Review: A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins (audio)

Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio

Published: August 31, 2021

Source: ALC via Libro.fm

 

Summary:

With the same propulsion that captivated millions of readers worldwide in The Girl on the Train and Into the Water, Paula Hawkins unfurls a gripping, twisting story of deceit, murder, and revenge.

When a young man is found gruesomely murdered in a London houseboat, it triggers questions about three women who knew him. Laura is the troubled one-night-stand last seen in the victim’s home. Carla is his grief-stricken aunt, already mourning the recent death of yet another family member. And Miriam is the nosy neighbor clearly keeping secrets from the police. Three women with separate connections to the victim. Three women who are – for different reasons – simmering with resentment. Who are, whether they know it or not, burning to right the wrongs done to them. When it comes to revenge, even good people might be capable of terrible deeds. How far might any one of them go to find peace? How long can secrets smolder before they explode into flame?

Look what you started.

 

My thoughts:

As soon as I heard Paula Hawkin’s had a new book coming up, I knew I had to read it. It became an anticipated read for the month and I was thrilled to be able to get an early listening copy thanks to Libro.fm. – and it totally delivered! I absolutely loved this one and it might be my new favorite of hers!

I think for me, audio works the best with this author. I had listened to her last book, Into the Water, and ended up loving it, and had the same experience here. Rosamund Pike was just fantastic choice to make for this audio, really bringing this book to life and I think that had a lot to do with my enjoyment.

This is a slow-burn that builds up to quite a dramatic and quite eye-opening ending and I could not get enough of it. I loved the cast of characters – which were both likeable and unlikeable. At first it’s a bit cumbersome trying to figure out who is who, but once you get into the rhythm of the story, they each stand out. There’s also the alternating timelines and the book within a book structure that takes a little while to adjust to, but these all add to the complexity of the story and I loved it!

I found myself completely mesmerized by this story, trying to piece together everything, wondering just how it would all come together. I loved the writing style and how atmospheric it was, filled with twists and turns that I did not see coming. And the unreliable narrators makes it so that you aren’t sure who you can trust.

Paula Hawkins is certainly a talented writer – there’s no doubt about that! I loved this story and loved the fact that I did not see that ending coming…it was so clever! I cannot wait to see what she writes next…I will for sure be picking it up!

 

Audio thoughts:

As I mentioned above, Rosamund Pike narrates this one and I thought she did a fantastic job. Her pacing and intonation were spot on and she really did a great job with all the characters, giving them unique voices and personalities. She infused just the right amount of emotion and tension into her voice as needed and really made this book stand out. I loved it!