Burn Out

By: Joshua Hood

Narrated by: Scott Brick

From the USA Today bestselling author of Robert Ludlum’s Treadstone series, Burn Out is a no-holds-barred thriller from the “master of action” (Publishers Weekly) Joshua Hood.

Becoming one of the US Forest Service’s elite smokejumpers has been Jake Slade’s dream. Parachuting into the path of a raging fire and beating it into submission isn’t a job for the faint of heart, but after four years in Folsom, he’s ready to prove himself. After surviving the grueling six-week training course, he thinks he’s ready for anything nature has to dish out.

But when fighting a wildfire gets Slade involved in a string of murders deep in the mountains of California’s notorious Emerald Triangle, Slade finds himself caught between a disgraced DEA agent trying to solve his final case and the ruthless cartel hit man determined to kill them both.

What began as a straightforward search and rescue mission swiftly turns into a harrowing run for his life …

©2024 Joshua Hood (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

Good and enjoyable story, a few issues

SPOILERS. I like Joshua Hood’s writing and the action is nonstop. The character of Jake Slade was a good one and I liked him and was totally on his side. I also liked Keller so I’m glad he survived. Here are s few things that would have made it better to me. First, I thought firefighting would be more of factor in the story, and I was a bit disappointed that it came down to more of a cat and mouse game in the forest, even though that was well done. I was expecting Slade to have to get out of some incredible fire scenario, but it didn’t happen. Second, I found the who did what to whom at the end confusing, maybe because I was listening to it rather than reading it where I could have stopped and reread a passage or spent time digesting it. I was not surprised by Buck, so for me that could have been revealed a bit earlier an we could have watched him as he tried to manipulate things to keep his involvement hidden and get the result he wanted. And I guess lastly I would say Slade had a lot of bad luck, He’d try something, but there was always a “but” coming. Still I will say I enjoyed the book and had a hard time putting it down. Despite my criticisms, I would recommend the read for anyone who likes action novels. Looks like a lot of research went into the book and the fire scenes in the beginning were thrilling. The narrator does a good job, with readily distinguishable voices, consistent pacing and no over the top drama. All in all, good and enjoyable story, and Joshua Hood stays on my buy list.

This book is fire!

Great writing, awesome plot, and no unbelievable corny action sequences. I would highly recommend this book.

the research on smokejumping and the local areas was well done

got a little out there on what a human can physically handle. could had a live een with woman he saved from fire

Interesting and full of action

Unique story. Never thought of using a firefighter smoke jumper in a thriller. In this story it turns out there were a lot more bad guys than the cartel. Great description of the rugged terrain. I did have a little trouble believing that Slade and Buck would be left behind to fend for themselves. Especially since a swat team member was almost killed.

Great story

A number of different stories melded together with a surprising ending!! Didn’t see that coming😃

A good read!!!

With so much distrust towards one another, one can easily deduce the deeper meaning of the title. Plenty of twists and turns, maybe a little too many. But the story was very, very well written. Great characters and action. Looking forward to Hood’s next novel!!!