Dw i'm yn siŵr iawn sut mae G.D. Wright yn cyflawni hyn, ond mae o wedi llwyddo eto i greu nofel sy'n drawiadol, yn aros yn y cof, yn ennyn pob math o deimladau ac emosiynau, yn cyflymu'r galon ac yn gwneud i chi deimlo loes i'r byw. Mae ei nofel gyntaf 'After the Storm' yn dal i fod yn un o'r llyfrau sydd wedi aros efo fi, ac roedd gen i ddisgwyliadau mawr am y nofel hon, a ches i wir mo'n siomi!
Mae'r cyffro yn dechrau gyda dau gwpl yn dod ar draws tân mewn tŷ ar eu ffordd adref ar ôl noson allan, heb feddwl ddwywaith mae Steve yn rhedeg i mewn i'r fflamau fel arwr, ond wrth i'r stori ddatblygu cawn ddod i adnabod Steve a'i deulu yn well, ac mae sawl cyfrinach yn codi o'r gorffennol. Mae'r nofel yn datblygu gan gyflwyno sawl safbwynt gwahanol, gyda chyflymder y dweud yn berffaith ac yn eich gorfodi i ddarllen mwy a mwy. Fel rhiant mae'r nofel yma'n emosiynol, yn dychryn ac yn creu rhyw deimlad annifyr ym mer eich esgyrn wrth i chi ddarllen ymlaen, gyda diweddglo na'i fyth mo'i anghofio. Awdur dawnus, sy'n gwneud i chi gwestiynu pawb a phopeth. Gwych, dw i'n edrych ymlaen at weld beth ddaw nesaf gan yr awdur ar ôl i'r fflamau oeri!

I'm not quite sure how G.D.Wright does this, but he's once again managed to create an impressive story, that stays with you, ignites all kinds of feelings and emotions, makes your heart race and feel pain so deeply. His first novel 'After the Storm' is still seared in my memory, and I had high hopes for this one, I was definitely not disappointed!
The action starts with two couples discovering a house fire on their way home from a night out, without any hesitation Steve runs into the flames like a hero, but as the story develops we get to know Steve and his family, and many secrets are revealed from his past. The novel is written from several different perspectives, with the perfect pace forcing you to read more and more. As a parent, this story is emotional, causes fear, and an uneasy feeling in your gut as you read on, with an ending so full of twists, I doubt I'll ever forget it. A clever author, making you question everything and everyone. Fantastic, I can't wait to see what this author does next once the flames have cooled!

Woah! I’m feeling a bit shell shocked and stunned after finishing reading G D Wright’s new book. I thoroughly enjoyed his first book, After the Storm, last year - and Into the Fire is every bit as good.

Set again in the seaside town of Beachbrook, we meet Steve and his wife, Sarah, and their 2 young children, Gracie and Oscar. One evening, the couple go on a rare night out with their close friends and on the way home, they witness a house fire. Steve rushes in bravely - emerging from the event a local hero.

But Steve has always liked to keep a low profile. No social media, no talk of his past. Now the spotlight is on him, and things begin to spiral painfully, and inevitably.

Where After the Storm felt quite relentless in its pace, Into the Fire has an intense first half, then becomes quite a slow burn (forgive the pun 🤣) during the second half. During this time, the story becomes very character-led - we learn more about DS Willmott and what motivates her, and we learn more about Steve and his past. I grew very sympathetic of them both.

And then, just when I was foolishly thinking to myself “oh, this one isn’t as harrowing as After the Storm!” Then, there came the ending…. I was not expecting what happens at all.

Another extremely accomplished story, fantastic characters and difficult, upsetting topics, amazingly handled.

HOLY SMOKES! What the heck did I just read? This book is every level of crazy in all the right ways! What I loved about this book? Everything it was fantastic!

I want to take this book and scream from the rooftops and make everyone I know read a copy. This book was enthralling, fast-paced and twisty. I read this one into the night, if you want a hair-raising thriller, then look no further.

This book sank its teeth into me and would not let go until I was done. I am faithfully a G.D Wright fan from this day forward!

It was one of the most thrilling books I have ever read! A MASSIVE 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars!

What started as a fast paced book to start, slowed in the middle and then ramped up again towards the end. Steve is trying to stay hidden and his past firmly in the past, while dealing with being thrust in the public eye as the local hero. I felt all of the emotions while he was in the house amongst the inferno and the heartbreak when he met Louise's parents, his frustration while trying to deal with the camera lenses and locals wanting to give him a back slap, all while trying to keep his head above water, his family safe and his troubled past buried.
Excellent writing and brilliant story telling.

Steve has lived his life through a cloud never sharing his past and the secrets he keeps. That is until one day he acts without thinking and all of a sudden he is in the media lime light. The author lets you in to Steve’s history and shows public opinion on this both good and bad

Brilliant book which also has the courage to look at some of the impact on an adult that childhood can have when it’s beyond that that any child should ever have to experience

Into The Fire starts well, but the pace slows through a lot of its 400 plus pages. The ending is dramatic but it takes a long time to get there.

The novel starts strongly. Steve runs into a burning building and saves a baby. He is feted as a hero, but is covering a dark secret. And, in an unrelated incident, this comes out. Now both hero and villain, he goes back through childhood memories to seek some sort of resolution.

This is a decent read and well written throughout, but could have been a lot sharper. The narrative raises some big questions but they are only dealt with in a superficial way as several sub plots are developed.

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.

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.

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! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Steve Minchin is just a normal husband, father and local business owner until the night he rushes into a burning house and leaps from an upstairs window with a child clutched to his chest, flames billowing behind him. Immediately propelled to hero status in the public eye, until his past catches up with him. The change is fast, furious and relentless. Everyone has an opinion and the press have a field day.

Emotionally charged and compelling, this novel was the perfect mix of domestic drama, crime and police procedural with great characters, a well plotted storyline and an ending that shocked. The clues were there, I missed them. 4.5 stars rounded up.

Due for publication June '25 - My thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the early review copy, all opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed the first book in the Beachbrook series, so I was looking forward to the next instalment and it didn’t disappoint.

Steve runs a successful coffee shop on the seafront and life is good for him and his family. Steve and his wife, Sarah, go out for an evening with their best friends, Phil and Emma. Walking home, they notice a house on fire; Steve spots that one of the windows is obviously a child’s bedroom so, without even stopping to think, he runs into the burning building and rescues the baby.

Steve quite rightly becomes a local hero. Everyone wants to shake his hand, pat him on the back, and thank him on behalf of the baby’s family. He doesn’t really want all this attention, especially when he’s pulled over by the police and has a DNA sample taken back at the station. The secrets then start to come out, and not just for Steve.

Lots of unexpected twists and turns kept me hooked, an absolutely brilliant read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Good characters with some excellent writing covering some tough topics! Good pace although a bit slow in the middle. Thank you for allowing me to read this before release