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DI Alex Finn #1
The Burning Men
When a development in South London catches fire mid-construction, a close-knit team of fire fighters runs in to save a man spotted at the window.
They come out without a body. They quit the service. They plan never to speak to each other again.
Five years later one of them is set alight at his own wedding. Soon after, a second is found, nothing but a smoking corpse. It appears that someone knows what they did that night. What they chose over their duty. And there are still three men left to burn . . .
DI Alex Finn and his new partner DC Mattie Paulsen are an unlikely pairing, but they need to discover who is behind these killings before the next man faces the fire.
They come out without a body. They quit the service. They plan never to speak to each other again.
Five years later one of them is set alight at his own wedding. Soon after, a second is found, nothing but a smoking corpse. It appears that someone knows what they did that night. What they chose over their duty. And there are still three men left to burn . . .
DI Alex Finn and his new partner DC Mattie Paulsen are an unlikely pairing, but they need to discover who is behind these killings before the next man faces the fire.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2020
219 people are currently reading
974 people want to read
About the author
Will Shindler
12 books130 followersWill Shindler has been a Broadcast Journalist for the BBC for over twenty-five years, spending a decade working in television drama as a scriptwriter on Born and Bred, The Bill and Doctors.
You can currently find him every weekday on the radio reading the news headlines, whilst writing crime novels in the afternoon. Will has previously worked as a television presenter for HTV, a sports reporter for BBC Radio Five Live, and one of the stadium presenters at the London Olympics.
His debut novel, The Burning Men, will be published by Hodder.
You can currently find him every weekday on the radio reading the news headlines, whilst writing crime novels in the afternoon. Will has previously worked as a television presenter for HTV, a sports reporter for BBC Radio Five Live, and one of the stadium presenters at the London Olympics.
His debut novel, The Burning Men, will be published by Hodder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
February 5, 2020
On a personal note, being married to a former firefighter, the synopsis for ‘The Burning Men’ both intrigued and horrified me at the same time, and I know only too well the camaraderie that they share - that unbreakable bond that ensures that no matter how dangerous a situation is, they know without question that each one of them has the others’ backs.
However, for a team of London firefighters, called out to a fire in a partly constructed building, with the intention of rescuing a man seen on one of the upper floors, it’s the night that the camaraderie stops for five of the crew members, and the bond that they have shared will be a thing of the past. They never did rescue the man, didn’t manage to retrieve his body, which would have brought some sort of closure for his family. In the next few months all of them will have left the fire service, and vow never to speak of that night again - and there’s a very good reason for that decision.
Five years later, one of the men is set alight at his own wedding reception, and shortly after, another of them is discovered, having been burnt to death with the aid of accelerants. Someone is clearly out to get this team of former firefighters, but who and why? All I know is I didn’t guess who it was!
DI Alex Finn and his new partner DC Mattie Paulson are in charge of the investigation, but this isn’t going to be an easy working relationship - Finn has recently lost his wife Karin, and is still mired in the depths of his grief, and Paulson clearly has anger issues, from problems that she has yet to resolve. Nevertheless they’ll have to put their personal problems to one side to get to the bottom of this very complex case.
The first in the DI Alex Finn series, is a unique and cleverly written storyline which ratchets up the narrative tension to screaming point, as it explores firefighters’ innermost fears. Like the motif of observation, this novel is a truly visual and frightening story, and I can’t praise it enough. Excellent!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for my ARC for which I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
However, for a team of London firefighters, called out to a fire in a partly constructed building, with the intention of rescuing a man seen on one of the upper floors, it’s the night that the camaraderie stops for five of the crew members, and the bond that they have shared will be a thing of the past. They never did rescue the man, didn’t manage to retrieve his body, which would have brought some sort of closure for his family. In the next few months all of them will have left the fire service, and vow never to speak of that night again - and there’s a very good reason for that decision.
Five years later, one of the men is set alight at his own wedding reception, and shortly after, another of them is discovered, having been burnt to death with the aid of accelerants. Someone is clearly out to get this team of former firefighters, but who and why? All I know is I didn’t guess who it was!
DI Alex Finn and his new partner DC Mattie Paulson are in charge of the investigation, but this isn’t going to be an easy working relationship - Finn has recently lost his wife Karin, and is still mired in the depths of his grief, and Paulson clearly has anger issues, from problems that she has yet to resolve. Nevertheless they’ll have to put their personal problems to one side to get to the bottom of this very complex case.
The first in the DI Alex Finn series, is a unique and cleverly written storyline which ratchets up the narrative tension to screaming point, as it explores firefighters’ innermost fears. Like the motif of observation, this novel is a truly visual and frightening story, and I can’t praise it enough. Excellent!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for my ARC for which I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
December 28, 2019
Will Shindler certainly makes his mark in his terrific debut crime fiction novel, it introduces the reader to an unusual pairing of police detectives operating out of London's Cedar House Police Station. DI Alex Finn is a bereaved widower, having just lost his wife, Karin, a lawyer to a cancerous tumour. He is not the most sociable of men, with a brusque exterior, preferring his close relationships to be with people of substance. He is a calm presence, methodical, intelligent but with a tendency to bottle things up. However, he just cannot bear being on his own with nothing but his overwhelming grief to keep him company at home, and despite really not being fit to work, returns to lead a complex case. He is to find that grief's grip is tenacious, tiring and merciless, it's hold on him unpredictable, crippling and ferocious.
Despite his objections, he is forced to take on new team member, DC Mattie Paulson, a remarkably effective and talented gay policewoman. Mattie is in a relationship with trainee social worker, Nancy Deen, and carries a mental and emotional trauma from a past case involving a paedophile which she has refused to deal with, leading to the kind of aggressive outbursts that are unprofessional, threatening the investigation and her career. She is forthright and outspoken, makes no effort to integrate and in fact is visibly hostile to others on the police team. The case begins with the burning of the groom on his wedding day. It turns out the victim was part of the Red Watch, a former fireman for the London Fire Brigade, one of five first responders to a devastating fire at a office development at 1 Pacific Square, 5 years ago, in which a notorious money launderer died. This team of 5 firemen quit the service soon after, but suddenly out of the blue they are being targeted by a killer in a manner that suggests pure hatred. Could it be that the infamous criminal underworld figure, The Handyman, suspected of masterminding the Stansted heist is behind the grisly murders?
Will Shindler's central protagonists, Alex Finn and Mattie Paulsen, both emotionally and mentally off kilter, each for different reasons, Alex struggling to handle his grief and Mattie blindly refusing to deal with her mental health issues that arise from a previous case, are the highlight of this riveting crime read for me. His complex plotting and intensely gripping storyline is what kept me compulsively turning the pages. This a dark and intense read that easily drew me in and has me interested in how this intriguing police partnership of Alex and Mattie develops in the future. Great crime fiction that I recommend highly. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.
Despite his objections, he is forced to take on new team member, DC Mattie Paulson, a remarkably effective and talented gay policewoman. Mattie is in a relationship with trainee social worker, Nancy Deen, and carries a mental and emotional trauma from a past case involving a paedophile which she has refused to deal with, leading to the kind of aggressive outbursts that are unprofessional, threatening the investigation and her career. She is forthright and outspoken, makes no effort to integrate and in fact is visibly hostile to others on the police team. The case begins with the burning of the groom on his wedding day. It turns out the victim was part of the Red Watch, a former fireman for the London Fire Brigade, one of five first responders to a devastating fire at a office development at 1 Pacific Square, 5 years ago, in which a notorious money launderer died. This team of 5 firemen quit the service soon after, but suddenly out of the blue they are being targeted by a killer in a manner that suggests pure hatred. Could it be that the infamous criminal underworld figure, The Handyman, suspected of masterminding the Stansted heist is behind the grisly murders?
Will Shindler's central protagonists, Alex Finn and Mattie Paulsen, both emotionally and mentally off kilter, each for different reasons, Alex struggling to handle his grief and Mattie blindly refusing to deal with her mental health issues that arise from a previous case, are the highlight of this riveting crime read for me. His complex plotting and intensely gripping storyline is what kept me compulsively turning the pages. This a dark and intense read that easily drew me in and has me interested in how this intriguing police partnership of Alex and Mattie develops in the future. Great crime fiction that I recommend highly. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.
January 19, 2021
This was a promising debut by Will Shindler. It was a well-constructed crime thriller. It harkens back to a disastrous fire five years earlier, which destroyed an office building under construction. The first responders into the burning building were five firemen of the Red Watch from the London Fire Brigade. They failed to save the life of Eric Whitlock, who they had seen frantically waving from an upstairs window. He was a notorious money launderer and the only person in the unoccupied building for reasons unknown. He was rumored to have worked for a mysterious, elusive figure called the 'Handyman'. This criminal mastermind may have planned the heist of a huge sum of money. The five firefighters quit the London Fire Brigade a short time later. Some are living a lifestyle above and beyond what would be expected from their new jobs and their pensions. The causes and events surrounding that fire are still under investigation.
In the present, a groom is horrifically burned to death at his elaborate wedding ceremony. His distraught bride suffered burns from contact with the body. The police learn that the groom was a former fireman and one of the first responders to the fire five years before. When another former firefighter from the same team is incinerated in his luxurious car, it seems an unknown perpetrator is targeting the group motivated by revenge and hatred.
The leading pair of police detectives, DI Alex Finn, and new team member, DI Mattie Paulson, are intelligent and dedicated. However, they carry so much emotional pain into their duties that they make up an intriguing and dysfunctional partnership. Alex has returned to work after the devastating death of his beloved wife. He is deeply saddened but prefers police work to divert him from the overwhelming sorrow and loneliness at his empty home. He sometimes has difficulty functioning, unable to control his grief. His new partner, Mattie, has not been able to deal with emotional trauma from her last posting. She makes no effort to integrate with other police officers and has angry and hostile outbursts.
This is a complex and clever plot involving robbery, money laundering, corruption, and missing sums of money. Unfortunately, I was unable to feel the tension and suspense or connect with most of the characters. I felt that I should have been taking notes. Sometimes the players were referred to by only their first or last names, which confused me. This should have been an intense and gripping story for me, and I blame myself for not being as engaged as the plot deserved.
A plus was the Alex and Mattie partnership. Will they be able to work through their emotional baggage and form a reliable and comfortable team? A new book in the series is forthcoming in February, and the summary of its plot looks very interesting. I have already preordered it.
In the present, a groom is horrifically burned to death at his elaborate wedding ceremony. His distraught bride suffered burns from contact with the body. The police learn that the groom was a former fireman and one of the first responders to the fire five years before. When another former firefighter from the same team is incinerated in his luxurious car, it seems an unknown perpetrator is targeting the group motivated by revenge and hatred.
The leading pair of police detectives, DI Alex Finn, and new team member, DI Mattie Paulson, are intelligent and dedicated. However, they carry so much emotional pain into their duties that they make up an intriguing and dysfunctional partnership. Alex has returned to work after the devastating death of his beloved wife. He is deeply saddened but prefers police work to divert him from the overwhelming sorrow and loneliness at his empty home. He sometimes has difficulty functioning, unable to control his grief. His new partner, Mattie, has not been able to deal with emotional trauma from her last posting. She makes no effort to integrate with other police officers and has angry and hostile outbursts.
This is a complex and clever plot involving robbery, money laundering, corruption, and missing sums of money. Unfortunately, I was unable to feel the tension and suspense or connect with most of the characters. I felt that I should have been taking notes. Sometimes the players were referred to by only their first or last names, which confused me. This should have been an intense and gripping story for me, and I blame myself for not being as engaged as the plot deserved.
A plus was the Alex and Mattie partnership. Will they be able to work through their emotional baggage and form a reliable and comfortable team? A new book in the series is forthcoming in February, and the summary of its plot looks very interesting. I have already preordered it.
February 6, 2020
A high rise development office building, Pacific Square is on fire. The first responders, Red Watch enter the burning building in search of a ma n believed to be still inside. But Erik Whitlock died at the scene. Within 18 months of the fire all five of the Red Watch first responders had taken early retirement. Five years later the first responders are being targeted. DI Finn and DC Mattie Paulsen have to solve this case quickly before any ore bodies turn up.
This is a complex read but it drew me I from the first page. We get lots of background information on Finn and Paulsen. The story moves back and forward in time. Its plotline is multilayered. With two of the firemen bodies being burnt, what's the connection? The pace is fast and the storyline is tense and gripping. A fantastic start to a new police procedural series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the author Will Shindler for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a complex read but it drew me I from the first page. We get lots of background information on Finn and Paulsen. The story moves back and forward in time. Its plotline is multilayered. With two of the firemen bodies being burnt, what's the connection? The pace is fast and the storyline is tense and gripping. A fantastic start to a new police procedural series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the author Will Shindler for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2020
First of all, congratulations to Will Shindler for this impressive debut police procedural. He has created two characters in DI Alex Finn and DC Mattie Paulsen that I would like to read about again and again. They are complex, carrying baggage and they feel very real. Finn is grieving after the recent death of his wife Karin and Mattie is a very able officer but can hostile, aggressive and clearly carrying a burden. In this novel we have two parallel enquiries. In 2015 a major fire breaks out at the newly constructed One Pacific Square in London. This building is meant to signify the expansion of the financial sector of the city. Red Watch of the LFB are the first fire fighters who enter the burning building with some urgency as someone is seen waving at a window, unfortunately they are unable to rescue him. The dead person turns out to be Eric Whitlock, a well known money launderer who works for an elusive underworld figure known as The Handyman who is thought to be responsible for a major robbery known as the Stansted Heist. This is being investigated with little success by a team led by DCI Warrender. What was Whitlock doing in the building? Five years on members of Red Watch who have all now left the fire service, are being brutally murdered. This is investigated by Finn and Paulsen. Do the enquiries connect? Who is killing the fire men? The Handyman? If so, why? What follows is very intriguing and at times very tense and thrilling crime story.
There is much to praise in this debut. All the characters are well portrayed and easy to picture. It is well written, it’s gritty and has intriguing twists, there’s plenty of tension and suspense, there are characters who are threatening and all this generates a feeling of danger and if you add in a bit of institutional sexism you have all the ingredients of a book that is hard to put down. There are murders, robbery, corruption, a major criminal network and a faceless mastermind. Some characters have guilt and some are seeking revenge. The plotting is solid, the storyline easy to follow and the end is good and leaves you wanting more.
Overall, this is an author I will be looking out for in the future and who has a very promising future. Highly recommended for fans of the genre.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC
There is much to praise in this debut. All the characters are well portrayed and easy to picture. It is well written, it’s gritty and has intriguing twists, there’s plenty of tension and suspense, there are characters who are threatening and all this generates a feeling of danger and if you add in a bit of institutional sexism you have all the ingredients of a book that is hard to put down. There are murders, robbery, corruption, a major criminal network and a faceless mastermind. Some characters have guilt and some are seeking revenge. The plotting is solid, the storyline easy to follow and the end is good and leaves you wanting more.
Overall, this is an author I will be looking out for in the future and who has a very promising future. Highly recommended for fans of the genre.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC
February 8, 2020
A high rise development office building, Pacific Square is on fire. 5he first responders, Red Watch enter the building to search for a man believed to be still inside. But Erik Whitlock died at the scene. Within eighteen months of the fire, all five members of Red Watch first responders had taken early retirement. Five years later, the first responders are being targeted. DI Finn and DCI Mattie Paulsen have to solve this case quickly before anymore bodies turn up.
This is a complex read ut it drew me in from the first page. We get lots of background information on Finn and Paulsen. The story move back and forward in time. Its plotline is multilayered. With two of the firemen bodies being burnt,what's the connection? The pace is fast and the storyline is tense and gripping. A fantastic start to a new police procedural series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the author Will Schindler for my ARC in exchange for an honest review
This is a complex read ut it drew me in from the first page. We get lots of background information on Finn and Paulsen. The story move back and forward in time. Its plotline is multilayered. With two of the firemen bodies being burnt,what's the connection? The pace is fast and the storyline is tense and gripping. A fantastic start to a new police procedural series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the author Will Schindler for my ARC in exchange for an honest review
February 16, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
If there ever was a book to get under my skin, it is this one. The book begins five years before the main plot with a construction site for fancy new apartments on fire. Numerous fire engines attended the scene. The building was supposed to be empty but then someone is seen waving from a top window. A team of fire officers enters the building to rescue the person but something happens within that fire and soon after they all quit the service and vow never to speak to one another again.
Five years later one of the ex-firemen has just gotten married when he is set alight in the hotel toilets where his reception is. The other ex-fire officers are worried it has some to do with their decision five years ago and they should be as another of them is soon found dead, again burned alive.
DI Alex Finn asks to be assigned to the case as he wants to return to work. His wife has just died of a brain tumour and he is on leave, stuck at home not knowing what to do with himself. He is partnered with new DC Mattie Paulsen as his boss seems to think Alex will be a good teacher.
The synopsis had me hooked and a desire to know more and so I couldn’t wait to get started. I was a little disappointed with the first chapter titled ‘Five Years Ago’ as I was expecting a little more information regarding the fire and the unsuccessful rescue but I soon left that feeling behind once the book began, although I’m not sure how I felt with the back and forth in time throughout, I’m more of a chronological time reader, but then again I’m not sure the book would work set in this way.
Some of the scenes were gruesome but the plot is certainly gripping. I enjoyed the relationship between DI Finn who was trying his hardest not to let his grief overtake him and keep himself professional and DC Paulsen who was trying to deal with her past problems and sometimes had outbursts. It was fascinating to watch the pair trying to piece the evidence together and to try to work out who the killer was and why they were obviously looking for revenge.
I can honestly say this is a book that kept me guessing. I was trying to figure out what these five officers could have done and why with such long service behind them did they do what they did. It takes a lot to surprise me, but this book certainly did just that, a good feat for a debut novelist.
Having been kept on my toes and on edge throughout I now can’t wait to hear more from author Will Shindler and his detectives.
If there ever was a book to get under my skin, it is this one. The book begins five years before the main plot with a construction site for fancy new apartments on fire. Numerous fire engines attended the scene. The building was supposed to be empty but then someone is seen waving from a top window. A team of fire officers enters the building to rescue the person but something happens within that fire and soon after they all quit the service and vow never to speak to one another again.
Five years later one of the ex-firemen has just gotten married when he is set alight in the hotel toilets where his reception is. The other ex-fire officers are worried it has some to do with their decision five years ago and they should be as another of them is soon found dead, again burned alive.
DI Alex Finn asks to be assigned to the case as he wants to return to work. His wife has just died of a brain tumour and he is on leave, stuck at home not knowing what to do with himself. He is partnered with new DC Mattie Paulsen as his boss seems to think Alex will be a good teacher.
The synopsis had me hooked and a desire to know more and so I couldn’t wait to get started. I was a little disappointed with the first chapter titled ‘Five Years Ago’ as I was expecting a little more information regarding the fire and the unsuccessful rescue but I soon left that feeling behind once the book began, although I’m not sure how I felt with the back and forth in time throughout, I’m more of a chronological time reader, but then again I’m not sure the book would work set in this way.
Some of the scenes were gruesome but the plot is certainly gripping. I enjoyed the relationship between DI Finn who was trying his hardest not to let his grief overtake him and keep himself professional and DC Paulsen who was trying to deal with her past problems and sometimes had outbursts. It was fascinating to watch the pair trying to piece the evidence together and to try to work out who the killer was and why they were obviously looking for revenge.
I can honestly say this is a book that kept me guessing. I was trying to figure out what these five officers could have done and why with such long service behind them did they do what they did. It takes a lot to surprise me, but this book certainly did just that, a good feat for a debut novelist.
Having been kept on my toes and on edge throughout I now can’t wait to hear more from author Will Shindler and his detectives.
January 8, 2020
First of all, congratulations to Will Shindler for this impressive debut police procedural. He has created two characters in DI Alex Finn and DC Mattie Paulsen that I would like to read about again and again. They are complex, carrying baggage and they feel very real. Finn is grieving after the recent death of his wife Karin and Mattie is a very able officer but can hostile, aggressive and clearly carrying a burden. In this novel we have two parallel enquiries. In 2015 a major fire breaks out at the newly constructed One Pacific Square in London. This building is meant to signify the expansion of the financial sector of the city. Red Watch of the LFB are the first fire fighters who enter the burning building with some urgency as someone is seen waving at a window, unfortunately they are unable to rescue him. The dead person turns out to be Eric Whitlock, a well known money launderer who works for an elusive underworld figure known as The Handyman who is thought to be responsible for a major robbery known as the Stansted Heist. This is being investigated with little success by a team led by DCI Warrender. What was Whitlock doing in the building? Five years on members of Red Watch who have all now left the fire service, are being brutally murdered. This is investigated by Finn and Paulsen. Do the enquiries connect? Who is killing the fire men? The Handyman? If so, why? What follows is very intriguing and at times very tense and thrilling crime story.
There is much to praise in this debut. All the characters are well portrayed and easy to picture. It is well written, it’s gritty and has intriguing twists, there’s plenty of tension and suspense, there are characters who are threatening and all this generates a feeling of danger and if you add in a bit of institutional sexism you have all the ingredients of a book that is hard to put down. There are murders, robbery, corruption, a major criminal network and a faceless mastermind. Some characters have guilt and some are seeking revenge. The plotting is solid, the storyline easy to follow and the end is good and leaves you wanting more.
Overall, this is an author I will be looking out for in the future and who has a very promising future. Highly recommended for fans of the genre.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC
There is much to praise in this debut. All the characters are well portrayed and easy to picture. It is well written, it’s gritty and has intriguing twists, there’s plenty of tension and suspense, there are characters who are threatening and all this generates a feeling of danger and if you add in a bit of institutional sexism you have all the ingredients of a book that is hard to put down. There are murders, robbery, corruption, a major criminal network and a faceless mastermind. Some characters have guilt and some are seeking revenge. The plotting is solid, the storyline easy to follow and the end is good and leaves you wanting more.
Overall, this is an author I will be looking out for in the future and who has a very promising future. Highly recommended for fans of the genre.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC
April 25, 2023
The storyline was gripping but the characters needed more work. Finn, Ojo and Paulsen are not the brightest bunch. Finn obviously unfit for any confrontation verbal or physical keeps putting himself in danger. I do not understand why he is the central character, if his only qualification is that he is bright and astute as a detective why he keeps assuming guilt when there is none or making mistakes during the investigation (do not want to spoil it for you so I am purposely vague). Paulsen is a firecracker but she is the only one making intelligent suggestions. Paulsen also remains a mystery though out the whole book, when she finally discloses the “incident“ it is something so banal that I felt let down by the lack of originality on the author’s part.
The storyline was full of plots and subplots that were interesting. For a thriller it needed more twists and turns.
The ending could have been different. It consist of the same conversation that we previously read 150 pages ago. Unfortunately I will not continue reading this series.
The storyline was full of plots and subplots that were interesting. For a thriller it needed more twists and turns.
The ending could have been different. It consist of the same conversation that we previously read 150 pages ago. Unfortunately I will not continue reading this series.
September 30, 2022
Sizzling :). If you've not experienced fire consider yourself extremely lucky! Sadly my job exposed me to some crazy stuff pertaining to fire. I remember a multi jurisdiction police chase where the drunk driver plowed into a car stopped for a red light rear ending it at about 100 km/hr knocking it forward and imploding it into a fire. My partner and I were the first first responders at the seen. I had scene car fires and they always had been nothing - like the movie shit is clearly made up. Yet this fire was like a scene from a movie. The blaze was about 20 feet high and as wide as the car. Despite this civilians were trying to aid the two trapped people inside. My partner and I knew it was best if they died and they must have died almost instantly. I once saw a guy who caught fire while sniffing glue. His head was charred, smooth like a bowling ball at the same time. His head was smoking and fire was pouring water on it. When paramedics attended the girl just froze. He was airlifted to another city hospital but died. Sadly I have more fire horrors. When something about fire gets in my head like the recent 911 episode where they show a guy who had caught fire - it was so real, so well done, the acting of seeing it all was bang on as well. Well it brings back all that I have scene like film clips running through my head, from one horrific thing to the next. There is no doubt its PTSD of some sort. So after seeing that 911 episode I saw a review of this book and looked on kindle to see that it was basically free and said why not.
This is an excellent book. It does deal with people being set on fire and does it well. Though a clearly abnormal subject I think it is an eye opener for the average person who would never give the subject much thought at all. Gives you an appreciation of what all first responders face. I believe I actually have seen more than most firefighters - remember they are hardly ever at work - yeah cops and firefighters have a thing against each other but there is a lot of respect too.
So our story starts out with a commercial blaze. One Pacific Square in London England is almost finished but under construction when the blaze starts. No one should be inside but firefighters see someone waving at them from a higher floor. They set in. It's a team of five with one who remains on the outside because he is supposed to. They get to the person in the window but is he dead? They do notice the pallets of money in bags next to him. We find out that the person who eventually dies is a money launderer who was at the site to launder millions of pounds. The fire interrupted that plan. Could the firefighters have saved him? Will Shindler leaves this hanging to the end but questions it throughout. Also these firefighters do decide that the money is indeed worth saving and throw the sacks of money outside into a waiting bin. Within a year and a half they all retire from London Fire. Yes that firefighter sitting outside was dealt in to their sudden riches but was he told the whole story of what happened inside?
So the launderer was one bad ass dude. He worked for Ray Spinney who is even way badder. Spinney orchestrated a bank robbery and netted millions. In his employ was Erik Whitlock the launderer. There is a special police task force trying to still solve the robbery five years later when our story takes place.
Well our team of five is getting along just fine. They have a lot of riches which cannot be explained but suddenly they are being knocked off in the most horrific of ways. Our lead DI is coming off his wife dying but he wants in on these murders and is allowed to return to handle the investigation. Our DI knows that it is not normal to torch someone, these murders are personal indeed. Part of his team is a new transfer with a chip on her shoulder and the reason for the chip is major but never revealed until the end.
So the investigation begins and it seems pretty straight forward but that can never be the case can it? There are some good twists and turns along the way but I will let you find them out.
Now for those of you who know me or read my profile you will see that for one I am a guy (I feel for some of the women on here as I get baited by tards in an overt sexual way who clearly have not looked at my profile). Secondly I love British women authors. They simply are some of the best writers bar none. Shindler too is British but I found his writing awkward. I had to reread a lot of things because his sentences just didn't make much sense to me. Here's one for example "Samuels was stood around 20 feet away at a diagonal to them". Like what the heck is "was stood" - he uses that a lot and "at a diagonal to them" - I would say positioned diagonally to them. Its not major but it kept happening and I don't think it was me as we clearly all read a lot of British authors.
So this is a different and very good story. A good criminal procedural as well. I rate this about an 84 out of 100. It is quite an enjoyable story and very different which is a very welcome change.
This is an excellent book. It does deal with people being set on fire and does it well. Though a clearly abnormal subject I think it is an eye opener for the average person who would never give the subject much thought at all. Gives you an appreciation of what all first responders face. I believe I actually have seen more than most firefighters - remember they are hardly ever at work - yeah cops and firefighters have a thing against each other but there is a lot of respect too.
So our story starts out with a commercial blaze. One Pacific Square in London England is almost finished but under construction when the blaze starts. No one should be inside but firefighters see someone waving at them from a higher floor. They set in. It's a team of five with one who remains on the outside because he is supposed to. They get to the person in the window but is he dead? They do notice the pallets of money in bags next to him. We find out that the person who eventually dies is a money launderer who was at the site to launder millions of pounds. The fire interrupted that plan. Could the firefighters have saved him? Will Shindler leaves this hanging to the end but questions it throughout. Also these firefighters do decide that the money is indeed worth saving and throw the sacks of money outside into a waiting bin. Within a year and a half they all retire from London Fire. Yes that firefighter sitting outside was dealt in to their sudden riches but was he told the whole story of what happened inside?
So the launderer was one bad ass dude. He worked for Ray Spinney who is even way badder. Spinney orchestrated a bank robbery and netted millions. In his employ was Erik Whitlock the launderer. There is a special police task force trying to still solve the robbery five years later when our story takes place.
Well our team of five is getting along just fine. They have a lot of riches which cannot be explained but suddenly they are being knocked off in the most horrific of ways. Our lead DI is coming off his wife dying but he wants in on these murders and is allowed to return to handle the investigation. Our DI knows that it is not normal to torch someone, these murders are personal indeed. Part of his team is a new transfer with a chip on her shoulder and the reason for the chip is major but never revealed until the end.
So the investigation begins and it seems pretty straight forward but that can never be the case can it? There are some good twists and turns along the way but I will let you find them out.
Now for those of you who know me or read my profile you will see that for one I am a guy (I feel for some of the women on here as I get baited by tards in an overt sexual way who clearly have not looked at my profile). Secondly I love British women authors. They simply are some of the best writers bar none. Shindler too is British but I found his writing awkward. I had to reread a lot of things because his sentences just didn't make much sense to me. Here's one for example "Samuels was stood around 20 feet away at a diagonal to them". Like what the heck is "was stood" - he uses that a lot and "at a diagonal to them" - I would say positioned diagonally to them. Its not major but it kept happening and I don't think it was me as we clearly all read a lot of British authors.
So this is a different and very good story. A good criminal procedural as well. I rate this about an 84 out of 100. It is quite an enjoyable story and very different which is a very welcome change.
March 19, 2022
A very dull detective story, with stereotypical characters. There was no suspense, and no great detective work. The whole psycho analysis at the end was unnecessary.
January 21, 2022
The Burning Men is a top notch police procedural, well written and spell-binding from start to finish. It is a great beginning to a new series and I cannot wait to read more!
September 12, 2019
The story opens with a fire at a prestige office development under construction in Pacific Square, London. A team of five firefighters are first on the scene and 4 of them run inside to save a man seen waving from a 3rd floor window. They emerge from the blaze with the body of a man who turns out to be a known criminal - a money launderer. Shortly afterwards, the 5 firefighters quit their jobs.
Fast forward 5 years and one of the ex firemen is burned alive at his wedding reception. The investigation into his death shows he was murdered. Detective Inspector Alex Finn is given the job of heading up the investigation, despite the fact that his wife has recently died of cancer and he's supposed to be on compassionate leave. His new partner is Detective Constable Mattie Paulsen, recently transferred after investigating a paedophile - and investigation which has left its mark on Mattie.
Soon after their inquiries begin, another of the ex firefighters is murdered - burned alive in his Maserati car. Everything points to something which happened on the night of the blaze at Pacific Square. Someone knows what happened to the firemen that night, but the 3 left alive are saying nothing.
In the background, a major criminal is using corrupt cops on his payroll to check on Finn and Mattie's investigation.
This is a solid police procedural that grips from the start. Alex Finn and Mattie Paulsen are an unlikely pairing, both working hard to overcome problems in their personal lives. Both are experienced investigators who work well together.
Gradually, we learn what really happened on the night of the Pacific Square blaze, but there are many unpredictable twists in the story as it unfolds.
This is the 1st in a series and is fine crime thriller debut from author Will Shindler. I'll be looking out for more stories featuring Finn and Paulsen. Although it's fiction, the author isn't averse to detailing some of the real life problems currently faced by Britain's police officers.
My thanks to publishers Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
Fast forward 5 years and one of the ex firemen is burned alive at his wedding reception. The investigation into his death shows he was murdered. Detective Inspector Alex Finn is given the job of heading up the investigation, despite the fact that his wife has recently died of cancer and he's supposed to be on compassionate leave. His new partner is Detective Constable Mattie Paulsen, recently transferred after investigating a paedophile - and investigation which has left its mark on Mattie.
Soon after their inquiries begin, another of the ex firefighters is murdered - burned alive in his Maserati car. Everything points to something which happened on the night of the blaze at Pacific Square. Someone knows what happened to the firemen that night, but the 3 left alive are saying nothing.
In the background, a major criminal is using corrupt cops on his payroll to check on Finn and Mattie's investigation.
This is a solid police procedural that grips from the start. Alex Finn and Mattie Paulsen are an unlikely pairing, both working hard to overcome problems in their personal lives. Both are experienced investigators who work well together.
Gradually, we learn what really happened on the night of the Pacific Square blaze, but there are many unpredictable twists in the story as it unfolds.
This is the 1st in a series and is fine crime thriller debut from author Will Shindler. I'll be looking out for more stories featuring Finn and Paulsen. Although it's fiction, the author isn't averse to detailing some of the real life problems currently faced by Britain's police officers.
My thanks to publishers Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
September 11, 2019
If, like me, you are the kind of reader who likes to be in on the ground floor of a brand new series, then get The Burning Men on your pre-order to be read lists because this is one of those times…
This is a police procedural but also has psychological elements that are highly intriguing, a great hybrid that also has the benefit of being an extremely well written page turner.
Main protagonists Finn and Paulsen are indeed an unlikely partnership but a genuinely engaging one – both bringing personal demons to the table- the developing and ongoing relationship between them is one of the strengths of this story, playing into the riveting mystery element pitch perfectly. The supporting cast all add their own intrigues so the set up for future books is cleverly achieved.
On this particular case, there are plenty of twists and turns, a central “villain” who I rather adored, a layered mystery that is compelling and unpredictable. The author has a great descriptive sense of place and personality that keeps you involved throughout and there’s a great edgy feel to it that works really well.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. An intelligent police drama with an excellent and realistic plot, no annoying loose ends but plenty of future possibility.
Yes. Good then. Count me in.
Recommended.
This is a police procedural but also has psychological elements that are highly intriguing, a great hybrid that also has the benefit of being an extremely well written page turner.
Main protagonists Finn and Paulsen are indeed an unlikely partnership but a genuinely engaging one – both bringing personal demons to the table- the developing and ongoing relationship between them is one of the strengths of this story, playing into the riveting mystery element pitch perfectly. The supporting cast all add their own intrigues so the set up for future books is cleverly achieved.
On this particular case, there are plenty of twists and turns, a central “villain” who I rather adored, a layered mystery that is compelling and unpredictable. The author has a great descriptive sense of place and personality that keeps you involved throughout and there’s a great edgy feel to it that works really well.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. An intelligent police drama with an excellent and realistic plot, no annoying loose ends but plenty of future possibility.
Yes. Good then. Count me in.
Recommended.
April 3, 2025
Will Shindler present this intense series debut that is sure to capture the attention of the eager reader. DI Alex Finn takes centre stage in this police procedural that is as mysterious as it is fiery in its delivery. On the streets of London, DI Finn is hunting for a killer while also trying to understand himself a little more, particularly with a recent loss and a new partner whose means of operating differs greatly from his own. Will Shindler impresses with this series debut and has me eager to keep forging ahead!
After a massive fire engulfs a building in the middle of construction, a collection of fire fighters rush to assist in South London. A man in the window makes it all the more urgent to quell the blaze and save anyone they can. After a valiant effort, members of the fire department come out of the inferno without a body, cursing the blaze and limited time they had to act. The entire group soon quits the service and scatter, never to speak again, yet something lingers.
Five years on, one of the fire fighters is torched at his own wedding. As the investigation begins, DI Alex Finn and his new partner, DC Mattie Paulson, seek to make sense of it all. When a second body is found, scorched and left as a pile of ashes, DI Finn discovers it can be tied to this same group of firefighters. He wonders if this is in response to the fire years ago or whether someone is playing a sadistic joke. There are three men left from the fire team, but no leads. Questions also arise with regards to the man who perished in the fire and those who might have known him. Additionally, some speculate if a serial killer is on the loose, oddly named The Handyman.
While DI Finn and DC Paulsen do not seem to be the most conventional pair, they have to work together to solve this case and protect the remaining fire fighters. Their approaches to the investigation differ greatly and DI Finn cannot handle the blatant insubordination that his new partner continues to show. Time is of the essence and there is no choice but to act or fuel more retribution and leave a killer out there to target others. Shindler delivers an intriguing series debut that has me eager to keep reading!
I enjoy a great police procedural series, particularly one that is fast-paced and keeps the reader in the driver’s seat. Will Shindler provides a strong narrative that gains momentum as things are soon revealed. The story clips along and soon there is no turning back, as various aspects develop effectively. Shindler provides great characters to flavour the story and has me eager to see where things are headed. DI Finn is still a significant mystery to me, as are many of the others who are introduced throughout. Plot points deliver strong twists and leave questions lingering, which ensures the dedicated reader will reach out for the next book, if only to tie off some threads for their own peace of mind!
Kudos, Mr. Shindler, for this heated opening novel in the series.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After a massive fire engulfs a building in the middle of construction, a collection of fire fighters rush to assist in South London. A man in the window makes it all the more urgent to quell the blaze and save anyone they can. After a valiant effort, members of the fire department come out of the inferno without a body, cursing the blaze and limited time they had to act. The entire group soon quits the service and scatter, never to speak again, yet something lingers.
Five years on, one of the fire fighters is torched at his own wedding. As the investigation begins, DI Alex Finn and his new partner, DC Mattie Paulson, seek to make sense of it all. When a second body is found, scorched and left as a pile of ashes, DI Finn discovers it can be tied to this same group of firefighters. He wonders if this is in response to the fire years ago or whether someone is playing a sadistic joke. There are three men left from the fire team, but no leads. Questions also arise with regards to the man who perished in the fire and those who might have known him. Additionally, some speculate if a serial killer is on the loose, oddly named The Handyman.
While DI Finn and DC Paulsen do not seem to be the most conventional pair, they have to work together to solve this case and protect the remaining fire fighters. Their approaches to the investigation differ greatly and DI Finn cannot handle the blatant insubordination that his new partner continues to show. Time is of the essence and there is no choice but to act or fuel more retribution and leave a killer out there to target others. Shindler delivers an intriguing series debut that has me eager to keep reading!
I enjoy a great police procedural series, particularly one that is fast-paced and keeps the reader in the driver’s seat. Will Shindler provides a strong narrative that gains momentum as things are soon revealed. The story clips along and soon there is no turning back, as various aspects develop effectively. Shindler provides great characters to flavour the story and has me eager to see where things are headed. DI Finn is still a significant mystery to me, as are many of the others who are introduced throughout. Plot points deliver strong twists and leave questions lingering, which ensures the dedicated reader will reach out for the next book, if only to tie off some threads for their own peace of mind!
Kudos, Mr. Shindler, for this heated opening novel in the series.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 20, 2021
The Burning Men made a Big Bang upon release in 2020 and it's easy to see why. I've read both books in this series now and they are soooo satisfying. DI Alex Finn and DC Mattie Paulsen are well fleshed out characters who I was happy to follow into book two. Be warned though, you won't get anything else done as you won't be able to tear yourself away! A tight, well plotted novel with many layers. A highly recommended read.
November 28, 2022
I always like a whodunnit in which I can't figure out the who and/or why of the killing(s), so I really enjoyed this book. This was my first book by Will Shindler and I'll be reading the next in this series.
January 25, 2023
I won't write another review of this police procedural: Maureen says it all better than anyone.
May 30, 2020
The Burning Men is a debut and the first in a crime series featuring DI Alex Finn and DC Mattie Paulsen. If this first book is anything to go by, this is going to be an exciting series to follow.
This story features a group of former firefighters. Five years previously, a group of them entered a burning building under construction, having seen a man at a window. They came out without a body and it was presumed the man had died. All the fireman retired soon afterwards and went their separate ways.
The police get involved five years on when one of the fireman is burned to death at his wedding. He will not be the only one and the police must figure out what really happened, especially when a link shows from a historic case.
It’s fair to say that DI Alex Finn is not at the top of his game here. His wife Karin has only just died and it is thought that maybe he has gone back to work too soon. He is paired up with a new addition to the team, DC Mattie Paulsen, a transfer from another station. Mattie clearly has trauma issues from her previous case and doesn’t make any effort to fit in. Aside from the fact that he is grieving, Finn doesn’t seem to be a stereotypical policeman, he is quieter and more studious and being sociable doesn’t come naturally. Hopefully they can overcome their difficulties when working together as this partnership could be very interesting to watch, particularly if both of them are working to their full crime solving potential .
With the story involving two police forces, this series gets off to a great start It has a fast pace and a complex and intriguing plot involving several different strands. The deaths were shocking but not gratuitously described as much of this was only seen from the investigation perspective. The tension of wondering who was going to be next on the killer’s list, and the how, was superbly executed.
The Burning Men is a thrilling and suspenseful read with twists and surprises all the way through and oh my. That ending! I had to read it again just to make certain I had read it correctly! It was one of those books that I couldn’t wait to get back to and I’m so pleased to be in at the beginning as this is a series that I will definitely want to follow.
This story features a group of former firefighters. Five years previously, a group of them entered a burning building under construction, having seen a man at a window. They came out without a body and it was presumed the man had died. All the fireman retired soon afterwards and went their separate ways.
The police get involved five years on when one of the fireman is burned to death at his wedding. He will not be the only one and the police must figure out what really happened, especially when a link shows from a historic case.
It’s fair to say that DI Alex Finn is not at the top of his game here. His wife Karin has only just died and it is thought that maybe he has gone back to work too soon. He is paired up with a new addition to the team, DC Mattie Paulsen, a transfer from another station. Mattie clearly has trauma issues from her previous case and doesn’t make any effort to fit in. Aside from the fact that he is grieving, Finn doesn’t seem to be a stereotypical policeman, he is quieter and more studious and being sociable doesn’t come naturally. Hopefully they can overcome their difficulties when working together as this partnership could be very interesting to watch, particularly if both of them are working to their full crime solving potential .
With the story involving two police forces, this series gets off to a great start It has a fast pace and a complex and intriguing plot involving several different strands. The deaths were shocking but not gratuitously described as much of this was only seen from the investigation perspective. The tension of wondering who was going to be next on the killer’s list, and the how, was superbly executed.
The Burning Men is a thrilling and suspenseful read with twists and surprises all the way through and oh my. That ending! I had to read it again just to make certain I had read it correctly! It was one of those books that I couldn’t wait to get back to and I’m so pleased to be in at the beginning as this is a series that I will definitely want to follow.
January 27, 2020
OOOOOH - if you like police procedurals or gripping crime books then believe me when I say you NEED to read The Burning Men by Will Shindler which is the first in a brand new series and it starts with a real BANG.
Five years ago a group of fire fighters attend a major fire scene in London - a new development is on fire and they spot a man waving from the third floor window. Something happens that night that changes their lives for ever and within months all five have quit the service and have vowed never to speak to each other again. Five years later one of them is horrifically murdered at his own wedding and soon the rest of the group are fearing for their own lives, but why and who is trying to kill them?
Enter DI Alex Finn, a man who is grieving the death of his wife by returning to work during his compassionate leave to track down the killer. He is assigned a new DC, Mattie Paulsen who has her own demons and secrets having left her previous job due to a trauma from a previous case which she won't deal with. Putting these two damaged, but determined police officers together initially result in fireworks, but they are determined to find out who is behind these murders and stop any more killings.
The Burning Men is a brilliant debut with strong characters and a fast paced story line which kept me guessing throughout. Will Shindler is definitely an author I will be watching out for and can't wait to read the next book in this brilliant new series.
Five years ago a group of fire fighters attend a major fire scene in London - a new development is on fire and they spot a man waving from the third floor window. Something happens that night that changes their lives for ever and within months all five have quit the service and have vowed never to speak to each other again. Five years later one of them is horrifically murdered at his own wedding and soon the rest of the group are fearing for their own lives, but why and who is trying to kill them?
Enter DI Alex Finn, a man who is grieving the death of his wife by returning to work during his compassionate leave to track down the killer. He is assigned a new DC, Mattie Paulsen who has her own demons and secrets having left her previous job due to a trauma from a previous case which she won't deal with. Putting these two damaged, but determined police officers together initially result in fireworks, but they are determined to find out who is behind these murders and stop any more killings.
The Burning Men is a brilliant debut with strong characters and a fast paced story line which kept me guessing throughout. Will Shindler is definitely an author I will be watching out for and can't wait to read the next book in this brilliant new series.
December 15, 2024
There were several aspects of this story that I found genuinely enjoyable, while there were other parts that left me puzzled regarding the characters' motivations. Many of the decisions made by the characters seemed implausible, making it difficult for me to fully engage with the plot.
Furthermore, I struggled to connect with any of the characters on a personal level; I found them unlikable and, as a result, I felt indifferent about their fates. Their development did not resonate with me in the way I had hoped, which detracted from my overall investment in the narrative.
Interestingly, even though I didn't foresee the identity of the killer, I could see, in retrospect, that the clues were there and quite evident once revealed. The rationale behind their actions felt far-fetched and hypocritical, which is acknowledged within the story itself.
Despite my mixed feelings about this particular piece, I am open to reading more works by this author in the future. Their writing style has potential, and I believe that perhaps their next story might offer a more compelling and relatable experience.
Furthermore, I struggled to connect with any of the characters on a personal level; I found them unlikable and, as a result, I felt indifferent about their fates. Their development did not resonate with me in the way I had hoped, which detracted from my overall investment in the narrative.
Interestingly, even though I didn't foresee the identity of the killer, I could see, in retrospect, that the clues were there and quite evident once revealed. The rationale behind their actions felt far-fetched and hypocritical, which is acknowledged within the story itself.
Despite my mixed feelings about this particular piece, I am open to reading more works by this author in the future. Their writing style has potential, and I believe that perhaps their next story might offer a more compelling and relatable experience.
November 11, 2019
I wasn't impressed by this book. There were far too many characters and several of them unconvincing, particularly the Handyman. Too many events seemed to happen by magic, for example how quickly the police make the link with the fire. I did not find the two central detectives likeable either or characterised well.
February 20, 2020
I often have a serious talk with myself about the need for a new crime fiction series in my life. There are so many to keep track of and as we all know, there are only so many hours in the day. There have been times where I have had to make the hard decision of letting a series go and firmly decided that “no”, there is no room in my life or on my book shelves for another series. And then The Burning Men happened and all my good intentions went out the window.
Five years ago, there was a fire at a development site in South London. Four firefighters rush into the building to rescue a person they saw waving at the window. They return without a body and one by one, they quit the service and vow never to speak to each other again. Now, one of the firefighters is set on fire on his wedding day. He is the first, but he won’t be the last. Someone seems to know what happened that day five years ago. But what?
Enter DI Alex Finn. He is more of an academic type than your typical detective inspector. Maybe somewhat lacking social skills, doesn’t seem to have any friends, but he’s fiercely intelligent. Alex really shouldn’t be at work, having just lost his wife but he needs something to sink his teeth into, something that will get him out of his empty flat. With a DI not quite functioning to his full capacity, can this intriguing case be solved though? As if Alex doesn’t have enough to deal with, he’s lumbered with a new partner, DC Mattie Paulsen. They make a most unlikely pairing. She’s damaged, flawed, doesn’t seem to go out of her way to make friends either and to be honest, I found her incredibly unlikeable. Yet, somehow, the partnership between Alex and Mattie works.
This is one of those book descriptions that just grabbed my attention from the get-go. The first chapter introduces the reader to the events from that day five years ago. But if you think you’re going to get the answer to that burning question (see what I did there?) of what actually happened, you’d better think again. That information is revealed along the way, allowing the reader to try and figure things out on their own. The bigger mystery, I thought, was who is responsible for these brutal murders! Needless to say, some of those scenes were a tad gruesome. Try as I might, I had no idea who the culprit was and Will Shindler kept me guessing until the end. And if at any moment I thought THAT part was exceedingly thrilling, which it was, don’t get me wrong … there was more to come and just … whoa!
I had a good feeling about this book from the very beginning and I was definitely not disappointed. Although, admittedly I was quite wary of the whole male/female partnership but Will Shindler soon put a stop to that. The Burning Men is immensely gripping, intense, addictive, a brilliant way to kickstart a new series and a really impressive debut. So, no, I really don’t need a new series in my life but you know what? I’m making room for this one and I can’t wait to spend more time with Alex and Mattie when they investigate their next case.
Five years ago, there was a fire at a development site in South London. Four firefighters rush into the building to rescue a person they saw waving at the window. They return without a body and one by one, they quit the service and vow never to speak to each other again. Now, one of the firefighters is set on fire on his wedding day. He is the first, but he won’t be the last. Someone seems to know what happened that day five years ago. But what?
Enter DI Alex Finn. He is more of an academic type than your typical detective inspector. Maybe somewhat lacking social skills, doesn’t seem to have any friends, but he’s fiercely intelligent. Alex really shouldn’t be at work, having just lost his wife but he needs something to sink his teeth into, something that will get him out of his empty flat. With a DI not quite functioning to his full capacity, can this intriguing case be solved though? As if Alex doesn’t have enough to deal with, he’s lumbered with a new partner, DC Mattie Paulsen. They make a most unlikely pairing. She’s damaged, flawed, doesn’t seem to go out of her way to make friends either and to be honest, I found her incredibly unlikeable. Yet, somehow, the partnership between Alex and Mattie works.
This is one of those book descriptions that just grabbed my attention from the get-go. The first chapter introduces the reader to the events from that day five years ago. But if you think you’re going to get the answer to that burning question (see what I did there?) of what actually happened, you’d better think again. That information is revealed along the way, allowing the reader to try and figure things out on their own. The bigger mystery, I thought, was who is responsible for these brutal murders! Needless to say, some of those scenes were a tad gruesome. Try as I might, I had no idea who the culprit was and Will Shindler kept me guessing until the end. And if at any moment I thought THAT part was exceedingly thrilling, which it was, don’t get me wrong … there was more to come and just … whoa!
I had a good feeling about this book from the very beginning and I was definitely not disappointed. Although, admittedly I was quite wary of the whole male/female partnership but Will Shindler soon put a stop to that. The Burning Men is immensely gripping, intense, addictive, a brilliant way to kickstart a new series and a really impressive debut. So, no, I really don’t need a new series in my life but you know what? I’m making room for this one and I can’t wait to spend more time with Alex and Mattie when they investigate their next case.
August 30, 2022
Betyg: 4 av 5 - Den här boken, De brinnande männen, är den brittiske författaren Will Shindlers debutbok. Det finns två böcker till i bokserien om Alex Finn, men dom finns inte ännu översatta till svenska. Men jag hoppas verkligen på att dom också kommer att översättas, för jag tyckte riktigt mycket om den här boken. Och jag skulle vilja följa dom två lite udda poliserna Alex Finn och Mattie Pulsen i andra fall. Kan varmt rekommendera den här boken, som var spännande, lättläst, och inte alls förutsägbar.
November 5, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of The Burning Men, the first novel to feature DI Alex Finn of The Met.
When a man is burned alive on his wedding day Finn returns from bereavement leave to lead the case and break in new recruit DC Mattie Paulsen. What they find is that the victim was one of four firefighters who went in to a burning building to rescue a man and came out without him and all retired soon afterwards.
I enjoyed The Burning Men which has a good plot and strong characterisation. It is a promising debut and I will definitely read the follow up but, for me, it has some teething problems. It is a very busy novel with lots of plot lines and ramifications and two very damaged protagonists. It isn’t particularly difficult to keep up with them but, sometimes, the novel lacks clarity and you wonder why certain scenes were included. I think this is why I found the novel lacked the spark that would make it unputdownable.
On the upside the main plot line and motive are well conceived, and, for that matter, well concealed allowing the reader plenty of room for speculation and guesswork. It is mostly told from Finn’s point of view but there are plenty of other voices chiming in to give the reader a broader perspective. It makes some of the developments more guessable but disguises others more effectively.
The characterisation is strong and leads to some effective scenes but to have both protagonists damaged is slightly wearing on the reader. Hopefully the next novel will have these emotions ironed out a bit and allow for a mellower, more focused investigation. Alex Finn has just lost his wife so he’d rather be at work than wallowing in grief and self pity but he worries that he’s losing focus as his grief hits him at unexpected moments. DC Mattie Paulsen is a prickly individual with a chip on her shoulder and no interest in fraternising with her colleagues. The reasons for this become apparent at the end of the novel but I don’t wholly understand her mindset and it will be interesting to see how she develops.
The Burning Men is a good read that I can recommend.
When a man is burned alive on his wedding day Finn returns from bereavement leave to lead the case and break in new recruit DC Mattie Paulsen. What they find is that the victim was one of four firefighters who went in to a burning building to rescue a man and came out without him and all retired soon afterwards.
I enjoyed The Burning Men which has a good plot and strong characterisation. It is a promising debut and I will definitely read the follow up but, for me, it has some teething problems. It is a very busy novel with lots of plot lines and ramifications and two very damaged protagonists. It isn’t particularly difficult to keep up with them but, sometimes, the novel lacks clarity and you wonder why certain scenes were included. I think this is why I found the novel lacked the spark that would make it unputdownable.
On the upside the main plot line and motive are well conceived, and, for that matter, well concealed allowing the reader plenty of room for speculation and guesswork. It is mostly told from Finn’s point of view but there are plenty of other voices chiming in to give the reader a broader perspective. It makes some of the developments more guessable but disguises others more effectively.
The characterisation is strong and leads to some effective scenes but to have both protagonists damaged is slightly wearing on the reader. Hopefully the next novel will have these emotions ironed out a bit and allow for a mellower, more focused investigation. Alex Finn has just lost his wife so he’d rather be at work than wallowing in grief and self pity but he worries that he’s losing focus as his grief hits him at unexpected moments. DC Mattie Paulsen is a prickly individual with a chip on her shoulder and no interest in fraternising with her colleagues. The reasons for this become apparent at the end of the novel but I don’t wholly understand her mindset and it will be interesting to see how she develops.
The Burning Men is a good read that I can recommend.
April 21, 2021
It is with more than a little trepidation that I start book 1 in a new detective series. The reviews for The Burning men have been many and positive, so I was hopeful that such praise was justified and my goodness how right they were.
The past: A fire is blazing at One Pacific Square, a multi-billion-pound regeneration project. One resident is in situ and the first 4 fire fighters on the scene enter the burning building with little thought for their own safety. The consequences that follow will have fatal repercussions long into the future.
The present: DI Alex Finn & DC Mathilde (Mattie) Paulsen are assigned a new case. Finn has returned to full time duty following the sad demise of his wife Karin. He has much to prove, so many of his fellow officers will be suspicious of his early return and wonder if his state of mind can cope with the pressures of a new and at times complex investigation
Finn and Mattie attend the scene of a brutal crime.The charred body of a young man is discovered in the bathroom of an hotel….it was his wedding day. This is the start of seemingly random killings, but as the body count mounts, a tenuous association emerges between the Pacific Square fire and an historic bank heist. To me the mark of a good story is how believable the main characters are and how much of an impression they make on judgemental readers. DI Finn is a pedantic, organised, considerate private man always concerned with the minutiae, and the great responsibility placed upon him..."how smart his appearance was- the closely trimmed hair, the crisply ironed shirt, the carefully moisturised skin"........"He was a man of certainties and police work was the area of his life where he felt most certain".....DC Poulsen has to prove herself as a capable partner but does little to endear herself to Finn when she berates him in a moment of uncontrollable rage and unprofessionalism.
The pace of the narration is fast and although the plot is detailed it never becomes over complex and is always accessible. Future books in the series will undoubtedly reveal more in the colourful lives of Finn and Paulsen. The Burning Men has been a delight to read with a new army of admirers and I count myself amongst their number.
The past: A fire is blazing at One Pacific Square, a multi-billion-pound regeneration project. One resident is in situ and the first 4 fire fighters on the scene enter the burning building with little thought for their own safety. The consequences that follow will have fatal repercussions long into the future.
The present: DI Alex Finn & DC Mathilde (Mattie) Paulsen are assigned a new case. Finn has returned to full time duty following the sad demise of his wife Karin. He has much to prove, so many of his fellow officers will be suspicious of his early return and wonder if his state of mind can cope with the pressures of a new and at times complex investigation
Finn and Mattie attend the scene of a brutal crime.The charred body of a young man is discovered in the bathroom of an hotel….it was his wedding day. This is the start of seemingly random killings, but as the body count mounts, a tenuous association emerges between the Pacific Square fire and an historic bank heist. To me the mark of a good story is how believable the main characters are and how much of an impression they make on judgemental readers. DI Finn is a pedantic, organised, considerate private man always concerned with the minutiae, and the great responsibility placed upon him..."how smart his appearance was- the closely trimmed hair, the crisply ironed shirt, the carefully moisturised skin"........"He was a man of certainties and police work was the area of his life where he felt most certain".....DC Poulsen has to prove herself as a capable partner but does little to endear herself to Finn when she berates him in a moment of uncontrollable rage and unprofessionalism.
The pace of the narration is fast and although the plot is detailed it never becomes over complex and is always accessible. Future books in the series will undoubtedly reveal more in the colourful lives of Finn and Paulsen. The Burning Men has been a delight to read with a new army of admirers and I count myself amongst their number.
July 7, 2020
Fantastic read, kept me guessing up to the end. So enthralling could not put down. Very well written, with great plot, will definitely be ordering next in the series when comes out next year.
December 15, 2020
Competent but pedestrian. Won't read any more in the series.
October 11, 2024
This is the first time I have read anything from this author and I already have the second book in this series lined up to read!
The Burning Men is the first book in the DI Alex Finn series. Alex Finn has just lost his wife and returns to work rather quickly, some think too quickly, but this is how he deals with the grief. He is in charge of the case of a man who has burned to death. He was a fireman and was part of a close-knit group that worked together in the London Fire Brigade.
Joining the team is DC Mattie Paulson, she has been transferred and no one seems to really know much about her. She does keep to herself which is not going to go down too well with the rest of the team.
As the investigation starts it is up to the team to join the dots and try to discover what happened when a second body is found burned to death. There is a link but quite what that is and how things are connected takes a lot of working out for the team. With crime, not everyone tells the truth and there is no exception with this crime story.
It is always great to start a new series and I do like characters that have some interesting aspects to them. Finn and Paulson definitely have some unique traits and there is also Ojo who works with them and helps to shed light on what it is to be a female working within the male-dominated team within the Met.
The author has brought some great angles to the story with his characters and also how he eventually links things together. There are suggestions as to what has happened or may have happened but not everything is clear until the author is ready to reveal the final results.
There are some dramatic scenes in this book, but these are not dwelt on too much. I don't really want to read about a body burning so I am grateful that the author only placed the basics there and it was enough for me to imagine but not feel as if I have lived through it.
This is a great start to a new-to-me crime series. This is one for those who like police procedural, crime, mystery and thriller reads. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and I would happily recommend it.
The Burning Men is the first book in the DI Alex Finn series. Alex Finn has just lost his wife and returns to work rather quickly, some think too quickly, but this is how he deals with the grief. He is in charge of the case of a man who has burned to death. He was a fireman and was part of a close-knit group that worked together in the London Fire Brigade.
Joining the team is DC Mattie Paulson, she has been transferred and no one seems to really know much about her. She does keep to herself which is not going to go down too well with the rest of the team.
As the investigation starts it is up to the team to join the dots and try to discover what happened when a second body is found burned to death. There is a link but quite what that is and how things are connected takes a lot of working out for the team. With crime, not everyone tells the truth and there is no exception with this crime story.
It is always great to start a new series and I do like characters that have some interesting aspects to them. Finn and Paulson definitely have some unique traits and there is also Ojo who works with them and helps to shed light on what it is to be a female working within the male-dominated team within the Met.
The author has brought some great angles to the story with his characters and also how he eventually links things together. There are suggestions as to what has happened or may have happened but not everything is clear until the author is ready to reveal the final results.
There are some dramatic scenes in this book, but these are not dwelt on too much. I don't really want to read about a body burning so I am grateful that the author only placed the basics there and it was enough for me to imagine but not feel as if I have lived through it.
This is a great start to a new-to-me crime series. This is one for those who like police procedural, crime, mystery and thriller reads. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and I would happily recommend it.
April 26, 2020
The story begins five years before when a fire consumes the construction site of a prestige development in Pacific Square, London. A team of five firefighters are first on the scene when they see a man waving from a third floor window. They rush inside to his rescue, emerging soon after with the body of a man who is then identified as well known money launderer, Erik Whitlock. Within 18 months, all five members of the team have taken early retirement.
Five years later, these same men are now being targeted after one of them is set alight at his own wedding reception. The remaining four fear they are being singled out for a decision they made five years previous...a fear that soon becomes a reality when yet another of them is found dead, burned alive. Who is doing this?
DI Alex Finn is assigned to the case after recently returning to work after the death of his wife Karin from an aggressive brain tumour. He is partnered with DC Mattie Paulson, as some kind of mentor to the young DC, who has her own demons to battle after a recent investigation into a paedophile.
The remaining three ex-firies are tight-lipped, saying nothing, even if it could help pinpoint who is singling them out and killing them all one by one. Whilst in the background corruption runs deep as tabs are being keps on Finn and Paulson's investigation.
A solid police procedural with some gruesome scenes but with an intriguing plot that keeps you guessing, THE BURNING MEN is a chilling, gritty and well written debut with twists, tension and plenty of suspense.
Recommended for fans of this genre.
I would like to thank #WillShindler, #NetGalley and #HodderAndStoughton for an ARC of #TheBurningMen in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Five years later, these same men are now being targeted after one of them is set alight at his own wedding reception. The remaining four fear they are being singled out for a decision they made five years previous...a fear that soon becomes a reality when yet another of them is found dead, burned alive. Who is doing this?
DI Alex Finn is assigned to the case after recently returning to work after the death of his wife Karin from an aggressive brain tumour. He is partnered with DC Mattie Paulson, as some kind of mentor to the young DC, who has her own demons to battle after a recent investigation into a paedophile.
The remaining three ex-firies are tight-lipped, saying nothing, even if it could help pinpoint who is singling them out and killing them all one by one. Whilst in the background corruption runs deep as tabs are being keps on Finn and Paulson's investigation.
A solid police procedural with some gruesome scenes but with an intriguing plot that keeps you guessing, THE BURNING MEN is a chilling, gritty and well written debut with twists, tension and plenty of suspense.
Recommended for fans of this genre.
I would like to thank #WillShindler, #NetGalley and #HodderAndStoughton for an ARC of #TheBurningMen in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
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