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Ever since his wife Angelina was murdered, Vinh Murphy (former marine and one time Troubleshooters operative) has been MIA. Drowning his grief in alcohol, he can think of nothing more than getting revenge on the Freedom Network, the neo-nazi group he believes is responsible for Angelina’s death. When Freedom Network leader Tim Ebersole is found murdered, the FBI suspects Murphy of pulling the trigger. His friends at Troubleshooters also believe there is a strong possibility that Murphy could have done the deed and so they set up a frantic search hoping to get him to surrender. Even Murphy himself wonders if he could have killed the man when he was lost in an alcohol-induced haze. He turns to Hannah Whitfield, former police officer and best bud who has seen him through some of his darkest days. She welcomes him back into her life, and together they must search for the truth. But the truth comes at a price, and Murphy realizes that in order to salvage his growing feelings for Hannah, he must face a deadly confrontation with the Freedom Network they may cost him his life. It’s not often that I feel the need to indulge in an ultimate gush fest over a book, so brace yourselves, because I absolutely loved every single page of INTO THE FIRE. Suzanne Brockmann kept me on the edge of my chair, with nail biting (it’s true, I now have none) suspense. Some people may not enjoy the non-stop action and multiple points of view that are trademark Brockmann, but for me, personally, I found myself eating up every minute of this book, and once I reached the last page, I flipped to the beginning and started again. Why? Because this book has an awesome set of diverse characters that are so well-penned and while I’m immersed in the pages, I can actually believe they are real. And, okay, I’m just going to say it. Though the book is supposed to be primarily Murphy and Hannah’s story, I was completely twisted in knots over Izzy Zanella. I have loved his character since his very first appearance, and was thrilled that he played such a major role in INTO THE FIRE. Izzy has always been the vulnerable, funny, and far too immature member of Team Sixteen, but when he decides to take on responsibility in INTO THE FIRE he goes big. Huge. I have a feeling that Izzy is in for a long, painful road to his happy ever after—and, sorry to break it to poor Izzy, but I will love every second of it. I loved the way that Suzanne Brockmann handled Murph and Hannah’s story. Hannah is such a strong character and I loved how she didn’t let her deafness define her. She knew her limitations, was matter of fact about them, but she also didn’t let those limitations stop her from putting herself in harm’s way for Murphy. Their story is a sweet best friends turned lovers tale, with some heavy poignant moments that really grab at the reader’s heart. Readers will also be thrilled to know that Tess, Nash, Sophia, Dave and Decker play important roles in INTO THE FIRE. We also get to see Jenk, Lindsey, Tracy, Gillman and Lopez. And, yes, there is so much going on in this book that you will barely have the chance to catch your breath. Trust me, it’s a good thing. As is the fact that once you are done, you will feel emotionally exhausted, and completely jazzed about DARK OF NIGHT, the next book in the series. I have always been a huge fan of Suzanne Brockmann, so I can honestly say that if it has her name on the cover, I’m ninety percent sure I’m going to like it. Now, that’s not to say that I’ve loved every one of her books, because I haven’t. But, I know going in that she will always tell an amazing story and her characters will always have that extra oomph of awesomeness that makes me care about them. However, INTO THE FIRE, in my opinion, has even a little something extra that turns it from a great book into a truly compelling, absolutely-must-devour-right-this-second read. What are you waiting for? Run out and grab this book now!
Reviewed by Cindy |
TROUBLESHOOTERS BOOK 13:
Posted August 2008 |
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