Different cover to that shown.

from amazon:
The story of a sinister government agency, a fateful drug experiment, and a pigtailed girl named Charlie, who has an unimaginably terrifying gift - the power of pyrokinesis.

Found outside the Government Offices, just by Onslow Bridge, Guildford. The first true wild release I've caught!

Charlie is the offspring of two participants in a highly unethical research project - the sort of thing that in another genre would result in superpowers. Actually, it does result in superpowers - Charlie is the titular firestarter. This is more about how she comes to use them, however.

The characters were all pretty forgettable. Particularly egregious in this respect is Charlie's mother, Vicky, who is a textbook example of Woman In Refrigerator - even if in this case she's in the ironing cupboard. Not wildly keen on the portrayal of John Rainbird, either.

On the whole, it was quite fun. Good for a train journey, and gripping enough that I wanted to read to the end, but I'm not sure that I'll be searching out any more King.

Merrion Hotel, Leeds. Enjoy!