Into The Fire

What a splendid first book by Adrienne Giordano in her foray into the mystery genre. With a pitch perfect arc of characters’ personalities and idiosyncrasies that drive the building of layers that are then peeled back to keep the reader drawn to the twists and turns of a “Who Done It” that very well will blindside you with its revelations.

The building of the partnership between Rose and Raelynn with its moments of warmth, also provides such wonderful entertainment in the development of the relationship of a duo of dynamic women who form an unlikely alliance towards a common goal.

With so many moving parts in the unraveling of a three decades old cold case, the pages could not turn fast enough for this reader to find what salacious scandal will unfold next. Within one mystery, is another and another, all woven together seamlessly to provide more than one red herring in this author’s master strokes at misdirection.

I for one am on tenterhooks with anticipation towards the next installment of a Rose Trudeau mystery. I know from experience with Ms Giordano’s writing, each new story will keep me riveted from opening to closing paragraphs.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the author. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I recently downloaded my max allowed books for Kindle Unlimited, then received Into the Fire from Adrienne, which was an unexpected but awesome surprise when I finally went through my emails and came across this gem. I of course read Into the Fire first and now have no desire to crack into one of the ten books I was looking forward to reading. I am obsessed with wanting more of Rose and Rae, characters so well written that you just feel like you know them and want to be part of their lives. You don't feel like you’re reading a story but being part of the experience right along with the dynamic duo. Rae's struggle to be an above board and honest reporter despite the threats and hatred that came about from her last instigative article tries her luck with Rose Thrudeau, Hollywood elite and survivor of a massive hotel fire that killed 100 people and injured even more. Rose has never talked about that dreadful day since it happened 30 years ago but with the persistent Rae finally decides it's time. Rae's anniversary remembrance piece about Rose and the Grande quickly turns into investigation of the unsolved cold case of arson and total destruction of the Grande. Rose and Rae uncover money laundering, Hollywood affairs, former president scandals and of course murder. Threats from their past come bounding about making them targets and uncertain futures until this cold case it's solved.

Adrienne Giordano is spreading her wings like never before with her latest release INTO THE FIRE, and man did she soar! Her voice has always been strong and relatable in the romance and quirky mystery stories I've read by her over the years and that stands true in this book as well, but with an added level of an almost a journalistic quality. Her characters have heart and let it show through, but the detailed renditions of the crime scene, the aftermath and the investigation makes her reader feel like they've stepped back in time to physically be in the midst of the fire themselves. Her character development was great, the setting and follow through of this horrific fire was amazing and overall I couldn't have loved this story more.

RaeLynn caught my attention from the first page when the depth of her yearning to tell this story came through instantly. She's upbeat and dedicated, but was sensitive and caring towards Rose's pain. I enjoyed her character.

Rose was a spitfire and only made the reader wish we could have lived her life with her along the way. She was a joy to watch and my heart went out to her as secrets begin to unravel that change the past she lived.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the solving of a cold case and unraveling of a powerful mystery.