“The Wildfire Girl,” the eleventh book in the Detective Amanda Steele series, presents a thrilling mystery filled with complex characters and an intricate plot that will keep readers engaged until the last page.
Title: The Wildfire Girl
Author(s): Carolyn Arnold
Series: Detective Amanda Steele #11
Also in this series: The Little Grave , Stolen Daughters , The Silent Witness , Black Orchid Girls , Her Frozen Cry , Last Seen Alive , Her Final Breath, Taken Girls , Her Last Words , Missing Before Daylight
Published by Bookouture on June 20, 2024
Pages: 330
Genre(s): Crime Fiction
Source: Kindle Unlimited, Netgalley
Format: eBook 
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
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Series Rating:
The woman panics as the thick smoke starts to curl under the locked door. She can’t breathe and desperately tries to open the window, but it’s been sealed shut. Falling to the floor, she finally accepts there’s no way out of this room alive. And as her vision starts to fade, she prays she dies before the flames find her.
When human remains are discovered behind a dumpster in Woodbridge, Virginia, Detective Amanda Steele rushes to the scene. Her heart drops when she arrives and is hit by the unmistakable stench of gasoline. Soon, her worst fear is the victim was burned alive.
With only an engraved gold wedding band surviving the blaze, Amanda knows it could be days before they have a confirmed ID. But when her partner Detective Trent Stenson arrives, he pales at the sight of the ring, recognizing it as belonging to his Aunt Gertrude’s husband, Don.
Trent is convinced his aunt isn’t involved, but as more is unearthed about her troubled relationship with her husband, and she fails to provide an alibi, Amanda isn’t so sure. Desperate to prove his aunt’s innocence, Trent soon discovers someone from Don’s past is back in Woodbridge—someone who wants revenge. But Amanda and Trent are shaken to their core when that person is discovered brutally murdered.
Convinced the cases are linked, Amanda knows she has to find the cold-blooded killer before they strike again. And as Trent becomes even more emotionally entangled in the case, she’s terrified he could become the next victim…
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“The Wildfire Girl” kicks off with a shocking discovery: a charred body in an alley, burned beyond recognition. The only clue to the victim’s identity is a wedding ring. A ring that once belonged to Detective Trent Stenson’s late uncle, now worn by his aunt’s husband. This discovery places Trent’s aunt under suspicion, but Trent believes in her innocence. This belief creates tension and conflict between him and his partner, Amanda Steele, as they navigate the complexities of the case.
After years of trying to persuade his aunt to leave her abusive marriage, Trent was devastated when she finally gained her freedom only to become a murder suspect. Her shaky alibi and lack of cooperation only worsened the situation. Amanda, who also faces her own personal struggles, resolves to solve the case, even if it means putting Trent’s aunt behind bars. Adding to the complication is the growing attraction between her and Trent. This poses a serious problem since Amanda is already in a relationship.
Arnold masterfully portrays the characters’ personal and professional lives in “The Wildfire Girl.” Readers witness their struggles to find balance, which often proves challenging. The mystery in this installment is particularly engaging, keeping readers guessing throughout the story. Despite having several theories, the introduction of another murder victim threw off all my guesses. This made the plot even more intriguing. It’s a testament to Arnold’s skill in crafting a suspenseful and unpredictable story.
The blend of mystery with characters’ personal and professional lives made for an exciting and compelling read. Once again, Arnold delivered a thrilling tale, making this installment another great addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series.
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About Carolyn Arnold
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international best-selling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™. Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower. She currently lives just west of Toronto with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada.
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