Red Flag Warning by Kurt Kamm

Red Flag Warning

by Kurt Kamm

My Book Review Rating:

Synopsis

Red Flag Warning is a mystery novel with a difference, it’s based around the world of arsonists. The story is told from the viewpoint of various characters: from NiteHeat who developed a love of fire at a very early age, and Fire Captain Jim Kendall who lives and breaths his investigations to Ruffy, the Command and Control supervisor who dreams of joining the fire crew rather than directing them.

Based in California, the arsonist takes advantage of the Santa Ana winds to start devastating fires that destroy countless family homes while the firefighters battle to put a stop to the travelling flames. As NightHeat prowls the darkness looking for the perfect incendiary that will leave its mark, Kendall and his team do all they can to catch the arsonist and put an end to the devastation.

Fiction or non-fiction? What’s the genre?

This firefighter novel is fictional. The realism within the story comes from Kamm’s extensive research of the topic. After he was driven from his home by a wildfire Kamm became the local wildland fire expert. In the two years he spent writing this novel he attended the CalFire Wildland Arson Investigation Academy and spent time with both arson investigators and an arson profiler.

Why did you decide to read this book?

Back in November 2008 I read and reviewed Kamm’s first novel: One Foot in the Black which I thoroughly enjoyed. After I reviewed the book Kamm kindly agreed to an interview (which you can read here) but also promised to send me a copy of his next book when it was published. True to his word Red Flag Warning appeared in my mailbox – and didn’t disappoint.

What did you like about this book?

As with Kamm’s previous novel I enjoyed this book not only because it was well written with believable characters and a great story line, but also because it is unlike anything I’d ever read before.

Kamm develops the story from the viewpoint of the different characters and includes enough twists and turns that I was left guessing the identity of the arsonist until the very end of the book.

What didn’t you like?

I can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this book – it’s that good lol

Share a quote from the book

“Outside, NiteHeat dug into the scorched sand surrounding the ants’ nest with a stick. A few angry ants erupted into the sunlight. They ran in tight circles and then spread out over the sand. NiteHeat misted them with a spray of pain thinner. Holding the match carefully, scraping it across the side of the box, the tip spluttered and gave off smoke. The flame struggled and became a beautiful orange triangle.

NiteHeat threw the match into the center of the moist sand and fire leapt up, smothering the ants. They looked like frantic little people, trying to escape the heat. One by one, they were overcome. Each ant curled up, burst into a tiny puff of flame, and turned into ash.”

What did you think about the ending?

The ending was perfect. Kamm builds the pace and energy towards the end of the book to an explosive climax where the identity of the arsonist is finally revealed.

About the author

Malibu resident Kurt Kamm has used his experience in several devastating local wildfires and access to Los Angeles County firefighters to write compelling novels about the lives of wildland firefighters. Kamm spent two years in the wildland firefighter camps and female inmate fire camps of Los Angeles County Fire Department,and interviewed firefighters, helicopter pilots, paramedics and traumatic stress counselors while writing his novels.
Read more about author Kurt Kamm…

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More reader reviews
Kurt Kamm rocks these books!   Review Date: August 26, 2010 Reviewer: busracer13, I am a crewbus driver for wildland firefighters and I just finished both books, Red Flag Warning and One Foot in the Black in less than five days! I couldn't put them down! Love them both. I love my job and Kurt did an excellent job writing about the excitement, the hard work, the drama and the down time when all is quiet, the meals, the port-a-potties, everything!! Thank you Kurt for two great books!! Another red hot hit from Kamm   Review Date: July 19, 2010 Reviewer: Clare Swindlehurst, UK Back in November 2008 I read and reviewed Kamm's first novel: One Foot in the Black which I thoroughly enjoyed. After I reviewed the book Kamm kindly agreed to an interview promised to send me a copy of his next book when it was published. True to his word Red Flag Warning appeared in my mailbox - and didn't disappoint. Red Flag Warning by Kurt Kamm is a serial arson mystery that transports you into the mind of not only the arsonist but also the investigator. The twists and turns of the plot will keep you guessing until the very end! This firefighter novel is fictional; the realism within the story comes from Kamm's extensive research of the topic. After he was driven from his home by a wildfire Kamm became the local wildland fire expert. In the two years he spent writing this novel he attended the CalFire Wildland Arson Investigation Academy and spent time with both arson investigators and an arson profiler Red Flag Warning is a mystery novel with a difference, it's based around the world of arsonists. The story is told from the viewpoint of various characters: from NiteHeat who developed a love of fire at a very early age, and Fire Captain Jim Kendall who lives and breaths his investigations to Ruffy, the Command and Control supervisor who dreams of joining the fire crew rather than directing them. Based in California, the arsonist takes advantage of the Santa Ana winds to start devastating fires that destroy countless family homes while the firefighters battle to put a stop to the travelling flames. As NightHeat prowls the darkness looking for the perfect incendiary that will leave its mark, Kendall and his team do all they can to catch the arsonist and put an end to the devastation. As with Kamm's previous novel I enjoyed this book not only because it was well written with believable characters and a great story line, but also because it is unlike anything I'd ever read before. Kamm develops the story from the viewpoint of the different characters and includes enough twists and turns that I was left guessing the identity of the arsonist until the very end of the book. Definitely recommend this one :) A bang-up arson mystery   Review Date: July 15, 2010 Reviewer: DarcyO, St. Paul, MN California's Santa Ana winds are blowing nothing but trouble in to Los Angeles County. On their own, they are a formidable force to be reckoned with, but add a fire-crazed arsonist and you've got a truly explosive situation. That's the situation Fire Captain Jim Kendall is in now. Kendall, just back from a leave of absence following the suicide of his daughter, is the chief arson investigator. Kendall and his men determine that a fire at Porter Ranch was deliberately set by an arsonist. The only clue is a red apple timer. Fearing that more fires will be set, Kendall looks for suspects including Father Dom, a "priest" who offers his help to Kendall, but who also has access to arson tools. Readers are introduced to Mikey Yoder, a young man who steals firefighting equipment while impersonating a firefighter; Donna Demko, formerly known as Darnya Demko, local weather reporter who is the adopted daughter of Kendall's friend Mark Demko, now deputy chief of the fire department; and Ruffy Lozano, a night supervisor for the county 911 dispatch center who yearns to become a firefighter. Investigators' fears turn into grim reality when the perfect storm of hot, dry Santa Ana winds and an arsonist's chicken timer explode into one of the county's worst fire maelstroms. Author Kurt Kamm keeps readers guessing in this fast-paced mystery. The suspects include some real whack jobs, but Kendall is a stand-up guy with a love of York Mints and readers will be cheering him on. Kamm definitely knows his way around a fire and the Southern California terrain and he does a bang-up job of passing that information along to readers. I highly recommend this book for readers who love a good mystery with plenty of action. AWESOME BOOK!   Review Date: July 15, 2010 Reviewer: M. Kopanski, Las Vegas, NV USA I read Kurt's last book and knew that I would be a follower for life. So it was no surprise when he finished Red Flag Warning, I knew I had to have it. Kurt is one of those writers, who "get's it right" by all the small details he puts into his books. He spends countless hours researching everything that goes into his stories and it just brings them so much more to life. He's a great writer on wildland fire and I'm looking forward to his next book! WILDFIRE SUSPENSE   Review Date: July 14, 2010 Reviewer: SBEARIT, I loved One Foot in the Black, and couldn't wait for his next book, which I knew he was writing through email correspondence with him. Unlike his first book which I devoured in a couple days I had a bit more difficulty getting into this one; but once I did I finished it in a couple sittings. The story was well written and his knowledge of the wildland fire departments were excellent since he took the time for both books to spend time with Cal Fire and L.A. County Fire to get a feel for how they operate. I didn't much care for all the short chapters and all the blank pages. Also I think at the end when NiteHeat was caught, that no where in the book was the name NiteHeat conveyed to those who were hunting him. Great book however, which as a retired Staff Chief I can relate to. Next book should be one about the USFS failure to respond with sufficent equipment on initial attack, and their propensity to milk the campaign fires for all it's worth and their hands being tied with the onerous restrictions on use of motorized equipment and air tankiers in the designated Wilderness areas!
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