How to Start a Fire

Lisa Lutz departs from her Spellman books with How to Start a Fire.  Here we have the tale of 3 different, but very unique, women who meet in college. The book is told in an extremely non-linear fashion which actually serves to increase interest as it turns the thing into a bit of a puzzle.  You’ll read a section that has the characters reacting to an event that occurred earlier but that hasn’t yet been presented in the book.  As a device for keeping interest up it is surprisingly successful.  The characters are completely standard Lutz.  Once you’re familiar with one of her characters you could definitely pick another out of a lineup anytime… they’re kind of similar…. Which also means you have to like her style of character if you’re going to like one of her books.

I am a fan of Lutz so I enjoyed the book.  I would definitely recommend it to fans of her work.  I would also recommend it to those who haven’t read anything by her.  It’s a nice introduction to her style and if you like it you could then turn to the Spellman series.