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Buried Embers
Not yet published
Expected 24 Nov 26From the successful self-published author of the Emily Slate and Ivy Bishop FBI series, a new thriller which introduces a female wildfire investigator in the Pacific Northwest who finds herself at the center of a dangerous series of fires.
Eight months ago, Calla Rowe watched her partner die in a blaze everyone believed was an accident. But Calla—one of the best fire investigators in the country—knew it was murder. She just couldn’t prove it. Once Calla could diagnose the marks of an arsonist with a preliminary glance at a burn site, calculate exactly how and where a wildfire was going to move, and break down the chemical composition of different accelerants. Now she’s hiding out in the remote Oregon town of Pinecrest, trying to shake the nightmares of her partner’s death and find peace.
But Calla is pulled back in when the town’s sheriff calls her to the site of a suspicious wildfire. Though he’s wary of newcomers, the sheriff knows he’s in over his not only does he have an arson case on his hands, he’s also investigating the disappearance of a local boy—one of a group of environmental activists and protestors who suspect a logging company is secretly cutting old-growth timber. Against her better judgment, Calla agrees to help—and soon realizes that something very dangerous is going on in Pinecrest. As more fires burn, Calla is drawn deeper into a web of treachery bigger than she could have ever fathomed–and that she may be the next target.
Full of shocking twists and cliffhangers, Buried Embers showcases a master at the top of his game, a thrilling page-turner featuring a brilliant but troubled female investigator who must save a community and herself in the process.
Eight months ago, Calla Rowe watched her partner die in a blaze everyone believed was an accident. But Calla—one of the best fire investigators in the country—knew it was murder. She just couldn’t prove it. Once Calla could diagnose the marks of an arsonist with a preliminary glance at a burn site, calculate exactly how and where a wildfire was going to move, and break down the chemical composition of different accelerants. Now she’s hiding out in the remote Oregon town of Pinecrest, trying to shake the nightmares of her partner’s death and find peace.
But Calla is pulled back in when the town’s sheriff calls her to the site of a suspicious wildfire. Though he’s wary of newcomers, the sheriff knows he’s in over his not only does he have an arson case on his hands, he’s also investigating the disappearance of a local boy—one of a group of environmental activists and protestors who suspect a logging company is secretly cutting old-growth timber. Against her better judgment, Calla agrees to help—and soon realizes that something very dangerous is going on in Pinecrest. As more fires burn, Calla is drawn deeper into a web of treachery bigger than she could have ever fathomed–and that she may be the next target.
Full of shocking twists and cliffhangers, Buried Embers showcases a master at the top of his game, a thrilling page-turner featuring a brilliant but troubled female investigator who must save a community and herself in the process.
- GenresMystery
Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I saw Buried Embers by Alex Sigmore available on NetGalley, I hit the request button so fast I may have left scorch marks. I've read several of Sigmore's books and thoroughly enjoyed them, so my expectations were high. Apparently, I needn't have worried. I found this to be a five-star, I'll-sleep-when-I'm-dead kind of read.
Calla Rowe was once an ATF fire investigator, until a fire killed her partner and mentor and changed everything. Haunted by his death and convinced she needs to get away from the life she once knew, Calla retreats to a remote cabin near the small town of Pinecrest, Oregon. Then a wildfire breaks out nearby, and Calla's expertise tells her something isn't right. Before long, she's back doing what she does best: investigating fire. And that leads to questioning everything she thought she knew about the blaze that killed her partner.
One of my favorite things about this book was the fire investigation itself. I read a lot of crime thrillers, and let's face it, I encounter plenty of serial killers with ropes, knives, guns, and assorted personality disorders. Wildfire and arson investigation gave this one a completely different feel. The details about fire behavior and determining how and why a fire started were fascinating without overwhelming the story. Calla's respect for the environment was another aspect of her character I particularly appreciated.
I wasn't completely sold on Calla at first. She spends a little too much time in the beginning reminding herself (and me) that she's been running away from her problems. At some point I wanted to tell her to get a therapist, and if she already had one, get another. Problems don't generally solve themselves through prolonged wallowing.
Fortunately, Calla eventually comes to much the same conclusion, and that's when she really grew on me. Once there was work to be done, I saw exactly why she had been so good at her job. She's smart and highly skilled, respects the law, knows fire, and has a stubborn streak that serves her very well when things get dangerous.
I also really liked Beks from the FBI. She provides both friendship and professional support, including access to resources Calla no longer has after leaving the ATF. Their relationship worked particularly well for me because Beks doesn't swoop in and solve everything. Calla still has to do the work; Beks simply gives her a connection to the professional world Calla left behind.
And that plot ... Sigmore got me. I didn't figure it out. Even better, the mystery becomes bigger as the story progresses, and while I got enough answers to feel satisfied, I was left with the distinct impression that there is much more to Calla's story. If Sigmore decides to go through that door, I'll be the first in line with my book money.
Buried Embers should appeal to readers who enjoy fast-paced crime thrillers, strong female investigators, law-enforcement stories, outdoor settings, and mysteries involving specialized investigative work. The wildfire and arson angle makes it stand out in a very crowded thriller field.
Content warnings include murder, death by fire/burning, arson, wildfire danger, grief and trauma, and peril.
Five stars. Alex Sigmore cost me sleep again. Apparently, I'm okay with that.
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of Buried Embers in exchange for my honest review.
Calla Rowe was once an ATF fire investigator, until a fire killed her partner and mentor and changed everything. Haunted by his death and convinced she needs to get away from the life she once knew, Calla retreats to a remote cabin near the small town of Pinecrest, Oregon. Then a wildfire breaks out nearby, and Calla's expertise tells her something isn't right. Before long, she's back doing what she does best: investigating fire. And that leads to questioning everything she thought she knew about the blaze that killed her partner.
One of my favorite things about this book was the fire investigation itself. I read a lot of crime thrillers, and let's face it, I encounter plenty of serial killers with ropes, knives, guns, and assorted personality disorders. Wildfire and arson investigation gave this one a completely different feel. The details about fire behavior and determining how and why a fire started were fascinating without overwhelming the story. Calla's respect for the environment was another aspect of her character I particularly appreciated.
I wasn't completely sold on Calla at first. She spends a little too much time in the beginning reminding herself (and me) that she's been running away from her problems. At some point I wanted to tell her to get a therapist, and if she already had one, get another. Problems don't generally solve themselves through prolonged wallowing.
Fortunately, Calla eventually comes to much the same conclusion, and that's when she really grew on me. Once there was work to be done, I saw exactly why she had been so good at her job. She's smart and highly skilled, respects the law, knows fire, and has a stubborn streak that serves her very well when things get dangerous.
I also really liked Beks from the FBI. She provides both friendship and professional support, including access to resources Calla no longer has after leaving the ATF. Their relationship worked particularly well for me because Beks doesn't swoop in and solve everything. Calla still has to do the work; Beks simply gives her a connection to the professional world Calla left behind.
And that plot ... Sigmore got me. I didn't figure it out. Even better, the mystery becomes bigger as the story progresses, and while I got enough answers to feel satisfied, I was left with the distinct impression that there is much more to Calla's story. If Sigmore decides to go through that door, I'll be the first in line with my book money.
Buried Embers should appeal to readers who enjoy fast-paced crime thrillers, strong female investigators, law-enforcement stories, outdoor settings, and mysteries involving specialized investigative work. The wildfire and arson angle makes it stand out in a very crowded thriller field.
Content warnings include murder, death by fire/burning, arson, wildfire danger, grief and trauma, and peril.
Five stars. Alex Sigmore cost me sleep again. Apparently, I'm okay with that.
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of Buried Embers in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Former ATF agent (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) Calla Rowe, is hiding out in the Oregon town of Pinecrest, having been traumatized by the loss of her partner in a Portland fire. She's become paranoid about fire and hopes to never again have to go through what happened, and is obsessive about checking smoke alarms in her cabin. Brennan, the local Sheriff, asks her to check out the cause of a recent forest fire. Reluctantly, she agrees and is then drawn into a tangled story of environmental destruction, corruption, conspiracies and murder, and is shocked to discover a link to the fire that killed her partner. As she investigates further, she is conscious of someone sinister watching her every move.
This is a most enjoyable and fast-paced novel. The ending is inconclusive so presumably there will be further adventures for Calla. (Just a warning - this might not be the best summer read if you live in a high fire risk area!)
This is a most enjoyable and fast-paced novel. The ending is inconclusive so presumably there will be further adventures for Calla. (Just a warning - this might not be the best summer read if you live in a high fire risk area!)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews