Wambaugh, Joseph. Fire Lover (2002) ****Extraordinary case, well documentedI first became aware of this strange and startling case several years ago via a PBS documentary, probably a Frontline production. I was just stunned: a fire captain exposed as a pyromaniac. Obviously the man had some serious "issues" with life, the world, and especially himself. In this lucid, detailed and somewhat spicy narrative, former LAPD detective sergeant and crime writer extraordinary Joseph Wambaugh expands on what was presented in that documentary. His tone and editorial attitude make it clear that he doesn't think much of one John Leonard Orr, former Glendale, California fire captain, who was eventually convicted of setting a string of fires in California. I don't blame Wambaugh. One of the fires that Orr started killed four people, including a child. It's only by fortuitous happenstance that more people were not killed.Wambaugh's narrative is a little too detailed in recalling the trials, especially the long drawn out penalty phase of the murder trial (perhaps attempting to make it as excruciating for us as it was for the jury); and his early attempt at not disclosing Orr's culpability (for those very few readers who may not have heard of the case) came up a little short as his asides made it clear that Orr was definitely one very sick puppy. Otherwise this is a masterful piece of true crime journalism by someone who has the background to understand the police and detective work involved, someone who has done the extensive research necessary to give us a comprehensive account, and someone with the narrative and organizational skills to produce a compelling volume. But Wambaugh also gives us a detailed psychological profile of John Orr. He does not use the word "pyromaniac" in his depiction. In fact, I don't think the word "pyromania" occurs in the book until near the end when it is used by a psychiatrist in the penalty stage of Orr's murder by arson trial. Wambaugh's position is that Orr is a psychopath who set fires to boost his ego and stimulate himself sexually. He cared not at all about who got hurt or what damage was done. There is also a strong sense of the "little guy" trying to make up for his feelings of inferiority by committing horrendous acts that would lend his deluded persona a sense of superiority over his fellow man. The fact that at no time does Orr feel any remorse or accept any responsibility for his actions argues for Wambaugh's position. Personally, for what it's worth, I've known a few psychopaths--or sociopaths, as they are alternatively called--and John Orr certainly fits the bill.Still this is an unusual case of the psychopath at work, and I think it is revealed that part of what John Orr is about is pyromania. Indeed, Wambaugh's title, "Fire Lover," is meant in an almost literal sense. I recall literature from years ago that pyros "got off" on their fires. This is the first case I know of in which we have more or less direct evidence (from Orr's novel/memoir which turned up as evidence in the trials) that this is literally so. Wambaugh does a good job of providing insights into how the police and fire departments and the criminal justice system operate. He is not shy about revealing carelessness, incompetence, turf warring, and ego side trips. He is particularly adamant in his criticism of the court system and its sometimes arcane procedures. In an extended metaphor he calls the participants in a trial, "strange fish that lazily glide, blowing gas bubbles that pop ineffectually on the surface of the litigation tanks in which they live and breed." (This from page 272. See also pages 291, 299 and elsewhere.)I'm not sure about how appropriate that interesting metaphor is, but Wambaugh impressed me with his fairness, criticizing and complimenting both the prosecution and the defense. Especially effective was the way he showed how a decade's old case that was once called an accident was successfully prosecuted against what looked like heavy odds, mainly due to the bulldog-like determination of prosecutor Mike Cabral. Wambaugh's description of him in action vis-a-vis the jury on page 273 is an example of the very best in vivid and telling exposition. Clearly Wambaugh has a novelist's sense of characterization, making the principals, especially of course, John Orr, come to life. He side trips himself sometimes with the sort of crude but colorful humor the men in blue are famous for. The cascade of "woodie" jokes might offend some readers, and some of the sexual vulgarity from Orr's "novel" is quoted outright, so beware.Bottom line: perhaps not Wambaugh's most compelling work, but a good read nonetheless about an extraordinary case. --a review by Dennis Littrell
“Fire Lover” is the true story of John Orr, an arson investigator of the Glendale Fire Department in California. Throughout the book, there are a string of fires that are being set in stores during business hours, all using the same method. As the story progresses, the state's main suspect becomes John Orr due his suspicious writing of a "fact-based novel" about a serial arsonist who turns out to be a firefighter, and in it Orr revealed certain facts about the unsolved arson case that he couldn't have known through his work. This book is very effective and keeps the reader involved and wanting to read more. One is constantly asking the question, “did the dedicated firefighter and arson investigator really set all 2,000 of those fires causing millions in property damage and taking multiple lives in the process?” As the jury examines the evidence and the motives, so does the reader. You are shown all of the evidence that points towards John Orr, but at the same time, you remember everything he has done that make it impossible for him to have committed these arsons. Joseph Wambaugh's accounts of the events in this book are so realistic and descriptive that you feel like you are actually there, going through the triumphs and troubles of Orr's life with him as well as witnessing every single fire that took place. Wambaugh has a very strong presence of voice throughout and his word choice really brings the book alive and unified. “Fire Lover” would appeal to anybody who enjoys true stories that include very detailed descriptions and facts. It would also appeal to those who are interested or involved in crime investigation, law enforcement, and/or the fire department. I highly recommend this book to all, even if you do not fall under the previous criteria. “Fire Lover” is exciting, engaging, well written, factual, and an all around “good read.” After reading this book, I will be sure to take notice of all exits when I enter a store during business hours.
What do You think about Fire Lover (2002)?
I picked this up because I remembered seeing the 20/20 episode (or some other news documentary show) years ago, and the story always stuck around in my brain. Of course I forgot a lot of the details.This is the true story of a psychopath/arsonist who just happened to manage to get himself promoted up to a fire captain with the Glendale Fire Department. If you've ever had to suffer through a psychological exam for a job application, reading this book will make you understand why it's so important
—Aynge
An interesting story about a Californian fire investigator who was also a prolific serial arsonist. The book looks at the background of the arsonist, the investigation and the court case in about equal measures. While the story itself was interesting I didn't find it particularly well told. It was mostly told from a slightly distant journalistic point of view but every now and again the author would interject with a sarcastic comment, jibe or observation that felt jarring in the context. There was little real analysis of the psychology of serial arsonists and the author relied almost entirely on the court proceedings to speak for themselves. I'm glad I read it, but I thought it could have been better written.
—Mike Rogers
Surreal. “Fire Lover” is a true crime recounting of one of the most notorious arsonists in Los Angeles history. An arsonist who just happened to be a firefighter and arson investigator. The details are gripping and so is the pursuit of John Orr by investigators—proving patterns, connecting one critical fingerprints, lining up eyewitnesses, seeing the big picture. That is, when they aren’t stumbling around or failing at some basic investigative processes. As others have noted, there isn’t much suspense. But “Fire Lover” is worth reading, for no other reason than to digest a gritty portrait of a deeply troubled individual whose issues with women, authority, self-respect and self-esteem are complex, layered and disturbing. Orr, whose crimes were committed decades ago, turned personal slights into terror. “Fire Lover” is also about the slow wheels of bureaucracy and the methodical means of the criminal justice system and Wambaugh brings plenty of edge to writing about both, particularly when the cops and investigators fail. Wambaugh’s colorful prose style keeps the sordid tale moving. His descriptions are over the top, at times, and hilarious in a tabloid kind of way. This book was first published in 2002 and I don't know if Wambaugh has changed his style since then, but a highlighter marking the purple prose might be dry by book’s end. A member of the L.A. Arson Task Force has hair “so coiffed it’d stay in place till Christ came back.” Wambaugh jumps into collective consciousness when it’s convenient: “The judge gave the obligatory admonishment about not reading any news articles or listening to any radio or TV reports about the case, and everyone thought, Fat Chance.” Or: “So after goosing the jurors with a cattle prod, he’d gone back to smacking them with a pig bladder.” At times, Wambaugh stretches to near cartoon levels. A firefighter’s “neck hair was putting out enough electricity to light up Burbank.” Despite the excessive and decidedly non-journalistic flair, the core of the story is a compelling portrait of a dark man who recklessly torched property, homes and businesses with supremely casual disregard for human life. In a way, it’s too bad such a big name as Wambaugh had to write the book because that fact alone probably made Orr happy—and the guy, still serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole, deserves nothing of the sort.
—Mark Stevens
