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Fire With Fire
‘One of the best thrillers of the year.’ The Australian
'Clever investigative drama at its finest with a brilliant premise and masterful storytelling.' Good Reading
'That rarest of things – a thriller that completely exceeds the promise of a remarkable premise. This is breakneck stuff, and you’ll need to remind yourself to take a breath.' Lisa Jewell
A married couple launch a deadly plan to find their missing child.
A half-dead man washes up on a Los Angeles beach.
A rookie cop is fired on her first day.
Ryan and Elsie Delaney don’t accept the official line that their young daughter drowned on Santa Monica beach. Her body has never been found and their pleas for a proper investigation are rejected.
So now the desperate pair are raining hellfire on the police.
Taking three hostages at the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, they give law enforcement an if Tilly isn’t located in the next 24 hours, they will destroy evidence in several major cases.
Detective Charlie Hoskins only just survived five years embedded with the ruthless gang known as the Death Machines. All his work is in that lab. If the police won’t look for Tilly, he will. Even if that means accepting help from Lynette Lamb, the rookie officer sacked for blowing his cover – and having him thrown to the sharks.
Finding Tilly is now a matter of life and death – for the Delaneys, for their hostages, for Charlie and Lamb, and for the little girl who one day simply vanished . . .
'One of the world's most original thriller writers.' Reader's Digest
'Australia's globally bestselling crime queen.' Australian Women's Weekly
‘One of Australia’s finest new-gen crime writers.’ Sydney Morning Herald
'Clever investigative drama at its finest with a brilliant premise and masterful storytelling.' Good Reading
'That rarest of things – a thriller that completely exceeds the promise of a remarkable premise. This is breakneck stuff, and you’ll need to remind yourself to take a breath.' Lisa Jewell
A married couple launch a deadly plan to find their missing child.
A half-dead man washes up on a Los Angeles beach.
A rookie cop is fired on her first day.
Ryan and Elsie Delaney don’t accept the official line that their young daughter drowned on Santa Monica beach. Her body has never been found and their pleas for a proper investigation are rejected.
So now the desperate pair are raining hellfire on the police.
Taking three hostages at the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, they give law enforcement an if Tilly isn’t located in the next 24 hours, they will destroy evidence in several major cases.
Detective Charlie Hoskins only just survived five years embedded with the ruthless gang known as the Death Machines. All his work is in that lab. If the police won’t look for Tilly, he will. Even if that means accepting help from Lynette Lamb, the rookie officer sacked for blowing his cover – and having him thrown to the sharks.
Finding Tilly is now a matter of life and death – for the Delaneys, for their hostages, for Charlie and Lamb, and for the little girl who one day simply vanished . . .
'One of the world's most original thriller writers.' Reader's Digest
'Australia's globally bestselling crime queen.' Australian Women's Weekly
‘One of Australia’s finest new-gen crime writers.’ Sydney Morning Herald
451 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2023
154 people are currently reading
1900 people want to read
About the author
Candice Fox
28 books2,094 followersCandice Fox is the middle child of a large, eccentric family from Sydney's western suburbs composed of half-, adopted and pseudo siblings. The daughter of a parole officer and an enthusiastic foster-carer, Candice spent her childhood listening around corners to tales of violence, madness and evil as her father relayed his work stories to her mother and older brothers.
As a cynical and trouble-making teenager, her crime and gothic fiction writing was an escape from the calamity of her home life. She was constantly in trouble for reading Anne Rice in church and scaring her friends with tales from Australia's wealth of true crime writers.
Bankstown born and bred, she failed to conform to military life in a brief stint as an officer in the Royal Australian Navy at age eighteen. At twenty, she turned her hand to academia, and taught high school through two undergraduate and two postgraduate degrees. Candice lectures in writing at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, while undertaking a PhD in literary censorship and terrorism.
Hades is her first novel, and she is currently working on its sequel.
As a cynical and trouble-making teenager, her crime and gothic fiction writing was an escape from the calamity of her home life. She was constantly in trouble for reading Anne Rice in church and scaring her friends with tales from Australia's wealth of true crime writers.
Bankstown born and bred, she failed to conform to military life in a brief stint as an officer in the Royal Australian Navy at age eighteen. At twenty, she turned her hand to academia, and taught high school through two undergraduate and two postgraduate degrees. Candice lectures in writing at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, while undertaking a PhD in literary censorship and terrorism.
Hades is her first novel, and she is currently working on its sequel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 419 reviews
May 13, 2023
4.5 rounded down
Writing: 5/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 4/5
SYNOPSIS
A hostage situation + a missing person's case + an exposed undercover cop + a rookie fired on the first day determined to win her job back = Chaos!!!!!!
MY OPINION
OOOOHWEEE Candice Fox back with another winner!!! I gave the three books in her Crimson Lake series 5-stars each (why haven't you read it yet?????) so naturally I was pumped to get into this. And while it wasn't a perfect 5, it was damn near close and I will still be harassing everyone and their mom to read this.
Now usually I'm not a fan of mafia/gang storylines because they're always chucked in halfway through the book to thicken the plot; but in this case the Death Machines are introduced from the outset so you know what you're getting yourself into and can bail early if you'd like. Since I'm a fan of the wild ride Candice Fox takes me on, I bundled up my disbelief and yeeted it out the window.
This is such a bingeable read, which isn't something I say often. I dare you not to blitz through this in an afternoon. There's no way I could put this bad boy down. The pace is nonstop as we toggle between an active hostage situation (very unique as well!) and the unlikely partnership of Charles (exposed undercover copy) and Lamb (rookie who didn't make it past day 1) as they try to solve the missing child case. She definitely pulled a few ankle-breakers as well; had me convinced I knew who was doing what when I didn't have a clue in the end.
Like Crimson Lake, Candice does a great job developing unique and distinct characters. Saskia was the weakest of the main players tbh. But Charles and Lamb gave me Nick and Jess from New Girls vibes. Charles was like a super fit, more bad ass Nick Miller and Lamb was Jess — more gentle and a tad naive, but still can hold her own and has a heart of gold. And Surge... oh Surge. If you're familiar with Amanda from Crimson Lake, Surge was like an NBA-player sized male version. Love the colour he added to the story. I can't wait for more Hoss and Lamb adventures! Hopefully this series is more than three books.
The reason I rounded this down was because of some inconsistencies. I can't get into it without spoilers, but it was the type of inconsistencies that were conjured up to make sure the plot went in a specific direction. Also, I felt that the interspersed phone call transcripts felt... cheap in a way? I'm not sure why she chose this format other than the fact she didn't want to add to the page count by writing out the entire scene. It wasn't like Cara Hunter's use of mixed media, which is more robust and intentional — this was just... the bare minimum to get a point across. Regardless, READ THIS BOOK!!!!
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, loved Hoss and Lamb's characters and dynamic (lowkey shipping them), fast-paced, interesting hostage situation, funny, entertaining, bingeable, great cliffhanger ending
Cons: the scenes involving the Death Machines were a lil OTT tbh — giving me male author but it's minor, phone transcripts were an odd choice, some inconsistencies
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
Writing: 5/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 4/5
SYNOPSIS
A hostage situation + a missing person's case + an exposed undercover cop + a rookie fired on the first day determined to win her job back = Chaos!!!!!!
MY OPINION
OOOOHWEEE Candice Fox back with another winner!!! I gave the three books in her Crimson Lake series 5-stars each (why haven't you read it yet?????) so naturally I was pumped to get into this. And while it wasn't a perfect 5, it was damn near close and I will still be harassing everyone and their mom to read this.
Now usually I'm not a fan of mafia/gang storylines because they're always chucked in halfway through the book to thicken the plot; but in this case the Death Machines are introduced from the outset so you know what you're getting yourself into and can bail early if you'd like. Since I'm a fan of the wild ride Candice Fox takes me on, I bundled up my disbelief and yeeted it out the window.
This is such a bingeable read, which isn't something I say often. I dare you not to blitz through this in an afternoon. There's no way I could put this bad boy down. The pace is nonstop as we toggle between an active hostage situation (very unique as well!) and the unlikely partnership of Charles (exposed undercover copy) and Lamb (rookie who didn't make it past day 1) as they try to solve the missing child case. She definitely pulled a few ankle-breakers as well; had me convinced I knew who was doing what when I didn't have a clue in the end.
Like Crimson Lake, Candice does a great job developing unique and distinct characters. Saskia was the weakest of the main players tbh. But Charles and Lamb gave me Nick and Jess from New Girls vibes. Charles was like a super fit, more bad ass Nick Miller and Lamb was Jess — more gentle and a tad naive, but still can hold her own and has a heart of gold. And Surge... oh Surge. If you're familiar with Amanda from Crimson Lake, Surge was like an NBA-player sized male version. Love the colour he added to the story. I can't wait for more Hoss and Lamb adventures! Hopefully this series is more than three books.
The reason I rounded this down was because of some inconsistencies. I can't get into it without spoilers, but it was the type of inconsistencies that were conjured up to make sure the plot went in a specific direction. Also, I felt that the interspersed phone call transcripts felt... cheap in a way? I'm not sure why she chose this format other than the fact she didn't want to add to the page count by writing out the entire scene. It wasn't like Cara Hunter's use of mixed media, which is more robust and intentional — this was just... the bare minimum to get a point across. Regardless, READ THIS BOOK!!!!
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, loved Hoss and Lamb's characters and dynamic (lowkey shipping them), fast-paced, interesting hostage situation, funny, entertaining, bingeable, great cliffhanger ending
Cons: the scenes involving the Death Machines were a lil OTT tbh — giving me male author but it's minor, phone transcripts were an odd choice, some inconsistencies
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
May 11, 2023
Fire with Fire was the first book that I have read by Candice Fox. I was impressed with her writing, pace of the book and well defined plot. Fire With Fire drew me in immediately and kept me engaged throughout the book. There were elements of suspense and surprise woven through the plot. The ending was a complete surprise for me. I did not see it coming. The audiobook was well narrated by Jay Aaseng.
Fire With Fire alternated between two on-going situations. One was a hostage situation at a forensic lab run by the Los Angeles Police Department. Two years ago, Elsie and Ryan Delany’s daughter, Tilly, disappeared from a beach. It was ruled as an accidental drowning. Parents, Elsie and Ryan, never gave up hope that their daughter might still be alive somewhere. They did not buy the verdict of accidental drowning that the police had pronounced. To get the Los Angeles Police Department to reopen Tilly’s cold case, Elsie and Ryan secured themselves in a forensic lab that housed DNA samples from other cold cases. Along with them, they took several hostages. The Delany’s demanded that the LAPD find their daughter in the next twenty-four hours or they would start to destroy DNA evidence now in their possession. The Delany’s had captured the attention of not only the police and the FBI but of the whole country. Would their threats be enough to reopen their daughter’s case?
The other situation that was occurring at the same time and alternating with the first situation involved an undercover detective, Charlie Hoskins. Charlie’s cover had been blown in the case he had been working on for the past five years. He was on the run from the members of the motorcycle gang that had discovered his blown identity when Charlie learned about the demands of the Delany’s. Charlie had a vested interest in helping the Delany’s find their daughter. Many of the DNA samples that Charlie had gathered from working this case were housed in that lab. He could not afford to let them be destroyed. Charlie was offered no choice. He had to try and find Tilly or loose everything he had worked towards for the past five years. Charlie had planned to try and find Tilly by himself but he soon learned he had company. Lynette Lamb, a police officer whose position on the force was derailed before it even started, joined Charlie to figure out what had really happened to Tilly. Solving this case might be her only chance in saving her lifelong dream of becoming a police officer. Their desperate search for Tilly began. Will Charlie and Lynette be able to discover what happened to Tilly before it is too late to save the DNA samples Charlie gathered so painstakingly to bring justice to the criminals he had been investigating for the past five years? Could Lynette impress Charlie enough to have him help her get her job back?
Fire With Fire by Candice Fox was an edge of your seat, hold your breath type of mystery thriller. There were plenty of twists and turns as well. My only criticism was that some of the pieces of the plot were not completely resolved and tied up. Perhaps Candice Fox plans on writing a sequel. That would be a welcomed surprise. Although this was the first book I have read by Candice Fox I will definitely seek out future books by her. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to Fire With Fire by Candice Fox through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Fire With Fire alternated between two on-going situations. One was a hostage situation at a forensic lab run by the Los Angeles Police Department. Two years ago, Elsie and Ryan Delany’s daughter, Tilly, disappeared from a beach. It was ruled as an accidental drowning. Parents, Elsie and Ryan, never gave up hope that their daughter might still be alive somewhere. They did not buy the verdict of accidental drowning that the police had pronounced. To get the Los Angeles Police Department to reopen Tilly’s cold case, Elsie and Ryan secured themselves in a forensic lab that housed DNA samples from other cold cases. Along with them, they took several hostages. The Delany’s demanded that the LAPD find their daughter in the next twenty-four hours or they would start to destroy DNA evidence now in their possession. The Delany’s had captured the attention of not only the police and the FBI but of the whole country. Would their threats be enough to reopen their daughter’s case?
The other situation that was occurring at the same time and alternating with the first situation involved an undercover detective, Charlie Hoskins. Charlie’s cover had been blown in the case he had been working on for the past five years. He was on the run from the members of the motorcycle gang that had discovered his blown identity when Charlie learned about the demands of the Delany’s. Charlie had a vested interest in helping the Delany’s find their daughter. Many of the DNA samples that Charlie had gathered from working this case were housed in that lab. He could not afford to let them be destroyed. Charlie was offered no choice. He had to try and find Tilly or loose everything he had worked towards for the past five years. Charlie had planned to try and find Tilly by himself but he soon learned he had company. Lynette Lamb, a police officer whose position on the force was derailed before it even started, joined Charlie to figure out what had really happened to Tilly. Solving this case might be her only chance in saving her lifelong dream of becoming a police officer. Their desperate search for Tilly began. Will Charlie and Lynette be able to discover what happened to Tilly before it is too late to save the DNA samples Charlie gathered so painstakingly to bring justice to the criminals he had been investigating for the past five years? Could Lynette impress Charlie enough to have him help her get her job back?
Fire With Fire by Candice Fox was an edge of your seat, hold your breath type of mystery thriller. There were plenty of twists and turns as well. My only criticism was that some of the pieces of the plot were not completely resolved and tied up. Perhaps Candice Fox plans on writing a sequel. That would be a welcomed surprise. Although this was the first book I have read by Candice Fox I will definitely seek out future books by her. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to Fire With Fire by Candice Fox through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 8, 2023
You know when you start a book, and you just know it is going to be amazing? Candice Fox books are always like this for me. I have read and loved all of her books and I think Fire with Fire maybe a new favourite. What can I say, it was nonstop action from the beginning, and it never let up. Each chapter ending left me needing to carry on reading to find out what would happen next. At the same time, I didn't want it to end.
There was so much going on, I dare you to be bored reading this book. It is high drama, with a hostage situation, a police investigation, an undercover cop who has recently been exposed, a rookie cop who was fired on her first day and a missing child. What more could you need than that?
Charlie, the former undercover cop, teams up with Lynette Lamb, the rookie cop who was fired on her first day to solve a 2-year-old missing child case. The girl's parents have taken hostages and the LAPD forensics lab to ransom. They believe that the cops bungled the case back then, and they want justice. Until they get it, they are going to destroy critical DNA samples.
I loved the team of Charlie and Lamb. The career cop and the new kid. Maybe they could learn something from one another. Maybe.
Fire with Fire is another example of why Candice Fox is one of the most popular Australian crime writers. Her stories are complex but not confusing. Her characters have so much depth and get into your heart. I dropped everything to get stuck into it and I am not sorry. I cannot recommend this book more. It will easily be one of my favourites for 2023. Crime fiction at it's finest
A massive thank you to Tor Publishing Group, Forge Books and Netgalley , Penguin Books Australia for my advanced copy to read. You made this Aussie crime lover very very happy.
There was so much going on, I dare you to be bored reading this book. It is high drama, with a hostage situation, a police investigation, an undercover cop who has recently been exposed, a rookie cop who was fired on her first day and a missing child. What more could you need than that?
Charlie, the former undercover cop, teams up with Lynette Lamb, the rookie cop who was fired on her first day to solve a 2-year-old missing child case. The girl's parents have taken hostages and the LAPD forensics lab to ransom. They believe that the cops bungled the case back then, and they want justice. Until they get it, they are going to destroy critical DNA samples.
I loved the team of Charlie and Lamb. The career cop and the new kid. Maybe they could learn something from one another. Maybe.
Fire with Fire is another example of why Candice Fox is one of the most popular Australian crime writers. Her stories are complex but not confusing. Her characters have so much depth and get into your heart. I dropped everything to get stuck into it and I am not sorry. I cannot recommend this book more. It will easily be one of my favourites for 2023. Crime fiction at it's finest
A massive thank you to Tor Publishing Group, Forge Books and Netgalley , Penguin Books Australia for my advanced copy to read. You made this Aussie crime lover very very happy.
April 7, 2023
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Candice Fox, Tor Publishing Group, and Forge Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Candice Fox has long been a strong crime writer and is proving herself once more with this latest novel. The story is strong, unique, and moves effectively, keeping the reader engaged until the final pages. There is something about her style that pushes me to want to read more and get deeper into the case at hand. Fox is able to use some of her Australian background and superimpose it on an American setting, providing something that stands out, and creating a stellar reading experience.
Ryan and Elsie Delaney are at the end of their rope. After their daughter, Tilly, disappeared two years ago, they received no help from the police and the forensics remained tied up in a pile of ever-growing cases that had not been processed. They have taken matters into their own hands, holding those in the lab hostage until Tilly is found. To add something to the mix, they will destroy one sample an hour until a resolution is found.
While the LAPD is scrambling to put it all together. Detective Charlie Hoskins decides to take on the case himself. Having been undercover for years before his cover was blown, Hoskins has something to prove and takes the Tilly Delaney case for himself, working with Lynette Lamb, a police officer for a day until something horrific happened, which she still says is not her fault.
As Hoskins and Lamb join forces, albeit awkwardly, they begin to see that there is more to the case than meets the eye. Who was watching Tilly the day of her disappearance at the beach? Why are stories not matching up and who could have been planning something from the start? While hostages are in danger and LAPD resources are spread thin, Hoskins and Lamb find their own path towards the truth, away from the chaos that is the forensics lab.
As tensions mount and time ticks on, Hoskins and Lamb cobble together a theory on this cold case. Their working together has its bumps, but both have
something to prove to themselves, to others, and to the LAPD. It will surely be something to behold and Tilly Delaney’s case deserves answers, even if the little girl will never make her way home. Candice Fox does a wonderful job putting this piece together and leaves fans itching for more in this explosive novel.
I have long enjoyed the writing of Candice Fox, who always seems to have something to say. Her stories are on point and she has an acerbic wit that keeps the reader from falling into anything too predictable. Strong narrative guidance provides the reader with direction and keeps them wanting to learn a little more, all while feeling as though they are part of the action. The characters emerge throughout with their own perspectives and keep things light when needed, while also digging deeper into the case at hand. The plot derives from well-founded ideas and moves on from there, offering twists and turns at just the right times. I can only wonder how things might have gone had Fox not been so adamant about advancing the many storylines as well as she did. I admire the hard work and dedication that went into the book and applaud Fox, who has shown a propensity for nailing a strong crime thriller both in her native Australia and using an American setting. she is also keenly aware of police procedures, bringing the reader in for a strong police procedural. It proved to be a wonderful reading experience and I hope others will take the time to acquaint themselves with one of the best in the genre! Only question remaining, is this the start to a series?
Kudos, Madam Fox, for another great piece of writing!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Candice Fox has long been a strong crime writer and is proving herself once more with this latest novel. The story is strong, unique, and moves effectively, keeping the reader engaged until the final pages. There is something about her style that pushes me to want to read more and get deeper into the case at hand. Fox is able to use some of her Australian background and superimpose it on an American setting, providing something that stands out, and creating a stellar reading experience.
Ryan and Elsie Delaney are at the end of their rope. After their daughter, Tilly, disappeared two years ago, they received no help from the police and the forensics remained tied up in a pile of ever-growing cases that had not been processed. They have taken matters into their own hands, holding those in the lab hostage until Tilly is found. To add something to the mix, they will destroy one sample an hour until a resolution is found.
While the LAPD is scrambling to put it all together. Detective Charlie Hoskins decides to take on the case himself. Having been undercover for years before his cover was blown, Hoskins has something to prove and takes the Tilly Delaney case for himself, working with Lynette Lamb, a police officer for a day until something horrific happened, which she still says is not her fault.
As Hoskins and Lamb join forces, albeit awkwardly, they begin to see that there is more to the case than meets the eye. Who was watching Tilly the day of her disappearance at the beach? Why are stories not matching up and who could have been planning something from the start? While hostages are in danger and LAPD resources are spread thin, Hoskins and Lamb find their own path towards the truth, away from the chaos that is the forensics lab.
As tensions mount and time ticks on, Hoskins and Lamb cobble together a theory on this cold case. Their working together has its bumps, but both have
something to prove to themselves, to others, and to the LAPD. It will surely be something to behold and Tilly Delaney’s case deserves answers, even if the little girl will never make her way home. Candice Fox does a wonderful job putting this piece together and leaves fans itching for more in this explosive novel.
I have long enjoyed the writing of Candice Fox, who always seems to have something to say. Her stories are on point and she has an acerbic wit that keeps the reader from falling into anything too predictable. Strong narrative guidance provides the reader with direction and keeps them wanting to learn a little more, all while feeling as though they are part of the action. The characters emerge throughout with their own perspectives and keep things light when needed, while also digging deeper into the case at hand. The plot derives from well-founded ideas and moves on from there, offering twists and turns at just the right times. I can only wonder how things might have gone had Fox not been so adamant about advancing the many storylines as well as she did. I admire the hard work and dedication that went into the book and applaud Fox, who has shown a propensity for nailing a strong crime thriller both in her native Australia and using an American setting. she is also keenly aware of police procedures, bringing the reader in for a strong police procedural. It proved to be a wonderful reading experience and I hope others will take the time to acquaint themselves with one of the best in the genre! Only question remaining, is this the start to a series?
Kudos, Madam Fox, for another great piece of writing!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
May 9, 2023
Fire With Fire is a highly unorthodox police thriller set in Los Angeles that immediately grabs your attention and then places layers of intrigue on top of full blooded action to create a compelling drama from start to finish.
When parents of a missing 5 year old girl are completely dissatisfied with the efforts of the LAPD in looking for their daughter they take over a forensics lab, holding 3 people hostage. The lab happens to be used by the LAPD to process DNA tests on evidence collected in important cases. The couple threaten to destroy one piece of evidence for every 2 hours their daughter remains missing. Effectively, they’re potentially holding every outstanding police case involving DNA evidence hostage.
Meanwhile, Detective Charlie Hoskins is in the process of recovering from working undercover after his cover was blown in spectacular style. He’s got evidence tied up in that lab and decides that he’s going to work the missing girl case himself - off the books, so to speak. In a very strange situation, the person he works the case with is the very person who inadvertently blew his cover, Lynette Lamb. Lamb had earlier suffered the ignominy of being fired from the LAPD on her first day on the job.
Together, Hoskins and Lamb form a fascinating partnership as they work through what appears to be a challenging cold case. Lamb displays a great flair for deductive reasoning, time and again proving that she has great powers of observation that translate into insightful conclusions. Hoskins is more your brute force type of detective who, with years of experience behind him, knows how to direct an investigation to make the greatest progress.
What works very well is the heightened tension created by the pressure of time constraints on two fronts. On one hand is the evidence being destroyed by the hostage takers in the lab at an increasingly rapid rate. On the other is a cold case investigation that feels as though is being performed in fast-forward. To make things even more interesting, the biker gang that Hoskins had infiltrated whilst undercover is on his trail, bent on retribution.
Where this really works for me is the depth given to each of the main characters. We’re given just enough of a background of each to help us understand their motives, their drives and their weaknesses without distracting or robbing the momentum from the plot.
There is great frenetic energy surrounding the entire story and Candice Fox works wonders in holding it all together. The static site of the hostage situation is a powder keg just waiting for a spark to set it off while the more dynamic investigation run by Lamb and Hoskins is a breathless race against time. By running both locations over the top of each other, switching from one to the other in alternate chapters the high pace is maintained throughout.
Some cold case investigations can be long drawn out slogs as old evidence is pawed over and rechecked carefully. This is a cold case investigation on steroids. Altogether, Fire With Fire is a fully entertaining ride that kept me completely engaged from first page to last. I strongly recommend this to anyone who loves a fast-paced, hectic thriller packed with numerous high points and boasting one of the more unusual pairings I've come across.
(I would fully expect to see more of Lamb and Hoskins in the future, I’d be disappointed if I don’t).
My thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book for the opportunity to read, enjoy and review.
When parents of a missing 5 year old girl are completely dissatisfied with the efforts of the LAPD in looking for their daughter they take over a forensics lab, holding 3 people hostage. The lab happens to be used by the LAPD to process DNA tests on evidence collected in important cases. The couple threaten to destroy one piece of evidence for every 2 hours their daughter remains missing. Effectively, they’re potentially holding every outstanding police case involving DNA evidence hostage.
Meanwhile, Detective Charlie Hoskins is in the process of recovering from working undercover after his cover was blown in spectacular style. He’s got evidence tied up in that lab and decides that he’s going to work the missing girl case himself - off the books, so to speak. In a very strange situation, the person he works the case with is the very person who inadvertently blew his cover, Lynette Lamb. Lamb had earlier suffered the ignominy of being fired from the LAPD on her first day on the job.
Together, Hoskins and Lamb form a fascinating partnership as they work through what appears to be a challenging cold case. Lamb displays a great flair for deductive reasoning, time and again proving that she has great powers of observation that translate into insightful conclusions. Hoskins is more your brute force type of detective who, with years of experience behind him, knows how to direct an investigation to make the greatest progress.
What works very well is the heightened tension created by the pressure of time constraints on two fronts. On one hand is the evidence being destroyed by the hostage takers in the lab at an increasingly rapid rate. On the other is a cold case investigation that feels as though is being performed in fast-forward. To make things even more interesting, the biker gang that Hoskins had infiltrated whilst undercover is on his trail, bent on retribution.
Where this really works for me is the depth given to each of the main characters. We’re given just enough of a background of each to help us understand their motives, their drives and their weaknesses without distracting or robbing the momentum from the plot.
There is great frenetic energy surrounding the entire story and Candice Fox works wonders in holding it all together. The static site of the hostage situation is a powder keg just waiting for a spark to set it off while the more dynamic investigation run by Lamb and Hoskins is a breathless race against time. By running both locations over the top of each other, switching from one to the other in alternate chapters the high pace is maintained throughout.
Some cold case investigations can be long drawn out slogs as old evidence is pawed over and rechecked carefully. This is a cold case investigation on steroids. Altogether, Fire With Fire is a fully entertaining ride that kept me completely engaged from first page to last. I strongly recommend this to anyone who loves a fast-paced, hectic thriller packed with numerous high points and boasting one of the more unusual pairings I've come across.
(I would fully expect to see more of Lamb and Hoskins in the future, I’d be disappointed if I don’t).
My thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book for the opportunity to read, enjoy and review.
April 18, 2023
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
I always know I’m going to be on a wild ride with Candice Fox so naturally her books always go to the top of my reading pile! Yes I am a huge fan of this Aussie crime writer.
Fire with Fire is non-stop action from start to finish with well thought out characters that feel authentic. I felt like I was immersed in a high action movie with the vividly described writing! This one certainly delivers!!
Lynette Lamb a rookie cop is fired on her first day!
A swimmer saves a drowning man, he’s been tortured….
Desperate parents the Delaneys need closure. Their five year old daughter Tilly is missing, presumed drowned at Santa Monica beach two years earlier. The Delaneys believe that their case was not investigated competently by LAPD and written off as a drowning. They have instigated a deadly plan to take hostages in a forensic lab and destroy key pieces of crime evidence from major cases if their daughter is not found.
Detective Charlie Hoskins has survived living five years undercover with a dangerous bikie gang known as the Death Machines, his five years of work…..the DNA samples are in that lab!
Charlie and Lamb were an unlikely but dynamic duo and I loved their teamwork. If you want a pulse-pounding read grab yourself a copy!
Publication Date 04 April 2023
Publisher Imprint Bantam Australia
A massive thanks to Penguin Books Australia for the review copy
I always know I’m going to be on a wild ride with Candice Fox so naturally her books always go to the top of my reading pile! Yes I am a huge fan of this Aussie crime writer.
Fire with Fire is non-stop action from start to finish with well thought out characters that feel authentic. I felt like I was immersed in a high action movie with the vividly described writing! This one certainly delivers!!
Lynette Lamb a rookie cop is fired on her first day!
A swimmer saves a drowning man, he’s been tortured….
Desperate parents the Delaneys need closure. Their five year old daughter Tilly is missing, presumed drowned at Santa Monica beach two years earlier. The Delaneys believe that their case was not investigated competently by LAPD and written off as a drowning. They have instigated a deadly plan to take hostages in a forensic lab and destroy key pieces of crime evidence from major cases if their daughter is not found.
Detective Charlie Hoskins has survived living five years undercover with a dangerous bikie gang known as the Death Machines, his five years of work…..the DNA samples are in that lab!
Charlie and Lamb were an unlikely but dynamic duo and I loved their teamwork. If you want a pulse-pounding read grab yourself a copy!
Publication Date 04 April 2023
Publisher Imprint Bantam Australia
A massive thanks to Penguin Books Australia for the review copy
May 5, 2023
Thank you Penguin Australia for sending me a copy of this book to review.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was an entertaining read that had moments of seriousness and then moments of where you would be smiling at the banter between Charlie and Lamb. It was jam packed full of action . I very much connected to Charlie and Lambs friendship especially how Charlie took her under his wing. I love a missing person case , cold cases and forensics and this had it all. I hope this might become a series with Charlie and Lamb. Thank you for writing such an entertaining book.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was an entertaining read that had moments of seriousness and then moments of where you would be smiling at the banter between Charlie and Lamb. It was jam packed full of action . I very much connected to Charlie and Lambs friendship especially how Charlie took her under his wing. I love a missing person case , cold cases and forensics and this had it all. I hope this might become a series with Charlie and Lamb. Thank you for writing such an entertaining book.
January 19, 2024
*https://www.instagram.com/mrsb_book_r...
🔥Australia’s globally bestselling crime queen according to The Australian Women’s Weekly presents Fire With Fire, an April 2023 Penguin Books Australia publication. A voltaic crime thriller with a relentless pace, Fire With Fire is jam packed with suspicion, adventure, action and intrigue.
🔥A quick flick over to Goodreads indicated that I have now read six Candice Fox books and I have a few more to catch up on. Fire With Fire came to me just before I embarked on a big trip away to Europe so unfortunately it was overlooked, despite the fact that it came in an amazing surprise box with red bullet sweets from the publisher. I am very grateful for this gift and more than a little ashamed that I didn’t get to it at the time of publication.
🔥In short, Fire With Fire is a dynamite and missile infused tale. The pace goes from zero to one hundred from the onset. It doesn’t really let up at all and I felt almost bewildered by the constant thrills and rush of solving this case. There are hostages, angry parents seeking justice, revenge plots, guns, evidence to protect, falsified information, hostages to negotiate, rookie cops involved, police procedures to adhere to and a locked cold case mystery to solve. So much was going on my head was spinning! This is a maxed-out plot, supported by a cast of full and believable characters. The solid pairing of Charlie and Lamb made me wonder if we will see this twosome return for another crime outing with Fox. The dialogue was zippy and intense, making this a lightning fast read to the close. Fire With Fire is not one of my favourite Fox titles, but it was a solid read nonetheless. Fox’s latest will no doubt please crime thriller fans.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫3.5 stars
🙏Thank you to the generous team at @penguinbooksaus for this copy.
🔥Australia’s globally bestselling crime queen according to The Australian Women’s Weekly presents Fire With Fire, an April 2023 Penguin Books Australia publication. A voltaic crime thriller with a relentless pace, Fire With Fire is jam packed with suspicion, adventure, action and intrigue.
🔥A quick flick over to Goodreads indicated that I have now read six Candice Fox books and I have a few more to catch up on. Fire With Fire came to me just before I embarked on a big trip away to Europe so unfortunately it was overlooked, despite the fact that it came in an amazing surprise box with red bullet sweets from the publisher. I am very grateful for this gift and more than a little ashamed that I didn’t get to it at the time of publication.
🔥In short, Fire With Fire is a dynamite and missile infused tale. The pace goes from zero to one hundred from the onset. It doesn’t really let up at all and I felt almost bewildered by the constant thrills and rush of solving this case. There are hostages, angry parents seeking justice, revenge plots, guns, evidence to protect, falsified information, hostages to negotiate, rookie cops involved, police procedures to adhere to and a locked cold case mystery to solve. So much was going on my head was spinning! This is a maxed-out plot, supported by a cast of full and believable characters. The solid pairing of Charlie and Lamb made me wonder if we will see this twosome return for another crime outing with Fox. The dialogue was zippy and intense, making this a lightning fast read to the close. Fire With Fire is not one of my favourite Fox titles, but it was a solid read nonetheless. Fox’s latest will no doubt please crime thriller fans.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫3.5 stars
🙏Thank you to the generous team at @penguinbooksaus for this copy.
May 24, 2023
Hot 🔥 Damn Girl!!
Candice Fox knows how to write a BADASS ACTION book!! This is the book that should be made into a movie 🎥!!!
Candice Fox knows how to write a BADASS ACTION book!! This is the book that should be made into a movie 🎥!!!
August 16, 2023
4.5 rounded up.
Brilliant Aussie author Fox returns with a very Americanised thriller. The blurb, for once, doesn’t do the book any justice. It sounded convoluted and over-the-top but in reality it was a very clever concept.
There is a lot going on and setting aside a serious chunk of reading time to start would be beneficial. The use of the crime lab as a hostage (in the literal sense) is writing brilliance. The working and jesting relationship between Charlie Wilson and Lynette Lamb make the read!
This is a fantastic read. A little too perfectly concluded- especially for Fox, and I do miss the gritty, dark Australian crime she wrote in her early career, but this works in a much broader market.
The final paragraph certainly leaves the door open to a Wilson-Lamb series, which would be excellent.
Brilliant Aussie author Fox returns with a very Americanised thriller. The blurb, for once, doesn’t do the book any justice. It sounded convoluted and over-the-top but in reality it was a very clever concept.
There is a lot going on and setting aside a serious chunk of reading time to start would be beneficial. The use of the crime lab as a hostage (in the literal sense) is writing brilliance. The working and jesting relationship between Charlie Wilson and Lynette Lamb make the read!
This is a fantastic read. A little too perfectly concluded- especially for Fox, and I do miss the gritty, dark Australian crime she wrote in her early career, but this works in a much broader market.
The final paragraph certainly leaves the door open to a Wilson-Lamb series, which would be excellent.
January 14, 2023
Make way for Queen Candice as she comes with yet another propulsive thriller this year. This is how it's done, people. A crime thriller with so much action & adventure and the chapters slip out of our fingers without you noticing it. So much going on and you'll feel adrenaline pumping and you're so involved in the story and feel all sorts of things for the characters! This is what I call a perfect package. There are so many reasons why I'd never miss a Candice Fox novel and I was so right to beg the publisher for an early copy.
Read if you enjoy:
▪️Seize/hostage situation
▪️Police procedural
▪️Undercover operation gone wrong
▪️Cop who'd do anything to prove her place and get her job back
▪️Cop who would do her best to protect the lives of innocent
▪️Plot within a plot
▪️Action sequences
Parents of Tilly Delaney hijack Los Angeles Lab that holds all the important DNA samples and threatens to destroy them if the police don't find their missing daughter within the day.
A cop loses her job on her first day over a deed she isn't aware of doing. An undercover cop is busted when the operation goes south and is saved by a random surfer. These two make the most unlikely partners and their rants and discoveries are something I'd look forward to reading if Fox decides to give us a brand new series featuring Charlie and his young partner.
I'm so grateful for the early copy. This is simply the best book I've read in a very long time.
Read if you enjoy:
▪️Seize/hostage situation
▪️Police procedural
▪️Undercover operation gone wrong
▪️Cop who'd do anything to prove her place and get her job back
▪️Cop who would do her best to protect the lives of innocent
▪️Plot within a plot
▪️Action sequences
Parents of Tilly Delaney hijack Los Angeles Lab that holds all the important DNA samples and threatens to destroy them if the police don't find their missing daughter within the day.
A cop loses her job on her first day over a deed she isn't aware of doing. An undercover cop is busted when the operation goes south and is saved by a random surfer. These two make the most unlikely partners and their rants and discoveries are something I'd look forward to reading if Fox decides to give us a brand new series featuring Charlie and his young partner.
I'm so grateful for the early copy. This is simply the best book I've read in a very long time.
March 19, 2023
BIG thanks to both Forge Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Fire with Fire!!
Expected publication May 9, 2023
Ryan and Elsie Delaney refuse to accept that their young daughter drowned on a Santa Monica beach. Her body has never been found and their pleas for a proper investigation have been rejected. Now the desperate pair have taken three hostages at the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, and they have given law enforcement an ultimatum: if Tilly isn’t located within the next 24 hours, they will destroy all of the unprocessed evidence samples pertaining to other cold cases - a few at a time.
What. A. Book. I fluctuated between practically speed reading because I HAD to find out what was going to happen next, and then FORCING myself to put the book down because I didn't want the story to end! I absolutely LOVED the two main characters! Detective Charlie Hoskins had been undercover in a deadly motorcycle gang for five years. Now his cover has been blown and he wants desperately to find Tilly or lose everything he's worked for, watching as evidence inside the lab burns. Lynette Lamb was a police officer for almost one day; when she was fired before her first beat. Figuring out what happened to Tilly is her one and only chance at rejoining the career she's prepared her whole life for.
All I can say is Hoss and Lamb made such an amazing team! I have my fingers and toes crossed that I will see them again!!
Expected publication May 9, 2023
Ryan and Elsie Delaney refuse to accept that their young daughter drowned on a Santa Monica beach. Her body has never been found and their pleas for a proper investigation have been rejected. Now the desperate pair have taken three hostages at the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, and they have given law enforcement an ultimatum: if Tilly isn’t located within the next 24 hours, they will destroy all of the unprocessed evidence samples pertaining to other cold cases - a few at a time.
What. A. Book. I fluctuated between practically speed reading because I HAD to find out what was going to happen next, and then FORCING myself to put the book down because I didn't want the story to end! I absolutely LOVED the two main characters! Detective Charlie Hoskins had been undercover in a deadly motorcycle gang for five years. Now his cover has been blown and he wants desperately to find Tilly or lose everything he's worked for, watching as evidence inside the lab burns. Lynette Lamb was a police officer for almost one day; when she was fired before her first beat. Figuring out what happened to Tilly is her one and only chance at rejoining the career she's prepared her whole life for.
All I can say is Hoss and Lamb made such an amazing team! I have my fingers and toes crossed that I will see them again!!
July 13, 2023
Ryan and Elsie Delaney's daughter was abducted and as far as they're concerned, the police didn't do enough to find her. They break into the forensic lab at the police station and hold everyone inside hostage. They will destroy a sample of evidence every two hours unless the police find their daughter. Meanwhile, Detective Charlie Hoskins has been undercover in a deadly motorcycle gang for five years. All the evidence he collected in numerous crimes is in that lab! He needs to find Tilly. He joins forces with Lynette Lamb, a young woman who finished her training, but was fired from the police department before her first day on the job. They follow the evidence, question the witnesses again and track down leads. Will they find Tilly, dead or alive?
I really enjoyed this crime thriller. It grabbed me right from the first page and held my interest until the end. I really liked both Hoskins and Lamb and thought they worked really well together. Lamb had great instincts as well as being able to piece things together that might not have been obvious to everyone else. She does have a short fuse and flies off the handle quickly, but Hoskins is able to calm her down. I am always in awe when a police officer puts his/her life on the line doing undercover work, and Charlie was good at it. He has a sarcastic personality and I often laughed at some of his comments to Lynette. This was a great mystery/cold case and I loved how they put things together. We were kept apprised as to what was happening at the lab at the same time and that kept me on the edge of my seat. As the case came to an end, I was pleased with the conclusion and am hoping there might be more books with Hoskins and Lamb. I did a read/listen and enjoyed both formats. The audiobook was narrated by Jay Aaseng. I really liked his narration and even his female voices were well done. His tone and pace, added suspense to the story. I definitely recommend this on to anyone who enjoys a good Crime Thriller.
I really enjoyed this crime thriller. It grabbed me right from the first page and held my interest until the end. I really liked both Hoskins and Lamb and thought they worked really well together. Lamb had great instincts as well as being able to piece things together that might not have been obvious to everyone else. She does have a short fuse and flies off the handle quickly, but Hoskins is able to calm her down. I am always in awe when a police officer puts his/her life on the line doing undercover work, and Charlie was good at it. He has a sarcastic personality and I often laughed at some of his comments to Lynette. This was a great mystery/cold case and I loved how they put things together. We were kept apprised as to what was happening at the lab at the same time and that kept me on the edge of my seat. As the case came to an end, I was pleased with the conclusion and am hoping there might be more books with Hoskins and Lamb. I did a read/listen and enjoyed both formats. The audiobook was narrated by Jay Aaseng. I really liked his narration and even his female voices were well done. His tone and pace, added suspense to the story. I definitely recommend this on to anyone who enjoys a good Crime Thriller.
April 3, 2023
This was a nice surprise from the Team at Penguin Books Australia to send me out Candice Fox latest release - Fire with Fire.
I absolutely love her books and love supporting Aussie writers, this book did not disappoint. It was full speed ahead from the get go and it did not let up, all traits we have come to expect and love with Fox's work.
Detective Charlie Hoskins and rookie officer Lynette Lamb are looking for missing child Tilly. The girls parents have taken hostages, they are adamant the LAPD screwed up the case and are out for justice. This book is like3 a bull at the gate from the get go and for a book just over 400 pages it flew by, I didn't want it to end.
I enjoyed the dynamic of Charlie and Lynette, if you love a good Crime novel pick this one up it is high on my list of my favourite novel from Candice. Thanks again to Penguin Books Australia for this promotional package for this book release.
Out in Australia today - April 4th 2023
I absolutely love her books and love supporting Aussie writers, this book did not disappoint. It was full speed ahead from the get go and it did not let up, all traits we have come to expect and love with Fox's work.
Detective Charlie Hoskins and rookie officer Lynette Lamb are looking for missing child Tilly. The girls parents have taken hostages, they are adamant the LAPD screwed up the case and are out for justice. This book is like3 a bull at the gate from the get go and for a book just over 400 pages it flew by, I didn't want it to end.
I enjoyed the dynamic of Charlie and Lynette, if you love a good Crime novel pick this one up it is high on my list of my favourite novel from Candice. Thanks again to Penguin Books Australia for this promotional package for this book release.
Out in Australia today - April 4th 2023
April 9, 2023
Finished reading: April 9th 2023
"Charlie had learned early in his time on the job not to try to force the memories away. Slamming the door shut on traumas only gave them power."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Forge Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
November 29, 2023
I feel like I should give this book four stars because it was a pretty fun read BUT it was nowhere near as good as her Crimson Lake Trilogy /: so I am being a big baby and only giving it three stars.
Maybe.
That is probably not fair because I have given other books of the same quality four stars.
Okay. I’ll give it four but I sure wish it was it was as good as the Crimson Lake books
Maybe.
That is probably not fair because I have given other books of the same quality four stars.
Okay. I’ll give it four but I sure wish it was it was as good as the Crimson Lake books
August 27, 2024
5 stelle perché scrivere una vicenda così complessa che si svolge in 24h non è per niente facile; scriverla poi che si divide in due rami narrativi paralleli e super avvincenti ancora meno! Favoloso, leggetelo
April 10, 2023
Fox's strength, as always, is her characterisation. The characters are complex, dynamic, and feel like they could actually exist. I would be keen to read more about the Hoskin and Lamb duo, and the ending of the novel leaves this open for it to happen. Plot wise I wasn't quite sure on the plausibility -- that they would let the seige go on for so long with so few hostages considering what was at stake. The exploration of police work - including the reasons why officers choose to go undercover, why people become officers, and the evidence processes was an important part of the novel. This also portrayed, in many ways - the strength of a parent's love and the lengths that they will go through to protect their child.
February 21, 2025
2.75 stars
May 3, 2023
WOW!!!!! I’ve been meaning to read one of Candice Fox books - I’m so glad I chose Fire With Fire to start with. What an absolute ripper of a thriller!
This propulsive crime thriller is jam packed with action, I literally could not put it down. Detective Charlie Hoskins and Lynette Lamb are unlikely partners. Charlie has been working undercover in a biker gang when Lamb inadvertently makes rookie error and blows his cover - culminating with her being fired as cop on her first day.
Ryan and Elsie Delaney take drastic measures to get the police to open up their case of their missing daughter by hijacking a L.A lab that contains sensitive and important information and DNA samples of unsolved crimes.
The characters in this book are rich, complex and energetic. I absolutely loved the dynamics between Charlie and Lamb and hope to see them again. This book will end up in my top 10 reads of the year. A rollercoaster of action, adventure and emotions - highly recommended!
Massive 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to the wonderful team @Penguinaus for a #gifted advanced reading copy 🥰
@cadincefox 🙏❤️🔥🔥🥰
This propulsive crime thriller is jam packed with action, I literally could not put it down. Detective Charlie Hoskins and Lynette Lamb are unlikely partners. Charlie has been working undercover in a biker gang when Lamb inadvertently makes rookie error and blows his cover - culminating with her being fired as cop on her first day.
Ryan and Elsie Delaney take drastic measures to get the police to open up their case of their missing daughter by hijacking a L.A lab that contains sensitive and important information and DNA samples of unsolved crimes.
The characters in this book are rich, complex and energetic. I absolutely loved the dynamics between Charlie and Lamb and hope to see them again. This book will end up in my top 10 reads of the year. A rollercoaster of action, adventure and emotions - highly recommended!
Massive 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to the wonderful team @Penguinaus for a #gifted advanced reading copy 🥰
@cadincefox 🙏❤️🔥🔥🥰
August 15, 2023
This was a heart pounding read that started off with a bang and did not let up until the end, and I loved every minute of it. I enjoyed the dynamic between Detective Charlie and Lynette Lamb, it provided some comedic relief given all of the tension throughout. I listened to this via audio in one sitting and could not get enough. It seems that somehow this is my first Candice Fox and I don’t know how that happened, but I will definitely be going back and fixing that soon! I really enjoyed this one overall and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC to review.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC to review.
July 20, 2024
Un giallo avvincente e coinvolgente. Lo stile di scrittura cattura e la trama tiene il lettore incollato alle pagine.
Un ottimo volume da leggere in vacanza
Un ottimo volume da leggere in vacanza
May 24, 2023
Whoa. I can't stop thinking how brilliant my first foray into Candice Fox's world was!
An ordinary Sunday in Los Angeles. The entire nation and possibly the world watches with bated breath as the LAPD forensic unit is taken under siege. Ryan and Elsie Delaney have issued a demand: find their missing daughter Tilly within 24 hours, otherwise all the vital police evidence stored will be destroyed.
Negotiating with the couple is Police Chief Saskia Ferboden. With three captives caught in the crossfire, she'll have to rely on tasked forces to reach a resolution. As the day wears on, Saskia realises that pleas fall on deaf ears, and not only with the assailants inside.
Meanwhile, undercover cop Charlie Hoskins and rookie Lynette Lamb are hitting the streets to track down the little girl. That's not their only task- Charlie's also running for his life from a dangerous Bikie gang he infuriated.
𝐁𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞.
Out of the two thrilling scenarios that's playing out, I rather enjoyed Hoskins and Lamb's chase. They're the perfect example of an odd couple: seasoned Detective has no choice to put up with the rookie who placed him in this deadly situation. Lamb is trying to prove that she's worthy of reinstatement in the force, whilst Hoskins is constantly mocking her ability. I couldn't help but laugh at the insults they throw back at each other! Please, please PLEASE give them a second outing!!
Fire With Fire was full on, keeping me on my toes. I'm looking forward to hitting Ms. Fox's back catalogue.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
An ordinary Sunday in Los Angeles. The entire nation and possibly the world watches with bated breath as the LAPD forensic unit is taken under siege. Ryan and Elsie Delaney have issued a demand: find their missing daughter Tilly within 24 hours, otherwise all the vital police evidence stored will be destroyed.
Negotiating with the couple is Police Chief Saskia Ferboden. With three captives caught in the crossfire, she'll have to rely on tasked forces to reach a resolution. As the day wears on, Saskia realises that pleas fall on deaf ears, and not only with the assailants inside.
Meanwhile, undercover cop Charlie Hoskins and rookie Lynette Lamb are hitting the streets to track down the little girl. That's not their only task- Charlie's also running for his life from a dangerous Bikie gang he infuriated.
𝐁𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞.
Out of the two thrilling scenarios that's playing out, I rather enjoyed Hoskins and Lamb's chase. They're the perfect example of an odd couple: seasoned Detective has no choice to put up with the rookie who placed him in this deadly situation. Lamb is trying to prove that she's worthy of reinstatement in the force, whilst Hoskins is constantly mocking her ability. I couldn't help but laugh at the insults they throw back at each other! Please, please PLEASE give them a second outing!!
Fire With Fire was full on, keeping me on my toes. I'm looking forward to hitting Ms. Fox's back catalogue.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
February 12, 2023
Fox gives us a very intriguing premise here. The Delaneys want closure following the disappearance of their daughter and blame the police for being too quick to accept a drowning verdict. They're blackmailing the LAPD into reopening her case while also seeking vengeance by destroying key pieces of evidence in other open cases. They've even managed to find those cases where the forensic samples are 'one shots' - meaning once lost there's no back-up evidence. And of course if police give into their demands to preserve other cases and potentially save lives (future victims) they're opening the door to copycats.
Fox gives us a cynical and pragmatic but fair lead in Charlie. We get some insight into why he turned to undercover work and the life he was willing to give up. As an aside I was interested in the level of detail Fox included here about undercover work and the 'rules of engagement' if you like.
And then there's Lamb. She's a loner and traverses a fine line between lacking confidence and believing she's invincible. She's belligerent and kinda unrestrained yet prone to tears, book-smart rather than street smart, but here her instincts kick in again and again when least expected.
Fox is a great storyteller but I believe the magic in her work comes through the characters she creates and manages to humanise within such a short amount of time... building on that with each outing and offering them a story arc that doesn't necessarily involve growth and evolution but rather everything from redemption to revenge.
4.5 stars
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
Fox gives us a cynical and pragmatic but fair lead in Charlie. We get some insight into why he turned to undercover work and the life he was willing to give up. As an aside I was interested in the level of detail Fox included here about undercover work and the 'rules of engagement' if you like.
And then there's Lamb. She's a loner and traverses a fine line between lacking confidence and believing she's invincible. She's belligerent and kinda unrestrained yet prone to tears, book-smart rather than street smart, but here her instincts kick in again and again when least expected.
Fox is a great storyteller but I believe the magic in her work comes through the characters she creates and manages to humanise within such a short amount of time... building on that with each outing and offering them a story arc that doesn't necessarily involve growth and evolution but rather everything from redemption to revenge.
4.5 stars
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
December 15, 2023
Hmm (in Henry Cavil’s Geralt of Rivia tone)
I am very fussy when it comes to crime and police procedural novels, mostly because it’s not my go-to. So, I have had to become selective with these books. Some authors are an auto-read, others I pick up because the story sounds really good. Candice Fox is the former.
However, I find that my enjoyment of her books is hit and miss. I loved Crimson Lake and Gone by Midnight. But not so much the book in the middle of that trilogy. I loved The Chase, but not so much Gathering Dark.
In my opinion, the best books are those that are grounded in reality. Excepting of course sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and/or dystopian, which you know, require the complete opposite…
Fire with Fire is incredibly well-written, fast paced, and engaging, but I couldn’t gel with any of the characters, and it kind of required a decent amount suspended belief. There was so much going on in this book. So many elements that didn’t seem plausible. So many elements that didn’t hit the mark (for me anyway). So many different elements that, Fox handled masterfully, but played out more like a cop show on tv rather than a crime fiction novel grounded in reality.
Am sorry to say, but this one was not for me.
I am very fussy when it comes to crime and police procedural novels, mostly because it’s not my go-to. So, I have had to become selective with these books. Some authors are an auto-read, others I pick up because the story sounds really good. Candice Fox is the former.
However, I find that my enjoyment of her books is hit and miss. I loved Crimson Lake and Gone by Midnight. But not so much the book in the middle of that trilogy. I loved The Chase, but not so much Gathering Dark.
In my opinion, the best books are those that are grounded in reality. Excepting of course sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and/or dystopian, which you know, require the complete opposite…
Fire with Fire is incredibly well-written, fast paced, and engaging, but I couldn’t gel with any of the characters, and it kind of required a decent amount suspended belief. There was so much going on in this book. So many elements that didn’t seem plausible. So many elements that didn’t hit the mark (for me anyway). So many different elements that, Fox handled masterfully, but played out more like a cop show on tv rather than a crime fiction novel grounded in reality.
Am sorry to say, but this one was not for me.
April 25, 2023
Thank you Penguin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Buckle up and hold on tight as this explosive narrative will showcase police procedure, parental desperation and a man on the run as a cold case needs to be solved.
After two years of emotional torment, distraught parents Ryan and Elsie are not prepared to believe that their small daughter drowned.
She disappeared and they want the cold case reopened.
Taking staff hostage at a forensic science clinic they put the pressure on the police force.
Lives are at risk and evidence could be destroyed.
Rookie cop Lamb has a lot to prove, with a track record on the force that needs reversing.
Teamed up with Charlie they have a massive undertaking.
The clock is ticking and the adrenaline is pumping.
This is my first Candice Fox story and my word I was impressed.
The detail, the plot speed and mix of authentic characters combined with realistic law agency processes.
She captured the brash, brazen and extreme atmosphere of American society and the way it’s police operate under these pressures.
Aussie writers are just the best and their talent never ceases to surprise me.
Buckle up and hold on tight as this explosive narrative will showcase police procedure, parental desperation and a man on the run as a cold case needs to be solved.
After two years of emotional torment, distraught parents Ryan and Elsie are not prepared to believe that their small daughter drowned.
She disappeared and they want the cold case reopened.
Taking staff hostage at a forensic science clinic they put the pressure on the police force.
Lives are at risk and evidence could be destroyed.
Rookie cop Lamb has a lot to prove, with a track record on the force that needs reversing.
Teamed up with Charlie they have a massive undertaking.
The clock is ticking and the adrenaline is pumping.
This is my first Candice Fox story and my word I was impressed.
The detail, the plot speed and mix of authentic characters combined with realistic law agency processes.
She captured the brash, brazen and extreme atmosphere of American society and the way it’s police operate under these pressures.
Aussie writers are just the best and their talent never ceases to surprise me.
December 1, 2025
Look over your shoulder, Blake Crouch. I may have finally found someone who is actually worse than you. And believe you me, it’s no small feat to achieve.
I’d also love to sit down for a talk and ask all those who gave this a 4-5 stars and raving reviews: do you actually pay attention to what you’re reading, or are you just scanning pages? Because this… “novel” has to be one of the worst pieces of shit, manure, horseshit, bullshit, cowshit, dogshit, any kind of shit you can think of… That I’ve ever read in my life. If this is what passes as good thriller nowadays, we are all in deep shit.
The basic premise actually had promise, and it’s what made me pick this stinker up: two parents who have lost their give year old kid on a sunny day in Santa Monica beach two years ago, are taking over the criminal lab and take hostages, in order to force the police to reopen the case and look for her. The police findings were that the kid drowned (possibly neglected by her older sister), but the parents believe their child is still alive, and the police didn’t do enough. In order to force the police to investigate again, they threaten to burn all evidence in the lab every two hours, which will cause damage to other cases, some on the verge of being solved.
Sounds good, right? You’d be tempted to pick this one up and give it a try, right?
Don’t.
DON’T.
The first, and maybe the biggest problem this novel suffers from is its weal plot and characters. There aren’t any. The plot never truly picks up, and in fact the author misses any opportunity to make the plot more compelling. That also happens because the characters themselves are weak, underdeveloped, and have zero impact on the story. The parents turn out to be two major dumbasses who doesn’t have any plans other than taking people hostage and burning evidence. No exit strategies, back up plans… They don’t even bother negotiating. But that’s okay, because they, like all characters, are just there to make the weak, stupid plot advance. In fact, we barely even spend time with them as the book progresses.
The majority of the story is spend with other characters, namely Charly Hoskins (Hoss)- an undercover detective whose cover in a biker gang is blown after five years, and crucial evidence he obtained are in the lab, so he even though he is being chased by the biker gang and is life is in danger, he decides to investigate the kid’s disappearance- but not because he cares about the kid, but because he’s afraid that his evidence samples would be burned by the parents.
Joining him is the one who caused his cover to be blown, Lynette “Lamb” Lamb (Yes, it’s her last name and her nickname! Such sophistication!), a 21 year old rookie, who slept with a hacker that obtained all of her passwords to the police database and led to vital and sensitive information- like Hoskins’ undercover work. She got fired for that on her first day, but instead of taking responsibility, our Lambchop blames the entire world for her problems. Because… why be accountable, right? Lambchop wants to be a detective so bad, it’s her dream. So to try and get her job back, she pretty much latches onto Hoskins and even though she has zero experience, zero skills (only “good instincts”), Hoskins and his boss allows her to tag along.
There are a slew of other characters who aren’t worth mentioning, as they only appear when its convenient to the plot. The problem is that as the plot deteriorates into pure stupidity, the characters themselves can’t save this book at all. From childish, juvenile dialogues and behaviors (by people who are supposed to be grown-ups, right?) to the most idiotic and illogical decision making you’ll ever encounter anywhere ever (Negotiators who can’t negotiate and spend more time afraid what their colleagues will think of them, or that the most important thing for them is being the first person of color in an important role, because that’s what important in a crisis situation as we all know…………….. Sarcasm, if you can’t tell), to extreme behaviors that I guess were supposed to be comic relief (Surge who get excited by everything, or Hoskins’ sister, the celebrity- because of course she is- who is just so over the top, it’s just cringe).
The author’s inability to write characters who have a bit of depth, or being normal, is exemplified beautifully and brilliantly with our dear Lambchop and the way she is portrayed. Imagine, if you will, a 21 year old wannabe detective, who may have some good instincts, but has no patience, acts as if she knows everything about everything- even though she has no experience, no street smarts- only her smartphone- thinks she’s better than everyone else and that the entire world owes her something… She can shoot better than a sniper with years of experience… Yet, at the same time, she’s emotionally unbalanced, hysterical, and cries… ALL… THE… FUCKING… TIME!!!
And I wish I was kidding, but I’m not. She is this obnoxious, annoying, know-it-all and crying the entire book. So much so, I was worried she may drown in her own tears (oh, how I wish…………. No sarcasm here, in case you can’t tell).
Add some racism against white people that’s peppered throughout the novel (because white is bad! because we all know that that skin color, which none of us can’t control and choose what it'll be when we're born, decides whether a person is good or bad! For fuck sake…) and misandry (because apparently men aren’t as capable like women are, and they’re generally dumb and bad, because again- your biological sex determines whether you have good personality or not, i,e. men= bad, women= good... As if being good or bad is not a HUMAN trait, something WE ALL share and that has nothing to do with sex, color, race.............), illogical yet very predictable plot twists and red herrings (it was so clear the author didn’t really have a plan how to end the novel, so she went through all the characters- from the sister's boyfriend who is convinced her she killer her sister just so he can be close to her.... Or a piece of evidence that got lost because one didn't like his colleagues celebrating and having fun, so he threw everything away, including the piece of crucial evidence- and he figured our what he did, he just left there, hoping no one will ever find out.... Seriously, what kind of fresh hell fuckery is this?!- until she finally decided to go with the least and most illogical explanation as to what happened to the missing kid), and you’ve got a disaster on your hands.
So again, I need to ask: how is it that this stinker is considered a good book? In what world is this considered worthy of publishing even? And do people actually pay attention to what they read, or they scan through the pages? And before you all go “It’s just a thriller, it’s not supposed to be Shakespeare”… True. But even thrillers need to have rules, logic, good, well-developed characters, engaging plot, and FUN! I don’t mind checking my mind at the door and being taken for a ride, but don’t insult my intelligence and assume that I, as a reader and a human being, can’t handle a good, tight, well written, and god-forbid, SMART, story. Since when thrillers have become synonymous with stupid and brainless?!?!?!
These kind of books are the perfect example why I came to detest most of modern literature (and especially the thriller genre)- it seems quality was thrown out the window and replaced with pandering for specific audiences, creating more divisiveness, brainless plots and superficial, dumb characters- and authors (and editors and publishers) who keep insulting the readers. Because make no mistake, this is what they do when they keep letting this kind of crap out of the gutter (where it belongs) and into the light- and all in the name of selling. Because as long as it sells, who cares about quality, right?!
Now, if y’all excuse me, I’m gonna go and bleach my eyes and my brain in the hopes I can erase the existence, and stench, of this piece of grade A master-crap from my memory, and I’m probably gonna have to use a shit-ton of bleach to make it happen.
I’d also love to sit down for a talk and ask all those who gave this a 4-5 stars and raving reviews: do you actually pay attention to what you’re reading, or are you just scanning pages? Because this… “novel” has to be one of the worst pieces of shit, manure, horseshit, bullshit, cowshit, dogshit, any kind of shit you can think of… That I’ve ever read in my life. If this is what passes as good thriller nowadays, we are all in deep shit.
The basic premise actually had promise, and it’s what made me pick this stinker up: two parents who have lost their give year old kid on a sunny day in Santa Monica beach two years ago, are taking over the criminal lab and take hostages, in order to force the police to reopen the case and look for her. The police findings were that the kid drowned (possibly neglected by her older sister), but the parents believe their child is still alive, and the police didn’t do enough. In order to force the police to investigate again, they threaten to burn all evidence in the lab every two hours, which will cause damage to other cases, some on the verge of being solved.
Sounds good, right? You’d be tempted to pick this one up and give it a try, right?
Don’t.
DON’T.
The first, and maybe the biggest problem this novel suffers from is its weal plot and characters. There aren’t any. The plot never truly picks up, and in fact the author misses any opportunity to make the plot more compelling. That also happens because the characters themselves are weak, underdeveloped, and have zero impact on the story. The parents turn out to be two major dumbasses who doesn’t have any plans other than taking people hostage and burning evidence. No exit strategies, back up plans… They don’t even bother negotiating. But that’s okay, because they, like all characters, are just there to make the weak, stupid plot advance. In fact, we barely even spend time with them as the book progresses.
The majority of the story is spend with other characters, namely Charly Hoskins (Hoss)- an undercover detective whose cover in a biker gang is blown after five years, and crucial evidence he obtained are in the lab, so he even though he is being chased by the biker gang and is life is in danger, he decides to investigate the kid’s disappearance- but not because he cares about the kid, but because he’s afraid that his evidence samples would be burned by the parents.
Joining him is the one who caused his cover to be blown, Lynette “Lamb” Lamb (Yes, it’s her last name and her nickname! Such sophistication!), a 21 year old rookie, who slept with a hacker that obtained all of her passwords to the police database and led to vital and sensitive information- like Hoskins’ undercover work. She got fired for that on her first day, but instead of taking responsibility, our Lambchop blames the entire world for her problems. Because… why be accountable, right? Lambchop wants to be a detective so bad, it’s her dream. So to try and get her job back, she pretty much latches onto Hoskins and even though she has zero experience, zero skills (only “good instincts”), Hoskins and his boss allows her to tag along.
There are a slew of other characters who aren’t worth mentioning, as they only appear when its convenient to the plot. The problem is that as the plot deteriorates into pure stupidity, the characters themselves can’t save this book at all. From childish, juvenile dialogues and behaviors (by people who are supposed to be grown-ups, right?) to the most idiotic and illogical decision making you’ll ever encounter anywhere ever (Negotiators who can’t negotiate and spend more time afraid what their colleagues will think of them, or that the most important thing for them is being the first person of color in an important role, because that’s what important in a crisis situation as we all know…………….. Sarcasm, if you can’t tell), to extreme behaviors that I guess were supposed to be comic relief (Surge who get excited by everything, or Hoskins’ sister, the celebrity- because of course she is- who is just so over the top, it’s just cringe).
The author’s inability to write characters who have a bit of depth, or being normal, is exemplified beautifully and brilliantly with our dear Lambchop and the way she is portrayed. Imagine, if you will, a 21 year old wannabe detective, who may have some good instincts, but has no patience, acts as if she knows everything about everything- even though she has no experience, no street smarts- only her smartphone- thinks she’s better than everyone else and that the entire world owes her something… She can shoot better than a sniper with years of experience… Yet, at the same time, she’s emotionally unbalanced, hysterical, and cries… ALL… THE… FUCKING… TIME!!!
And I wish I was kidding, but I’m not. She is this obnoxious, annoying, know-it-all and crying the entire book. So much so, I was worried she may drown in her own tears (oh, how I wish…………. No sarcasm here, in case you can’t tell).
Add some racism against white people that’s peppered throughout the novel (because white is bad! because we all know that that skin color, which none of us can’t control and choose what it'll be when we're born, decides whether a person is good or bad! For fuck sake…) and misandry (because apparently men aren’t as capable like women are, and they’re generally dumb and bad, because again- your biological sex determines whether you have good personality or not, i,e. men= bad, women= good... As if being good or bad is not a HUMAN trait, something WE ALL share and that has nothing to do with sex, color, race.............), illogical yet very predictable plot twists and red herrings (it was so clear the author didn’t really have a plan how to end the novel, so she went through all the characters- from the sister's boyfriend who is convinced her she killer her sister just so he can be close to her.... Or a piece of evidence that got lost because one didn't like his colleagues celebrating and having fun, so he threw everything away, including the piece of crucial evidence- and he figured our what he did, he just left there, hoping no one will ever find out.... Seriously, what kind of fresh hell fuckery is this?!- until she finally decided to go with the least and most illogical explanation as to what happened to the missing kid), and you’ve got a disaster on your hands.
So again, I need to ask: how is it that this stinker is considered a good book? In what world is this considered worthy of publishing even? And do people actually pay attention to what they read, or they scan through the pages? And before you all go “It’s just a thriller, it’s not supposed to be Shakespeare”… True. But even thrillers need to have rules, logic, good, well-developed characters, engaging plot, and FUN! I don’t mind checking my mind at the door and being taken for a ride, but don’t insult my intelligence and assume that I, as a reader and a human being, can’t handle a good, tight, well written, and god-forbid, SMART, story. Since when thrillers have become synonymous with stupid and brainless?!?!?!
These kind of books are the perfect example why I came to detest most of modern literature (and especially the thriller genre)- it seems quality was thrown out the window and replaced with pandering for specific audiences, creating more divisiveness, brainless plots and superficial, dumb characters- and authors (and editors and publishers) who keep insulting the readers. Because make no mistake, this is what they do when they keep letting this kind of crap out of the gutter (where it belongs) and into the light- and all in the name of selling. Because as long as it sells, who cares about quality, right?!
Now, if y’all excuse me, I’m gonna go and bleach my eyes and my brain in the hopes I can erase the existence, and stench, of this piece of grade A master-crap from my memory, and I’m probably gonna have to use a shit-ton of bleach to make it happen.
April 21, 2023
What a ride!
Candice Fox has the ability to grab the reader by the shirt and race them through the action, heartache, manipulation, and terror. A guaranteed great read.
Candice Fox has the ability to grab the reader by the shirt and race them through the action, heartache, manipulation, and terror. A guaranteed great read.
May 9, 2023
Much prefer her Australian stories… the Americanisms didn’t feel like Fox
The crimson lake series were so much better to read..
The crimson lake series were so much better to read..
July 14, 2024
Wow, mi è piaciuto TANTISSIMO. Voglio altri libri così
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