On the way home from a night out with friends, Steve smells smoke and rushes towards a burning house, Saving a baby he is hailed a hero by everyone but he only feels guilty for those he didn't rescue. But after a DNA test is completed he soon becomes the villain of the town when a past crime is uncovered. Taking a step back into his past helps Steve come to turns with the life he's led.
Having gone through the emotional wringer with G.D Wright's debut novel, I had high hopes for this 2nd book. It doesn't disappoint in any shape or form. It starts strongly and the pace continues relentlessly.
It's a fast paced thriller with a killer punch.

I really enjoyed the first novel in this series. Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one. It felt very slow, particularly at the beginning. Lots of exposition made my attention waver. Still, this author has writing skills. Three stars for that.

Just WOW! I heard a lot of good things about G.D Wright's debut so just had to grab a copy of his new one and boy, Into the Fire does not disappoint. Such a brilliant, suspenseful read. 5 Stars

Settle in and hold on tight - Into the Fire is an extraordinary rollercoaster of a book that will keep you gripped from start to finish.

I absolutely loved G.D. Wright's first novel, After the Fire, so was very much looking forward to reading Into the Fire and goodness - it was everything and so much more. Another remarkable read, with such powerful and captivating writing that hooks you from the start and has left a lasting impression.

The main character is Steve, to us an ordinary man who unexpectedly becomes a hero in his community. He never saw himself as a hero, he simply did what he thought anyone else would have done if faced with the same situation. We learn so much about Steve, his family, his job, his friends, his life. We find out he has a secret past but we do not find out what it is at the start and even his family are unaware of the truths that he keeps hidden.

And then we learn about something hugely tragic that happened and we find out about what happened in Steve's past. The community completely change their mind about Steve and turn on him in the worse possible ways. But is it true? Steve's world is crumbling all around him, leaving him struggling to hold on to the pieces of his life that remain. Everything he loved and knew is just slipping away, leaving behind an empty shell of what his life once was and who he once was. Steve always knew the truth might surface one day, yet he did everything within his grasp to keep it hidden, safeguarding his secret at all costs - because he knew what would happen once the truth was out.

The weight of what happened to Steve always casted an enormous shadow over his life, was included in every choice and decision that he had to make. Now, everything he tried so hard to bury is resurfacing, threatening to tear his entire world apart

And then, the twist hit me like a thunderbolt. It was completely unexpected, utterly staggering. I never saw it coming at all - I just totally stopped and stared at the page, for quite some time. Steve's life when he was younger was so very, very tough, and what happened to him was just devastating and unimaginable - an ordeal so harrowing and life changing.

This book is so intense, packed full of tension and emotion and is extremely gripping. Featuring a shocking twist that stayed with me long after I read the final page. I had no idea that the twist was coming. It has taken me a while to write my review because I could not stop thinking about the storyline.

This book is different to the first book but is another exceptional read which will have you hooked from the start. I cannot wait to read G. D. Wright's third book! He is definitely one of my go to crime and thriller writers.

Thank you very much Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Steve is a hero.
Steve is a murderer.
Steve, his wife and friends,are walking home from a night out when he smells smoke. He has a choice to make, fight or flight? He chooses fight and runs into the house he rescues a baby but unfortunately not the parents. The problem is Steve has a past and now it's beginning to catch up with him.
Just when you think you know the direction this is going, it changes tack and the ending well what a shocker!!
Many thanks to the publishers for inviting me to read read this and will be looking for more from G.D. Wright.

Into the Fire started at a good pace but then slowed down so much I almost lost interest but by the time Steve returned from his journey up north the pace sped up again. The revelations were traumatic and the suspense became unbearable and then we were taken down a totally unexpected and shocking path. What a journey!

This is a brilliantly paced book which I really enjoyed.

I really thought I knew where this book was going and how it was going to end. It's fair to say I was completely blindsided!! Such a twist and not one I saw coming!

While returning home, Steve, his wife, and their close friends Phil and Emma come across a house fire. There might be people inside. Fight or flight? Steve chooses fight and goes into the fire. He makes a dramatic escape with a young baby. Without Steve, the baby wouldn't have survived. But his heroic actions have consequences. Steve has always tried to stay below the radar because he has a secret. A secret which is about to be thrust into the spotlight. But Steve's secret goes back further than the murder he is accused of. It goes right back to his childhood.

The consequences of his decision to go into the fire are far-reaching and devastating for more than one family.

Halfway through reading this and you think, yes can see how this pans out. Wrong! The final part of the book is a classic page turner and a shocker. The author does not hold back and do be aware some of the subject matter can be upsetting. However, well written fiction like this gets the reader thinking and in the main character Steve, one of the best fictional characters this reader has come across in awhile.

3.5 stars
I absolutely loved After the Storm, Wright's debut.So I was really looking forward to this one, but unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Steve, Sarah, Phil, and Emma are returning from a night out when Steve smells smoke.
He rushes into the burning house, convinced there is a child sleeping.
Steve is a hero.
Steve is a murderer.
What happened in Steve's past is catching up with him.
Overall, this was a good read. We are back in Beachbrook, and leading the investigation is DS Willmott.
For me, some of the writing was overly descriptive, and there was too much use of the word aesthetic. It's a great word, BUT!
The bedroom scene, oh God, just no. If it was meant to shock, it did, but not in a good way.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Such a great book. Thank you for letting me read it in advance. I can't wait to see what else this author has to offer.

🔥Into the fire - G. D. Wright 🔥

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Release date - 5th June 2025

What a page turner this one is!!

Blurb - HE RUNS INTO THE FLAMES A HERO.

Steve thought he had left his troubled past behind. Living a quiet life with his wife and children, everything changes the night he rescues a baby from a burning house, becoming an unexpected national hero.

HE EMERGES FROM THE ASHES A SUSPECT.

But as the spotlight shines brighter, so does the scrutiny, and a shocking accusation is made – that Steve is the man responsible for an unsolved murder in Beachbrook years prior.

BUT WHICH ONE IS HE REALLY?

As his world unravels, public opinion is firmly divided. Steve pleads his innocence, but DS Sue Willmott is determined to get to the bottom of what really happened all those years ago.

After all, even heroes hide secrets of their own.

My thoughts 💭- firstly thankyou to @netgalley for the opportunity of a ARC of this one. I absolutely LOVED! I couldn’t out it down.

From the off I was hooked and just knew something was coming however I wasn’t sure what, I was on the edge of my seat and there were twists I never saw coming.

Multiple points of view kept me engaged and eager to read on. Definitely recommend this one when it’s released.

@gdwrightwrites

#bookreview #intothefire #gdwright #booklover #thriller #netgalley #ARC #bookblogger

This is a book that everyone will be talking about. I loved After the Storm, but Into the Fire is even better. The author is adept at leading the reader and then blindsiding with the totally unexpected. II makes you challenge your own beliefs and perceptions and it’s very subtle in the way it’s done. It’s a cracking well paced plot. Steve is returning from a night out with his wife and another couple when a fir is spotted. Steve to the rescue and in the aftermath, he’s a hero. But there’s a huge downside. He’s always kept a low profile and away from the media and now he’s under the spotlight. It becomes clear that all is not as it seems as the events are fully investigated. Great lead with DS Wilmott who appeared in the last book and whose character and background are further developed. I’m easily invested in these characters and as the tale unfolds it’s clear that childhood events have reverberated to the present. Loved this; twisty and I was left wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for my copy of Into The Fire by G D Wright.
I finished this book last night and I can’t stop replaying it in my mind. I want to say I enjoyed it but that’s feels wrong.
I couldn’t put it down, I was glued to the pages, and then the finish. WOW just WOW I feel bereft, unsettled. What a read.
Don’t miss this one.
It is out on 5th June 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the author’s second book and, having read his debut book, I was wondering how he was going to follow it - it was so thought provoking and engaging, a fantastic novel. However, I needn’t have worried as this second book was every bit as thought provoking and engaging.
I won’t précis the novel, if you’re reading this, you’ll already have read the blurb on the book written by better writers than me.

Suffice to say that one altruistic action by the lead character, leads to completely disruption of his life as he knows it.

Half way through the book I thought I had sussed out what had happened but although I wasn’t far wrong, I wasn’t right either. I just kept page turning with this one and I look forward to G.D. Wright’s next book.

A very easy five stars from me!

I was fortunate to be given this Arc but I requested it by accident as I thought it was another author. Best mistake I’ve made in ages. The author and book was an absolute gem. Brilliant read that kept me engaged and loved it so much have already recommended it to friends.

Holy moly.

Gary writes in the most understated way, but this book is so incredibly impactful and moving. It's a perfect blend of police procedural and psychological thriller.

There is a whole range of emotions you will 100% end up feeling alongside the characters, the elation, the sorrow, the pain. Ugh.

The story just steadily works it's way along revealing itself and the back stories and unfurling the past, which is wholly compelling in itself but then BAM. A twist hits that just blew me out of the water and made me go, oh hell, I missed the hints and the fact that was coming.

🫣😫

An explosive second novel from @gdwrightwrites which is the perfect mix of pyschological thriller and police procedural which kept me hooked to every page. The more you uncover of Steve’s story the more you are drawn into the world of blurring the lines between hero and villain. A twisty thriller which is perfect for all readers. After loving After the Storm I knew I was in for a treat!

This book broke my heart in so many different ways and had me in tears to begin with. This is emotionally massive, generating so many different feelings. For me, I could not put this down and needed to find out where it ended up!

Thank you to the Publisher, NetGalley and of course the most incredible soul Mr G. D. Wright for giving me the opportunity to review an advanced reader copy of 'Into the Fire' in return of an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.

HOLY SMOKES! I have been waiting for this for what feels like a lifetime. I first read G. D. Wrights debut novel 'After The Storm' last year and that blew me away. 'Into the Fire' has been long craved since I came across G. D. Wright as an author and I can 100% tell you that 'Into The Fire' does NOT disappoint.
I love a good thriller, but my goodness this book made me feel like I was having another cardiac episode. This is something I absolutely need in a book. I need to feel my heart race and feel that suspense. Into the Fire delivered on that front and is yet another brilliant book by a literary magician. I feel like I could now call Gary a friend after numerous exchanges on Instagram and honestly I now have an Auto-Buy Author yet again to add to my list!

The beginning of the book had me rendered speechless and gasping for breath and the middle was a little of a slow burn however it was nice as you learn a lot about some of the characters and even better is a couple of them have been bought over from G. D. Wrights debut novel 'After the Storm' however as the storyline progress the events take a drastic turn and then just as you think you're able to cool off you are hit with yet another twist. I did not expect the ending at all, I thought it was going to end very differently and when I tell you I was GOBSMACKED at the end of the book I honestly couldn't hold it in anymore. I feel I need an IV Transfusion of reading material from this man because I need more and I need it now!

The characters are a mixture of people from all walks of life, 'Into the Fire' wraps itself around your heartstrings and often gives them a tug whilst also feeling as though you are on the edge of your seat waiting for what is to come next. I really enjoyed this book and I feel I am now one of Gary's biggest fans lol.

In all honesty, you NEED to read this book however I do advise that the topics raised throughout this book could be traumatic and triggering to some so please put your mental health first and check out the trigger warnings before reading. I know trigger warnings are controversial but even I had to take a breather at points in this book. I won't list the trigger warnings based on the fact this book is yet to be published and the contents could be slightly adjusted between the time I have written this review and the date Into the Fire gets published.

Well what a book this was. This is the second I’ve read by this author and I absolutely love their style of writing and the tension the book builds up till the unexpected ending . I loved the characters and how both couples coped with their harrowing early life . The ending was totally unexpected with a totally shocking moment . I cannot rate this author highly enough and I’d definitely recommend this book . I can’t wait for the next . Five stars from me