The Burning Rooms

Tallman's Valley Detectives, Book 4

By: Anni Taylor

Narrated by: Caroline Lee, Raphael Corkhill

Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

A serial arsonist with a burning desire...

In a country town, an arsonist is burning homes down. Their signature move is placing an identical model of the house on the front porch before setting the fire. But no one is there to witness this in the silence of each dark winter night.

A happy couple is out celebrating their anniversary when they receive a chilling phone call—a recorded children's verse warning them their house is on fire and their children are gone. They race home to an inferno and missing children.

Detective Jace Franco is first on the scene and is confronted by scenes that will haunt him. The couple were good friends of his. And there's something else—a model house near the front door. He sighted exactly the same thing thirteen years ago, at a fire that claimed the lives of a whole family.

Franco becomes certain a twisted killer is at work. But his team is not convinced. The fire is officially deemed a tragic accident.

There is just one other person who saw what Franco did thirteen years ago—Franco's former homicide partner, Kate Wakeland. Can he tempt her away from her new role with the federal police for this one case?

Or will the arsonist continue to destroy the evidence with each of their deadly blazes?

©2024 Anni Taylor (P)2024 Podium Audio

Never Disappoints!

This series is so well connected, yet each book is great on its own! These stories keep me guessing all the way. I’m flying through them one after another!

Dexter’s laboratory

Anni Taylor is a good story teller.HOWEVER, the focus on reflections is unnecessary and a bit insulting to the reader. Yes, we would have understood that’s what they were thinking. Also, the use of a cartoon character’s voice to represent the Polish detective was just bad.

Unique Story Telling

I love how this story was told from so many different perspectives. Characters from previous books in the series were more developed. I appreciate how the other books are tied into the plot in the smallest bits. I can't recommend this series enough!

Male narrator is so bad in this one

I love Caroline Lee. Her performance is always 5 stars. I never want another book with the male narrator. His voice is so deep that I couldn’t understand him, could barely hear him. His parts were repeated over and over and often given up on. Terrible!

Fit Right In

"The Burning Rooms" is a thrilling addition to the Tallman's Valley Detectives series, cementing its place as a must-read for fans of gripping police procedurals and small-town mysteries. Author [Author Name] has outdone themselves with this fourth installment, delivering a taut, suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Set in the familiar yet increasingly complex world of Tallman's Valley, this latest case plunges our beloved detectives into a web of arson, deceit, and long-buried secrets. The title "The Burning Rooms" is both literal and metaphorical, as the team races against time to solve a series of mysterious fires that seem to be targeting specific individuals in the community.

What sets this book apart is the author's masterful balance of plot intricacy and character development. While the arson investigation forms the backbone of the story, it's the deepening relationships and personal struggles of the detectives that truly bring the narrative to life. Fans of the series will be delighted to see how far these characters have come, while newcomers will find themselves quickly invested in their lives.

The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that compels you to keep reading. Anni Taylor's prose is crisp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of Tallman's Valley and its inhabitants. The author's attention to detail in both the investigative process and the fire science aspects of the case adds an extra layer of authenticity to the story.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its exploration of themes beyond the central mystery. Issues of trust, redemption, and the long-lasting impact of past actions are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding depth and resonance to the story.

The climax is nothing short of explosive, bringing together all the threads of the investigation in a satisfying and surprising conclusion. Yet, true to form, Anni Taylor leaves just enough unresolved to have readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

"The Burning Rooms" is a testament to Anni Taylor's growth as a writer and their deep understanding of what makes a great detective story. It's a book that will appeal not just to fans of the genre, but to anyone who appreciates well-crafted, character-driven fiction.

In conclusion, "The Burning Rooms" is a five-star read that showcases everything that makes the Tallman's Valley Detectives series so compelling. It's a book that will keep you up late into the night, promising "just one more chapter" until suddenly, you've reached the last page. Highly recommended for both longtime fans and newcomers to the series.

Had to get used to 2 narrators

I liked the story. I didn’t think this story was as brilliant as the 3rd book in the series. However, it was enjoyable enough. Kate was not so much in the foreground of the story this go round but, the other characters were good. Grim was kind of funny.

Great Book!

This book is as good or better than the rest of the series. The added narrator was a good addition to the listening experience.

Amazing!

This was a great addition to the series. Each one with its twists and turns that have my jaw dropping! Love the author and the performers voices. Just a great listen.

Anni Taylor has done it again!!

Hooked from start to finish! My favorite author to listen to! I love how she finishes her story

BEST YET!

I listened to this in record time. The voice actor playing Franco (and others!), in addition to the wonderfully talented Caroline Lee, is a great add to this 4th story in the series. Loved the character development of Franco and Grim. Can’t wait to see what Anni Taylor does next with this series!