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Pyro
In his pulse-pounding thrillers, Earl Emerson takes readers into the heart of the world’s most dangerous profession, where the next alarm might bring sudden death. Based on stunning, actual events in the author’s life, this electrifying new novel is a frightening duel between a Seattle firefighter and a man who wants to burn him down. . . .
To a firefighter, there’s nothing worse than a nuisance arsonist. His multiple fires keep a station up at night, running in circles, and more vulnerable at the next “real” call. And in Seattle, Lt. Paul Wollf of the Station Six’s ladder truck hates a pyro more than most. Two decades before, an arsonist’s fire killed Wolff’s firefighter father, sending his mother into a spiral of depression and triggering a chain of events that left his brother in jail for murder and Wollf alone, seething in anger and isolation.
Already disciplined for punching out a superior officer, Wollf is now taking a young female firefighter under his wing. Despite the stationhouse leers and jokes, Wollf is only doing what comes naturally, helping out an underdog and bucking the system. But soon he and Cindy Rideout find themselves in a fierce political battle inside the department, just as a pyro starts to turn Seattle into his private little hell.
With fires springing up across the city, Wollf begins to see a pattern. The fires being set are coming closer and closer to Station Six. And when a crucial piece of evidence turns up, Wollf suspects the this pyro has turned him into a fiery target.
In Paul Wollf, Earl Emerson has created a hero on the brink. For when the pyro’s rampage puts Wollf in the public limelight, Wollf must choose between his burning rage and the chance to step back–for once–and see a shocking truth hidden beyond the heat.
From the Hardcover edition.
To a firefighter, there’s nothing worse than a nuisance arsonist. His multiple fires keep a station up at night, running in circles, and more vulnerable at the next “real” call. And in Seattle, Lt. Paul Wollf of the Station Six’s ladder truck hates a pyro more than most. Two decades before, an arsonist’s fire killed Wolff’s firefighter father, sending his mother into a spiral of depression and triggering a chain of events that left his brother in jail for murder and Wollf alone, seething in anger and isolation.
Already disciplined for punching out a superior officer, Wollf is now taking a young female firefighter under his wing. Despite the stationhouse leers and jokes, Wollf is only doing what comes naturally, helping out an underdog and bucking the system. But soon he and Cindy Rideout find themselves in a fierce political battle inside the department, just as a pyro starts to turn Seattle into his private little hell.
With fires springing up across the city, Wollf begins to see a pattern. The fires being set are coming closer and closer to Station Six. And when a crucial piece of evidence turns up, Wollf suspects the this pyro has turned him into a fiery target.
In Paul Wollf, Earl Emerson has created a hero on the brink. For when the pyro’s rampage puts Wollf in the public limelight, Wollf must choose between his burning rage and the chance to step back–for once–and see a shocking truth hidden beyond the heat.
From the Hardcover edition.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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About the author
Earl Emerson
33 books92 followersEarl Emerson is a lieutenant in the Seattle Fire Department. He is the Shamus Award-winning author of Vertical Burn, as well as the Thomas Black detective series. He lives in North Bend, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 26, 2021
Another of firefighter Earl Emerson's masterful looks at the world of professional firefighting. In this one, Lt. Wollf is head of a Ladder crew in central Seattle when the area is plagued by a large number or arsonist-caused fires. It soon becomes apparent that Wollf is the target of these fires as they get more and more personal. His firefighter father was killed in an arson-caused fire, and his life has been deviled by that event and many ensuing events in the next 20+ years. He has gained enemies in the SFD, but he has made every effort to be fair in his dealings with others he works with. Unfortunately he has a nearly uncontrollable rage that builds quickly an goes off suddenly, torpedoing his efforts to improve himself and his relationships. The suspense builds along with the frequency and intensity of the fires. Emerson's intimate knowledge of how firefighters operate comes through clearly, making this an exciting and even educational book to read.
September 4, 2019
Older book (found it in a book of books I've yet to read). Fast paced Fire Department action. The title says it all ... will they catch the Pyro? Has he struck years earlier? How many people have his fires killed? Will Wolff get his life under control before he crosses the line and does something he'll regret?
All questions to keep in mind as you read this difficult to put down book.
All questions to keep in mind as you read this difficult to put down book.
May 30, 2020
Best of the Emerson books I’ve read.
November 26, 2013
Regular readers will (maybe) remember that I love this guy. Haven't read a book of his that I haven't liked at least. I even have some signed editions (which has nothing to do with the fact that he's a nice-looking guy in turnout gear. Really. No, REALLY).
But. I couldn't finish this book. It's not one of his series characters, but about a firefighter whose dad died in an arson fire about 20 years before. He is just the age of his father when he died, and there is a sudden spate of arson fires very similar to those occurring at the time of Dad's death. It's a sad book, full of mean-spirited or deranged people. I got to the point where the 'hero' chases down the person he thinks might be responsible for the fires and pinning her to the wall with a pike. Had to stop.
Too much of a downer. I think I may have to stick to nonfiction and lightweight fiction for a couple of months. Sigh...
Must say, however, that I don't think this is the author's fault--I think it's purely my problem.
But. I couldn't finish this book. It's not one of his series characters, but about a firefighter whose dad died in an arson fire about 20 years before. He is just the age of his father when he died, and there is a sudden spate of arson fires very similar to those occurring at the time of Dad's death. It's a sad book, full of mean-spirited or deranged people. I got to the point where the 'hero' chases down the person he thinks might be responsible for the fires and pinning her to the wall with a pike. Had to stop.
Too much of a downer. I think I may have to stick to nonfiction and lightweight fiction for a couple of months. Sigh...
Must say, however, that I don't think this is the author's fault--I think it's purely my problem.
July 31, 2017
Earl Emerson is a fire fighter who makes his home in North Bend, Washington, an exurb of Seattle halfway up the Cascade mountainside. Thus, he can write thrillers involving fires and fire fighting, and know what he's talking about.
I believe this was his debut novel in a new series, having abandoned a different, more whimsical storyline and going for a heart-pumping, brain-bending adrenaline rush in its place. He has succeeded.
I won't give you any spoilers here. Just know that this is a gripping page-turner that will grab you by the front of your shirt and not let go till it's done with you. Don't be surprised if you find yourself checking your smoke detectors when you're done.
I believe this was his debut novel in a new series, having abandoned a different, more whimsical storyline and going for a heart-pumping, brain-bending adrenaline rush in its place. He has succeeded.
I won't give you any spoilers here. Just know that this is a gripping page-turner that will grab you by the front of your shirt and not let go till it's done with you. Don't be surprised if you find yourself checking your smoke detectors when you're done.
October 23, 2014
Fast pace, action ride in the firefighting world. I loved how short the chapters were and how to the point it all was, no long pointless descriptions or long drawn out prose. I know more than enough about firefighters and I'm glad that the book went in depth in how those heroes put their lives on the line every day for us citizens. This read like an action movie and it was good. It had heart. I felt for Paul Wolff and I really wanted everything to turn out right for him and yet, even though his life was not perfect at the end, he was in a better place in his mind. Good book.
April 17, 2011
Great book. As a volunteer firefighter, it was nice to read something where the technical parts of firefighting were mostly correct, but not overly so. It kept it interesting to me, while not so technical to make it too complicated for the person whose only experience with fire fighting are movies like Backdraft and Ladder 49.
December 9, 2012
Vintage Emerson -- which means it's very good! The action is good; the characters are good; the dialogue is good... The firehouse action is, of course, entirely in his wheelhouse, but he's SO good with bringing it all alive and making us care. This is my eleventh Emerson read (I own six), and I absolutely WILL buy everything else he offers!
December 2, 2007
This book was OK - took place in Seattle always fun reading - I liked how he used different narrators. I'm not sure if I want to read his other books - they all seem to be the same.
May 29, 2011
Well written. Held my interest. Good read.
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July 29, 2011Interesting story if you can keep track of all the characters.
May 28, 2015
not very suspenseful
June 30, 2016
Slow beginning but the characters were really complex and I liked the realness of it all. Great plot as well. Now I'm going to go start a fire lol.
April 29, 2017
Better than imagined it would be. Cross between a whodunit and an action story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews