The Spark by John Kenny

A book that goes into the Books You Never Want To End cagtegory.

The firefighting backdrop for dramas, be it on television, film or in books always appeals me. 'Backdraft' has always been a favourite of mine (although, Kurt Russell may have had something to do with that). This excellently written book had me smitten.

Donny Robertson is a dedicated fireman, and when he is seriously injured and his best friend, Fitz, the captain of his unit, is killed in a fire, his dedication to his job spills over into a pursuit to find the answers into why and/or how the callout ended so tragically. But the route is a perilous one. He becomes a watched man and a hunted one. What is it he’s uncovering and why does he have to be silenced?

There’s no doubt that writing about something in which you have a lifetime experience…or rather, a working lifetime experience…gives a reader a tremendous insight and understanding into the subject. This author does it with incredible skill. As a firefighter of twenty-five years’ standing, he really does know what he’s talking about. He doesn’t just profile the bones of the job: what stands out in this novel, is the dedication, fearlessness, bravery, selflessness, and courage of firefighters along with the bond, camaraderie, friendship and spirit that develops in a unit. I wouldn’t be surprised if each of the firemen characterised in this book is based on a real person, because that’s how the characters come over: as real and personable.

But, on top of all that, is a very solid, well-paced plot that keeps you on your toes to the very end. There’s everything in this book: murder, crime, revenge, humour, wit, heroism, and love. The dialogue is real, the emotions tangible, the characters believable.

I have one gripe, however. This is the author’s first (and brilliant) but ONLY (to date) novel. I want more...soon.

If there’s one book you need to read this year, it’s this one.