The Night Fire

The theme of redemption runs deep here, but I wonder how much of that was driven by the author's own views or the characters' arcs. Did anyone else feel this added emotional weight to the mystery?

There were moments where the plot slowed down to focus on character reflection—was that intentional to build tension or a bit of a lull for others?

The city feels like a character itself, with its gritty atmosphere and hidden corners. I'm curious if the author drew from personal experience or research for this vivid backdrop.