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Burner
IRIS
It’s terrifying how quickly everything can be taken away from you. Iris learns this agonizing lesson in the blink of an eye. Her future dreams. Her past life. Everything gone in a storm of pain. But this pain is only the beginning.
AUDREY
Audrey had the perfect life. Great husband, beautiful daughter, lots of money. Except her husbandisn’t the man she thought he was. Her dead husband’s burner phone was bad. The Polaroids were worse. But the secrets she uncovers next set her entire world on fire.
BURNER
Two women’s lives intersect because of one man’s actions. The transformation is pristine,and beautiful, and filled with pain. Sometimes the scars are on the inside.
It’s terrifying how quickly everything can be taken away from you. Iris learns this agonizing lesson in the blink of an eye. Her future dreams. Her past life. Everything gone in a storm of pain. But this pain is only the beginning.
AUDREY
Audrey had the perfect life. Great husband, beautiful daughter, lots of money. Except her husbandisn’t the man she thought he was. Her dead husband’s burner phone was bad. The Polaroids were worse. But the secrets she uncovers next set her entire world on fire.
BURNER
Two women’s lives intersect because of one man’s actions. The transformation is pristine,and beautiful, and filled with pain. Sometimes the scars are on the inside.
282 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2020
132 people are currently reading
3787 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
March 8, 2025
I was back and forth on 4-5 stars (Why can't we do .5s!), but I went ahead and pulled the trigger on this one. I have never read Robert Ford prior, but was very impressed with how he designed this story. It's basically reading two separate books, in one, and then everything intermingles towards the latter parts. At first, I was absolutely positive that Paul was a cheating dog, who would blame his PTSD from military service to explain how Audrey and Iris were pulled into his little world. I was so sure of it. But I was dead wrong. Things were somehow so much worse than I could've imagined. And as the story began to unfold, I found myself totally shocked at each passing event. And the ending also caught me by surprise, too. But needless to say, it's very hard to balance two parallel stories without confusing the reader, but Ford managed to do so seamlessly. Both Audrey and Iris, as the main characters, were completely relatable in the sense that you appreciated their situations, felt their emotions, and understood why they act in certain ways. Even if you don't necessarily agree with any of it, you, at least, understood it. So Ford did a masterful job getting the reader engaged here. Now I did want a little more on Paul and how he got involved in his particular business dealings. But at the same time, I think it served the story better to have that unsolved mystery, which further added to how ugly the situation really was.
Now while this isn't a standard horror story with monsters, demons, killer lice, krakens, and whatever else that you think of in your worst nightmares, this is much scarier in a sense, as it shows some real world horror. This one, folks, is definitely Topsider approved!
Now while this isn't a standard horror story with monsters, demons, killer lice, krakens, and whatever else that you think of in your worst nightmares, this is much scarier in a sense, as it shows some real world horror. This one, folks, is definitely Topsider approved!
March 28, 2021
If you’re going to read this book, know a few things first:
1. You will want the whole day to finish in one sitting.
2. It’s not an easy read. The subject matter is brutal. You can ask me about it if you want specifics
3. Review soon. One of the most binge-worthy books I’ve ever read. Could not set it down. A+ horror all the way
1. You will want the whole day to finish in one sitting.
2. It’s not an easy read. The subject matter is brutal. You can ask me about it if you want specifics
3. Review soon. One of the most binge-worthy books I’ve ever read. Could not set it down. A+ horror all the way
February 18, 2023
After Audrey's husband Paul dies of a stroke she discovers that she didn't really know him. What was he doing with young women? How is Irene involved? What about the then and now of the characters (the way the novel is told)? Many of the short chapters describe in an intriguing way what strange things are going on here. You see the perspective of the victim and that of clueless wife. Who can be blamed? The book started very strong but soon became a bit repetitive in my opinion with all the cruelties and snuff details. Nevertheless page turning hell of a read. Recommended!
August 12, 2024
A perfect example of why I don't rate books I DNF. I almost DNFed this book twice, the first time I couldn't get into it and didn't care about anything that was happening, the second time I started over and same thing, but I decided to power through a little longer only to find my stride with it a few pages later. Once it did get into it, I couldn't stop. The characters were really solid and made up for the stretching of my suspension of disbelief. It's bleak, so bleak and gruesome in a way that never got ridiculous. That set up I didn't care for? It really was needed to set the tone and pace for the whole thing so I can't even fault the author for that.
4.5 rounded up.
4.5 rounded up.
May 2, 2022
Gripping and well written and a reminder that humans are the real monsters.
April 22, 2021
I have to admit that all this time later, after having finished this brilliant novel weeks ago, I still am really uncertain how to approach this review.
I've always been very empathetic. When I follow someone on social media, and they announce that they have experienced a profound loss, be it a pet or a person, I often end up crying. I feel things very deeply, and I'm embarrassed to admit that it often causes me to avoid the news. So when any mention of human trafficking comes up in my presence or online, I, for some ignorant reason, always thought that it was a "faraway problem". That people in third world countries, thousands of miles from when I live, are the ones who deal with such a repugnant issue. BURNER was my wakeup call.
Human Trafficking happens right here in America, and my state, Georgia, is actually one of the states that reports it happening the most often. I was absolutely gobsmacked when I read those statistics. This investigating happened after I finished the novel, because I no joke started it and finished it without even once putting the book down. I just kept turning pages. And the more pages I turned, the deeper the dread sank in. I'm completely serious when I say that you need to make sure you have a few hours freed up before you pick up this novel because you will not want to put it down. I couldn't put it down. I had to know. Ford teases this story out so perfectly that I sat utterly rapt with a churning stomach, totally unable to stop reading and give myself a break.
And you will definitely want a break from the brutality in this book, but I think like me you won't allow yourself that comfort. Because for way too long I have all but ignored the real issue of human trafficking. Ford mentions that he saw a news article about it, and ended up keeping it because it affected him so deeply. That's exactly how I felt when I read this book. I felt like I finally knew the truth, and there's no going back from there. This story that Ford crafted so elegantly and yet so viscerally raw and unflinching is one that will stay with me forever. That's great writing. When you can show readers a fictional world where very real things happen to characters that you end up caring for quite a lot, that's amazing writing. I felt sincere and agonizing sympathy for one of the women who narrates this book. The other woman is definitely a victim too, but her actions complicate how I felt about her. Just as in the real world, Ford's fictional character are extremely complex, and definitely not all good or all bad.
Essentially this is a story about two women who have their lives upended and utterly destroyed by one man. And the fallout goes even beyond those women to the people closest to them. Reading BURNER is like poking a raw nerve. It's an absolutely brilliant novel about a subject that most of the world would like to continue to remain willfully ignorant of. But by doing that, the cycle continues. Money and power win, and innocent people have their lives destroyed. It's important that you read this one, friends. This is a painful novel that left me with a massive book hangover. However, I'm certain it will be in my top reads at the end of the year.
I've always been very empathetic. When I follow someone on social media, and they announce that they have experienced a profound loss, be it a pet or a person, I often end up crying. I feel things very deeply, and I'm embarrassed to admit that it often causes me to avoid the news. So when any mention of human trafficking comes up in my presence or online, I, for some ignorant reason, always thought that it was a "faraway problem". That people in third world countries, thousands of miles from when I live, are the ones who deal with such a repugnant issue. BURNER was my wakeup call.
Human Trafficking happens right here in America, and my state, Georgia, is actually one of the states that reports it happening the most often. I was absolutely gobsmacked when I read those statistics. This investigating happened after I finished the novel, because I no joke started it and finished it without even once putting the book down. I just kept turning pages. And the more pages I turned, the deeper the dread sank in. I'm completely serious when I say that you need to make sure you have a few hours freed up before you pick up this novel because you will not want to put it down. I couldn't put it down. I had to know. Ford teases this story out so perfectly that I sat utterly rapt with a churning stomach, totally unable to stop reading and give myself a break.
And you will definitely want a break from the brutality in this book, but I think like me you won't allow yourself that comfort. Because for way too long I have all but ignored the real issue of human trafficking. Ford mentions that he saw a news article about it, and ended up keeping it because it affected him so deeply. That's exactly how I felt when I read this book. I felt like I finally knew the truth, and there's no going back from there. This story that Ford crafted so elegantly and yet so viscerally raw and unflinching is one that will stay with me forever. That's great writing. When you can show readers a fictional world where very real things happen to characters that you end up caring for quite a lot, that's amazing writing. I felt sincere and agonizing sympathy for one of the women who narrates this book. The other woman is definitely a victim too, but her actions complicate how I felt about her. Just as in the real world, Ford's fictional character are extremely complex, and definitely not all good or all bad.
Essentially this is a story about two women who have their lives upended and utterly destroyed by one man. And the fallout goes even beyond those women to the people closest to them. Reading BURNER is like poking a raw nerve. It's an absolutely brilliant novel about a subject that most of the world would like to continue to remain willfully ignorant of. But by doing that, the cycle continues. Money and power win, and innocent people have their lives destroyed. It's important that you read this one, friends. This is a painful novel that left me with a massive book hangover. However, I'm certain it will be in my top reads at the end of the year.
January 3, 2021
A Good Marriage meets Taken
Horror exists to terrify us. Sometimes that can be cathartic. Reading about the fictional exploits of a supernatural slasher, or hideous monsters straight out of a nightmare can be a fun way to experience fear within our comfort zone. Robert Ford doesn’t write within comfort zones. With his latest novel, ‘Burner’, he has instead chosen to hold up a mirror to horrors that are uncomfortably close to home.
The lives of two ordinary women, content and happy with their lives, intersect with an act of brutality. Audrey is happily married, with a loving husband and a grown-up daughter. Iris is a student studying to be a doctor. She wants to travel the world and hopes that her boyfriend will accompany her on her journey after she finishes her final year.
The lives of these two women will be irrevocably changed when one unthinkable act brings the two together, linked by a man whose terrible secrets are beyond anything either of them could ever have imagined.
Burner is told from the perspective of two women, each chapter switching between the two, and split between the ‘then’ and ‘now’ of the story. We learn early on that something awful has happened, as both characters are interviewed about the events that have already taken place, and it is through their reflections of these events that the curtain is slowly pulled back. Once it has, you’ll wish it had stayed firmly shut.
It is an intense reading experience and not one intended to be ‘enjoyed’ in the traditional sense. It keeps you guessing at what the traumatic events were that both characters are relaying and, when the truth is gradually revealed, Ford manages to increase the horrors way past the stage where you thought things could get no worse. I found myself constantly torn between wanting to put the book down and being consumed with a need to read on and finish the story.
Ford is delivering on another level with ‘Burner’. He is so adept at making us care for his characters that it will leave you absolutely broken when you are presented with the awful things those same characters are capable of under the most extreme of circumstances. His prose is straightforward and impassive, unflinching in its detail and unforgiving, refusing to shy away for even a second.
I vividly recalled my experience reading Jack Ketchum’s masterwork, ‘The Girl Next Door’ after I put down ‘Burner’. Much like Ketchum’s book, Robert Ford’s latest ends with an afterword detailing the all too real horrors that the book is based on. It makes what came before it all the more harrowing to read that the fictional tale you just read is, if anything, a toned-down version of real-life atrocities.
Burner is an absolutely merciless book. It is a difficult, but rewarding read and one that will stay with you long after you’ve put the book down. Robert Ford is a criminally underread author and I can’t help but feel that ‘Burner’ is the book that will soon rectify that.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/category/...
Horror exists to terrify us. Sometimes that can be cathartic. Reading about the fictional exploits of a supernatural slasher, or hideous monsters straight out of a nightmare can be a fun way to experience fear within our comfort zone. Robert Ford doesn’t write within comfort zones. With his latest novel, ‘Burner’, he has instead chosen to hold up a mirror to horrors that are uncomfortably close to home.
The lives of two ordinary women, content and happy with their lives, intersect with an act of brutality. Audrey is happily married, with a loving husband and a grown-up daughter. Iris is a student studying to be a doctor. She wants to travel the world and hopes that her boyfriend will accompany her on her journey after she finishes her final year.
The lives of these two women will be irrevocably changed when one unthinkable act brings the two together, linked by a man whose terrible secrets are beyond anything either of them could ever have imagined.
Burner is told from the perspective of two women, each chapter switching between the two, and split between the ‘then’ and ‘now’ of the story. We learn early on that something awful has happened, as both characters are interviewed about the events that have already taken place, and it is through their reflections of these events that the curtain is slowly pulled back. Once it has, you’ll wish it had stayed firmly shut.
It is an intense reading experience and not one intended to be ‘enjoyed’ in the traditional sense. It keeps you guessing at what the traumatic events were that both characters are relaying and, when the truth is gradually revealed, Ford manages to increase the horrors way past the stage where you thought things could get no worse. I found myself constantly torn between wanting to put the book down and being consumed with a need to read on and finish the story.
Ford is delivering on another level with ‘Burner’. He is so adept at making us care for his characters that it will leave you absolutely broken when you are presented with the awful things those same characters are capable of under the most extreme of circumstances. His prose is straightforward and impassive, unflinching in its detail and unforgiving, refusing to shy away for even a second.
I vividly recalled my experience reading Jack Ketchum’s masterwork, ‘The Girl Next Door’ after I put down ‘Burner’. Much like Ketchum’s book, Robert Ford’s latest ends with an afterword detailing the all too real horrors that the book is based on. It makes what came before it all the more harrowing to read that the fictional tale you just read is, if anything, a toned-down version of real-life atrocities.
Burner is an absolutely merciless book. It is a difficult, but rewarding read and one that will stay with you long after you’ve put the book down. Robert Ford is a criminally underread author and I can’t help but feel that ‘Burner’ is the book that will soon rectify that.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/category/...
September 24, 2022
'Dark, sinister and brutal'
'Burner' proved to be a first rate, psychological horror-thriller, with the narrative being interwoven using the chronologically ordered perspectives of two of the main protagonists.
A real page-turner, written skilfully with lots of clever thought going into the proceedings right until the ingenious reveal of the final piece of the jigsaw which came at the very end of the whole sad affair of the story.
If you plan to get 'burnt' then get ready to read elements of corporate power and control, people trafficking, abduction, rape, torture and death but all the components, although really hard-hitting at times, never proved to be overly gruesomely detailed, OTT or unacceptable which possibly could have negatively affected the positively flowing vibes and overall enjoyment of this well crafted gruesome tale.
Highly recommended to fans of intelligently written horror that delves deeply into the darker side of the human psyche.
Rating: 4.5 stars that just continue to 'burn' so bright.
'Burner' proved to be a first rate, psychological horror-thriller, with the narrative being interwoven using the chronologically ordered perspectives of two of the main protagonists.
A real page-turner, written skilfully with lots of clever thought going into the proceedings right until the ingenious reveal of the final piece of the jigsaw which came at the very end of the whole sad affair of the story.
If you plan to get 'burnt' then get ready to read elements of corporate power and control, people trafficking, abduction, rape, torture and death but all the components, although really hard-hitting at times, never proved to be overly gruesomely detailed, OTT or unacceptable which possibly could have negatively affected the positively flowing vibes and overall enjoyment of this well crafted gruesome tale.
Highly recommended to fans of intelligently written horror that delves deeply into the darker side of the human psyche.
Rating: 4.5 stars that just continue to 'burn' so bright.
August 10, 2021
A beautifully structured and well written novel with two narrators, Iris and Audrey, relating two different stories that you know will eventually connect. What happens when they do is definitely not for the squeamish, but Ford’s ‘Burner’ is another of those outside of the mainstream horror/thriller novels that should get more publicity. I thoroughly enjoyed it, if enjoyed is the right word, and will definitely read more of his work in the near future.
September 30, 2022
Goddamn! Wow ! A freaking must read. I can't even say how much I loved this book.
August 16, 2021
Masterfully constructed timeline. Page-turning brutality. I loved it. Great job, Bob!
April 1, 2021
In Burner we follow two narrators, Iris and Audrey, moving back and forth between chapters of “then” and “now”. These two characters intersect due to traumatic events. Audrey is happily married and has a daughter, while Iris is a college student with a boyfriend and a promising future. Iris and Audrey are both being interviewed, and as we read, details about what happened are revealed.
This book isn’t exactly fun to read but that doesn’t mean you won’t be glued to the pages. Ford is a master at character development and the short chapters with the interview format pace the book perfectly. The author notes at the end give you insight into the inspiration behind the story. Look, Burner hits you in the gut with what human beings are capable of. The scariest monster of all could be right around the corner from you.
I highly recommend Burner to readers that like to read stories that show the worst of humanity, that make you upset, but also keep you coming back for more. Sound like your brand of whiskey?...then I suggest you pick it up!
This book isn’t exactly fun to read but that doesn’t mean you won’t be glued to the pages. Ford is a master at character development and the short chapters with the interview format pace the book perfectly. The author notes at the end give you insight into the inspiration behind the story. Look, Burner hits you in the gut with what human beings are capable of. The scariest monster of all could be right around the corner from you.
I highly recommend Burner to readers that like to read stories that show the worst of humanity, that make you upset, but also keep you coming back for more. Sound like your brand of whiskey?...then I suggest you pick it up!
July 27, 2022
Wow what a wild ride this was. This is almost like reading two books in one until they come together. This is the story of Audrey who finds out most of the life she’s known is a lie . Then you have Iris a college student studying to be a DR. In one night her life is completely destroyed . So you then are left with Audrey who’s trying to decide right from wrong . And how far will she go to save herself and loved ones. And then there is Iris who is trying to save herself and find some salvation in all this. This was a very fast paced and engrossing read. I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys extreme violence.
August 2, 2022
I wasn’t sure where this book was going when it first started. It took me on such a wild roller coaster ride that I have no words. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the end shocked me. Excellent book, one I won’t soon forget
July 22, 2022
Oof - that took a lot out of me. I had seen other reviews and some potential warnings, but that does not change the toll that reading this can do to someone. But it probably didn't help that I consumed it in less than 24 hours. But I couldn't stop. Robert Ford has written something so raw and brutal, and filled with some harsh truths of our society, that I couldn't look away. Parts of the story gave me Ketchum meets Hostel vibes re: abuse, trauma, and human trafficking, respectively, but it's 100% Ford's gifted storytelling voice behind the wheel.
The dual narrators that go back and forth really blew my mind. And not in the "Wow, stories are never told this way!" kind of way because we've all read plenty of them. But in a way that it really made me think about my own humanity and the humanity of other people in a way that I had not before. I think this was driven by some disgusting twists and fears that I have, which I am sure many others do, too. But nonetheless, I was forced to examine some seedy institutions and behaviors the more I read this story.
You can definitely tell how much of Ford's own soul was put into this and I am sure it takes a lot out of someone to write a book like this. It's bleak and heartbreaking, it has moments of revenge that you aren't sure if you should cheer on or not, and it just leaves you breathless. You have hope the whole time that something, anything, is going to work out. From the beginning you sort of have an idea of the outcome but you still really don't know how or why... and if you even want to totally know the truth.
This book will set your own nerves on fire. But I think it's incredibly written, terrifying, and 100% worth reading. Definitely recommended!
The dual narrators that go back and forth really blew my mind. And not in the "Wow, stories are never told this way!" kind of way because we've all read plenty of them. But in a way that it really made me think about my own humanity and the humanity of other people in a way that I had not before. I think this was driven by some disgusting twists and fears that I have, which I am sure many others do, too. But nonetheless, I was forced to examine some seedy institutions and behaviors the more I read this story.
You can definitely tell how much of Ford's own soul was put into this and I am sure it takes a lot out of someone to write a book like this. It's bleak and heartbreaking, it has moments of revenge that you aren't sure if you should cheer on or not, and it just leaves you breathless. You have hope the whole time that something, anything, is going to work out. From the beginning you sort of have an idea of the outcome but you still really don't know how or why... and if you even want to totally know the truth.
This book will set your own nerves on fire. But I think it's incredibly written, terrifying, and 100% worth reading. Definitely recommended!
June 21, 2021
Has there ever been a book that just destroyed you, made you gasp for air, played tug-of-war with your psyche, your heart, and soul? I've had several reads like that and have now added Burner to that list!
I don’t even know where to begin!! I Too many thoughts, too many questions, too many emotions, and damn, loved every second of it! This was my first Robert Ford novel and it won’t be my last. This book depicted true and unimaginable horror, heart and jaw clenching moments (and I’ve read some gruesome horror); no supernatural elements, no clowns in sewers, no ghosts in the closet but real and brutal horror. Vile and unimaginable atrocities like the ones depicted here happen to people's everyday acts we don’t want to admit to or begin to imagine, perpetrators with psychopathic tendencies, and the poor, tortured victims whose lives will never be the same again.
Two women’s lives intersect because of one man’s actions. The transition from each of their daily lives to the deep impact of something so terrifying is superbly written by Ford. Iris and Audrey, retell their story; two brutal POVs where midway through the book you realize their connection; the horrifying reasons they have in common finally result in a chilling conclusion.
Disclaimer: It is a tough book to read; sexual assault and sex trafficking. It is brutal, raw, graphic, unsettling, and disturbing yet there’s a sheer force of triumph and the will to survive! If you are solid of heart and mind and think you can survive this brutality, I recommend it.
I don’t even know where to begin!! I Too many thoughts, too many questions, too many emotions, and damn, loved every second of it! This was my first Robert Ford novel and it won’t be my last. This book depicted true and unimaginable horror, heart and jaw clenching moments (and I’ve read some gruesome horror); no supernatural elements, no clowns in sewers, no ghosts in the closet but real and brutal horror. Vile and unimaginable atrocities like the ones depicted here happen to people's everyday acts we don’t want to admit to or begin to imagine, perpetrators with psychopathic tendencies, and the poor, tortured victims whose lives will never be the same again.
Two women’s lives intersect because of one man’s actions. The transition from each of their daily lives to the deep impact of something so terrifying is superbly written by Ford. Iris and Audrey, retell their story; two brutal POVs where midway through the book you realize their connection; the horrifying reasons they have in common finally result in a chilling conclusion.
Disclaimer: It is a tough book to read; sexual assault and sex trafficking. It is brutal, raw, graphic, unsettling, and disturbing yet there’s a sheer force of triumph and the will to survive! If you are solid of heart and mind and think you can survive this brutality, I recommend it.
April 4, 2021
“𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲. “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿.””
Although the book is fiction, Burner shows you just how terrifying the world can be and makes you wonder if you can ever truly know someone. The entire premise is uncomfortable and I had to take a lot of breaks.
Burner is the story of two women: Iris and Audrey. It follows them from the past and into the present. Creating a story that slowly weaves their lives together over horrible and brutal circumstances. Iris finally graduated from medical school, wanting to travel to help those less fortunate who need medical care. Iris, wanting to marry her partner Nathan.... only to have her entire world destroyed in the blink of an eye. Audrey, the perfect wife with the seemingly perfect life, or is it?
This book is heartbreaking and brutal. And the ending, I did NOT see coming at all 🤯
This book is everything and will give you the biggest book hangover. I highly recommend you read it.
5⭐️
Although the book is fiction, Burner shows you just how terrifying the world can be and makes you wonder if you can ever truly know someone. The entire premise is uncomfortable and I had to take a lot of breaks.
Burner is the story of two women: Iris and Audrey. It follows them from the past and into the present. Creating a story that slowly weaves their lives together over horrible and brutal circumstances. Iris finally graduated from medical school, wanting to travel to help those less fortunate who need medical care. Iris, wanting to marry her partner Nathan.... only to have her entire world destroyed in the blink of an eye. Audrey, the perfect wife with the seemingly perfect life, or is it?
This book is heartbreaking and brutal. And the ending, I did NOT see coming at all 🤯
This book is everything and will give you the biggest book hangover. I highly recommend you read it.
5⭐️
January 13, 2021
What is there to say about this? A raw, emotional thriller about the terrifying reality of human trafficking, written in prose that almost seems too elegant and poetic for such a brutal topic. But here it is, a terrible, gut-roiling story told with almost lyrical prose.
It's almost become overused, but all of us - especially horror readers and writers - know of Akira Kurosawa's quote: “The role of the artist is to not look away.” With BURNER, Bob Ford doesn't allow you to look away, not even for one second. He makes you look at that terrible thing, and feel that terrible thing, because he says in the novel's afterword: "The world is full of white vans." This is on par with Gary A. Braunbeck's PRODIGAL BLUES, and Jack Ketchum's work. Get this, now.
It's almost become overused, but all of us - especially horror readers and writers - know of Akira Kurosawa's quote: “The role of the artist is to not look away.” With BURNER, Bob Ford doesn't allow you to look away, not even for one second. He makes you look at that terrible thing, and feel that terrible thing, because he says in the novel's afterword: "The world is full of white vans." This is on par with Gary A. Braunbeck's PRODIGAL BLUES, and Jack Ketchum's work. Get this, now.
March 29, 2021
Fair warning, this book will not be for everyone. It involves real word evil and the things that come of it. But Robert Ford, he's never gratuitous with the subject matter within Burner, riding a line that will never not be fine. It's the sign of not only a great storyteller but one who's in total control of their craft. Short, pull you along chapters split between two characters and their timelines setting a pace that had me thinking about the book every time it wasn't in my hand. It's not often something like that occurs. Not with me, anyway. Go forth, seek out, purchase and enjoy. Subject matter or no, it's a book that works. It's a book that hums. I recommend the ride.
March 29, 2022
Damn that was a intense brutal and realistic fucking read. I've read a few books by Robert Ford and this is probably his best out of what I've read. The writing is just fucking phenomenal even though the subject matter is intense and horrific.This was not a easy read due to the content but masterfully crafted and executed in the way it is written and the way the story was told and the ending came outta nowhere. 5 solid stars. Highly recommend for psychological horror fans this one delivers
June 9, 2023
"Shh...That's ok, it happens sometimes."
Told on two timelines from the points of view of two very different women. Audrey, the too trusting wife and mother, happy to let her husband handle all things financial, secure in the knowledge that funds are always available on her debit card. Of course, trust is a necessary part of marriage, but trust should never mean blind and unconditional acceptance with nothing to support it as fact.
And Iris, the soon to be doctor, soon to be engaged to the love of her life, ready to travel the world helping children.
But that was then. This is now. These women's lives are about to collide.
I'm not going to talk about the plot much. It would be too difficult without accidentally letting any spoilers slip in. I will say it involves torture and revenge, and the pitfalls of being too trusting a wife.
The writing style is as magnificent as the subject matter is brutal. The scariest part of Burner is that it can happen, and does happen. The white vans are everywhere.
Told on two timelines from the points of view of two very different women. Audrey, the too trusting wife and mother, happy to let her husband handle all things financial, secure in the knowledge that funds are always available on her debit card. Of course, trust is a necessary part of marriage, but trust should never mean blind and unconditional acceptance with nothing to support it as fact.
And Iris, the soon to be doctor, soon to be engaged to the love of her life, ready to travel the world helping children.
But that was then. This is now. These women's lives are about to collide.
I'm not going to talk about the plot much. It would be too difficult without accidentally letting any spoilers slip in. I will say it involves torture and revenge, and the pitfalls of being too trusting a wife.
The writing style is as magnificent as the subject matter is brutal. The scariest part of Burner is that it can happen, and does happen. The white vans are everywhere.
January 8, 2021
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a lifelong fan of horror, it’s this: the scariest monsters are human. While I enjoy the thrill of a scare from supernatural beings, the fear induced by real life scenarios is the most threatening. This type of fear has an unsettled, lingering effect, and is a key player in some of the most haunting stories I’ve read. Burner is one of these stories.
I’ve known that Bob Ford is a gifted storyteller since I first laid eyes upon his work, so I had high expectations for this one, and I was not disappointed. This novel is difficult to read at many points in the story, due to the subject matter, and while there were times that I wanted to turn away from the horror, I couldn’t set it aside. I had deep empathy for the characters because Ford is one of the best when it comes to character development.
The pacing is excellent, and I loved the setup of the chapters. The focus of the story alternates between two main characters’ experiences, and also goes back and forth between past and present. While this can sometimes be difficult to follow, it’s not an issue in this case. Again, it’s another aspect that showcases the author’s skill at storytelling.
I’m not sure there is much else I can tell you that hasn’t already been said. In short, this is a story that shows how quickly one’s life can change—in the blink of an eye our world can be turned upside down. It shows how we don’t always know others as deeply as we think, and how circumstances and trauma can change a person. While I was appalled at many of the characters’ actions in this story, I also recognized the fact that we’re all capable of becoming monsters ourselves. This book also opened my eyes to many things I wasn’t aware of—scary stuff that goes on in the real world—and it was truly frightening. In my opinion, Burner will remain a standout in the collection of Ford’s work for years to come.
I’ve known that Bob Ford is a gifted storyteller since I first laid eyes upon his work, so I had high expectations for this one, and I was not disappointed. This novel is difficult to read at many points in the story, due to the subject matter, and while there were times that I wanted to turn away from the horror, I couldn’t set it aside. I had deep empathy for the characters because Ford is one of the best when it comes to character development.
The pacing is excellent, and I loved the setup of the chapters. The focus of the story alternates between two main characters’ experiences, and also goes back and forth between past and present. While this can sometimes be difficult to follow, it’s not an issue in this case. Again, it’s another aspect that showcases the author’s skill at storytelling.
I’m not sure there is much else I can tell you that hasn’t already been said. In short, this is a story that shows how quickly one’s life can change—in the blink of an eye our world can be turned upside down. It shows how we don’t always know others as deeply as we think, and how circumstances and trauma can change a person. While I was appalled at many of the characters’ actions in this story, I also recognized the fact that we’re all capable of becoming monsters ourselves. This book also opened my eyes to many things I wasn’t aware of—scary stuff that goes on in the real world—and it was truly frightening. In my opinion, Burner will remain a standout in the collection of Ford’s work for years to come.
March 28, 2021
“No one can change the past, we can only learn to live with what’s happened.”
This is a brutal and terrifying book. Terrifying because this is what real nightmares are made of and because it shows the horrors humans are capable of. Two women’s lives intersect in the most terrifying and unexpected of ways, changing the course of both of their lives forever. Iris has her life ahead of her and Audrey is living a happily married life with her husband and daughter. The story alternates between the views of the two women and there are lots of twists and turns.
This is the not the sort of read that is enjoyable but it is absorbing from the very first page. I found it difficult to put down.
I am not easily shocked or squeamish but I felt extremely uncomfortable reading this at times. This will force you to examine your own morals and what it means to be human. It is absolutely gut wrenching. It also explores trauma and resilience.
I appreciated the author’s notes and inspiration behind the story. To highlight a real issue occurring in the world through writing this story would have taken a lot of courage. It is not nice content. Although uncomfortable to read I admired Ford’s attempt to draw attention to this issue.
Although this was a brutal, uncomfortable read I am glad I stuck with it.
This is a brutal and terrifying book. Terrifying because this is what real nightmares are made of and because it shows the horrors humans are capable of. Two women’s lives intersect in the most terrifying and unexpected of ways, changing the course of both of their lives forever. Iris has her life ahead of her and Audrey is living a happily married life with her husband and daughter. The story alternates between the views of the two women and there are lots of twists and turns.
This is the not the sort of read that is enjoyable but it is absorbing from the very first page. I found it difficult to put down.
I am not easily shocked or squeamish but I felt extremely uncomfortable reading this at times. This will force you to examine your own morals and what it means to be human. It is absolutely gut wrenching. It also explores trauma and resilience.
I appreciated the author’s notes and inspiration behind the story. To highlight a real issue occurring in the world through writing this story would have taken a lot of courage. It is not nice content. Although uncomfortable to read I admired Ford’s attempt to draw attention to this issue.
Although this was a brutal, uncomfortable read I am glad I stuck with it.
May 13, 2021
Had no idea what I was in for when cracking open the latest novel from master storyteller Robert Ford. I heard it was a brutal read, dealing with human trafficking, but brutal is not strong enough a word. This was the most horrifying book I’ve read all year. There are no haunted houses, no supernatural beings or spectral boogie men present, just that dark ugly side of humanity, that down and dirty despicable evil that only humans are capable of. Heartbreaking, and stomach turning, but written so perfectly and at such a relentless pace, you can’t stop turning the pages. You want to put the book down, because enough is enough already, but that just becomes impossible because you are in the hands of a master wordsmith here and this story demands you see it through to bear witness to all that pain and suffering he puts these poor people through. I seriously doubt I’ll ever have the desire or strength to open this book ever again, and I won’t have to, because this story is gonna haunt me for some time to come.
January 17, 2024
Holy crap! This story is dark and brutal. Some books you forget about after a few months. This one will be with me for a long time.
December 18, 2020
When I saw that Bob Ford put out something new, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I started reading Burner shortly after it arrived at my door and could not get enough of it. I will do everything I can in this review to avoid spoiling it, but if you chose to pick this up (you should) you are in for one hell of a ride.
Nothing is more terrifying than reality. The reality Ford brings to everyone's attention in Burner is the ugly, dangerous world we try to imagine does not exist in middle-class America. To what extent will people go to hide this horrible under-belly? How far will those trapped in such a hell go to survive it?
In short, past/present chapters, Ford writes two sides of the same coin. The brief chapters make the content slightly more manageable for a fragile human psyche, but this book is an artfully constructed car crash from which I had the hardest time looking away. Turning page after page, I found myself cringing, nauseated, horrified, and incredibly invested.
I really loved that this has two strong female characters. While Burner also shows the sh*t women are put through at the expense of men, it proves female resilience. Everyone wants to protect themselves, but none so much as a woman scorned. I want to say I was rooting for both because I wanted everything to work out. Ford reminds us that no matter how bad you may want things to work out, the world has other plans.
Like putting your face directly on a grinder, Burner hurts, is ugly, and peels away all your protective layers. If you can't handle the truth, don't read this. If you think you can handle it, think again. Thank you, Bob, for providing stats and resources at the end of your novel. These are important things to know and to spread. Stay safe everyone!
Nothing is more terrifying than reality. The reality Ford brings to everyone's attention in Burner is the ugly, dangerous world we try to imagine does not exist in middle-class America. To what extent will people go to hide this horrible under-belly? How far will those trapped in such a hell go to survive it?
In short, past/present chapters, Ford writes two sides of the same coin. The brief chapters make the content slightly more manageable for a fragile human psyche, but this book is an artfully constructed car crash from which I had the hardest time looking away. Turning page after page, I found myself cringing, nauseated, horrified, and incredibly invested.
I really loved that this has two strong female characters. While Burner also shows the sh*t women are put through at the expense of men, it proves female resilience. Everyone wants to protect themselves, but none so much as a woman scorned. I want to say I was rooting for both because I wanted everything to work out. Ford reminds us that no matter how bad you may want things to work out, the world has other plans.
Like putting your face directly on a grinder, Burner hurts, is ugly, and peels away all your protective layers. If you can't handle the truth, don't read this. If you think you can handle it, think again. Thank you, Bob, for providing stats and resources at the end of your novel. These are important things to know and to spread. Stay safe everyone!
July 10, 2024
This short crime novel had some pacing issues for me. Going from "now" to "then" with two different main characters was disorienting. The "now" chapters didn't really bring much to the story either, and I felt like a lot of them could have been taken out. I ended up skimming towards the end as it got repetitive like having the same scene from the different povs but we end up not learning anything new.
I also thought there would be a lot more scenes with the burner phone, there's one scene. I assumed there would be a whole section where Audrey is finding bits and pieces about her husband through the burner which would have been really interesting.
There were some unanswered questions like where was the husband going for work and how did he get paid so much if he was just a buyer? We spent a whole section from Audrey going to the bank and trying to figure out where the money comes from, but the only thing we know from the husband is that he bought people.
The ending kind of rubbed me the wrong way as well. I get the idea of a neverending cycle but it just didn't seem like something that character would do. She explains herself that she wanted Audrey to go through everything her mom went through but idk, I feel like she would have gone after Audrey instead of her innocent daughter. It almost feels like it's giving a bad name to the human trafficking victims.
I also thought there would be a lot more scenes with the burner phone, there's one scene. I assumed there would be a whole section where Audrey is finding bits and pieces about her husband through the burner which would have been really interesting.
There were some unanswered questions like where was the husband going for work and how did he get paid so much if he was just a buyer? We spent a whole section from Audrey going to the bank and trying to figure out where the money comes from, but the only thing we know from the husband is that he bought people.
The ending kind of rubbed me the wrong way as well. I get the idea of a neverending cycle but it just didn't seem like something that character would do. She explains herself that she wanted Audrey to go through everything her mom went through but idk, I feel like she would have gone after Audrey instead of her innocent daughter. It almost feels like it's giving a bad name to the human trafficking victims.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2020
Burner is one heavy hitter of a story that is not for the faint of heart. It's a reminder of how brutal, cruel and horrific people are in this world.
You will be angry and upset reading this. You will be shocked. You will see how the human spirit fights and survives through the worst ordeals. You might even be close to putting the book down altogether. But there's a need to read this.
A need to know.
Nothing will prepare you for how terrifying the torture scenes are, though. Nothing. You literally feel every ounce of pain here.
I was just glad for the short chapters that helped to make it somehow manageable.
I won't say you'll have a good time reading this. I won't say rush out and buy it.
The reason for that is because this book is not for everyone.
Even hardened horror fans might struggle.
It's the reality, you see.
Think Ketchum's GIRL NEXT DOOR and you'll have an idea.
What I will say is that this book will stay with you. This book will be talked about for years to come.
I honestly believe that.
So with that, I'll leave it up to you.
All the stars.
You will be angry and upset reading this. You will be shocked. You will see how the human spirit fights and survives through the worst ordeals. You might even be close to putting the book down altogether. But there's a need to read this.
A need to know.
Nothing will prepare you for how terrifying the torture scenes are, though. Nothing. You literally feel every ounce of pain here.
I was just glad for the short chapters that helped to make it somehow manageable.
I won't say you'll have a good time reading this. I won't say rush out and buy it.
The reason for that is because this book is not for everyone.
Even hardened horror fans might struggle.
It's the reality, you see.
Think Ketchum's GIRL NEXT DOOR and you'll have an idea.
What I will say is that this book will stay with you. This book will be talked about for years to come.
I honestly believe that.
So with that, I'll leave it up to you.
All the stars.
March 10, 2022
Trying to get to some authors who will be at AuthorCon and Just finished this one. It was brutal, intense, and the content was difficult to read, but wow, what a page turner! It deals with human trafficking and is told by 2 women point of views in the present and in the past which all comes together by the end. If you can handle The Girl Next Door, and other dark stories similar to it, I would recommend this book.
February 2, 2023
I really enjoyed this book a lot! It was well written and I heavily sympathized with Iris and not so much with Audrey. Collateral damage is needed sometimes. If you haven’t read it. PLEASE DO SO!
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