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Jessie Flynn #1
Fire Damage
Fire Damage
384 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2017
91 people are currently reading
1258 people want to read
About the author
Kate Medina
10 books87 followersWhile studying for a degree in Psychology, Kate Medina joined the Territorial Army where she spent five years, first as an officer trainee and then as a Troop Commander in the Royal Engineers.
She has an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University and now writes full time. Her debut novel, White Crocodile (published under the name K.T. Medina), a thriller set in the minefields of Cambodia, received widespread critical acclaim.
She has an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University and now writes full time. Her debut novel, White Crocodile (published under the name K.T. Medina), a thriller set in the minefields of Cambodia, received widespread critical acclaim.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
March 12, 2017
I adored the debut White Crocodile set in Cambodia by this author and I feel exactly the same about this novel after reading it. This is a dark, disturbing, intelligent and multilayered novel which explores the nature of psychological harm given nearly all the characters are damaged, including Dr Jessie Flynn, our military psychologist with her pathological OCD issues. Jessie finds herself treating the severely traumatised 4 year old Sami, the child of Major Nick Scott and his wife, Noorie. Nick was part of the Intelligence Corps in Afghanistan, and in an ambush, was severely burnt. Noorie is an art student busily preparing for an exhibition. Neither are in a position to support or help their son.
Ex-patient of Jessie's, Captain Ben Callan, part of the Military Police Special Investigations Branch, has a bullet in his head which it is deemed unsafe to remove. He brings in Jessie at an interview of Sergeant Colin Starkey, who is suspected of killing a fellow member of the Intelligence Corps, Andrew Jackson, in Afghanistan, but the circumstances are not clear cut. Starkey is refusing to talk and given his background, he is not a man that can be broken down through interrogations. DI Bobby 'Marilyn' Simmons investigates a murder where the victim's torso is recovered on a Sussex beach. Jessie tries to get to the bottom of Sami's trauma, why does he think he is a girl? Who is the Shadowman? His parents are less than helpful and Jessie is convinced there is more to the situation than his father's burning. With further murders, Jessie and Callan find themselves in dangerous and toxic waters as connections between what happened to Sami, the riddle of Andrew Jackson's death, the torso, and what happened to Nick, become transparent.
This is a brilliantly twisted story of the murky nature of dysfunctional families with a compelling storyline that never fails to grip. It deals with some pertinent mental health issues facing the army such as PTSD. The psychological study of Sami feels so hearbreakingly real and captured my interest immediately. The complex and tragic subject matters have been well researched and it shows in the novel. The flawed and damaged character of Jessie fits right in with her patients! She is smart and tenacious and her relationship with Ben Callan is intriguing. I really liked that the story was set within a military background. I cannot wait to read the next in the series. Highly recommended. Thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
Ex-patient of Jessie's, Captain Ben Callan, part of the Military Police Special Investigations Branch, has a bullet in his head which it is deemed unsafe to remove. He brings in Jessie at an interview of Sergeant Colin Starkey, who is suspected of killing a fellow member of the Intelligence Corps, Andrew Jackson, in Afghanistan, but the circumstances are not clear cut. Starkey is refusing to talk and given his background, he is not a man that can be broken down through interrogations. DI Bobby 'Marilyn' Simmons investigates a murder where the victim's torso is recovered on a Sussex beach. Jessie tries to get to the bottom of Sami's trauma, why does he think he is a girl? Who is the Shadowman? His parents are less than helpful and Jessie is convinced there is more to the situation than his father's burning. With further murders, Jessie and Callan find themselves in dangerous and toxic waters as connections between what happened to Sami, the riddle of Andrew Jackson's death, the torso, and what happened to Nick, become transparent.
This is a brilliantly twisted story of the murky nature of dysfunctional families with a compelling storyline that never fails to grip. It deals with some pertinent mental health issues facing the army such as PTSD. The psychological study of Sami feels so hearbreakingly real and captured my interest immediately. The complex and tragic subject matters have been well researched and it shows in the novel. The flawed and damaged character of Jessie fits right in with her patients! She is smart and tenacious and her relationship with Ben Callan is intriguing. I really liked that the story was set within a military background. I cannot wait to read the next in the series. Highly recommended. Thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
March 24, 2017
4.5☆
Fire Damage is a dark thriller with a psychological feel to it based around the army and the traumas that come as a result of this.
We meet Sami a little 4 year old boy who is deeply troubled and traumatised.
Jessie is Sami's psychologist and when they very first meet, Sami attacks Jessie.
It's clear from early on that he has a lot of deep rooted emotional problems and it's not going to be easy for Jessie.
Jessie believes Sami is suffering from PTSD .
Sami is the son of an army Major and he has he's own issues when he becomes injured and disfigured as a result of the army.
We meet a former patient of Jessies, Captain Ben Callan who is now back at work and in need of her help. He is working on a new case and needs Jessie professional help.
She is reluctant to help but gradually after hearing the case she gives in. Something isn't right and the facts don't seem to be adding up.
Early on you can see traits of emotional scaring within Jessie and we soon discover she suffers from OCD as a result of the death of her brother.
Jessie is battling her own demons as well as trying so desperately to help Sami.
There are twists and not everything is as it seems.
When a body is washed up on the beach things start to unravel as they investigate further it seems that there might just be a link. But who is trying to cover up, and at what expense.
I feel there are a lot of very sensitive subjects raised within the story such as PTSD and OCD and it shows Kate has researched them well. As each subject is treated with respect and sensitivity.
There was definitely a dark and sinister feel but I couldn't help wanting to read more. I wanted to find out the truth as I really didn't expect what was to be uncovered.
There is also some very strong emotional moments, that is raw at some points.
Overall a good read. Definitely recommend if you like psychological thrillers with deep rooted emotion.
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
Fire Damage is a dark thriller with a psychological feel to it based around the army and the traumas that come as a result of this.
We meet Sami a little 4 year old boy who is deeply troubled and traumatised.
Jessie is Sami's psychologist and when they very first meet, Sami attacks Jessie.
It's clear from early on that he has a lot of deep rooted emotional problems and it's not going to be easy for Jessie.
Jessie believes Sami is suffering from PTSD .
Sami is the son of an army Major and he has he's own issues when he becomes injured and disfigured as a result of the army.
We meet a former patient of Jessies, Captain Ben Callan who is now back at work and in need of her help. He is working on a new case and needs Jessie professional help.
She is reluctant to help but gradually after hearing the case she gives in. Something isn't right and the facts don't seem to be adding up.
Early on you can see traits of emotional scaring within Jessie and we soon discover she suffers from OCD as a result of the death of her brother.
Jessie is battling her own demons as well as trying so desperately to help Sami.
There are twists and not everything is as it seems.
When a body is washed up on the beach things start to unravel as they investigate further it seems that there might just be a link. But who is trying to cover up, and at what expense.
I feel there are a lot of very sensitive subjects raised within the story such as PTSD and OCD and it shows Kate has researched them well. As each subject is treated with respect and sensitivity.
There was definitely a dark and sinister feel but I couldn't help wanting to read more. I wanted to find out the truth as I really didn't expect what was to be uncovered.
There is also some very strong emotional moments, that is raw at some points.
Overall a good read. Definitely recommend if you like psychological thrillers with deep rooted emotion.
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
December 21, 2018
A highly gripping psychological thriller, this is the first in the Dr Jessie Flynn series.
Flynn must unlock Four-year-old Sami’s terrifying memories, the youngster keeps making reference to a Shadowman.
Could it be the boys father who has a facial disfiguration having been badly burnt whilst serving in Afghanistan.
As Jessie’s former patient, Captain Ben Callan is investigating the suspicious death of an officer in Afghanistan.
Along with another body washes up on the Sussex coast, Jessie and Ben soon realise that there’s a connection.
The story moves along relatively quickly, I liked how the two strands fitted together.
The character Jessie was well written and likeable.
The Sussex setting was a pleasant addition. I’m not as familiar with the Western part of the county that features, but it certainly added another layer of enjoyment for me.
I’d quite happily read the next one in the series.
Flynn must unlock Four-year-old Sami’s terrifying memories, the youngster keeps making reference to a Shadowman.
Could it be the boys father who has a facial disfiguration having been badly burnt whilst serving in Afghanistan.
As Jessie’s former patient, Captain Ben Callan is investigating the suspicious death of an officer in Afghanistan.
Along with another body washes up on the Sussex coast, Jessie and Ben soon realise that there’s a connection.
The story moves along relatively quickly, I liked how the two strands fitted together.
The character Jessie was well written and likeable.
The Sussex setting was a pleasant addition. I’m not as familiar with the Western part of the county that features, but it certainly added another layer of enjoyment for me.
I’d quite happily read the next one in the series.
July 17, 2017
Fire Damage is a book I’d very much expected to like. The principal investigator is a young military psychologist with her own personal supply of demons - the first sufferer from OCD who wasn’t a total bore I’ve encountered. Some settings were enormously nostalgic: Emsworth, Thorney Island, Chichester Harbour, reviving memories of sailing from Itchenor more than fifty years ago. And lots of army characters in Aldershot bringing back from Afghanistan horrible physical and psychological wounds. The plot: how are a 4 y/o boy’s case of PTSD, the death of a housekeeper just inside the perimeters of an army base, a hideously scarred officer victim of a fire-bombing in Afghanistan, a sergeant who may have been murdered by another sergeant out there, and a body washed up on the shore of Chichester Harbour, all related. Kate Medina presents us with my favourite moral dilemma: what should you do when you find that a murder victim very much needed killing? But for me, these excellent ingredients were badly combined, overcooked - literally flambéd then drenched in an unnecessary thriller ending. All this with a principal villain who never gets out of the backstory. In the end I found none of the characters either believable or sympathetic, and whilst it appears Jessie Flynn is intended for further adventures, I’ll not be along, having already wasted so many hours on a read-once-and-throw-away thriller that could have been so much more with sensitive and intelligent presentation of the moral and spiritual issues resulting from war and violence in a horrid place. Strangely, I’d been reading Simone Weil simultaneously, which made me conscious of so many issues Fire Damage flirted with but never explored.
March 18, 2017
What on the face of it looks like a standard crime novel, albeit set within the confines of the armed forces, proves to be much more a character driven study where all the main participants are in some way tainted by past events.
Psychologist Dr Jessie Flynn is trying to understand and break down the traumatic and delicate mind of 4 year old Sami. The child appears to be suffering a form of PTSD and Jessie becomes suspicious that perhaps his parents Scott (badly injured and disfigured during a tour of Afghanistan) and Nooria know more than they are prepared to divulge. At the same time Jessie's friend and former patient Captain Ben Callan is investigating the premature death of Sergeant Andy Jackson in the stifling desert heat of an Afghanistan autumn. Callan must also live each day with the consequences of war, he carries a bullet lodged in his brain too risky to surgically remove causing him to suffer frequent epileptic type fits. Meanwhile Inspector Bobby "Marilyn" Simmons (what a wonderful name to be associated with a rock legend!) has encountered his own difficulties, a badly decomposed body on the shore killed by severe blunt trauma to the back of the head
Sound complicated? It's not....The story and momentum gather pace until in the last few chapters all is revealed. I read at blistering speed but found it difficult to keep abreast of events and I urged on Jessie Flynn in her quest to help restore a sad and damaged Sami. What makes this a great read is the depth to which the author shows the emotional fallout present in all. Flynn is haunted by an event in her childhood in which she blames herself and has never recovered. This manifests itself in recurrent OCD....."straightening the sleeves. Taking a step back she checked their alignment, straightened again, millimetre by millimetre, until they were exactly level...." Ben Callan has a bullet embedded in his brain and cannot be removed due to fear of death...."Frontal lobe seizure is the official diagnosis . He tapped the scar on his temple. Caused by the bullet that the army surgeons decided was too risky to remove." Major Nicholas Scott, Intelligence Corps, badly burnt in Afghanistan three months previously....."the left side of his face was so badly burnt that the skin had melted, slid away from the bones underneath, leaving threads of brown, tortured tissue. Batman's Joker dropped into a vat of acid..."
This is not a story that is inundated with army rank and slang but rather a crime thriller where the main participant happens to be an army psychologist. It is the first in the start of a new series featuring Jessie Flynn and I look forward to reading the second when released later this year. Many thanks to the good people at netgalley for sending me a gratis copy of this superb story in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.
Psychologist Dr Jessie Flynn is trying to understand and break down the traumatic and delicate mind of 4 year old Sami. The child appears to be suffering a form of PTSD and Jessie becomes suspicious that perhaps his parents Scott (badly injured and disfigured during a tour of Afghanistan) and Nooria know more than they are prepared to divulge. At the same time Jessie's friend and former patient Captain Ben Callan is investigating the premature death of Sergeant Andy Jackson in the stifling desert heat of an Afghanistan autumn. Callan must also live each day with the consequences of war, he carries a bullet lodged in his brain too risky to surgically remove causing him to suffer frequent epileptic type fits. Meanwhile Inspector Bobby "Marilyn" Simmons (what a wonderful name to be associated with a rock legend!) has encountered his own difficulties, a badly decomposed body on the shore killed by severe blunt trauma to the back of the head
Sound complicated? It's not....The story and momentum gather pace until in the last few chapters all is revealed. I read at blistering speed but found it difficult to keep abreast of events and I urged on Jessie Flynn in her quest to help restore a sad and damaged Sami. What makes this a great read is the depth to which the author shows the emotional fallout present in all. Flynn is haunted by an event in her childhood in which she blames herself and has never recovered. This manifests itself in recurrent OCD....."straightening the sleeves. Taking a step back she checked their alignment, straightened again, millimetre by millimetre, until they were exactly level...." Ben Callan has a bullet embedded in his brain and cannot be removed due to fear of death...."Frontal lobe seizure is the official diagnosis . He tapped the scar on his temple. Caused by the bullet that the army surgeons decided was too risky to remove." Major Nicholas Scott, Intelligence Corps, badly burnt in Afghanistan three months previously....."the left side of his face was so badly burnt that the skin had melted, slid away from the bones underneath, leaving threads of brown, tortured tissue. Batman's Joker dropped into a vat of acid..."
This is not a story that is inundated with army rank and slang but rather a crime thriller where the main participant happens to be an army psychologist. It is the first in the start of a new series featuring Jessie Flynn and I look forward to reading the second when released later this year. Many thanks to the good people at netgalley for sending me a gratis copy of this superb story in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.
March 11, 2017
Thoroughly excellent first in a series here from Kate Medina (Who's "White Crocodile" I adored) so yet another one to add to the must read list which is getting stupidly long but I'm not giving any of them up!
I'm all for intriguing characters and Jessie Flynn is just that - intriguing. Attempting to help an obviously damaged child she gets drawn into a dark family history with very emotive undertones and as a person who has suffered a loss often finds it hard to come to terms with her own demons. I was drawn into her world very quickly, the plotting here is taut and immediately absorbing, I read it start to finish in two sittings and was in it all the way.
The mystery elements well imagined, with dark twists a plenty and a hugely gripping ending that will have you holding your breath that is just the way I like it. The wider cast are equally fascinating and the character interactions were highly charged and beautifully done, some intense themes explored here, overall a truly great read.
Recommended.
I'm all for intriguing characters and Jessie Flynn is just that - intriguing. Attempting to help an obviously damaged child she gets drawn into a dark family history with very emotive undertones and as a person who has suffered a loss often finds it hard to come to terms with her own demons. I was drawn into her world very quickly, the plotting here is taut and immediately absorbing, I read it start to finish in two sittings and was in it all the way.
The mystery elements well imagined, with dark twists a plenty and a hugely gripping ending that will have you holding your breath that is just the way I like it. The wider cast are equally fascinating and the character interactions were highly charged and beautifully done, some intense themes explored here, overall a truly great read.
Recommended.
March 6, 2018
I began this book last April, got 20% in and lost my way. So I set it aside. A fresh novel and a new author for me, too good to abandon but not ready quite, to embrace the subject matter.
When I heard book 3 in this series was due out I thought it was time I caught up and not let Dr Flynn get away from me.
Jessie Flynn is a psychologist attached to the Army. She is well versed in her subject and although just 29 years of age has visited Afghanistan twice and treated many soldiers struggling with combat stress.
When a serving army Major, badly injured himself, refers his Son, Sami just four with deep traumatic symptoms akin to PTSD Jessie has a fresh challenge.
The boy is mentally scarred, hanging on to a torch he shines to stay safe, scared of The Shadowman and fearful of being burnt.
There are side plots involving the local police and a military investigation into colleagues of Major Scott that brings Jessie into contact with one of her former patients Captain Ben Callan.
Kate Medina, weaves all these threads together to make one engaging and tense thriller. Despite army and civilian detectives crossing her path it is through her determination to help and save Sami that the case unravels and the mystery becomes clear.
Not before a few shocking surprises leading to a wonderful climax leading back to perhaps where the nightmare began.
A stunning introductory book in this new series, with a credible story, army focused but balanced by a parallel civilian angle. Being young Jessie isn’t the overconfident brash lead but someone we see prone to errors and often feeling her way. She is also troubled by her own past and at times almost debilitating compulsion for order in her life due to her own OCD.
Beautifully balanced; the initial trouble I had with the grief and suffering of Sami is addressed although not always well as this is an imperfect world. However Flynn’s integrity and persistence not to drop the case carry the reader and leave one hopeful of a good outcome.
Many interesting characters are introduced in meaningful ways so that they appear fully formed and fleshed out. This in itself is a skill and it promises a strong future for this series which is unlike many other novels in this genre and that are series based.
It is clever that a respected psychologist can’t treat her own OCD and funny when the need to ask questions, taught in her training lands her in personal danger.
I liked Dr Jessie Flynn, I loved her dedication to Sami and her desire for the truth. Others too will warm to her character and like me delight in this story.
When I heard book 3 in this series was due out I thought it was time I caught up and not let Dr Flynn get away from me.
Jessie Flynn is a psychologist attached to the Army. She is well versed in her subject and although just 29 years of age has visited Afghanistan twice and treated many soldiers struggling with combat stress.
When a serving army Major, badly injured himself, refers his Son, Sami just four with deep traumatic symptoms akin to PTSD Jessie has a fresh challenge.
The boy is mentally scarred, hanging on to a torch he shines to stay safe, scared of The Shadowman and fearful of being burnt.
There are side plots involving the local police and a military investigation into colleagues of Major Scott that brings Jessie into contact with one of her former patients Captain Ben Callan.
Kate Medina, weaves all these threads together to make one engaging and tense thriller. Despite army and civilian detectives crossing her path it is through her determination to help and save Sami that the case unravels and the mystery becomes clear.
Not before a few shocking surprises leading to a wonderful climax leading back to perhaps where the nightmare began.
A stunning introductory book in this new series, with a credible story, army focused but balanced by a parallel civilian angle. Being young Jessie isn’t the overconfident brash lead but someone we see prone to errors and often feeling her way. She is also troubled by her own past and at times almost debilitating compulsion for order in her life due to her own OCD.
Beautifully balanced; the initial trouble I had with the grief and suffering of Sami is addressed although not always well as this is an imperfect world. However Flynn’s integrity and persistence not to drop the case carry the reader and leave one hopeful of a good outcome.
Many interesting characters are introduced in meaningful ways so that they appear fully formed and fleshed out. This in itself is a skill and it promises a strong future for this series which is unlike many other novels in this genre and that are series based.
It is clever that a respected psychologist can’t treat her own OCD and funny when the need to ask questions, taught in her training lands her in personal danger.
I liked Dr Jessie Flynn, I loved her dedication to Sami and her desire for the truth. Others too will warm to her character and like me delight in this story.
March 26, 2017
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Fire Damage is an interesting, gripping psychological thriller that addresses a slightly different theme and a fresh offering to that which we're used to reading about in this genre.
Jessie Flynn is a psychologist, currently working with the US Army, so she helps counsel members of the forces after they return from action. She is given a case which concerns a young boy who seems to be a little disturbed, and in investigating this, plenty of other - and some rather dark - issues come to the surface, not just with their family but with the wider community.
I liked that this novel had the police procedural elements to it mixed in with the psychology and information about life living with (or without, in some sad cases) army personnel. There are some characters which you feel really sorry for, and it highlights the plight of many veterans who are physically or psychologically damaged, often with PTSD, from their service. I found the subject matter really interesting, though disturbing and emotional at times, and felt like it was a breath of fresh air amongst many 'samey' novels.
Jessie Flynn is a likeable character. She has her own problems, but her vulnerability makes her even more likeable and you're willing her to be okay and not let her demons get the better of her - at least not completely, anyway. I enjoyed reading about both her work and her personal life - there's a good balance between both. I particularly enjoyed reading about her working (and personal) relationship with Callan, especially now he's no longer Jessie's patient and is instead working alongside her.
I haven't read any other novels by author Kate Medina, but would like to now! I think she handles some potentially upsetting and emotional subjects in a skilled and sensitive way, and thought this was a sparkling debut from what promises to be a great new crime/ thriller series. A recommended read!
* Many thanks to 4th Estate and Netgalley for a copy of this novel, on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review. *
Fire Damage is an interesting, gripping psychological thriller that addresses a slightly different theme and a fresh offering to that which we're used to reading about in this genre.
Jessie Flynn is a psychologist, currently working with the US Army, so she helps counsel members of the forces after they return from action. She is given a case which concerns a young boy who seems to be a little disturbed, and in investigating this, plenty of other - and some rather dark - issues come to the surface, not just with their family but with the wider community.
I liked that this novel had the police procedural elements to it mixed in with the psychology and information about life living with (or without, in some sad cases) army personnel. There are some characters which you feel really sorry for, and it highlights the plight of many veterans who are physically or psychologically damaged, often with PTSD, from their service. I found the subject matter really interesting, though disturbing and emotional at times, and felt like it was a breath of fresh air amongst many 'samey' novels.
Jessie Flynn is a likeable character. She has her own problems, but her vulnerability makes her even more likeable and you're willing her to be okay and not let her demons get the better of her - at least not completely, anyway. I enjoyed reading about both her work and her personal life - there's a good balance between both. I particularly enjoyed reading about her working (and personal) relationship with Callan, especially now he's no longer Jessie's patient and is instead working alongside her.
I haven't read any other novels by author Kate Medina, but would like to now! I think she handles some potentially upsetting and emotional subjects in a skilled and sensitive way, and thought this was a sparkling debut from what promises to be a great new crime/ thriller series. A recommended read!
* Many thanks to 4th Estate and Netgalley for a copy of this novel, on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review. *
March 15, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins for a review copy of Fire Damage, the first novel in a new series to feature army psychologist Dr Jessie Flynn.
Major Nicholas Scott asks Jessie to help his 4 year old son, Sami who is withdrawn and terrified of being burned and continually repeats "the shadow man came. The girl knows". His parents suggest it is because his father was badly burned in Afghanistan but Jessie suspects there is more to it and starts digging. Captain Ben Callan of the military police and a former patient asks her to help in a psych evaluation of Sergeant Colin Starkey who is accused of murdering Sergeant Andy Jackson in Afghanistan when they both went out for a run and Jackson ended up shot dead, but again there is more to it. In the meantime DI Bobby "Marilyn" Simmons is investigating a dead body found at the beach.
There is plenty going on in Fire Damage and never a dull moment so I found it to be an addictive read and had to keep reading until everything was resolved. The plot has some unexpected twists, none of which I guessed, so it keeps the reader on their toes as they try to work out what is coming next. With the exception of Jessie's memories the narrative is linear and easy to follow as it is told exclusively from her point of view. I must admit I found the ending a bit of a letdown in comparison with the rest of the novel but this is a minor quibble in an otherwise good read.
I like the writing style. It has a crispness which makes everything immediately obvious and clear.
I'm still meditating on Jessie Flynn's character but I think she will develop into a much more rounded personality in future books. In Fire Damage she is crippled by OCD and memories of her brother's death 15 years previously, very much the clichéd troubled protagonist. She is, however, smart, caring and very likeable.
I thoroughly enjoyed Fire Damage so I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
Major Nicholas Scott asks Jessie to help his 4 year old son, Sami who is withdrawn and terrified of being burned and continually repeats "the shadow man came. The girl knows". His parents suggest it is because his father was badly burned in Afghanistan but Jessie suspects there is more to it and starts digging. Captain Ben Callan of the military police and a former patient asks her to help in a psych evaluation of Sergeant Colin Starkey who is accused of murdering Sergeant Andy Jackson in Afghanistan when they both went out for a run and Jackson ended up shot dead, but again there is more to it. In the meantime DI Bobby "Marilyn" Simmons is investigating a dead body found at the beach.
There is plenty going on in Fire Damage and never a dull moment so I found it to be an addictive read and had to keep reading until everything was resolved. The plot has some unexpected twists, none of which I guessed, so it keeps the reader on their toes as they try to work out what is coming next. With the exception of Jessie's memories the narrative is linear and easy to follow as it is told exclusively from her point of view. I must admit I found the ending a bit of a letdown in comparison with the rest of the novel but this is a minor quibble in an otherwise good read.
I like the writing style. It has a crispness which makes everything immediately obvious and clear.
I'm still meditating on Jessie Flynn's character but I think she will develop into a much more rounded personality in future books. In Fire Damage she is crippled by OCD and memories of her brother's death 15 years previously, very much the clichéd troubled protagonist. She is, however, smart, caring and very likeable.
I thoroughly enjoyed Fire Damage so I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
March 14, 2017
A gripping page-turner set against an army background: while the military policeman, Ben Callan, and police detective, 'Marilyn', are both attractive characters who I would read about again with alacrity, Jessie Flynn is an irritating identikit protagonist: a dark trauma in her past, an unending burden of guilt, a dysfunctional approach to relationships, acute OCD - and yet is a successful professional clinical psychologist - just not believable. I'm also a bit tired of lead characters who have no social/personal lives, obsess completely about their jobs, break all the protocols on investigation and privacy, and corner the killer unaided and with no back-up...
Despite some over-blown plotting at the end, Medina writes with directness and clarity: perfect as a commute or switch-off read.
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley
Despite some over-blown plotting at the end, Medina writes with directness and clarity: perfect as a commute or switch-off read.
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley
May 13, 2018
Dr. Jessie Flynn must assist Sami Scott, who is suffering from some sort of post-traumatic stress situation, with talk about a "Shadowman". She's also called in to assist former patient Ben Callan, recently returned to duty, to question Colin Starkey, suspected in the death of his colleague. There's also the matter of a body washed up on a beach that Det. Bobby "Marilyn" Simmons is investigating. How does all of this tie in together?
Yay, a 4 star story! It didn't get five stars, because there were elements that annoyed me. For example, learning all about a character's history when they're basically just there to discover a dead body. It's not needed. There's also too much description about the routes characters travel down to reach a destination. It's another one of my pet hates. I just don't see how it's pertinent! Too many pages are devoted to this useless information. Also, I get a bit tired of the "tragic backstory" trope. It too often seems like a cheap, easy way to give your characters "depth". You know, there are plenty of happy, well-balanced people out there who are also complex! Having a psychiatrist with OCD and a penchant for meaningless sex was just a bit too silly. Also, character viewpoints would change within the same paragraph. That's a bit sloppy. So was a bit of the research.
With all that grumpy-old-woman (well, I'm not that old, but, you know) complaining out of the way, this was actually really good! I actually felt myself coming to care for Jessie and Ben. After a bit of a slow start (too much needless description), this really kicked into gear. It has a terrific plot, with plenty of surprises, and avoids the tropes of many other British thrillers. You know - vindictive journalists, backstabbing colleagues, lazy red herrings , that sort of thing. By the last third, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! Everything comes together really well!
I very much enjoyed this, despite its faults, and will certainly check out the other books in the series.
Yay, a 4 star story! It didn't get five stars, because there were elements that annoyed me. For example, learning all about a character's history when they're basically just there to discover a dead body. It's not needed. There's also too much description about the routes characters travel down to reach a destination. It's another one of my pet hates. I just don't see how it's pertinent! Too many pages are devoted to this useless information. Also, I get a bit tired of the "tragic backstory" trope. It too often seems like a cheap, easy way to give your characters "depth". You know, there are plenty of happy, well-balanced people out there who are also complex! Having a psychiatrist with OCD and a penchant for meaningless sex was just a bit too silly. Also, character viewpoints would change within the same paragraph. That's a bit sloppy. So was a bit of the research.
With all that grumpy-old-woman (well, I'm not that old, but, you know) complaining out of the way, this was actually really good! I actually felt myself coming to care for Jessie and Ben. After a bit of a slow start (too much needless description), this really kicked into gear. It has a terrific plot, with plenty of surprises, and avoids the tropes of many other British thrillers. You know - vindictive journalists, backstabbing colleagues, lazy red herrings , that sort of thing. By the last third, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! Everything comes together really well!
I very much enjoyed this, despite its faults, and will certainly check out the other books in the series.
February 11, 2016
I enjoyed reading Fire Damage. It is the first in a series of crime novels featuring twenty - nine- year- old psychologist, Dr Jessie Flynn. It is first and foremost a story about families love and hate, kindness and cruelty, and destructive nature of some relationships. The fear and helplessness experienced by child trapped in a dysfunctional family is a very powerful emotion to examine. Sami Scott is a deeply traumatised boy who Dr Jessie Flynn is counselling. Something drove Jessie in to why she needs to understand the whys of human nature. Jessie Flynn's profession not only explores situations from a psychological perspective but she has thoughts and feelings. She is a strong and independent woman.
March 21, 2017
Actual rating: 3.5 Stars
ARC provided by HarperCollins UK, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to both!
This was such a pleasant surprise!
Jessie Flynn is a psychologist treating the troubled four-year-old son of an army Major. Ben Callan is a Captain trying to figure out why a soldier shot a fellow British corporal while on tour in Afghanistan. Bobby 'Marilyn' Simmons is a DI investigating a murder in which the only remains recovered are a burnt torso. As I expected the three stories ended up being related, but the whole picture turned out to be so complex that most of it was completely unexpected for me, not to mention heartbreaking.
Jessie Flynn is very appealing as an MC. As usual the girl is beautiful and resourceful, but she also has issues, and I mean ISSUES. I loved how she wasn't above using not-so-moral means in order to help Sami, and how her dealing with OCD was depicted. The relationship with Callan here is mostly professional and the romance is barely hinted, but the pair definitely have chemistry and it will be interesting to see how this is developed in future books.
I have some minor issues with the book and a big one.
There's a lot of army talk and terminology, which is necessary for the story as both Jessie and Ben are military and working army cases, but this dragged the story a bit for me.
The final scene between Jessie and her mother was too saccharine - their relationship was one of the things that interested me the most, and the way everything was solved felt too rushed and unrealistic in my opinion.
My big issue is the writing. It's not bad, but I wished the author would have kept things simpler. Maybe it's because English is not my first language, but the way most sentences were constructed made me feel like Yoda had written the book, which was confusing at times and diverted the attention from a story that is actually pretty good.
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone loving a good thriller, stories with a heartbreaking touch and characters that are not what they seemed.
ARC provided by HarperCollins UK, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to both!
This was such a pleasant surprise!
Jessie Flynn is a psychologist treating the troubled four-year-old son of an army Major. Ben Callan is a Captain trying to figure out why a soldier shot a fellow British corporal while on tour in Afghanistan. Bobby 'Marilyn' Simmons is a DI investigating a murder in which the only remains recovered are a burnt torso. As I expected the three stories ended up being related, but the whole picture turned out to be so complex that most of it was completely unexpected for me, not to mention heartbreaking.
Jessie Flynn is very appealing as an MC. As usual the girl is beautiful and resourceful, but she also has issues, and I mean ISSUES. I loved how she wasn't above using not-so-moral means in order to help Sami, and how her dealing with OCD was depicted. The relationship with Callan here is mostly professional and the romance is barely hinted, but the pair definitely have chemistry and it will be interesting to see how this is developed in future books.
I have some minor issues with the book and a big one.
There's a lot of army talk and terminology, which is necessary for the story as both Jessie and Ben are military and working army cases, but this dragged the story a bit for me.
The final scene between Jessie and her mother was too saccharine - their relationship was one of the things that interested me the most, and the way everything was solved felt too rushed and unrealistic in my opinion.
My big issue is the writing. It's not bad, but I wished the author would have kept things simpler. Maybe it's because English is not my first language, but the way most sentences were constructed made me feel like Yoda had written the book, which was confusing at times and diverted the attention from a story that is actually pretty good.
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone loving a good thriller, stories with a heartbreaking touch and characters that are not what they seemed.
April 3, 2016
Having been swept away by Medina’s debut thriller White Crocodile set in Cambodia, I was extremely interested to see how a change of publisher and nom de plume, along with a new setting would work for Medina. I’m very happy to report that this author appears to be going from strength to strength…
In a similar style to Matthew Frank’s debut If I Should Die and tapping in perfectly to my love of fiction depicting the experience of war, Medina tackles some weighty psychological issues in tandem with producing a genuinely emotive and compelling thriller. Drawing on her psychology degree, Medina said recently in an interview that she wanted to not only address the overpowering love or destructive nature of familial relationships and the emotional fallout of military service, but also to create a female protagonist to represent strong, clever and independent women. Through her characterisation of her central female character Jessie Flynn, four year old Sami, and her portrayal of three victims of their war experience, Sami’s father Major Nicholas Scott, Captain Ben Callan and Sergeant Colin Starkey, Medina achieves this admirably. Jessie Flynn is a multi-faceted character being a compassionate and headstrong psychologist, with a background in the military, but also struggling with her own behavioural disorder in the form of OCD. I liked the way that she so seamlessly moulds her approach and interactions with those around her, driven on by a tenacity of spirit, and total dedication to her chosen profession, striving to unlock and treat the severe mental stress that affects Sami, and his family, along with being sensitive to the simmering tensions present in the character of Callan as she aids his investigation into a violent episode that has taken place amongst service personnel in Afghanistan.
The physical and mental stress exhibited by both Scott and Callan as a result of their military service is handled sensitively and honestly, and Callan in particular is a hugely empathetic character within the book. The sudden fluctuations of his mood and behaviour is beautifully handled as he struggles to keep a lid on the more destructive elements of his psyche, as without the Army he would be left bereft floundering with his personal demons. The repartee, and interesting relationship he has fostered with Flynn gives a further emotional weight to the overall plot, and I was heartened to see Medina avoiding some more obvious directions that their personal relationship could take.
Aside from the emotional gravitas of this book as we gain an insight into the troubled facets of Sami and particularly with his mother, Nooria, whose personal story is heartbreaking, the plot is incredibly well drawn, with a brutal honesty as to the dark chasm of secrets and lies that people conceal and seek to escape. The ending of the book is unexpected, and will make your heart race a little faster, and is entirely unpredictable but totally believable. The plot is punctuated throughout by real heart in the mouth moments, that interrupts but never detracts from the array of human emotion that Medina has structured the book upon. I also enjoyed the very real and vital portrayal of the experience in the theatre of war that so impacts on her characters, without resorting to timeworn clichés that some fiction with this story arc tends to produce.
It really is an ‘all things to all people’ kind of thriller, where the narrative, plot incidents, and skilful characterisation work together perfectly, and I was held riveted throughout. Highly recommended.
In a similar style to Matthew Frank’s debut If I Should Die and tapping in perfectly to my love of fiction depicting the experience of war, Medina tackles some weighty psychological issues in tandem with producing a genuinely emotive and compelling thriller. Drawing on her psychology degree, Medina said recently in an interview that she wanted to not only address the overpowering love or destructive nature of familial relationships and the emotional fallout of military service, but also to create a female protagonist to represent strong, clever and independent women. Through her characterisation of her central female character Jessie Flynn, four year old Sami, and her portrayal of three victims of their war experience, Sami’s father Major Nicholas Scott, Captain Ben Callan and Sergeant Colin Starkey, Medina achieves this admirably. Jessie Flynn is a multi-faceted character being a compassionate and headstrong psychologist, with a background in the military, but also struggling with her own behavioural disorder in the form of OCD. I liked the way that she so seamlessly moulds her approach and interactions with those around her, driven on by a tenacity of spirit, and total dedication to her chosen profession, striving to unlock and treat the severe mental stress that affects Sami, and his family, along with being sensitive to the simmering tensions present in the character of Callan as she aids his investigation into a violent episode that has taken place amongst service personnel in Afghanistan.
The physical and mental stress exhibited by both Scott and Callan as a result of their military service is handled sensitively and honestly, and Callan in particular is a hugely empathetic character within the book. The sudden fluctuations of his mood and behaviour is beautifully handled as he struggles to keep a lid on the more destructive elements of his psyche, as without the Army he would be left bereft floundering with his personal demons. The repartee, and interesting relationship he has fostered with Flynn gives a further emotional weight to the overall plot, and I was heartened to see Medina avoiding some more obvious directions that their personal relationship could take.
Aside from the emotional gravitas of this book as we gain an insight into the troubled facets of Sami and particularly with his mother, Nooria, whose personal story is heartbreaking, the plot is incredibly well drawn, with a brutal honesty as to the dark chasm of secrets and lies that people conceal and seek to escape. The ending of the book is unexpected, and will make your heart race a little faster, and is entirely unpredictable but totally believable. The plot is punctuated throughout by real heart in the mouth moments, that interrupts but never detracts from the array of human emotion that Medina has structured the book upon. I also enjoyed the very real and vital portrayal of the experience in the theatre of war that so impacts on her characters, without resorting to timeworn clichés that some fiction with this story arc tends to produce.
It really is an ‘all things to all people’ kind of thriller, where the narrative, plot incidents, and skilful characterisation work together perfectly, and I was held riveted throughout. Highly recommended.
June 17, 2016
Time taken to read - 1 day
pages - 376
Publisher - HarperCollins UK
Blurb from Goodreads
When psychologist Dr Jessie Flynn starts counselling Sami, the four-year-old son of an injured Major, she begins to suspect that his trauma runs deeper than his family have led her to believe. Why does he refer to himself as “the girl”? And who is the “Shadowman” who instils such terror in her patient?
Meanwhile, Flynn’s former patient, Captain Ben Callan, is investigating the controversial death of an officer in Afghanistan. Shot only days before he was due to arrive home, there is only one suspect – a fellow soldier who is refusing to talk.
Flynn and Callan’s cases converge when a dead body is found washed up on a Sussex beach, revealing a connection between Sami and the dead soldier. And it soon becomes clear that what seemed to have its origins in Afghanistan began with a secret much closer to home.
My Review
Enter Dr Jessie Flynn, psychologist and currently treating wee Sami, a child of a soldier in the Intelligence Corps the child is suffering from some sort of stress disorder. His father was badly burned on the job & Sami keeps referring to The Shadow man and the girl. Jessie has to peel through the layers of defense Sami has built up to get to the root of his trauma. But with all families, some secrets are meant to remain secret and some people will stop at nothing to ensure it does.
Jessie is a complex character herself, she has her own demons and issuess to cope with whilst trying to aid others. As well as Sami she has Captain Ben Callan, the only other patient she treated since joining the Defense Psychology Service, Ben never quite recovered and is now back at Jessie looking for help. Along with her cases, we see Jessie trying to cope with her own demons and coping mechanisms to get through the days. As she delves deeper into Sami's case she stirs up things that would be best left untouched and inadvertently puts herself in danger.
As an opening to hopefully a new series, Jessie's character is one you want to know more about as I felt I was left with so many unanswered questions about Jessie's background. I would love to hear more about Captain Callan and what drove Jessie to be the person she is now, 3/5 for me this time, I would read this author again.
pages - 376
Publisher - HarperCollins UK
Blurb from Goodreads
When psychologist Dr Jessie Flynn starts counselling Sami, the four-year-old son of an injured Major, she begins to suspect that his trauma runs deeper than his family have led her to believe. Why does he refer to himself as “the girl”? And who is the “Shadowman” who instils such terror in her patient?
Meanwhile, Flynn’s former patient, Captain Ben Callan, is investigating the controversial death of an officer in Afghanistan. Shot only days before he was due to arrive home, there is only one suspect – a fellow soldier who is refusing to talk.
Flynn and Callan’s cases converge when a dead body is found washed up on a Sussex beach, revealing a connection between Sami and the dead soldier. And it soon becomes clear that what seemed to have its origins in Afghanistan began with a secret much closer to home.
My Review
Enter Dr Jessie Flynn, psychologist and currently treating wee Sami, a child of a soldier in the Intelligence Corps the child is suffering from some sort of stress disorder. His father was badly burned on the job & Sami keeps referring to The Shadow man and the girl. Jessie has to peel through the layers of defense Sami has built up to get to the root of his trauma. But with all families, some secrets are meant to remain secret and some people will stop at nothing to ensure it does.
Jessie is a complex character herself, she has her own demons and issuess to cope with whilst trying to aid others. As well as Sami she has Captain Ben Callan, the only other patient she treated since joining the Defense Psychology Service, Ben never quite recovered and is now back at Jessie looking for help. Along with her cases, we see Jessie trying to cope with her own demons and coping mechanisms to get through the days. As she delves deeper into Sami's case she stirs up things that would be best left untouched and inadvertently puts herself in danger.
As an opening to hopefully a new series, Jessie's character is one you want to know more about as I felt I was left with so many unanswered questions about Jessie's background. I would love to hear more about Captain Callan and what drove Jessie to be the person she is now, 3/5 for me this time, I would read this author again.
March 20, 2017
At first I thought this was going to be another mystery thriller where everybody is miserable and it does start that way. Jesse Flynn has OCD a remnant from her brothers death 15 years ago. Army detective Callan is dealing with a bullet lodged in his brain. Not the setting for a cheerful book!
However the story is a tightly woven tale of a psychologically disturbed young boy and how he's linked to several murders. I loved the characters in the end especially Marilyn (Bobby to his mum) an aging rocker police DI that made me picture one of the Ramones. The idea of a detective wandering around in his too skinny jeans and hoodie was a nice change of pace from everything else.
It's intriguing, it's a real page turner once it gets going. The characters are interesting and I liked the twist of having them mainly be Army detectives and psychologists rather than general police. It added a nice twist. All the characters are well developed. An excellent read
However the story is a tightly woven tale of a psychologically disturbed young boy and how he's linked to several murders. I loved the characters in the end especially Marilyn (Bobby to his mum) an aging rocker police DI that made me picture one of the Ramones. The idea of a detective wandering around in his too skinny jeans and hoodie was a nice change of pace from everything else.
It's intriguing, it's a real page turner once it gets going. The characters are interesting and I liked the twist of having them mainly be Army detectives and psychologists rather than general police. It added a nice twist. All the characters are well developed. An excellent read
April 4, 2018
One of the best thrillers I've read this year so far. I'm not going to spoil the plot here (others have done it before me), but let me say that it was engaging, gripping and nailbiting.
Knowing that the author has written two additional books in the series, with the latest one published recently, I can't wait to pick them up as well.
Full book review: Fire Damage
Knowing that the author has written two additional books in the series, with the latest one published recently, I can't wait to pick them up as well.
Full book review: Fire Damage
March 22, 2017
I really enjoyed the debut White Crocodile book by this author which was set in Cambodia and this second in the series (although standalone) is just as gripping. It’s a serious subject - psychological harm, damaged characters, PTSD - but the author really treats these with respect and a gripping story to pull you in, empathize and keep you hooked.
Dr Jessie Flynn, the military psychologist of the story is perhaps the most damaged of all and I found it really heartwarming yet poignant as she tried to help a traumatized 4 year old. I can’t imagine being a child looking at their father’s injuries like that and my heart went out to him. The entire novel and subject matter just felt so real and raw and even though I have no personal experience of this (thank goodness) I felt as if I understood and was shown the reality of what we never really see when war stories are reported.
Respect to the author for dealing with this subject in such a sensitive yet raw way as well as writing a novel which grips and moves you. No easy feat - the Medina magic has worked again.
Dr Jessie Flynn, the military psychologist of the story is perhaps the most damaged of all and I found it really heartwarming yet poignant as she tried to help a traumatized 4 year old. I can’t imagine being a child looking at their father’s injuries like that and my heart went out to him. The entire novel and subject matter just felt so real and raw and even though I have no personal experience of this (thank goodness) I felt as if I understood and was shown the reality of what we never really see when war stories are reported.
Respect to the author for dealing with this subject in such a sensitive yet raw way as well as writing a novel which grips and moves you. No easy feat - the Medina magic has worked again.
August 25, 2022
⭐️⭐️✨ IT WAS GOOD BUT NOT GREAT -- This book was enjoyable, but I didn't LOVE it. I may have had some small issues with things like the plot or characterisation, or it may have just been a bit slow occasionally which led to my attention wandering. I'll also probably not remember this book distinctly in a few months time. Still, I would recommend this book to people who like other similar works.
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My ranking criteria (✅= Yes, ❌= No, ➖= Kind of/a little bit):
*Bonus points if I can't put the book down, it makes me feel strong emotion, or genuinely surprises me in some way.
*Penalty points for editing errors (spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.), for children who act too mature or too young for their age (this is a bugbear of mine), or if there is something in the book that just really pisses me off for any reason.
1. I was sucked into the story from the beginning ✅
2. The story had a proper beginning, middle, and end ✅
3. The writing evoked a feeling of suspense ➖
4. I was engaged the whole way through/didn't get bored ✅
5. The characters were interesting ➖
6. There was some form of character development ➖
7. The book wasn't predictable in terms of relying on tired tropes, clichés, themes, stereotypes, etc. ❌
8. I cared about the outcome of the story ➖
9. I didn't work out the ending/the ending surprised me ➖
10. The ending was satisfying ➖
🌟 Bonus points: None.
☠️ Penalty points: -1 (There were a few things that annoyed me, but not enough to warrant a point each, so I'm rolling them all into 1 penalty point. More info below).
🏅 OVERALL RANKING: 5/10 (2.5/5 stars)
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Thoughts, Conclusion, and Recommendation:
I ended up with this book in my hands by fortunate accident. I had ordered another book from my library entitled "Scared to Death" (the first book in a series that was so terribly bad I DNF'd it), and ended up with the second book in this series instead (same name obviously! 😆). At this point I looked up the Jessie Flynn series on Goodreads and decided to give it a whirl, ordering the first book in the series (this one - Fire Damage) from the library too. And here we are.
Fire Damage is about a psychologist, Jessie Flynn, who works for the US military, and treats servicemen and sometimes their families. When we first meet Jessie, she has been called in to help Sami, a little boy with severe trauma. However, she soon discovers that there is more going on with him than meets the eye. Whilst contemplating the best way forward with Sami, Jessie is asked to consult on another case and talk to a man recently returned from active service in Afghanistan. Soon it becomes apparent that these two cases may be related, and the situation only becomes more dangerous as Jessie tries to work out what is going on.
Fire Damage was an interesting and enjoyable read; I really like books that combine psychology and crime. Having said that, I had a few issues with this book that prevented me from rating it higher. To begin with, there is a conversation that Jessie has with a client where she tells him that "I can't be bothered anymore", and "Do you really want to be the first [in his family] to flush your life down the can, all because you prefer to wallow in self-pity rather than get a grip?" This exchange annoyed the crap out of me, firstly because it's so damn unprofessional and she's making their therapeutic relationship personal, and secondly because telling someone who has SEVERE PTSD to "get a grip" is disgusting. PTSD is a mental health disorder that can't just be switched off because the therapist decides that the patient needs to stop feeling sorry for themselves 🙄😡 Jessie is allegedly a psychologist who specialises is treating servicemen with PTSD; what the actual heck is she doing saying shit like that to a patient?! This kind of stuff makes me so mad because it misrepresents what therapy is actually like, and if someone who needs therapy read something like this, it could make them decide not to go. Gah!
Another issue that I had was that Jessie said a couple of times in the book "oh oops I'm a bit slow sometimes" when she didn't immediately understand what someone was saying. This annoyed me because she wasn't slow, and the times she said it, the person she was talking to was being obtuse. Sigh. I don't like it when women are portrayed like this in books, you'd never catch a male character saying something stupid like "oh haha I'm a bit slow sometimes" 😖
The last thing that I'm going to rant about is a scene in the book (this is a slight spoiler, so skip this paragraph if you don't want a small plot point spoiler) where Callan (army investigator and Jessie's old client) gets shot. After this happens, Jessie, asleep on the couch in her house, awakens suddenly yelling "Callan? Callan?" And is worried about his safety for absolutely no reason. Now is the book trying to tell me that she somehow psychically knew that he'd been shot?! What the actual f@$k is going on here?!?! After this scene ends, it's never revisited, and we get no reason for why Jessie randomly develops psychic abilities for a short time out of nowhere. This sort of thing in books is so infuriating! What is the purpose of this? An author should be considering each paragraph and what it adds to the story, and if it adds nothing, or just muddies the waters, TAKE IT OUT. OMFG.
Oh oops, one last thing; Jessie has self-diagnosed OCD (mind you it's nowhere near severe enough to be diagnosed by another professional as it barely seems to impact her life at all) and doesn't seek treatment for it. As a psychologist, she should 100% be working on her own issues so that they don't spill over into her professional work. Also, (another spoiler here) at the end of the book she kind of just decides to not have OCD anymore because she feels like her reason for having it is resolved. Like, what? 🙄 It remains to be seen if it is actually gone, but this sort of thing shows a misunderstanding of how disorders like OCD work. SIGH.
I know it seems like I had a lot of issues with Fire Damage (and there were a few lol), but I'm willing to let some of it slide given that this appears to be the author's first book. Also, regardless of the issues that I had with the content of the book, the writing was good, and the book was very readable. I'm definitely interested to see where the author can take this series, and I will be picking up the next book; I'm hoping that if the issues aren't gone completely, they will at least be reduced. If you enjoy crime/murder mystery with psychological elements, give this one a try. Fire Damage wasn't the most amazing book I've ever read, but it was undeniably enjoyable. 2.5 stars (rounded up to 3 for the purposes of Goodreads).
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My ranking criteria (✅= Yes, ❌= No, ➖= Kind of/a little bit):
*Bonus points if I can't put the book down, it makes me feel strong emotion, or genuinely surprises me in some way.
*Penalty points for editing errors (spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.), for children who act too mature or too young for their age (this is a bugbear of mine), or if there is something in the book that just really pisses me off for any reason.
1. I was sucked into the story from the beginning ✅
2. The story had a proper beginning, middle, and end ✅
3. The writing evoked a feeling of suspense ➖
4. I was engaged the whole way through/didn't get bored ✅
5. The characters were interesting ➖
6. There was some form of character development ➖
7. The book wasn't predictable in terms of relying on tired tropes, clichés, themes, stereotypes, etc. ❌
8. I cared about the outcome of the story ➖
9. I didn't work out the ending/the ending surprised me ➖
10. The ending was satisfying ➖
🌟 Bonus points: None.
☠️ Penalty points: -1 (There were a few things that annoyed me, but not enough to warrant a point each, so I'm rolling them all into 1 penalty point. More info below).
🏅 OVERALL RANKING: 5/10 (2.5/5 stars)
----------
Thoughts, Conclusion, and Recommendation:
I ended up with this book in my hands by fortunate accident. I had ordered another book from my library entitled "Scared to Death" (the first book in a series that was so terribly bad I DNF'd it), and ended up with the second book in this series instead (same name obviously! 😆). At this point I looked up the Jessie Flynn series on Goodreads and decided to give it a whirl, ordering the first book in the series (this one - Fire Damage) from the library too. And here we are.
Fire Damage is about a psychologist, Jessie Flynn, who works for the US military, and treats servicemen and sometimes their families. When we first meet Jessie, she has been called in to help Sami, a little boy with severe trauma. However, she soon discovers that there is more going on with him than meets the eye. Whilst contemplating the best way forward with Sami, Jessie is asked to consult on another case and talk to a man recently returned from active service in Afghanistan. Soon it becomes apparent that these two cases may be related, and the situation only becomes more dangerous as Jessie tries to work out what is going on.
Fire Damage was an interesting and enjoyable read; I really like books that combine psychology and crime. Having said that, I had a few issues with this book that prevented me from rating it higher. To begin with, there is a conversation that Jessie has with a client where she tells him that "I can't be bothered anymore", and "Do you really want to be the first [in his family] to flush your life down the can, all because you prefer to wallow in self-pity rather than get a grip?" This exchange annoyed the crap out of me, firstly because it's so damn unprofessional and she's making their therapeutic relationship personal, and secondly because telling someone who has SEVERE PTSD to "get a grip" is disgusting. PTSD is a mental health disorder that can't just be switched off because the therapist decides that the patient needs to stop feeling sorry for themselves 🙄😡 Jessie is allegedly a psychologist who specialises is treating servicemen with PTSD; what the actual heck is she doing saying shit like that to a patient?! This kind of stuff makes me so mad because it misrepresents what therapy is actually like, and if someone who needs therapy read something like this, it could make them decide not to go. Gah!
Another issue that I had was that Jessie said a couple of times in the book "oh oops I'm a bit slow sometimes" when she didn't immediately understand what someone was saying. This annoyed me because she wasn't slow, and the times she said it, the person she was talking to was being obtuse. Sigh. I don't like it when women are portrayed like this in books, you'd never catch a male character saying something stupid like "oh haha I'm a bit slow sometimes" 😖
The last thing that I'm going to rant about is a scene in the book (this is a slight spoiler, so skip this paragraph if you don't want a small plot point spoiler) where Callan (army investigator and Jessie's old client) gets shot. After this happens, Jessie, asleep on the couch in her house, awakens suddenly yelling "Callan? Callan?" And is worried about his safety for absolutely no reason. Now is the book trying to tell me that she somehow psychically knew that he'd been shot?! What the actual f@$k is going on here?!?! After this scene ends, it's never revisited, and we get no reason for why Jessie randomly develops psychic abilities for a short time out of nowhere. This sort of thing in books is so infuriating! What is the purpose of this? An author should be considering each paragraph and what it adds to the story, and if it adds nothing, or just muddies the waters, TAKE IT OUT. OMFG.
Oh oops, one last thing; Jessie has self-diagnosed OCD (mind you it's nowhere near severe enough to be diagnosed by another professional as it barely seems to impact her life at all) and doesn't seek treatment for it. As a psychologist, she should 100% be working on her own issues so that they don't spill over into her professional work. Also, (another spoiler here) at the end of the book she kind of just decides to not have OCD anymore because she feels like her reason for having it is resolved. Like, what? 🙄 It remains to be seen if it is actually gone, but this sort of thing shows a misunderstanding of how disorders like OCD work. SIGH.
I know it seems like I had a lot of issues with Fire Damage (and there were a few lol), but I'm willing to let some of it slide given that this appears to be the author's first book. Also, regardless of the issues that I had with the content of the book, the writing was good, and the book was very readable. I'm definitely interested to see where the author can take this series, and I will be picking up the next book; I'm hoping that if the issues aren't gone completely, they will at least be reduced. If you enjoy crime/murder mystery with psychological elements, give this one a try. Fire Damage wasn't the most amazing book I've ever read, but it was undeniably enjoyable. 2.5 stars (rounded up to 3 for the purposes of Goodreads).
March 20, 2017
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley.
There are good and not-as-good elements of “Fire Damage,” although I mostly enjoyed Kate Medina’s book. Here’s why:
The author weaves a good story, blending different subplots throughout and keeping the pace steady with short chapters. Ms. Medina’s writing is so smooth that her action and dialogue proceed naturally and readers easily connect with the story without being jarred back to reality every other page. In fact, it was her talent that kept me reading in spite of the items I felt hindered the book.
The initial chapter seemed choppy and a bit forced. I realize authors feel they need to have an exciting first chapter, but good, competent writing (which Ms. Medina has in abundance) will keep readers around long enough to unfold the basic plot elements.
I also don’t understand why the great majority of mystery and thriller writers saddle the main character with an issue like OCD, PTSD, or whatever flavor seems to be popular. A good character has flaws, yes, but doesn’t have to be drowning in them. I am not saying Ms. Medina didn’t handle her character well (she did), but the psychiatrist/officer/detective with psychiatric issues has become a cliché. At least the main character, Jessie, wasn’t alone, as others in the book either should be participating in psychiatric sessions or had recently seen someone.
The twists at the end were a bit flat, and I thought the final danger was “self-inflicted,” similar to what happens when watching a horror movie. We all know the heroine shouldn’t enter the haunted house and should go straight to the police but she enters the house anyway. Yes, I know that there has to be a confrontation at the end, but I thought it could have been arranged differently.
Bottom line: Ms. Medina successfully fleshes out many of her characters, and the plot is good. The author has exceptional writing talents and artfully keeps you entertained even during the slow or dry parts of the book. In the hands of other writers, this may have been a three-star effort. Ms. Medina’s talent bumps it to four.
There are good and not-as-good elements of “Fire Damage,” although I mostly enjoyed Kate Medina’s book. Here’s why:
The author weaves a good story, blending different subplots throughout and keeping the pace steady with short chapters. Ms. Medina’s writing is so smooth that her action and dialogue proceed naturally and readers easily connect with the story without being jarred back to reality every other page. In fact, it was her talent that kept me reading in spite of the items I felt hindered the book.
The initial chapter seemed choppy and a bit forced. I realize authors feel they need to have an exciting first chapter, but good, competent writing (which Ms. Medina has in abundance) will keep readers around long enough to unfold the basic plot elements.
I also don’t understand why the great majority of mystery and thriller writers saddle the main character with an issue like OCD, PTSD, or whatever flavor seems to be popular. A good character has flaws, yes, but doesn’t have to be drowning in them. I am not saying Ms. Medina didn’t handle her character well (she did), but the psychiatrist/officer/detective with psychiatric issues has become a cliché. At least the main character, Jessie, wasn’t alone, as others in the book either should be participating in psychiatric sessions or had recently seen someone.
The twists at the end were a bit flat, and I thought the final danger was “self-inflicted,” similar to what happens when watching a horror movie. We all know the heroine shouldn’t enter the haunted house and should go straight to the police but she enters the house anyway. Yes, I know that there has to be a confrontation at the end, but I thought it could have been arranged differently.
Bottom line: Ms. Medina successfully fleshes out many of her characters, and the plot is good. The author has exceptional writing talents and artfully keeps you entertained even during the slow or dry parts of the book. In the hands of other writers, this may have been a three-star effort. Ms. Medina’s talent bumps it to four.
August 31, 2020
Psychologist Dr Jessie Flynn's young patient, four-year-old Sami, is very troubled. The son of Major Nick Scott who was injured in Afghanistan, Sami refers to himself as “the girl” and talks about the “Shadowman”, whilst it's clear that his parents are hiding things. Her case starts to overlap with one being investigated by Captain Ben Callan, a former patient of Flynn's and a member of the Military Police.
The plot itself was okay, I just didn't like any of the characters. Jessie is a mess due to a childhood trauma which she tries to cope with by having (what seemed to be) unprotected sex with strangers, and has developed OCD tendencies. Of course, she is wildly beautiful. Callan was injured in Afghanistan and is still suffering from that. He is a bit of an enigma at the moment but again, extremely attractive. The civilian police consisted mainly of a male detective, nicknamed Marilyn (due to Manson not Monroe just in case you were wondering), who is every cliche in the book: boozing, womanizing, thinks that any woman over 35 is old, dull and boring etc. (In fact the attitude of characters towards older women in the entire book was kind of sneering, and even though I am nowhere near middle age, I found it very off-putting.) Not a great start but I will read the next one to see if things improve, if not I fear I will be saying an early goodbye to this series.
The plot itself was okay, I just didn't like any of the characters. Jessie is a mess due to a childhood trauma which she tries to cope with by having (what seemed to be) unprotected sex with strangers, and has developed OCD tendencies. Of course, she is wildly beautiful. Callan was injured in Afghanistan and is still suffering from that. He is a bit of an enigma at the moment but again, extremely attractive. The civilian police consisted mainly of a male detective, nicknamed Marilyn (due to Manson not Monroe just in case you were wondering), who is every cliche in the book: boozing, womanizing, thinks that any woman over 35 is old, dull and boring etc. (In fact the attitude of characters towards older women in the entire book was kind of sneering, and even though I am nowhere near middle age, I found it very off-putting.) Not a great start but I will read the next one to see if things improve, if not I fear I will be saying an early goodbye to this series.
June 25, 2025
I was in the mood for a change of pace from my fantasy binge, and Kate Medina graciously filled that need for me with her thrilling introduction to Army psychologist Jessie Flynn. First off, I positively adored Jessie. Typically, psychologists are dropped into stories to analyze other characters and often end up quite pretentious and judgemental, but that's not at all the case here. Flynn is such a nuanced character with a rich back story that showcases her own issues, and I love how she still works diligently to help her patients. Just because someone is a psychologist does not mean they can't also suffer various issues throughout their lives, and it's refreshing to see her depicted with major flaws.
Prepare yourself as this is an extremely gripping and emotional story that will have you turning pages like there's no tomorrow. Once you get going into this book, the sense of suspense is almost overwhelming at times, but you just can't stop until you understand what's happening! It seems super complex at first, bouncing between different cases, but when the puzzle pieces start fitting together, it is nothing short of heartbreakingly mind-blowing! I am quite eager to follow Dr. Jessie Flynn for more exciting cases! I would have no problem recommending this to all my thiller and suspense fans alike.
Prepare yourself as this is an extremely gripping and emotional story that will have you turning pages like there's no tomorrow. Once you get going into this book, the sense of suspense is almost overwhelming at times, but you just can't stop until you understand what's happening! It seems super complex at first, bouncing between different cases, but when the puzzle pieces start fitting together, it is nothing short of heartbreakingly mind-blowing! I am quite eager to follow Dr. Jessie Flynn for more exciting cases! I would have no problem recommending this to all my thiller and suspense fans alike.
April 1, 2017
This was a very slow starter but eventually picked up the pace and was a complete page turner by the end.
Jessie Flynn is a psychologist who works with the British army. She is asked to giver her opinion on a suspect in a murder case, the murder itself took place in Afghanistan and appears clear cut but the investigating officer would like a 2nd opinion. Jessie is also asked to work with the child of a recently decommissioned army officer who appears to be traumatised by the injuries his father sustained, again in Afghanistan. Meanwhile the local police are investigating the death of a man washed up on a local beach. By the end of the book we find that all of these cases are linked and not just by their association with the army.
I liked Jessie's vulnerability and the fact that her OCD lessened slightly as the story progressed. I felt that there were some things that should have been more obvious to her, though I won't share as it would spoil the story for others.
I would be happy to read the next book in this series before I made a choice to give up on Jessie or not. She was an interesting lead character and the book gave a different slant on the crime genre which I enjoyed.
Jessie Flynn is a psychologist who works with the British army. She is asked to giver her opinion on a suspect in a murder case, the murder itself took place in Afghanistan and appears clear cut but the investigating officer would like a 2nd opinion. Jessie is also asked to work with the child of a recently decommissioned army officer who appears to be traumatised by the injuries his father sustained, again in Afghanistan. Meanwhile the local police are investigating the death of a man washed up on a local beach. By the end of the book we find that all of these cases are linked and not just by their association with the army.
I liked Jessie's vulnerability and the fact that her OCD lessened slightly as the story progressed. I felt that there were some things that should have been more obvious to her, though I won't share as it would spoil the story for others.
I would be happy to read the next book in this series before I made a choice to give up on Jessie or not. She was an interesting lead character and the book gave a different slant on the crime genre which I enjoyed.
August 17, 2020
Fire Damage - Kate Medina
I ordered the next in the series 20 pages into this book, does that say enough?
A book where you have genuinely no clue whose done it, and where I was rooting for half the characters it was something special. Focusing on Sami, a troubled child and spiralling out into the military and the psychological breakdown of veterans it got me hooked from the beginning!
I don’t like books about children, I don’t particularly empathise with them or enjoy reading about them - usually their an added extra to the protagonist. But wow, Sami gripped me from the beginning, praying that there would be a breakthrough and you’d learn to understand him.
I highly recommend this book (and the rest of the Jessie Flynn series have been ordered!)
Official MF rating: 5 stars
I ordered the next in the series 20 pages into this book, does that say enough?
A book where you have genuinely no clue whose done it, and where I was rooting for half the characters it was something special. Focusing on Sami, a troubled child and spiralling out into the military and the psychological breakdown of veterans it got me hooked from the beginning!
I don’t like books about children, I don’t particularly empathise with them or enjoy reading about them - usually their an added extra to the protagonist. But wow, Sami gripped me from the beginning, praying that there would be a breakthrough and you’d learn to understand him.
I highly recommend this book (and the rest of the Jessie Flynn series have been ordered!)
Official MF rating: 5 stars
May 26, 2018
"Don't expect a warm glow"
This is not an easy read. The subject matter is complex and it takes forever for the two story strands to merge into a meaningful whole. From the first page it was clear this was written by a highly intelligent person, well-versed in the creative writing straitjacket. You will struggle to find a typo. The descriptive passages are from the top drawer, but the characters left me cold. In fact, when I had read the last page my overriding feeling was of emptiness. That's not what I want from life; and it's certainly not what I want from a book.
This is not an easy read. The subject matter is complex and it takes forever for the two story strands to merge into a meaningful whole. From the first page it was clear this was written by a highly intelligent person, well-versed in the creative writing straitjacket. You will struggle to find a typo. The descriptive passages are from the top drawer, but the characters left me cold. In fact, when I had read the last page my overriding feeling was of emptiness. That's not what I want from life; and it's certainly not what I want from a book.
February 20, 2018
I've jacked this in at 20%. The synopsis gives you no clue what it's really about.....for starters, it's set in and around the Army, which doesn't interest me much and there's a lot about Afghanistan. If I'd known this I'd have nixed it altogether. There's also OCD featured, another thing I have no interest in whatsoever. We met the little boy Jessie's going to work with but only very briefly 2 times before I gave in. It makes a change to have a female protagonist who's based in the Army but it's just not my type of story.
She writes using American spellings for some reason and appears to have made up a word in this sentence-"....she wouldn't trip over or sink into a freezing puddle in her blind trog to her car". However, there were no other errors which earns it an additional star.
I got to the part where Helmand and government officials and the Taliban were mentioned and just glazed over, I'm afraid.
I do like the cover on my version with the dandelion on the front, though.
She writes using American spellings for some reason and appears to have made up a word in this sentence-"....she wouldn't trip over or sink into a freezing puddle in her blind trog to her car". However, there were no other errors which earns it an additional star.
I got to the part where Helmand and government officials and the Taliban were mentioned and just glazed over, I'm afraid.
I do like the cover on my version with the dandelion on the front, though.
November 24, 2017
An intriguing and complex thriller featuring an interesting main character. The puzzle is gradually unravelled and the multiple plot lines brought together in a satisfying way. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley
March 17, 2017
A really great read, Jessie Flynn a new favourite character for me, looking forward to the next one in the series, a great story told well considering the subject matter, the story come together well, wasn't long and drawn out
July 26, 2017
Ok read. Glad it was free
October 23, 2019
I quite enjoyed this story a lot going on and will keep an eye out for the next book in the series.
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