Book Review: Fire and Fog

Reviewed By: Carol Schwaderer Dickinson - RAM

Fire and Fog     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Dianne Day
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Historical
Series: Fremont Jones # 2
Bantam Books, 1996 $5.99 257pages
ISBN 0-553-56922-8

Fire and Fog is the second in the Fremont Jones series. I was not fond of the first story which was too dark both in subject matter and ambiance for my taste, although I liked the character. I would never have tried another if a friend hadn't encouraged me. The strong characterizations of the first story carried over well and were richly enhanced through the story which takes place just prior to and in the first days following the great San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906.

While I still find the mystery less cozy than I prefer in my recreational reading, I would certainly recommend this one to anyone. Fremont learns to drive an automobile and becomes a volunteer ambulance driver using a borrowed vehicle at the same time she delves into several mysteries as she seeks missing treasures, missing friends, and the husband and aunt of the woman who offers her shelter after the loss of her home. She copes alone with new skills, great challenges as she is disbelieved when she reports to the police that friends reported dead she thinks are alive and when she reports deaths only to have the bodies disappear. Nor can she depend on her judgment as to which of her acquaintances are friends and who may be dangerous.

Although I don't consider myself a feminist, I really enjoyed the turn of the century feminist theme which weaves through the series as Fremont determinedly works to be an independent modern woman, running her own business as a typewriter, supporting herself and choosing not to seek marriage although opportunities seem to frequently arise.

I give this book 4-1/2 paws because it was still a bit on the dark side for my taste to earn a 5.

Carol Schwaderer Dickinson - RAM

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