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Fire Scars: A Novel
In John B. Wright’s debut environmental mystery, Matt Solberg is charged with discovering who is lighting fires in the forests that surround Missoula, Montana. A geographer with a deep personal need to bring people out of danger, Matt leads a search and rescue team whose job is to head directly into the mouth of hell, hiking into blazing backcountry to find missing residents. Matt and his team not only rely on their hard-won knowledge of Montana’s wild landscape, but also on Matt’s mentor, Dr. Bill Knight, a fire ecologist who understands the burning beast better than anyone.
When a suspicious fire destroys the mansion of a movie star, Matt must hike in to find his missing daughter and save her from the chaos. Then fires begin to explode everywhere as climate change drives temperatures over 100 degrees and rain refuses to fall, threatening thousands of homes. Who is setting these fires? Is it the Montana Tree Monkeys, an eco-radical group determined to scare off the newcomers? Or is it a retired smokejumper with an axe to grind about the encroaching mansions? Could it be Paladin, a shadowy figure leaving strange clues around the state? It’s Matt’s mission to find answers to these questions during a summer of heat, smoke, and unimaginable loss. Weaving together gripping drama and intriguing fire science, Fire Scars reveals the physical and psychological wounds we all carry—and the power we have to overcome.
When a suspicious fire destroys the mansion of a movie star, Matt must hike in to find his missing daughter and save her from the chaos. Then fires begin to explode everywhere as climate change drives temperatures over 100 degrees and rain refuses to fall, threatening thousands of homes. Who is setting these fires? Is it the Montana Tree Monkeys, an eco-radical group determined to scare off the newcomers? Or is it a retired smokejumper with an axe to grind about the encroaching mansions? Could it be Paladin, a shadowy figure leaving strange clues around the state? It’s Matt’s mission to find answers to these questions during a summer of heat, smoke, and unimaginable loss. Weaving together gripping drama and intriguing fire science, Fire Scars reveals the physical and psychological wounds we all carry—and the power we have to overcome.
249 pages, Paperback
Published May 9, 2023
2 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
John B. Wright
22 books1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
South African historian.
South African historian.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 18, 2023
This was intriguing, suspenseful and timely. I especially thought the content about the searches, and the fire investigation were quite interesting. Most of the characters were well-balanced, and the story drew me in. I would read another novel with the same protagonist.
July 17, 2023
I received this eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
The story opens in Mann Gulch, the Montana location of an infamous wildfire in 1949. Tragically, only 2 members of a 15 person wildfire crew survived, and was written about by Norman MacLean in Young Men and Fire. The 1949 Mann Gulch fire is a frequent reference point in this story.
Mann Gulch facts are among many facts around wildfires packed into this story, and for the beginning third of the book it feels like those facts are being ticked off instead of woven into a compelling story. The main character feels emotionally flat: Matt Solberg is not a wildfire fighter, but he is a search & rescue leader and a professor of geography familiar with wildfires, and there are several search and rescues early on that lack any sense of energy or suspense.
Until one does and once the author has introduced us to most of the characters, he finds his footing. The science behind fires begins to connect with the human stories. The pacing becomes thrilling as the mystery of suspected arson behind some of the wildfires follows multiple threads. It’s a story about climate change, but at a very specific level: civilization's relationship with wildfires over Montana history and the specific relationships of the characters with fires, Montana and the stories they tell themselves.
The story opens in Mann Gulch, the Montana location of an infamous wildfire in 1949. Tragically, only 2 members of a 15 person wildfire crew survived, and was written about by Norman MacLean in Young Men and Fire. The 1949 Mann Gulch fire is a frequent reference point in this story.
Mann Gulch facts are among many facts around wildfires packed into this story, and for the beginning third of the book it feels like those facts are being ticked off instead of woven into a compelling story. The main character feels emotionally flat: Matt Solberg is not a wildfire fighter, but he is a search & rescue leader and a professor of geography familiar with wildfires, and there are several search and rescues early on that lack any sense of energy or suspense.
Until one does and once the author has introduced us to most of the characters, he finds his footing. The science behind fires begins to connect with the human stories. The pacing becomes thrilling as the mystery of suspected arson behind some of the wildfires follows multiple threads. It’s a story about climate change, but at a very specific level: civilization's relationship with wildfires over Montana history and the specific relationships of the characters with fires, Montana and the stories they tell themselves.
August 20, 2023
Talk about timely! As I sit here in my office in Seattle, looking outside at the smoky skies caused by wildfires, I can't help but compare the situation to this book. Not to mention the horrible catastrophe in Lahaina!
This is an excellent book! Well thought out, based in science, exciting, and easy to read. The writing is great. The character development is great. The plot is excellent. And their are a corral full of suspects, it will keep you guessing right up to the end!
The author really develops the main character....I felt like I knew him and could relate to him on a personal level. No superman/kick-ass/hero character like so many mysteries fall back on. The rest of the cast is also well formed. Sometimes in just a page or three, but the author does a very good job at describing them and their backgrounds/thoughts.
The plot is exciting, fast-moving, entirely believable, and fun to read. I had a very hard time putting this book down.
I won't go into detail on the plot, others have done so here, but the very idea of overcrowding, history of fire suppression, local pride and distrust of outsiders, and forest fires is well thought out.
I sincerely hope that the author continues writing. I'm not sure where he will pivot from here, put it would be an awful shame to not be able to read about the main character in the future (hopefully the very near future)!
This is an excellent book! Well thought out, based in science, exciting, and easy to read. The writing is great. The character development is great. The plot is excellent. And their are a corral full of suspects, it will keep you guessing right up to the end!
The author really develops the main character....I felt like I knew him and could relate to him on a personal level. No superman/kick-ass/hero character like so many mysteries fall back on. The rest of the cast is also well formed. Sometimes in just a page or three, but the author does a very good job at describing them and their backgrounds/thoughts.
The plot is exciting, fast-moving, entirely believable, and fun to read. I had a very hard time putting this book down.
I won't go into detail on the plot, others have done so here, but the very idea of overcrowding, history of fire suppression, local pride and distrust of outsiders, and forest fires is well thought out.
I sincerely hope that the author continues writing. I'm not sure where he will pivot from here, put it would be an awful shame to not be able to read about the main character in the future (hopefully the very near future)!
February 16, 2023
In this mystery focused on climate change and overpopulation in the forests of Montana, Matt Solberg is called in to investigate a fire that destroyed a movie star's house and left his 11 year old daughter clinging to life. As a geographer and leader of a skilled search and rescue operation, Matt is very familiar with the area and its frequent forest fires. He is called on by the FBI to help with the investigation and as summer approaches, more fires are being deliberately set and homes destroyed. The race is on to find the arsonist before everything goes up in flames.
This book was both informative and fascinating. I loved all the background information about the tree ring research, the smokejumpers and search and rescue operations, and beautiful descriptions of the landscape. The story itself was thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat. Although the culprit is introduced fairly early on, I still couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was both informative and fascinating. I loved all the background information about the tree ring research, the smokejumpers and search and rescue operations, and beautiful descriptions of the landscape. The story itself was thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat. Although the culprit is introduced fairly early on, I still couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 27, 2023
This review cannot be totally unbiased because I geek history, am a science nerd, and have Norwegian heritage (think both Loki and Lutefisk).
The book is good but brutal (descriptions of burn damage to a person), teaches many hard things that even Minnesota Arrowhead firefighters and researchers into the Great Peshtigo fire are unaware of. There is a lot to learn about smoke jumpers, firefighting history in Montana (especially the Mann Gulch fire in Montana’s Helena National Forest in 1949).
The publisher's blurb is the hook, but the investigations into the various episodes of arson and the look into the lives and motives of those whose goal in life is to save people and more from destruction by fire. As a whodunit, it goes above and beyond to make the reader nutz trying to outguess the villain. A great read!
I requested and received an EARC from University of Nevada Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
The book is good but brutal (descriptions of burn damage to a person), teaches many hard things that even Minnesota Arrowhead firefighters and researchers into the Great Peshtigo fire are unaware of. There is a lot to learn about smoke jumpers, firefighting history in Montana (especially the Mann Gulch fire in Montana’s Helena National Forest in 1949).
The publisher's blurb is the hook, but the investigations into the various episodes of arson and the look into the lives and motives of those whose goal in life is to save people and more from destruction by fire. As a whodunit, it goes above and beyond to make the reader nutz trying to outguess the villain. A great read!
I requested and received an EARC from University of Nevada Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
December 30, 2023
This book is clearly timely and teaches us the power and relevance fire plays in our lives but more importantly nature. I learned about the Mann Gluch fire and the smoke jumpers who died there decades ago, which is a true place and story.
I think the plot was captivating and I did not know who the arsonist was at first, however, I do think the author had too many criminals. There was a lot of keeping track who did what and why. There was about 5 different arsonists within the book, I wish it was narrowed down or simplified.
The dialogue could have been better. At times it felt unnatural, forced, cheesy, or overtly masculine. With that being said, there were times I chuckled, finding the political banter funny.
I think the plot was captivating and I did not know who the arsonist was at first, however, I do think the author had too many criminals. There was a lot of keeping track who did what and why. There was about 5 different arsonists within the book, I wish it was narrowed down or simplified.
The dialogue could have been better. At times it felt unnatural, forced, cheesy, or overtly masculine. With that being said, there were times I chuckled, finding the political banter funny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2023
4.5/5 stars! I was excited to read this book because I don't think I've ever read an environmental mystery. I am amazed by the author's ability to make a topic that could be really complex and confusing to the average reader easy to follow. This book kept me engaged from the first page to the last. Will definitely be looking for more books by this author in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
May 17, 2023
A fantastic read.
I sat down and finished it in one read. John is a fantastic writer writing a remarkable story. I would recommend this to anyone living in our fire prone West. Living in the West will now,with climate change and recreational development requires that we learn to live with fire. Read this book as it will wake you up—hopefully.
I sat down and finished it in one read. John is a fantastic writer writing a remarkable story. I would recommend this to anyone living in our fire prone West. Living in the West will now,with climate change and recreational development requires that we learn to live with fire. Read this book as it will wake you up—hopefully.
August 23, 2023
An exceptionally intelligent, fast paced, engrossing, fun adventure. Not knowing a lot about wild fires, I was surprised how much I got out of this book. Wright does a great job of keeping the reader's interest with excellent character development and lots of action. A really great book, I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.
September 9, 2023
It was a decent book for someone who is not a novelist to have written. It's a whodunit that I guessed very early on due to having watched BBCs Sherlock. I've never been to Montana but the vibe of Montana comes through pretty strongly and my former colleague also incorporated a mutual friend of ours into the story in an entertaining way.
December 15, 2023
THANK YOU LibraryThing and author John B. Wright for this ARC. Let me start my review by saying, "Wow!" Fire Scars by John B. Wright went in many directions! I enjoyed the main theme of the plot however it did tend to get lost in several other plot lines any of which by themselves would have made an exciting storyline. The main theme of solving the crime of who's the arsonist that injured lovely little Linda and burned down two homes was interesting enough in itself but when you add in more than a few suspects, a revenge plot, a drunk driving accident, an FBI agent, and a town full of emotionally scarred but proud people, it just seems the author wished to put many storylines into one that for me just wasn't realistic. I get twists and turns and shocking revelations but this was a bit overdone in Fir Scars. Not to say that it was a bad read though, because it isn't. I got invested to a point where I wanted to know who had done it. I liked the characters, the setting, and the main premise of this book. I think this author is going to get much smoother and more nuanced as he progresses. He has lots of great ideas for potential future books and I will watch for what comes next from John B. Wright.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews