Cover Image: The Deadly Spark

The Deadly Spark

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

#TheDeadlySpark by #RoxieKey It’s been a while since I listened to an audio and was completely enthralled. I’m excited to read more by this author. Loved all the twists and turns. #DCEveStarling investigates a house fire whilst also confronting her own past. In a dual time line we have Anya trying desperately to prove her innocence.
The narrator @imogenWilde has amazing regional accents.

Many thanks to #netgalley and #HarperCollinsUKAudionfor gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
#netgalleyuk #thriller #policeprocedural #teacherswhoread #bookstagramuk #audiobooks #audiobookstagram #oneadventureafteranother #goodreadschallenge

Was this review helpful?

A well written book that had me gripped! DC Eve Starling has to face her traumatic past when people are dying in fires in her hometown of Brighton. When a mother and her young child are the latest victims, all of Eve's emotions are triggered.

Told from Eve's POV in the present and the past, and from Anya's POV as the main suspect in the case, the pacing is spot on and the twists are plentiful.

I really enjoyed getting to know Eve and the balance of personal and police procedural within the story. I hope there is more to come.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Roxie Key and Harper Collins for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I listened to the audiobook version of this title and really enjoyed it.
The narrator kept my interest and was of the right tone.
The story itself was gripping, I liked it that there were so many angles and so many different individual stories going on. The main character Eve, her boss Jilly, her colleagues & the others.
It was all put together really well and completely kept my interest.
I'd like to see a 2nd in the series, would definitely read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

The Deadly Spark by Roxie Key 🔥 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️

🐈‍⬛️ What is it about?

Deadly fires are lighting up Brighton. The blaze was deliberately set, and a mother and daughter didn’t make it out of the smoke.

Eve’s investigation takes her deep into her own uncomfortable past. When her key witness disappears, and with the killer always one step ahead, Eve is desperate to solve the case – But playing with fire can get you burned…


🐈 My thoughts:
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this audiobook but pleasantly surprised that I really did (this is not my go to genre but the cover and good reviews caught my attention). I got gripped quite early on and there was always something happening to keep me engage and interested.
The narrator was quite good, and there are not a lot of characters so I quickly put my head around the names and events. The plot is good and I quite enjoyed the twist. I enjoy my thrillers when they are full of suspense, with a big wooww moment and darker subjects. This one is quite light, making it quite perfect for a weekend away or holiday read 👌🏼
Well written, if you like policial murder investigation books you should definitely give this one a go.

Was this review helpful?

DCI Eve Starling and her team are investigating an arson case that stirs up a lot of memories for Eve after traumatic events in her childhood. With a woman and her child dead, she needs to focus on the case as the pressure is mounting from all sides to find them.

This was a solid police procedural that could easily be the first in a series, Eve was a great MC and it has the makings of a great team to keep revisiting, I would certainly read more! It was also an assured debut from the author.

Was this review helpful?

The Deadly Spark by Roxie Key and narrated by Imogen Wilde is a brilliant debut police procedural novel that has great potential to grow into a powerful series

Eve Starling is so well written, strong, dealing with the events of her past, just the right type of FMC for my tastes!

The narration was excellent and I hope the same narrator will continue with this author

Absolutely brilliant

Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK Audio | HQ, Roxie Key and Imogen Wilde for this fantastic ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Rosie Key, Netgalley and Harpercollins Uk Audio for the audio Arc of The Deadly Spark
Narrated by Imogen Wilde.

This debut book that has been released by Roxie Key and it will not disappoint! The Deadly Spark is set in the South East of Uk, Brighton and is a Police Protocol narrative, with plenty of mystery and psychological thriller twists which with subtle foreshadowing, you may suss out the end game. DC Eve Starling picks up arsonist case which leads her to believe that it's possible murder. Eve Starling has a great fleshed out personality and her backstory is weaved through her POV as this case gets investigated. I really gelled with Eve, her sense of loyalty, even though she's vulnerable in which she's perpetually torn between pushing people away, or letting people in. She's methodical in her work and has a likeable personality.

The other POV of the story is from Eve's key witness of an arsonist case, Anya. Again, Anya is very well fleshed out with her own backstory which is well weaved within the story. As you will see once you read The Deadly Spark, I had a lot of empathy for her.

The narrative itself was paced very well, like rolling down a hill, it gathered pace and the pay off, with the psychological twists made for a fantastic first book. The timelines of both Eve and Anya were well set out, relievemt and clearly marked. Which added to the whole emotional ride.

The audiobook was narrated by Imogen Wilde. Imogen has a very well suited voice for these genre of books. She's very melodic and clear in speaking.

I do vary the speeds of my audios and I found that her voice didn't distort on the slightly higher speeds. My personal speed is around 1.25/1.5

A solid 4 stars

Was this review helpful?

"The Deadly Spark" by Roxie Key is a gripping debut thriller set in Brighton, where DC Eve Starling races against time to stop a deadly arsonist. The latest fire hits too close to home, killing a mother and daughter, and dragging Eve deep into her troubled past. As she chases the elusive killer, secrets ignite and the stakes rise.

Roxie Key masterfully blends suspense, complex characters, and a vividly atmospheric setting. I had to double check this is the authors debut novel as the tale Key weaves feels that of a much more seasoned author.
Eve’s quest for justice is both compelling and intense, making this book a must-read for thriller fans! Fast-paced and full of twists, "The Deadly Spark" will keep you hooked until the very end.

Was this review helpful?

What an amazing debut! A strong central character, tight plotting and tension builds almost from the start. It’s basically a police procedural with an interesting lead in Eve Starling. She has personality and vulnerability and I’d love to see more of her. She leads an investigation into a fire which kills a mother and child and it turns into a race against time.

The narrative has a mixed timeline and multiple viewpoints, but it’s skilfully handled and a great way to keep the action tight and the plot moving forward. Some difficult themes are explored including suicide and abuse, but this is done with sensitivity. Excellent narration throughout and I polished this off in a couple of sittings.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed listening to the The Deadly Spark, It's a Flame-tastic debut, The mystery was intriguing and alongside her plethora of colleagues, DI Eve Starling is a great character, that I am keen to hear more about, she's definitely one to watch

Was this review helpful?

What a fantastic read! So well-written, fabulously twisted and thrilling, The Deadly Spark is a great example of police procedural.
I listened to it and finished it in one day. It's so so good that I just couldn't stop. There's something really captivating in the way it's written, in the story itself, it had me hooked right from the first sentence.
DC Eve Starling is a great lead, tenacious, strong and yet vulnerable. I do hope there'll be more books featuring her in the future.
I absolutely loved The Deadly Spark and highly recommend it to all crime readers out there.

Was this review helpful?

What a brilliant and well executed debut book! This well written story uses multiple points of view which allows us as readers to connect more with the characters.
The pacing of the book overall is great even if the beginning feels slow, however I feel as if this leaves it feeling deliberate as it allows for a good foundation for the story to be built. The story does quickly pick up its pace which will leave you on the edge of your seat whilst trying to work out what is going on with Evie, our main character.
The seamless transitioning between the timelines and characters perspective are absolutely fantastic because they really allow for you to build up a picture of what's going on and the feelings of everyone involved while being able to easily follow along as it weaves the story together so smoothly.
Overall I find this to be a great story filled with great twists. I enjoyed this so much that I found myself finishing this off in one sitting. I really hope to see more work from Roxie Key and to rejoin Evie and her colleagues on another intriguing case.

Was this review helpful?

DC Eve Starling and her team will investigate a house fire that killed a mother and daughter. A suspect flees and hopes to prove her innocence before she is found.

Enjoyed the tension in this well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Great characters and twisting plotline. Eve must search for the truth which may bring her into danger whilst trying to save others.

Good first novel, enjoy.

Was this review helpful?

Firstly I requested this purely because I loved the title and cover. The book is well written and the narrator was very good as doing the different perspectives through out but I did find the pace a bit slow and thought it was missing something and needed something extra. This was a solid debut book and would look into reading more by the author. Thanks to the publisher and to net galley for this audio arc.

Was this review helpful?

Trigger warnings: child neglect, child death, baby death, alcoholism, suicide, drug use,

An enjoyable flame themed romp set in Brighton. The female characters could have used some enhanced characterization as the voices were very similar which could be confusing.

Was this review helpful?

Narrated by Imogen Wilde
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Story by Roxie Key ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The premise of the story was promising, and the use of multiple characters and perspectives was well-executed. However, I felt that the story lacked a certain depth and emotional connection that would have made it truly captivating. While it was an enjoyable read, it did not leave me with a strong desire for more.

This is my first time hearing or trying this author and even though I didn't love this book I would definitely try another one by her.

Was this review helpful?

The storyline is told from a few different perspectives and in past and present timelines. It was well done and easy to follow. The characters were well developed and likeable and I got a feel for the main character Eve more than the others. The pace needed a little oomph and needed a little more in the way of the suspense factor. The narrator was engaging and held my attention throughout. It was a solid debut read and I’d be interested in reading the next instalment.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review #TheDeadlySpark

Was this review helpful?

"The Deadly Spark" by Roxie Key, narrated by Imogen Wilde, was a thrilling audiobook that kept me on the edge of my seat.
The story follows DC Eve Starling as she investigates a series of deadly fires in Brighton, with the latest case hitting close to home as a mother and daughter tragically lose their lives in the blaze. As Eve delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers uncomfortable truths from her past that add a personal dimension to the case. With the key witness disappearing and the killer always one step ahead, Eve is determined to solve the case at any cost.
One aspect of the story that I particularly enjoyed was how it unfolded in different timelines and from various characters' points of view. This narrative technique added depth and complexity to the story, keeping me engaged and constantly guessing what would happen next. The tension and suspense were palpable, and the plot twists kept me on my toes.
While the story started slowly, it gradually picked up pace and soon hooked me. The character of DC Eve Starling was brilliantly written, a multifaceted detective with a compelling backstory that added layers to the plot. The modern approach to police work and the fast-paced nature of the storytelling made for an exciting listening experience.
Overall, "The Deadly Spark" is a gripping debut novel that delivers a thrilling ride from start to finish. With its well-developed characters, intricate plot, and unexpected twists, this audiobook is a must-listen for fans of crime thrillers. Brace yourself for a heart-pounding climax and a shocking twist that will leave you reeling.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars

A mother and daughter die in a house fire. Arson is suspected. For DC Eve Starling, the case forces her to confront a past she has tried to run from.

This is a dual timeline, dual POV thriller/police procedural that moves at a fast pace. It is decently twisty with a cast of interesting and compelling characters. I always enjoy Imogen Wilde as a narrator and this audiobook was no exception. She does regional British accents so well!

Not quite a 4 star read as I really didn't care for the final twist.

I received this audiobook for free on NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

The Deadly Spark by Roxie Key. Thank you to NetGalley for my audio arc.

I rather enjoyed this story. It unfolds in different timelines and told from various characters point of view. We follow DC Eve Starling who has to investigate a fire. There has been a slew of arson attacks in the region but this time a mother and her 5 year old daughter don’t make it out alive.

The fires are very personal for Eve as we find out that earlier in her life something tragic happened to her. One witness, who said he saw someone in a rainbow coloured cardigan running away from the scene, disappears. The police are following up on various leads but always seem to be one step behind the killer.

Was this review helpful?