Book Review: St. Albans Fire

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

St. Albans Fire     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Archer Mayor
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural
Series: Joe Gunther # 16

A teenaged boy suffering through his first unhappy love affair seeks refuge in the warm familiarity of the family barn only to die in agony when the barn burns. Investigator Joe Gunther recognizes the signs of arson immediately, and his investigation takes him from the isolated farm families of Vermont to the more obvious violence and corruption of Newark.

The juxtaposition of sudden violent death and placid family life overlies the complex web of human relationships that form the families and communities, both in Vermont and 'down south' in New Jersey. Joe must unravel the complexities of these relationships but in doing so, unleashes a very personal threat.

The realism of the portrayal of family life, with the inevitable blindness even the closest of relatives sometimes have towards each other is one of the strong points of the novel. Joe's wisdom in pursuing the truth in his slow but certain way is also very convincing. The arsonist himself is almost cartoonish compared to the other characters, but this is a minor point in a generally excellent book.

Cheryl - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM