Maybe I was just grumpy when I read this, although I like to believe that I'm always on an even keel type of grumpy. As in, "you did not just let your dog poop in my yard, and not bring a poop bag to pick it up," type of grumpy. As compared to "where's the dog's poop bag? You think you're going to let that lie in my yard? As I scoop up the poop in my hand and and toss it at the owner's head. Splat" O.K., that's just a dream I have, but, still..... I quite like Joy's stories, and I always look forward to them, but for some reason I didn't like this one too much. Truth is, though the end product was intensely satisfying, the story as a whole just didn't cut it for me. But, I realized why. I love a murder mystery where I'm given clues. I need clues. The best thing about these type of books are trying to figure them out. With Ms. Ellis' stories we don't get that. None. Zero. Zilch. Nada. I'll still be reading Joy's books, but maybe not waiting for clues anymore. My thanks to Joffe books, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC for the price of an honest review. Joy Ellis is always a pleasure to read, and I do recommend her books.

Another great Joy Ellis book. There are some fires being started which looks to be someone trying to learn the best way to start a fire. This leads to a person being burned and dying. Before they know it there are multiple bodies but each was a kind person who was always willing to do for others. They did not seem to know each other but there had to be something to bring them together. What could it be? That is for Nikki Galena and her crew to find out. Can they find out who it is before he kills again? The story moves along fast and keeps your interest from beginning to end.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
Someone is setting small fires and ex fire investigator John Carson is afraid it's a practising arsonist trying to perfect his 'game'. He's right...subsequent fires kill; the unfortunate victims are locked into the buildings to die an agonizing death.
DI Nikki Galena, DS Joseph Easter and the rest of the team cannot find any links between the victims and are stumped: all of them seem to have been well liked, kind people who led blameless lives.
This was another good read in the series. Nikki and Joseph are in a good place, both personally and at work. The story is fast moving and tense with a surprising ending. It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the whole series in order. Nikki has become more and more likeable with each book; her rough edges have smoothed quite a bit and her comfortable relationships with Joseph, her mum and her team are a perfect counterbalance to the horrors she experiences in her work.

I have read a fair few of Joy’s books and I have loved every single one. I haven’t caught up with her back catalogue yet but that will soon be rectified. (Happiness for this Ginger Book Geek is discovering a series and learning that there are a fair few books to read to catch up with). Anyway I digress so back to the review I do go. I look forward to each book that she releases as I know that I am guaranteed a flipping good read. ‘Fire On The Fens’ was certainly a flipping good read and I absolutely blooming well loved it but more about that in a bit.
I must admit that I absolutely love the character of DI Nikki Galena. She is one strong and feisty lady, who leads from the front. She is sassy and she takes no crap. Nikki is one of those detectives that has a very reliable gut instinct and if she feels that something is amiss or not quite right then it usually isn’t. Nikki fully investigates a case until all avenues of enquiry have been exhausted and every lead has been followed up. Nikki does her very best for the victims of crime and their families. Nikki mucks in to do her fair share of the workload and she doesn’t ask anybody to do anything that she wouldn’t do herself. She sounds to be a lovely, kind and supportive boss, who will have your back if something goes wrong, which isn’t your fault. Nikki hasn’t been that lucky in her personal life but things have been looking up since she got together with her Detective Sergeant Joseph Easter, who just sounds like a total dish. They were apprehensive about letting people know that they are in a relationship as relationships between colleagues on the same team are frowned upon. Lucky for Nikki and Joseph, Cam Walker, an old friend of Nikki’s, is temporarily assigned to the station as Nikki’s superior officer. He has heard about Nikki and Joseph’s relationship but he agrees to turn a blind eye. I was keeping everything cross that things would work out for Nikki and Joseph and they would get the happy ever after ending that they so deserved,
Oh my giddy aunt, ‘Fire On The Fens’ is one heck of a sometimes haunting read, especially for someone (me) who has a fear of fire. That said, I did pick up this book at an ideal time for me. I was feeling very down in the dumps for one reason or another, my anxiety had increased and my chronic back pain was playing up. Boy oh boy, literally as soon as I picked up this book all of the previous issues were suddenly forgotten as I became seriously addicted to reading ‘Fire On The Fens’. The pages flew past in a blur and before I knew what was happening, I reached the end of the book which I had mixed feelings about. Don’t get me wrong I was pleased to finish because I knew how the story ended and who the fire starter was but I was so disappointed to finish because I was enjoying the story and the writing style so much that I just wanted the book to continue. Usually I have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case because I was so into the story and loving the characters so much that I was able to shut out all other distractions. Reading ‘Fire On The Fens’ was like riding on a very scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride, with lots of twists and turns and moments that you don’t see coming but which hit you like a punch to the gut and leave you feeling breathless. There were certainly several red herrings and I didn’t guess who the perpetrator was. ‘Fire On The Fens’ certainly kept me guessing.
To conclude I have to say that Joy Ellis has another winner on her hands and ‘Fire On The Fens’ is one stonkingly good read. I would definitely recommend this author and her books to anybody. I can’t wait to read what comes next from this brilliant author but in the meantime I can content myself with catching up on some more of her back catalogue. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board just has to be 5* out of 5*.

Possibly Nikki and co' s most challenging case yet! As always well written with a great cast of characters

5 stars

A retired arson investigator, John Carson, in his day he was one of the best, reports to the acting Superintendent Cameron Walker that an arsonist is on the loose in the Fens. At first they are doing property damage, but then a man is killed inside his caravan. The man’s name is Ronnie Tyrell. John Carson will be working on the case with the team.

DI Nikki Galena and DS Joseph Easter respond to the scene, along with the rest of the team and John Carson. The poor man was locked inside the caravan. He was not a drinker, but there was found an empty bottle next to him. The investigation shows him to be a kind and good man. Who would want to kill him?

At the same time, reports of a group of Satanists have moved into an expensive home in a nice area. They are being harassed by the locals. PC Yvonne Collins goes to interview the Satanists. She learns very little. The leader is a very charismatic businessman. But Yvonne smells a rat. Something about him makes her uneasy.

The second victim is Clary Sargeant, an artist for a designer greeting card company. On an industrial estate, the doors were locked with Clary inside. She was the sister of the wife of the husband and wife team who owned the company. She was a very talented artist and offended no one. The team can’t find any connection between Clary and Ronnie. With the aid of a talented psychologist named Laura Archer and John Carson, they come up with a unique picture of their arsonist. He is new to the scene and his signature is unlike anything they have seen before.

Meanwhile Ben and Yvonne are coming up with almost nothing on their Satanist case. The odd tattoo on their wrists was the work of a local tattooist, but they wouldn’t tell the tattooist what the significance of it is. Ben and Yvonne’s suspicions are rising.

The third victim is Jeremy “Jez” Bedford. He lived with his parents and is reported to be a gentle giant who harmed no one. The killer lured Harry and Jez into the car by texting Jez that he knew something about a girl whom Jez used to know who died. Then they were drugged and Harry was pushed out of the car. And the curate, Leon Martin, knew all of the victims. Interesting little factoid.

Interspersed with the story are little vignettes that show what the killer is thinking and feeling.

While the police have no clue as to who the perpetrator is, John reads about a case of a “reluctant” Firestarter. He tells the team about him.

The reader gets to see the arsonist in action as he kills the next person, one Michael Porter. He wasn’t as badly burned at the others, and Rory, the pathologist notes extensive burn scars on his body. At the same time, Yvonne interviews the neighbors and finds out that it was a van with a 13 registration plate. Nikki finally feels that the team is making progress.

In a stunning conclusion, all is revealed. The identity of the killer was someone I hadn’t even considered. The motive for the killings was just as surprising. It involved a cover-up at the highest level and many, many lies were told. Tragedy strikes the team in the denouement.

This is a remarkably well written and plotted novel. It is perhaps the best in the Nikki Galena series so far. I absolutely loved it! It has action, drama, tension and some very fine police work. I truly enjoyed the asides about Rory’s wedding plans and Nikki and Joseph’s relationship. The story of Nikki’s mom getting along so well after the loss of her friends was heartwarming to read about. This is a very fine novel and I heartily recommend it to anyone who loves mystery and police procedurals.

I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful book to read, enjoy and review.

After ex fire - investigator John Carson contacts acting Superintendent Cam Walker with his suspicions that a series of small fires that have been springing up all over Greenborough are actually the work of an embryonic arsonist.DI Nikki Galena,Ds Joseph Easter and the team find themselves investigating a complex,frustrating case in which innocent people who have led spotless lives are being burned alive.Every lead goes nowhere,they can find no motive,and are struggling to figure out if or how the victims are connected. Nikki and her team find themselves in a desperate race against time to work out who the killer is before someone else dies.

Meanwhile tension is rising on the streets due to the hostility between the town's youths and a group of Satanists led by a charismatic businessman.

This is a gripping thriller packed with twists and turns and red herrings that definitely keep the reader guessing although I did figure out one of the major twists quite early in the story.My favourite parts of the story where the gripping and intreguing parts covering the investigation into the identity and motives of the mysterious arsonist.The authors descriptions of some of the fires especially the final fire where so realistic and chilling,i had goosebumps whilst I was reading them.I love the interactions between Nikki Galena and her close knit team,I like how the team worked well together although their closeness and lack of disagreements can sometimes come across as unrealistic.After all everyone gets snappy and has arguments,don't talk for a while and then a bit later all is forgotten and everything goes back to normal. I really like how the other team members were able to contribute their own theories about the cases rather than Nikki always having all the answers.Of course Nikki`s mum Eve and her friend Wendy can't help getting involved and helping out with the investigation. I like Eve and her friends but it's going to get rather repetitive if they are going to involve themselves in every case that Nikki and her team find themselves investigating in future books.

As with all Joy Ellis`s books this is a very well written thriller that holds the readers attention from the first word to the last. Although this is the 9th book in the series and some events from the previous book are mentioned,it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. I would love it if this series was adapted into a tv series and can't wait to find out what Joy Ellis has planned for Nikki and her team`s next mystery.

We return to the beautiful and remote Lincolnshire Fenlands, an area that presents it's own unique difficulties when it comes to policing and the latest in the DI Nikki Galena and DS Joseph Easter aka Holy Joe series. It is great to meet up with characters I have got to know from previous outings. This is a suspenseful tale of the police team having to confront a growing number of fires in the area that pretty soon turn deadly with the discovery of burnt corpses. The team, headed by their new and helpful boss, Superintendent Cam Walker, are determined to get to the truth of the affair. Nikki and Joe are in a relationship which could have wide ranging and unwelcome repercussions. This is an absorbing and engaging read, full of twists, that I found compelling and gripping. Many thanks to Joffe Books for an ARC.

Another good mystery novel with Nikki Galena and Joseph Easter, detectives. Someone is starting fires around town and locking people inside of the burning building. The people who have been killed seem to have nothing in common and are all "good people" who haven't hurt anyone-or have they? Nikki and Joseph race against the clock to figure out who done it, why and where they can find the arsonist/murderer.

Another enthralling DI Nikki Galena story from Joy Ellis at her best. Devious murderer carrying out his revenge as the plot unfolds the reason for his revenge is revealed. A great read!

I love this series. Starting the book was like meeting up with old mates in the pub as you catch up on the characters lives in the sub plot. The main plot starts with a fatal fire, and soon more. Nikki and 𝙹oseph run against time to try to stop further fires and murders but who and what is behind them?
A great addition to a great series

Thank you Net galley. A satisfying and good read in the DI Galena series. Interesting and gripping with a familiar cast of characters that continue to reveal more of themselves and their relationships with each new book in the series. A cosy, familiar, landscape that entertains and soothes.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Fire on the Fens, the ninth novel to feature DI Nikki Galena and DS Joseph Easter of the Lincolnshire police.

Nikki and the team have a new superintendent, old friend Cam Walker and he is hardly in the job when he is approached by retired fore investigator, John Carson, who believes that a series of recent small fires have been set by a wannabe arsonist learning his trade. This is soon proved to be the case when bodies start to be discovered in the ashes of bigger fires. Nikki and the team are puzzled by the lack of links between the victims.

I thoroughly enjoyed Fire on the Fens which is another good mystery with plenty of action and red herrings. It might be my mood but I didn't find it just as gripping or tense as the previous novels and, despite the bodies, it's slower in tempo with the team struggling to get a foothold in the case and the reason behind it all is a bit flimsy. Still, despite it not being one of the best in the series, it is still a good read with a flowing narrative, plenty of reveals to keep it going and a host of, by now, familiar characters.

Nikki and Joseph carry out their investigation, ably assisted by their team, their new superintendent, John Carson and Nikki's mother, Eve Anderson, the former high flyer with connections in the murkier corridors of power. They are now in a relationship so the time will come, due to regulations, that they will have to choose between the job and this relationship but with Cam Walker prepared to turn a blind eye that's in the future although it hovers over them. In the meantime they are two pleasant people doing a job they love.

Fire on the Fens is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

4.5 Stars

It starts with a series of small fires ... then it escalates. The arsonist is now targeting people by locking them in and starting a fire.

DI Nikki Galena and her team can't find a common denominator.... there's nothing that seems to connect the victims. All the victims seem to be good people, doing good deeds for others, helping whenever and wherever they can. Who would want these people dead?

At the same time, this small town is also having to deal with a group of Satanists led by a very charismatic man. Is this group connected to the fires?

With the help of a retired arson investigator, Nikki and the team piece together why the arsonist is carrying out what seems to be a vendetta.

Now it's up to the investigators to figure out who the arsonist is before another life is lost.

Joy Ellis is one of those authors that's easy to attach to. Her writing is superb, the characters are credible, and the story line is filled with suspense and lots of twists and turns before reaching an explosive ending.

Although this is 9th in a series, it is easily read as a stand alone. However, I always recommend starting at the very beginning.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books n All / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.