A star is born, March 29, 2005
Reviewer: Lynne Myers from Aberdeen
The author has created a new star in his heroine, Donna O’Prey. I loved her refusal to give in, even though she has a massive inferiority complex, and feel certain we shall be seeing much more of Donna. What a TV series this would make!
Marcus is a villain par excellence, pure evil leaps from the every page in which he appears. Other reviewers have commented on their mingled terror and delight when Marcus is leading the action and I agree that marcus induces a guilty thrill where the reader, this reader at least, feels a sense of anticipation at his future exploits while also experiencing horror at his actions.
Burn, Baby, Burn is not what I had expected as it is far removed from the traditional police procedural routine of so much crime fiction. with this book we get to see both sides of the argument as the villain sits in full view of the reader. The writing is exquisite at times, descriptive passages of great power and a clever mix where the plot sings along accompanied by the very blackest humour. I laughed out loud as often as I cringed in terror – and I did plenty of cringing!
a little bit of everything, March 15, 2005
Reviewer: Lisa Young from Cheltenham
I found Burn, Baby, Burn a delight from beginning to end. It contains everything I need and expect from a novel: escapism, humour and the desire to keep on turning the pages. This book entertained me, taught me things I didn’t know, frightened me and made me laugh, sometimes all on the same page. I have read it twice and kept turning back to certain passages with a sense of joy at the wonderful use of language. I am a putative writer, still learning and hoping to be published one day, and was delighted with the desciptive powers of the author; he really knows how to set a scene and make it memorable. It is the small details that set him apart. So much of the crime fiction genre consists of a series of episodes following on from the previous action, but Jake Barton understands that for the reader to gain true satisfaction, it is necessary to make our progress through the course of the book a memorable journey. He supplies the detail that brings the words off the page. Great characters, a believable plot and an ending that left me weak at the knees. I didn’t expect the final twist, and the final page brought out yet another surprise. This is what makes a novel memorable and draws the reader back to the book for a “second helping”
A terrific read. More please!
Terrific thriller, March 7, 2005
Reviewer: simone lancaster from London
I won’t follow the example of a previous reviewer by stressing my availability to the author!!! But, this is a man who understands women and nothing is more seductive to a female reader. In the unlikely guise of Donna O’Prey (like the unusual name), we find a heroine with none, or very few, of the attributes necessary to face a cold-hearted killer like Marcus. Yet, somehow Donna gets there, displaying her vulnerability on every page. A great idea to have such an unlikely heroine. As for Marcus, what a star. This is a man who is steeped in evil. Other reviewers have commented on their “love/hate” relationship with him, I agree totally. I was terrified by Marcus, but savoured his every appearance eager to see what he would do next.
Terrific dialogue, a mastery of desriptive passages especially when bringing to life the seamier side of post-millenium British cities. A wonderful effort for a first novel, can’t wait for another fix.
5 star novel, February 28, 2005
Reviewer: doceaston from Bishops Stortford
I was badgered into reading this book (Burn, Baby, Burn by Jake Barton) by a friend and had put it off for ages. What a mistake. A superb read, full of action and excitement and yet also touching and humerous – despite the subject matter. I am a surgeon with experience of trauma patients and police referrals and can vouch for the author’s grasp of detail when descibing injuries. Even my working background did not fully prepare me for some of the narrative detail, in particular the suicide of Clive late in the novel is a masterclass of the writers’ art, as good as anything I’ve read in fiction – anywhere. This is a first novel? An awesome performance by a terrific writer. I’m not sure how it would be possible to go on from here, but I hope this will not prove to be a one-off. It is often said that everyone has a book in them, hopefully Jake Barton has much more to offer. I loved this book, desciptive passages that placed me right in the centre of the action, cracking dialogue and throughly believable characters. It made me laugh, it upset me, frightened me too, this novel has everything. I have never been more pleased to recommend anything in my life.
Wonderful, February 16, 2005
Reviewer: Sam Foster from Sandbach, Cheshire
I have just finished this book, bought after seeing a review by Julie Edwards on the Amazon review section. Like Julie, I remembered the name of the author from paperbackwriters competition, loved what I saw of his work and couldn’t wait to read the full version. I’d almost given up hope when one of my friends told me the book was now out, but re-named Burn, Baby, Burn. (incidently, I preferred the previous title, but that is my solitary quibble).
Julie Edwards loved it, so did I. I am a voracious reader of fiction, essential for someone who seems to spend half their life on a plane, and this book gripped me from the start. It is so rare to find an author who has mastered the twin disciplines of dialogue and desription to such an extent. I note a previous reviewer compared Jake Barton to Mark Billingham – that is damning with faint praise in my opinion as for all his success, Mr Billingham is not in the same league when it comes to setting a scene. With Jake Barton, you are there, right in the centre of the scene.
I am delighted to recommend this book, something I have never previously done, as Burn, Baby, Burn signals the birth of a real talent.
Sam Foster
PS As a singleton, please note, Sam is short for Samantha. Still available, still looking. Jake, are you spoken for?
Just had to finish, February 11, 2005
Reviewer: iain3028 from Carshalton, Surrey United Kingdom
This story is scary and the main (bad) character truly frightening. Jake doesn’t cushion the reader from the details necessary to bring the true evil nature of his character to life, and having drawn you into the this man’s life and horrendous deeds, he ensures that you are held hostage within the tale and unable to escape until its conclusion is reached. Just when some degree of predictability seems to be created a comfort zone, Jake has you hurtling rapidly once again into fresh uncertainty. Jake very carefully has crafted the comparison between the frailty and determination of his heroine and the cold caclculating repugnance of his equally determined villain. His decriptions, both character and scene setting, are superb – they help bring the story to nasty life, but without stilting the pace of events. An excellent read and I can’t wait for the release of the next one in this series.
Burn, Baby, Burn, January 25, 2005
Reviewer: Stephen Bill from Folkestone, Kent United Kingdom
This book is one of the best thriller books that I have read in a long time. I cannot wait to read another of this author’s books. Hopefully a follow on from this one. Has he made another one? It keeps you on the edge from the begining to the end. About time we had some very good new authors coming through.
Amazing scary book, January 16, 2005
Reviewer: julie edwards from Aintree, England
I started reading Burn, Baby, Burn and literally read it cover to cover without a break – the first time ever I have been so gripped by a story. I remembered the name of the author, Jake Barton, from a website, paperbackwriters.co.uk. where he won first prize for a debut novel, and was captivated by the excerpt I read at that time. I have repeatedly searched for this book and was delighted when I saw it was now available, albeit with a different title. The complete book far exceeded my expectations. The villain, Marcus, is the most scary character I have ever encountered in a work of fiction while in Donna O’Prey the author has given us a real find. More of Donna please, and dare I suggest, more of the evil Marcus too?
The writing is superb with all the subtle touches of realistic dialogue and descriptive passages that elevate a piece of writing above the competition. Jake Barton, where have you been hiding? I am knocked out by your work. This novel far exceeds anything in the crime thriller genre I have ever read, (and I am a prolific reader). I would keep it away from your granny, but otherwise would heartily recommend it to anyone.
