Bonfire

By Iona Hepburn.

What happens when the chaos of Lewes Bonfire becomes the scene of a murder? 

Bonfire night provides an incredible backdrop for a crime story. The fire, crowds, noise and centuries-old traditions of Lewes create an atmosphere where something sinister can almost disappear amongst the organised chaos.

DCI Holly Hennessy's first Lewes Bonfire takes a horrific turn when a burning barrel crashes through the crowd and the body of a teenage girl is discovered inside. What follows is an investigation that becomes increasingly personal when Holly encounters Kyra Ford, someone she hasn't seen since their friendship ended badly fifteen years earlier.

I really enjoyed the combination of the murder investigation with Holly's own history. There is already a lot to unpack between Holly and Kyra, and having that unresolved relationship running alongside the case gives the story another layer beyond simply discovering who is responsible. The queer elements also feel integral to the characters rather than something added around the edges of the crime story.

The setting was probably my favourite part. Lewes Bonfire is so distinctive that it gives the opening an immediate identity, but the atmosphere extends beyond the celebrations themselves. Sussex, with its combination of rural and coastal landscapes, works brilliantly for a darker crime series, and I could easily see Holly returning for further investigations. The publisher describes this as the beginning of an atmospheric series set in the area, which I'm very happy about.

There are some darker contemporary themes running through the story too, particularly around abuses of power and toxic online communities. I liked that the case isn't isolated from the lives of the people involved, with old resentments, relationships and personal histories gradually becoming tangled up in the investigation.

Hepburn's own background as an ICU doctor is interesting when reading the book too. She has spoken about the similarities she sees between medicine and police work, particularly the humanity involved and the familiarity both professions develop with death.

Bonfire is a strong crime debut with a memorable setting, an interesting lead detective and enough unresolved history surrounding Holly to make me want to know much more about her. The combination of an intensely atmospheric murder investigation and Holly's complicated personal life gives the series plenty of room to develop.

I'll definitely be looking out for what comes next for DCI Holly Hennessy. Thank you to Amber and the team at Allison & Busby. The book is out now and available to purchase.

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