Beyond the Flames


Fiction - Thriller - General
394 Pages
Reviewed on 09/01/2024
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Beyond the Flames by Gregory Lee Renz delivers a gritty and intense battle for justice in which the disillusioned Fire Captain Lee Garrison and retired Police Captain Brigid O'Brien join forces to take down a ruthless outlaw motorcycle gang terrorizing an African-American family in Milwaukee. Haunted by his demons of PTSD and traumatic experiences from the Vietnam War, Lee is driven by a newfound sense of purpose when he rescues a young girl from a school fire and discovers her sister is being held captive by the notorious Hells Disciples gang. With his explosive temper and cunning combat skills, Lee must navigate the treacherous underworld of the Iron Horse Mafia to free the sister and protect her family. But as they get closer to their goal, they uncover a sinister plot that threatens to destroy the entire community. Enlisting the help of Captain Brigid O'Brien, who has investigated the gang before, he sets out to destroy the gang and save a family. But time and the odds are against them.

Beyond the Flames is an emotionally charged novel that explores the world of firefighting and the personal struggles of those who dedicate their lives to saving others. The story begins with a dramatic rescue mission in 1956, where Lee, then just a young boy, is trapped in a burning house with his best friend Ben. The intense and suspenseful scene sets the tone for the rest of the book, as Lee recounts the events that led him to become a firefighter and the traumatic experiences that shaped his life. The narrative introduces a cast of characters struggling with their demons. There is Merle, Lee's abusive father, who inflicts physical and emotional pain on his family. There is also Betty, Lee's mother, who tries to shield her children from their father's cruelty. The novel explores the complex relationships between these characters and the lasting impact of their experiences on their lives. Gregory Lee Renz’s masterful writing and ingenious storytelling make this narrative unique and utterly captivating. The setting is finely drawn, allowing readers a vivid sense of place and time. From the escalating conflict to the unforgettable characters, this story offers entertainment that fans of thrillers will relish.