Into The Fire by G. D. Wright

 

Wandering home after an evening socialising with his wife and friends Steve Minchin spots a house on fire. Without hesitating he plunges into the burning house and rescues a baby. Thanks to the power of social media he's soon labeled a hero but his life begins to crumble when his past catches up with him.

Author G. D. Wright has written a powerful novel that examines the essence of morality, showing clearly that right and wrong aren't always binary, it's far more of a spectrum. The opening of Into The Fire gives you a hint that Steve has a past, something that upsets him, a long-kept secret.

When Steve runs into the burning building you can feel his rising panic, particularly when he is filled with indecision about which way to turn. He knows the time available is limited, too long spent trying to decide risks his own life as well as anyone in the property. Unable to rescue all of the occupants of the property, Steve is filled with sadness and wracked with guilt. When you consider the way in which Steve feels and the fact that he didn't hesitate before running into the burning building, you know that at his core Steve is a good man. This is amplified when we witness his interactions with his family.

The nature of the society we live in means that Steve's actions were filmed and shared on social media, with the clip quickly going viral. In a world obsessed with celebrities and influencers Steve's unselfish act captures the hearts of the nation and he is labeled a hero. The press quickly picks up on the story and we see the unpleasant side of overnight fame, with Steve's family becoming prisoners in their own home as they are besieged, something Steve didn't want.

A brewing storm echoes the turmoil Steve is facing. It is impossible not to empathise as he grapples with feelings of guilt, uncertainty, humility and the terror that his past will become known. When his past does come to light the hero worship quickly turns into a braying mob, I could almost visualise the pitchforks and torches. Emotions are heightened as Steve struggles to explain to his wife, however, he can't find the words to express himself, to describe traumatic events he's built a wall around.

I was convinced I knew exactly where the conclusion was heading, but author G. D. Wright had me completely stunned by the twists that I didn't see coming. I was left reflecting on the nature of good and evil, how they aren't absolutes, and wondering if an act of goodness can atone for something an individual has done in the past.

Into The Fire by G. D. Wright will be published on 5th June 2025 in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for a review copy.

Author Details

Gary Wright joined Kent Police at the age of 18 and worked in a variety of uniformed roles. At the age of 29, and completely out of the blue, he suffered two cardiac arrests that led to the diagnosis of a life limiting and incurable disease of the heart. Following the implantation of an internal defibrillator into his heart, he was unable to continue policing and retired at the age of 30. He bought a coffee shop in Ramsgate Harbour, and spent years looking out over the sea and dreaming up stories. He now writes full time, committing those very stories to paper.