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Will MacGowan #1
Slow Fire
One morning, Will Magowan opens his mail and finds a mysterious job offer to become the police chief of Haydenville, a tiny town in rural Northern California. Once a highly decorated LAPD narcotics detective, Will was terminated after a devastating personal tragedy drove him to become addicted to the heroin he was charged with keeping off the streets. Fresh out of rehab but jobless and estranged from his wife, Will now lives alone in an old Airstream trailer on the fringes of L.A. Out of options, Will accepts the job. After moving to Haydenville, he discovers that the once postcard-perfect town is being corrupted by a criminal influence that threatens to destroy it. Haydenville’s normally law-abiding citizens begin to erupt in acts of unspeakable violence. Pets are going missing at an alarming rate. Stately Victorian homes are falling into disrepair. With only a rookie officer at his disposal, Will risks everything in his quest to save Haydenville—entering a labyrinth of dark secrets that have remained buried for almost 40 years. An emotionally complex and literate page-turner, Slow Fire marks the electrifying debut of a new series featuring Will Magowan.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
5 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Ken Mercer
6 books16 followersKen Mercer is the author of the just released crime novel East on Sunset and the critically acclaimed Slow Fire.
Ken was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1962 and began writing professionally at the age of 17.
He has written for newspaper, magazine, radio, television and feature films.
He lives in California with his wife and daughter.
Ken was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1962 and began writing professionally at the age of 17.
He has written for newspaper, magazine, radio, television and feature films.
He lives in California with his wife and daughter.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 12, 2010
Slow Fire is an excellent debut novel by Ken Mercer. For anyone who might be interested, I've posted a full review on my blog http://jameslthane.blogspot.com
October 4, 2014
This thriller kept me wanting more as I turned each page.
September 17, 2022
“Slow Fire” by Ken Mercer (2010) First Edition
Overall Rating 8/10 – Nearly cracked it
Plot
A disgraced former Narcotics cop winds up in an outback town appointed head of Police and instructed to bring down a secret Meths lab. All odds are against him as he tries to crack the case….
Writing Style
Easy, flowing short sentences. Almost an excess of adjectives but just inside the acceptable line. Quite pleasing.
Point of View
Written in the 3rd Person / Past Tense (standard convention)
Critique
Many thoughts spring to mind;
On the positive side, the book was reasonably well written. The plot was decent and the extra flowering of detail worked really well. The author clearly had a good grip of artistry and adjectives. As a huge positive, I was deeply invested into the protagonist. The backstory wasn’t too laboured and the detail surrounding the “here and now” was very good. By the end, I thought I knew him inside and out.
On the “not quite so positive” side there were a fair number of issues. Firstly, the story was disjointed with jumps from one “scene” to another. Although each was eloquently laid out, there were no segues making a television show (which it is crying out to be) very difficult. Secondly, there were a good number of issues left unattended to and, by the end, some characters had just been forgotten. Thirdly, this being a crime story, I felt that the main suspect was identified without any actual evidence. I do accept that “gut feeling” plays a part in policing but we were not given any of that either. If we were, I missed it. This meant that I read most of the book thinking that the protagonist had it wrong and I expected a twist. A twist that never came.
The most poignant criticism that I have is this; The story around the protagonist was that of a person who had suffered many traumas, hardships and setbacks. These were so convincing written that, by the end, I didn’t want to pick up the sequel because I couldn’t again stand the horrible feelings I endured reading about him the first time.
Like hospital treatment, I need to recover first before I try another one.
Overall Rating 8/10 – Nearly cracked it
Plot
A disgraced former Narcotics cop winds up in an outback town appointed head of Police and instructed to bring down a secret Meths lab. All odds are against him as he tries to crack the case….
Writing Style
Easy, flowing short sentences. Almost an excess of adjectives but just inside the acceptable line. Quite pleasing.
Point of View
Written in the 3rd Person / Past Tense (standard convention)
Critique
Many thoughts spring to mind;
On the positive side, the book was reasonably well written. The plot was decent and the extra flowering of detail worked really well. The author clearly had a good grip of artistry and adjectives. As a huge positive, I was deeply invested into the protagonist. The backstory wasn’t too laboured and the detail surrounding the “here and now” was very good. By the end, I thought I knew him inside and out.
On the “not quite so positive” side there were a fair number of issues. Firstly, the story was disjointed with jumps from one “scene” to another. Although each was eloquently laid out, there were no segues making a television show (which it is crying out to be) very difficult. Secondly, there were a good number of issues left unattended to and, by the end, some characters had just been forgotten. Thirdly, this being a crime story, I felt that the main suspect was identified without any actual evidence. I do accept that “gut feeling” plays a part in policing but we were not given any of that either. If we were, I missed it. This meant that I read most of the book thinking that the protagonist had it wrong and I expected a twist. A twist that never came.
The most poignant criticism that I have is this; The story around the protagonist was that of a person who had suffered many traumas, hardships and setbacks. These were so convincing written that, by the end, I didn’t want to pick up the sequel because I couldn’t again stand the horrible feelings I endured reading about him the first time.
Like hospital treatment, I need to recover first before I try another one.
June 7, 2020
Recovering heroin addict Will Magowan has lost everything...his wife, his young son and his job as a narcotics detective for LAPD, and he's desperate. He accepts a job as the chief of police in Haydenville, a small town in northern California whose citizens are suffering from the ravages of meth addiction. Will arrives to find that Thomas, the only other member of the police force, is a naive 20 year old man with no police training. It doesn't take Will long to figure out who's producing the meth that's causing the problems for the town, but no one wants to hear what he has to say. Despite the lack of support, and the seemingly impossible tasks ahead of him, Will persists. He says to his wife, "Because if I just leave. If I just walk away, then what? I mean, then what am I?" In his own way, Will is a hero, a man who refuses to back down no matter how difficult the task ahead because that's his identity. It's hard for me to believe that this is a first novel...so well written, so believable and with characters you love and others you hate. I'm looking forward to reading this author's second book.
December 27, 2019
I am surprised that the book is said to have a shocking end and plot twist. The suspense elements were not cooked to perfection in that timing were often off. Pretty straightforward plot. It is a decent read nonetheless but maybe not one to remember.
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August 7, 2021to-read
December 18, 2021
This book was given to me and I hope there are more. I almost put it down when there were parts that dealt with crusty to animas, but kept on going.
April 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It definitely had me sad at some parts. But happy for others.
May 26, 2010
"Just a few hard knocks. That's what he'd kept telling himself, these past couple of years, but now he had to consider a more disturbing possibility. That perhaps the circumstances were not to be blamed, but only himself." - Will Magowan
Former LAPD narcotics detective Will Magowan has pretty much hit rock bottom. Having been fired because of the heroin addiction he picked up while working undercover, he's estranged from his wife and living in a beat up Airstream trailer at the opening of author Ken Mercer's debut novel, Slow Fire.
Still unemployed and trying to get his life together two years after his firing, Magowan's prospects for another job in law enforcement are looking rather grim. Until, that is, he gets an offer from the Mayor of Haydenville, California to become their Chief of Police. Located far upstate and deep inland in National Forest territory, the once idyllic town is suffocating under a growing methamphetamine problem, one so bad that the Mayor is willing to overlook Magowan's current baggage in favor of his past expertise.
Magowan accepts the position, and in relatively short order identifies the person he believes to be the source of the meth; Frank Carver, a man who served time in the 1970's after being convicted of the voluntary manslaughter of his wife. Unfortunately, Carver also wrote a bestselling book shortly after his release from prison which, in conjunction with his generous patronage of the town's library, makes him `hands off' as far as the Mayor is concerned.
It's not giving anything away to mention that Magowan identifies Carver as his main suspect (it happens early on), as Slow Fire is arguably more of a character study than it is a mystery in the strictest sense. It's Magowan's interactions with those around him - be it mentoring his earnest and painfully naïve young deputy, trying to reconnect with his estranged wife, playing politics with the Mayor, or butting heads with Carver - that truly fuel Slow Fire.
Carver, who presents an unnerving combination of brute force and intelligence for Magowan to square off against, is one of the more disturbing antagonists you'll find in current crime fiction. Magowan is such a wonderfully well-developed character, however, that he's more than up to the task. Mercer has, in fact, hit a stride with Magowan right out of the gate that many authors take two or three books into a series to find. Considering that Slow Fire is Mercer's debut, I can only image the heights he will be able to hit with Magowan as this series unfolds... and I greatly look forward to it.
Former LAPD narcotics detective Will Magowan has pretty much hit rock bottom. Having been fired because of the heroin addiction he picked up while working undercover, he's estranged from his wife and living in a beat up Airstream trailer at the opening of author Ken Mercer's debut novel, Slow Fire.
Still unemployed and trying to get his life together two years after his firing, Magowan's prospects for another job in law enforcement are looking rather grim. Until, that is, he gets an offer from the Mayor of Haydenville, California to become their Chief of Police. Located far upstate and deep inland in National Forest territory, the once idyllic town is suffocating under a growing methamphetamine problem, one so bad that the Mayor is willing to overlook Magowan's current baggage in favor of his past expertise.
Magowan accepts the position, and in relatively short order identifies the person he believes to be the source of the meth; Frank Carver, a man who served time in the 1970's after being convicted of the voluntary manslaughter of his wife. Unfortunately, Carver also wrote a bestselling book shortly after his release from prison which, in conjunction with his generous patronage of the town's library, makes him `hands off' as far as the Mayor is concerned.
It's not giving anything away to mention that Magowan identifies Carver as his main suspect (it happens early on), as Slow Fire is arguably more of a character study than it is a mystery in the strictest sense. It's Magowan's interactions with those around him - be it mentoring his earnest and painfully naïve young deputy, trying to reconnect with his estranged wife, playing politics with the Mayor, or butting heads with Carver - that truly fuel Slow Fire.
Carver, who presents an unnerving combination of brute force and intelligence for Magowan to square off against, is one of the more disturbing antagonists you'll find in current crime fiction. Magowan is such a wonderfully well-developed character, however, that he's more than up to the task. Mercer has, in fact, hit a stride with Magowan right out of the gate that many authors take two or three books into a series to find. Considering that Slow Fire is Mercer's debut, I can only image the heights he will be able to hit with Magowan as this series unfolds... and I greatly look forward to it.
June 26, 2010
Former LA undercover narcotics agent Will Magowan is offered a job as police chief in a small Northern California town. A reovering addict himself, Will quickly runs afoul of Frank Carver, the town's most famous resident--an aging Hippie who spent years in jail and wrote a book about his transformation to an "upstanding citizen" when he disovers that this small, quaint town has a serious drug problem. With only a rookie officer to help him, Will must battle his own demons as well determine who could be running the state's largest meth lab somewhere in the national forest.
I had this book in my to read pile for over a month. It was actually sitting on the back seat of my car when I was desperate for something to read. Once I started it I couldn't put it down. A great crime fiction debut.
I had this book in my to read pile for over a month. It was actually sitting on the back seat of my car when I was desperate for something to read. Once I started it I couldn't put it down. A great crime fiction debut.
August 31, 2010
Ken Mercer tells a good story. His protagonist, Will Magowan, is hired as chief of police for a small California town with a big drug problem. He works toward solving murder and drug problems while wrestling with demons of his own: a not-quite-cured drug addiction, the death of his infant son, and his pending divorce. Through it all, Magowan gets little support from the mayor who hired him, and open antagonism from the town intellect, Frank Carver. Carver is an ego-maniac and a control freak who loves being the big fish in this small town.
Magowan resolves the crimes without the need for a suspension of belief. The happily-ever-after ending does require a miracle or two, but the story is already over by that time.
Magowan resolves the crimes without the need for a suspension of belief. The happily-ever-after ending does require a miracle or two, but the story is already over by that time.
March 12, 2010
Slow Fire is the first in a new series about a former LAPD narcotics detective who, after a two year rehab, gets another job opportunity as a small Northern California town's Chief of Police. Only when he arrives there, he discovers there's a meth lab in the area and it's owner is willing to kill to protect it. Mercer has a nice style for prose, but his plot is overly simplistic and predictable. Devoid of action, suspense and thrills, this "slow fire" fizzles out pretty quickly, but if Mercer can come up with a more sustainable plot, his flawed protagonist might be able to rebound in his next endeavor. Not a bad read by any means, but it definitely lacks heat.
June 2, 2010
This is a great first novel, go buy it and put a copy in a box. It's about a man getting his next to last chance as a very small town sheriff; when he finds out he has to clean up an almost impossible to track down methamphetemine problem, he's almost out on his ear. He also has a great backstory - estranged wife with a family tragedy at the center of the sepration. This book is rocket powered, vivid, and memorable.
August 17, 2011
This book was recommended by a very good friend. I found that once I started it was very hard to put it down. The main protag Will is delightfully broken but able to use his investigative and survival skills to bring about a justified conclusion to the multiple cases he finds himself embroiled in as the new police chief of a small town. I really enjoyed how the author brought all of the stories together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2010
This is a debut novel. I have a suggestion. Don't write any more about this character. The hero has no appeal and the unraveling of the story shows a silly and unrealistic government conspiracy that the hero uncovers. This is unlikely since everything he does in this stupid story makes little or no sense. I imagine there are police officers like this guy but why would I want to read about one.
May 19, 2013
Portions of this called to mind Breaking Bad. Although I had to suspend disbelief for certain actions of the police department, that could be because the town was so small it was only a 2 man department. There's a lot of substance here with this main character, and I'm glad there's another one to put on my list.
June 7, 2020
Ex LAPD finds himself starting over in a Northern California town with a meth problem.
While he tracks down the meth lab he risks his life and that of his coworker and family.
Gritty and graphic.
While he tracks down the meth lab he risks his life and that of his coworker and family.
Gritty and graphic.
November 26, 2010
A formulaic mystery novel, not particularly well written. A fast read - less than a day. Junk food for the brain. Not bad, just not very good. Glad, once more, that this was a library book.
April 27, 2011
OK read.
October 4, 2014
Fast paced and kept you interested. More of an easy read for a rainy day.
February 7, 2016
A suspenseful fast read crime novel.
June 28, 2011
couldn't put it down!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews