Book Review: Dirty Fire

Reviewed By: Carol - SLC - RAM

Dirty Fire     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Earl Merkel
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Signet, 2003, 371 pages, $6.99

In Earl Merkel's novel, Dirty Fire, two very unlikely cohorts take over the high-profile arson and murder investigation involving a prominent Chicago couple.

John Davey is a recently divorced ex-cop who had been accused of bribery charges from which he had been acquitted -- but not before they ruined his marriage and his life. When he was arrested on the bribery charge, he had just started to work on a double homicide, the murders around which the plot revolves. Gil Cieloczki is equally as unlikely to head a murder investigation, being Chief of the Lake Tower Fire Department. Together, the two make quite a team.

John Davey is a likeable, down-on-his-luck ex-cop whose penchant for honesty causes him nothing but grief. Because of his family history, he wears his own honesty like a badge of honor. This trait is almost his undoing, although his sense of humor remains intact throughout.

Most of the action takes place at a fever pitch, and there's plenty of it. I was close to finishing the book when I had to drive my daughter to a class. I took the book with me and instead of dropping her off and driving back home, I parked the car and continued reading so I wouldn't waste any time. I literally didn't want to put the book down.

My only complaint is that Mr. Merkel didn't spend more time on his main characters and in tying up loose ends. The book starts off so well but ends a little flat. John Davey is such a strong character with so much more left to tell. Even so, this was an excellent read.

Carol - SLC - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Carol - SLC - RAM