Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Fourth Angel by Suzanne Chazin Narrator: Nicol Zanzarella
Series: Georgia Skeehan #1
Published by Tantor Audio on March 22, 2022
Genres: Mystery
Length: 10 hours, 57 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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When an inferno in Manhattan claims fifty lives, Georgia Skeehan, a rookie marshal with the New York City Fire Department, is thrust into command of the investigation. Georgia suspects the fire may have been started by something New York has never seen before: HTA, a kitchen-sink concoction with the thermal power of rocket fuel. HTA fires—though rare over the last decade—are so ferocious that they can melt a building's steel and concrete framework in minutes.
Georgia soon unearths another startling possibility: the blaze may be connected to three other unsolved New York fires—and to several eerie, scripture-laden letters from a madman who calls himself the "Fourth Angel." As she races to unravel the clues before more lives are lost, she is troubled by the erratic behavior of her partner and by the betrayal of another marshal—a man she trusted with her heart and her life.
I have loved the work of this author’s other series, so I was excited to try some of her backlist being released on audio. Georgia Skeehan series is about a woman firefighter who has become a fire marshal. Even with her father being a firefighter lost in his duty and knowing his friends, Georgia still faces regular misogyny. Both the NYPD and NYFD have plenty of corruption.
The Fourth Angel is a thrilling and dangerous ride in the world of fires. The fire characteristics and investigation are quite realistic as the author is married to a firefighter. I really enjoyed this inside view. We also get Georgia’s personal life and career struggles which are maybe a little over the top. She is single with a 9 year old son. They live with her widowed mother. There is a bit of romance for Georgia.
After a horrible fire, so fast and deadly, Georgia works with the head of the lab and the task force. It’s a bitter fight to get all the information, as corruption has hidden building records and letters sent about the fires. It’s not just one fire, but a series of fires which are all arson with a rocket fuel which burns so hot it turns steel and concrete to ash in minutes. Somehow, in a political move, the commissioner puts her in charge of the investigation over seasoned marshals. They aren’t happy with it or her.
Slowly, Georgia gathers evidence and starts to learn things. Her instincts are good and she even wins over some colleagues. The arsonist comes after her personally, and it turns out he has a grudge against her. Determined, Georgia figures out who he is and collects crucial evidence. It’s a race to decipher the location and stop a big bombing to hurt her and the fire department.
I loved reading about this exciting work and investigations. I’m intrigued to see how things go for Georgia in the series going forward, both professionally and personally.
Narration:
I am familiar with this narrator and have enjoyed her before. Her voices seemed appropriate and even had some New York accents. A female narrator was fitting since the story is all in Georgia’s point of view. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Suzanne Chazin
Suzanne Chazin was born in Manhattan and raised in Tenafly, NJ, the only child of immigrants. Her father was born in Russia. Her mother was born and raised in England.
A former journalist, Suzanne is the award-winning author of two mystery series. Her first stars Georgia Sheehan, an FDNY firefighter-turned-fire investigator (The Fourth Angel, Flashover and Fireplay). Her second stars Jimmy Vega, an upstate NY homicide detective navigating the world of the undocumented (Land of Careful Shadows, A Blossom of Bright Light, No Witness But the Moon).
The Georgia Skeehan/FDNY series was inspired by Suzanne’s husband who is a high-ranking chief in the FDNY. The Jimmy Vega series was inspired by Suzanne’s work with Latino immigrants near her home in Westchester County, NY. A Blossom of Bright Light, book #2 in the series, was an Amazon “mystery pick of the month.” Land of Careful Shadows, book #1, was chosen among the top five mystery books of 2016 by the American Library Association.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
I don’t see books about fire fighters that often, so I would be interested in this. It sounds pretty exciting! Thanks for sharing😁
I really enjoyed the realistic details in it and actual firefighting details. I guess I don’t know enough about firefighting to know what is realistic but it seemed slightly technical. Overall the story is a mystery / action with a touch of romance.
Neat that the investigation is fire related and the investigator is a firefighter. Nice change up. I’ll have to keep this series in mind.
I love this author. Here other series about a NY cop dealing with Hispanic immigrants being Hispanic himself is excellent also.
I love that this is about a female fire marshal. Wonderful review.
Thank you. I love the realistic details and layered story.
A new author to me! I am intrigued!
I’m a huge fan of this author. Her other series is excellent and I love her books on audio.
I imagine it would be tough to be a female firefighter. I hate there’s such prejudice against women, but it sounds like this investigator won over some. I’d like to check out one of her previous books.
This is the first book in this series and I enjoyed it. I love her other series about a Hispanic NY cop in an area with lots of Hispanic immigrants. (he is not an immigrant.)
This sounds like a great read. I’ve always found firefighters to be very interesting.
yes, I really like the technical detail about the firefighting.
This sounds like such an exciting read! I don’t see many reads that feature female firefighter so that really interests me.
yes it is a different premise and the author’s personal connection gives it realistic details. I really enjoy this author.
I haven’t read many books about female firefighters. I really liked Land of Careful Shadows by this author so this would be a good bet for me.
I really love this author and probably found her through you.