Trial By Fire

A Novel of Suspense

By: J.A. Jance

Narrated by: Karen Ziemba

New York Times bestselling author J.A. Jance’s journalist-turned-sleuth strives to grant a dying woman’s last request: to find the people who nearly killed her in this “perfect addition to her ongoing Ali Reynolds series” (Suspense Magazine).

When a subdivision-in-the-making goes up in flames, everyone hopes that the unfinished, unoccupied homes will yield no victims. But when an unidentified woman is found barely alive and burned beyond recognition, she is immediately taken to the ER, where she lies for months in a medically induced coma. When she finally emerges from her coma, she is met with a bleak and lonely existence.

Badly disfigured and suffering from amnesia, her recovery is further shattered by a cancer diagnosis. Now with sudden desperation, there are two crucial things she is desperate to discover: who saved her life and who tried to kill her in the first place. And Ali Reynolds is the only person she trusts to beat the clock.©2009 J.A. Jance; (P)2009 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Jance delivers a devilish page-turner." -- People

"Compelling... satisfying." -- USA Today

Good - not great

Some of the book was unnecessarily repetitive. Ally Reynolds was in some too incredible situations. The relationships between the characters was well done.

book with heart and mystery

Well-crafted story line, along with good well thought-out characterizations, and enjoyable book to read. This definitely invites you to read the next Jance book.

Enjoyable Listen

Well crafted story, interesting characters, though some of the action is a bit "super-human" style, but enjoyable nonetheless. Typical well-thought-out story line, and character development.

Trial By Fire

I had listened to other Ali Reynolds stories by J.A.Jance and each time I thought I might not listen to her next book in the series. I am very glad I went ahead and listen to this one as it was the best one she has done in this series. I had felt in the other books that Ali was lost but this book got her a new job and purpose for the story. Lots of nail biting suspense and still the calm of the family interaction. Great characters in the story. You will enjoy it.

Crisp writing - Jance is just getting better

I am a long-time Jance fan so expected a good read, but realized part way through that this is some of her best work so far. The writing is absolutely crisp so things unfold at a steady pace while also providing excellent character development and a solid story line. Multiple characters and story threads can be confusing sometimes & I think the audiobook format may accentuate that problem, however, in Trial By Fire, Jance draws the characters and outlines the story threads so distinctly that this is not a problem at all. If you like a good puzzle as well as emotional context, then you will find Trail By Fire right down you alley. I suggest this is a good novel to start with if you are new to Jance's work.