Girl On Fire: (DC Max Wolfe) Paperback – 8 Mar. 2018

The main plot was too slow and too boring and too close-to-home (terrorism / etc) and really did not make for a good read. The sub-plot story line- daughter--ex-wife triangle mother-wants-the-kid-back theme was getting interesting - we've kind of read it/ heard it / seen it all before in other contexts and stories but it still makes for a good read...this sub-plot development was unfortunately cut short and kind of become very drab very quickly, which was a shame because it was the most interesting development. I don't know, maybe I've become biased- since seeing Tony Parsons on TV advocating Brexit during the referendum I can't help but notice ALL the bad guys are foreigners / immigrants in these DC Wolfe books...it has put me off somewhat... but taking this completely out of the equation and in terms of the BOOK it was kind of a rehash of his other books, no real development in terms of a series, the father-daughter motif has not really developed in any shape or form (make it interesting, develop it from the first book), and at times Parsons writes with a kind of insanely over-zealous pride in the blue lights services which borders on some kind of Met PR crusade. You don't get this in other detective series books and at times it's a bit over the top and a tad off-putting. I would have given it one star but that's a bit harsh, I did not "hate" it but it certainly did not set any worlds on fire. My recommendation would be to kill Scout off by a bad guy, have DC Wolfe turns his back on the blue services and throw it all away on a vengeance crusade in a blaze of glory.

My first Tony Parsons book and I couldn't hack it beyond half way. I don't mind the PR for the Mets (some of them deserve it), but the plot was slower than a delayed District line tube, and the sidebar was too corny and weather-beaten to survive (nasty divorced wife with airs and graces + tug of love for child). The hero is thoroughly decent but no more; moral compass beautifully set, good looking, strong, and an efficient detective. The writing is fake journalese and underwhelming, and included dull detail down to a couple of lines on a dog taking a pee. I was puzzled at the hero-grams from other writers that help sell the book. Beware these snippets of praise and always check if they have emanated from people who have worked for the same publishing house as the author. Half way through the book, I suddenly realised I was bored and cared nothing for the key players. I write this in sadness given my admiration for Tony Parsons on television.

I have read all 5 of Tony Parsons' Max Wolfe books and I'm sorry to say I enjoyed this one least of all. In the other books there has always been some intriguing link to London's criminal history and some private-eye style investigating by Wolfe outside the confines of his job, which casts him as the maverick hero - or lone Wolfe (sorry). But here the plot did not engage me in the same way, because it seemed a bit straightforward and thin - an family with young terrorists, should we blame the parents ? To pad it out to the required number of pages there was a lot of detail about the police Firearms Team procedures (proving the author had done his homework but not very entertaining) and a sub-plot about Wolfe's custody battle with a stereotypical rich self-centered ex-wife (which fizzled out just as it was getting interesting). Meanwhile the main plot just plodded along to the big twist at the end, which admittedly was surprising but not worth the lack of interest and entertainment to get there.

Wow...talk about starting with a bang! Who would have thought an innocent trip to buy Scout a new backpack could almost end in disaster for Max. I have now read all the books in the series, this one in one sitting. I was really surprised to find out just who was gunning for Max and I have to say I really wasn't ready for the unwelcome twist right at the end of the book. I heard that there is only going to be one more book in the series and I'm hoping for a happy ending for Max, Scout, Stan, the Murphy's and the team. I'm also hoping it won't be too long to wait for book 6, I'm going to have to start reading them all again from the start while I'm waiting 😊

I have given this book 4 stars because I am too curious to give it 5. I won't spoil it by spilling the beans but really??I love this series of books, especially the interaction between Max and Scout with a little bit of Stan. I love the everyday life running alongside the main story and I love the characters in the background but I did not like the ending of this book. I had the same level of outrage and disappointment when I finished One Day and to this day I cannot think about David Nicholls without hoping his bike gets a flat tyre. I've now added Tony Parsons to my list. How could you!That said, I already have his next book to read as I have to keep an eye on Scout...

I first discovered Tony Parsons many years ago when I bought his debut novel Man & Boy for an inflated airport bookshop price for one reason.... I liked the cover! Since that day I have pre-ordered every single book he has released and always think that he couldn’t get any better.Therefore I was a bit sceptical when TP announced he was moving from manovels to crime and I had some trepidation ordering murder bag which obviously enjoyed but I didn’t know whether I actually liked the main character Max Wolfe.I am now many books (and e-shorties) in and now feel like I know Max, Scout and Stan the dog personally. That is the power of Tony Parsons.Girl on Fire can be read quite enjoyably as a great crime novel by itself but it is best as part of the Max Wolfe series because everything emotionally leads up to this.This is a rollercoaster of emotions and TP does not like to have a standard approach to a normal ending.He is not content with the reader just smiling at the end.I truly believe now (yet again) that he will not do better than this!