J.D. Robb discussion

Suspense doesn't burn any brighter and desire doesn't run any deeper than when Suzanne Brockmann takes the helm, opens the throttle, and takes readers along for a breathless ride as she breaks the thrill barrier -- again and again. With Into the Fire, Brockmann lights the fuse on her most explosive story yet.

Vinh Murphy -- ex-Marine and onetime operative for the elite security firm Troubleshooters Incorporated -- has been MIA ever since his wife, Angelina, was caught in a crossfire and killed during what should have been a routine bodyguard assignment. Overcome with grief, Murphy blames the neo-Nazi group known as the Freedom Network for her death. Now, years later, Freedom Network leader Tim Ebersole has been murdered -- and the FBI suspects Murphy may have pulled the trigger. To prevent further bloodshed, Murphy's friends at Troubleshooters scramble to find him and convince him to surrender peacefully.

Murphy himself can't be sure what he did or didn't do during the years he spent mourning and lost in an alcohol-induced fog. He does know he occasionally sought solace from Hannah Whitfield, a former police officer and the very friend who'd introduced him to his beloved late wife.

But Hannah, still grappling with the deafness that resulted from an injury sustained while on duty, was fighting her own battles. For years Hannah had feelings for Murphy, and one painful night their suffering brought them together in a way neither expected -- and both regretted.

But finally, Murphy is ready to rejoin the living. As always, he finds himself knocking on Hannah's door, and as always, his longtime friend welcomes him back into her home. Yet even as Murphy slowly rebuilds his splintered life, he continues to fight his growing feelings for Hannah. Then he learned of Ebersole's murder and comes to believe that the Freedom Network has targeted him -- and Hannah -- to avenge their leader's death.

Now Murphy must face the terrifying prospect of losing to violence another woman he loves.

As the Troubleshooters desperately search for him, Murphy races toward a deadly confrontation with the Freedom Network and the ultimate choice: surrender his life in the hopes that Hannah will be spared, or risk everything to salvage whatever future they may have together.

Part One - Six Months Ago
Prologue
Chapters 1-5

Part Two - Present Day
Chapters 6 - 27

Character List
(view spoiler)[
Vinh Murphy: Ex-Marine and onetime operative for Troubleshooters until his wife was murdered.
Hannah Whitfield: a former police officer grappling with deafness that resulted from an injury on duty.
Angelina Murphy: Murphy's wife who was killed by a disciple of the Freedom Network.
Patrick O'Keefe: Hannah's uncle.
Irving (Izzy) Zanella: Navy SEAL with Team Sixteen.
Eden Gillman: Dan Gillman's younger sister.
Dave Malkoff: Troubleshooters Inc, operative who formerly worked for the CIA.
Sophia Ghaffari: Troubleshooters Inc, operative whose husband was killed by terrorist who then held her captive.
Jim Nash: Troubleshooters Inc, operative who was formerly an operative for the Agency. He's engaged to Tess.
Tess Bailey: Troubleshooters, Inc. operative who is engaged to Jim Nash.
Dan Gillman: Navy SEAL with Team Sixteen.
Mark Jenkins: Navy SEAL with Team Sixteen. He's married to Lindsey.
Lindsey Jenkins: Troubleshooters Inc. operative who is married to Navy SEAL Mark Jenkins.
Tim Ebersole: Freedom Network leader who has been murdered.
Jo Heissman: Therapist hired by Tom Paoletti to evaluate employees at Troubleshooters, Inc.
Jay Lopez: Navy SEAL with Team Sixteen.
Jerry: Eden's loser boyfriend.
Richie: Drug dealer and Jerry's boss.
Tracy Shapiro: Receptionist at Troubleshooters, Inc.
Paul: Murphy and Hannah's friend.
Craig Reed: Neo-Nazi and second in command of the Freedom Network.
Steve: Murphy and Hannah's friend.
Stan Wolchonok: Navy SEAL, Senior Chief.
Jules Cassidy: FBI Agent, married to Robin Chadwick.
Lawrence Decker: Troubleshooters, Inc. operative who was a former operative for the Agency.
Greg: Dan and Eden's stepfather.
Adolf: Young member of the Freedom Network, assigned as guard
Dimitri Ghaffari: Sophia's husband who was murdered by terrorists.
Tom Paoletti: Head of Troubleshooters, Inc. Former Navy SEAL and head of Team Sixteen.
(hide spoiler)]

Discussion Question #1
Discussion Question #2

Anyone joining in this month?

I'm in. Happy to see Murphy back.

Looking forward to reading this one

I wouldn't miss it!

Are we ready to start discussing the story? Let's open it up as a spoiler zone.

will hopefully get to this one by this weekend.

just picking up from the library tonight. will speed read (hopefully) to catch up with spoiler zone

Started this one this morning.

Started this book this morning and I am loving it :)

I'm hoping to start this book over the weekend.

Hoping to finish this one today if football doesn't get in the way. Since football is my only other passion besides reading I kind of have to watch the games LOL

Loved it! 5 stars for me :)

Let's get started with the discussion!

The story begins with us finding a very different Vinh Murphy from the man we last saw. Were you surprised?

Murphy in mourning broke my heart. So much pain. Brockmann did an outstanding job showing how deep he had fallen into his own personal h*ll. His grief rolled off him in waves as he tried to drown his sorrow in alcohol. Murphy was about on rock bottom the night he spent at Hannah's, trying to get the gun. Broke my heart.

It was perfect that she started the story from this point because it was so heartbreaking and tough to read. Everything else that followed helped. But I had not imagined his downward spiral to be this bad. My heart bled for him.

I had no idea who Hannah was so that part was a mystery. It was clear, though, that she was just as broken.

That was one pitiful scene.

Brilliantly written, imo. Left no doubt how far down he had fallen and how far up he would have to climb to move on. I enjoyed Hannah's story also...also perfectly written. Two old friends, two lost souls - perfect casting.

I agree, Sandra. This is why I love Brockmann's writing.

Vinh and Hannah weren't the only couple in this story. In fact, there were two more. Let's first talk about Izzy and Eden. Does this couple stand a chance?

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Murphy in mourning broke my heart. So much pain. Brockmann did an outstanding job showing how deep he had fallen into his own personal h*ll. His grief rolled off him in waves as he tried to drown h..."

My thoughts exactly! My heart broke for him and Hannah!

Jonetta wrote: "Vinh and Hannah weren't the only couple in this story. In fact, there were two more. Let's first talk about Izzy and Eden. Does this couple stand a chance?"

I really thought that Izzy was going to give it his best and he did. However I didn't really warm up to Eden and figured she was a high flight risk LOL
My heart just broke when they lost Pinkie.

Wendy wrote: "My heart just broke when they lost Pinkie. ...

That was heart wrenching. While neither was ready to be a parent, the child bonded them.

Jonetta wrote: "Anyone joining in this month?"

I signed it out from the library - a hefty hardcover copy! Will join discussion when I can finish reading :-)

We'll be here when you're done.

Hannah and Vhin's story was a dark, sobering story. Did it help to have Izzy provide some comic relief?

Jonetta wrote: "The story begins with us finding a very different Vinh Murphy from the man we last saw. Were you surprised?"

Vinh certainly wasn't the guy we knew from the previous books. He was so broken and had a long way to go to heal.

Jonetta wrote: "Vinh and Hannah weren't the only couple in this story. In fact, there were two more. Let's first talk about Izzy and Eden. Does this couple stand a chance?"

I really liked Izzy in this book. He did everything he could to make Eden comfortable in his world. I felt like he bent over backward to help her out of her situation. I thought Eden was very immature. But since she was 18, it was probably right on target for her age. I'm guessing their relationship with go on the back-burner for a while until she matures and they both really get to know each other.

Jonetta wrote: "Hannah and Vhin's story was a dark, sobering story. Did it help to have Izzy provide some comic relief?"

This book needed some comic relief. Even though I loved the book, I think all of the stories were dark and a bit depressing. No one was happy and everyone was in a dark place.

Robin wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "Hannah and Vhin's story was a dark, sobering story. Did it help to have Izzy provide some comic relief?"

This book needed some comic relief. Even though I loved the book, I think a..."

Robin I agree with your comment.

And yes Izzy, I thought, was awesome in this book.

It was nice to have Izzy in this book; this story was so sad and dark in so many places.

Up until this story, Izzy sort of grated on my nerves. Here, he showed us the man underneath all of the jokes and swagger. I fell for him:)

Jonetta wrote: "Up until this story, Izzy sort of grated on my nerves. Here, he showed us the man underneath all of the jokes and swagger. I fell for him:)"

I fell for him too :)

Jonetta wrote: "Up until this story, Izzy sort of grated on my nerves. Here, he showed us the man underneath all of the jokes and swagger. I fell for him:)"

I agree; Izzy shows himself to be a compassionate man with Eden. I wonder whose baby it was that she lost? That was a bit of a cliffhanger for me, but I was binge reading, too. I think they have a chance, but it may be a rocky road.

had a hard time trying to keep all these characters straight, especially the Dave-Sophia-Decker grouping. What was going on with the shrink?

Also, I wonder how long it will be until we find out what went on with Nash in the untold back story? That was a bit "out there" for me as a story line, with getting shot while moonlighting.

Charlene wrote: "had a hard time trying to keep all these characters straight, especially the Dave-Sophia-Decker grouping. What was going on with the shrink?

Also, I wonder how long it will be until we find out wh..."

I think we might find out about that untold back story in the next book since it will be dealing with that organization.

I added the character list above. Hopefully it's helpful.

Can we discuss the Dave/Sophia/Decker thing?

I sooooo want Sophia to be with Decker! I know he does his very best to avoid her but I think they would be amazing together.
I do like Dave just not for Sophia!

Wendy wrote: "Can we discuss the Dave/Sophia/Decker thing?

I sooooo want Sophia to be with Decker! I know he does his very best to avoid her but I think they would be amazing together.
I do like Dave just not f..."

I was rooting for Decker and Sophia until this book. Now I'm thinking that Decker may end up with the shrink.

Jonetta wrote: "Up until this story, Izzy sort of grated on my nerves. Here, he showed us the man underneath all of the jokes and swagger. I fell for him:)"

I can't say enough about the great character development in this series. Izzy is another one I've changed my opinion about. He always seemed a bit too arrogant, too full of himself, too much of a jokester...a real love 'em & leave 'em guy. Brochmann peels the layers back in this book and we meet a more vulnerable Izzy...we see his heart & soul...his wants/needs for love. So glad to see his character grow in this manner. I'll be happy to finally see his hea.

Wendy wrote: "I sooooo want Sophia to be with Decker! I know he does his very best to avoid her but I think they would be amazing together.
I do like Dave just not f..."

Like Robin, I was rooting for Decker until this book. It's long past the time for him to make his move. Sophia has even made it easier for him. She needs to move on.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "I can't say enough about the great char..."

I agree with everything you outlined. He definitely has layers I never knew were there.

So, what if it turns out to be Sophia and Dave? What works about this relationship? What potentially bothers you about it?

Jonetta wrote: "So, what if it turns out to be Sophia and Dave? What works about this relationship? What potentially bothers you about it?"

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm rooting for Dave! I wanted it to be Decker...but it has become clear that he has some issues to work through that will not allow him to "allow himself" to be with Sophia. It's sad. But I'm getting the feeling that Brockmann has a different journey in mind for Decker. If so, I hope it will include his own hea.

As far as Sophia & Dave...I actually think they will be good for each other. While she has proven her independence - her ability to stand alone - I think she will thrive and find peace & security along with the love that I think she needs to feel with a good, solid man like Dave. I can see them with a future that includes a home & family which I think they both want. Sometimes, life throws you curves - it's what you do with them that counts. I'm ready to see Dave step up to the plate & claim the woman he loves.

just finished. In the beginning I was very confused. There were so many different story lines going on. Was glad when it all finally came together and how she fits all the storylines like a puzzle. I have always loved Izzy perhaps because I can see his insecurities right away. I was hoping he would fall in love someone other than Eden I think she is too young for him and immature. I always wanted Sophia to be with Decker however I am happy that Sophia took her life in her own hands and decided to move on. Perhaps the (view spoiler)[death of Nash has made her think that life is too short to just be inactive (hide spoiler)]. I was also heart broken when(view spoiler)[Nash died and was so relieved when they faked his death as I love the story of Nash and Tess (hide spoiler)]

You're right Susan about a lot going on in this story! Brockmann does an amazing job of threading it all together by the end.

I remember being thrown by the Sophia/Dave connection as I never saw that coming. I'd pulled for Decker for so long that I thought it was inevitable. Perhaps neither of them could ever forget what she'd gone through and that's why a potential romance wasn't to be.

Eden is very, very young despite a rather immature Izzy. However, I was proud of how he stepped up for her.