Burn You Twice

Set in Missoula Montana, this crime procedural focuses on a suspended Philadelphia detective, Joan Mason, as she returns home to face her past along with some new and unforeseen threats to her and her family. Yikes!This story focuses on multiple fires and victims, while investigations seek into identify the perpetrators among several possible suspects. Several former friends and relationships add intrigue and interest as the storyline develops.Having read many of the author's works before, I appreciated how well the plot, characters, narration, and dialogue of this novel really came together better in a cohesive and engaging read. Characters were real and likeable, only adding to Burton's fast-paced storytelling.Montana's culture and northern mountains play a supporting role in creating a vivid reading experience, while adding to each character's personality amid an early autumn of cold and the smells of another building going up in flames. Arson or accident?Of Burton's suspenseful thrillers, this novel really kept to the plotline without any distracting or cliched steamy love scenes that cluttered previous works. As such, the story was stronger and impossible to put down. Whether this is a standalone book or the beginning of a series, without doubt it is a satisfying read. Great for a needed distraction on a stormy weekend or to liven up your lunchtime reading.Not disappointed in the book or Audible's enjoyable narration companion purchase. While struggling through some other longer and more serious books, this fast, fun read was a welcome escape and diversion.

Mary Burton writes it, I read it. This is an okay book, and one that you'll want to read through till the end once you start it. That said, it's far from top-10 in my Burton collection.I did not like Joan, the lead female character, at all. She's a Philly detective who has just come off a rough case (career-wise) and is taking some time off. She ventures to Montana where she attended college in order to look into a case in which she was a victim during her senior year there. Joan felt unapproachable and remote throughout the book with only a couple of exceptions. She consistently broke the rules jeopardized investigations. In doing so, she put people that she should have cared about in peril (professionally and personally.) If Gideon, her counterpart and the male lead, handled laws with the cavalier spirit that Joan did, I'd have the same reaction so this isn't about a woman who pushes the envelope. It's about any gun-toting, sworn officer of the law thinking that rules are not made for her/him.What I did like: the mystery surrounding several fires and murders was good and kept me guessing to the 75% mark. The characters are multi-faceted and well-developed. I appreciate that all the characters were realistic (except Joan imho.)This is a good read and I somewhat recommend it. Please don't read it as a romance because it's not although there are romantic entanglements in the past with all the main characters, as well as a complex web of romantic relationships across the secondary characters.

Hold on for a thrilling ride! This book packs a punch and is filled with suspense, action, romance, family, righting wrongs, second chances, and a crazed arsonist. The psychological aspect was intense and there were many twists and turns that held the mystery and suspense throughout the read, along with a surprise ending. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. A must read for Mary Burton fans!*I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Mary Burton strikes gold again. Burn You Twice takes the reader on a journey in search of an arsonist. This is a subject that is rarely written about and Ms. Burton did an excellent job capturing its' intensity. The characters are awesome and the plot takes you in a direction you did not expect. There are twists and turns that are unexpected but for those who love puzzles, you will not be disappointed. This was a roller coaster ride that just kept going and as always, I eagerly await to see what Ms. Burton creates next.

When I first read Mary Burtons book, I accepted that she doesn't really create all that much romance. So if that's what you want, this read not is for you.Too short in my opinion and while it was a very attentive read, it didn’t leave me completely satisfied hence why 3 stars instead of higher which I so wanted to give. Its been quiet some time since I read a book cantered on Arson so that alone probably added to the intrigue. Characters held my curiosity and same with the crimes. I’ve always liked getting the POV of more than a few characters which was great to get. And even though it was easy enough to figure out the “whodunit” it didn’t spoil the story which had ripples of some tension and suspension. In truth I’ve always been more into the process of the investigation and what it unearths and how pieces fit together in any given book with law enforcement solving crimes.Elijah Weston is released from prison after serving 10 years for a college fire. His the first suspect when a structure fire occurs with one casualty. Montana Detective Gideon Bailey is lead on the case and is joined by homicide detective Joan Mason who is on suspension from her job in Philadelphia. What I didn’t like and was reason rated lower - Spoiler, [although Gideon was shown to do his bit, it was like there was more focus put on Joan and I certainly didn’t like her doing things without keeping Gideon in the loop] At least I got to know Gideon (unlike the two-male protagonist of the two previous books) Cousins Kyle and Nate added that bit more interest and the character that jumped out at me the most was Elijah. He had a strong presence. Too cool and charming which was at odds for someone who spend 10 years in prison. Cleaver with great insight and no doubt a dark side.“Near You” out April 2021, I hope will tie up dangling threads with part of me hoping my thinking of one character being nothing more than a cunning manipulate dangerous individual with an agenda is wrong

This was a cracking suspense thriller that had me turning the pages well into the night, even though I figured out who the guilty party was early on. But that didn't stop me enjoying it, or the ride I was taken on. And the twists, and turns along the way had me eager to stay awake and find out what happened next.

Excellent gripping story but I figured out baddie by page 108. This didn't spoil the rest of the story. There were quite a number of inconsistencies. Gideon is driving but she parks!?!? Books shouldn't have them, especially those from a publishing house. I despair. Story flowed well.

I really enjoyed this story, it had a mix of crime, friendship and love.The characters were all interesting, although I guessed the perpetrator, it didn't spoil my enjoyment.

Well, these books are my guilty secret. Usually a bit romantic, and make me cringe in bits in spite of the great storylines. As an older man, I'm not quite so hung up on the smoochies and romantic tension - this one is a great story, a little fomulaic as always with Mary (usually you can predict the clothes coming off to within 10-20 pages by about 2 chapters in, but this one is much more subtle). But great story, great twist in the tale. Will be back for more.

This was a good read. it was one of those books that you don't want to put down. I liked the characters especially the detactive, Gideon. Elijah was a complex character and you constantly wondered did he or didn't he set the fires. Only thing against it was that I found it easy to work out who was the perpetrator well before the end. Still i would recommend this as a good read