First of all I need to say that this book was previously released as The Arsonist. I'm not a fan of the names of books being changed as on several occasions it has led to me buying a book I've already read.
Having said that this is a thrilling read with both the search for a sadistic killer and the romance between the two main characters given equal billing. Not a book that will keep you up all night as it's not that long but it is perfect to read on a plane journey or by the pool.

I enjoy Mary Burton books as they are enjoyable romances with a crime story as the background.
In this Michael Gannon is an ex fire investigator who has retired after catching the serial arsonist Nero. Darcy Sampson is a journalist who is trying to find the background story to Nero. Suddenly fires with Nero’s signature start up again.
The story kept me engaged including the twists.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #PlayingWithFire

Loved it! As usual you are taken on a rollercoaster ride throughout the story. The twists are spectacular and keep you flipping pages as fast as you can. A great cast of characters and a vivid plot create an amazing story.

Another quicker Mary Burton book, but still good. No matter the length she always has a perfect mix of mystery and romance and usually some family drauama/trauma!

AWESOME thriller dealing with an investigation into an arsonist who was presumed killed in one of his own fires. Well written with enjoyable characters amidst lots of suspense. RECOMMEND this & all of this authors' thrillers. Thanks to#NetGalley & #HQ Digital for this ARC in return for my honest revieew.

I really wanted to like this but I just couldn't connect with the characters. I felt the romance aspect totally overwhelmed the crime/investigation part. Just not for me.

What a fireball thriller! I’ve read and enjoyed many of the author’s stories in past and couldn’t miss the opportunity to read this one either.

A killer that was assumed to be dead a year ago, seems to come back to life in the new, more settled small town.

The characters connected right from the start and while this book is quite short, maybe half of what I’m used to read, it made for a good story overall. I had my theories proven in the end, although it was clear who the arsonist was early in the story. But that didn’t take from my enjoyment one bit.

Looking forward to read more soon by the author.

Very grateful for my review copy

I was issued this title by NetGalley for my honest review.

This is the first book from Mary Burton for me. I found it to be a good story, and I enjoyed the characters. My only complaint would be that--it seems it should have been a lot easier to identify the bad guy. It took until near the end for the good guys to say "that's the guy"! There seemed to be a whole lot of facts pointing in that direction earlier in the book.

I am interested in reading another book from Mary Burton.

Playing with Fire is a thriller that will have you turning the pages so quick to see what happens next. Mary Burton is a mastet of writing and this FOR SURE won't be the last book I read of hers.

Fabulous read! So the one thing I love about this author’s book is that they don’t drag out. No drama, no angst, but a veritable thriller.

What did I like? Darcy and Gannon just clicked well. Once the chemistry started they were adults about it and made concessions for each other. Their combined efforts saved a bunch of lives as they hunted down the arsonist together. A winning duo!

Would I recommend or buy?? I’ve bought many books by this author and loved them all. Her books suck you in and give you a thrill. Loved it !! Five stars!

I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!

I love Mary Burton books and was pleased to get this copy from NetGalley. This is a short book, 15 chapters, but pretty fast paced and filed with lots of twist and turns. I could see this turned into a longer novel if the author so desired.. More on Gannon's background, more on Darcy's life as a child. Just more. All in all I did enjoy it

Playing with Fire is a thriller that will have you turning pages as fast as you can to find out what happens next. There’s a serial arsonist, that a year earlier, supposedly died in one of his own fires. A newspaper woman and the original Arson Investigator don’t believe the serial arsonist is dead. As the arsonist starts setting fires again, Darcy and Gannon are on the chase. Can they find the arsonist before they become one of his victims?

Mary Burton is a master of writing exciting thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat as the action is non-stop.

Thank you to #netgalley and #HQ for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own..

Read his full review on <a href="https://rosepointpublishing.com/2022/05/20/playing-with-fire-by-mary-burton-bookreview-womens-crime-fiction/"<a> Rosepoint Publishing.</a>

A firebug is terrorizing the Washington, D.C. area. Michael Gannon is an investigator whose primary mission is to apprehend the perpetrator.

Nine fires and twelve people dead later, the man is identified only by the name “Nero”. However, in one of the fire scenes, a man found in a fetal position with evidence of the accelerants used on many of the fires leads the coroner to surmise the firebug has been caught in one of his own fires.

The issue with the current string of arsons is a reporter who discloses confidential investigation information to help spark interest in his bylines. The arsonist realizes that the investigation may be getting too close and stops to let the dust clear.

Darcy Sampson is a reporter who decides to leave the DC area and return to her hometown. Michael Gannon has retired and chooses her hometown. They meet at the strange scene of a fire in her hometown.

Nero, the arsonist, misses the fires and the competition between him and Gannon. He happens to choose the same small town for his next fire. The competition is on for another incredible run. Can the newspaper reporter and Gannon become successful in stopping the arsonist? This is a fast-paced and gripping novel. Recommended! 4.5 stars – CE Williams

We received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are his honest opinions.

Fast paced and full of suspense I read this one in one sitting. It has great characters. There's just the right amount of romance. Gannon and Darcy work great together in more ways then one. I was surprised by the reveal. It wasn't what I was expecting. And that ending! It left me with my mouth hanging open.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

As an earlier work by Mary Burton, this book has a lot of problems. There are timing inconsistencies, the romance felt rushed, and it was, overall, disjointed. It just didn't flow. I've also read elements of this plot before. In other words, it just didn't grab me and make me care, but it did turn out to be a good Romantic-Suspense, in some spots at least.

Darcy Sampson has been contacted by the sister of Nero, an arsonist who set fires in DC and died in his last one. The sister claims her brother is not Nero. As a journalist, this could be an explosive story. Maybe even Pulitzer worthy. Only problem - no proof. Her boss gives her one week to follow this lead and see if it goes anywhere. Her first step is to pick the brain of the arson investigator, Michael Gannon. He left DC after that last fire and happened to relocate to Darcy's small hometown in Virginia where he reinvented himself as a builder of custom motorcycles. Darcy finds things with her family are not much different than when she left.

Michael Gannon left DC believing in his gut that Nero was still alive. The case took so much from him that leaving and becoming someone else was his way to survive. Now the fires are happening again, and a smart and sexy reporter is putting words to his greatest fear - Nero isn't dead.

Previously published as The Arsonist 3-Stars

Though I remember reading Play With Fire previously under a different name, I enjoyed reading it again.
The main characters are Darcy and Gannon who work together to find out what is going on with the fires going on in their town. Darcy is a journalist and Gannon is a retired arson investigator. They start working together to find out who the arsonist is.
A nice romantic suspense that will keep you entertained.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for an advanced e-copy of Playing with Fire. I will say that I have been a Mary Burton fan for a long time so I was excited to read it.

This book was so good that I read it in one day. I literally could not put it down. It was a fast-paced thriller, and I was on the edge of my seat as I read it. I was so engrossed in the story that it felt like I was there. The characters were well developed and likable, and it made me root for them. I was successful in guessing who the killer/arsonist was. However, it was not obvious. The story does end on an exciting cliff-hanger. If you enjoy reading a book so good that you can't put it down, then add Playing with Fire to your reading list.

It was fire!

This was the first Mary Burton book I’ve read but I can guarantee it won’t be my last.

If you’re looking for some steamy romance paired with your fire cat and mouse game, this story is for you.

I loved the quick pace of the story so much. It starts a year ago when fire investigator, Gannon is led to believe nemesis, Nero has died in his last fire. Then we fast forward to today where reporter Darcy returns home to track down retired investigator Gannon to get his take on the possibility of Nero having faked his own death. Soon fires are popping up all over the town. Is Nero back? Will Gannon trust Darcy enough to help her before it’s too late?

For a short story this packs a lot in.
It’s a great read with great characters and a storyline that had me hooked and holding my breath.
If you’re put off by technicalities, like I usually am, get past the first few pages and enjoy the rest of the book, I’m glad I stayed with it.

#netgalley#playingwithfire This is a real page turner, the pages literally turn themselves so make sure you have time before starting this beauty. I loved the characters and Mary Burton writes so well, gets you intrigued from the start 5/5 stars