If your child was killed in a fire deliberately started by someone and now after the perpetrator spending several years behind bars, but, is now released, would you think that was justice?

This father aims to get his revenge.

This is a very powerful but at times a thought provoking emotive read for any parent.

It doesn’t take long before the media has plenty to report as things take a turn drastically for the worse.

Is all as it seems?

Really got engrossed in this one.

Bookouture and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Playing With Fire. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

When convicted arsonist and killer Martin Chadwick is released from prison, the situation is complicated by a newspaper article with threats launched by the father of the victim. Tensions are high as the apparent retaliation continues, giving Detective Sergeant Jessica Daniel and her team more than enough work to fill their days. Between the suicides and the fires, the police department is at its wit's end in the investigation. When the fire bug strikes close to home, will the team be able to figure out the pieces of the puzzle before it is too late?

I am not really a fan of where Jessica Daniel's character is taken in this book, especially considering her history. Her indecisiveness in her private life was too center stage in Playing With Fire and it took away from the central story. Although I did discern the identity of the perpetrator early on, parts of the mystery were well hidden by the author. There was really nothing exciting or remarkably unique about Playing With Fire, as it was really just more of the same for this series. Readers who have been following Jessica Daniel will like the book as an update to the character, but those new to the series might not be all that impressed with her or the overall plot.

thrilling like the rest of the series just love them

So, we meet again with Detective Jessica Daniel, in this fifth book of the series.

I followed this detective since the first book and it was interesting how she evolved from the unexperienced detective to what she became now, without loosing the "charm" of her maddening personality.

The story begins with the release of a Martin Chadwick, who, 7 years ago, set an empty pub on fire accidentally killing a young men. The victim's father was still holding a grudge, Martin's son had his share of suffering also, and everyone was on edge!
But, then one girl commited suicide, and then another. And there was a fire, and then another, and another. And everything led back to the same person.

I enjoyed the story and how it developped. I also enjoyed the confusion created by the lack of any connection between the different accidents.
As i already said, i felt that Jessica matured between the different books, but i still feel that she sometimes seemed a bit irresponsible.

I was surprised by the end, I did not expect it, but it made sense.
and i would recommend this book.

I got this copy through NetGalley.

I only discovered Kerry Wilkinson earlier this year and I'm SO glad I did! I have read and loved all of his books so far and Playing with fire is another cracking read. I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't put it down there are lots of twists and It kept me guessing till the end. Love Jessica Daniel and I am dying to start reading the next book in the series!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy of Playing With Fire in return for an honest review!

I've really been enjoying this series and can't believe that I have just finished reading book five already! I love Jessica's complicated character and her nature. I love how she interacts with her colleagues and they interact with her. This book covered some tough subjects but with a light touch in between to make it a little easier to handle.

As usual, we learn a little more about Jessica’s life; her engagement to her boyfriend, her reluctance to set a date for the wedding, her getting on with her job. Playing with Fire is a fantastic detective book! This book has it all... murder, arson and revenge! What else could you want? The plot has many twists and turns that kept me guessing. If you enjoy that edge of your seat type of suspense than this is the book for you!

Really enjoying this series and can't believe that I have just finished reading book five already! I love Jessica's complicated character and nature and how she interacts with her colleagues. This book covered some tough subjects but with a light touch in between and I thoroughly enjoyed it - looking forward to starting book six - 4 stars from me

Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author of this book for the opportunity to read it in return for my honest opinion.

This was the first book I have read in the Jessica Daniel series, very interesting character I do like a good police procedural and this definitely was one. I know that I will definitely be reading in the first four books to get to know Jessica a little bit better. I like the way the character is written, The author wrote a very good story very interesting and I did not suspect who the bad guy was in the end.

Thanks Netgalley and Bookouture for books 1-6

A solid good read, I was able to figure it out fairly quickly, so that was a bit disappointing, but that could be that I have binge read this series, so I am getting acutely aware of Kerry's writing style, and maybe the books are all making my brain turn to mush. In a good way of course. I've enjoyed my ride so far with this series, and I am very glad I've gotten the opportunity to read them.

The fifth in the series and Jessica is dealing with cold feet. She's also dealing with several cases of arson and teenage suicide and it's impossible to say if these cases are connected or not. For some reason, these cases are affecting her in ways others have not.

I continue to enjoy this series, although this book didn't feel quite as sharp as the prior ones. I had figured out the who in the whodunit early on, unlike his other books. And I didn't care for the mechanism at the end when Jessica knows who she's after but the story is written to keep you in the dark. I'd give this book a 3.5 stars, rounded up to four.

I do like Kerry’s letters at the end of each book, often telling where his inspiration for the book came from. This one was especially interesting as he explains why he was able to get the parts concerning the fire so right.

Thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Playing with Fire is a super good detective novel. This book has it all-murder, arson and revenge. There were many twists and turns to keep me guessing. If you enjoy edge of your seat suspense this book is for you.

DS Jessica Daniels is assigned to escort a released prisoner home - he was jailed for arson on an empty pub but unfortunately a young drunk man had gone into the building to sleep it off. The local paper has told everyone the arsonist is being released and have interviewed the victim's father so the police are making sure he arrives home safely. After some graffiti and a brick through the window the released man's house is set alight while he's in it. Jessica is also called to invesigate the suspected suicide of a teenage girl. She ends up investigating another arson and another suspected teenage suicide before becoming a victim herself. I'm not reading this series in order but this isn't distracting me from my enjoyment of the books. Jessica Daniels is a very good character and I look forward to reading more of the series.


Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and Kerry Wilkinson for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Once again Kerry Wilkinson has pulled it out of the bag. This was another gripping chapter in the life of Jessica Daniels.
At the beginning of this book, DI Jessica Daniels draws the short straw on accompanying arsonist Martin Chadwick on his release from prison after he burnt down a pub with a young teenager asleep inside. Three fires, two teenage suicides are keeping her busy then throw a private eye, the newspapers and love life issues making things is so very complicated..........
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this unfold and didn't manage to work out who is was until two pages before we were given the culprit.
Excellent, recommended muchly if you like believable and likeable (and not so likeable) characters.

Read all my reviews on my blog at: https://brainfartsandbooks.wordpress.com

This one slipped right under that 4 star rating because of the ending. That’s right, the ending. I guessed it but I didn’t want my guess to be right because it was so obvious (to me, anyway). The mystery was solved really quickly in the last 12% of the book. Up to that moment, the book was 5 stars all the way. Should you read it? Yes. I absolutely love the main character Jessica Daniel. But expect it to be like a big ass piece of cheesecake. At the end, you’re just eating it to finish it. Savor the beginning and the middle…umm and that graham cracker crust, but don’t expect a grand finale of any sort.

Thank you to Kerry Wilkinson, Bookouture, and NetGalley for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another brilliant book in a brilliant series! I have read every single one so far and have loved each one. The author raises the bar with each book and the series keeps getting better and better. It is wonderful to watch Jessica Daniel mature with each book - amazing series, one of my favourites by far. Cannot wait for the next!

A truly enjoyable keep you on your toes book!!! Really fast paced right until the end which is totally unexpected!! Brilliant! Thank you netgalley.

Jessica daniels is fast becoming one of my top series to read. The author has the ability to make you love the characters which is rare in a book from what I have seen.

Just couldn't do a full on blog review. I have added it to my goodreads.

Another decent instalment in this series of light hearted crime novels. The plot flys along at breakneck speed with the police struggling to keep up and causing confusion as a result.

Playing with Fire Kerry Wilkinson

Seven years ago, a young lad, Alfie, has too much to drink and staggers home. He’s lost his wallet and can’t get a lift. Stopping at a derelict pub he decides to shelter from the weather and sleep inside for the night.

Unfortunately for him Martin Chadwick decides to burn the pub down that night, killing Alfie.

Martin is tried and convicted for manslaughter, and now he is being released from prison.

There have been threats against Chadwick so his release from prison is supervised by DS Jessica Daniel. In an unorthodox passage from prison Jess talks to Chadwick and finds him strangely humble.

At the same time, Private Detective Andrew Hunter is hired to find out who got a rich man’s daughter pregnant.

What follows is a series of arson attacks and some teenage suicides, but are they all connected, and if so, who is the connection.

During the investigation, Jess Daniels crosses paths with journalists and must rely on help from unexpected allies. At the same time she is dealing with issues in her private life.

The main thread of this story rotates around the arson attacks and the possible connections between them, and maybe the suicides.

Those of you who have read my bio will know that I spent 30 years in the Fire Service with 12 years as a Fire Scene Investigator.

There is a scene in this book which is the best I have ever read when describing events inside a fire.

This is reflective of the whole book, it’s a great story, well researched well written.

There is a great blend between the investigations and the private life of the main character. Jess Daniel has had a turbulent career. For those of you who haven’t read the other books in the series I would highly recommend that you put them straight to the top of your to-read-list.

Right I’m off to read more Kerry Wilkinson.