The Ashes Know Her Name

by Denise Nussbaum

The Ashes Know Her Name
A Novel by Denise Nussbaum

She changed her identity, but terror found her.

When Ana Summer was ten years old, her birthday ended in blood. A terrorist attack on her kibbutz in Israel stole her young cousin’s life, and her mother’s abduction shattered her world. Left behind by her grief-stricken father, Ana was sent across the globe to the remote mountains of West Maui to rebuild her life and distance herself from her past.
But some things refuse to stay buried.

Decades later, Ana has built a life in Hawaii—safe, isolated, and tightly guarded. Even love with Kimo Akamai, the loyal defender who’s always been by her side, feels just out of reach. When the Lahaina wildfires erupt, Ana and her faithful dog Koa, barely escape with their lives.

As Maui smolders, a new horror her half-sister Rachel has been abducted in a violent terror attack in southern Israel and sold into a human trafficking ring with ties to the Pacific.

Ana and Kimo join forces with rogue operatives and battle-hardened allies to launch a dangerous rescue mission across land, sea, and secrets long buried. Their path leads them into the shadowy depths of a billionaire’s fortified island estate—and deep into Ana’s own fractured heart.

Spanning continents and crises, The Ashes Know Her Name is a gripping tale of survival, identity, and redemption in a world where terror and love often walk hand in hand.

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2025

About the author

Dr. Denise Nussbaum is a sociologist and former professor who spent over two decades teaching and writing about inequality, identity, and trauma. A recipient of the Stanback-Stroud Diversity Award, she has published widely on issues of discrimination and social justice. Now retired from academia, she turns to fiction to explore the human condition. The Ashes Know Her Name is her debut novel.

Reviews

[Betsy Chasse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ashes Know Her Name gripped me from the very first page and didn’t let go. Denise Nussbaum weaves a story that is both emotionally raw and cinematically intense. As someone who loves deeply layered characters and global storytelling, this book hit every note for me.

Ana’s journey—from the trauma of her childhood in Israel to her precarious peace in Maui—was beautifully written. When the fires of Lahaina spark a new chain of terror, what unfolds is part thriller, part emotional reckoning. The pacing is sharp, the relationships feel authentic (Kimo is a standout), and the stakes could not be higher.

This is more than a suspense novel. It’s about identity, the long shadow of grief, and the power of love in the face of unthinkable danger. I found myself breathless, hopeful, and deeply moved.

Denise Nussbaum is a powerful new voice, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ashes Know Her Name is a new novel by Denise Nussbaum. I thought that the book was an interesting thriller. The book could be taken from the current pages of a newspapet. Terrorists killed Ana's cousin and took her mother. several decades later, Ana has grown up in Hawaii when the Lahaena wildfires erupted. The rest of the story is a wild ride that I was not sure if anyone would die. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Aklima Akter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book planning to read a few chapters before bed… and suddenly it was 3 AM. The Ashes Know Her Name is raw, emotional, and suspenseful. Ana’s journey through trauma and identity hit harder than most thrillers I’ve read. It’s not just about survival it’s about rediscovering yourself in the aftermath. Brilliantly written.

[Amin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book burns emotionally and intensely. The fire scenes, the tension, the heartbreak I could feel Ana’s fear and strength on every page. Denise Nussbaum writes with precision and insight into humanity. A must-read for anyone who loves thrillers with depth and soul

[Mahi Moni · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy books that make your pulse race and your heart ache, this is it. The pacing is perfect, the characters are flawed in the most relatable ways, and by the end, I felt proud of Ana as if she were someone I truly knew.

[Aynal Haque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most thrillers focus on the action, but this one dives into the why. The blend of psychology, trauma, and international intrigue sets it apart. It’s clear the author understands people, not just plot twists.

[Sukumar Sarker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ana isn’t just running from danger she’s running toward healing. The story balances pain and hope beautifully. It’s dark at times, but that makes the lighter moments shine even more. I closed the book feeling changed.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, if u like suspense, this is a great book to read.

[Alan Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a complementary copy via Goodreads Giveaways.