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Blazing Obsession
This is a story of obsession, revenge and justice. James Hamilton meets and falls in love with Lynne Burrows, whose ex-husband Nick is a violent, drug-dealing control freak who will not accept that their marriage is over and continually harasses her, and questions their eight-year-old son Georgie constantly about Lynne’s relationships. After Lynne falls pregnant again with James’ child, Nick abducts Georgie and flees to Florida. James and Lynne trick him into returning voluntarily and Nick is arrested on landing at Gatwick. He’s charged and sentenced to seven years.
James and Lynne marry and live a life of bliss for two years, until there is an arson attack on James’ holiday cottage. Four months later, the police charge a small-time criminal and drug dealer. Despite overwhelming evidence, he’s acquitted and never reveals who is behind the arson attack. The obvious candidate is Nick, but he’s still incarcerated and the police can find no evidence linking him to the crime. Sickened by the judge’s decision, James becomes obsessed with getting justice for his family when he discovers that Lynne has been concealing secrets about her past. Together with a private eye and Lynne’s best friend, he plans the perfect retribution against the perpetrators...
Blazing Obsession shows how powerful revenge and obsession are, and how they can result in fatal consequences. The novel, which combines police procedural, legal drama and amateur sleuth genres, will appeal primarily to crime fans.
James and Lynne marry and live a life of bliss for two years, until there is an arson attack on James’ holiday cottage. Four months later, the police charge a small-time criminal and drug dealer. Despite overwhelming evidence, he’s acquitted and never reveals who is behind the arson attack. The obvious candidate is Nick, but he’s still incarcerated and the police can find no evidence linking him to the crime. Sickened by the judge’s decision, James becomes obsessed with getting justice for his family when he discovers that Lynne has been concealing secrets about her past. Together with a private eye and Lynne’s best friend, he plans the perfect retribution against the perpetrators...
Blazing Obsession shows how powerful revenge and obsession are, and how they can result in fatal consequences. The novel, which combines police procedural, legal drama and amateur sleuth genres, will appeal primarily to crime fans.
309 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2014
6 people want to read
About the author
Dai Henley
7 books7 followersAfter selling my business I decided to write to keep the brain churning. Become passionate about it now. Can't believe it took me so long. Especially since my mum was an avid Agatha Christie fan - she had every one of her books neatly stacked on the groaning shelves.
I've always been interested in crime. Nearly joined the police force after I left college.
I've always been interested in crime. Nearly joined the police force after I left college.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 15, 2018
Brilliant and absolutely well written
December 28, 2014
This is a great book to pump blood back into my review blog. I was contacted by Matadour/Troubador Publishing to read and review Blazing Obsession by Dai Henley. I am really glad I agreed to. This book had my heart pumping, hands trembling and mind reeling. There's just so much to take in with this book, and I'm so excited to have finished it, I don't even know where to begin. I can tell you that my mind was active all night after finishing it.
Blazing Obsession is broken into three parts. In the first part, we learn about James, the main character, and the courtship he pursues with Lynne. James is a successful, wealthy businessman who falls for the simple woman with a charming smile. Lynne brings to the relationship a child, Georgie, from a previous marriage. We learn about the struggles Lynne has with her ex-husband; the abusive, demanding, controlling Nick Burrows; father of Georgie.
Nick is obsessed with Lynne, determined that they will forever be together. He cannot handle the idea of Lynne dating anyone else. Hell breaks loose after Nick finds out Lynne is pregnant with James' child. A kidnapping happens. A marriage happens. A birth of a beautiful baby girl happens..... and then the arson happens.
James' whole family is taken out by an arson at their vacation home. The arsonist is left off on a technicality that sends James into a revengeful spiral. James, with the assistance of a Private Investigator and his wife's best friend, Alisha, the begin to unravel the reality behind double jeopardy, a broken court system and the truth behind who murdered his family.
There is such a HUGE TWIST in this book, that I did NOT see coming. Once the literary bomb hit, I could not put the book down. I was totally blindsided, I did not see it coming. But once it was released, and I was reading through the aftermath, so much more that was written in the book began to make sense. There's a strong story within the story.
The strongest line, for me, in this whole book was near the end. "I realized all three of the men involved in relationships with Lynne were shaped by their attitude to revenge." Ka-POW!! Right there people, is the book, story and review. Revengeful relationships.
The story is easy to read, and not overly complex. It flows incredibly well and the author did a fantastic job of keeping the reader's attention. It's a strong story with a fantastic road map full of rest stops called, "Revenge", "Obsession", "Mystery", "Anger and frustration".... Such a fantastic story.
Blazing Obsession is broken into three parts. In the first part, we learn about James, the main character, and the courtship he pursues with Lynne. James is a successful, wealthy businessman who falls for the simple woman with a charming smile. Lynne brings to the relationship a child, Georgie, from a previous marriage. We learn about the struggles Lynne has with her ex-husband; the abusive, demanding, controlling Nick Burrows; father of Georgie.
Nick is obsessed with Lynne, determined that they will forever be together. He cannot handle the idea of Lynne dating anyone else. Hell breaks loose after Nick finds out Lynne is pregnant with James' child. A kidnapping happens. A marriage happens. A birth of a beautiful baby girl happens..... and then the arson happens.
James' whole family is taken out by an arson at their vacation home. The arsonist is left off on a technicality that sends James into a revengeful spiral. James, with the assistance of a Private Investigator and his wife's best friend, Alisha, the begin to unravel the reality behind double jeopardy, a broken court system and the truth behind who murdered his family.
There is such a HUGE TWIST in this book, that I did NOT see coming. Once the literary bomb hit, I could not put the book down. I was totally blindsided, I did not see it coming. But once it was released, and I was reading through the aftermath, so much more that was written in the book began to make sense. There's a strong story within the story.
The strongest line, for me, in this whole book was near the end. "I realized all three of the men involved in relationships with Lynne were shaped by their attitude to revenge." Ka-POW!! Right there people, is the book, story and review. Revengeful relationships.
The story is easy to read, and not overly complex. It flows incredibly well and the author did a fantastic job of keeping the reader's attention. It's a strong story with a fantastic road map full of rest stops called, "Revenge", "Obsession", "Mystery", "Anger and frustration".... Such a fantastic story.
January 13, 2015
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a copy.
While I was expecting more suspense and mystery this did end up being a good book. The pacing of the book made it really difficult to get a firm grasp on the timeline. You'd read a few chapters over a few days and then the next chapter is months later. Also, I guessed some pretty major turns quite a bit before they happened. I think the author did a really nice job giving back-stories and insight to all the characters. The narrative was a bit difficult to get into sometimes as it felt like I was reading someone's diary.
While I was expecting more suspense and mystery this did end up being a good book. The pacing of the book made it really difficult to get a firm grasp on the timeline. You'd read a few chapters over a few days and then the next chapter is months later. Also, I guessed some pretty major turns quite a bit before they happened. I think the author did a really nice job giving back-stories and insight to all the characters. The narrative was a bit difficult to get into sometimes as it felt like I was reading someone's diary.
February 1, 2015
I really liked this book. Full of all the essentials of a great revenge mystery. Enjoyed every minute reading this and have recommended to friends and family.
The story is easy to read, and not overly complex. It flows incredibly well and the author did a fantastic job of keeping my attention. It's a strong story with a fantastic road map full of rest stops called, "Revenge", "Obsession", "Mystery", "Anger and frustration"....
The story is easy to read, and not overly complex. It flows incredibly well and the author did a fantastic job of keeping my attention. It's a strong story with a fantastic road map full of rest stops called, "Revenge", "Obsession", "Mystery", "Anger and frustration"....
April 18, 2016
Blazing Obsession is a crime thriller that focuses on what happens when one gets obsessed with a person or an event and the lengths that person will go to, to see their obsession become a reality.
It's not a nice book, in fact, it's rather dark and depressing. The characters, particularly James, our protagonist, seem almost like exaggerated versions of real people. The good in Lynne (his wife) and how attractive she is, was amplified. The anger and hatred of men that Alisha exhibited seemed too extreme, too caricaturized.
The same can be said for James' private investigator friend, RP, he was too perfect, too private eye and was able to manipulate James and Alisha into doing anything he wanted them to.
The lengths that various characters went to in this book were extreme, and I mean extreme. So much so, that while I could understand why they'd go to that length, it felt unrealistic. Not to mention their amazing ability to not get caught doing these crazy things.
My issues with the unbelievable nature of the story aside, there were certainly a number of good points in the story. There was clearly quite a bit of research done to back up and form this story. The emotional connections between the characters were well formed and really did add a good strength to the story.
I liked Georgie's character and the small character arc he had. It was very fitting and believable. I also quite liked a number of the supporting cast including: Pat and Lynne's mother in particular.
Overall, this was an engaging read with lots of plot twists and fast paced action. It should appeal to crime and police procedural lovers, those who enjoy thrillers and murder mysteries and court drama lovers.
A few things I noticed:
20% - "Ok. We'll,(Well) we'll
23% - ...Frankie Richards, Nick(delete space)'s drug dealing...
76% - ...they've go(t) to go through...
**Note: I was provided an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
It's not a nice book, in fact, it's rather dark and depressing. The characters, particularly James, our protagonist, seem almost like exaggerated versions of real people. The good in Lynne (his wife) and how attractive she is, was amplified. The anger and hatred of men that Alisha exhibited seemed too extreme, too caricaturized.
The same can be said for James' private investigator friend, RP, he was too perfect, too private eye and was able to manipulate James and Alisha into doing anything he wanted them to.
The lengths that various characters went to in this book were extreme, and I mean extreme. So much so, that while I could understand why they'd go to that length, it felt unrealistic. Not to mention their amazing ability to not get caught doing these crazy things.
My issues with the unbelievable nature of the story aside, there were certainly a number of good points in the story. There was clearly quite a bit of research done to back up and form this story. The emotional connections between the characters were well formed and really did add a good strength to the story.
I liked Georgie's character and the small character arc he had. It was very fitting and believable. I also quite liked a number of the supporting cast including: Pat and Lynne's mother in particular.
Overall, this was an engaging read with lots of plot twists and fast paced action. It should appeal to crime and police procedural lovers, those who enjoy thrillers and murder mysteries and court drama lovers.
A few things I noticed:
20% - "Ok. We'll,(Well) we'll
23% - ...Frankie Richards, Nick(delete space)'s drug dealing...
76% - ...they've go(t) to go through...
**Note: I was provided an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
August 1, 2015
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards and was a SILVER MEDALIST. This is what our readers thought.
Title: Blazing Obsession
Author: Dai Henley
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 32
Readers’ Comments
‘This novel is so very good. I loved the courtroom drama and how the author works so well with the characters and the obsession they feel. Excllent cover too.’ Male reader, aged 45
‘Lots and lots of twists in this novel. The writing is perfect for a thriller of this nature: the characters/setting well described but not overly so and the plot fast and furious and heavily dependent on dialogue.’ Female reader, aged 42
‘Strong beginning where we get to understand the characters in depth followed by a legal drama and a surprising ending. The perfect thriller.’ Female, aged 28
‘This is a page turner in ever way. It kept me up till late at night trying to finish it for The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. Glad I did. Lots of surprises, intriguing blurb, fab cover.’ Female reader, aged 56
Stats
Cover 10/10
Writing Style 9/10
Plot 10/10
Editing 9/10
Of the 32 readers:
32 would read another book by this author.
31 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 thought the plot was the best part of the novel.
‘A fast-paced, thoroughly entertaining thriller. A SILVER medalist and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Awards
Title: Blazing Obsession
Author: Dai Henley
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 32
Readers’ Comments
‘This novel is so very good. I loved the courtroom drama and how the author works so well with the characters and the obsession they feel. Excllent cover too.’ Male reader, aged 45
‘Lots and lots of twists in this novel. The writing is perfect for a thriller of this nature: the characters/setting well described but not overly so and the plot fast and furious and heavily dependent on dialogue.’ Female reader, aged 42
‘Strong beginning where we get to understand the characters in depth followed by a legal drama and a surprising ending. The perfect thriller.’ Female, aged 28
‘This is a page turner in ever way. It kept me up till late at night trying to finish it for The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. Glad I did. Lots of surprises, intriguing blurb, fab cover.’ Female reader, aged 56
Stats
Cover 10/10
Writing Style 9/10
Plot 10/10
Editing 9/10
Of the 32 readers:
32 would read another book by this author.
31 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 thought the plot was the best part of the novel.
‘A fast-paced, thoroughly entertaining thriller. A SILVER medalist and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Awards
February 4, 2022
I don't normally read a lot of crime novels, but this was a book club choice. I am glad I did. It was not really what I was expecting. It is not a who-dunnit, but more a novel about obsession and revenge and what we will do if pushed with the catalysts of grief, not getting justice, and people around us who enable our actions. It is quite a sad book and no-one comes out of it untarnished (except perhaps the grieving mother/grandmother).
Dai Henley came along to our book club (November 2018) to discuss this book and his writing. What a lovely man. A proper gent and very interesting and modest. I have his next book Reckless Obsession ready to read soon.
Dai Henley came along to our book club (November 2018) to discuss this book and his writing. What a lovely man. A proper gent and very interesting and modest. I have his next book Reckless Obsession ready to read soon.
February 23, 2015
While I did find this book entertaining it was also lacking at times. I'm stuck at 3 stars due to the fact that I did want to make it to the end to see what happened but had a hard time doing so. This took me longer to get through than I had hoped it would and at times lost my attention. The storyline overall was good but some parts just really seemed to drag on. Almost seemed like they had to overdo parts to make the book longer.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews