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Izzy Llewellyn Small Town Suspense #8
Burning Darkness
When a federal smokejumper plummets to her death in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Sheriff Izzy Llewellyn discovers that not every fall is an accident—and not every body belongs where it's found.
In the middle of California's brutal fire season, an elite smokejumper falls three thousand feet when both her parachutes fail—an impossibility in a profession where equipment is checked and double-checked by trained professionals. Sheriff Izzy Llewellyn retrieves the smokejumper's body from a canyon ledge, but finds something else in the alpine meadow a second woman, dead before the wildfire that burned around her even started.
Two women dead in the same remote location. One in full firefighting gear, one in civilian clothes. One death that looks like catastrophic equipment failure, another that looks like murder. As flames march toward the town of Harris and threaten to consume everything in their path, Izzy must navigate federal investigators, jurisdiction battles, and evidence that could burn before she can secure it.
With her former FBI training and her instinct for reading people, Izzy begins to see connections others miss. But proving that a smokejumper's death was murder means finding someone with access, expertise, and motive—someone who walks freely among the firefighters risking their lives to save the town.
Perfect for fans of CJ Box and Nevada Barr, Burning Darkness delivers a pulse-pounding mystery where courage and corruption collide in California's high desert country.
In the middle of California's brutal fire season, an elite smokejumper falls three thousand feet when both her parachutes fail—an impossibility in a profession where equipment is checked and double-checked by trained professionals. Sheriff Izzy Llewellyn retrieves the smokejumper's body from a canyon ledge, but finds something else in the alpine meadow a second woman, dead before the wildfire that burned around her even started.
Two women dead in the same remote location. One in full firefighting gear, one in civilian clothes. One death that looks like catastrophic equipment failure, another that looks like murder. As flames march toward the town of Harris and threaten to consume everything in their path, Izzy must navigate federal investigators, jurisdiction battles, and evidence that could burn before she can secure it.
With her former FBI training and her instinct for reading people, Izzy begins to see connections others miss. But proving that a smokejumper's death was murder means finding someone with access, expertise, and motive—someone who walks freely among the firefighters risking their lives to save the town.
Perfect for fans of CJ Box and Nevada Barr, Burning Darkness delivers a pulse-pounding mystery where courage and corruption collide in California's high desert country.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 16, 2026
Forest Fires and Murders
Call came across a smokejumper's parachute main chute didn't open, reserve chute fall tang!ed cords couldn't open. A fall from 3,000 feet, could she be alive? Izzy, Cole and a firefighter make the climb. In the meadow they find a woman's body , civilian, local, partially burned, no ID. Rechecking coordinates they continue climb on my to find Darcy Shepherd's body fully in her jump uniform.
Darcy's equipment should never have failed like that. Its packed by professionals, tagged and properly stored. Who wanted to kill her and why? Calling on a FBI friend because Darcy is a Federal employee and because she is stretched thin with the fires and the other murder. Charlie and his partner handle the home base. Izzy can handle the murders and fires on her end with the help of the ME lab technician, Jenny, Mills and the people of Harris and neighbors. Very interesting, sad, complicated and a great conclusion. One of the best. Great job. Thankyou.
Call came across a smokejumper's parachute main chute didn't open, reserve chute fall tang!ed cords couldn't open. A fall from 3,000 feet, could she be alive? Izzy, Cole and a firefighter make the climb. In the meadow they find a woman's body , civilian, local, partially burned, no ID. Rechecking coordinates they continue climb on my to find Darcy Shepherd's body fully in her jump uniform.
Darcy's equipment should never have failed like that. Its packed by professionals, tagged and properly stored. Who wanted to kill her and why? Calling on a FBI friend because Darcy is a Federal employee and because she is stretched thin with the fires and the other murder. Charlie and his partner handle the home base. Izzy can handle the murders and fires on her end with the help of the ME lab technician, Jenny, Mills and the people of Harris and neighbors. Very interesting, sad, complicated and a great conclusion. One of the best. Great job. Thankyou.
April 6, 2026
Best action so far in the series!
Wow! Where to begin? Izzy manages to help Smoke jumpers, scale down the side of a cliff to recover a smoke jumper whose chutes didn't open. Find a dead civilian who was found close to the smoke jumper, all with fire and smoke all around. 2 murders to solve while trying to save towns and their residents from the harmful blaze. I couldn't put it down! Read it all in one day. Only stopping to fix a meal and a few chores that needed done. This would make an awesome movie! Action! Suspense! Drama! All done with a fire disaster backdrop and/or main screen fire fighting! Zara Evans is a descriptive author. She must have done some research for this story. Great job Zara! Keep up the good work!
Wow! Where to begin? Izzy manages to help Smoke jumpers, scale down the side of a cliff to recover a smoke jumper whose chutes didn't open. Find a dead civilian who was found close to the smoke jumper, all with fire and smoke all around. 2 murders to solve while trying to save towns and their residents from the harmful blaze. I couldn't put it down! Read it all in one day. Only stopping to fix a meal and a few chores that needed done. This would make an awesome movie! Action! Suspense! Drama! All done with a fire disaster backdrop and/or main screen fire fighting! Zara Evans is a descriptive author. She must have done some research for this story. Great job Zara! Keep up the good work!
August 29, 2026
Kept me guessing.
I'm someone who enjoys reading the back of the book first. Once I've discovered who committed the crime, I return to the beginning to understand how the characters piece together the solution. However, this particular novel left me completely puzzled despite knowing the culprit's identity. I genuinely appreciated all of the unexpected turns, the intricate plot twists, and the manner in which all the characters converged together at the conclusion. I will definitely and without question read this book again in the future.
I'm someone who enjoys reading the back of the book first. Once I've discovered who committed the crime, I return to the beginning to understand how the characters piece together the solution. However, this particular novel left me completely puzzled despite knowing the culprit's identity. I genuinely appreciated all of the unexpected turns, the intricate plot twists, and the manner in which all the characters converged together at the conclusion. I will definitely and without question read this book again in the future.
May 12, 2026
This was really good and totally made up for the lackluster previous book (the only one of the series I didn't enjoy). I loved the premise (a smoke jumper's shoot doesn't open and she dies on landing), I loved the mystery, and I loved (as I usually do) all the characters. They all feel so real, and it's truly like walking among them and experiencing their lives as Evans writes -- just really good and a solid 5 stars!
April 9, 2026
The bodies of a female smokejumper and a nursery schoolteacher are discovered at the same time a wind-whipped firestorm is bearing down on the town of Harris. Izzy and her small force of deputies, along with help from the FBI, are determined to find a murderer or murderer(s) before they lose their hometown. This series gets more intense with each succeeding book.
April 10, 2026
Out of the ashes...Justice prevailed
This is a must read. Wonderful addition to the series! Izzy is a bad ass sheriff and her team respects her and they all work hard to get justice for victims. The inclusion of the fire storyline and how it was tackled made the story even better!
This is a must read. Wonderful addition to the series! Izzy is a bad ass sheriff and her team respects her and they all work hard to get justice for victims. The inclusion of the fire storyline and how it was tackled made the story even better!
May 3, 2026
Real Life Feeling
I've read this whole series so far and wish I had another in the series now. Every book in series felt like I was reading someone's life. There were no thoughts of that's silly or that couldn't happen which always ruins a book for me. Even though I know they are novels, they were excitingly resl.
I've read this whole series so far and wish I had another in the series now. Every book in series felt like I was reading someone's life. There were no thoughts of that's silly or that couldn't happen which always ruins a book for me. Even though I know they are novels, they were excitingly resl.
May 3, 2026
One of the best yet!
I really enjoy this series, but I especially enjoyed this latest installment. No politics, no revenge, just two murders to solve and everyone working together during a wildfire. I appreciated the insights into smoke jumpers and their dedication as well as technical aspects. Great story!
I really enjoy this series, but I especially enjoyed this latest installment. No politics, no revenge, just two murders to solve and everyone working together during a wildfire. I appreciated the insights into smoke jumpers and their dedication as well as technical aspects. Great story!
May 24, 2026
Read them all
I've enjoyed each and every book in this series. They all have memorable and interesting characters that make you feel like family. And the mystery that goes all thro the story in the middle of these characters lives, just enhances everything. Well written and interesting. I am disappointed that the next book isn't available yet
I've enjoyed each and every book in this series. They all have memorable and interesting characters that make you feel like family. And the mystery that goes all thro the story in the middle of these characters lives, just enhances everything. Well written and interesting. I am disappointed that the next book isn't available yet
July 4, 2026
Riveting!
Amazing story of 2 murders amid a terrifying forest fire. This story scared the he'll out of me because my brother was a fire fighter in forestry. So well researched, so dramatic. Characters were varied and well described. I loved this book despite no sleep. In fact, not sleeping fit right in.
Amazing story of 2 murders amid a terrifying forest fire. This story scared the he'll out of me because my brother was a fire fighter in forestry. So well researched, so dramatic. Characters were varied and well described. I loved this book despite no sleep. In fact, not sleeping fit right in.
April 21, 2026
Great California Story
Vivid, exciting and multilayered. Several dramas happening at the same time. Powerful descriptions of Sierra Nevada mtn, desert valley, fire-storms and lightning storms! Definitely a solid read!
Vivid, exciting and multilayered. Several dramas happening at the same time. Powerful descriptions of Sierra Nevada mtn, desert valley, fire-storms and lightning storms! Definitely a solid read!
April 26, 2026
Love this series
This is a fantastic series! Izzy is a complex, interesting character - so compelling. I can't put each book down, then eagerly await the next one and preorder as soon as it's available.
This is a fantastic series! Izzy is a complex, interesting character - so compelling. I can't put each book down, then eagerly await the next one and preorder as soon as it's available.
July 3, 2026
Still enjoying the series. The way you follow the characters and stories and you are convinced you figured out who did it and the author still has a way to keep you reading only to find out you have it all wrong. Already have my alert for the next book release in September
April 6, 2026
Excellent
I love this series. I became engrossed with every book. I can't put them down until I finish the entire book
I love this series. I became engrossed with every book. I can't put them down until I finish the entire book
April 12, 2026
What a different read
Enjoyed this book as much as all of this series. A different kind of story of a town coming together
Enjoyed this book as much as all of this series. A different kind of story of a town coming together
April 13, 2026
Another great read
Loved Darcy from the very beginning. Twist and turns and
A salute to the spirit of people who don't give up. On to the next book I the series.
Loved Darcy from the very beginning. Twist and turns and
A salute to the spirit of people who don't give up. On to the next book I the series.
April 15, 2026
I didn’t enjoy this one. Most of the characters I love in this series had a brief mention or not mentioned at all. They help make the stories for me. Maybe the next one?
May 13, 2026
best one yet!
This book grabbed you and held on. Great book! I can’t wait to read the next book.
Why is there a minimum word requirement?
This book grabbed you and held on. Great book! I can’t wait to read the next book.
Why is there a minimum word requirement?
Read
May 25, 2026Loved it!! I feel part of the community + family
May 29, 2026
Excellent series.
Excellent series, I read all in order and enjoyed both the stories and the characters. Looking forward to the next one.
Excellent series, I read all in order and enjoyed both the stories and the characters. Looking forward to the next one.
June 9, 2026
Action!
the action began with the first words and continued to the end
I love Evans style of writing
Would recommend.
the action began with the first words and continued to the end
I love Evans style of writing
Would recommend.
Read
July 31, 2026Great read
I liked getting to know the characters. Always two stories going at one time. Enjoyed trying to figure out who the villains were.
I liked getting to know the characters. Always two stories going at one time. Enjoyed trying to figure out who the villains were.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews