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If These Flames Could Talk
Some cemetery vaults are no longer used to store the dead, but in the twisted mind of one Vermont man they make an excellent place to keep the living.
A teenage girl leaves home after her mother’s untimely death and returns years later in search of closure. Instead of finding the healed scars of tragedy, she’s kidnapped and swept underground. There she discovers her past is connected to decades of crimes that span from cold cemetery vaults to fiery cremation chamber walls.
Addiction, Jealousy, and Religion act as catalysts for the horrific spree of events that follow, testing her will to survive as her captor seeks his warped version of justice through Needles, Fire, and Ash.
A teenage girl leaves home after her mother’s untimely death and returns years later in search of closure. Instead of finding the healed scars of tragedy, she’s kidnapped and swept underground. There she discovers her past is connected to decades of crimes that span from cold cemetery vaults to fiery cremation chamber walls.
Addiction, Jealousy, and Religion act as catalysts for the horrific spree of events that follow, testing her will to survive as her captor seeks his warped version of justice through Needles, Fire, and Ash.
318 pages, Hardcover
Published February 22, 2022
6 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 16, 2022
I know this author and was super excited to read his book. It is a thriller about a young woman that is abducted by her brother and put in an underground room/ vault in a local (to me) cemetery. The book is full of mental health issues like depressions, anxiety, and possible schizophrenia, there is family drama, and some religious delusions as well. It was a lot of backstory.
Overall, the pace was good, the plot was interesting, and there were lots of characters. I found the character development to be a little lacking at the cost of the suspense and thriller aspects of the plot, and I am not completely sure how I feel about that because I liked the plotline and read the book pretty quickly.
Given the local nature of the book, I would have liked for it to feel more local. I know that seems strange and maybe asking too much but aside from a few locations and brief descriptions, this could have been any old town in a lot of ways, and I think that the history of White River and really talking about the history could have lended well to the overall story. For example, the train systems, the drug use, and sketchiness of some areas etc. (I think there is something about being 100 miles from the Canadian border that has something to do with it...)
As far as the plot went, I felt like there wasn't enough police involvement at any stage of the book, and I won't go into more detail because I don't want to spoil anything, but it just seemed far-fetched given all the things going on. On top of that some of the dialogue was just kind of bad or off-putting which always broke me away from the story a bit.
Overall, i liked the mystery and how it all came together in the end, I was a little lost as it came full circle, but it all worked out and it was an interesting thriller. If you like small town thriller/mysteries, you might like this one as well.
Overall, the pace was good, the plot was interesting, and there were lots of characters. I found the character development to be a little lacking at the cost of the suspense and thriller aspects of the plot, and I am not completely sure how I feel about that because I liked the plotline and read the book pretty quickly.
Given the local nature of the book, I would have liked for it to feel more local. I know that seems strange and maybe asking too much but aside from a few locations and brief descriptions, this could have been any old town in a lot of ways, and I think that the history of White River and really talking about the history could have lended well to the overall story. For example, the train systems, the drug use, and sketchiness of some areas etc. (I think there is something about being 100 miles from the Canadian border that has something to do with it...)
As far as the plot went, I felt like there wasn't enough police involvement at any stage of the book, and I won't go into more detail because I don't want to spoil anything, but it just seemed far-fetched given all the things going on. On top of that some of the dialogue was just kind of bad or off-putting which always broke me away from the story a bit.
Overall, i liked the mystery and how it all came together in the end, I was a little lost as it came full circle, but it all worked out and it was an interesting thriller. If you like small town thriller/mysteries, you might like this one as well.
February 22, 2022
I enjoyed this suspenseful story. This is a newer author for me which I enjoyed and can't wait to see what is next for this author. This is a well written story that has twists and turns that left me not only turning pages fast but had me coming back for more. I enjoyed being pulled into the story by the characters from the beginning. They made the story engaging and easy to read. They are connectable and made the story come to life on each page. This is a faster paced story that I had a hard time putting down. I enjoyed the growth of the plot throughout the story as well. The author's use of details not only made the story realistic but also an entertaining story to read. This is a story that has action and a cold case that has had nothing new until now. I really enjoyed what the characters brought to the story. I highly recommend this book.
March 19, 2022
In full disclosure, Mr Burgas and I know each other. This is how I received an ARC reading.
This book is so well written it is hard to believe it’s his first. The characters are well developed and we keep learning more about them through the entire book. A few times he nicely twists the readers assumptions. I enjoyed that. The story arc is solid and every scene is believable.
I recommend this book to any mature middle schooler to adult. Language is very realistic, so there is swearing and insinuation.
This book is so well written it is hard to believe it’s his first. The characters are well developed and we keep learning more about them through the entire book. A few times he nicely twists the readers assumptions. I enjoyed that. The story arc is solid and every scene is believable.
I recommend this book to any mature middle schooler to adult. Language is very realistic, so there is swearing and insinuation.
January 18, 2022
I had the pleasure of reading an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this novel. This thriller is set in a small Vermont town, twenty years after a local police officer is run down in a hit-and-run accident. Nicole comes home for a reluctant family reunion, and gets a lot more than she bargained for.
March 19, 2022
excellent
This book was fast paced and had a lot to offer. Definitely enjoyed it! The character relationships kept me guessing throughout.
This book was fast paced and had a lot to offer. Definitely enjoyed it! The character relationships kept me guessing throughout.
May 6, 2023
Fantastic! Kept me on my seat the whole time! A little dark but all in all great 1st book! Can’t wait for more form this writer!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews