As we have burned through the first month of the new year and are fast outstripping the second I had hoped to get in a little bit more “Fun” reading this year. I have even decided to take the entire summer off from my frenzied continuing educational journey and get in some camping and traveling with no college classes hanging over my head. So, my dear friends, here is a review of the latest from Jacksonville, Florida Author, Judith Erwin. Killing two birds with one stone I posted a review on Goodreads and clicked on the little box that says “post to blog” now I have a complete post to share on my own website!
A RAGING FIRE by Judith Erwin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
For Fans of Complex Identity Mysteries (The author kindly provided a copy and I enjoyed it tremendously)
If you’ve ever wondered about the ethical boundaries of family secrets or been captivated by DNA ancestry revelations gone wrong, A Raging Fire will keep you riveted from the opening inferno to the final revelation. Judith Erwin masterfully weaves a contemporary mystery that taps into our modern fascination with genetic genealogy while exploring timeless questions about identity, belonging, and the lengths people will go to protect their lies.
Dr. Anna-Claire Carden makes for a compelling client—intelligent, driven, and emotionally raw as she grapples with the fundamental question of who she really is. Erwin captures the existential crisis of discovering your entire life story might be fabricated with authentic emotional depth. Anna-Claire’s mounting desperation to understand why her parents would hide such a fundamental truth drives the narrative forward with genuine urgency.
The investigation itself unfolds with procedural authenticity that benefits from Erwin’s legal background. Scarlett Kavanagh’s methodical approach to interviewing family friends and relatives, combined with Jake’s intuitive leaps and tactical experience, creates a balanced investigative partnership. Watching them piece together inconsistencies—green and blue eyes cannot produce brown, missing birth certificates, evasive relatives—satisfies readers who appreciate detective work grounded in logic and evidence.
What sets this fourth installment apart is how Erwin interweaves multiple storylines without losing focus. Jake’s arson investigation for the menswear shop and his challenges as a single father to teenage Sabrina provide texture and dimensionality, reminding us that even brilliant investigators have full, complicated lives. The ongoing sexual tension between Jake and Scarlett adds romantic suspense without overwhelming the central mystery, creating anticipation that fans of the series will appreciate.
For readers who loved Kimberly McCreight’s Reconstructing Amelia or Lisa Scottoline’s Most Wanted, this novel offers similar explorations of hidden parentage with higher stakes and darker secrets. Erwin doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable questions about what constitutes family, whether biology defines identity, and when protecting someone from truth crosses into manipulation.
The burned mansion provides haunting imagery that echoes throughout the narrative—a physical manifestation of how devastating fires can be when they expose what should have remained hidden. Erwin uses this symbol effectively, suggesting that some truths, once ignited, cannot be contained.
If you’re searching for a thriller that combines contemporary DNA mystery elements with classic investigative procedure, complex characters with authentic vulnerabilities, and a plot that earns its twists through careful construction rather than cheap gimmicks, A Raging Fire deserves a spot on your reading list.
Thank you Ms. Erwin for sharing your latest in the Shepherd and Associates Series and YES – I think Jensen Ackles would make a great Jake Shepherd. — Like, Share, Comment and Let’s start a campaign to make that happen!!
If you have any questions about me, my books or my services please use the CONTACT form and let me know. Follow and Subscribe to all of my social media too.
A Quick Review of Fiction Book Marketing by Jolene MacFadden
