Congratulations to the writing team; Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman. I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced dramatic tale about Clay Edison and his quest for the truth when his brother mysteriously disappears.

This is book 4 in a series, but, can easily be read as a standalone. I've not enjoyed all of the previous books; but, this seemed to really have a flow and the role of the fires in California are so vividly portrayed.

The characters are all well rounded and interesting and the storyline absolutely hooked me and maintained my interest throughout. All in all I found it to be a fantastic mystery and a riveting read.

Thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview.

My thanks to Random House U.K. Cornerstone/Century for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Burning’ by Jonathan & Jesse Kellerman, in exchange for an honest review.

This is the fourth in their series set in Alameda County, California featuring Deputy Coroner Clay Edison. Last year I read ‘Lost Souls’ and so had some details about the series, though the Kellermans do provide background on the characters and setting for new readers.

With wildfires blazing out of control and blackouts sweeping the State of California, Clay’s latest case finds him caught between his professional duty and his loyalty to family.

Clay is called to attend a crime scene at a hilltop luxury home. The wealthy murder victim is a collector of sports memorabilia and rare cars. In the victim’s hanger-sized garage Clay is shocked to see a car that he knows well: a 1969 Camaro SS/Z28, restored to perfection by his brother Luke. Why is the Camaro there?

Luke is only recently out of prison and struggling to stay on the straight and narrow. Clay is anxious to talk to Luke about his connection to the victim but he can’t seem to locate him. Surely he isn’t a killer?

This was a fast paced crime thriller that certainly tested its protagonist’s ethics. Some of the plot was a bit ‘out there’ though this didn’t detract from my finding it an entertaining read.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

The Burning is the fourth instalment in the Clay Edison series set in the Bay Area of Northern California. Alameda County's Deputy Coroner Clay Edison is called to attend a crime scene despite the danger of the raging wildfire in the area. Donning a respirator mask, he arrives at his destination: the sprawling home and its idyllic surroundings belong to none other than affluent widower Rory Vandervelde. An avid collector of luxurious and expensive treasures, such as sought after sports memorabilia and rare vehicles, Vandervelde has been found dead after sustaining gunshots wounds to the back and neck. Davina Santos, Vandervelde's housekeeper had entered the home ready for work at 9 am and discovered her boss murdered and had frantically called the police. But things take a turn for the personal when Clay discovers a neon-green 1969 Camaro that was restored to perfection in the garage. The model was a SS/Z28 with a V- 8 engine, concealed headlights, black racing stripes and custom leather upholstery. And Clay recognised it out of the thirty or so cars Vandervelde owned because it belonged to his problematic younger brother, Luke. Luke is fresh out of prison and struggling to stay on the straight and narrow and now Clay can't reach him which fuels his suspicion even more.

Desperate to protect his flesh and blood but aware that the rest of the team will soon be on the case, Clay begins his own under the radar investigation, however, doing so leaves his job in jeopardy as he crosses ethical and moral boundaries in which his professionalism could be called into question. This is an enthralling and compulsively readable thriller from the father and son writing team, in which Clay's mission is to hunt down his brother, Luke, a convicted criminal who had just been released from prison. Even though this desperate search is linked to the murder of Vandervelde, the killing takes a backseat which I found refreshing, and it certainly didn't make the novel any less exhilarating. It's the type of book you fly through in one sitting as it's fast-paced and eminently readable from the outset, and there are ample twists and turns and use of misdirection to throw you well off the scent. The characterisation is what really makes the story, though, as we get an excellent backstory of Clay and his brother and their tempestuous relationship primarily caused by Luke's lack of trustworthiness and his all-consuming addiction to drugs. A superb, exciting read with a conclusion that completely blindsided me. Highly recommended.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for an advance copy of The Burning, the fourth novel to feature Coroner’s Deputy Clay Edison, set in the Bay Area.

When a rich man is found murdered in his hilltop home Clay is horrified to see a link to his troubled brother, Luke and worried when he discovers that Luke has gone missing.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Burning, which is the compulsive tale of Clay’s hunt for Luke. Yes, there is a murder but it’s not the focus of the novel, more the catalyst for a desperate search.

I liked the way the authors take the standard trope of an unsolved murder and change the novel into something completely different. I found it refreshing and very readable. Clay’s increasing desperation is well done and the reader feels his growing panic and tension as the novel progresses. I thought the characters were well drawn, covering the gamut of emotions and reactions, especially Clay and his, to my mind, poor decision making. What comes across loud and clear is his inability to trust his brother and his new life after drug addiction and prison. I loved all the small details about the characters that bring them to life.

I never saw the resolution of the hunt coming. The senselessness of it is staggering and yet it makes perfect sense in the America of today. I can’t say more than that without spoilers but it’s great and well worth the read.

The Burning is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

I really enjoy a good Kellerman story. The descriptions of the black out and wildfires were enthralling as these are something you don't really see in the UK but I did struggle with the plot and had some credibility issues.

I was given an advance copy by the publishers and netgalley but the review is entirely my own.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

yet again have tried to enjoy this book with thoughts of coroners and what they get up to ..but yet again it embarks on a weird journey that takes clay away from his proper duties and sees him actually disturb a crime scene....

not a fan sorry though i am sure other people will enjoy it

This is book 4 in the Clay Edison series but not my favourite. The plot just stretched the bounds of credibility a bit far and I found it to be a bit of a chore to read as well as being a bit slow, Overall, I was left feeling very disappointed by the writing. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC