Firefall

by J.H. Bogran

The problem with being reborn from the ashes is, you have to die first.


After the loss of his wife and child in a plane crash, former NYC firefighter Sebastian Martin is nearing alcoholic oblivion when his brother offers him a last-chance job opportunity as an insurance fraud investigator. Despite his reservations, he soon discovers he has an instinct for the job.


A move to Dallas, where he learns it's okay to be alive, proves to be his salvation. Investigating fraudulent claims for a dead child and another for a missing husband, in Honduras, leads him to murders, international car thieves, and torture at the hands of a former KGB agent.

Genres: Thriller, Detective

ebook

First published September 9, 2013

About the author

J. H. Bográn, in the international author of novels, short stories and screenplays for TV & film. The son of a journalist, he ironically prefers to write fiction rather than fact. José’s genre of choice is thrillers, but he likes to throw in a twist of romance into the mix.

He’s a member of The Author's Guild, The Crime Writers Association, the Short Fiction Writers Guild and the International Thriller Writers where he also serves as the Thriller Roundtable Coordinator and contributor editor their official e-zine The Big Thrill.


Facebook: www.facebook.com/jhbogran0

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Reviews

[Victoria Brinius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book that you have to read in one sitting. This story would make a great movie. With that being said, this is why I loved this book. The characters got a lot of empathy from me. For Sebastian to lose his wife and child is devastating. It messes up his whole life. He needs a new job, and different scenery. So he moves. Plus he was a firefighter before, and my husband is deeply involved with our town fire department, so right away that drew me to Sebastian. When he moves he gets a job as an investigator for insurance fraud. I knew that this was bad because people that commit fraud are always lying about something, and will usually do anything to keep their secrets. They do not care who gets hurt in the process. The author did a great job of portraying these characters in a way that I felt as though they were real cases. The author also made transitions from locations flawless, and smooth. The ending was so unpredictable that I had to read the book twice just to see if I missed any clues that led up to the final chapters of the book. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review, however all my opinions are my own.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traumatised by the loss of his family in a plane crash, New York fireman Sebastian Martin seeks solace in alcohol. With his career on the rocks the offer of work as an insurance investigator looks like it could be his salvation. But when he teams up with a Honduran investigator to look into a seemingly routine disappearance the job turns out to be more dangerous than he could ever have imagined.

Bogran's characters are well drawn and believable. Couple this with a plot that moves smoothly between locations leading to a gripping climax in the author's native Honduras and you have a compelling thriller.

All of the loose threads are neatly tied at the end, though I hope that doesn't mean we've seen the last of these characters as I'd like to spend more time in their company.

[Stevie Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Sebastian's character; devastated and guilty that he's survived while his family died in a terrible accident. His brother tries to help him to sort his life out and pick up the threads of normality again. Through his brother he learns of a job vacancy investigating insurance fraud. I won't let on about the ending, just to say it was exciting!

The only quibble I have is that if like me somebody reads the book in many sittings, it was always necessary to backtrack to remind oneself of all the different characters. It's not a book to easily pick up, put down, and pick up again.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firefall switches back and forth between fast-paced action among a range of characters in Honduras and Texas with ease and sharp writing. One set of characters are engaged in insurance scams and the other set falls in to investigate. "They do get creative," suggests protagonist and rookie investigator Sebastian about the schemes. So, too, is this story on many levels - in terms of action, escape, and psychological and personal turmoil. In terms of the main character's psychology, be prepared for misdirects and some frustration that made this reader want a sequel. Soon.

[William Freedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.H. Bogran has a rare talent among thriller writers: the ability to conjure up empathetic characters that aren't some dimly remembered homage to Mickey Spillane or an idealized version of himself. Firefall's verisimilitude is rooted in its deep appreciation for the varied cultures and urban environments that shape these characters. Add that to the taut writing and rapid-fire pace that the best of this genre offers, and you have one compelling read!