremental level.
The strength of this novel comes from the well-developed flawed characters and the dynamics between the characters, that add depth and believability to the plot. The story ends with the fire killer’s identity being a surprise.
The novel highlights the social issues and victims that exist in our system and society.
This psychological thriller will keep you guessing to the very end. Well done!
Many thank to the author and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
March 2, 2023
Ross Greenwood returns with another great story in the DI Barton series. There is a spark to things here, keeping the reader in the middle of the action throughout this short, but impactful, piece. DI Barton is always keen to help those around him, but one wrong move and everything could go up in flames. A strong story and a great plot helps Greenwood pull readers into the middle of the action until the last chapter is left to smoulder.
After a fire takes the life of a woman, DI Barton and his team are called in to see what’s going on. While there does not appear to be much to the fire, Barton is left to wonder if this was a childhood prank gone wrong or perhaps a targeted attack with racial undertones. Either way, it should be a quick investigation. However, something does not appear entirely above board, which has Barton wanting to push the ashes around a little more to see what flares up.
True to his instincts, DI Barton realises that there have been a number of similar fires over the last number of years, made innocuous during early investigating because of their sporadic nature. As a clue crosses his desk, Barton is eager to follow it up, but finds himself chasing things down a rabbit hole for a time.
After a tip from someone on the streets who is sure she saw the arsonist first-hand, DI Barton follows the trail to see if there is a killer out there using fire as the ultimate weapon. There is no rhyme or reason to it all, but Peterborough will not rest until this killer is put behind bars. DI Barton is left to put all his resources into the case, worrying that there could be more dead before long, and his case would surely go up in smoke! A great addition to the series by Greenwood, showing his abilities front and centre.
Ross Greenwood has held my attention throughout this series which is always finding new ways to impress. The novels, which are based on strong narrative foundations, provide the reader with a great dual perspective, the DI Barton investigation and the killer. It is as though there is a game of cat and mouse taking place throughout the experience. A handful of key characters provide entertainment and offer up some continuity to the larger story, while also baffling the reader when new faces come along. Great plot twists that force everyone to take a second look at the crime, the backstory, and the events that shape the kills, provide just what the reader needs to push through the story. I have enjoyed the DI Barton series since its inception and with one book left, I hope things end well before Greenwood moves on to a new adventure.
Kudos, Mr. Greenwood, for keeping the reader in the middle of things in this hot addition to the collection.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After a fire takes the life of a woman, DI Barton and his team are called in to see what’s going on. While there does not appear to be much to the fire, Barton is left to wonder if this was a childhood prank gone wrong or perhaps a targeted attack with racial undertones. Either way, it should be a quick investigation. However, something does not appear entirely above board, which has Barton wanting to push the ashes around a little more to see what flares up.
True to his instincts, DI Barton realises that there have been a number of similar fires over the last number of years, made innocuous during early investigating because of their sporadic nature. As a clue crosses his desk, Barton is eager to follow it up, but finds himself chasing things down a rabbit hole for a time.
After a tip from someone on the streets who is sure she saw the arsonist first-hand, DI Barton follows the trail to see if there is a killer out there using fire as the ultimate weapon. There is no rhyme or reason to it all, but Peterborough will not rest until this killer is put behind bars. DI Barton is left to put all his resources into the case, worrying that there could be more dead before long, and his case would surely go up in smoke! A great addition to the series by Greenwood, showing his abilities front and centre.
Ross Greenwood has held my attention throughout this series which is always finding new ways to impress. The novels, which are based on strong narrative foundations, provide the reader with a great dual perspective, the DI Barton investigation and the killer. It is as though there is a game of cat and mouse taking place throughout the experience. A handful of key characters provide entertainment and offer up some continuity to the larger story, while also baffling the reader when new faces come along. Great plot twists that force everyone to take a second look at the crime, the backstory, and the events that shape the kills, provide just what the reader needs to push through the story. I have enjoyed the DI Barton series since its inception and with one book left, I hope things end well before Greenwood moves on to a new adventure.
Kudos, Mr. Greenwood, for keeping the reader in the middle of things in this hot addition to the collection.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
May 5, 2022
1.5⭐️ Rounded Up to 2⭐️
DI Barton and the gang are back from the Peterborough‘s Constabulary and this time they are chasing the ‘Fire Killer’. At first what seems to be a seemingly innocent skip bin fire, turns out to be the scene of a murder. Did the culprit commit arson to kill knowingly or unknowingly… the team need to find out.
Was the young lady that perished in the bin thrown in there by a gang and left to burn or was it an accident by a passerby or silly kid. Later, when DI Barton is talking with the pathologist ‘Mortis’ and he mentions pyromania and the Inspector’s Spidey Senses go off the charts, what are the team really up against… And, can they catch this killer before it’s too late and they lose control.
Well… I was super excited to see this book up for grabs on NetGalley and immediately requested it. To my disappointment I found it lacking the usual intrigue, finesse and excitement of Ross Greenwood’s other ‘Killer’ Novels. I am sad to say that in parts I was bored and I found the writing doing nothing for me except holding my hand through every so called twist and turn. I unfortunately guessed the killer very early in approx 30% in, although the motive wasn’t completely clear until the end.
I never felt like I could let my imagination off the leash with this story, it was filled to the brim with descriptions of things that seemed irrelevant, bits of info that weren’t necessary and repetitive storyline. It also included a very convoluted gang/drug related side story that just took the focus away from everything and didn’t, in my opinion value add.
I can’t recall feeling that way with the other novels in this series, so I am going to see it through too the end, as the author put a note saying he had another book coming out later in the year, which will be the final for the series. I really hope that he is able to go back to his old style and leave something to the imagination.
I was really put off by quotes like:
“You’re on ice so thin an ant could fall through. You’ve got one minute to tell me what you think you know, or I’m gone”.
- Said by a grown up not a teenager… 🤷♂️ or …
“The showers at the gym are minging, so I’ll skip them and see if I can take one on the wing. Someone had taken a dump in them the last time I was here”.
- Unnecessary sentence that served only to gross out the reader by imagining women doing their business in the prison shower. 🤢 and again…
“Strange was looking urgently for you. She’s just nipped to the toilet.
- Another toilet reference that served no purpose at all 🤦♀️
I could go on with the throw away statements and sentences but I will put it down to this one was just a bit off kilter for me. Others enjoyed it and I am really glad - I preferred the author’s other books - The Snow Killer, The Soul Killer, The Ice Killer and The Cold Killer - although the names are quite boring, those books definitely put on more of a show.
I will give ‘The Santa Killer’ a shot later in the year but I do hope that we get some more interesting stories and less unrelated red herring crimes thrown in to spice it up… The Fire Killer was less of an Inferno and more of a Smoulder for me. 🔥
Thank you to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the author for an advanced readers copy for my honest review.
DI Barton and the gang are back from the Peterborough‘s Constabulary and this time they are chasing the ‘Fire Killer’. At first what seems to be a seemingly innocent skip bin fire, turns out to be the scene of a murder. Did the culprit commit arson to kill knowingly or unknowingly… the team need to find out.
Was the young lady that perished in the bin thrown in there by a gang and left to burn or was it an accident by a passerby or silly kid. Later, when DI Barton is talking with the pathologist ‘Mortis’ and he mentions pyromania and the Inspector’s Spidey Senses go off the charts, what are the team really up against… And, can they catch this killer before it’s too late and they lose control.
Well… I was super excited to see this book up for grabs on NetGalley and immediately requested it. To my disappointment I found it lacking the usual intrigue, finesse and excitement of Ross Greenwood’s other ‘Killer’ Novels. I am sad to say that in parts I was bored and I found the writing doing nothing for me except holding my hand through every so called twist and turn. I unfortunately guessed the killer very early in approx 30% in, although the motive wasn’t completely clear until the end.
I never felt like I could let my imagination off the leash with this story, it was filled to the brim with descriptions of things that seemed irrelevant, bits of info that weren’t necessary and repetitive storyline. It also included a very convoluted gang/drug related side story that just took the focus away from everything and didn’t, in my opinion value add.
I can’t recall feeling that way with the other novels in this series, so I am going to see it through too the end, as the author put a note saying he had another book coming out later in the year, which will be the final for the series. I really hope that he is able to go back to his old style and leave something to the imagination.
I was really put off by quotes like:
“You’re on ice so thin an ant could fall through. You’ve got one minute to tell me what you think you know, or I’m gone”.
- Said by a grown up not a teenager… 🤷♂️ or …
“The showers at the gym are minging, so I’ll skip them and see if I can take one on the wing. Someone had taken a dump in them the last time I was here”.
- Unnecessary sentence that served only to gross out the reader by imagining women doing their business in the prison shower. 🤢 and again…
“Strange was looking urgently for you. She’s just nipped to the toilet.
- Another toilet reference that served no purpose at all 🤦♀️
I could go on with the throw away statements and sentences but I will put it down to this one was just a bit off kilter for me. Others enjoyed it and I am really glad - I preferred the author’s other books - The Snow Killer, The Soul Killer, The Ice Killer and The Cold Killer - although the names are quite boring, those books definitely put on more of a show.
I will give ‘The Santa Killer’ a shot later in the year but I do hope that we get some more interesting stories and less unrelated red herring crimes thrown in to spice it up… The Fire Killer was less of an Inferno and more of a Smoulder for me. 🔥
Thank you to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the author for an advanced readers copy for my honest review.
June 1, 2022
DI John Barton and his partner DS Shawn Zander investigate a case where fires are being lit some of which have deadly results.
The Fire Killer is the fifth book in this gritty police procedural DI Barton series. Told from different perspectives it’s an entertaining story with a few twists and turns .. Looking forward to reading the next one.
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers Request Group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
The Fire Killer is the fifth book in this gritty police procedural DI Barton series. Told from different perspectives it’s an entertaining story with a few twists and turns .. Looking forward to reading the next one.
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers Request Group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
May 21, 2022
When D.I. John Barton is called out to a fire in a skip little does he know that it will turn into a huge inquiry. Unfortunately, they find a body in the skip and they have to ask themselves was it a targetted murder or an accident It soon becomes apparent that the victim is a young woman but they have little to go on to find her identity. The story alternates from the police perspective to that of the fire starter, the case progresses slowly but one thing that does ring alarm bells is that there has been a spate of fires in the same area for a number of years.
I love the backstories of this series with the snippets of family life and the banter within the team. All in all a gripping, enjoyable read.
I love the backstories of this series with the snippets of family life and the banter within the team. All in all a gripping, enjoyable read.
January 1, 2023
3 stars?? This was probably my least favorite in the series, other than the one I DNF’d.
June 4, 2022
The Fire Killer is the first book I’ve read by Ross Greenwood and although it is the fifth in his DI Barton series I was immediately drawn into the story and quickly got to know the members of Barton’s team. Therefore I can reassure readers like myself who are new to the series that The Fire Killer can definitely be read as a standalone.
I liked the book’s structure. There’s an exciting opening scene that describe the events leading up to the culmination of the case before a shift back in time to a pivotal incident from ‘many years ago’. From that point on the story switches between Barton’s painstaking investigation into a series of cases of arson and the first person narrative of The Fire Killer. We know their background, witness their actions and the impulses that drive them but don’t know their identity. I had plenty of ideas but, thanks to the skill of the author, it wasn’t until near the end of the book that I finally twigged.
I really liked the relationship between Barton and Detective Sergeant Zander. They have a nice line in banter and bounce ideas off each other, contributing their different views of the investigation. It’s an investigation which, as Zander ruefully observes, turns out to be ‘an onion case’ with many layers each more bizarre than the last. In fact, as events unfold and they are left with more questions than answers, they wonder if they are investigating one case or two.
The investigation takes place against the backdrop of the Covid-19 lockdown. The empty streets and closed up shops create a real sense of atmosphere. And, as Barton observes, ‘Mankind didn’t need a virus to behave deplorably’. The book includes a number of damaged characters – there is one in particular who stands out – as well as individuals only too willing to feed off the vulnerabilities of others.
Barton comes across as an ‘old school’ policeman who’s grudgingly accepted that technology now plays a significant part in the detection of crime but regrets it takes some of the challenge out of it. The author gives us a neat in-joke when he has Barton despair at the difference between ‘real’ policing and what you see in TV dramas (or some crime fiction perhaps?). ‘A detective was sitting in a van, typing away at a computer, pulling up a variety of individuals’ call histories and credit-card statements. It was pure bullshit.’
I enjoyed the glimpses of Barton’s home life. The book sees him pondering his future given the toll his work has taken on him: the long hours, the missed family events. Equally, the dreadful things he has witnessed. Indeed, he will witness more in the course of this case. ‘He was proud to be a policeman, but he also knew he couldn’t do it forever, because each death left a mark.’ On the other hand, he recognises that his family’s love and support has provided a vital counterbalance. ‘When death surrounds you, life took on new meaning.’
The Fire Killer is an ingenious, well-crafted crime novel that kept me absorbed until the very last page.
I liked the book’s structure. There’s an exciting opening scene that describe the events leading up to the culmination of the case before a shift back in time to a pivotal incident from ‘many years ago’. From that point on the story switches between Barton’s painstaking investigation into a series of cases of arson and the first person narrative of The Fire Killer. We know their background, witness their actions and the impulses that drive them but don’t know their identity. I had plenty of ideas but, thanks to the skill of the author, it wasn’t until near the end of the book that I finally twigged.
I really liked the relationship between Barton and Detective Sergeant Zander. They have a nice line in banter and bounce ideas off each other, contributing their different views of the investigation. It’s an investigation which, as Zander ruefully observes, turns out to be ‘an onion case’ with many layers each more bizarre than the last. In fact, as events unfold and they are left with more questions than answers, they wonder if they are investigating one case or two.
The investigation takes place against the backdrop of the Covid-19 lockdown. The empty streets and closed up shops create a real sense of atmosphere. And, as Barton observes, ‘Mankind didn’t need a virus to behave deplorably’. The book includes a number of damaged characters – there is one in particular who stands out – as well as individuals only too willing to feed off the vulnerabilities of others.
Barton comes across as an ‘old school’ policeman who’s grudgingly accepted that technology now plays a significant part in the detection of crime but regrets it takes some of the challenge out of it. The author gives us a neat in-joke when he has Barton despair at the difference between ‘real’ policing and what you see in TV dramas (or some crime fiction perhaps?). ‘A detective was sitting in a van, typing away at a computer, pulling up a variety of individuals’ call histories and credit-card statements. It was pure bullshit.’
I enjoyed the glimpses of Barton’s home life. The book sees him pondering his future given the toll his work has taken on him: the long hours, the missed family events. Equally, the dreadful things he has witnessed. Indeed, he will witness more in the course of this case. ‘He was proud to be a policeman, but he also knew he couldn’t do it forever, because each death left a mark.’ On the other hand, he recognises that his family’s love and support has provided a vital counterbalance. ‘When death surrounds you, life took on new meaning.’
The Fire Killer is an ingenious, well-crafted crime novel that kept me absorbed until the very last page.
June 4, 2022
I have been a fan of Ross’s work for a little while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that he has written to date, which is something that I hope to rectify fairly soon. I especially love the series featuring Detective Inspector Barton. ‘The Fire Killer’ is the fifth book in the series and it is another cracker of a read, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading but more about that in a bit.
It took me no time at all to get into ‘The Fire Killer’. In fact I was hooked on this book from the moment I read the synopsis and I couldn’t wait to start reading the story itself. I grabbed a cup of tea, grabbed my Kindle and settled down for an intense and interesting afternoon of reading. To say that reading ‘The Fire Killer’ became addictive is like saying I like cake- in other words a huge understatement. I initially picked the book up only intending to read a chapter or two to say that I had made a start on the book but I ended up becoming so wrapped up in the characters and in the story that I was still sat there reading over a dozen chapters later. My Kindle was well travelled that day because it accompanied me everywhere. I just couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. The more of the story I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. At one point the pages were turning that quickly that the page numbers became a blur. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘The Fire Killer’ and I had to say a temporary farewell to DI Barton and the team. I found ‘The Fire Killer’ to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘The Fire Killer’ is brilliantly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Ross Greenwood. He has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. For me the story hit the ground running and maintained a fast pace throughout. Reading ‘The Fire Killer’ felt like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster rides with several twists and turns along the way. I have to admit that on occasion I almost had to read my fingers as I feared what was going to happen next. I also have a phobia of fire which made this story all the more terrifying for me. I love the way in which Ross brings his characters alive and describes them so vividly that they seem just as real as you and I. Ross has a way of making the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I feel anyway.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Fire Killer’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Ross’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
It took me no time at all to get into ‘The Fire Killer’. In fact I was hooked on this book from the moment I read the synopsis and I couldn’t wait to start reading the story itself. I grabbed a cup of tea, grabbed my Kindle and settled down for an intense and interesting afternoon of reading. To say that reading ‘The Fire Killer’ became addictive is like saying I like cake- in other words a huge understatement. I initially picked the book up only intending to read a chapter or two to say that I had made a start on the book but I ended up becoming so wrapped up in the characters and in the story that I was still sat there reading over a dozen chapters later. My Kindle was well travelled that day because it accompanied me everywhere. I just couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. The more of the story I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. At one point the pages were turning that quickly that the page numbers became a blur. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘The Fire Killer’ and I had to say a temporary farewell to DI Barton and the team. I found ‘The Fire Killer’ to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘The Fire Killer’ is brilliantly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Ross Greenwood. He has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. For me the story hit the ground running and maintained a fast pace throughout. Reading ‘The Fire Killer’ felt like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster rides with several twists and turns along the way. I have to admit that on occasion I almost had to read my fingers as I feared what was going to happen next. I also have a phobia of fire which made this story all the more terrifying for me. I love the way in which Ross brings his characters alive and describes them so vividly that they seem just as real as you and I. Ross has a way of making the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I feel anyway.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Fire Killer’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Ross’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
June 6, 2022
The house fire started by the Fire Killer was accidental but claimed the very first victim, a violent alcoholic husband and father left to perish in the flames. Years later the reader sees a fully-fledged pyromaniac, someone with the compulsion to set fires and gaining a sense of euphoria as the fire takes hold and the firefighters arrive. This time a human hand rises from the flames and the Fire Killer swears that the next fire will be the last one. DI John Barton from Peterborough’s Major Crimes and his team including his two loyal sergeants, DS Zander and DS Strange, DCs Leicester, Zelensky and Malik, together with newest recruit DC Nicola “Pigs” Pignatiello, attend the scene which is first presumed to be kids messing about with matches or worse, a racially motivated attack on a shopkeeper. However as the smoke clears, the body of a well-dressed young woman is found, having suffocated in the fire started in a skip. Was she the shoplifter seen taking whiskey from the shop earlier and how did she come to be in the skip? Mortis, the pathologist, suggests this could be more than simple arson and Barton is inclined to agree. If the killer has a pathological need to set fires, there could be far worse to come. Suspicion falls upon the residents of four nearby houses, all of whom are little odd and make good possible suspects. Finally the detectives establish an identity for the woman but are still unsure whether the motive centres around the victim or the killer. As they delve deeper into the victim’s past, all manner of leads and other crimes are exposed and Barton finds himself in the midst of dual and rapidly converging cases, but no one could predict the horrors that lie in wait for them.
In keeping with the rest of this series, the story is told from two sides. One is by the Fire Killer themselves and the other is an account of DI Barton and his team’s movements and investigations. I love the way we see the story unfolding from both perspectives. It is always interesting being better informed than the detectives, knowing the truth and waiting to see if they can make all the connections themselves. They are a great team, with an undoubted closeness and loyalty. It is also refreshing to find a lead detective with a pretty normal and happy family life outside of work, a family that sees a new member added in this story. All the characters are very well drawn and it is hard not to have empathy for some of the people featured. The plot is complex with lots of twists and surprises and a shocking ending. I’m looking forward to book six already! 5*
In keeping with the rest of this series, the story is told from two sides. One is by the Fire Killer themselves and the other is an account of DI Barton and his team’s movements and investigations. I love the way we see the story unfolding from both perspectives. It is always interesting being better informed than the detectives, knowing the truth and waiting to see if they can make all the connections themselves. They are a great team, with an undoubted closeness and loyalty. It is also refreshing to find a lead detective with a pretty normal and happy family life outside of work, a family that sees a new member added in this story. All the characters are very well drawn and it is hard not to have empathy for some of the people featured. The plot is complex with lots of twists and surprises and a shocking ending. I’m looking forward to book six already! 5*
April 27, 2022
4 stars
DI John Barton and his most often partner DS Shawn Zander catch a case of a deceased woman found in a dumpster fire. The investigation starts immediately with the interview of the proprietor of the nearby convenience store.
The reader is treated to near alternating chapters between the police investigation and the fire killer; what they are thinking, feeling and doing. But not enough to give away their identity.
When they notice that the only path to the scene is a dead-end cul de sac with only four houses, they set out to visit those houses.
This turns out to be a twisty case, with many surprises along the way. The police get a little sidetracked when they get a call from the Met saying they have some bad drug dealers heading their way. Try as they might, the police can’t connect their arson to the dealers. At least not directly.
I was so sure I knew who the fire killer was, until they showed up dead.
This is perhaps not Mr. Greenwood’s best. It seemed a little disjointed, going in too many directions at once. That being said, it was still a good read. I like DI Barton and his interactions with his family. The team gets along well. One thing that may be said about this story is that it ends with a bang…and the fire killer’s identity was a surprise.
I want to thank NEtGalley and Boldwood Books for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
DI John Barton and his most often partner DS Shawn Zander catch a case of a deceased woman found in a dumpster fire. The investigation starts immediately with the interview of the proprietor of the nearby convenience store.
The reader is treated to near alternating chapters between the police investigation and the fire killer; what they are thinking, feeling and doing. But not enough to give away their identity.
When they notice that the only path to the scene is a dead-end cul de sac with only four houses, they set out to visit those houses.
This turns out to be a twisty case, with many surprises along the way. The police get a little sidetracked when they get a call from the Met saying they have some bad drug dealers heading their way. Try as they might, the police can’t connect their arson to the dealers. At least not directly.
I was so sure I knew who the fire killer was, until they showed up dead.
This is perhaps not Mr. Greenwood’s best. It seemed a little disjointed, going in too many directions at once. That being said, it was still a good read. I like DI Barton and his interactions with his family. The team gets along well. One thing that may be said about this story is that it ends with a bang…and the fire killer’s identity was a surprise.
I want to thank NEtGalley and Boldwood Books for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
June 3, 2022
The story:
When DI Barton and the team are called to investigate the death of a woman in a skip fire, it at first seems like a terrible accident. But as the investigation progresses, the picture only becomes more complicated. With the possible involvement of drug gangs, a list of potential suspects who all seem to have something to hide, and the unknown arsonist taking increasingly desperate risks, will Barton and the team be able to find the Fire Killer before any more lives are lost?
My thoughts:
Last year I was lucky enough to join the blog tour for Ross Greenwood’s “The Cold Killer”, introducing me to DI Barton and the team for the first time. It’s great to find a new crime author to add to my list of favourites, and I jumped at the chance to review this latest book in the series.
“The Fire Killer” is another book of twists and turns, with the identity of the killer keeping me guessing until near the end. The author is great at throwing believable red herrings into the mix, and keeping the action moving at a fast pace. Most of the story is told from the perspective of DI Barton, but we also get an insight into the backstory and thoughts of the Fire Killer themselves, which added another side to their seemingly reckless crimes.
As I mentioned in my review of “The Cold Killer”, Barton himself is a very likeable lead, and his trusty team are beside him again to bring the killer to justice. This is another great, pacy crime read, and I look forward to the (apparently final) next instalment, “The Santa Killer”!
When DI Barton and the team are called to investigate the death of a woman in a skip fire, it at first seems like a terrible accident. But as the investigation progresses, the picture only becomes more complicated. With the possible involvement of drug gangs, a list of potential suspects who all seem to have something to hide, and the unknown arsonist taking increasingly desperate risks, will Barton and the team be able to find the Fire Killer before any more lives are lost?
My thoughts:
Last year I was lucky enough to join the blog tour for Ross Greenwood’s “The Cold Killer”, introducing me to DI Barton and the team for the first time. It’s great to find a new crime author to add to my list of favourites, and I jumped at the chance to review this latest book in the series.
“The Fire Killer” is another book of twists and turns, with the identity of the killer keeping me guessing until near the end. The author is great at throwing believable red herrings into the mix, and keeping the action moving at a fast pace. Most of the story is told from the perspective of DI Barton, but we also get an insight into the backstory and thoughts of the Fire Killer themselves, which added another side to their seemingly reckless crimes.
As I mentioned in my review of “The Cold Killer”, Barton himself is a very likeable lead, and his trusty team are beside him again to bring the killer to justice. This is another great, pacy crime read, and I look forward to the (apparently final) next instalment, “The Santa Killer”!
June 9, 2022
Thr fire killer by Ross Greenwood.
The DI Barton Series Book 5.
When DI Barton is asked to investigate a seemingly innocuous fire that kills, he believes it's either children fooling around or a worrying racially-motivated crime..
I really enjoyed this book. Love Barton. I do hope there is more to come. 5*.
The DI Barton Series Book 5.
When DI Barton is asked to investigate a seemingly innocuous fire that kills, he believes it's either children fooling around or a worrying racially-motivated crime..
I really enjoyed this book. Love Barton. I do hope there is more to come. 5*.
May 2, 2022
I got this as a arc e book for my i pad from a face book page that I am a member of. I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good story to it. I have read other books by this author and liked them too.
June 1, 2022
I have really enjoyed previous Ross Greenwood novels so I was exited to pick up The Fire Killer! I’m happy to report, I wasn’t disappointed. This is the 5th book in this series, and while it can be read as a standalone, this author is great, so why not add them all to your TBR!
I think one of my favorite aspects of this novel is how human the characters are. They are detectives, and as someone who doesn’t work in the criminal investigation field, it was really nice to see these detectives as humans, with humor and families just like everyone else.
There are quite a few twists and turns, and Ross Greenwood doesn’t make guessing who the killer is easy! I really enjoyed this one and would recommend giving it a read! Looking forward to more from this author.
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources, Boldwood Books, Netgalley, and the author for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
I think one of my favorite aspects of this novel is how human the characters are. They are detectives, and as someone who doesn’t work in the criminal investigation field, it was really nice to see these detectives as humans, with humor and families just like everyone else.
There are quite a few twists and turns, and Ross Greenwood doesn’t make guessing who the killer is easy! I really enjoyed this one and would recommend giving it a read! Looking forward to more from this author.
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources, Boldwood Books, Netgalley, and the author for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
April 23, 2022
I am back with DI Barton and his team and another gripping read to add to to this fantastic series. The Fire killer needs to set fires, he loves the buzz, the adrenaline rush as the fire engine arrives at the scene. He is a pyromaniac and even a dead body in one of his fires is not going to stop him doing what he loves, no needs to do. He needs to set one more fire then he will stop. Gripping, intense and another MUST READ in this fantastic five star read series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
May 7, 2023
I did not know DI Barton and his team yet, so it was very nice indeed meeting them.
I loved the great relationship between Barton and his DS Zander. It’s clear they have known each other for quite some time and they work well together. They even seem to be able to read each other’s minds.
Even though DI Barton is away a lot, he has a wonderful connection with his family. They tease each other and they really have that warm feeling surrounding them.
As I said this is my first book in this series and it can easily be read as a stand alone. Of course you miss out on the backstory the author shares about the main characters, but the case itself was easy enough to follow.
It seems a bit straight forward when a witness comes forward. Not a lot of possible suspects or so it seems. But when our great duo starts digging they come up with a lot more than meets the eye .
Will they be able to catch this fire killer before they take to many victims? What is their story?
I thought this was a great story with some funny bits that made me smile and unfortunately also some real sad ones. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 5 stars
Thank you
I loved the great relationship between Barton and his DS Zander. It’s clear they have known each other for quite some time and they work well together. They even seem to be able to read each other’s minds.
Even though DI Barton is away a lot, he has a wonderful connection with his family. They tease each other and they really have that warm feeling surrounding them.
As I said this is my first book in this series and it can easily be read as a stand alone. Of course you miss out on the backstory the author shares about the main characters, but the case itself was easy enough to follow.
It seems a bit straight forward when a witness comes forward. Not a lot of possible suspects or so it seems. But when our great duo starts digging they come up with a lot more than meets the eye .
Will they be able to catch this fire killer before they take to many victims? What is their story?
I thought this was a great story with some funny bits that made me smile and unfortunately also some real sad ones. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 5 stars
Thank you
May 4, 2022
Book 5 in the DI Barton series finds him searching for an arsonist. in this well written tale. We get a glimpse into the personal lives of police officers and the toll the job takes on family life. There is a steady pace throughout and good character development. It's believable, tense and twisty, with a good ending, but a bit disjointed in places. Still worth a read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
February 3, 2022
Where do I start, this book twisted and turned so much keeping me guessing until the very end. I’ve loved all the DI Barton series and this one has been the best one so far. Didn’t want it to end but couldn’t put it down
May 20, 2022
Late again! My excuse is that I am a one-man-band here at Fully Booked, and notwithstanding the occasional erudite contribution from Stuart Radmore (who has forgotten more about crime fiction than most people will ever learn), my first experience of DI Barton, the Peterborough copper, is the fifth of the series (written by Ross Greenwood), The Fire Killer. Peterborough is a big place, at least for us Fenland townies, but is rarely featured in CriFi novels. I am pretty sure that Peter Robinson's DI Banks grew up there (The Summer That Never Was) and Eva Dolan's Zigic and Ferreira books are certainly set in the city.
Peterborough is a strange place in some ways. Its heart is divided in three. One third is its medieval heritage and its magnificent cathedral; another third is its railway history, while the final slice belongs to the fact that some anonymous civil servants decided, in the 1950s, that it should be a 'new town'. Hence its sprawling suburbs, divided by baffling dual carriageways and countless roundabouts, stippled with anonymous housing developments, most with the faux-pastoral suffix - choose your own - Meadows, Leys, Gardens, Fields and even Waters. I digress. No matter that Peterborough isn't quite sure whether it is in Cambridgeshire or Northampton shire, this novel is rather good.
We are in standard police procedural territory here. DI John Barton is large, bald, busy, rather unglamorous, but a decent copper. He and his team are called in to investigate a body found in a skip that has been deliberately set alight. The body is eventually identified as that of a young woman whose life has unraveled after she had fleeting success as a fashion model. Barton and his 'oppo', Sergeant Zander, are sure that the culprit lives in one of a row of four shabby terraced houses not far from the skip, but which one is the home of the arsonist?
Ross Greenwood has fun inviting us to make out own guesses, but also makes the game a little more interesting by giving us intermittent chapters narrated by The Fire Killer, but he is very wary about giving us too many clues. The dead girl, Jess Craven had been involved with a very rich dentist with links - as a customer - to the London drug trade.
There are a couple of other mysterious blazes, but when one of Barton's suspects meets a horrifying end in another fire - but this time in a torched Transit van - the search for The Fire Killer just seems to be chasing its own tale. The rich dentist, Stefan Russo, is clearly hiding something, but he is 'lawyered up' and even though he has some very questionable contacts in London, the police are unable to get close to him.
Then, there is a breakthrough - or at least Barton thinks it is - and someone confesses to being The Fire Killer. As readers we can judge how much of the book is left, and it is clear to us that Barton has some work still to do before he closes the case. There is, as we might predict, a very clever twist in the tale, but when an exhausted Barton finally goes off for a family caravan holiday in Sunny Hunny (Hunstanton), we suspect that at the back of his mind there is still a some doubt about the true identity of The Fire Killer.
John Barton is an excellent creation, and the book is cleverly plotted, with one or two spectacular bursts of serious violence. It is published by Boldwood Books, and will be available in parperback and Kindle from 30th May.
Peterborough is a strange place in some ways. Its heart is divided in three. One third is its medieval heritage and its magnificent cathedral; another third is its railway history, while the final slice belongs to the fact that some anonymous civil servants decided, in the 1950s, that it should be a 'new town'. Hence its sprawling suburbs, divided by baffling dual carriageways and countless roundabouts, stippled with anonymous housing developments, most with the faux-pastoral suffix - choose your own - Meadows, Leys, Gardens, Fields and even Waters. I digress. No matter that Peterborough isn't quite sure whether it is in Cambridgeshire or Northampton shire, this novel is rather good.
We are in standard police procedural territory here. DI John Barton is large, bald, busy, rather unglamorous, but a decent copper. He and his team are called in to investigate a body found in a skip that has been deliberately set alight. The body is eventually identified as that of a young woman whose life has unraveled after she had fleeting success as a fashion model. Barton and his 'oppo', Sergeant Zander, are sure that the culprit lives in one of a row of four shabby terraced houses not far from the skip, but which one is the home of the arsonist?
Ross Greenwood has fun inviting us to make out own guesses, but also makes the game a little more interesting by giving us intermittent chapters narrated by The Fire Killer, but he is very wary about giving us too many clues. The dead girl, Jess Craven had been involved with a very rich dentist with links - as a customer - to the London drug trade.
There are a couple of other mysterious blazes, but when one of Barton's suspects meets a horrifying end in another fire - but this time in a torched Transit van - the search for The Fire Killer just seems to be chasing its own tale. The rich dentist, Stefan Russo, is clearly hiding something, but he is 'lawyered up' and even though he has some very questionable contacts in London, the police are unable to get close to him.
Then, there is a breakthrough - or at least Barton thinks it is - and someone confesses to being The Fire Killer. As readers we can judge how much of the book is left, and it is clear to us that Barton has some work still to do before he closes the case. There is, as we might predict, a very clever twist in the tale, but when an exhausted Barton finally goes off for a family caravan holiday in Sunny Hunny (Hunstanton), we suspect that at the back of his mind there is still a some doubt about the true identity of The Fire Killer.
John Barton is an excellent creation, and the book is cleverly plotted, with one or two spectacular bursts of serious violence. It is published by Boldwood Books, and will be available in parperback and Kindle from 30th May.
May 17, 2022
PLEASE LET THIS SERIES BE TURNED INTO MOVIES!!!!!!
I am absolutely hooked on the DI Barton Series!!! I don't even like reading about serial killers as a rule as I find the reads usually too macabre to my liking. This could not be further from the truth. There are so many reasons why this would appeal to so many readers whatever their preferences, these are just to name a few:
- DI Barton the main character is phenomenal. For once the main detective is not a superhero or total anti-hero, he is REAL with insecurities about his physical appearance and ability to love and support his family properly so you can't help but loving him. The secondary characters are also equally well developed.
- There is an emotional side to the serial killer which enables the reader to understand the circumstances and feel at times empathy towards these very sad lives. Again, this makes the characters REAL.
- The story line explored in each of his books are deep social issues and psychological challenges that only someone who has spent meaningful time with these poor individuals (yes they are victims also of the system and our society!) can portrait properly.
I am therefore very grateful for the author in giving me an insight from the safety of my home of deep social and psychological shortfalls that exist in our society.
I really hope there are many DI Barton books to come particularly when narrated by David Thorpe who brings the stories to life.
I can't wait to read about the next aspects of society the author chooses to explore...
I am absolutely hooked on the DI Barton Series!!! I don't even like reading about serial killers as a rule as I find the reads usually too macabre to my liking. This could not be further from the truth. There are so many reasons why this would appeal to so many readers whatever their preferences, these are just to name a few:
- DI Barton the main character is phenomenal. For once the main detective is not a superhero or total anti-hero, he is REAL with insecurities about his physical appearance and ability to love and support his family properly so you can't help but loving him. The secondary characters are also equally well developed.
- There is an emotional side to the serial killer which enables the reader to understand the circumstances and feel at times empathy towards these very sad lives. Again, this makes the characters REAL.
- The story line explored in each of his books are deep social issues and psychological challenges that only someone who has spent meaningful time with these poor individuals (yes they are victims also of the system and our society!) can portrait properly.
I am therefore very grateful for the author in giving me an insight from the safety of my home of deep social and psychological shortfalls that exist in our society.
I really hope there are many DI Barton books to come particularly when narrated by David Thorpe who brings the stories to life.
I can't wait to read about the next aspects of society the author chooses to explore...
May 28, 2022
Although this is the 5th book in the DI Barton series it was the first one I’ve read from this series and it was incredibly easy to read as a stand alone thriller however I loved this book so much I’m going to read the previous books from the DI Barton series.
DI Barton is asked to investigate a series of fires that have taken place. At first he is unsure as to why this is being handed to him and his team as it seems likely to be mindless vandals. However as time progresses it becomes clear there is a serial arsonist around and many bodies are being discovered as victims of these fires.
With little evidence to go on working out who the arsonist is is proving tricky for Barton and his team; DI Barton has a few ideas of who it maybe but each suspect is acting as guilty as the next. Just when I wondered who would be investigated next or how this book was going to pan out someone confesses; however the confession isn’t without its complications.
I found this book fast paced, exciting and very twisty right up until the very end. It definitely makes for a good thriller. I also like the fact it was a more original story line and something different to many other thrillers out there.
Thank you to NetGalley the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for this review. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
DI Barton is asked to investigate a series of fires that have taken place. At first he is unsure as to why this is being handed to him and his team as it seems likely to be mindless vandals. However as time progresses it becomes clear there is a serial arsonist around and many bodies are being discovered as victims of these fires.
With little evidence to go on working out who the arsonist is is proving tricky for Barton and his team; DI Barton has a few ideas of who it maybe but each suspect is acting as guilty as the next. Just when I wondered who would be investigated next or how this book was going to pan out someone confesses; however the confession isn’t without its complications.
I found this book fast paced, exciting and very twisty right up until the very end. It definitely makes for a good thriller. I also like the fact it was a more original story line and something different to many other thrillers out there.
Thank you to NetGalley the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for this review. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
May 30, 2022
I really do like this series. Like the way the author has chosen to blend the police investigation with scenes told from the killer's points of view. Scenes that seek to enhance our understanding of the motives, or lack thereof, of the person or persons behind the crime whilst also firing in enough misdirection to keep you guessing right until the end. That is very much the case in The Fire Killer, a case that is set to become very personal for the team and which provides a conclusion that is as shocking as it is perfectly fitting.
After a fast and furious opening to the book which left me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what had happened, we are face with a case which, at first, seems slower in pace but is in no way lacking in urgency. It is more a lack of any decent clues that stymies the investigation than a lack of pace or sense of threat. Whilst the first reported death may possibly be the result of misadventure rather than a deliberate case of murder, there is a sense that things are slowly escalating, that the killer's preoccupation with fire is set to take an even more sinister turn.
Whether that is the case or not, you'll have to read to find out, but the story maintains an air of authenticity by exploring the way in which the crimes move from simple wheelie bin fires to fires with far more serious consequences. As ever, there is an emotional side to the killers story, and nothing is ever quite as simple as being able to denounce the perpetrator as simply evil, which is part of why I like this series so much. There is always a reason. Not always justifiable, but the crime is seldom a result of the person just being bad. The author helps us to understand, takes us into the killer's point of view, placing us as an unwitting voyeur, but for me one who is there out of fascination and often sympathy for them
Another reason I like the series is the characters that Ross Greenwood has developed. Barton is a great cop, a true family man who is also dedicated to his career but often frustrated by not being in a position to help others. After the loss of his mother, he gets set to welcome a new family member in this book, one who causes a good deal of merriment and distraction in what could otherwise be a very sad tale. Alongside him, more often than not, we find DS Zander. He was a troubled soul in the early days of the series, but he and Barton really bring out the best in each other, and I love the camaraderie and banter between them. Then there are DS Strange and DC Pignatiello, who more than hold their own against their male counterparts and whilst not being front and centre of the investigation, play a really crucial part in the way in which the case plays out.
I really enjoy they way in which Ross Greenwood uses the investigations to look at some of the most relevant and prevalent aspects of modern society. From drug wars to deception and manipulation, he introduces us to a wide variety of characters, all of whom could easily be our top suspect, and mostly are at various stages throughout the book. The entertain, amuse in some cases and draw out the sympathy in others. They are all three dimensional, believable, and all unique in voice and place within the story. McBride is a character who I am certain will bring a smile to many a face, and I loved his openness and candor. He's perhaps the only one of them I'd trust ... but only so far.
The ending has a certain kind of inevitability about it but is still shocking in its execution. I could feel the tension building, feel the anger and resignation from what came to pass, and the way in which the wheels of justice moved far too slowly for it ever to be a reasonable conclusion to this particular tale. But I wasn't expecting that. Impactful and horrific but in an understated and almost serene way, which is not easy. There is a feeling of things coming full circle although certainly not in the way Barton would have wished for. It left a mixture of emotions in me as reader, the ultimate feeling being one of satisfaction. Another great addition to the series and recommended to fans of great police based thrillers.
After a fast and furious opening to the book which left me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what had happened, we are face with a case which, at first, seems slower in pace but is in no way lacking in urgency. It is more a lack of any decent clues that stymies the investigation than a lack of pace or sense of threat. Whilst the first reported death may possibly be the result of misadventure rather than a deliberate case of murder, there is a sense that things are slowly escalating, that the killer's preoccupation with fire is set to take an even more sinister turn.
Whether that is the case or not, you'll have to read to find out, but the story maintains an air of authenticity by exploring the way in which the crimes move from simple wheelie bin fires to fires with far more serious consequences. As ever, there is an emotional side to the killers story, and nothing is ever quite as simple as being able to denounce the perpetrator as simply evil, which is part of why I like this series so much. There is always a reason. Not always justifiable, but the crime is seldom a result of the person just being bad. The author helps us to understand, takes us into the killer's point of view, placing us as an unwitting voyeur, but for me one who is there out of fascination and often sympathy for them
Another reason I like the series is the characters that Ross Greenwood has developed. Barton is a great cop, a true family man who is also dedicated to his career but often frustrated by not being in a position to help others. After the loss of his mother, he gets set to welcome a new family member in this book, one who causes a good deal of merriment and distraction in what could otherwise be a very sad tale. Alongside him, more often than not, we find DS Zander. He was a troubled soul in the early days of the series, but he and Barton really bring out the best in each other, and I love the camaraderie and banter between them. Then there are DS Strange and DC Pignatiello, who more than hold their own against their male counterparts and whilst not being front and centre of the investigation, play a really crucial part in the way in which the case plays out.
I really enjoy they way in which Ross Greenwood uses the investigations to look at some of the most relevant and prevalent aspects of modern society. From drug wars to deception and manipulation, he introduces us to a wide variety of characters, all of whom could easily be our top suspect, and mostly are at various stages throughout the book. The entertain, amuse in some cases and draw out the sympathy in others. They are all three dimensional, believable, and all unique in voice and place within the story. McBride is a character who I am certain will bring a smile to many a face, and I loved his openness and candor. He's perhaps the only one of them I'd trust ... but only so far.
The ending has a certain kind of inevitability about it but is still shocking in its execution. I could feel the tension building, feel the anger and resignation from what came to pass, and the way in which the wheels of justice moved far too slowly for it ever to be a reasonable conclusion to this particular tale. But I wasn't expecting that. Impactful and horrific but in an understated and almost serene way, which is not easy. There is a feeling of things coming full circle although certainly not in the way Barton would have wished for. It left a mixture of emotions in me as reader, the ultimate feeling being one of satisfaction. Another great addition to the series and recommended to fans of great police based thrillers.
May 24, 2022
Book 5 in the DI John Barton Series and another doozy of a read. The story is told both from Barton’s perspective and that of the Fire Killer, albeit their identity is not known. Also loved the integration of Barton’s home life into the book and I was particularly taken by the new puppy into the household! It’s great to find a police officer with a normal happy family life. But back to the story and although the pyromaniac is the main thread there is another disturbing thread involving drugs. All these things are seamlessly woven together to form a cohesive whole that full of twists and turns.
Briefly, there is a pyromaniac at large in Peterborough. When a report of a skip fire is made no one expected to find a girls body in it. Barton and team cannot decide if the death was accidental or deliberate and confusion starts to grow when there is a further fire in a bin nearby. Suspicions fall on the inhabitants of a street nearby but each of the inhabitants seem to have a secret they want to keep the police from discovering.
This is a great mix of police procedural, a sad and sordid tale of drug abuse and the unhappy results of historic child cruelty. Full of dark humour and a very pacy, albeit somewhat disturbing read which builds to an horrific climax affecting everyone involved. Oh and as for guessing the identity of the fire killer I was totally wrong footed. I really enjoyed it so ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Briefly, there is a pyromaniac at large in Peterborough. When a report of a skip fire is made no one expected to find a girls body in it. Barton and team cannot decide if the death was accidental or deliberate and confusion starts to grow when there is a further fire in a bin nearby. Suspicions fall on the inhabitants of a street nearby but each of the inhabitants seem to have a secret they want to keep the police from discovering.
This is a great mix of police procedural, a sad and sordid tale of drug abuse and the unhappy results of historic child cruelty. Full of dark humour and a very pacy, albeit somewhat disturbing read which builds to an horrific climax affecting everyone involved. Oh and as for guessing the identity of the fire killer I was totally wrong footed. I really enjoyed it so ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 13, 2022
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
This was an easy read, although the structure was odd, with the mystery at least partly solved about 75% of the way through. After that it lost steam for me, although one of the twists was very effective. Although I am sure it is true that the police spend a disproportionate amount of time dealing with drug gangs and county lines, it does't make for particularly intriguing reading for lovers of detective fiction. Here the Met seemed to have overlooked the fact that a character was the cousin to brothers they had had under surveillance for some time, and the Peterborough police's attitude to that character's level of involvement seemed to change for no reason - instinct?
I gather there is one more in this series, but I think I'll give it a miss.
This was an easy read, although the structure was odd, with the mystery at least partly solved about 75% of the way through. After that it lost steam for me, although one of the twists was very effective. Although I am sure it is true that the police spend a disproportionate amount of time dealing with drug gangs and county lines, it does't make for particularly intriguing reading for lovers of detective fiction. Here the Met seemed to have overlooked the fact that a character was the cousin to brothers they had had under surveillance for some time, and the Peterborough police's attitude to that character's level of involvement seemed to change for no reason - instinct?
I gather there is one more in this series, but I think I'll give it a miss.
May 20, 2022
DI Barton is back and with his team around him is soon dragged into a plot that keeps revealing more suspects than beginning to solve anything. What starts as an innocuous skip fire soon becomes so much more.
This is the second DI Barton I have read and I really enjoyed meeting the characters again. The author has done a fabulous job of creating characters that you immediately picture in your mind and their stories have developed throughout the series. I will be going back and reading the others in the series that I have yet to start.
This book can easily be read as a stand alone and I wholeheartedly recommend that you do.
This is the second DI Barton I have read and I really enjoyed meeting the characters again. The author has done a fabulous job of creating characters that you immediately picture in your mind and their stories have developed throughout the series. I will be going back and reading the others in the series that I have yet to start.
This book can easily be read as a stand alone and I wholeheartedly recommend that you do.
June 23, 2022
The Fire Killer by Ross Greenwood is the fifth book in the brilliant DI Barton series and these have been a fantastic read I have really enjoyed this series. This book was gripping from start to finish and this time we are taken on a roller coaster ride into the underworld where we venture into the life of drug abuse.
DI Barton is asked to investigate a seemingly innocuous fire that kills. He believes it's either children fooling around or a worrying racially motivated crime. As he investigates further in to these fires he soon realises that there is a history of similar blazes spread out over many years, all within a close area. And after an idea is suggested by pathologist Mortis, DI Barton suspects he has the arsonist’s motives wrong
Will DI Barton find the Fire killer before other people are hurt?
WoW I loved this book and I highly recommend this book. Another 5 star read.
Looking forward to Ross Greenwoods book .
DI Barton is asked to investigate a seemingly innocuous fire that kills. He believes it's either children fooling around or a worrying racially motivated crime. As he investigates further in to these fires he soon realises that there is a history of similar blazes spread out over many years, all within a close area. And after an idea is suggested by pathologist Mortis, DI Barton suspects he has the arsonist’s motives wrong
Will DI Barton find the Fire killer before other people are hurt?
WoW I loved this book and I highly recommend this book. Another 5 star read.
Looking forward to Ross Greenwoods book .
May 16, 2022
The fifth instalment in this series takes a slightly different turn, I feel. Whilst the rest are very much crime focused, this one has the obligatory clue’s in the title event or two but here we are led a merry dance when trying to identify who the perpetrator is. I liked it.
More thought provoking and delivered a back story, which dare I say it, had me sympathising with the bad guy - yikes.
I think they need to be read in order, as we learn about Barton, his family and his team, which are developed as the series progresses.
More thought provoking and delivered a back story, which dare I say it, had me sympathising with the bad guy - yikes.
I think they need to be read in order, as we learn about Barton, his family and his team, which are developed as the series progresses.
May 27, 2022
The latest instalment in the DI Barton series. I have really enjoyed all of these books and The Fire Killer is also very good. As much as I love the stories I love the characters more - Barton, Zander and the rest of the team and love to see what is going on in their lives.
Ross Greenwood writes with insight and compassion and most of all humour. I would happily recommend all of these books to anyone. My one slight criticism - I'd like there to be more Mortis! I love him!
Ross Greenwood writes with insight and compassion and most of all humour. I would happily recommend all of these books to anyone. My one slight criticism - I'd like there to be more Mortis! I love him!
July 29, 2022
4.5 stars
Another excellent installment in the DI Barton police series. I love that we always get a dual timeline between DI Barton and the killer.
Highly recommended for police procedural and psychological drama fans.
I've enjoyed everything I've read from Ross Greenwood.
Another excellent installment in the DI Barton police series. I love that we always get a dual timeline between DI Barton and the killer.
Highly recommended for police procedural and psychological drama fans.
I've enjoyed everything I've read from Ross Greenwood.
May 15, 2022
Once again Ross Greenwood has pulled it out of the bag with his next book in the D.I Barton series. This time focusing on the fire killer the book is tragic from begining to end. I loved seeing what all of the usual characters were up to and how they've grown. This book builds of the last few books and we see growth of certain character arcs which is fantastic. It's a fast paced book that keeps you guessing, dont be suprised if you read it all in one go as it keeps you hooked. Highly recommend and look forward to the next book already.
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