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Sam Lawson #1
Combustible
Gripping and funny, this explosive murder mystery is part Lee Child, part James Patterson and part Carl Hiaasen.
Detective Sam Lawson was perfectly happy doing just enough to get by. But then someone had to go and get murdered.
When he’s sent to investigate an accidental death from a house fire, it seems like just another open-and-shut case... until he discovers the victim was dead before the fire started.
It isn't long before Sam stumbles upon a dark side to the victim’s past and unwittingly ignites a powder keg of secrets. Soon he is caught in a maze of murder, abuse and corruption.
Was it the vengeful arsonist? The widow with a sordid past? The son with a chip on his shoulder? Or is an ambitious warden trying to keep a prison scandal under wraps? One thing’s for sure: the more Sam fans the flames, the more likely he is to get burned.
Set among the colorful backdrop of East Texas, this taut page-turner is sure to keep you guessing until the very last page.
Detective Sam Lawson was perfectly happy doing just enough to get by. But then someone had to go and get murdered.
When he’s sent to investigate an accidental death from a house fire, it seems like just another open-and-shut case... until he discovers the victim was dead before the fire started.
It isn't long before Sam stumbles upon a dark side to the victim’s past and unwittingly ignites a powder keg of secrets. Soon he is caught in a maze of murder, abuse and corruption.
Was it the vengeful arsonist? The widow with a sordid past? The son with a chip on his shoulder? Or is an ambitious warden trying to keep a prison scandal under wraps? One thing’s for sure: the more Sam fans the flames, the more likely he is to get burned.
Set among the colorful backdrop of East Texas, this taut page-turner is sure to keep you guessing until the very last page.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2019
245 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
David K. Wilson
9 books57 followersDavid K. Wilson grew up in East Texas, surrounded by enough colorful characters to fill the pages of hundreds of books. He has been an advertising copywriter and creative director, and is probably responsible for some of the junk mail you've received over the years.
He is also a seasoned ghostwriter and screenwriter. Currently, he lives in upstate New York, where he still complains about the cold every single winter.
He is also a seasoned ghostwriter and screenwriter. Currently, he lives in upstate New York, where he still complains about the cold every single winter.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 3, 2020
Murderer caught by dead beat cop
A drunken detective finds a case to bring him back and love for a woman to help him solve the case.
A drunken detective finds a case to bring him back and love for a woman to help him solve the case.
Want to read
September 22, 2020🎁FREE on Amazon today (9/22/2020)! 🎁
July 21, 2025
Entertaining and humerous. Enjoyed and will certainly read the next in the series.
March 18, 2021
A great hard hitting southwestern noir that keeps you in your seat! Sam Lawson is an intriguing character who, unlike most hardboiled genre detectives, develops as a character over this and subsequent novels in the series.
If you liked Jack Reacher, you'll enjoy Wilson's work.
If you liked Jack Reacher, you'll enjoy Wilson's work.
March 11, 2021
Great story, ies
I'm sending my rating on the first book in this series even though I have read all three. Sam is a detectives with a sense of humor. Interesting stories,hard to put the book down, reading into the middle of the night. Don't miss this series.
I'm sending my rating on the first book in this series even though I have read all three. Sam is a detectives with a sense of humor. Interesting stories,hard to put the book down, reading into the middle of the night. Don't miss this series.
December 17, 2022
In Combustible by David K. Wilson main character Sam Lawson says "The more I dig, the more suspects I find." and that sentence pretty much sums up the story.
Combustible, the first book in the Sam Lawson mystery series, begins with a house fire. Unfortunately Joe Reddington, a prison guard, husband and father, dies in the fire. After the medical examiner begins her exam of the deceased, she finds that he didn't die from the fire, he was killed and made to look like he did. As a result this will lead Sam to the prison where Joe worked as well as looking into his family and background. While Sam is investigating he will uncover some secrets that should remain secretive but cannot while a murder is being looked into.
The deeper that Sam gets into his investigating, the more bizarre things gets. And the suspect lists continues to grow and grow. Sam enlists the help of Carla, the medical examiner, with his research and the two are flabbergasted at their discovery. Unfortunately getting justice served is going to be an uphill battle and Sam doesn't know who he can trust besides Carla.
Combustible is a great story that will keep the readers attention as long as they have the book opened. Wilson takes readers down a rabbit hole full of twists and turns and you will want to see what will be at the end..... and when you get to the end, it will be explosive !!
I highly recommend reading this book and allowing Wilson to take you on a journey. You won't regret it.
Combustible, the first book in the Sam Lawson mystery series, begins with a house fire. Unfortunately Joe Reddington, a prison guard, husband and father, dies in the fire. After the medical examiner begins her exam of the deceased, she finds that he didn't die from the fire, he was killed and made to look like he did. As a result this will lead Sam to the prison where Joe worked as well as looking into his family and background. While Sam is investigating he will uncover some secrets that should remain secretive but cannot while a murder is being looked into.
The deeper that Sam gets into his investigating, the more bizarre things gets. And the suspect lists continues to grow and grow. Sam enlists the help of Carla, the medical examiner, with his research and the two are flabbergasted at their discovery. Unfortunately getting justice served is going to be an uphill battle and Sam doesn't know who he can trust besides Carla.
Combustible is a great story that will keep the readers attention as long as they have the book opened. Wilson takes readers down a rabbit hole full of twists and turns and you will want to see what will be at the end..... and when you get to the end, it will be explosive !!
I highly recommend reading this book and allowing Wilson to take you on a journey. You won't regret it.
February 7, 2021
They were short handed and Sam got called in, a house fire. The medical examiner saying dead before the fire happened . He was a prison guard in this small town. Son couldn’t believe his mother was defending his dad, his job changed him. The son could hear the name calling, the slaps at night.
Did others know what he did, he was not well liked at work. The killer had set them free, would Sam find out who. Good police story and how Sam finds the pieces even though he says he is not good at it.
Did others know what he did, he was not well liked at work. The killer had set them free, would Sam find out who. Good police story and how Sam finds the pieces even though he says he is not good at it.
April 11, 2022
Detective Sam Lawson is trying to solve the murder of Joe Reddington who was found in bed and his house set on fire. Joe did a lot of bad things, so most people thought life was better with him dead. Sam and Carla, who works in the morgue, work together to solve the case.
I really liked this book and can't wait to start the next one.
I really liked this book and can't wait to start the next one.
June 27, 2020
Not the ending I expected
He had me fooled until the very end. I love the characters David Wilson develops with just enough East Texas vibes to make them believable. I look forward to more Sam Lawson stories.
He had me fooled until the very end. I love the characters David Wilson develops with just enough East Texas vibes to make them believable. I look forward to more Sam Lawson stories.
January 18, 2021
Fast paced
This is a fast paced and enjoyable afternoon read about a beat up, has been, alcoholic detective that you grow to like.
This is a fast paced and enjoyable afternoon read about a beat up, has been, alcoholic detective that you grow to like.
August 12, 2022
Great police thriller
This story kept you on your toes until the end. Loved the flawed main character Sam. Never would have suspected who the killer was. Good read.
This story kept you on your toes until the end. Loved the flawed main character Sam. Never would have suspected who the killer was. Good read.
November 13, 2023
When I began reading the Sam Lawson Mystery series, I had read the last book of the series called Before Her Last Breath. It’s where I first met the main character, Sam Lawson, and after reading it, I wanted to learn more about Sam’s story, so I thought I’d start at the beginning. The first novel in David K. Wilson’s popular series is called Combustible. Sam Lawson is confronted with a few suspects as he tries to uncover the killer whose weapon of choice was fire. But solving a murder wasn't Sam’s only problem. His self-destructive troubles were beginning to get in the way of his work. It wasn’t until Sam became interested in an attractive medical examiner named Carla that Sam was motivated to clean up his act. I love how the author weaved humor through well-written dialogue, which left me loving the character Sam Lawson. Sam’s wit and charm, along with great instinct as a well-seasoned detective, may have been the very thing needed to unravel and uncover the true killer. I highly recommend the Sam Lawson Mystery series by David K. Wilson.
February 10, 2023
Very enjoyable read
This is my usual genre. I read few mysteries. The ones I like are more cozy. This feels true. I love the major character of Sam Lawson. The plot was good and it followed through the book. Writing was superb. I am going to get Book 2
This is my usual genre. I read few mysteries. The ones I like are more cozy. This feels true. I love the major character of Sam Lawson. The plot was good and it followed through the book. Writing was superb. I am going to get Book 2
March 10, 2023
Fast Paced Page Turner
The story moved forward with quickness. It was suspenseful enough to keep me turning pages. Great character development and a somewhat surprising ending. Can’t wait to read the next one.
The story moved forward with quickness. It was suspenseful enough to keep me turning pages. Great character development and a somewhat surprising ending. Can’t wait to read the next one.
May 12, 2024
Predictable ending…storyline moved at good pace but ending too easy to figure out
September 6, 2025
Different plot
Sam was a washed out cop. He didn’t care about his job and he was a drunk. Then a murder happened and it woke him up. Read to find out what he did.
Sam was a washed out cop. He didn’t care about his job and he was a drunk. Then a murder happened and it woke him up. Read to find out what he did.
November 1, 2025
Loved it! Ready to start book 2!
December 6, 2019
Like a moth to a flame, I couldn't stay away! I purchased this novel on the recommendation of a friend and was hooked by the first page.
The series’ title character, Sam Lawson, intoxicates like swigs of a stiff drink. He feels genuine as he contemplates his fate, self-medicating all while his highly analytical mind appreciates the subtly varying effects of tequila versus whisky, even acknowledging the joys of a glass of red wine when suitable.
Having been hardened by years of endless case cracking, not much captures Sam’s attention, until a brilliant and beautiful medical examiner sets him back on track. Combustible is a profoundly apt title on so many levels.
This being the first in a series, I’m ready to dive into book 2, please hurry Mr. Wilson!
The series’ title character, Sam Lawson, intoxicates like swigs of a stiff drink. He feels genuine as he contemplates his fate, self-medicating all while his highly analytical mind appreciates the subtly varying effects of tequila versus whisky, even acknowledging the joys of a glass of red wine when suitable.
Having been hardened by years of endless case cracking, not much captures Sam’s attention, until a brilliant and beautiful medical examiner sets him back on track. Combustible is a profoundly apt title on so many levels.
This being the first in a series, I’m ready to dive into book 2, please hurry Mr. Wilson!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews