Serial Burn

Author: Lynette Eason
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Series: Lake City Heroes #3
Pages: 320
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Publisher: Revell

When Jesslyn McCormick was just seven years old, a devastating house fire killed her parents and two younger sisters. Now the fire marshal of Lake City, Jesslyn is determined to find the person who started the fire that robbed her of her family. As the 25th anniversary of her family's deaths approaches, a string of fires--including at Jesslyn's church--brings up all those old feelings and offers new evidence.

Because church fires are considered a hate crime, FBI Special Agent Nathan Carlisle is called in to work with local law enforcement. Nathan has his own past--one he'd prefer not to revisit. And focusing on helping Jesslyn track down the arsonist is a great distraction.

As both the case and the chemistry between Jesslyn and Nathan heat up, memories will come flooding in from the past to bump up against hopes for the future. And when Jesslyn comes face-to-face with her worst nightmare, she'll have to confront her fears and rely on Nathan and her community of friends in order to survive.

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Reviewer: Charity Henico

I absolutely despise love triangles. Imagine my surprise then, to discover that I was reading about one and actually not hating it. Actually, I was loving it. I think the difference is that I could see Yates ending up with either lady and would have been happy with it. Now don’t get me wrong, it ended exactly as it should have. But I wouldn’t have been mad either way, though I did get mildly stressed about things.

This is a book with HARD topics. This is one where I found myself fervently praying for the characters. Humans do ugly things sometimes, you know? Thankfully, there is always hope.

This one had a slower start, but it was a wonderful book. And I highly recommend reading the author’s note. Maybe that’s why that love triangle would have been fine either way.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Demetria Head

Lynette Eason delivers a compelling blend of faith, suspense, and raw emotion in her Christian thriller, Serial Burn. The novel captures readers from the first page, immersing them in the tumultuous world of Jesslyn McCormick, a fire marshal whose life has been shaped by a tragedy that still burns in her memory.  

At just seven years old, Jesslyn lost her entire family to a devastating house fire. Now, on the cusp of the tragedy’s 25th anniversary, a string of suspicious fires—including one at her church—forces her to confront not only her past but also a dangerous present. Eason creates a rich tale of suspense as Jesslyn’s determination to uncover the truth collides with new evidence that changes everything she thought she knew.  

FBI Special Agent Nathan Carlisle, brought in to investigate the arson attacks, is a character as layered as Jesslyn. Haunted by his own demons, Nathan is drawn to Jesslyn’s tenacity and vulnerability. Their partnership is charged with chemistry, but it’s the exploration of their faith, resilience, and the meaning of trust that sets this thriller apart.  

Eason’s writing really shines in her ability to balance edge-of-your-seat tension with deeply human moments of reflection and grace. The fires in Serial Burn are not just physical but metaphorical, igniting buried emotions and revealing hard truths. Readers will be captivated by the twists and turns, as well as the poignant moments of healing and hope that underscore the narrative.  

For fans of Christian thrillers that blend fast-paced action with heartfelt spiritual themes, Serial Burn is an unmissable read. It’s a story of confronting fears, uncovering truths, and finding redemption amid life’s most fiery trials.

I received a complimentary copy from Revell via NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion of this book.

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