Emma on Fire

A Thriller

De: James Patterson, Emily Raymond

Narrado por: Grace Rolek

An urgent, emotional thriller: "Dramatic...explores the power of grief...that through loss there can be hope for the future" (Library Journal).

Everyone at Ridgemont Academy knows what to expect from Emma Caroline Blake.

Perfect grades. Perfect record. Perfect life.

Then she stands up in class and commits an act so shocking her reputation will never recover.

And that’s exactly what Emma wants.

In a world where the path forward is uncertain, expectation is the enemy.

Emma on Fire is the unforgettable story of one brave young woman—and her decision to live life as if everyone’s future depends on it.

Because it does.

©2025 James Patterson and Emily Raymond (P)2025 Little, Brown & Company

Storyline

This story was not enjoyable to me. Written very well just not my taste. Thank you

Spoilers in this review

EMMA ON FIRE is either a 5 star or 1 star book for me. My enjoyment was a 5, I loved every minute of it, despite the predictable ending. 1 star would be for representation of how adults in loco parentis are legally bound to deal with suicidal students. James Patterson may have worked as an aide in a psych hospital over 50 years ago, but he ought to have brushed up on today’s laws.

The precipitating issues for Emma were her mother’s death from breast cancer and her sister’s recent suicide.

In chapter 1, Emma reads part of an essay detailing her plans to set herself on fire to call attention to the state of the world/environment. She details a plan and date, which would require a 72 hour hold to assess whether she’s a danger to herself or others. She poses an immediate threat to both herself and others if she sets fire to herself in her dorm.

The next day, Emma purposely burns herself in science lab, as a trial run. HELLLLLOOOO? If she wasn’t taken to the hospital the day she threatened to kill herself, this purposeful self-injury the same as her self emmolation in front of an audience would have necessitated she be taken immediately to the psych hospital even though the burn wasn’t life threatening. The call to her father should have come later.

The Headmaster instead calls his attorney for advice after Emma’s father dismisses her behavior. The decision to have her stay in a room with a nurse/therapist sitting outside to give her privacy is ridiculous. Hasn’t Patterson ever heard of people committing suicide with bedding? That Emma needs to be so closely monitored means she ought to be hospitalized.

I truly didn’t know where the story would end, hoping it wouldn’t be open ended, letting the reader hang. Ir turns out Emma realizes rather than saving the planet, she might encourage others to kill themselves so she decided to live. She’s hospitalized overnight (again she’d require a 72 hour hold at the very least), her father realizes he should push her so hard and everything is going to be okay.

Worst Book by Patterson

This was the most depressing and miserable book he has ever written, and I have read almost everything he has written.

OMG…This book is a DUMPSTER FIRE

If you want to listen to the garbage kids are fed in public (and apparently private schools) try to endure an hour of this audio book. James Patterson DID NOT WRITE this book. It’s absolutely abysmal- unless you like to listen to privileged teenagers rant about ecological destruction and how stupid grownups are….avoid at ALL COSTS

best book about suicide

it is realistic in thought processes and has correctly noted many others are thinking about suicide as well