Review of "Fire on the Fens: A Detective Inspector Nikki Galena Mystery" by Joy Ellis

In this 9th book in the 'DI Nikki Galena' series, the detective's team is on the trail of an arsonist. The book can be read as a standalone but familiarity with the characters is a bonus.

*****

Detective Inspector Nikki Galena and Detective Sergeant Joseph Easter are romantically involved, which - if discovered - could have them sent to separate precincts.





So the partners are relieved when their new boss turns out to be Superintendent Cameron Walker, an old acquaintance who's willing to overlook the amorous relationship.


Superintendent Walker has to hit the ground running, however, because his arrival coincides with the appearance of an arsonist in the Fens. The first person to note the serious nature of the crimes is retired arson inspector John Carson, who tells Walker the fires will get more destructive.



This happens when a caravan (mobile home) goes up in flames, killing the occupant. Worse yet, the victim was deliberately trapped inside.



Arson expert Carson works the case with Nikki, Joseph, and their team, but they find few clues. The murderer goes on to set more fires, trapping and killing a victim each time. The ONLY connection between the victims seems to be the fact that they're in their mid-twenties and do various kinds of good works for the community.

While this is going on a group of wealthy party-lovers, who call themselves Luciferians.....



.....are attacked by thuggish delinquents who think the Luciferians are Satanists. Nikki looks into the assaults, and also delegates members of her team to investigate the Luciferians, in case they're involved with the blazes.

When a victim of the arsonist lives long enough to leave a clue about the reason for the fires, Nikki and Joseph learn the motive lies in the past. However the exact information they need is hard to find, and Nikki's mother Eve and her friend Wendy - who were in the British army - help by contacting their government connections.



When Nikki and her squad finally learn the identity of the murderer, they're in a race against time to nab the culprit and stop the killings.

Lighter moments in the book revolve around the wedding of pathologist Dr. Rory Wilkinson and his fiancé David.



The couple's reception will take place in a World War II Air Base, and they want their guests to dress in '30s and '40s wartime outfits. Nikki scoffs when Rory suggests she come as a land girl, air raid warden, or munitions worker, but Joseph says he likes the idea of going as a fighter pilot....and sees Nikki as a gorgeous army driver. The nuptials are a fun part of the story.





For me, the events leading to the crimes seem unlikely and the story drags a bit, but this mystery will probably appeal to Nikki Galena fans.

Rating: 3 stars