The Burn Line
Author: Jonathan Sims
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.75 stars)
Synopsis
It's the hottest summer London has ever experienced.
The Underground is unbearable. Temperatures continue to climb, packed trains leave commuters drenched in sweat, and the tunnels beneath the city feel more oppressive than ever.
Then five strangers witness something impossible.
For a few terrifying moments, their memories simply... disappear.
Unable to remember exactly what happened aboard one particular Tube carriage, they soon discover that whatever they encountered beneath London isn't finished with them yet.
As they begin searching for answers, the five strangers must work together to uncover the truth before the darkness beneath the city catches up with them.
My Thoughts
I have very mixed feelings about this book.
The premise immediately grabbed my attention.
Five strangers experience something horrifying aboard a London Underground train, only to realize that none of them can remember exactly what happened during those missing moments. When it becomes clear that whatever they encountered isn't done with them yet, they reluctantly team up to figure out the truth before it finds them again.
It's a fantastic setup.
One of the book's biggest strengths is Jonathan Sims' writing.
He creates atmosphere exceptionally well, and nowhere is that more apparent than in his depiction of the London Underground during a record-breaking heatwave.
Between the overcrowded trains, the relentless temperatures, and the endless maze of underground tunnels, I could practically feel the heat radiating from the pages. The setting becomes genuinely claustrophobic at times, adding a constant layer of discomfort that perfectly suits the horror.
I also really appreciated the multiple points of view.
Rather than simply introducing five strangers and moving on, the novel spends time developing each of them. Learning about their individual lives, motivations, and personal struggles made it much easier to become invested in their survival once events began spiraling out of control.
Unfortunately, the pacing didn't work quite as well for me.
The first half is an extremely slow burn.
While I understand the need to establish the characters and build the mystery, I found myself waiting quite a while for the story to truly get moving. There were moments where I felt like I was simply waiting for the next major development.
Thankfully, once things finally started happening, my interest increased considerably.
The mystery became more engaging, the tension ramped up, and I found myself much more invested in uncovering what was really lurking beneath London.
Final Thoughts
The Burn Line delivers an unsettling premise, memorable atmosphere and a strong cast of characters, all wrapped in an increasingly creepy mystery.
While the slow pacing during the first half kept me from fully loving it, Jonathan Sims' vivid writing and the oppressive, claustrophobic setting made the journey worthwhile.
If you enjoy atmospheric horror that prioritizes character development and creeping dread over constant action, this is definitely worth checking out.
⭐️ 3.75 stars
ARC Disclaimer
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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