Ashes Ashes

by Murphy Morrison

Putting out fires is what Lieutenant Charlie McMahon does best. The streets of Chicago keep him busy and provide a respite from his family’s chaos. But everything changes when his rescue squad is called to a house where female victims are found chained to a wall and burned alive. The terror becomes personal as the women are identified, leaving Charlie to reel over one, haunting What have I done? Detective Jeff Foley is a private man with a past he’s worked hard to keep in the dark. When a new assignment at the Chicago Police Department coincides with his estranged brother coming back into his life, his past suddenly becomes his present. Only this time, he’s not just a kid on the street. He now has a life worth fighting for and a wife and daughter he’ll do anything to protect. Talia Griffin is loyal to a fault. She puts her patients first and would do anything for her dad, the only family she has left. When he’s pulled into an investigation that intersects with one of her patients at the hospital, she can’t help but get involved. And when she does, she learns the hard way that no one is safe—that once you’re in, there’s no getting out. Ashes Ashes tells the story of family, love, secrets and betrayal. We see firsthand how the person we think we know can be the most unfamiliar of all, how webs of evil can extend beyond just one point in time, and how our enemies can be closer, and far greater, than we ever imagined.

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2024

About the author

Murphy Morrison is a crime-fiction author who grew up in the Twin Cities and graduated from Creighton University.

When not writing, she can be found spending time with family and friends, reading, or plotting ways that her characters can get away with murder.

She currently lives in Chicago with her husband and French Bulldog.

Follow her on Instagram @MurphyMorrisonAuthor and sign up for her newsletter by visiting her website at MurphyMorrison.com

Reviews

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow 😮

Murphy Morrison this book is amazing! I started it last night and struggled to put it down but in the end my tiredness won the battle. So after all my jobs were done today I could not wait to get back into it. Completely hooked and had to see how it was all going to play out. And I was not disappointed

This crime book set in Chicago has everything you want from this genre. There is a cast of characters that all have something to hide. It is not easy to know who can be trusted. There is corruption, there is murder, family secrets and so much more. It begins with Charlie McMahon, a firefighter, being called to a house fire. On arrival they discover that their are women inside, chained to the wall. When the identity of one of the decreased is found it changes his life forever. Then we have the nurse, Tahlia. She is caring for the fire victim who survives. He father is working on the case with Jeff Foley, a Detective with a dark past.

You need to pick this book up and make sure you have plenty of time to read, you will not want to stop.

Thank you so much to Murphy for sending me an advanced copy to read. All the stars

[Chelsea | thrillerbookbabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, thank you so much to Murphy Morrison for this thrilling crime fiction. I was originally drawn to this book because it was set in Chicago and had an amazing premise. This book is about Charlie, a firefighter that goes to put out a fire but finds a woman chained to the wall. He starts to see that there may be more to the scene than meets the eye after the woman is identified. Everyone has something to hide and this story is full of secrets, dead bodies, lies, and lots of twists!


Thoughts: I think this book was well-written and kept me on the edge of my seat! It felt like an episode of Chicago Fire and I was here for it! The plot draws you in from the beginning and there are lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed how the character’s stories were connected and how they each had an important piece of the puzzle. I enjoyed the ending but I did think it was a little too perfect. I kind of like when there are some open ended things left to the reader, but that’s just my opinion. 4-stars for this fast-paced crime novel!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are introduced to a new detective in this series, Jeff Foley. He is a private man with a past he's worked hard to keep hidden and a new assignment with Chicago police. Only his new assignment collides with his brother coming back into his life and the trouble that he seems to create wherever he goes. As the detective begins to investigate a crime, it's hard for him to imagine the circumstances to be a coincidence but prays it is.

Talia Griffin is a doctor, committed to her patients but she becomes involves in a case when her father is investigating, linked to one of her patients.

Charlie McMahon fights fires, but when he attends a fire with victims chained to the walls, he finds a piece of evidence linking the scene to his family and becomes invested. As the story unfolds we find out more about each character and their background, as their stories are intertwined in the mystery. I enjoyed this one, particularly the main characters and I do hope to see another instalment.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashes ashes was an extremely fast paced crime fiction that will have your blood pumping and heart beating.
At one point it even tugged on my heart strings causing a few tears.(yes life has made me a little soft lately)
But... the amount of twists and turns in this read don’t seem to end and only gets better with each page.
And these characters,well,I truly gave a crap about what was going to happen to them and how this story would actually end.
A binge read.
So if you haven’t read this one yet go do it, what are you waiting for?

[Amanda Martina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay I could NOT put this book down. I really felt like I knew the characters and felt so invested in the story. I love crime fiction and this book did not disappoint! The story was so well written and captivating. I cannot recommend this book enough and cannot wait for Murphy's next one!

[Brittany waggingwithwords · Rating 5 out of 5]

@murphymorrisonauthor Ashes Ashes was SO good! ⁣
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I haven’t read many crime fiction novels but I’m so glad I read this one! This was an intense, page turner that I binged in under 24 hours. ⁣
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This story has everything you could possibly be looking for. Set in Chicago in the month of October, firefighter Charlie is called to a house to put out a fire only to find women chained to the walls, he manages to rescue one, and comes in contact with her nurse Talia in the hospital. Talia’s father and father’s good friend are on the police force who takes the case. When the identity of one of the deceased women becomes known, a very dangerous game of cat and mouse unravels leading down a very dark path to figure out the truth. ⁣
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Every character in this story has a secret to hide. There is corruption, family secrets, lies, murder, a secret sex ring, and strong bonds between some characters.⁣
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I was completely hooked and just needed to know who was good and who was bad and how this story was going to turn out.⁣
⁣
5⭐️⁣
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Thank you so much Murphy for an ARC for my honest review. Pub Day 11/17. #bookstagram #books #ashesashes #crimefiction #bookcommunity

[Kacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

oh.
my.
;falskdjf ;alfk jd;slakfj;d.

I have not read a thriller in a while, and let me just say: my heart was racing! I definitely stayed up WAY later than normal -- I have been on a historical fiction kick, and while I'm enjoying them, I can fall asleep. hahaha.

I enjoyed this thriller a lot -- but it's also disturbing. For sure some heavy content, but there was one twist that totally caught me off guard, so that earns accolades in its own right.

If you just need a quick palette cleanser by way of a thriller, grab this one. You'll devour it, i'm confident of that!

[Yesse || Within_the_Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I want to thank Murphy Morrison for the #arc in return for my honest review.

It was just another crazy, busy night in Chicago when Charlie McMahon and his squad receive a call and have to rush to put out a home fire. As they arrive on scene the fire has already spread, but against the captains orders, Charlie busts through a rear window when he sees a shadow move in one of the rooms. Once he reaches the person he realizes not only that it's a woman and that she's alive, but she's also chained to the wall. Luckily he's able to rescue the woman just in time, right before the home starts collapsing. Amid the chaos outside they discover that victim rescued wasn't the only person in the home... three other bodies were found, two female and one male. Unfortunately none of them made it out alive. Who caused the fire? Who were these women? And why were they being held captive in this home?

If you like TV shows like SVU and Chicago Fire (as do I), then this book is definitely for YOU!!! From fires, dead bodies, family drama, drugs, corruption and sex trafficking.... this story has it all!!! Not only does the constant action keep you reading but the story is also told from multiple POVs, the chapters are pretty short and every character has SOMETHING going on... I literally did not want to go to sleep because I had to find out what was going to happen next.

If you're looking for a new crime fiction book to read, put Ashes Ashes on your TBR!
Release date is Nov 17,2020

[Kayleigh 2babesandabookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

You heard it here first - this may be the BEST THRILLER I've read in 2020 (and guys, most of the books I read are mystery/thriller). I don't normally do a book spotlight AND formal review on my social feeds, but this one warrants the additional moment in the spotlight. I cannot believe this is a debut novel ... the writing is so fresh, original and INSANELY well done. I simply could not put this down and my only issue with it is the fact that the book had to end! This gets ALL.THE.DAMN.STARS from me. Murphy ... thank you so much for taking a chance on me and allowing me to read/review your novel. I am utterly obsessed and it will be my goal to get this into the hands of my fellow bookstagrammers and friends!

There is nothing predictable about this book, all the way down to how the characters lives/stories are intertwined. And let's talk about secrets & lies for a second. I am not sure I've read a novel that kept me THIS invested in untangling the web of deceit in a long time. Everyone had something to hide and the connections between them were brilliantly written. I do want to preface a trigger warning: sex/human trafficking. This topic is difficult to read and comprehend, but I thought Murphy did a terrific job.

This is a MUST READ thriller ... you will absolutely love this book!

[abigail • bookswithgail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even start?! With so many twists and turns you won’t see coming, this book is simply fantastic. It’s full of action, super fast-paced, and impossible to put down from the very beginning. I loved all three main characters (which is rare) and the Chicago setting (living in Chicago) made it feel even more real to me. You know the last ~30 minutes of the movie Taken where you feel like you can’t breathe until you find out what happens? That’s how the majority of this book feels. You be turning the pages as fast as you possibly can.

[Jake Merrill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd give it a 2.5, just right down the middle. I absolutely loved the story. However, I personally wasn't a fan of Morrison's writing style, which brings it down for me.

[Sandy Lo]

I stopped reading around 32% of this book. I just couldn’t get into the plot or the characters. The story was convoluted and the writing felt flat. It wasn’t pulling me in and I knew enough of the storyline to realize I didn’t care to see where it went.

[Caitlin McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashes Ashes is a gripping thriller with twists around every corner that will leave your heart racing at the end of each chapter. Told from three perspectives, you will be immediately drawn in by the complex dynamic of a chaotic family, a budding romance and a trail of corruption that goes deeper than you could first imagine. If you are looking for a crime thriller that will make you excited to turn every page, this needs to be your next read. You will certainly not be disappointed!

[Clued-in With A Book (Elvina Ulrich) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story: Lieutenant Charlie McMahon and his squad respond to a house fire at Berwyn and rescued a woman who was chained to a wall. This tragedy left three badly burned bodies - one man and two women who had been chained to walls. When the identity of one of the women is identified, it becomes personal to Charlie and he is determined to seek the truth behind this fire. Charlie would later cross paths with Talia Griffin, the nurse who is in charge of the fire survivor, and Detective Jeff Foley, who is the lead detective in this case. Unbeknownst to them, as they dig deeper into this case, they have inadvertently put their lives in danger. But why and how are they connected?

My thoughts: This was my first book by Murphy Morrison and it won't be my last! It was AMAZING! I was deeply immersed in the story and I flew through this book in one sitting! The engaging plot made me feel like I was watching an episode of Law & Order: SVU / Chicago P.D + Chicago Fire. Yes, dang good!

It is a very plot driven story and you can expect lots of twists and turns throughout the book. I just had to keep reading to find out what will happen next! What I really loved about this book is how the stories of Charlie, Talia and Jeff are intertwined. They are doing their own investigations but not knowing that they each hold a piece to the puzzle which will make sense in the end. I think it is pretty clever!

The characters are pretty well-developed especially for Charlie and Talia - two characters that I loved. But I do wish that there are more for other characters though. The ending is good and perfect for this story although I prefer a messier one, but that's just me!

In a nutshell, this is a surprisingly good, engaging and fast paced crime novel that did not disappoint! Will it be a series? I am not sure, but I am hoping that it will be. I may be liking Charlie a little too much in this story!

Pub. Date: Nov 17, 2020

***Thank you author Murphy Morrison for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.***

[Bedside Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an ARC review as requested by Hadleigh House Publishing and Murphy Morrison.

Ashes Ashes by Murphy Morrison is a crime fiction novel with burning deceit and betrayal, murder, intrigue and numerous twists and turns in the plot. A hot potato of a read, you'll be prepared to burn your fingers rather than put the book down.
Lieutenant Charlie McMahon lives for his job, putting out fires is what he does, until one night his squad attends a house fire to find women chained to the walls. The identification of one of these women sends Charlie and his already chaotic family, reeling.
Detective Jeff Foley, a man with a dark past he is desperate to keep hidden, is given the case to solve. Somehow his estranged brother seems to be connected. Jeff battles with how to solve the case, doing what is right and keeping his family safe.
Talia Griffin is a loyal and fiesty nurse, caring for one of the burn victims from the fire. She becomes embroiled in the case through Charlie's personal investigation and when she discovers her father, Jeff Foley's partner, is also investigating the gruesome goings on at the burned down property.
I could not put this book down. I was hooked from the very beginning with the intrigue and then completely engrossed as the author unravels a tightly wound ball of mystery and plot twists. The characters are so likeable, or hateable for the villains. It is fast paced and a fairly quick read, with constant developments to keep you gripped. I was however, slightly deflated at the very end, perhaps because I was enjoying the story so much I didn't want it to end so quickly? But that did not detract from how much I enjoyed reading this new crime thriller. I would definitely recommend this for the crime fiction lover, especially those who like to be kept guessing as to 'who done it'.

[Stacey Caldarone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashes Ashes
“Ashes ashes...they all burn down”
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow I was not ready or prepared for this book! Wow is all I can say at the moment. This is my first book by Murphy Morrison and won’t be my last! Thank you again to Hadleigh House for this copy. This book totally did not disappoint!

This book follows a lot of characters but they all have an intricate place in the storyline. First we meet Charlie, a firefighter. He has his own family drama, his mom is a drunk, his dad is an absent father and his sister who is usually on the right track was arrested at a protest. He gets called to a crazy fire where he finds a woman chained to the wall. Then we meet Jeff Foley , a detective, a husband, and a father. He is dedicated to his job and starts to realize things are a bit fishy with this fire case. Things are going missing from evidence and he needs to prove something is happening. Then his brother returns, someone he hasn’t spoken to in years and someone he shared quite a dark and dangerous past with. His return brings terror to Jeff and his family. Then we meet Talia, my favorite character who is a nurse where one of the surviving burn victims is brought. She begins to work with Charlie to figure out what happened and realizes it’s more dangerous than she thought. She realizes no one, including herself, is safe in this mess.

I truly enjoyed this book. Character I hated...Dani. What a psycho! You’ll see when you meet her! Charlie was an amazing man! This story encompass love, death, friendship, horror, heroes, it has everything you need! This book is out today so grab your copy!

#hadleighhouse #murphymorrison #ashesashes #justonemorechapter #decemberreads #sundaymorningreading #bookjourney #100booksin2020 #finishedthatchallenge #booknerdigan #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookobsessed #whatsnext

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very suspenseful book. It plays good guys against bad guys from start to finish and it looks like the bad guys are winning for the most part. A great scenario for a conclusion. The author does a very good job of defining characters and the whole book is a great ride. I loved it and will look forward to more from this author.
Putting out fires is what Lieutenant Charlie McMahon does best. The streets of Chicago keep him busy and provide a respite from his family's chaos. But everything changes when his rescue squad is called to a house where female victims are found chained to a wall and burned alive. The terror becomes personal as the women are identified, leaving Charlie to reel over one haunting question: What have I done?

Detective Jeff Foley is a private man with a past he's worked hard to keep in the dark. When a new assignment at the Chicago Police Department coincides with his estranged brother coming back into his life, his past suddenly becomes his present. Only this time, he's not just a kid on the street. He now has a life worth fighting for and a wife and daughter he'll do anything to protect.

Talia Griffin is loyal to a fault. She puts her patients first and would do anything for her dad, the only family she has left. When he's pulled into an investigation that intersects with one of her patients at the hospital, she can't help but get involved. And when she does, she learns the hard way that no one is safe-that once you're in, there's no getting out.

Ashes Ashes tells the story of family, love, secrets, and betrayal. We see firsthand how the person we think we know can be the most unfamiliar of all, how webs of evil can extend beyond just one point in time, and how our enemies can be closer, and far greater, than we ever imagined.

[Chris Bishop · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am confused by this books high rating. For such rating I expect more quality writing from the author. This book read like pulp fiction to me, characters pulled from daytime soap operas, a plot from the same.

When the active events need action from its characters there are lines of dialogue. I’m thinking to myself, why are they speaking to one another, they should be doing something.

As well, it appears to me that the author had little to no interaction with her characters in the real world. It would have been helpful to interview police officers, fire fighters and nurses. Let’s not forget characters of a corrupt moral nature.

The book did have pace. It flowed. However, there where times it stalled, exactly when action should be described by the author, not a dialogue.

I finished the book. However, I can not recommend it.

[Laura Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book on a Friday and finished on Sunday. I could not put it down. Every new character and plot twist expertly move the story forward at a steady pace. Set in Chicago, this novel has all the critical elements of a good crime fiction story: corruption, deceit, suspense, mystery and action. The author develops the characters well and provides believable motivation for their involvement in this case. The action and suspense pull you in from the first page. There are no loose ends nor superfluous storylines. Every twist and turn helps build the story to an exciting and suspenseful climax. If you enjoy crime fiction, suspense and action novels, you will love this book! I highly recommend it.

[erin (readingwithremy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Murphy Morrison for sending me a copy of her novel Ashes, Ashes which comes out on Tuesday, November 17th!

Ashes, Ashes is a crime fiction set in Chicago with lots of great twists and turns. I was quickly hooked in this book and loved all of the secrets and lies that came out of trying to solve who was behind this mysterious fire. This was fun to read and the characters were well written. This book reminded me of something I would see on a TV show!

About the Book:
Ashes, Ashes tells the story of family, love, secrets and betrayal. We see firsthand how the person we think we know can be the most unfamiliar of all, how webs of evil can extend beyond just one point in time, and how our enemies can be closer, and far greater, than we ever imagined.

[Abbie Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashes Ashes is the most captivating thriller that I have read in a long time! I found myself pondering the complicated storyline all day trying to predict the ending - but let me tell you that the last few chapters were totally unpredictable. Murphy Morrison keeps you constantly absorbed with her eery cliff hangers, heart-stopping revelations, and devastating dysfunction that threatens to destroy the main characters’ lives - but doesn’t. After finishing this book, I immediately wanted to start over from the beginning and search for all the clues that foreshadow its shocking ending. If you’re looking for some captivating crime fiction, I highly recommend this book!

[Peter Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captivated me! I kept saying to myself, "one more chapter and then time for bed" and suddenly it was 1:00 a.m. I woke at 4:00 a.m. to finish the book because I had to know how it ended. I loved the unique plot line, the engaging, all-too-human protagonists, and authentic dialogue. The author can convey feelings and create an imaginable environment with a few well-chosen words. The story is fast paced and filled with twists and turns, but never bogs down with lengthy expositions. You will not be disappointed!

[Hi'D's Book Hub Blogger · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book was AMAZING!!

This was my first book by Murphy Morrison and she didnot disappoint!! Ashes Ashes was full of everything I desire in a good crime thriller!

Packed full of twists and turns that kept you on the edge of your seat guessing the entire time!! Everytime I thought I had something figured out the story would take a twist!! Morrison did an incredible job I can't wait for my next read from her!

Thank you to the publisher Hadleigh House Publishin for the ARC!!

[Delaney Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I was hooked from the very first page and couldn't put it down until I finished. Murphy does a masterful job of developing her characters and then placing them in an engaging, complex plot. The twists and turns kept me guessing until the end, and I loved seeing how all of the puzzle pieces came together throughout the story. Highly recommend!

[Ellen C · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Murphy Morrison did NOT disappoint! Ashes, Ashes is a MUST read! I was captivated by the story and the characters from the very first chapter. I could not put it down!! Murphy does an incredible job of weaving the characters and the story together, she had me guessing until the very end. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good suspenseful thriller!

[Archie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashes Ashes had me hooked from the start. While some novels tend to have a slow build, Ashes took off from the first chapter and built on the suspense as the book progressed. This is a fast-paced thriller with chapters that all end in cliffhangers, which kept me wanting to read long past my bedtime. 😴😴

[Sandy Ferrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! This book has it all, surprising plot twists, characters that you can relate to and root for, mystery, romance, and all in a story line that is timely and compelling. Could hardly put it down. This is what a great book should be, a story line that keeps you coming back for more.

[Marisha (MarishaReadsALot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blown away by all the twists and turns in this book! I 100% could not put it down until I knew how all the mysteries played out. Endless thank you’s to Murphy Morrison and Hadleigh House Publishing for providing a digital ARC!

[Nickolas Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give more than 5 stars because I loved this book! The plot will have you hooked and keep you guessing the whole time. I seriously could not put it down and was absolutely blindsided by the twist at the end! This story is so well told - highly recommend!!

[Veronica Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book was so full of twists and turns it had me hooked from the very first chapter. I quickly fell in love with the characters and each of their storylines had me totally captivated. A great crime thriller that I recommend to absolutely everyone!!