Member Reviews

this was an interesting read that I found really enjoyable. I loved the three way narrative and the unpredictability of the book. The writing was really good and the chracters were well developed although I didnt like any of them all the time, althought i guess that is human nature.
I will definitely be looking for more from this author, I really enjoyed it.

Was this review helpful?

Jamie and her sister Cleo hate their new step dad Ant, as they think he is abusing their mother. Jamie's job is an investigative journalist and she is on the story of a series of arson attacks. She finds out secrets which would make Cleo's wish to get rid of their new step dad come true. A slow start and it does pick up. Told in points of views, Cleo's, Jamie's and the arsonist. This is my first book by Rosie Walker and I look forward to her next novel. Thanks to Netgalley & HarperCollins.

Was this review helpful?

Everyone knows if you play with fire you'll get burned - but who is playing with fire here?
Cleo doesn't like her new step dad and suspects him of being emotionally abusive to her mother. Her sister, Jamie is trying to play peace maker and keep everyone happy. Cleo feels like no-one really listens to her and when she discovers an old mansion in the woods she sets out to discover the story it hides.
Meanwhile, her sister Jamie is conducting her own investigation into historical arson attacks in the area. In doing so, she begins to see her boyfriend in a new light.

Cleo is a character that at times I liked and other times I disliked. I couldn't quite decide whether she was a bratty kid or whether she was genuinely misunderstood. The ending helped settle that for me. Despite not always liking Cleo, this was a book I was compelled to keep reading, to find out what the truth was.

Jamie is very different from her sister but as we watch her relationship with her boyfriend unravel as the investigation picks up speed, I did wonder how alike her mum she was particularly when it came to relationship choices.

New stepdad Ant was another character I switched sides on more than once throughout the book. Is he emotionally abusive? Or is he having to put up with a bratty step-daughter and is actually misunderstood? For the most part I disliked him but I still wanted to know the truth.

There were a number of points in the book that I felt I had figured out the truth. In fact, the author has weaved such a clever and intricate tale that all my guesses were wrong! Was I disappointed in that? Absolutely not. The ending tied up most of the loose ends and didn't feel contrived at all.

A fantastic, compelling read.

Was this review helpful?

This book defines what it means to be a slow burn.

I liked it, but I think I would have loved it, if it had a little more sense of urgency to it rather than such a slow build the entire way through.

The premise was awesome and the story was very well done, I just need a little more?

Was this review helpful?

This is my first book by Rosie Walker but it certainly won’t be my last. I was hooked from page 1 and was enthralled throughout with the various twists.
I guessed the ending but that didn’t take away from the enjoyment. This is a very good book.

Was this review helpful?

This was a real slow burner for over the first third of the book and I nearly gave up reading but it picked up pace so I am glad I decided to read on.. it had some twists and turns to keep me guessing. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Was this review helpful?

One More Chapter,
You have no idea how much I have been looking forward to another Rosie Walker story!
Ever since Secrets Of A Serial Killer which I couldn't get enough of.
So thank you for this new eARC!

The House Fire by Rosie Walker

Jamie does documentary investigation work and she is getting pretty close to discovering the truth behind a couple deadly arson attacks the wrecked Abbeywick in the 80s.
Her younger sister Cleo could get her wish as Jamie digs deeper this could remove her mum's destructive new husband from their lives for good.
Could this be the fire that sends everything up in smoke?

Mini Review:
Fast-paced! Riveting! Exciting! Addictive! Not only is this a very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters, but the suspense builds at just the right pace as the story unfolds. It was an artful melding of twisted psychological thrills and nail-biting suspense that kept me guessing the whole way!
House Fire is cleverly plotted and very well written.
This is an intricate character-driven story full of surprises. I was hooked by the mystery and revelations, and really felt I got to know all the characters.
it's a well rounded and captivating story.
These characters Jamie and Cleo are very intriguing and I couldn't help but to be drawn to them both.
Simply put, I enjoyed this way too much! Everything about it was phenomenal!
And I really like Walkers style!

Was this review helpful?

Jamie is making a documentary about a series of unsolved arson attacks from the 1980s, unaware of the danger she is unleashing close to home. Ideal for readers looking for a different spin on the domestic noir with the suspenseful backdrop of a serial crime. With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy.

Was this review helpful?

I received an advance copy of, The House Fire, by Rosie Walker. This book is a really creepy thriller. Control, manipulation, fire, romance, and tension this book has it all.

Was this review helpful?

I picked up this novel with the idea that I'd just dip into it on my lunch break. But what an opening! That first chapter sucker punched me and drew me in. I was helpless., gripped I read the whole thing practically in one sitting.

The author deals with the subject of toxic relationships really well, and this is something that had me hooked, elevating this novel to something more than just a run-of-the-mill thriller. The tension between Cleo and her new stepdad Ant is palpable and Ant is suitably sleazy without being a black-and-white bad guy. Then there's the background of arson attacks being investigated by the main character, Jamie, in a documentary. This part had me guessing the whole time and I did not see the twist coming!

Overall a fantastic domestic thriller and one that will stay with me for a long time. The ending genuinely gave me chills. I can't wait for Rosie Walker's next book!

Was this review helpful?

#TheHouseFire #NetGalley
A must read novel.
When Jamie's documentary investigation gets too close to uncovering the truth behind a series of deadly arson attacks that tormented Abbeywick in the 1980s, her family might be the ones who pay the price.
But for her younger sister Cleo, the secrets Jamie uncovers have the potential to get exactly what Cleo wants: to remove her mum's toxic new husband from their lives, forever. All it takes is one spark to send everything up in smoke.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK One More Chapter for giving me an advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

Good book! this book had suspense, intrigue a great who done it and kind of a messed up storyline?! A few of the characters were very messed up! But the book was very interesting! I definitely enjoyed reading this one! I would recommend reading this book it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Was this review helpful?

I was gifted a copy of this book by One More Chapter.

This book was hands down amazing, I read it in one sitting. It never let me down, I thought I had it figured out, but wow was I wrong.

Was this review helpful?

The House Fire by Rosie Walker
I give this book 4 stars

If you play with fire, you’ll get burned . . .
A tired old seaside town hiding a series of unsolved arson attacks.
A derelict mansion in the woods with a long-buried secret.
A bundle of old love letters that mask a dark story.
All it takes is one spark to send everything up in smoke . . .

The story is told to us by the 3 pov’s, sisters Jamie and Cleo, and the arsonist.
A great well written thriller.l was guessing and changing my mind from start to finish.The fast paced writing style kept me turning the pages which l love in a book.The author hilighted coehersive control in a relationship which l found informative.
Make sure you pick this one up as soon as you can!
With thanks to Netgalley,Rosie Walker and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for my chance to read and review this book

Was this review helpful?