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Ray Wyatt #1
Into the Fire
INTO THE FIRE, introduces Ray Wyatt, a veteran reporter grappling with the tragic loss of his wife and son while searching for answers in the crime stories he covers.
Hikers find a traumatized boy wandering in a remote corner of New York's Adirondack Mountains. Retracing his steps to a cabin, they make a terrifying discovery that leads to an investigation entangling crime reporter Ray Wyatt and FBI Special Agent Jill McDade.
Wyatt is dispatched to cover the disturbing case, while still haunted by the loss of his son and wife years earlier.
McDade and Wyatt race the clock to learn the truth behind one of the most unconscionable crimes in the history of Upstate New York. At the same time, they grapple with the dawning horror that the monstrous event is linked to them.
Hikers find a traumatized boy wandering in a remote corner of New York's Adirondack Mountains. Retracing his steps to a cabin, they make a terrifying discovery that leads to an investigation entangling crime reporter Ray Wyatt and FBI Special Agent Jill McDade.
Wyatt is dispatched to cover the disturbing case, while still haunted by the loss of his son and wife years earlier.
McDade and Wyatt race the clock to learn the truth behind one of the most unconscionable crimes in the history of Upstate New York. At the same time, they grapple with the dawning horror that the monstrous event is linked to them.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2022
269 people are currently reading
751 people want to read
About the author
Rick Mofina
66 books1,325 followersRick Mofina is a former journalist who has interviewed murderers on death row in Montana and Texas, flown over L.A. with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He's also reported from the Caribbean, Africa and Kuwait's border with Iraq. His true-crime freelance work has appeared in The New York Times, The Telegraph (London, U.K.), Reader’s Digest, Penthouse, Marie Claire and The South China Morning Post, (Hong Kong). He has written more than 20 crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly 30 countries.
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”
Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”
Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
January 2, 2023
Don't miss out on this incredible trilogy
A devastating, horrific crime leaves two adults dead. And deep in the woods, hikers discover a boy wandering aimlessly wearing nothing but his PJs. Seemingly in a catatonic state, he’s unable to utter a single word. His sister…gone!
Ray Wyatt is the local reporter assigned to cover this tragic story. It’s crucial he gets the scoop. And it better be a block-buster because the future of his news service depends on him. Nothing like a bit of pressure to get you going in the morning!
Jill McDade is the FBI lead on the case, tasked with finding the still missing girl before she potentially becomes victim number three.
Book one of a trilogy by the very talented Rick Mofina! I’ve enjoyed all his books and this was no exception!
This latest felt reminiscent of his earlier works involving crime reporters, Tom Reed and Jason Wade. I was a huge fan of those series and am so delighted he revisited his roots with this trilogy!
I cannot wait to pick up book 2!
A devastating, horrific crime leaves two adults dead. And deep in the woods, hikers discover a boy wandering aimlessly wearing nothing but his PJs. Seemingly in a catatonic state, he’s unable to utter a single word. His sister…gone!
Ray Wyatt is the local reporter assigned to cover this tragic story. It’s crucial he gets the scoop. And it better be a block-buster because the future of his news service depends on him. Nothing like a bit of pressure to get you going in the morning!
Jill McDade is the FBI lead on the case, tasked with finding the still missing girl before she potentially becomes victim number three.
Book one of a trilogy by the very talented Rick Mofina! I’ve enjoyed all his books and this was no exception!
This latest felt reminiscent of his earlier works involving crime reporters, Tom Reed and Jason Wade. I was a huge fan of those series and am so delighted he revisited his roots with this trilogy!
I cannot wait to pick up book 2!
January 27, 2023
What?! This story has ended already?!!
INTO THE FIRE is the first offering in the Ray Wyatt Thriller Trilogy by Rick Mofina and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Ray Wyatt is a journalist assigned to cover a horrific crime that takes place in the New York wilderness. While investigating for his story, Ray meets the lead FBI agent in charge, Jill McDade.
Unbeknownst to the two, Wyatt and McDade share sadness that shades their lives and respective jobs. Nothing, though, will keep the two driven professionals from moving the case forward on the hunt for a deranged killer.
The fast-moving pace of each chapter pushes the story forward while dotting all of the “i”s and crossing all of the “t”s. I’m definitely spellbound and will continue with this series.
I recommend this read to everyone who likes a great thriller, BUT WARN those sensitive to graphic material (it is not done gratuitously, but none the less…).
INTO THE FIRE is the first offering in the Ray Wyatt Thriller Trilogy by Rick Mofina and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Ray Wyatt is a journalist assigned to cover a horrific crime that takes place in the New York wilderness. While investigating for his story, Ray meets the lead FBI agent in charge, Jill McDade.
Unbeknownst to the two, Wyatt and McDade share sadness that shades their lives and respective jobs. Nothing, though, will keep the two driven professionals from moving the case forward on the hunt for a deranged killer.
The fast-moving pace of each chapter pushes the story forward while dotting all of the “i”s and crossing all of the “t”s. I’m definitely spellbound and will continue with this series.
I recommend this read to everyone who likes a great thriller, BUT WARN those sensitive to graphic material (it is not done gratuitously, but none the less…).
June 27, 2023
the setup…
Two hikers come upon a young boy lost in the woods in the New York Adirondack Mountains, unable to speak. As they backtrack his path, they come upon a cabin with a grim scene inside. FBI Special Agent Jill McDade is leading the investigation into what happened and veteran reporter Ray Wyatt is covering the story for his newspaper, First Press Alliance. He’s good, so is she and while they’re pursuing different investigative directions, they forge an uneasy partnership as they try to find the perpetrator.
the heart of the story…
Ray has a tragic background of his own, the loss of his wife and son resonating strongly as he covers the case involving six-year old Ethan Nelson. There are reminders of that grief at every juncture but it doesn’t interfere with his strong instincts as he pursues viable angles, walking a tightrope between not harming the case and scooping other news outlets. He and Jill found a way to create an unspoken bond of trust as they worked together indirectly to solve the case. The procedurals are really strong, not dragging things out while still setting up a few red herrings. I liked Ray and Jill’s “relationship” as it was unique and sometimes out of bounds but always productive.
the narration…
I really liked how the storytelling sounded like a crisp, tight crime show even though one of the central characters was a newspaper reporter. It worked well, especially given the writing style.
the bottom line…
This was a strong start to a new series. I’ve wanted to read this author for some time now and I made a good choice. The writing is nimble, which I like in a procedural, and Ray Wyatt was nicely fleshed out as the main character. There’s an extremely interesting personal angle that will be a continuing story arc, one I’m already hooked into. However, the red herrings weren’t strong enough to keep me from correctly guessing the identity of the person behind Ethan’s family’s trauma. I nailed it early but was still able to enjoy the story because the journey getting there was compelling. I took a chance getting the entire series and am now grateful I did.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Two hikers come upon a young boy lost in the woods in the New York Adirondack Mountains, unable to speak. As they backtrack his path, they come upon a cabin with a grim scene inside. FBI Special Agent Jill McDade is leading the investigation into what happened and veteran reporter Ray Wyatt is covering the story for his newspaper, First Press Alliance. He’s good, so is she and while they’re pursuing different investigative directions, they forge an uneasy partnership as they try to find the perpetrator.
the heart of the story…
Ray has a tragic background of his own, the loss of his wife and son resonating strongly as he covers the case involving six-year old Ethan Nelson. There are reminders of that grief at every juncture but it doesn’t interfere with his strong instincts as he pursues viable angles, walking a tightrope between not harming the case and scooping other news outlets. He and Jill found a way to create an unspoken bond of trust as they worked together indirectly to solve the case. The procedurals are really strong, not dragging things out while still setting up a few red herrings. I liked Ray and Jill’s “relationship” as it was unique and sometimes out of bounds but always productive.
the narration…
I really liked how the storytelling sounded like a crisp, tight crime show even though one of the central characters was a newspaper reporter. It worked well, especially given the writing style.
the bottom line…
This was a strong start to a new series. I’ve wanted to read this author for some time now and I made a good choice. The writing is nimble, which I like in a procedural, and Ray Wyatt was nicely fleshed out as the main character. There’s an extremely interesting personal angle that will be a continuing story arc, one I’m already hooked into. However, the red herrings weren’t strong enough to keep me from correctly guessing the identity of the person behind Ethan’s family’s trauma. I nailed it early but was still able to enjoy the story because the journey getting there was compelling. I took a chance getting the entire series and am now grateful I did.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
July 12, 2023
4 Stars
A couple hiking discover a young boy wandering in the woods.
After tracing the boys' steps back to his cabin, they make a gruesome discovery.
Although predictable, it's not a bad story.
The povs are from the reporter Ryan Wyatt and an fbi agent who is called in to investigate.
Most of the characters have a devastating back story, which made the book a bit unbelievable.
A couple hiking discover a young boy wandering in the woods.
After tracing the boys' steps back to his cabin, they make a gruesome discovery.
Although predictable, it's not a bad story.
The povs are from the reporter Ryan Wyatt and an fbi agent who is called in to investigate.
Most of the characters have a devastating back story, which made the book a bit unbelievable.
December 18, 2025
Entretenido, pero nada del otro mundo. Comienzo impactante, y cuesta abajo a partir de la mitad…
September 9, 2022
Wow!
I read this book in one sitting! Mr. Mofina is a favorite of mine., his skill with a crime thriller is second to none.
I read this book in one sitting! Mr. Mofina is a favorite of mine., his skill with a crime thriller is second to none.
September 29, 2025
Segunda parte muy pesada.
Predecible.
Predecible.
June 19, 2023
This book was a good quick read but it had some aspects of stuff happening to lead the story along that I felt was a little forced and formed. Some parts especially in the homestretch were so quick that I felt I was reading an abridged version of the book. I have some simmering thoughts of book 1 for what lies ahead in book 2 in addition to the continued storytelling of the author.
November 12, 2025
Hacia el fuego parte de una premisa atractiva pero, para mí, promete bastante más de lo que acaba ofreciendo. La idea inicial me atrapó, pero no llegué a conectar con los personajes ni a sentir nada especial con la trama ni los giros que mete el autor. Todo se queda en una lectura correcta, entretenida, pero sin ese algo que la haga destacar.
De esas historias que lees a gusto, pero olvidas rápido.
De esas historias que lees a gusto, pero olvidas rápido.
May 7, 2023
Thank you LibroFM for this audio ARC! This book packed a punch in a short amount of time. It was gruesome, intense, and a wild ride. Easy 5 ⭐️ for me!
April 6, 2025
A couple are hiking in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State when they come upon a little boy wandering alone, catatonic, and all cut up from being out in the woods. With no cell service they begin to hike back towards where they originally set off at. They come upon a cabin in the woods in which they believe the little boy came from, but when they enter the cabin they make a gristly discovery of what happened to the boys parents and why he was out wandering alone.
What attracted me to the book was the setting. I live about an hour south of the Adirondacks. I've always been fascinated by the area. I enjoyed the story and the pacing. The only problem I found was the ending. It was a bit lackluster and predictable for me.
What attracted me to the book was the setting. I live about an hour south of the Adirondacks. I've always been fascinated by the area. I enjoyed the story and the pacing. The only problem I found was the ending. It was a bit lackluster and predictable for me.
September 6, 2024
Wow! I love it when I find a Trilogy that I’m sure to appreciate all 3 books.
This tale starts out in New York's Adirondack Mountains, where a little boy is found wondering by himself by hikers. That leads them to the cabin where his parents have been decapitated and his sister is missing.
So, Ray an investigator reporter and Jill, a FBI agent hook up to solve the murders.
Lots of action, a little romance to tease you for Book 2.
Read to find out how they work together to solve tge murders.
Oh, Molly is kind of fun also … and thank God for Pink sneakers!
My Review challenge question for this book is:
What gives the main character strength?
His integrity for not making getting the story more important than saving the victims.
This tale starts out in New York's Adirondack Mountains, where a little boy is found wondering by himself by hikers. That leads them to the cabin where his parents have been decapitated and his sister is missing.
So, Ray an investigator reporter and Jill, a FBI agent hook up to solve the murders.
Lots of action, a little romance to tease you for Book 2.
Read to find out how they work together to solve tge murders.
Oh, Molly is kind of fun also … and thank God for Pink sneakers!
My Review challenge question for this book is:
What gives the main character strength?
His integrity for not making getting the story more important than saving the victims.
December 26, 2024
Am I going to continue the series? Absolutely.
October 18, 2024
A quick page-turner. Really enjoyed it. I look forward to book 2 in the series.
June 26, 2024
Better experience than my first time reading the author which resulted in an early DNF. Still a little prone to over-explaining and telling rather than showing (likely a leftover from his reporter days).
The plot was gripping and kept the pages turning despite the flaws.
A young boy, rendered mute by shock, is found wandering alone in the woods by a pair of hikers who follow his tracks to the scene of a brutal double murder. The plot speeds along, but there is just enough character development to care about what happens next.
Waffled a bit between 2 and 3 stars, but saw enough improvement between the previous book from the author and this one that I went with the higher number.
3 out of 5 stars.
The plot was gripping and kept the pages turning despite the flaws.
A young boy, rendered mute by shock, is found wandering alone in the woods by a pair of hikers who follow his tracks to the scene of a brutal double murder. The plot speeds along, but there is just enough character development to care about what happens next.
Waffled a bit between 2 and 3 stars, but saw enough improvement between the previous book from the author and this one that I went with the higher number.
3 out of 5 stars.
September 1, 2023
3.5 stars
Fast-paced and short. In a good way.
Had it been longer, I think the story could have been even more engaging with a few more twists and turns and more suspects, but I found the straight-forwardness to be just what I needed at the moment.
I read about the author's experience as a journalist - and that made a few lightbulbs go on in my head as to why this book felt so authentic to me.
The story has a realistic touch that other thrillers (at least the ones I've come across) seldom have.
It's not a classical (perhaps over-constructed) murder mystery. It's something else, more down to Earth, and that's what I liked most about it.
Great narrator too!
I will jump straight onto book 2, because this is the type of books I need to relax my brain at the moment. ✨
Fast-paced and short. In a good way.
Had it been longer, I think the story could have been even more engaging with a few more twists and turns and more suspects, but I found the straight-forwardness to be just what I needed at the moment.
I read about the author's experience as a journalist - and that made a few lightbulbs go on in my head as to why this book felt so authentic to me.
The story has a realistic touch that other thrillers (at least the ones I've come across) seldom have.
It's not a classical (perhaps over-constructed) murder mystery. It's something else, more down to Earth, and that's what I liked most about it.
Great narrator too!
I will jump straight onto book 2, because this is the type of books I need to relax my brain at the moment. ✨
June 20, 2023
This was an entertaining book. The killer was pretty clear but I don’t think it was supposed to be obscure. More of a good ridealong type book.
The main criticism I have of the book is literally every critical bit was due to luck. Nothing was solved through the investigation. All the work the two protagonists did was pointless, they could’ve just sat around watching cartoons and just about every single thing would’ve resolved anyway. Even when their efforts were useful, still luck prevailed. So that made the book feel a bit unfulfilling.
Regardless, the writing was good, the story hopped along quickly, and I enjoyed it.
The main criticism I have of the book is literally every critical bit was due to luck. Nothing was solved through the investigation. All the work the two protagonists did was pointless, they could’ve just sat around watching cartoons and just about every single thing would’ve resolved anyway. Even when their efforts were useful, still luck prevailed. So that made the book feel a bit unfulfilling.
Regardless, the writing was good, the story hopped along quickly, and I enjoyed it.
April 19, 2023
A bit too cliche, almost predictable; but it got me to the end, so there is that. I won't be reading others, though
May 31, 2023
This story was just okay. I mostly only post reviews nowadays to remind myself that yes, Brittany, you did read this book.
August 3, 2023
3.5. Not bad. Good story and easy, fast read. Didn't love it but did like it. Characters were okay, but you don't love them, which is why I think I didn't love the book. No real personality.
August 2, 2024
Kliché krimi. Ikke særlig spændende og man knyttes ikke til de medvirkende karakterer. Børns replikker passer ikke til deres alder. Meget hurtig afslutning til en kedelig langtrukken bog.
March 11, 2025
Grundsätzlich war der Plot ganz spannend, aber leider auch sehr vorausschaubar. Es wurde alles viel zu schnell abgehandelt, nichts gezeigt, sondern nur erzählt. Ray Wyatt und die FBI Agentin haben beide ein schweres Schicksal erlebt, so dass sich eine Freundschaft zwischen ihnen entwickelt. Wann und wo das genau passiert, muss mir entgangen sein. Denn es wird einfach so am Ende kurz erwähnt. Wie so vieles, das einfach nur so nebenbei erzählt wird. Ich werde in Zukunft die Finger von dem Autoren lassen, da gibt es wesentlich bessere Bücher. Zwei Sterne nur für den Plot, für den Schreibstil würde ich gar keinen vergeben.
June 14, 2023
I was kind of surprised how much I enjoyed this short book. Something kept me interested and engaged and before I knew it, it was done!
Clearly the author knows about crime reporting - felt very authentic and credible.
Will download the next one in the series for sure.
Clearly the author knows about crime reporting - felt very authentic and credible.
Will download the next one in the series for sure.
September 8, 2022
This book was really good. Could not put it down his books are all good.
June 25, 2023
I enjoyed this story filled with twists and turns. A ghastly murder and the chase required to answer “who?” and “why?”
December 12, 2024
Very face paced; good mystery and suspense. A bit gruesome at times.
I could have done without the narrator doing voices for different characters.
I could have done without the narrator doing voices for different characters.
January 12, 2023
One thing I can say about Rick Mofina's books, they always leave me wanting to read the next in the series. He has become one of my favorite authors. His protagonists are not "perfect", the characters are well-developed and the plots are not far-fetched. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the Ray Wyatt series.
December 18, 2023
The story starts with the gruesome murder of a couple, witnessed by their children. Next starts a game of cat and mouse between the killer and the reporter with equal contribution from the FBI agent. Unfortunately each potential twist in the story could be seen from a mile away.
The author tried to introduce another dimension to the story with the second missing child but that just felt forced. Since it was a relatively short book, I just wanted to complete what I had started and went with it but the series is not something that I will be going back to
The author tried to introduce another dimension to the story with the second missing child but that just felt forced. Since it was a relatively short book, I just wanted to complete what I had started and went with it but the series is not something that I will be going back to
October 26, 2024
Sometimes a crime novel is all that will hit the spot for me. I read an article about crime writers and found Rick Mofina, author of a trilogy of books featuring investigative reporter Ray Wyatt.
Ray Wyatt is a reporter in his early 40s who is trying to rebuild his life after the tragic loss of his wife and young son. He finds purpose in the stories he writes, because he’s making a difference rather than wallowing in his own misery.
A young boy is found by hikers in New York’s Adirondack Mountains. He is traumatized, unable to speak. When the hikers retrace his steps to a cabin, they make a gruesome discovery of what’s inside.
FBI Special Agent Jill McDade is put in charge of the investigation. The young boy is still unable to speak, but after a while the FBI is able to begin making inroads into the case, and Ray is doing his own detective work. It’s not long before they realize the case is far more complex than meets the eye.
As they try to find out what happened, they’re up against a ticking clock. Who will find the information first, and will they find it before it’s too late? At the same time, both Ray and Jill have their own personal issues to deal with, too.
While there weren’t any surprises in the story, I was definitely hooked. I really liked both characters and the vulnerability each showed. It’s always fascinating when you don’t know whom to trust. I’ll definitely be picking up the next two books in this series!!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
Ray Wyatt is a reporter in his early 40s who is trying to rebuild his life after the tragic loss of his wife and young son. He finds purpose in the stories he writes, because he’s making a difference rather than wallowing in his own misery.
A young boy is found by hikers in New York’s Adirondack Mountains. He is traumatized, unable to speak. When the hikers retrace his steps to a cabin, they make a gruesome discovery of what’s inside.
FBI Special Agent Jill McDade is put in charge of the investigation. The young boy is still unable to speak, but after a while the FBI is able to begin making inroads into the case, and Ray is doing his own detective work. It’s not long before they realize the case is far more complex than meets the eye.
As they try to find out what happened, they’re up against a ticking clock. Who will find the information first, and will they find it before it’s too late? At the same time, both Ray and Jill have their own personal issues to deal with, too.
While there weren’t any surprises in the story, I was definitely hooked. I really liked both characters and the vulnerability each showed. It’s always fascinating when you don’t know whom to trust. I’ll definitely be picking up the next two books in this series!!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
August 7, 2024
Horrific murders by psychopathic killers seems to be the fashion these days, and I have to admit I'm getting a bit tired of it. Nonetheless, there was a lot of solid writing and plotting in this, certainly enough to keep me reading to the end, even if I did figure out who the killer was well before the end. My credulity - and therefore suspension of disbelief - was certainly stretched to to the limit on this one, but I did find the procedural part of the investigation was well done and totally believable. Where I did have trouble - and this is probably just me - is the attempt to portray contemporary journalism, and particularly our intrepid hero, as committed seekers after truth. That attempt is quite undermined by the clear portray of the industry itself as driven by a rush to break titillating stories in the press before anyone else does. That part, I'm sure is true, and I rather thoroughly loathe it.
So, I did read it through without trouble, but may not attempt another in this particular series.
So, I did read it through without trouble, but may not attempt another in this particular series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews