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Irene Kelly #8
Flight
Hot off the publication of "Bones," the winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel, Jan Burke explodes onto the suspense scene with "Flight," featuring the hard-edged Detective Frank Harriman, husband of Jan's beloved series heroine Irene Kelly. A family is found murdered. In a cruel twist, one of the Las Piernas Police Department's own, Philip Lefebvre, is suspected of killing the only witness. When that detective disappears, a crime boss goes free. And the LPPD is forever changed.
Called in to investigate the wreckage of the missing detective's plane, Frank Harriman is given a set of cold cases that have suddenly become white hot. Detective Harriman's conviction that the LPPD tagged the wrong murder suspect is wildly unpopular. Alone, his instincts and integrity questioned at every turn, Harriman must stop the killer before hundreds of lives, including Harriman's own, are lost.
"Flight" is a heart-pounding marriage of Jan Burke's "intricate plotting" "(Washington Times)," "chilling suspense" (Clive Cussler), and trademark "crisp, crackling prose" "(Library Journal)" that will thrill newcomers and veteran Burke fans, cover to cover.
Called in to investigate the wreckage of the missing detective's plane, Frank Harriman is given a set of cold cases that have suddenly become white hot. Detective Harriman's conviction that the LPPD tagged the wrong murder suspect is wildly unpopular. Alone, his instincts and integrity questioned at every turn, Harriman must stop the killer before hundreds of lives, including Harriman's own, are lost.
"Flight" is a heart-pounding marriage of Jan Burke's "intricate plotting" "(Washington Times)," "chilling suspense" (Clive Cussler), and trademark "crisp, crackling prose" "(Library Journal)" that will thrill newcomers and veteran Burke fans, cover to cover.
560 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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481 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
October 5, 2010
Taut, well-written, involving. You’ll want to read straight thru without pausing, which could be a problem, as it’s 530 pages long! Thank goodness for days off. I’ll be hitting Amazon for other novels by this author, as it turns out that the main character has been in other novels written and taking place earlier than this.
September 15, 2022
This book actually focuses more on Frank Harriman, Irene Kelly's husband who is a homicide detective. He's tasked with solving a cold case from 10 years earlier, before he transferred to the Las Piernas PD. The case involves a homicide detective who was accused of taking a bribe to kill a teen witness in a murder case, and then disappeared. When his body is found, the case gets assigned to Frank because he's the only detective on the force who wasn't there earlier and doesn't have a preconceived attitude or ideas about it.
Because I happen to love stories of vindicating someone falsely accused of something awful, I totally dug the mystery here. And even though it's "a novel of suspense" instead of a straight-up mystery (which means there are chapters from the villain's POV), the villain here wasn't super duper creepy, so I didn't have to skip his chapters like I end up doing with some suspense books.
Yay!
Because I happen to love stories of vindicating someone falsely accused of something awful, I totally dug the mystery here. And even though it's "a novel of suspense" instead of a straight-up mystery (which means there are chapters from the villain's POV), the villain here wasn't super duper creepy, so I didn't have to skip his chapters like I end up doing with some suspense books.
Yay!
February 12, 2022
Excellent Irene Kelly mystery, with the focus on her husband Detective Frank harriman. Tense, exciting. A real page turner
August 28, 2015
In my most private, insecure, questioning moments, I can’t help but wonder whether the prologue is a technique too often used these days. It may well be, but in this book’s case, Burke puts the technique to fabulous use.
We are transported to the lives of a teenage brother and sister on a boat that belongs to their politician father. The two are cleaning up the boat in preparation to return to the home of their mother. The dialogue between these two as they work together is wonderfully snappy and authentic. In just a few words, Burke gives you more insight into the relationship of these two than a lesser talented writer would in pages and pages. You are drawn to both of them instantly. When the two hear voices above them stridently conversing with their father, Amanda investigates. Seconds later, she is back, but her youthful body has essentially been turned to something akin to raw hamburger, and she is rapidly dying.
Her brother, Seth, manages somehow to survive, but barely. Alerted to the horror on the boat, law enforcement arrives just in time to save a barely living Seth. It’s too late for Amanda and their father. And that’s just the prologue.
Detective Philip Lefebvre has saved Seth, and the boy Slowly recovers. But he refuses to calm down if the detective who saved him isn’t close. They form a tight bond, and both know that Seth could be killed by the murderer who killed his father and sister.
The tension continues to build as Lefebvre methodically works to find a killer. As he works, the reader is given creepy glimpses into the OCD-saturated mind of the killer.
Skip forward 10 years. A plane has been found in a secluded area. It’s a crash site. Inside is the body of Detective Lefebvre. Police had long believed he was paid off to murder young Seth and disappear. The name of Lefebvre is hated in the department, but Frank Harriman, whose wife is Irene Kelly, a reporter who once knew Lefebvre rather well, has been assigned to the case of the crashed plane. Harriman wasn’t part of the department when Lefebvre disappeared, so he’s the perfect one to take the case. What he finds is a far cry from what most assumed to be the case for a decade.
This is highly memorable for so many reasons. Things happen you simply don’t expect. This is my first brush with a Jan Burke book, but it’s almost a stand-alone, since it puts so much emphasis on Harriman and his investigation.
We are transported to the lives of a teenage brother and sister on a boat that belongs to their politician father. The two are cleaning up the boat in preparation to return to the home of their mother. The dialogue between these two as they work together is wonderfully snappy and authentic. In just a few words, Burke gives you more insight into the relationship of these two than a lesser talented writer would in pages and pages. You are drawn to both of them instantly. When the two hear voices above them stridently conversing with their father, Amanda investigates. Seconds later, she is back, but her youthful body has essentially been turned to something akin to raw hamburger, and she is rapidly dying.
Her brother, Seth, manages somehow to survive, but barely. Alerted to the horror on the boat, law enforcement arrives just in time to save a barely living Seth. It’s too late for Amanda and their father. And that’s just the prologue.
Detective Philip Lefebvre has saved Seth, and the boy Slowly recovers. But he refuses to calm down if the detective who saved him isn’t close. They form a tight bond, and both know that Seth could be killed by the murderer who killed his father and sister.
The tension continues to build as Lefebvre methodically works to find a killer. As he works, the reader is given creepy glimpses into the OCD-saturated mind of the killer.
Skip forward 10 years. A plane has been found in a secluded area. It’s a crash site. Inside is the body of Detective Lefebvre. Police had long believed he was paid off to murder young Seth and disappear. The name of Lefebvre is hated in the department, but Frank Harriman, whose wife is Irene Kelly, a reporter who once knew Lefebvre rather well, has been assigned to the case of the crashed plane. Harriman wasn’t part of the department when Lefebvre disappeared, so he’s the perfect one to take the case. What he finds is a far cry from what most assumed to be the case for a decade.
This is highly memorable for so many reasons. Things happen you simply don’t expect. This is my first brush with a Jan Burke book, but it’s almost a stand-alone, since it puts so much emphasis on Harriman and his investigation.
February 3, 2009
Flight by Jan Burke
This is my first foray into a Jan Burke novel. Burke is an award winning author of a number of suspense and mystery stories. Although her favorite protagonist, Irene Kelly is a character is this police mystery, the main character is a savvy homicide detective.
If you like straight forward, well written mysteries that hold your attention then this book is for you. There is none of the CIA delta force, secret, techno-babble that so many authors have become so dependent on to support a farfetched plot and weak character development. Ms. Burke writes solidly throughout, not indulging in the weakness of an interesting beginning chapter, a middle of sheer boredom, followed by a made for TV climax that seems to be the developing format for this gendre.
This is my first foray into a Jan Burke novel. Burke is an award winning author of a number of suspense and mystery stories. Although her favorite protagonist, Irene Kelly is a character is this police mystery, the main character is a savvy homicide detective.
If you like straight forward, well written mysteries that hold your attention then this book is for you. There is none of the CIA delta force, secret, techno-babble that so many authors have become so dependent on to support a farfetched plot and weak character development. Ms. Burke writes solidly throughout, not indulging in the weakness of an interesting beginning chapter, a middle of sheer boredom, followed by a made for TV climax that seems to be the developing format for this gendre.
April 16, 2008
I don't know why I waited so long to read this one, when I absolutely loved Bones, not the first Irene Kelly mystery, but the first "crossover" into thriller-land. I think it's because this one features Irene Kelly's husband as the protaganist, and I wasn't sure I'd be into it as much. Boy, was I ever wrong. What a great read! Superb mystery. Kept me guessing. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Loved the cast of characters. Loved the story of an old investigation coming to life again in the hands of Detective Frank Harriman who has a seriously uphill battle to find the truth.
March 23, 2009
I think I found a new author to read! A 10 year old murder thought to be solved. A loner detective accused of killing a child survivor of a boat massacre and running off with money and evidence. 10 years later, another loner detective, figures out the pieces of the puzzle don't quite fit as people would like them to fit.
Read
June 22, 2009I love a good mystery.
September 13, 2010
Pleasantly surprised by how good this book was! Picked it up for an easy read and ended up enthralled.
January 14, 2011
I had trouble putting this book down. It was very complex and interesting.
September 4, 2011
Good, solid, contemporary police-based mystery.
November 14, 2011
This was the book that got me hooked to Jan Burke and since then I have been faithfully reading all her books. Highly recommend this book
April 29, 2013
Good premise, good characters and plotting, moved right along. I really like her writing and particularly liked this one!
October 18, 2018
Another absolutely amazing Irene Kelly mystery! Jan Burke is my new favorite author! So glad I stumbled upon one of her books because it got me into this whole series! 🧡
October 19, 2023
As I was looking over what I had on the shelves, looking to see what I could get rid of to make more space and, well, because I need to get rid of some stuff (a lot of stuff) I came to the Jan Burke titles. Up to this point I hadn't read any of her books but had started picking them up here and there after she won an Edgar for "Bones." But I never did fill in the early Irene Kelly titles so I really didn't know what to start with. But I had "Flight" and, although it's referred to as Irene Kelly #8, it's really more of a stand-alone as it's written entirely from her husband's point of view so I decided to start with this one. However, I almost put it aside after reading (early on) what I felt was a pretty big hole in the very foundation of the whole story but I stayed with it and it turned out to be a very good whodunnit. I'll read the next one, "Nine," as it's also a stand-alone and then I'll decide if I'm going to track down the rest of the Irene Kelly titles that I'm missing or just get rid of what I have and make some more room on the shelf.
July 23, 2018
Could not put this book down! Read the whole book in one day because I was compelled to see what happened next... At first you don't know who to suspect, then you start suspecting everyone! I'm anxious to try another of Burke's books right away. The author really seemed to do her homework with regard to police, forensic, and NTSB investigations because the story felt very realistic and believable. Great characters too!
March 25, 2024
Another really, really good entry in this series. I don't think there's a book in this series yet that I haven't found to be a great read.
This one centers more on Frank, but Irene is very much part of the story. The backstory is extremely heart-wrenching and the resolution was twisty and unexpected up until the very end. Devoured it in two sittings.
As with all books in this series, HIGHLY recommended.
This one centers more on Frank, but Irene is very much part of the story. The backstory is extremely heart-wrenching and the resolution was twisty and unexpected up until the very end. Devoured it in two sittings.
As with all books in this series, HIGHLY recommended.
January 28, 2021
Beautiful blending of events occurring 10 years apart. Solving a mysterious disappearance and bring closure to families. Revealing a killer who has gone free after numerous crimes and finally bringing him to justice.
March 9, 2023
Characters are strong
Loyalties are tested within the PD
Twists and turns.
I really liked the string of events that led us to the reveal
Kept me emotionally involved
Believable
Suspenseful
Well-written
There wasn't much that I didn't like other than this one was hard on me emotionally.
Loyalties are tested within the PD
Twists and turns.
I really liked the string of events that led us to the reveal
Kept me emotionally involved
Believable
Suspenseful
Well-written
There wasn't much that I didn't like other than this one was hard on me emotionally.
May 15, 2018
This one centers on Frank more than Irene. His problems in the police department andd an old murder case make this a real page turner.
October 26, 2018
Still enjoying this author. Onward!
July 1, 2019
Good genre book.
November 3, 2020
Losing interest in these books
November 22, 2020
Loved this book. Loved that it was mostly from Frank’s perspective.
December 28, 2021
Incredible read
September 7, 2024
Call ITA love this series, I miss is quite possibly the best book in the series so far. That’s saying something! It’s an excellent series in general.
March 30, 2025
WOW! She weaves an exciting intrigue. This is the first of her books I read. It won't be the last.
December 28, 2007
Flight - VG
Burke, Jan - 8th in series
Discovery of the wreckage of a Cessna in the mountain underbrush reopens old wounds and a cold case. The pilot's remains are identified as those of Detective Philip Lefebvre of the Las Piernas Police Department, reviled ten years earlier for taking a payoff and killing the sole witness to a family's murder before disappearing, along with the material evidence that would have taken a major crime lord off the streets. As he investigates, Detective Frank Harriman must overcome the hostility of the other detectives and Lefebvre's family, the reluctance of his superiors, and threats from unexpected sources. Gradually convinced of Lefebvre's innocence, Harriman backtracks through the late detective's personal and professional lives to find the true killer, uncovering secrets that will rattle the Las Piernas force as much as Lefebvre's presumed guilt once did. Fans of the Irene Kelly series should know that Flight is told from the perspective of Harriman, Kelly's husband, with Kelly as a supporting player.
Frank is more the focus of this book, than is Irene but that doesn't detract from the story. I very much enjoyed it, and the series. I do recommend starting the series at the beginning, however.
Burke, Jan - 8th in series
Discovery of the wreckage of a Cessna in the mountain underbrush reopens old wounds and a cold case. The pilot's remains are identified as those of Detective Philip Lefebvre of the Las Piernas Police Department, reviled ten years earlier for taking a payoff and killing the sole witness to a family's murder before disappearing, along with the material evidence that would have taken a major crime lord off the streets. As he investigates, Detective Frank Harriman must overcome the hostility of the other detectives and Lefebvre's family, the reluctance of his superiors, and threats from unexpected sources. Gradually convinced of Lefebvre's innocence, Harriman backtracks through the late detective's personal and professional lives to find the true killer, uncovering secrets that will rattle the Las Piernas force as much as Lefebvre's presumed guilt once did. Fans of the Irene Kelly series should know that Flight is told from the perspective of Harriman, Kelly's husband, with Kelly as a supporting player.
Frank is more the focus of this book, than is Irene but that doesn't detract from the story. I very much enjoyed it, and the series. I do recommend starting the series at the beginning, however.
August 2, 2013
This is the eighth book in the series of eleven (as of 2011) ... I'm rereading the series.
The book begins ten years ago with Lefebvre's story ... the murders of Trent Randolph and his daughter, Amanda, and Lefebvre's bonding with Trent's son, Seth, who survives the attack. When Seth is murdered and Lefebvre disappears, everyone assumes he took a payoff from Whitey Dane to kill Seth.
Jump ahead ten years and Lefebvre's plane is discovered along with his bones in the forest. It's up to Frank to investigate. The other cops get mad at Frank because he digs into the past and doesn't go along with the assumptions about Lefebvre.
I was really enjoying this book but found it got a bit draggy towards the end. I was ready for it to be over. And what I've found with some of Burke's books in the past, there are so many characters that I couldn't keep them all straight.
Usually the Irene Kelly books are written in first person from Irene's pespective. This one was different in that it was written in third person and focused on Irene's husband, Frank. It was a nice change.
Blog review post:
The book begins ten years ago with Lefebvre's story ... the murders of Trent Randolph and his daughter, Amanda, and Lefebvre's bonding with Trent's son, Seth, who survives the attack. When Seth is murdered and Lefebvre disappears, everyone assumes he took a payoff from Whitey Dane to kill Seth.
Jump ahead ten years and Lefebvre's plane is discovered along with his bones in the forest. It's up to Frank to investigate. The other cops get mad at Frank because he digs into the past and doesn't go along with the assumptions about Lefebvre.
I was really enjoying this book but found it got a bit draggy towards the end. I was ready for it to be over. And what I've found with some of Burke's books in the past, there are so many characters that I couldn't keep them all straight.
Usually the Irene Kelly books are written in first person from Irene's pespective. This one was different in that it was written in third person and focused on Irene's husband, Frank. It was a nice change.
Blog review post:
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