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Burn Boston Burn: The Largest Arson Case in the History of the Country
Burn Boston Burn-The Largest Arson Case in the History of the Country is an astounding true crime narration. A conspiracy of 9 men, including 3 Boston cops and a Boston firefighter, burned Boston and surrounding communities in the early 1980s due to tax-cutting measures that caused layoffs of hundreds of police and firefighters. Over 2 years, these fire buffs turned arsonists, torched 264 buildings, causing millions of dollars in damages and hundreds of injuries. The city was ablaze with nightly fires, sirens wailing through the streets and people too afraid to sleep. This book interweaves the activities of the arsonists with those of the investigators, the firefighters and the citizens of the area. Readers will shake their heads in disbelief at the brazen and wanton actions of these political terrorists.
The author, now retired ATF Special Agent Wayne Miller, lived this case for three years. A TV cameraman helped break the case when one of the cops waved his gun in the air at a massive fire as if he were at a rodeo. The case included a stolen police car dumped in Boston Harbor, a threat letter consisting of cut-out letters and plans to murder witnesses.
After the Boston Police Officer/arsonist became a witness, we utilized 17 undercover contacts to perfect a Federal case. Agent Miller spent innumerable hours with those perpetrators who became Government witnesses. An arsonist's journal provided the basis for chilling insights into their words, actions, and thoughts. Mr. Miller now has regular contact with that arsonist who has provided additional information in support of the book.
Every firefighter who has heard of the story wants to read about it. Also, anyone interested in true crime, investigative procedures, the inner workings of a criminal conspiracy and fires would have strong interests in this book. The case was covered by national media in the early to mid-1980s.
The author, now retired ATF Special Agent Wayne Miller, lived this case for three years. A TV cameraman helped break the case when one of the cops waved his gun in the air at a massive fire as if he were at a rodeo. The case included a stolen police car dumped in Boston Harbor, a threat letter consisting of cut-out letters and plans to murder witnesses.
After the Boston Police Officer/arsonist became a witness, we utilized 17 undercover contacts to perfect a Federal case. Agent Miller spent innumerable hours with those perpetrators who became Government witnesses. An arsonist's journal provided the basis for chilling insights into their words, actions, and thoughts. Mr. Miller now has regular contact with that arsonist who has provided additional information in support of the book.
Every firefighter who has heard of the story wants to read about it. Also, anyone interested in true crime, investigative procedures, the inner workings of a criminal conspiracy and fires would have strong interests in this book. The case was covered by national media in the early to mid-1980s.
492 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2019
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366 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 23, 2019
Excellent narration of a fascinating story. I knew the gist of the plot but was too young at the time to remember the details.
I’m a stickler for the English language, and there were a few spots where the editing could have been better. Thus 4 stars instead of 5. Still a strongly recommended read for history or fire buffs.
I’m a stickler for the English language, and there were a few spots where the editing could have been better. Thus 4 stars instead of 5. Still a strongly recommended read for history or fire buffs.
February 18, 2020
This is a really interesting story, but the writing leaves something to be desired. I wish the author had been able to find a good editor or co-writer.
January 25, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Fascinating true story with a very colorful cast of characters. This book felt like three distinct volumes 1) the arson spree (fast paced and often repetitive) 2) the investigation and 3) the trial.
Overall the story was very interesting, and honestly it would make a fun action cat-and-mouse law and order type of movie.
However, I struggled with the writing. The author frequently interjected editorializing comments into the narrative. For example, (I am paraphrasing) “the jury returned the verdict immediately after lunch. After all, who doesn’t want a free lunch on the government?” Why was that necessary? After 15 days of testimony and deliberations, we are going to be snarky about the jury having lunch before the verdict? (Having been a juror - I know the job isn’t done the instant the verdict is delivered. This isn’t tv.) There were several comments like this, and usually critical. And, how many times did we need to be told that modern technology would most likely deter this kind of conspiracy today?
Another criticism is how the author doesn’t stick with the same name for the people being discussed. Robert, Bobby, Groblewski, Grobo, etc. The shifting of names - even within a single paragraph, was exhausting. When there is a large cast, consistency is important. Finally, the author has to tell us multiple times just how busy he was. We get it. You were busy.
But to the positives of the book…
My Boston geography is much better, and I have a better understanding of gritty Boston of the late 70s / early 80s. It would have been nice to include a map in the book.
I have a better understanding of fire-fighting and arson investigations. Additionally, I learned a few things about the law. I am grateful for a firefighting/arson book because I have family in the business of fire investigation and prevention and I have more insight into their work.
Fascinating true story with a very colorful cast of characters. This book felt like three distinct volumes 1) the arson spree (fast paced and often repetitive) 2) the investigation and 3) the trial.
Overall the story was very interesting, and honestly it would make a fun action cat-and-mouse law and order type of movie.
However, I struggled with the writing. The author frequently interjected editorializing comments into the narrative. For example, (I am paraphrasing) “the jury returned the verdict immediately after lunch. After all, who doesn’t want a free lunch on the government?” Why was that necessary? After 15 days of testimony and deliberations, we are going to be snarky about the jury having lunch before the verdict? (Having been a juror - I know the job isn’t done the instant the verdict is delivered. This isn’t tv.) There were several comments like this, and usually critical. And, how many times did we need to be told that modern technology would most likely deter this kind of conspiracy today?
Another criticism is how the author doesn’t stick with the same name for the people being discussed. Robert, Bobby, Groblewski, Grobo, etc. The shifting of names - even within a single paragraph, was exhausting. When there is a large cast, consistency is important. Finally, the author has to tell us multiple times just how busy he was. We get it. You were busy.
But to the positives of the book…
My Boston geography is much better, and I have a better understanding of gritty Boston of the late 70s / early 80s. It would have been nice to include a map in the book.
I have a better understanding of fire-fighting and arson investigations. Additionally, I learned a few things about the law. I am grateful for a firefighting/arson book because I have family in the business of fire investigation and prevention and I have more insight into their work.
May 10, 2021
I moved to the area in 84 but don’t remember this. It was fascinating and thought author did a good job of telling this story. I worked in several of these areas so this meant something to me. Glad they solved and punished these people.
July 24, 2020
The year, 1982, the place, Boston, Massachusetts. The city is in the middle of trying political upheaval aimed specifically at its Fire Department: layoffs and closures of several firehouses cause tempers to boil while putting firefighters and the public in harm’s way. Outraged, a brazen gang of arsonists comprised of three police officers, firefighter, dispatcher, security guard, and three others known in public circles as Sparks (photographers and thrill seekers drawn to the excitement of firefighting) instigate a depraved arson campaign. These seemly ordinary but ill-intended American Joes devise an insidious plot to set Bean Town ablaze in one of the most horrific arson sprees in American history.
That’s the premise behind the riveting investigative account of “Burn Boston Burn: The Story of the Largest Arson Case in the History of the Country.” Written by renowned ATF arson investigator Wayne Miller, he documents the frightening and extremely frenetic two-year period from 1982 to 1984, when he and a myriad of law enforcement agencies matched wits with nine diabolical agents of chaos who roamed the streets of Boston at will, setting more than 460 blazes, injuring several firefighters.
Before Southern California’s John Orr and Seattle’s Paul Keller seared their place in the annals of history as the 20th Century’s most prolific serial arsonists, nine cunning and elusive men re-wrote the arsonist’s cook book spawning malevolent infernos with ingeniously-crafted incendiary devices. Wayne Miller puts the reader into the center of the action. From riding with investigators as they piece together a red-hot jigsaw puzzle, to walking the streets of Boston with the arsonists and thrill seekers themselves, sitting in the interrogation room with suspects and finally, into the courtroom for the climax of the case which stretched authorities to the limit. After listening to this book on Audible, I was very impressed with Mr. Miller’s literary style. If you enjoyed reading or listening to Monica Hesse’s “American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land,” then Wayne Miller’s gripping investigative report “Burn Boston Burn: The Story of the Largest Arson Case in the History of the Country” is worth the time to read or listen.
That’s the premise behind the riveting investigative account of “Burn Boston Burn: The Story of the Largest Arson Case in the History of the Country.” Written by renowned ATF arson investigator Wayne Miller, he documents the frightening and extremely frenetic two-year period from 1982 to 1984, when he and a myriad of law enforcement agencies matched wits with nine diabolical agents of chaos who roamed the streets of Boston at will, setting more than 460 blazes, injuring several firefighters.
Before Southern California’s John Orr and Seattle’s Paul Keller seared their place in the annals of history as the 20th Century’s most prolific serial arsonists, nine cunning and elusive men re-wrote the arsonist’s cook book spawning malevolent infernos with ingeniously-crafted incendiary devices. Wayne Miller puts the reader into the center of the action. From riding with investigators as they piece together a red-hot jigsaw puzzle, to walking the streets of Boston with the arsonists and thrill seekers themselves, sitting in the interrogation room with suspects and finally, into the courtroom for the climax of the case which stretched authorities to the limit. After listening to this book on Audible, I was very impressed with Mr. Miller’s literary style. If you enjoyed reading or listening to Monica Hesse’s “American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land,” then Wayne Miller’s gripping investigative report “Burn Boston Burn: The Story of the Largest Arson Case in the History of the Country” is worth the time to read or listen.
January 22, 2020
A disappointing read. Other than a few interspersed autobiographical chapters, the vast majority of the book is really a rewrite of the diary of one of the arsonists. While there is some detail about how the fires were set, it's all from the diary. There is next to nothing about the actual investigation, and the detail about the evidence presented at trial is sorely lacking.
The author claims that it was solid investigative work that caught the arsonists - but from reading the book, it was pretty much luck. While they did have several names (persons of interest), the only way they got anywhere was when someone told them about a completely unrelated crime, which they were then able to use to confront one of the persons of interest, who rolled on the rest of them.
If you want to know who burned what when during the arson spree, great. If you're interested in the investigative aspects of the fires, don't bother reading it.
The author claims that it was solid investigative work that caught the arsonists - but from reading the book, it was pretty much luck. While they did have several names (persons of interest), the only way they got anywhere was when someone told them about a completely unrelated crime, which they were then able to use to confront one of the persons of interest, who rolled on the rest of them.
If you want to know who burned what when during the arson spree, great. If you're interested in the investigative aspects of the fires, don't bother reading it.
January 4, 2020
While the subject matter was very interesting to me as I lived in Boston during this period (although don't recall these fires happening but in my defense those were my nightclub years), it was too long and every single fire was described in detail. "They assembled the device in the car and tucked it under the gas shingles...." I found myself skipping over the details by the 175th fire after reading that ad nauseam. Also, the author injected personal asides, some written in lingo that would be known only to Bostonians or of a certain age group. And bizzaro is spelled bizarro, FYI, for future editions. I hate misspelled words in books and this was just one example.
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August 31, 2021One of the most fascinating and sickening crime sprees of the 80s is buried beneath a landfill of mind-numbing detail. Almost every one of the 150+ fires this crew set is detailed in this book. The author is one of the ATF investigators who tracked the arsonists, and he had access to detailed journals from one of the arson crew's founding members. Better writers would kill for primary sources like that. This book is mostly a transcription of those sources.
An editor or a punchier writer could have made this one of the true-crime masterpieces of this decade.
An editor or a punchier writer could have made this one of the true-crime masterpieces of this decade.
October 20, 2020
It was good but could have been better. A good editor would have improved the flow of the story quite a bit. He gave a Zoom talk at my local library and just as I suspected, he wrote the book just as he speaks. He also mentioned Netflix is interested in working with him, so it may be worth the watch.
July 12, 2023
Burn Boston Burn presents the interesting story of a group of men who decided to set a string of fires in protest of the cuts in fire and police that resulted from the Proposition 2 1/2. The group just enjoyed the arson and continued, even after many of the cuts they objected to had been reversed. They went on to burn 264 buildings over a two-year period. I was aware of this story at the time. In retrospect, it is amazing how many vacant and abandoned properties there were at the time. The Boston real estate market is dramatically better now than then.
The story provides, in somewhat excruciating detail, how the group would start a fire (or series) and drive around following the action. The story does at times feel tedious and repetitive, but with so many fires I am not sure this could have been avoided.
The author, Wayne Miller, was an ATF agent who worked on this case from the beginning. His writing is clear and straightforward. I did not love his tendency to address little quips and questions to the reader, but it did help the writing a little less dry.
The scope of this arson is ridiculously large. It is easy to fall into just the list of properties burned and miss the human impact. Wayne Miller did a decent job of including victim impact at the end, including some of the many hundreds of injured firefighters as well as business and property owners. This was a good true crime read.
The story provides, in somewhat excruciating detail, how the group would start a fire (or series) and drive around following the action. The story does at times feel tedious and repetitive, but with so many fires I am not sure this could have been avoided.
The author, Wayne Miller, was an ATF agent who worked on this case from the beginning. His writing is clear and straightforward. I did not love his tendency to address little quips and questions to the reader, but it did help the writing a little less dry.
The scope of this arson is ridiculously large. It is easy to fall into just the list of properties burned and miss the human impact. Wayne Miller did a decent job of including victim impact at the end, including some of the many hundreds of injured firefighters as well as business and property owners. This was a good true crime read.
March 26, 2022
Many of the 'low star' reviews got it right, but it depends on what you like reading.
Most of the book content is taken from the diary of one of the arsonists, so you get a blow-by-blow history of the fires and the intent of the arsonists. Most of this is from one of their literal diaries, not from the investigation. I found this interesting, while others may find it dry. The author also interjects his own 'police like' comments, which is weird. You read diary-like prose, and then he'll interject a sentence like "What's one more felony on a Saturday night".
As for the investigation - there isn't really much. This is the dry part of the book. They investigated for 2 years, yet we have no insight into what was going on for those years. And after all that, they only accidentally stumbled on the arsonists; and if they hadn't turned on each other they all would have gotten away with it. But the last quarter of the book is investigation and trial, and it is a bit dry - a co-author would have definitely helped.
All in all I did enjoy the story of the arsonists, reading bout the abandoned areas of the time, knowing what they re like now, and seeing the mindset of the arson team.
Most of the book content is taken from the diary of one of the arsonists, so you get a blow-by-blow history of the fires and the intent of the arsonists. Most of this is from one of their literal diaries, not from the investigation. I found this interesting, while others may find it dry. The author also interjects his own 'police like' comments, which is weird. You read diary-like prose, and then he'll interject a sentence like "What's one more felony on a Saturday night".
As for the investigation - there isn't really much. This is the dry part of the book. They investigated for 2 years, yet we have no insight into what was going on for those years. And after all that, they only accidentally stumbled on the arsonists; and if they hadn't turned on each other they all would have gotten away with it. But the last quarter of the book is investigation and trial, and it is a bit dry - a co-author would have definitely helped.
All in all I did enjoy the story of the arsonists, reading bout the abandoned areas of the time, knowing what they re like now, and seeing the mindset of the arson team.
September 14, 2020
I had to put it down after getting about 6 hours in to the audio book. After listening to the narrator read the sentence "the sparking arsonists sparked the fire," I knew I just couldn't do it anymore. I don't understand how such an interesting story could be so poorly written and made to sound so boring. Each fire was described in exactly the same way, like the author used a list of a dozen or so adjectives and just used the same descriptors over and over. There was a lot of unnecessary background that did nothing to add to the narrative. The chronology was difficult to follow, making it sound as if the arsonists were out each consecutive night setting multiple fires, which was not the case. I'm hoping to find a much better telling of this story. But if you're looking for a compelling and well researched account of arson, check out Fire Lover by Jospeh Wambaugh instead.
February 10, 2024
While it’s clear that Miller is a first time author here, and either needed an experienced co-writer or a more involved editor, I can’t help but respect the sheer amount of detail placed into this retelling of what feels like a nearly forgotten event in American history. Thanks to this book, nearly every facet of the Boston arson spree has been recorded and entered into public record, and I’ll always stand for preservation like that. Miller’s dry senses of humor and unique perspective as an investigator adds some flavor to the book, especially in some of the drier or repetitive parts. Recommended for Massholes, true crime fans tired of murder, and American history buffs in general.
March 25, 2022
I always find books about Boston interesting...add the crime element and the fact I actually know some of the people in the book makes it even more interesting. While the details about each fire proves that Miller did his homework, it did become somewhat tedious after a while...It was apparent they like buildings with "gas shingles" pretty quickly...soon one fire setting seemed just like the next...but overall it was pretty well written and a moment in Boston's history that needed documentation.
November 7, 2023
I liked this book in so many ways but the things I didn't like nearly sank it. Part of it is that it went into so much detail that I found it impossible to follow at times. The planning stages of each arson case were nearly impossible to follow as were the ins and outs of each bad actor involved. Many of the cases required a summary/ Also the fact there weren't any pictures made it difficult actually to personalize the people involved. Pictures in a book are a bridge and the lack of them hurt the storytelling.
Not a bad book but it lacks focus I would say.
Not a bad book but it lacks focus I would say.
August 23, 2020
This case literally reshaped the city of Boston, and yet, forty years later, it's almost forgotten. Wayne Miller, the agent who helped break the case, offers a mixture of memoir and case report. It's overlong, in part because Miller details every event bit by bit, and it would have been nice to get more perspective from the people who lived in the neighborhoods these self-righteous mall ninjas were burning down. But as a bit of local history, it's worth reading.
November 5, 2022
Sparks
Although I have lived near Boston for the last 25years, I was unaware of what was happening in my husband's homeland at the time of these crimes. We lived 3,000miles across the continent in Washington state at the time and was busy raising our boys when this took place. Who better than the investigator himself to write such of an interesting and accurate account of this historical event.
Although I have lived near Boston for the last 25years, I was unaware of what was happening in my husband's homeland at the time of these crimes. We lived 3,000miles across the continent in Washington state at the time and was busy raising our boys when this took place. Who better than the investigator himself to write such of an interesting and accurate account of this historical event.
June 23, 2023
Proposition 2 1/2 realy put the hurt into a few exfire fighters and some police men from the Boston area that they became arsonist and started to set as many building fires as they could in order to get the greater Boston area fire stations to open back up, or at least that was their plan. Read to find out what a sparky is or the diffence between a arsonist and a pyromaniac...These guys were so bold!
August 17, 2023
This book is just a story about 3/4 fires and how they are bad and how people set them. I understand it’s a book following notorious arsonists but I was anticipating 90% of this regarding the investigation and trial. This however mostly covered how they set fires and every building they set fire (a lot). It got too monotonous and felt pompous as the author pumped him actions and career up. I will have no jokes because this book deserves none. Talking ink.
August 28, 2025
A riveting true-crime thriller that exposes one of the largest arson cases in U.S. history. Burn Boston Burn takes readers deep into the world of crime, fire investigation, and law enforcement. Wayne Miller’s firsthand account as an ATF Special Agent makes every scene feel raw and authentic. Perfect for fans of crime nonfiction, investigative journalism, and real-life mysteries that unfold with the intensity of a crime novel.
November 11, 2025
As a firefighter in the area I had high hopes for this book but was pretty disappointed. Aside from the larger and more well known set fires, the descriptions of the majority of the group’s arsons are extremely repetitive. I found myself wondering why the author included so many similar stories of the individual fires. By the time the book shifted to focus on the investigation into the arson ring I had began to lose interest.
September 6, 2023
An interesting piece of local history, but at times overly repetitive and a bit like trying to read through a textbook. There’s no narrative technique. Just facts laid out in simple chronological order. The history is extremely fascinating for locals who want to learn more about the burning of Boston in the 1980s.
February 8, 2020
Very detailed account of the arsonists and the fires they started around Boston in response to the passing of Prop 2 1/2. Written by one of the ATF agents who investigated the fires, Wayne Miller took us through to the arrest and trials of those responsible.
December 7, 2020
I was very interested in the subject matter of this book, but I have the same complaint as many other reviewers. There was so much detail on each fire and it was very repetitive. I gave up on the book.
August 20, 2022
This one was a difficult read. At times a bit meandering and hard to follow, it takes a bit to get used to. Also by the very nature of the story, it gets a tad repetitive. However, o ce you get into it, the story is very interesting
March 13, 2025
The stores was a big part of why to read this books. The execution of the book was lacking. It was too long. Too many pages about people going to a for e here and s fire there. The writing just wasn’t that great.
August 3, 2020
It was long an arduous and boring. It was like watching the movie "Ground Hogs Day " x 10.
May 27, 2021
Unreadable. Gave it 75 pages and that was generous.
December 19, 2021
An excellent depiction of fire investigation in the 1980s in Boston.
November 9, 2023
very detailed read
This is a well written book but it is extremely detailed so it was not a book that really grabbed and held my attention.
This is a well written book but it is extremely detailed so it was not a book that really grabbed and held my attention.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews