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Hush Little Fire
Secrets implode and generations of lies boil over into deadly consequences when a suspicious fire breaks out Christmas Night on Cape Cod.
This enthralling and darkly humorous debut novel of abortion, adoption, and long-buried truths will captivate readers who loved Lessons in Chemistry and Where the Crawdads Sing.
When Mary Newcombe dutifully returns to Cape Cod with her twelve-year-old son to celebrate Christmas with her adoptive mother, Birdie, the only part of the trip she looks forward to is digging beach clay for pottery to stoke her beloved kiln. But while she’s home, a suspicious fire destroys the town health clinic, and Mary becomes a leading suspect.
Mary can’t remember the night of the fire (too much eggnog) and, as always, her mother isn’t talking. Birdie has kept secrets from Mary her entire life, beginning with the truth about Mary’s birth mother. When Mary discovers her adoptive father socked away a small fortune performing pre-Roe v. Wade illegal abortions in the clinic that burned to the ground, she’s done with being kept in the dark. As the days tick by and pressures mount to find the arsonist, Mary digs deeper into Wellfleet’s history, and more secrets start to unfurl.
Meanwhile, Mary’s cousin Jimmy is acting strangely and suddenly, so is her son. As the FBI zeros in on Mary, and another fire burns in the harbor, it's time for Mary and Birdie to face a long brewing reckoning.
A cross-generational mystery told through the perspectives of four women living on the underbelly of Cape Cod, Hush Little Fire is the perfect read for fans of Bonnie Garmus and Dennis Lehane.
This enthralling and darkly humorous debut novel of abortion, adoption, and long-buried truths will captivate readers who loved Lessons in Chemistry and Where the Crawdads Sing.
When Mary Newcombe dutifully returns to Cape Cod with her twelve-year-old son to celebrate Christmas with her adoptive mother, Birdie, the only part of the trip she looks forward to is digging beach clay for pottery to stoke her beloved kiln. But while she’s home, a suspicious fire destroys the town health clinic, and Mary becomes a leading suspect.
Mary can’t remember the night of the fire (too much eggnog) and, as always, her mother isn’t talking. Birdie has kept secrets from Mary her entire life, beginning with the truth about Mary’s birth mother. When Mary discovers her adoptive father socked away a small fortune performing pre-Roe v. Wade illegal abortions in the clinic that burned to the ground, she’s done with being kept in the dark. As the days tick by and pressures mount to find the arsonist, Mary digs deeper into Wellfleet’s history, and more secrets start to unfurl.
Meanwhile, Mary’s cousin Jimmy is acting strangely and suddenly, so is her son. As the FBI zeros in on Mary, and another fire burns in the harbor, it's time for Mary and Birdie to face a long brewing reckoning.
A cross-generational mystery told through the perspectives of four women living on the underbelly of Cape Cod, Hush Little Fire is the perfect read for fans of Bonnie Garmus and Dennis Lehane.
336 pages, Paperback
Published May 20, 2025
27 people are currently reading
4437 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 12, 2025
A captivating story, set in Cape Cod, involving adoption, abortion and long-buried secrets.
Debut author, Judith Newcomb Stiles gives us a realistic tale of mystery with many twists and turns.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Debut author, Judith Newcomb Stiles gives us a realistic tale of mystery with many twists and turns.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
July 7, 2025
"Hush Little Fire" is a mystery surrounding a New England clinic fire and the cast of characters in the small Cape Cod community who may have been involved. The book is told from the point-of-view of several residents and visitors who are in the area for the holidays, with the majority of the narration care of Mary, a 50-something potter with a teenage boy. Mary may have been involved with the fire. She's also grappling with her identity as an adopted middle-aged woman, balancing being a mother with navigating her own feelings towards her adopted mother.
Most of the characters are despicable criminals. Drugs and poverty are common themes in the book.
The atmosphere is bleak, cold and gray. The romance in the book is tepid. Even what could have been a bright spot, a Florida home, is marred by cigarette smoke. I suppose that was the author's point, but it made reading the book more depressing.
Something I can appreciate about the book is that the author's writing and point-of-view is something I'd probably never encounter on my own or ever seek out. I can appreciate my perspective being widened.
But most of the middle half of the book was difficult to get through. The characters grossed me out. I couldn't root for any of them or find a shred of redemption in most of them. The most "normal"-seeming one, Mary, was also very weird. She had an imaginary voice that talked to her. The conception of her son seemed frivolous (and added to the weirdness), and she lacked depth that would make me care about her.
The book picked up toward the end, when pieces that would tie up the mystery seemed to be revealing themselves. But for the most part, I didn't enjoy picturing the climate and environment, or the seedy settings, or the action. I didn't care what happened to the characters. They all seemed pretty messed-up, but not in ways that made them redeemable or worth rooting for.
Most of the characters are despicable criminals. Drugs and poverty are common themes in the book.
The atmosphere is bleak, cold and gray. The romance in the book is tepid. Even what could have been a bright spot, a Florida home, is marred by cigarette smoke. I suppose that was the author's point, but it made reading the book more depressing.
Something I can appreciate about the book is that the author's writing and point-of-view is something I'd probably never encounter on my own or ever seek out. I can appreciate my perspective being widened.
But most of the middle half of the book was difficult to get through. The characters grossed me out. I couldn't root for any of them or find a shred of redemption in most of them. The most "normal"-seeming one, Mary, was also very weird. She had an imaginary voice that talked to her. The conception of her son seemed frivolous (and added to the weirdness), and she lacked depth that would make me care about her.
The book picked up toward the end, when pieces that would tie up the mystery seemed to be revealing themselves. But for the most part, I didn't enjoy picturing the climate and environment, or the seedy settings, or the action. I didn't care what happened to the characters. They all seemed pretty messed-up, but not in ways that made them redeemable or worth rooting for.
July 23, 2025
For Fans of the Wonderfully Weird
If "A Confederacy of Dunces" and a Christopher Moore novel had a lovechild after one too many espresso martinis, it might look a lot like Hush Little Fire. Judith Stiles isn’t writing for the masses—she’s writing for the wonderfully weird among us, and I, for one, am here for it.
With a voice that’s sharp, sardonic, and deliciously dark, Stiles crafts characters and scenes that feel just a step or two outside the lines of reality—which is exactly where the fun happens. This book marches to the beat of its own flamethrower-wielding drummer.
This is not your typical feel-good read. It’s a little messy, a little madcap, and thoroughly entertaining if you like your fiction served with a side of strange. Fans of dark comedy, oddball characters, and literary detours into the delightfully unexpected will likely love this one.
Four stars for originality, voice, and the sheer guts it takes to tell a story this off-the-wall—and make it work. Bonus points for the eye-catching cover!
If "A Confederacy of Dunces" and a Christopher Moore novel had a lovechild after one too many espresso martinis, it might look a lot like Hush Little Fire. Judith Stiles isn’t writing for the masses—she’s writing for the wonderfully weird among us, and I, for one, am here for it.
With a voice that’s sharp, sardonic, and deliciously dark, Stiles crafts characters and scenes that feel just a step or two outside the lines of reality—which is exactly where the fun happens. This book marches to the beat of its own flamethrower-wielding drummer.
This is not your typical feel-good read. It’s a little messy, a little madcap, and thoroughly entertaining if you like your fiction served with a side of strange. Fans of dark comedy, oddball characters, and literary detours into the delightfully unexpected will likely love this one.
Four stars for originality, voice, and the sheer guts it takes to tell a story this off-the-wall—and make it work. Bonus points for the eye-catching cover!
January 20, 2025
A must read! This enthralling book takes you on a page-turning ride from the very first sentence. When a fire breaks out, Mary Newcombe—who has just returned home for the holidays—becomes the leading suspect. Told through four distinct female perspectives, it takes the reader beyond the Cape Cod we know from postcards and into the saltier underbelly. As family secrets are revealed, the story delves into larger themes—pregnancy, abortion, and adoption to name a few. I found myself both wanting to read on and also wanting to ponder on what I had just read. Stiles' writing is immersive and highly entertaining. Her characters are so well developed and unique, they come alive on the page. Don't miss this one! Preorder today!
December 21, 2024
Hush Little Fire offers an intriguing story with a compelling premise centered on themes of family, identity, and belonging, though its exploration of these ideas felt somewhat underdeveloped. The child and pregnancy themes provided an interesting layer, but I struggled to grasp the author's deeper intentions—was it about understanding one's roots, or something broader about connection and family?
That said, the multiple points of view were a strong feature of the book. They gave a refreshing and comprehensive perspective on the events that unfolded. The plot twist was a standout moment, and the ending tied everything together in a satisfying way, even if I couldn't really connect with the story emotionally.
(thanks to the publisher for the copy)
That said, the multiple points of view were a strong feature of the book. They gave a refreshing and comprehensive perspective on the events that unfolded. The plot twist was a standout moment, and the ending tied everything together in a satisfying way, even if I couldn't really connect with the story emotionally.
(thanks to the publisher for the copy)
September 15, 2025
I love this book because it taps into several of my obsessions, including Wellfleet, making pottery and being a mother, all with their imperfections. It is our imperfections that make us human, after all.
July 10, 2025
3ish ⭐️ I fear in an effort to be deep, we have lost the plot ..
July 19, 2025
I don't typically DNF a book but I wish I had with this one. I am giving it two stars for what the author is trying to do but it is a hard⭐ one star for the audiobook. The voice actors are bad and made the book grotesque.
August 5, 2025
This was a surprisingly entertaining book I just pulled off the shelf in a hurry at the library.
July 2, 2025
I really liked the idea of this novel but the execution was spotty.
July 1, 2025
Not well written. I felt no connection to the characters and it was generally a bit predictable and boring.
July 8, 2025
Very choppy and confusing. Could be a really good story, but not well written
July 10, 2025
Wtf. DNF at 8% Also, semi graphic depictions of abortion which I’ve seen no one mention!
January 21, 2025
Features:
- Uncovering family secrets
- Explores themes of identity, belonging, and family
- Murder and arson mystery where the main character is a key suspect
- Unreliable narrators
Synopsis:
Mary Newcombe knows that fire has many uses. Most of the time, she uses it for pottery in her Brooklyn studio. However, once a year, she makes an obligatory trip back to Cape Cod with her son to visit her adopted mother for Christmas. This holiday promises to be like any other until a fire breaks out in her father’s old clinic. The police are in search of Mary’s cousin, Jimmy, who has disappeared and Mary quickly finds herself on the suspect list as well. Meanwhile, her mother Birdie seems to be keeping more secrets than usual and her son seems to be growing more and more distant. It doesn’t help that Mary had one too many and can’t remember what happened that fateful night. Mary’s only chance at answers is to start digging deep into her family’s history. However, some skeletons are better left buried.
Thoughts:
This book has fascinating characters and a dark, mysterious plot. The fact that it can so quickly turn the usually idyllic Cape Cod into a place that feels cold, sinister, and isolated really speaks to Newcomb Stiles’s ability to create an atmosphere. This book has been recommended to lovers of Lessons in Chemistry and Where the Crawdads Sing however, I wouldn’t strongly liken it to either book. I imagine that the ‘feminist’ bent of this book through its exploration of reproductive rights and the fact that the main character is being suspected of a crime in a small town setting are the reasons for the comparison. However, Hush Little Fire is far darker than either of these other books and has morally complicated characters that are hard to truly root for. Where I really liked the way these themes and characters were explored, readers should be aware that the places this book is willing to go and overall vibes are completely different.
Despite being told from multiple characters’ perspective, this book has an odd, wandering style to it. There are enough clues in each chapter to keep the story moving and make sure you never lose the sense that everything is connected. However, it can also feel a little scattered and chaotic. Additionally, there are few just purely odd interactions and ‘moments’ different characters had. As a result, I found the book really hard to stay fully invested in. The mystery unfolds in an interesting and satisfying way, but I also felt like the book was holding me at arms length the whole way. Despite that, it is still well worth the read if you are looking for an intriguing, mind-bending mystery.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
- Uncovering family secrets
- Explores themes of identity, belonging, and family
- Murder and arson mystery where the main character is a key suspect
- Unreliable narrators
Synopsis:
Mary Newcombe knows that fire has many uses. Most of the time, she uses it for pottery in her Brooklyn studio. However, once a year, she makes an obligatory trip back to Cape Cod with her son to visit her adopted mother for Christmas. This holiday promises to be like any other until a fire breaks out in her father’s old clinic. The police are in search of Mary’s cousin, Jimmy, who has disappeared and Mary quickly finds herself on the suspect list as well. Meanwhile, her mother Birdie seems to be keeping more secrets than usual and her son seems to be growing more and more distant. It doesn’t help that Mary had one too many and can’t remember what happened that fateful night. Mary’s only chance at answers is to start digging deep into her family’s history. However, some skeletons are better left buried.
Thoughts:
This book has fascinating characters and a dark, mysterious plot. The fact that it can so quickly turn the usually idyllic Cape Cod into a place that feels cold, sinister, and isolated really speaks to Newcomb Stiles’s ability to create an atmosphere. This book has been recommended to lovers of Lessons in Chemistry and Where the Crawdads Sing however, I wouldn’t strongly liken it to either book. I imagine that the ‘feminist’ bent of this book through its exploration of reproductive rights and the fact that the main character is being suspected of a crime in a small town setting are the reasons for the comparison. However, Hush Little Fire is far darker than either of these other books and has morally complicated characters that are hard to truly root for. Where I really liked the way these themes and characters were explored, readers should be aware that the places this book is willing to go and overall vibes are completely different.
Despite being told from multiple characters’ perspective, this book has an odd, wandering style to it. There are enough clues in each chapter to keep the story moving and make sure you never lose the sense that everything is connected. However, it can also feel a little scattered and chaotic. Additionally, there are few just purely odd interactions and ‘moments’ different characters had. As a result, I found the book really hard to stay fully invested in. The mystery unfolds in an interesting and satisfying way, but I also felt like the book was holding me at arms length the whole way. Despite that, it is still well worth the read if you are looking for an intriguing, mind-bending mystery.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 26, 2025
A Luminous and Unforgettable Portrait of People and Place
Even if you’ve never set foot on Cape Cod—or haven’t thought of doing so— Hush Little Fires may still be the most quietly extraordinary book you’ll read this year. Its reach is far deeper than geography. Judith Newcomb Stiles has crafted something rare: a novel that’s tender without being sentimental, wise without being didactic, and grounded so fully in place that the sands, the salt air, and the weight of legacy inhabit every page.
From the first sentence, Stiles reveals an intimate knowledge of Wellfleet and its inhabitants. The sharp wit of the Old Ladies Gossip Militia, the complex lives sustaining the indulgent expectations of summer visitors, and the richly drawn characters—across races, ages, vocations, and orientations—form a community that is at once unique and deeply familiar.
There is generosity in this book, a refusal to reduce anyone to a stereotype or token. And Stiles approaches emotionally charged subjects—illegal abortion before Roe v. Wade, the anguish of uncertain parentage, the ache of a mother’s absence when her child needs her most—with remarkable grace and unflinching honesty. In lesser hands, these stories could have felt burdensome. Here, they add weight and beauty in equal measure, deepening the emotional pull and keeping the reader in their chair.
Many narrative elements stayed with me long after I finished. The chapter titles, generous and evocative, read like silent film interludes—miniature poems framing the action with clarity and feeling. The pottery-making chapters offer quiet respite and layered metaphor, mirroring the author’s care and attention to every line. This writer shapes her words with the same intent and reverence as her main character shapes clay she’s dug from the sands of Newcomb Hollow Beach.
Life on the Outer Cape has its special rhythms, and its harsh beauty comes at a price. The stark winters, fleeting summers, and unrelenting scrutiny of neighbors (and nemeses) shape the characters in lasting ways. This is no generic small town but a place and populace uniquely formed by geography, history, and hard-won resilience. Stiles captures it with rare fidelity and affection.
At the heart of the novel is a knowing born from deep roots. Mary Newcomb’s quiet endurance echoes the spirit of her Yankee ancestors—fierce, private, resilient, and deeply human beneath the surface. The legacy of place and family pulses throughout, making this story timeless yet urgently relatable in the present.
Hush Little Fires offers a rare and luminous journey. Set aside your assumptions and allow this book to work its quiet magic. It might just change your experience of life, love, and belonging.
In any case, you will be profoundly rewarded.
Even if you’ve never set foot on Cape Cod—or haven’t thought of doing so— Hush Little Fires may still be the most quietly extraordinary book you’ll read this year. Its reach is far deeper than geography. Judith Newcomb Stiles has crafted something rare: a novel that’s tender without being sentimental, wise without being didactic, and grounded so fully in place that the sands, the salt air, and the weight of legacy inhabit every page.
From the first sentence, Stiles reveals an intimate knowledge of Wellfleet and its inhabitants. The sharp wit of the Old Ladies Gossip Militia, the complex lives sustaining the indulgent expectations of summer visitors, and the richly drawn characters—across races, ages, vocations, and orientations—form a community that is at once unique and deeply familiar.
There is generosity in this book, a refusal to reduce anyone to a stereotype or token. And Stiles approaches emotionally charged subjects—illegal abortion before Roe v. Wade, the anguish of uncertain parentage, the ache of a mother’s absence when her child needs her most—with remarkable grace and unflinching honesty. In lesser hands, these stories could have felt burdensome. Here, they add weight and beauty in equal measure, deepening the emotional pull and keeping the reader in their chair.
Many narrative elements stayed with me long after I finished. The chapter titles, generous and evocative, read like silent film interludes—miniature poems framing the action with clarity and feeling. The pottery-making chapters offer quiet respite and layered metaphor, mirroring the author’s care and attention to every line. This writer shapes her words with the same intent and reverence as her main character shapes clay she’s dug from the sands of Newcomb Hollow Beach.
Life on the Outer Cape has its special rhythms, and its harsh beauty comes at a price. The stark winters, fleeting summers, and unrelenting scrutiny of neighbors (and nemeses) shape the characters in lasting ways. This is no generic small town but a place and populace uniquely formed by geography, history, and hard-won resilience. Stiles captures it with rare fidelity and affection.
At the heart of the novel is a knowing born from deep roots. Mary Newcomb’s quiet endurance echoes the spirit of her Yankee ancestors—fierce, private, resilient, and deeply human beneath the surface. The legacy of place and family pulses throughout, making this story timeless yet urgently relatable in the present.
Hush Little Fires offers a rare and luminous journey. Set aside your assumptions and allow this book to work its quiet magic. It might just change your experience of life, love, and belonging.
In any case, you will be profoundly rewarded.
May 20, 2025
This was an intriguing story. I appreciate the mysteries that run throughout the story and I felt like these plot points did a great job of holding interest and keeping the story moving forward. There are a handful of characters and POVs, which offers up a variety of perspectives and insights to the story and I found that this narrative structure really worked here and never teetered into repetitiveness. The characters felt complex and dimensional in a way that really added a layer of realness to the story. I could tell this was a story that was important and personal to the author.
I will say, I was a bit disappointed in how the characters were written. There wasn't really anyone that I felt I could connect with or root for. And while I have nothing against unlikable characters, I didn't feel like these characters were unlikable in an enjoyable way. I also felt like the overall pacing was really off. There was a lot going on that I wanted answers to and to see how they would all come together, but the story lacked any real urgency or drive. There were chapters/sections where I felt like I just had to get through rather than being able to engage with the text. I also felt like there should have been a lot more follow up or care for Danny and what was suggested he went through. I felt like we were starting to uncover some deeper trauma and open up for the chance for Danny and Mary to really come together and heal, but then Mary just sent Danny back home and that was that.
MILD SPOILER WARNING
I was also thrown by the ultimate reveal about the fire, mostly because it was revealed to have been caused by a character that we never really saw or got to know. And then the way that entire arc was resolved felt unsatisfying--comparing a child being used/manipulated to the intentional acts of adults was not a strong thread.
Probably 2.5
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me with a digital review copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
I will say, I was a bit disappointed in how the characters were written. There wasn't really anyone that I felt I could connect with or root for. And while I have nothing against unlikable characters, I didn't feel like these characters were unlikable in an enjoyable way. I also felt like the overall pacing was really off. There was a lot going on that I wanted answers to and to see how they would all come together, but the story lacked any real urgency or drive. There were chapters/sections where I felt like I just had to get through rather than being able to engage with the text. I also felt like there should have been a lot more follow up or care for Danny and what was suggested he went through. I felt like we were starting to uncover some deeper trauma and open up for the chance for Danny and Mary to really come together and heal, but then Mary just sent Danny back home and that was that.
MILD SPOILER WARNING
I was also thrown by the ultimate reveal about the fire, mostly because it was revealed to have been caused by a character that we never really saw or got to know. And then the way that entire arc was resolved felt unsatisfying--comparing a child being used/manipulated to the intentional acts of adults was not a strong thread.
Probably 2.5
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me with a digital review copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2025
When an artist writes a book, something truly magical happens....every scene is well sculpted, the characters are so palpable, colorfully crafted, and delightfully detailed.... and ideas are etched into our imaginations.... lingering in our memory.
Judith Stiles takes us on a mischievous, captivating, and thought provoking journey into the minds, lives and haunts of unforgettable Cape Cod characters who ponder the deeper questions of existence, obligations, and unsolved mysteries. As I read, I could envision what each character was thinking, experiencing.... and it was effortless to feel like I was actually becoming them.
Like any good mystery, we are supplied with subtle red herrings that take their shape as tiny shimmering pearls, hidden in the abundant oyster shells of The Cape...waiting for us to unearth, open, and savor them. I kept going back into the story, to closely reexamine, understand, and unravel an elaborate tapestry that the author had woven for us. I longed to uncover not only “who done it’...but “why they done” it as well.
If you have never visited Cape Cod....this novel is your chance to journey behind the scenes into the heartfelt stories of its year-round residents. Even if you have visited, here is an additional opportunity to be enticed and entirely enveloped in a world of smoldering secrets, eclectic escapades, family feuds, and astonishing accounts of adoption, abortion, pyromania and harrowing, hardscrabble tales of physical and emotional survival on Ole’Cape Cod.
So, sit back...open your heart to this intriguing journey.... and travel to a place where you will come to know the authentic and innermost thoughts of those who struggle to find righteous, unconditional answers that we all deserve to discover from family, society, and everyday life.
Judith Stiles takes us on a mischievous, captivating, and thought provoking journey into the minds, lives and haunts of unforgettable Cape Cod characters who ponder the deeper questions of existence, obligations, and unsolved mysteries. As I read, I could envision what each character was thinking, experiencing.... and it was effortless to feel like I was actually becoming them.
Like any good mystery, we are supplied with subtle red herrings that take their shape as tiny shimmering pearls, hidden in the abundant oyster shells of The Cape...waiting for us to unearth, open, and savor them. I kept going back into the story, to closely reexamine, understand, and unravel an elaborate tapestry that the author had woven for us. I longed to uncover not only “who done it’...but “why they done” it as well.
If you have never visited Cape Cod....this novel is your chance to journey behind the scenes into the heartfelt stories of its year-round residents. Even if you have visited, here is an additional opportunity to be enticed and entirely enveloped in a world of smoldering secrets, eclectic escapades, family feuds, and astonishing accounts of adoption, abortion, pyromania and harrowing, hardscrabble tales of physical and emotional survival on Ole’Cape Cod.
So, sit back...open your heart to this intriguing journey.... and travel to a place where you will come to know the authentic and innermost thoughts of those who struggle to find righteous, unconditional answers that we all deserve to discover from family, society, and everyday life.
June 3, 2025
There's a lot going on in this book, and it didn't really come together for me. Mary lives in Brooklyn most of the year but her mother lives in Cape Cod, and this year Mary has come to Cape Cod for Christmas. On Christmas Day, there's a big fire at the town clinic, which used to be an abortion clinic run by Mary's father. Mary is adopted and has always wondered who her birth parents are, and we follow her and other minor characters as Mary tries to figure out her heritage and also what or who caused the fire.
This isn't exactly a thriller - you know pretty early on who may have been involved in the fire and what nefarious things may be going on - and there's not really an undercurrent of suspense running throughout the book. I think this book is meant to be a character study and a story about family and community, but the narrative jumped between so many different perspectives and timelines that it made it difficult to get invested in any one character. I appreciated the book's attempt at pulling back the curtain on a tourist town, and sometimes the writing was lovely. But overall, it just wasn't very memorable.
I also didn't love the way this book talks about abortion; obviously not every book is going to have a positive view on abortion, but positioning the doctor as a serial philanderer and sexual predator was certainly a choice. There was also a lot of judgment in how the author talked about the women who came to the clinic, and although I saw this marketed as a feminist book, the narrative wasn't really compassionate towards any of the female characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
This isn't exactly a thriller - you know pretty early on who may have been involved in the fire and what nefarious things may be going on - and there's not really an undercurrent of suspense running throughout the book. I think this book is meant to be a character study and a story about family and community, but the narrative jumped between so many different perspectives and timelines that it made it difficult to get invested in any one character. I appreciated the book's attempt at pulling back the curtain on a tourist town, and sometimes the writing was lovely. But overall, it just wasn't very memorable.
I also didn't love the way this book talks about abortion; obviously not every book is going to have a positive view on abortion, but positioning the doctor as a serial philanderer and sexual predator was certainly a choice. There was also a lot of judgment in how the author talked about the women who came to the clinic, and although I saw this marketed as a feminist book, the narrative wasn't really compassionate towards any of the female characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
June 18, 2025
Hush Little Fire by Judith Newcomb Stiles is a powerful, emotionally charged novel that masterfully blends mystery, family drama, and long-hidden truths. At the center of the story is Mary Newcombe, a quiet and unassuming woman who suddenly finds herself accused of arson after a fire destroys the local health clinic. As Mary struggles to clear her name, she begins uncovering shocking secrets about her past, truths that will challenge everything she thought she knew about herself and her family.
Stiles weaves a compelling narrative that explores themes of identity, motherhood, and the consequences of silence. As Mary digs deeper, she learns that her beloved mother Birdie is not her biological parent and that her father may have been performing illegal abortions at the clinic that burned down. These revelations unfold with emotional precision, pulling the reader into Mary’s internal conflict and her desperate search for clarity and justice.
The mystery at the heart of the novel is expertly paced, with enough twists to keep the pages turning, but it’s the emotional layers that make this book unforgettable. Stiles writes with empathy and honesty, refusing to shy away from controversial issues while grounding them in the deeply personal.
Hush Little Fire is an absorbing and beautifully written novel about finding truth in the ashes of the past. It is a tribute to the resilience of women, the complexity of family, and the healing power of honesty. A riveting, unforgettable read that’s deserving of five stars.
Stiles weaves a compelling narrative that explores themes of identity, motherhood, and the consequences of silence. As Mary digs deeper, she learns that her beloved mother Birdie is not her biological parent and that her father may have been performing illegal abortions at the clinic that burned down. These revelations unfold with emotional precision, pulling the reader into Mary’s internal conflict and her desperate search for clarity and justice.
The mystery at the heart of the novel is expertly paced, with enough twists to keep the pages turning, but it’s the emotional layers that make this book unforgettable. Stiles writes with empathy and honesty, refusing to shy away from controversial issues while grounding them in the deeply personal.
Hush Little Fire is an absorbing and beautifully written novel about finding truth in the ashes of the past. It is a tribute to the resilience of women, the complexity of family, and the healing power of honesty. A riveting, unforgettable read that’s deserving of five stars.
April 12, 2025
Hush Little Fire is a remarkable novel, such that it is rather difficult to process that author Judith Newcomb Stiles is a first-time novelist. Hush Little Fire is this good. Nor does it fit easily into a specific genre category. Not that it is "superior" to genre, that it is so-called literature, though it is very much literature. Quite simply, it merely transcends genre. For Ms. Newcomb Stiles has managed to write a novel filled with multiple genre conventions -- there's a mystery, and a very enthralling mystery it is; there's a family drama, multiple families, multiple dramas; a sharp and witty feminist current, which cuts to the marrow as we move deeper and deeper into the lives of the characters; there's rich humor, often slicing and touching in the same moment. And then there's Cape Cod, which in Ms. Newcomb Stiles's nimble hands becomes an engaging and powerful character in itself.
To say anything about the far-ranging and clever plotting, driven almost solely by the complex, multi-level characters, would be to deny the reader herself the pleasure of uncovering the freshness of Hush Little Fire. Enough to say that Hush Little Fire is a rewarding and a flat-out helluva first novel.
To say anything about the far-ranging and clever plotting, driven almost solely by the complex, multi-level characters, would be to deny the reader herself the pleasure of uncovering the freshness of Hush Little Fire. Enough to say that Hush Little Fire is a rewarding and a flat-out helluva first novel.
July 18, 2025
I tore through Hush Little Fire in two sittings, completely swept up in the tangled web of secrets, smoke, and simmering family tensions. Judith Newcomb Stiles delivers an evocative and emotionally layered debut that blends dark humor, generational mystery, and timely themes with sharp precision.
The story pulled me in with Mary Newcombe—funny, flawed, and far too trusting of eggnog. I loved watching her evolve from dutiful daughter into a woman determined to face the past, no matter how messy. The layered voices of the four women added real depth; I especially connected with Birdie, whose silence spoke volumes. Stiles captures the push and pull between mothers and daughters so well—it felt heartbreakingly familiar at times.
The setting of Cape Cod in winter—cold, haunted, and quietly dangerous—was almost its own character. And the slow burn (pun intended) of the mystery, paired with biting commentary on motherhood, abortion, and identity, made this feel like a cross between Big Little Lies and Lessons in Chemistry.
Hush Little Fire is equal parts whodunit and why’d-we-keep-this-buried. I finished it with my heart racing and my mind still sifting through the ashes. A gorgeously written debut—I’ll be recommending it widely.
The story pulled me in with Mary Newcombe—funny, flawed, and far too trusting of eggnog. I loved watching her evolve from dutiful daughter into a woman determined to face the past, no matter how messy. The layered voices of the four women added real depth; I especially connected with Birdie, whose silence spoke volumes. Stiles captures the push and pull between mothers and daughters so well—it felt heartbreakingly familiar at times.
The setting of Cape Cod in winter—cold, haunted, and quietly dangerous—was almost its own character. And the slow burn (pun intended) of the mystery, paired with biting commentary on motherhood, abortion, and identity, made this feel like a cross between Big Little Lies and Lessons in Chemistry.
Hush Little Fire is equal parts whodunit and why’d-we-keep-this-buried. I finished it with my heart racing and my mind still sifting through the ashes. A gorgeously written debut—I’ll be recommending it widely.
August 19, 2025
2.5 stars, rounded up.
I really wanted to like this more. The premise was intriguing and it certainly wasn't the worst book l've ever read, but it fell completely flat for me.
My biggest issue was the pacing. The entire story felt incredibly rushed, like we were just hitting a checklist of dramatic events without any of the necessary build-up or emotional depth to make them land. Scenes that should have been impactful just... happened, and then we abruptly moved on. This made the plot feel disjointed and the characters' actions often seemed to come out of nowhere, creating drama for the sake of drama rather than feeling like a natural part of their lives.
Speaking of characters, I never felt like I truly knew or understood them. Their motivations were unclear, and their relationships shifted so quickly it was hard to become invested.
Ironically, while the big emotional moments were underdeveloped, other parts were over-explained. The author would spend paragraphs on mundane details or a character's internal monologue about a simple decision, which really killed the momentum.
A disappointing read that had potential but ultimately felt both rushed and oddly sluggish at the same time.
I really wanted to like this more. The premise was intriguing and it certainly wasn't the worst book l've ever read, but it fell completely flat for me.
My biggest issue was the pacing. The entire story felt incredibly rushed, like we were just hitting a checklist of dramatic events without any of the necessary build-up or emotional depth to make them land. Scenes that should have been impactful just... happened, and then we abruptly moved on. This made the plot feel disjointed and the characters' actions often seemed to come out of nowhere, creating drama for the sake of drama rather than feeling like a natural part of their lives.
Speaking of characters, I never felt like I truly knew or understood them. Their motivations were unclear, and their relationships shifted so quickly it was hard to become invested.
Ironically, while the big emotional moments were underdeveloped, other parts were over-explained. The author would spend paragraphs on mundane details or a character's internal monologue about a simple decision, which really killed the momentum.
A disappointing read that had potential but ultimately felt both rushed and oddly sluggish at the same time.
July 27, 2025
"Hush Little Fire" delivers a gripping family mystery layered with deep emotional truths and sharp wit. Judith Newcomb Styles paints a vivid portrait of Cape Cod's undercurrents: a place full of secrets, history, and complicated relationships. The story centers on Mary, who returns home for Christmas only to find herself entangled in a fire investigation that forces her to confront painful family secrets.
What really stood out was the way the novel explores motherhood, identity, and the legacies we inherit and sometimes fight against. The characters feel real and flawed, especially Mary and her adoptive mother, Birdie, whose silence speaks volumes. The mix of dark humor and tender moments made the story both heartbreaking and hopeful.
I appreciated how the book handled difficult themes like abortion and adoption with nuance and care, without ever feeling heavy-handed. The Cape Cod setting adds an atmospheric backdrop that enchances the story's tension and warmth. Overall, "Hush Little Fire" is a thoughtful, page-turning read I'd recommend to anyone who loves family dramas with mystery and heart.
What really stood out was the way the novel explores motherhood, identity, and the legacies we inherit and sometimes fight against. The characters feel real and flawed, especially Mary and her adoptive mother, Birdie, whose silence speaks volumes. The mix of dark humor and tender moments made the story both heartbreaking and hopeful.
I appreciated how the book handled difficult themes like abortion and adoption with nuance and care, without ever feeling heavy-handed. The Cape Cod setting adds an atmospheric backdrop that enchances the story's tension and warmth. Overall, "Hush Little Fire" is a thoughtful, page-turning read I'd recommend to anyone who loves family dramas with mystery and heart.
Read
June 10, 2025Every once in a while, my tendency to pick books based on their covers backfires (and this book really does have a gorgeous stylized cover, profile silhouettes overlaid with flames) Unfortunately, this was one of those times.
This book started off so strong, with an adult daughter’s trip home to Cape Cod for the holidays coinciding with a Christmas night fire burning down the medical clinic where her father once performed illegal abortions in the pre-Roe v. Wade era. I was initially hooked by the premise and the author’s beautifully descriptive prose, but sadly it failed to hold my attention. The lovely prose starts to wander and feel aimless. The multiple POVs, so often a favorite of mine, did not add to the story. Every character is unlikeable (but not in an interesting way), and all of the POVs sound like the same voice regardless of which character it is.
I try really hard not to DNF an ARC but ultimately gave up on this one around the 40% mark. This author has talent and potential, and I think this book will resonate with some readers, but I just wasn’t one of them.
This book started off so strong, with an adult daughter’s trip home to Cape Cod for the holidays coinciding with a Christmas night fire burning down the medical clinic where her father once performed illegal abortions in the pre-Roe v. Wade era. I was initially hooked by the premise and the author’s beautifully descriptive prose, but sadly it failed to hold my attention. The lovely prose starts to wander and feel aimless. The multiple POVs, so often a favorite of mine, did not add to the story. Every character is unlikeable (but not in an interesting way), and all of the POVs sound like the same voice regardless of which character it is.
I try really hard not to DNF an ARC but ultimately gave up on this one around the 40% mark. This author has talent and potential, and I think this book will resonate with some readers, but I just wasn’t one of them.
March 11, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Publishing for the ARC Copy. This is my unbiased opinion of the book.
Trigger warnings:
Abortions inappropriate, touching of a minor
drug addiction and involving a minor in criminal activity.
The story is has multiple POVs. But it mainly involves Mary the main character. Her and her Son Danny are back on Cape Cop for the Christmas holiday when a mysterious fire breaks out and secrets start to unravel.
I wanted to really enjoy this book but there were too many things that didn’t get resolved or was pointless.
The MC has this silly titles for simple things that gets annoying.
I read some reviews that say everything was wrapped up in a nice box at the end but it was not. It is hinted at it like one character says the put the accelerant down but never says they are the one to light the fire.
Does Mary ever find out about the Chief? Does the memory of that night ever come back?
I believe this is the Authors first book
Trigger warnings:
Abortions inappropriate, touching of a minor
drug addiction and involving a minor in criminal activity.
The story is has multiple POVs. But it mainly involves Mary the main character. Her and her Son Danny are back on Cape Cop for the Christmas holiday when a mysterious fire breaks out and secrets start to unravel.
I wanted to really enjoy this book but there were too many things that didn’t get resolved or was pointless.
The MC has this silly titles for simple things that gets annoying.
I read some reviews that say everything was wrapped up in a nice box at the end but it was not. It is hinted at it like one character says the put the accelerant down but never says they are the one to light the fire.
Does Mary ever find out about the Chief? Does the memory of that night ever come back?
I believe this is the Authors first book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2025
I struggled. The characters didn't grab my interest. While there were several different narrators, they all sounded the same to me. And I almost felt like I was reading their diaries, except these were grown adults. The timeline for events felt incredibly off kilter. Roe v Wade was decades before the fire. Why were there drugs in the clinic still? Was it still open? That is never discussed. And Mary's obsession with her birth mother felt like an affectation, instead of honest. Doesn't help that it felt incredibly obvious who her parents were. Was that one of the mysteries we were supposed to uncover? Finally, I think it really just annoyed me that the only way we find out who started the fire (the big mystery) was that the person spelled it out to another character. Sure the foundation for the story was a good one, I just felt that the execution missed the mark.
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
dnf
May 17, 2025The premise of Hush Little Fire seemed super interesting, but unfortunately it didn't click with me and I stopped reading around the 30% mark.
The story itself is dark and full of suspense, and I still have lots of questions about the fire, Mary's background, and why everybody in this town acts so suspiciously all the time. I'm sure that for a fan of mysteries this story really has the potential to hit the mark.
That said, I had trouble connecting with any of the characters - they just felt so unlikeable to me, I couldn't get past it. Considering the multiple POVs I expected to at least have someone to root for, or to appreciate them for the flawed individuals they are, but the flaws kept piling up and I found myself not really wanting to read on.
If you're a fan of realistic, gritty mysteries that give you small nuggets of hints at a time, you might enjoy this one.
✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.
The story itself is dark and full of suspense, and I still have lots of questions about the fire, Mary's background, and why everybody in this town acts so suspiciously all the time. I'm sure that for a fan of mysteries this story really has the potential to hit the mark.
That said, I had trouble connecting with any of the characters - they just felt so unlikeable to me, I couldn't get past it. Considering the multiple POVs I expected to at least have someone to root for, or to appreciate them for the flawed individuals they are, but the flaws kept piling up and I found myself not really wanting to read on.
If you're a fan of realistic, gritty mysteries that give you small nuggets of hints at a time, you might enjoy this one.
✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.
May 19, 2025
Mary knew she had been adopted but longed to know who her birth parents were and she had a difficult and distanced relationship with her mother. She goes back to Cape Cod for the holidays, a fire consumes a clinic and although she was seen there she can't remember it. Her mother has fled to Florida, her son (who she doesn't know for sure who his father is) wants to return to New York, and the Police seems to believe she is responsible for the fire and the death of the nurse that was trapped within the clinic. She'll get help from the most unexpected person in the island, and as she starts to learn the truth about her past, her family, and her own son, she fights to keep her composure and to be there for those she loves. Hush Little Fire throws a lot of concepts for thought regarding womanhood, the right for an abortion, family and women perceived value in society.
I thank Ms. Stiles, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
I thank Ms. Stiles, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
December 7, 2025
This book is just awful. I thought I could pass it along to my mother in law since it’s a mystery set in our area but it’s just going back to the little free library where I found it. What is the authors obsession with objectifying her female characters? Just why?? It’s so disappointing coming from a female author. It just feels like she was pushing her internalized misogyny onto her mostly female readers, like she wanted company. It just feels like it was written by a Karen. She villainized marijuana and wrote about it making a character angry. Karen, that’s not what it’s like and you should really take a hit and maybe you’d stop being so obsessed with women’s chests. Her racism leaked out when she wrote about her two Jamaican characters being either stupid or criminals and she joked about them all being related. Lastly as far as any mystery goes, the answers are totally uninteresting. Judith Necomb Stiles is a Karen and a freak.
February 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I was hopeful that this story would follow a similar line of a strong main character with secrets and lies hiding in her past (or even her present) but unfortunately I just didn’t like anyone in this book. It’s so hard to connect when everyone involved is kind of terrible. I was just really disappointed that I wasn’t compelled to like the characters as much as I had hoped.
The plot is interesting, but it’s also somewhat predictable in where it goes. The social commentary is a bit hamfisted too, which is a shame. I did enjoy the twist and appreciated how everything got tied up in a neat little bow with all the characters.
The cover art is worth a mention too- it’s beautiful! I get what this book was trying to do, I just don’t feel like it fully got there.
I was hopeful that this story would follow a similar line of a strong main character with secrets and lies hiding in her past (or even her present) but unfortunately I just didn’t like anyone in this book. It’s so hard to connect when everyone involved is kind of terrible. I was just really disappointed that I wasn’t compelled to like the characters as much as I had hoped.
The plot is interesting, but it’s also somewhat predictable in where it goes. The social commentary is a bit hamfisted too, which is a shame. I did enjoy the twist and appreciated how everything got tied up in a neat little bow with all the characters.
The cover art is worth a mention too- it’s beautiful! I get what this book was trying to do, I just don’t feel like it fully got there.
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