Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Firestorm

Firestorm
Firestorm
Author: Iris Johansen
PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780553586497
ISBN-10: 0553586491
Publication Date: 8/30/2005
Pages: 339
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 318

3.8 stars, based on 318 ratings
Publisher: Bantam
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

78 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Firestorm on
Helpful Score: 3
I must have read a different version than everyone else because I couldn't stand this book. The characters are developed only shallowly. Even though horrible things have happened to them, the author didn't create any feelings of sympathy for them. The best developed person in the book is the butler, but he is a minor character. She uses short sections to jump between characters and action points. I assume she meant for that to make the action tense and fast. It fails. All it is is choppy and poorly developed. The story has an original concept, so I was sorry to see it so poorly developed and written.
reviewed Firestorm on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Kerry Murphy and her dog Sam try to uncover the arsonist before he gets to her. A fast read.
reviewed Firestorm on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
this was a very good book
reviewed Firestorm on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great book! I couldn't put it down. Story has suspense, romance, and a touch of paranormal.
reviewed Firestorm on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting plot!
reviewed Firestorm on + 90 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a fast paced thriller. The lead character is Kerry Murphy who works as an arson investigator ... but her past impacts her present.
reviewed Firestorm on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A super good bood. Once you start you can't put it down.
reviewed Firestorm on
Helpful Score: 1
A terrific thriller is true Johansen style
reviewed Firestorm on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really love Johansen books. I only discovered her a year or so ago and immediately read all of her prior books.
reviewed Firestorm on + 22 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A true Thriller
DanJohnson avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 63 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A fast paced read. Worthwhile for those who enjoy a good suspenseful thriller.
reviewed Firestorm on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I like everything this author writes she is a great author
reviewed Firestorm on + 43 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I love the heroin and her partner dog. I've read several of these, and they're great.
reviewed Firestorm on + 114 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book mixes supernatural elements with suspense.
A very good book.
GreytMama avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great mystery with a paranormal aspect. Unexpected twists.
reviewed Firestorm on + 190 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A very good suspense story. Keeps your interest and reads very quickly.
prosperedwoman avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 92 more book reviews
NY Times Bestselling author turns up the heat in this explosive new psychological thriller that will have readers turning pages as if they were burning. This time a gifted arson investigator teams up w/ a mysterious operative to stopn a killer raging completely out of control.
reviewed Firestorm on + 187 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy the inferno is never far away the flames of the long ago night still burn in her nightmares the heat the choking smoke the helplessness she can never run fast enough now kerry works as an arson investigatior with her evidence sniffing dog sam together they're a great team but only kerry knows the real reason that they'ro so good at what they do only kerry and someone from the past she thought she's put far behind her.
reviewed Firestorm on + 28 more book reviews
a gifted arson investigator teams up with a mysterious operative to stop a killer raging completely out of control -- excellent book by Iris -- loved it!
reviewed Firestorm on + 25 more book reviews
Engrossing page-turner for light reading. Suspenseful.
reviewed Firestorm on + 52 more book reviews
Kerry works as an arson investigator with her evidence-sniffing dog, Sam. Together they're a great team, but only she knows the real reason that they are so good. From out of the ashes of another tragedy, a stranger appears. How does he know so much about her and her "talents". Together they work together to find a psychopath who has left a gruesome trail of fiery deaths.
reviewed Firestorm on + 143 more book reviews
This book is a favorite. A young girl discovers links between her past and the future. SHe's an arson expert.
reviewed Firestorm on + 66 more book reviews
A gifted arson investigator joins forces with a mysterious operative to stop a killer raging completely out of control. Kerry works with her dog to sniff out the real cause of fires. She comes spirit to spirit with Brad Silver and sparks begin to fly. A fast paced work.
reviewed Firestorm on + 41 more book reviews
I love Iris Johansen's books. Firestorm is an imaginative psychological thriller that is hard to put down. A great read!
reviewed Firestorm on + 69 more book reviews
great read I love this series.
Harleygirl avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 248 more book reviews
Johansen turns up the heat in this explosive psychological thriller that will have readers turning pages as if they were burning. This time a gifted arson investigator teams up with a mysterious operative to stop a killer raging completely out of control.
reviewed Firestorm on + 13 more book reviews
Iris Johansen is a writer that keeps you wanting more. I can't wait to finish her books, then wish there was more. This was another one that I couldn't put down.
msmagoo avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 15 more book reviews
Good book....not my favorite, but a good read. It's one of those books where you really like the main characters and are 'rootn' for them all the way! You can't go wrong with an Iris Johansen book.
geejay avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 85 more book reviews
"Firestorm" is a supernatural mystery thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat as you read the day (or night) away. Kerry Murphy works as an arson investigator with her dog, Sam. No one knows the real reason Kerry is so good at her job, and it isn't Sam's superior evidence-sniffing ability. When Kerry was a little girl, her mother died in a fire. As Kerry was running out of the house to get help, an unknown man hit her in the head with a metallic object. She was in a coma for two years and when she awoke she possessed a psychic talent which is triggered by fire.

Brad Silver also has psychic abilities. He is able to invade other people's minds and control their thoughts. Brad is after the man who created Firestorm, a method of spontaneous combustion. The same man who murdered his brother and sister-in-law using a burning car as the weapon. Brad needs Kerry's psychic ability to sense where and when fires will happen to catch this psychopath.

I was really drawn into this story. It is suspenseful. The characters have rather unique traits and are very likable. I'm don't dispute some people having physic abilities. So the book is believable to me.
babshayes avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 45 more book reviews
Really good mystery.
sapphire80 avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 21 more book reviews
This is my least favorite Johansen book to date. I couldn't get a feel for Kerry, never cared for her throughout the book. Something felt very one-dimensional in this story...never got in to the characters and it ended somewhat abruptly. Disappointed.
reviewed Firestorm on + 102 more book reviews
Johansen does not disapoint with this one. Couldn't put it down.
Marcia avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 378 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy, ithe inferno is never far away. The flames of that long-ago night still burn in her nightmares. The heat, the choking smoke, the helplessness. She can never run fast eough.... Now Kerry works as an arson investigator wit her evidence-sniffing dog, Sam. Together they're a great teak, but only Kerry kows the real reason that they're so good at what they do.. only Kerry ad someone from a past shte thought she'd put far behind her.
reviewed Firestorm on + 153 more book reviews
One of Iris Johansen's finest. Fast paced, easy to follow and holds your attention to the last page. A keeper.
cnmor avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 93 more book reviews
Definetely one of Iris Johansen's best. Very fast read. Thoroughly enjoyable.
reviewed Firestorm on + 170 more book reviews
Another good Iris Johansen book... alittle different from what I am used to but a page turner.
reviewed Firestorm on + 50 more book reviews
"For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The flames of a long-ago nightmare still burn in her memory: the heat, the choking smoke, the helplessness. She can never run fast enough...

Now Kerry works as an arson investigator with her evidence-sniffing dog, Sam. Together they're a great team, but Kerry's life is about to change in the time it takes to strike a match. Who is Silver? And why has the mysterious operative chosen her in the deperate race to find a killer determined to ignite hell on earth? Even together, Kerry and Silver may not have a chance against a psychopath as coldhearted as his method is red-hot. There is only one chance to save themselves and the innoncent lives at stake. Kerry will have to reach deep into a past that already came close to detroying her once. She will have to do what she hoped she'd never have to: fight fire with fire."
reviewed Firestorm on + 265 more book reviews
Kerry, an arson investigator, and her arson sniffing dog, join forces with a physic, to find a killer. Intelligent, suspenseful and romance all in one package
Maya33 avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 225 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The flames of a long ago nightmare still burn in her memory : the heat, the choking smoke, the helplessness. She can never run fast enough.
reviewed Firestorm on + 5 more book reviews
This one was really excellent, I didn't want to put it down. Such a volitile relationship these people have with each other! I didn't like the way they so casually handled the social services issues concerning the children, it wasn't realistic... but I liked the outcome nonetheless. Great Book.
reviewed Firestorm on + 66 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book and I hope a sequel results from this. If you like books about psychics and mysteries this is a book to read. It kept me guessing to the end. It was hard to put down once I started reading it!
reviewed Firestorm on + 9 more book reviews
Kerry Murphy works as an arson investigator with her arson sniffing dog. They race to find a killer determined to ignite hell on earth.
reviewed Firestorm on + 211 more book reviews
Exiting!
reviewed Firestorm on + 27 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The flames of a long ago nightmare still burn in her memory; the heat, the choking smoke, the helplessness. She can never run fast enough.
reviewed Firestorm on + 517 more book reviews
I have enjoyed all of Iris's books and this one did not disappoint. Very good book
reviewed Firestorm on + 13 more book reviews
Very quick and exciting read!
reviewed Firestorm on + 106 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy the inferno is never far away. The flames of long ago nightmares still burn in ther memory. Now Kerry works as an arson investigator with her evidence sniffing dog, Sam. But Kerry's life is about to change. Who is Silver? And why has the mysterious operative chosen her in the desperate race to find a killer determined to ignite hell on earth?
reviewed Firestorm on + 28 more book reviews
FOR KERRY MURPHY, THE INFERNO IS NEVER FAR AWAY. THE FLAMES OF A LONG-AGO NIGHTMARE STILL BURN IN HER MEMORY, THE HEAT , THE CHOCKING SMOKE, THE HELPESSNESS. SHE CAN NEVER RUN FAST ENOUGH.....
NEW KERRY WORKS AS AN ARSON INVESTIGATOR WITH HER EVIDENCE-SNIFFING DOG, SAM. TOGETHER THEY'RE A GREAT TEAM, BUT KERRY'S LIFE IS ABOUT TO CHANGE IN THE TIME IT TAKES TO STRIKE A MATCH. WHO IS SILVER? AND WHY HAS THE MYSTEROIUS OPERATIVE CHOSEN HER IN THE DESPERATE RACE TO FIND A KILLER DETERMINED TO IGNITE HELL ON EARTH? EVEN TOGETHER, KERRY AND SILVER MAY NOT HAVE A CHANCE AGAINST A PSYCHOPATH AS COLDHEARTED AS HIS METHOD IS RED-HOT. THERE IS ONLY ONE CHANCE TO SAVE THEMSELVES AND THE INNOCENT LIVES AT STAKE. KERRY WILL HAVE TO REACH DEEP INTO A PAST THAT ALREADY CAME CLOSE TO DESTROYING HER ONCE. SHE WILL HAVE TO DO WHAT SHE HOPED SHE'D NEVER HAVE TO DO: FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE.
reviewed Firestorm on + 53 more book reviews
Good writer Interesting murder thriller
reviewed Firestorm on + 29 more book reviews
Story of an arson investigator with a secret and a man who try to find a psychopathic pyromaniac before he kills more victims.
reviewed Firestorm on + 26 more book reviews
very good and intriguing suspense.
reviewed Firestorm on + 6 more book reviews
Great read. Exciting till the end with a twist at the finish.
reviewed Firestorm on + 46 more book reviews
Good twist at the end. Suspenseful--keeps your attention.
reviewed Firestorm on + 40 more book reviews
Kerry is an arson investigator with a haunting path. Silver has chosen her to help find a killer determined to ignite hell on earth. In order to save themselves and innocent lives, Kerry must reach inside herself into a past that came close to destroying her. She will have to fight fire with fire.
reviewed Firestorm on + 102 more book reviews
I do like Iris Johansen. This one did not disapoint.
reviewed Firestorm on + 17 more book reviews
This is the first book I picked up by this author. This is a great read and I've added another author to me must read list.
echoes77 avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 12 more book reviews
Johansen never lets me stop reading until the very end!
reviewed Firestorm on + 35 more book reviews
Very good read...
reviewed Firestorm on + 25 more book reviews
I enjoy all her books...good mysteries
reviewed Firestorm on + 5 more book reviews
Interesting read
reviewed Firestorm on + 579 more book reviews
for kerry murphy ,the inferno is never far away. the flames of a long -ago nightmare still burn in her memory. the heat, the choking smoke,the helpleness ,. sh e can never run fast enough.
reviewed Firestorm on + 103 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy, he inferno is never far away. The flames of a long ago nightmare still burn in her memory. The heat, the chocking smoke, the helplessness. She can never run fast enough. To save her life she will have to fight fire with fire.
reviewed Firestorm on + 711 more book reviews
An explosive new psychological thriller that will have readers turning pages as if they were burning. This time a gifted arson investigator teams up with a mysterious operative to stop a killer raging completely out of control. For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The flames of that long-ago night still burn in her nightmares: the heat, the choking smoke, the helplessness. She can never run fast enough...
reviewed Firestorm on + 22 more book reviews
I love this author. She keeps you wondering all the way to the end, and as usual, adds a little twist.
reviewed Firestorm on + 277 more book reviews
Kerry has no desire to be known for her unusual ability to identify the true causes behind the fires she investigates, so keeps her dog Sam always handy to take the credit. But Brad needs her ability to track down the monster who is killing senators and key scientists that closed down a very special, but frightening project....
aussiekez1 avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 26 more book reviews
Great book, enjoyed reading this.
bbethieboop avatar reviewed Firestorm on
Great book. Anything by Iris Johansen is worth reading.
reviewed Firestorm on + 41 more book reviews
Kerry is an arson invetigator along with her evidence-sniffing dog Sam. They have one chance to save themselves and innocent lives from a psychopath who wants to ignite hell on earth.
reviewed Firestorm on + 147 more book reviews
Arson investigator Kerry Murphy has a unique talent for sniffing out the cause of fires like the one that killed her mother years ago. She also has a secret, known only to the mysterious stranger named Silver, a "consultant" who needs her cooperation in stopping the psychopath who burned his brother alive and who's holding national security hostage to his own demented ego. Silver has an uncanny gift for getting under Kerry's skin, which is both the good and bad news--good because it doubles their chances of finding the man behind the terrifying weapon of the title, and bad because Kerry can't afford to be vulnerable to Silver or any other man.
Susanaque avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 422 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The flames od a long ago nightmare still burn in her memory:the heat, the choking smoke, the helpless ness. She can never run fast enough..............
reviewed Firestorm on + 63 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The flames of a long-ago nightmare still burn in her memory: the heat, the choking smoke, the helplessness. She can never run fast enough...

Now Kerry works as an arson investigator with her evidence sniffing dog, Sam. Together they're a great team, but Kerry's life is about to change in the time it takes to strike a match. Who is Silver? And why has the mysterious operative chosen her in the desperate race to find a killer determined to ignite hell on earth? Even together, Kerry and Silver may not have a chance against a psychopath as coldherted as his method is red-hot. There is only one chance to save themselves and the innocent lives at stake. Kerry will have to reach deep into a past that already came close to destroying her once. She will have to do what she hoped she'd never have to: fight fire with fire.
reviewed Firestorm on + 112 more book reviews
"For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The long-ago nightmare still burn in her memory:...Now Kerry works as an arson investigator with her evidence-sniffing dog, Sam. Together they're a great team, but Kerry's life is about to change in the time it takes to strike a match".
reviewed Firestorm on + 8 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The flames of a long-ago nightmare still burn in her memory: the heat, the choking smoke, the helplessness. She can never run fast enough...Now Kerry works as an arson investigator with her evidence-sniffing dog, Sam. Together they're a great team, but Kerry's life is about to change in the time it takes to strike a match. Who is Silver? And why has the mysterious operative chosen her in the desperate race to find a killer determined to ignite hell on earth? Even together,Kerry and Silver may not have a chance against a psychopath as coldhearted as his method is red-hot. There is only one chance to save themselves and the innocent live at stake. Kerry will have to reach deep into a past that already came close to destroying her once. She will have to do what she hoped she'd never have to: fight fire with fire.
Grnemae avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 451 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy the inferno is never far away. The flames of a long-ago nightmare still burn in her memory. Now Kerry works as an arson investigator with her dog Sam who is an evidence sniffing dog. They are a great team but changes are coming. Who is Silver and why has the mysterious operative chosen Kerry in a desperate race to find a killer. Kerry will have to reach deep into a past that came close to destroying her onve, Now she will have to do what she hoped would never come - fight fire with fire.
reviewed Firestorm on + 373 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The flames of a long=ago nightmare still burn in her memory: the heat, the choking smoke, the helplessness. She can never run fast enough...

Now Kerry works as an arson investigator with her evidence-sniffing dog, Sam. Together they're a great team, but Kerry's life is about to change in the time it takes to strike a match. Who is Silver? And why has the mysterious operative chosen her in the desperate race to find a killer determined to ignite hell on earth? Even together, Kerry and Silver may not have a chance against a psychopath as coldhearted as his method is red-hot. There is only one chance to save themselves and the innocent lives at stake. Kerry will have to reach deep into a past that already came close to destroying her once. She will have to do what she hoped she's never have to: fight fire with fire.
reviewed Firestorm on + 475 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The flames of a long-ago nightmare still burn in her memory: the heat, the choking smoke, the helplessness. She can never run fast enough... Now Kerry works as an arson investigator with her evidence-sniffing dog, Sam. Together they're a great team, but Kerry's life is about to change in the time it takes to strike a match. Who is Silver? And why has the mysterious operative chosen her in the desperate race to find a killer determined to ignite hell on earth? Even together, Kerry and Silver may not have a chance against a psychopath as coldhearted as his method is red-hot. There is only one chance to save themselves and the innocent lives at stake. Kerry will have to reach deep into a past that already came close to destroying her once. She will have to do what she hoped she'd never have to: fight fire with fire.
CraftyTJ avatar reviewed Firestorm on + 381 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The flames of a long ago nightmare still burn in her memory.
reviewed Firestorm on + 5 more book reviews
For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The flames of a long-ago nightmare still burn in her memory: the heat, the choking smoke, the helplessness. She can never run fast enough...

Now Kerry works as an arson investigator with her evidence-sniffing dog, Sam. Together they're a great team, but Kerry's life is about the change in the time it takes to strike a match. Who is Silver? And why has the mysterious oeprative chosen her in the desperate race to find a killer determined to ignite hell on earth? Even together, Kerry and Silver may not have a chance against a psychopath as coldhearted as his method is red-hot. There is only one chance to save themselves and the innocent lives at stake. Kerry will have to reach deep into a past that already came close to destroying her once. She will have to do what she hoped she'd never have to: fight fire with fire.