Tears of Fire


Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist
393 Pages
Reviewed on 06/19/2018
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

I was born and brought up in Glasgow. I studied biochemistry, and I've worked in several Scottish Universities where I did research on enzymes and taught biochemistry. After thirty years of teaching and research I retired my academic pen and took up a fiction pen.

I write medical themed thrillers. Deadly Secrets was published in 2013, and was followed by Everything To Lose in 2014, The Black Fox in 2015, Toxic Minds in 2016 and Tabula Rasa in 2017. I live in central Scotland with my wife and we enjoy reading, writing, and walking in the hills.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite

Zoe's own tactics had been used against her with precision execution. Captured, shamed, and manipulated into silence, it seems her only option is to accept death in order to protect those she loves. The people who thought that obviously didn't know her, or her allies, well at all. But her liberation just serves to throw fuel onto an already raging fire. Given the choices that await her, perhaps the hangman's noose would have been preferable. Gavin Shawlens has been recruited to investigate an insurance fraud, but he had not been given all the details. Behind a seemingly innocent front, murderers hide in the shadows, seeking revenge, and that revenge is now within their grasp and they will stop anyone who gets in their way, or threatens to expose them. Unfortunately, Gavin's investigation does just that, and he has already made some powerful enemies, but this time he doesn't have Zoe at his side to protect him. The clock is ticking before they up their game.

Gordon Bickerstaff was born to write this genre. Tears of Fire is the latest instalment in his Lambeth Group thrillers and to date I have read every book in this immersive and tension-filled series, and they just keep getting better and better. They read as stand alone and yet also reward the frequent reader. Twists and turns don't do justice to the complexities of the masterful plot, and it is so involved that revenge, murder, questions, betrayal, and suspense are just the tip of the iceberg. Gordon Bickerstaff achieves the perfect balance between a character and an event driven plot. You'll be hooked from the first page to the last, wondering how things will turn out. This is one hell of an involved plot, and a word to the wise as you navigate through the dangerous tale; remember to breathe. A truly masterful and amazing book, written with flair, style, and an intensity that will leave you wanting more. Tears of Fire is, without question, a five star and highly recommended read.

Ruffina Oserio

Tears of Fire by Gordon Bickerstaff is a well-crafted, tightly plotted terrorist thriller with a lot of potential to entertain readers. They are two orphans turned serial killers. They are rich and they have the means. And now, they are about to up their game — they’ll go after those who killed their parents. Gavin Shawlens, a skilled detective working with the Lambeth Group is getting close to nailing the killers when the two turn their attention to his family. Gavin needs his partner, Zoe Tampsin, to stop the orphans before one of the most painful murders is committed. But can the detectives get them before it is too late?

Gordon Bickerstaff’s gift for character is exceptional and readers will ponder over the idea of how the orphans became serial killers — is it out of revenge or a perverse nature? The plot is intricately done and the writing is tight and crisp, featuring strong psychological elements that allow readers to understand the minds of psychopaths. This is the kind of book that will sit comfortably on the shelf beside James Patterson’s Alex Cross series. This is crime thriller at its best. The author creates awesome characters in Jung and Seng and readers will enjoy the psychological depth of the story. The conflict is deftly handled and I enjoyed the role played by Gavin and Zoe in the narrative. Tears of Fire is a captivating read, balanced and quickly paced. It features intelligently written and focused scenes, and a lot of suspense. This author knows how to woo readers and keep them focused.

Samantha Dewitt (Rivera)

There’s no telling what will happen when a soldier finds themselves trapped between doing their duty and doing what they believe is right. For Zoe, that moment came when she discovered the horror that the Silsden family was engaged in. But to protect her own family she’s willing to take control of her own destiny, but nothing is ever that simple. There is much more involved in the case than even she could have imagined and it’s all going to tie into something strange and unexpected; euthanasia and insurance fraud. Tears of Fire by Gordon Bickerstaff is a story of more than you could imagine.

This book is full of adventure at every turn, because you just can’t imagine what’s going to happen next. There are several characters throughout, but you feel like you really know each of them and you know exactly what they all want. It draws you even further into the story and makes you want to turn the next page to see just how the battle will rage and who will succeed in the end. Between Zoe, Gavin and Joss, you never know what to expect, but even Traherne, Toby and the twins are characters that you can’t help but feel absorbed by and you find yourself wondering just who is going to win out in the end. And even if the good guys win, is it really going to save everyone? Or is there something a little dark even in the best of intentions in Tears of Fire.