Customer Reviews

Red Flag Warning

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
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Kurt Kamm goes beyond the standard suspense format in this novel. He has created a story with remarkably human characters who are as unpredictable as the wildfires he writes about. The setting is Southern California. The Santa Ana winds (known as the "Devil" winds) are picking up. A series of small fires puzzle the Los Angeles County Fire Arson Unit. Someone is playing games.

In the first chapter, we meet NiteHeat. Actually, we become NiteHeat, because Kamm has created a presence, ghostlike and ethereal. NiteHeat's presence is one of thought, of attitude. As NiteHeat, we sit in the "lucky thirteenth pew" of an empty sanctuary. We savor the "blood red and deep orange stained-glass windows." We recall a "perfect Christmas day" in 1992, a sermon about the "burning bush and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone." In a mere two pages, we experience NiteHeat's anticipation as fire season draws near.

Next, there is arson investigator Captain Jim Kendall, brought back on duty after a personal tragedy to investigate a series of fires "using flares" which means "beyond coincidence." He discovers a renewed sense of purpose as the investigation progresses and the threat of a much bigger fire materializes. He begins to have suspicions that may be too personal to explore. Kendall questions himself. Is he imagining things? Should he trust his instincts about the arsonist's identity?

Then, there are the motley crew of characters who become intertwined in the investigation. They are outsiders, on the margins of respectability, but all have one thing in common, the sense that they are all reaching for something, waiting for something, and that the "something" has to do with fire. We get to know these characters. We even learn to like them. We may even suspect them.

There is Mikey Yoder, whose license plate reads, "My other car is a fire truck." Mikey once dreamed of becoming a firefighter, but never got his high school diploma. So, now, he imagines starting a "badass" fire, one with "walls of flame 50 feet high and fanned by the Santa Ana winds."

Raphael "Ruffy" Lozano works 12-hour night shifts at the 911 Dispatch Center of the Los Angeles County Department Command and Control Building. Overweight and out-of-shape, he has managed to get himself into a training program for firefighters, hoping it might improve his social life.

Father Dom, the muscular priest with tats, performs mysterious rituals in the fire-prone Santa Ana Mountains and toys with the idea of becoming a firefighter himself. He offers his services to the arson investigators.

Kurt Kamm's subject is wildfire and he writes about it with a great deal of authority, respect, and humility. In the process, he manages to inject his characters with humanity and an undercurrent of humor. He's funny. His attention to detail is meticulous. And,through it all, his admiration for the individuals who work in the firefighting professions prevails, whether it's in the coming-of-age story of his first novel, about a young man who needs to prove himself as a firefighter, or, in this story, about a serial arsonist and the characters who become entwined in an arson investigation. Without being aware of it, one gets an education from reading these books, as well as an increased sense of awareness and appreciation for the demands placed on the people who choose to go into the firefighting professions. Add a heavy dose of entertainment and an unpredictable ending an you've got this book.

When Kurt Kamm published his first book 'ONE FOOT IN THE BLACK' this reader made the following comment: 'Kamm has the gift to tell a story well: his grace in writing will doubtless move into a more sophisticated realm as he moves to his next book. The flaws here are those of pacing and disruption of story flow, a factor the author elects to overcome by naming each chapter with the names of towns that reference his character's development - not a bad technique but one that prevents steady growth of character development in favor of episodic asides that slow the momentum of the story.' In RED FLAG WARNING Kamm has not only repaired those minor flaws, but has also added another dimension to his ability as a novelist.

As with his previous book Kamm utilizes his first hand knowledge about firefighting, continues to describe the treacherous wildfires that plague California each summer, but in this finely tuned novel he adds the ability to include suspense to his writing. No longer is this novel just one about mountain fires that are so vividly described that one can feel the heat on the page, but this story includes the presence of an arsonist NiteHeat which adds immeasurably to the page-turning aspect of Kamm's writing. The manner in which he explores the psyche of an arsonist, not by scrutinizing in a psychological dissection but instead by examining the progressive destruction and fear this arsonist leaves in his path is the stuff of which fine detective stories are made. Kamm now seems as though he can enter other arenas than the fire fighting one he knows so well because his technique in writing as grown considerably. This is a book that will fascinate Californians who watch and hear those flames rise each summer fanned by Santana conditions, but it will also be a book that is so readable that the audience should steadily grow across the country. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, April 10

One of the best and graphic novels about what it's REALLY like on the fire line. Kurt gets into the arsonist mind and actually makes you think you are there investigating the fires. He gets into detail of what we in the fire service deal with and have to do to catch "fire bugs". I'm looking forward to reading his other novels...definatly a must read if you are a Investigator or Company Officer.

These was the fastest book I ever read... Great book, Love how it makes it real life... I can't wait until get gets another book done

Great read! You have the opportunity to see the devastation from both sides of the fire line - through the eyes of those who set fires to those who must risk their lives fighting it. Finding the arsonist is never easy for there are a whole bunch of crazies out there each seemingly capable of being "the one'. Kurt Kamm covers the landscape brilliantly in this action packed, well researched novel.

I'm not a book reader but this book caught my eye so I read it. I thought it was a great book with a twist. I'm now reading his other book and I am just as hooked. I strongly recommend reading especially if you love anything to do with the fire service. Looking forward to any other books he writes.

"Red Flag Warning" is a story told from the point of view of many different characters including arson investigator Jim Kendall and serial arsonist NiteHeat. The fires NiteHeat sets are getting more and more devastating and with few clues and even fewer suspects, Kendall and his team are running out of time. The Santa Ana winds are approaching and if NiteHeat isn't caught, all of Los Angeles County could burn to the ground.

While all the characters are all well-developed and interesting, the fire itself is the most intriguing character in this book. Author Kurt Kamm obviously spent a lot of time researching fire and he uses this knowledge to bring the fire to life in a way that makes it feel like a living, breathing organism. It is also obvious that he has spent some time around firefighters as the interactions seem authentic and the terminology used seems appropriate. I also liked that there were several legitimate suspects that could have been NiteHeat and that each one was well-developed. I was kept guessing until the end as each character had a psychology that I could see as being conducive to an arsonist.

I really did enjoy this book and had a hard time putting it down. My only complaint was that the tying up of all the loose ends seemed rushed. It was almost like the author had to avoid going over a certain number of pages, suddenly realized he was getting close to that number, and decided to wrap it up as quickly as possible. Or maybe I just didn't want the book to end. Either way, I wasn't entirely sure of the arsonists' identity until it was revealed during the climax of the story so I do have to applaud Mr. Kamm for keeping me guessing.

All in all "Red Flag Warning" was a good read that I would recommend to anyone with an interest in firefighting mysteries or psychological mysteries. I guarantee it will keep you intrigued until the very end.

Red Flag warning is a detailed mystery set in California during the Santa Ana Winds. Often, the Santa Ana winds will create conditions which are ideal for wildland fire ignition and propagation. These conditions are dubbed "Red Flag Warnings" by the United States National Weather Service.

Kurt Kamm (author) offers a unique mystery surrounding fire set in the Southern California area of Los Angeles. As the reader, you will follow Arson Investigator Captain Jim Kendall while he tries to discover who is setting deadly fires. Kamm also puts you over the shoulder of potential suspects and gives you a decent look into their lives. The interesting thing is that you also get to understand what the arsonist is doing as Kamm introduces NiteHeat. NiteHeat is the arsonist, however it is up to you to figure out who NiteHeat actually is.

This story had me on wanting to finish the book every time I picked it up to read a few more chapters.

With each chapter, the details had me flip flopping on who I thought the actual arsonist (NiteHeat) was. Even up to the last chapter I was still guessing, trying to remember details I had read in the book and attempting my luck at putting two and two together.

This is a book any firefighter will enjoy.

Kamm doesn't just throw a book together from the comfort of his living room. In the acknowledgments of the book, you can plainly see he did his homework on this book. Kamm, who is not a firefighter, spent two years in wildland firefighting camps and countless other hours with investigators, 911 centers, and even a short stint in jail (for research) to ensure he was getting it right to write a book on this topic.

His ability to entrench himself in the life of the characters he is writing about is outstanding. He spares no detail in building up each character making them seem real to life and does a great job of helping the reader develop the characters in their imagination.

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!!

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 :)