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

Beachbrook seems such a nice place to live, if you forget about that one murder some years ago.
Steve, a local, becomes a hero when walking home from a night out he runs into a burning house and rescues a baby, leapin from the first floor in an act of complete heroism, something outstanding for a boy from his background.
All is great until Steve suddenly stands accused of that murder he town tries to forget and everything takes a seriously dark turn from that point, with Steve and his family trapped in their home by journalists and the police getting ever closer to the truth.
An absolutely spectacular read!

Into the Fire by G. D. Wright is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that explores the weight of the past and how quickly life can unravel when long-buried secrets resurface. Set in the seaside town of Beachbrook, the story follows Steve, a devoted husband and father who becomes an unexpected hero after rescuing a baby from a burning house. But as his act of bravery propels him into the public eye, scrutiny follows—and with it, an accusation that could destroy everything he holds dear.

Steve has worked hard to build a quiet, stable life with his wife, Sarah, and their two children, Gracie and Oscar. He avoids social media, keeps his past hidden, and has never sought attention. But when he steps into the flames and emerges a hero, he suddenly finds himself at the centre of an investigation. DS Willmott is assigned to look into the claim that Steve is connected to an unsolved murder from years ago, and as she digs deeper, the cracks in Steve’s carefully constructed life begin to show.

The book has a striking balance between fast-paced action and slow-burning tension. The first half is intense and gripping, while the second half shifts focus to the psychological and emotional toll of Steve’s predicament. As his world collapses, we see his internal struggle—desperation, fear, and the lengths he will go to to protect his family. Meanwhile, DS Willmott is given her depth and complexity, making her a compelling investigator with motives beyond just solving a case.

Wright’s writing is immersive, drawing the reader into Beachbrook’s atmosphere while steadily building tension. The exploration of heroism, guilt, and the inescapable pull of the past adds layers to the story, making it more than just a thriller—it’s also a study of character, morality, and the fragility of reputation.

Into the Fire is a deeply engrossing read that keeps you questioning everything until the final pages. It’s a book about secrets, redemption, and how quickly life can turn when the truth comes knocking.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

GD Wright has done it again, with his second novel. What a punch of a book this is!

I love how this book evokes strong emotions and keeps you hooked, but in a totally different way to After the Storm.

When Steve goes into a fire and comes out a hero, he struggles to come to terms with this new title and all the attention that comes with it, but the tides quickly turn when he comes out a suspect...

G.D Wright is the master of getting to the heart of a matter in a really human way, with so much raw emotion, I felt it all as I read along and this book will also stay with me. What a triumph of a book, that isn't straight forward nor predictable.

I'm excited to see where book 3 goes.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

Another gripping read by G.D.Wright, following on from his debut novel, After The Storm. It’s a difficult book to read at times, partly from some of the subject matter, but also because it brings emotions to the surface with some of the intensity of the story.

The story is told from different points of view; A coffee shop owner who goes from zero to hero overnight, after rescuing a child from a house fire; the police officer who is investigating the fire, a widow juggling work and caring for her young daughter; : a grieving father who is still trying to make sense of his child’s death some twenty years later. And a reporter keen to get a different angle on this latest big news story.

Really well written, and gripped me from the start, with storylines that felt so real. It’s quite scary when you see how social media spreads news, rumours and opinions so quickly and how it affects people’s lives so dramatically. I definitely didn’t see the ending coming or the twists to a couple of the relationships. This was a book that once I started reading, I had to finish to see how it could possibly end. The only downside for me, was it felt as though it slightly lost momentum around the middle, but did pick up very well after that.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Wow! What a story! I really liked the debut book by this author After the Storm and this one is even better. Set in the same coastal town and with a couple of references to the previous story , it could still be a standalone novel. A young father runs into a burning building and is a hero. The town love him and then his past begins to surface.
The characters are realistic, the developing narrative is believable. The whole basis of the story is family and how we will protect them. Some friends are family too and we always believe the best in them. The second half of the book really ramped up the pressure and the last few chapters are dynamite! Some heart in the mouth moments, some gasps. What a cracking book. I don’t know how GDWright can follow these two books but I cannot wait!

Into the Fire by G. D. Wright is a gripping crime drama with a lot of emotional weight, and what really struck me was how much it made me think about the idea of perception and how quickly someone can go from being a hero to a suspect.

The story follows Steve, an ordinary guy who becomes famous after saving a baby from a house fire. But instead of being celebrated, his past comes back to haunt him, and suddenly, he’s accused of a crime from years ago. The way Wright unravels this mystery is brilliant there are twists I didn’t see coming, and the emotional depth of the characters really stood out. Even the side characters felt real and layered, which made the stakes feel even higher.

What I loved most was the way the book balanced tension and emotion. The first half is fast-paced and full of suspense, but the second half slows down as the focus shifts more to the characters internal struggles. While it loses a bit of momentum, the story remains compelling, and the character development keeps it engaging.
If you’re a fan crime dramas that are just as much about the people as they are about the mystery, Into the Fire is absolutely worth a read.

🔥 GD Wright has done it again! After being completely hooked by his debut, After The Storm, which I devoured in 24 hours, I was beyond excited to see Into the Fire available for request on NetGalley. I jumped at the chance and was thrilled to be granted permission as an ARC reader!

From the very first page, I was completely engrossed. This is one of those books where you tell yourself, just one more chapter, and suddenly you’ve read half the book in one sitting. The pacing is relentless, with tension simmering in every chapter, and the deeper I got into the story, the harder it became to put down.

Steve is such a compelling and well-drawn character. What struck me most was how real he felt—he’s just an ordinary man trying to be a good husband and father, someone you could easily know in real life. His actions, his emotions, and the weight of his past all felt so authentic that I found myself fully invested in his journey. I could feel his desperation, his fear, and his determination as his world started to crumble around him. It was impossible not to root for him, even as the questions about his past began to surface.

The storytelling is masterful. GD Wright knows exactly how to layer the tension, feeding just enough details to keep you constantly on edge. At times, I felt my heart racing, desperate to know what would happen next. There’s a real emotional depth to this book that elevates it beyond a standard thriller—it’s not just about the twists (though they are brilliant!), but about the people at the heart of the story.

And then, that moment. The moment where my mind just screamed. I did not see it coming. The most heartbreaking lines of the story hit me so hard that I had to read them again just to fully absorb what was happening. It was utterly devastating, and the sheer impact of it left me reeling. Wright’s writing is indescribable—just when you think a thriller can’t possibly break your heart more, he delivers a scene so intense, so horrifying, that it takes your breath away.

By the time I reached the final chapters, I was completely on edge. The intensity, the emotions, and the sheer brilliance of the storytelling left me in awe. Wright has an incredible talent for making you feel every moment, and I know this book will stay with me for a long time.

With Into the Fire, GD Wright cements himself as a must-read author in the thriller genre. He’s now firmly on my will read anything list, and I cannot wait to see what he writes next. If you love gripping, character-driven thrillers that keep you guessing until the very end, this one is an absolute must-read! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is my second book by this author. His writing style is deep and uncomfortable due to the content and I struggled from page one. The chapter layout is not to my liking, jumping back and forth in time. I found it difficult to follow. There is a lot going on in the plot. I finished the book and it did improve in the latter part of the book.

I could not connect with any of the characters. D S Sue Willmott is a dedicated police officer of 20 years service. She is fiesty, committed, dogged and determined in her pursuit of the truth but still I could not like her. Steve Minchin’s character I struggled with. Steve has a troubled past but becomes a hero and ends up a suspect after rescuing a baby from a house fire. He is a wonderful father to Gracie, 7 years old and Oscar 4 years old and loves his children with all his heart. He will do anything for his family. What would you do in Steve’s position?

This novel is about, family, friendship, bereavement, grief and child abuse.

The book was not for me. I give a 3 star rating.


My thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the opportunity of reading an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.