Scorched: Burn Me Once...

A Tyler Zahn Novel, Book 3

By: Cam Torrens

Narrated by: Tim Morgan

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

After his over-zealous efforts to find his missing Search & Rescue partner fail, Air Force veteran Tyler Zahn is on the outs with Chaffee County law enforcement. When valuable oil paintings are stolen during a heist on a high-altitude pass in the Colorado Rockies, Zahn is ordered to steer clear of the investigation.

But when Laura Coker Long--the artist he's trying to date--has her most famous work stolen too, Zahn can't help but get involved. Trapped by a wildfire in a mountain retreat with a group of art patrons, Laura and her family, and an FBI agent, Zahn's search for the thief is hindered by more heinous crimes.

Zahn can't afford to screw up again. But he has no choice. If he doesn't step forward and lead, people may die.

©2024 Black Rose Writing (P)2024 Beacon Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"The wait is over! Tyler Zahn is back, trapped in a mountain lodge with a raging fire outside and a murderer inside." -Gail Ward Olmsted, bestselling author of the Miranda Quinn Legal Twist series

Suspenseful thriller - great listen!

This third Tyler Zahn novel has the flawed, yet honest, very likeable hero caught between the twin terrors of a murder and encroaching wildfires - he threads this dance deftly, while dealing with a budding relationship - with this as a backdrop he is forced to lead an inexperienced team of people up the mountain. This descriptive text was so vivid, it made me feel like I was climbing one of those beautiful Colorado Mountains - Exciting, full of twists - the narration is excellent - highly recommended!

Full of action, suspense and thrilling adventure

In this third installment of Tyler Zahn author Cam Torrens departs ever so slightly from the search and rescue (SAR) operations we’ve come to love. While SAR, and Zahn’s work with them remains ever present, “Scorched” departs in a manner that finds us searching for missing artwork while trapped amidst raging wildfires, instead of finding missing people, and rescuing hikers from the mountains that we’ve quickly become so familiar with.

“Scorched” once again brings the action, the suspense, and the thrilling whirlwind of adventure as readers find Tyler Zahn courting a romantic interest for the first time in eight years. But navigating alone time with Laura Coker Long has proven difficult as she gears up for her art show alongside famous works of art. However, when the transport van is attacked, leaving one security guard dead and another wounded with several famous pieces stolen, Zahn is called to the scene. Tangled between Laura and her sisters’ deep-seated history, the desire to continue the gallery exhibition as planned, and the ever-nearing wildfires leaves readers on the edge of their seat.

Fresh off the heels of Kristee Li’s disappearance and presumed death, Zahn is still reeling. Refusing to believe she is dead without the discovery of her body; Zahn seems to be the only one holding on to her survival. Straining his remaining friendships, Zahn can’t lose anyone else.

“Scorched” brings an element of a trapped room mystery to this latest in the series as guests of the art exhibit are trapped in a mountain lodge. As death and disappearing art seem to follow them the unforgiving wildfires creep ever closer. With communication to the outside world cut off Zahn shoulders the massive responsibility of working to get everyone out alive.

“Scorched” will have your heart pumping, blood boiling, and mind racing as time runs out for Tyler Zahn and the missing artwork. Torrens uses his love of Colorado and inside knowledge of SAR to craft yet another realistic psychological thriller. Set amongst the 14ers of Colorado, in the heart of wildfire season, this picturesque landscape rears its deadly teeth.