Deputy Coroner Clay Edison has led a complicated life, but now that he's married to psychologist Amy and has a young daughter Charlotte, it seems more settled. Then, a nearby California wildfire kicks in, casting a literal cloud on his life and knocking out electric power. Charlotte and Amy have retreated to a still-lit, less smoky part of the state until everything blows over, but she and Clay stay in touch by phone.

His relationship with his ex-felon brother, Luke, remains unstable; once close buddies, they've become for the most part estranged as Luke exited jail and tries to get his life back together. Still, Clay cares about him; and when he's called to a murder scene in an affluent neighborhood and discovers more than a dead body - clues that Luke may somehow have been involved - he tries to track him down. That's not easy, though, because Luke seems to have gone missing; even his hippy dippy wife, with whom he lives off the grid, has no idea why he left or where he's been for several days.

Clay's off-the-record investigation leads to even more suspicions that Luke may have been involved, forcing him - to his way of thinking - to do some cover-up work that threatens his own future. While I concede that blood can be thicker than water, I admit to losing a fair amount of respect for Clay - whom I've come to like as a leading man over the first three books in the series - because of his actions here. That's especially because - to MY way of thinking - everything that came to light in the end would have been discovered by the police had they been allowed unfettered access to all the evidence from the git-go.

But the chase is exciting and dangerous, and it held my attention so well that I polished it off in a single day by pushing back my bedtime by half an hour or so. And while in the end everything isn't coming up roses and a few ends are left untied, all that means to me is that there's plenty of fodder for the next book. I'm already up for it (or these days, should I say I'm down?) As for this one, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

I’ve read all three of the Kellermans’ Clay Edison series. I enjoyed the first three and looked forward to The Burning. I was disappointed.

This one has the authors’ characteristic vivid detailed descriptions that paint a good sense of scene. However, I didn’t like this one as much as the prior books. In the beginning, there was a lot of time spent on Clay’s ruminations about all the possible scenarios concerning his brother. The plot was just meh. What I objected to the most, though, was Clay’s dangerous behavior. (Note: slight spoiler alerts ahead). I can understand his concern for and bond with his brother, but to risk his career (and the domino effect it would have on his family) with reckless behavior was bothersome.

I will stretch my rating to four stars, only because I am such a fan of Jonathan Kellerman and I did find this a fast read (even if I did some skimming). Clay’s daughter, Charlotte, did have some amusing lines!

Clay Edison is really growing on me. In THE BURNING, the Kellerman give us a taut tale about Edison trying to find his missing brother in the midst of the California wildfires. The description of the atmosphere amidst the fire is so vivid, I had to get up and get a glass of water because my throat felt like it was burning from the smoke. THE BURNING also gives us greater insight into Edison, how he grew up, and who he is now. Excellent read.

I guess I became spoiled by reading Kellerman's series which is excellent to me. This left me unmoved. Clay is searching for his brother and--well--that's it. The story bored me and disappointed me I'm sad to say
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

3 1/2 stars rounded to 4

I love Jonathan Kellerman, I like Jesse Kellerman, I wish their writing styles meshed better together though. Some parts of this were so dang overly done. I didn't need 4 pages of Clay talking to his brother's wife trying to get an answer to a single question. I skipped quite a few pages. Having grown up in the exact areas this book is housed in, I always anticipate the Clay Edison books when they come out. This one just wasn't a favorite. It didn't feel plausible and I thoroughly disliked Luke's wife so that turned me off quite a bit.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4064015523

Bestselling thriller author, Jonathan Kellerman, who pairs up with his son Jesse, are the authors of the Clay Edison Series, and The Burning is the fourth installment in the series. The story is set in California where things are shut down due to wildfires in the region and there is essentially a blackout. Clay is sent to the homicide of an elderly millionaire who has an impressive and priceless automobile collection and discovers his brother, Luke’s, car there with no explanation. Clay tries to be ethical, but does all he can to cover up the obvious clues leading to his brother, not sure if his brother is involved. When he learns that Luke, who has been in trouble before and is just out of prison, is actually missing, he investigates every clue to not only solve the murder, but find his brother.

While Clay Edison is law enforcement, he actually works in the coroner’s office and isn’t the lead investigator on the murder. He works to keep himself involved and hopes he doesn’t have to cover up anything to do with his brother. Jonathan Kellerman is a seasoned writer and a skilled storyteller; it seems that his son is also gifted because this series is excellent. The authors have written in such a way that suspense builds throughout the novel and it will certainly keep the interest of those readers who appreciate a good thriller. The characters are well-developed, and Clay and his family as well as his co-workers are well-developed. This book introduces Angela, Luke’s wife, who is a strange one, but one similar to most “tree huggers” most of us are acquainted with.

It is suggested that readers read the previous installments in the series, but this book can also be read as a stand-alone novel. Enough background is included to help readers familiarize themselves with the characters. This is a good thriller for Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman fans.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Clay Edison is Deputy Coroner for Alameda County California and feels blessed to love his job and his young family. It’s wildfire season in California and the electricity is out indefinitely in their home so Clay’s wife takes their daughter a goes to visit relatives in L.A. Edison is called to investigate a murder of a wealthy retired man and is stunned to find his brother’s beloved muscle car in the murdered man’s garage with other collectable cars. Clay’s brother, Luke has recently been released from prison and is nowhere to be found. Clay does not reveal his discovery to the police as he frantically tries to contact Luke. Neither Luke’s wife nor employer have seen him in two days and Clay must assume Luke is associated with the murder, likely with prison pals. But as Clay gains more information he discovers that Luke may be in trouble because of previous actions Clay took in his job. Luke could be an innocent victim. Not knowing who he can trust, Clay sets out to find Luke on his own… a dangerous decision.

I’ve always enjoyed Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware novels but must admit the formula is repetitive. With son, Jesse’s help this new younger protagonist brings a more energetic buzz to the story. But that driving pace of methodically revealing new information that leads to a surprising conclusion remains… a skill that Jonathan K. has mastered in spades. Fun read.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

Although it took me a few chapters to get really interested, once Clay Edison got started I couldn't put it down. It does seem like the brother Luke is the center of much of the book's premise, I was very interested in the changing plotlines and eventual ending.

To begin, let me give both Random House-Ballantine Publishing, as well as netgalley.com, for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I truly enjoy the Alex Delaware series of psychological thrillers that the father, Jonathan Kellerman has written over the years. Additionally, this new Clay Edison series that both Jonathan and his son, Jesse Kellerman, have put together have been *almost* as enjoyable. I have read all of the novels in the Clay Edison series now, but unfortunately, the newest installment, titled "The Burning", just didn't do it for me like the previous novels in this series had. I found myself struggling to get through the first half of the novel. It was really roughly the first 50% of the book that was a chore to get through - the body of a rich individual - Rory Vandervelde - had been discovered, and Clay Edison, the deputy coroner, is at the scene when he discovers an unlikely - and potentially - devastating problem. The problem - Luke Edison's car is also found at the crime scene - and thus starts the real meat into the novel. Who is Luke - well, he is Clay's troubled bother who has been in trouble with the law in the past. Where is Luke? Why has he disappeared? And how intimately is Luke tied to the murder of Rory Vandervelde? All of this with the background of the wildfires in California causing power outages in the area (hence, 'The Burning).

A number of questions that ultimately get resolved by the end of the novel, but I was disappointed with this novel. There was quite a bit of background information that was not provided (or minimally provided, in my opinion) that this novel could not be read as a "stand-alone" novel without having numerous questions about Clay and his life. Little character development, outside of Clay's brother, Luke, and that made for me trying to recall previous novels in this series. There is a major tie-in with a past Edison novel, and I would recommend reading the other novels prior to starting this one. Otherwise, a decent, not great, read.

I give this novel 2.5 stars, rounded to three stars.

The Burning by Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman is the latest of the Clay Edison novels. Clay Edison is a Deputy Coroner who during a particularly bad fire season in the Bay area of California responds to a murder at which he sees indications of his brother’s recent presence. While enduring a time during which the electricity has been shut off due to the fires, Clay looks for ways to protect his brother. As the book progresses, the Kellermans reflect on the strong bonds that exist among siblings even if they grow apart and life moves them in different directions. An intense page-turner, I highly recommend it to mystery lovers!

Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman do not disappoint in this dive into the life of Clay Edision. Readers will be kept on their seats throughout the novel and anxiously await the next installment in this great series.

The Burning by father and son Kellerman (Jonathan and Jesse) in their fourth of a series featuring deputy coroner Clay Edison. This one turns personal for Clay as he investigates the murder of wealthy man who collects, among other things, expensive cars.
This mystery might not be the most action packed but it certainly is not formulaic and not one you will you figure out even having read previous offerings.
I would like to thank the authors, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity the read and review this book view eARC.

The Kellerman's latest book was entertaining and a quick read. However, if you're not familiar with the series parts of this story will not make sense. Not their best work but still a good read. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my opinions.

Thank you to Ballantine Books, Jonathan Kellerman and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Previously published at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/the-burning/


“The Apocalypse smells like a campfire and glimmers gold.”

Set against the wildfires of California, Jonathan Kellerman and his son Jesse have done it again with the 3rd installment in the Clay Edison series; mind-blowing! In The Burning, the Kellermans take us right into the California wildfire season and the reader definitely feels the heat!

When The Burning begins, they are already two days into a power outage which has paralyzed the community. Clay, a coroner in Oakland, Ca. is called to the murder scene of a wealthy entrepreneur, Rory Vandevelde. When he is walking around the house, he finds a garage with 30 or more luxury cars and against one wall – his brother’s late sixties Camaro, specifically a 1969 SS/Z28, painted a particular shade of green with black racing stripes. Now he knows his brother may be involved and Clay is determined to find Luke, a reformed drug-addict and released prisoner, and see what he knows. He then does the unthinkable and erases all fingerprints from the car to protect his brother. A move that could cost him his job.

In true Kellerman form, the wildfires present an eerie backdrop to the story, with extended power outages and thick grey smoke everywhere. Clay, in his quest to find his brother, puts his job and his life at risk and though he didn’t know the murder victim, it hits very close to home. He meets obstacles at every turn, including Luke’s new wife Andrea, who refuses to give Luke any information and Luke’s boss at the Cannabis company, who is immediately suspicious of Clay and his intentions. Although he is not telling her the whole truth, Clay’s relationship with his wife, Amy, newly pregnant, is delightful to watch and listen to.

The Burning keeps you on your toes until the very last chapter. We get a closer look at the relationship between Luke and Clay, including why it has deteriorated to the point it has. We see that Clay will do anything to find his brother, including breaking the law. This book is more than a murder mystery. It is a search for the brother you don’t necessarily like but love. You can almost feel how hot it is and the smell of the air where Clay has been summoned to find his brother. Grab a cool drink and sit by air conditioning as you read the last pages of this amazing novel.

Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman write an engaging thriller in "The Burning". Deputy Chief Coroner Clay Edison has a mystery to solve and part of it points to his brother, an ex-con who has some kind of tie to the murder of a millionaire car collector. Clay's brother's work at a legal marijuana distribution facility raises eyebrows but can't seem to be linked with anything in the past. Clay's sister-in-law is no help and in fact, seems to be muddying the water with weird behavior and secrets. Clay tries to hide his brother's link to the crime but an undaunted detective stays on his heels. Will Clay be able to solve this mystery and save his brother and his own reputation? You will have to read "The Burning" to solve this mystery. It is an entertaining one. Thanks to #TheBurning#NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A raging wildfire. A massive blackout. A wealthy man shot to death in his palatial hilltop home. And the suspect may be none other than Clay's brother, fresh out of prison. In this case for the deputy coroner things hit to close to home and he must work overtime to get to the bottom of this before his brother ends up back behind bars. As in the previous books in this series, the locations and current social conditions hold true and incorporating our terrible wildfires here in Calif added another level of intrigue. This is every bit as good as the other books in this series and maybe even better. This father and son team write seamlessly together and they hit one out of the park again with this one. I can't wait for the next in the series. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

I'm a big fan of all the Kellerman authors, so I was happy to receive an advance copy of this new one from father and son. As always, it's a good read with interesting characters and a great plot. I really liked the setting for this one and the way that the fires played into the story. I hope they're writing the next one!

I used to love Jon Kellerman and look forward to his latest books. However, I am sorry to say that this is not a good effort. It may be that his success had led him to the James Patterson phone it in place.
This was written with his son, and the difference between the 2 author's is painfully clear. There is a silly overuse of nouns as verbs, thumbing, sliming, etc. Its cute the first few times, then not so much.
As with many Kellermans, the investigator starts tugging on threads from the crime scene to follow them to the killers and their sometimes murky motives. This is no different- but this feels as if they are really reaching this time.
Its a shame, this is below the usual standard.

The Clay Edison books by the Kellerman's are fun reads. Clay is a good character and he just can not follow rules...

This book was sent to me on Kindle by Netgalley for review. It is character driven with intrigue and of course, a mystery to solve. Clues abound that sends the reader in different directions until finally guessing near the end. These authors always give us great books...try this one.