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Playing with Fire: A BitterSweet tale of Reinvention and Revenge.
Playing with A BitterSweet story of suspense and survival, romance and revenge.
In the winter of 1952, the Madsen family home went up in flames. Matilda and Jesse Sr. perished in the fire, and authorities believed fifteen-year-old Bonnie died in the basement, trapped beneath a blaze fueled by moonshine and Sterno. Her gravestone was etched in smoke and ash. But the truth was far more complicated.
Bonnie Madsen survived that night. Armed with a train ticket and a borrowed name, she buried her past and disappeared into a life built on layers of reinvention. As Eliza, she built a career, forged friendships and romances, and gave generously to her community. Yet buried with Bonnie were family secrets too dangerous--too horrific--to bring to light. For thirty-five years, she kept them hidden, some even from herself.
When Jess Madsen Jr. and his niece Dawn uncover evidence that Bonnie might still be alive, they turn to retired homicide detective Joe Minelli for help. Joe remembers the Madsens from one of his last cases on the Baltimore County police force, and the chance to unravel what really happened draws him in. His search leads him to Florida, where every lead peels back another layer of truth—about Bonnie, her family, and even himself.
Unflinching yet tender, Playing with Fire pulls readers deep into a tangle of human emotion—trauma that scars and love that heals. Spanning fifty years—from the 1930s through the 1980s—the novel moves between past and present, alive with the culture, music, and atmosphere of each era. Mystery, romance, and psychological suspense collide in a BitterSweet story of survival, revenge, and the unbreakable bonds of family.
Perfect for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing, Safe Haven, and Sleeping with the Enemy, this prequel to Beyond the Broken Window stands alone as a powerful saga. Its smoke will linger in your thoughts long after the flames subside.
In the winter of 1952, the Madsen family home went up in flames. Matilda and Jesse Sr. perished in the fire, and authorities believed fifteen-year-old Bonnie died in the basement, trapped beneath a blaze fueled by moonshine and Sterno. Her gravestone was etched in smoke and ash. But the truth was far more complicated.
Bonnie Madsen survived that night. Armed with a train ticket and a borrowed name, she buried her past and disappeared into a life built on layers of reinvention. As Eliza, she built a career, forged friendships and romances, and gave generously to her community. Yet buried with Bonnie were family secrets too dangerous--too horrific--to bring to light. For thirty-five years, she kept them hidden, some even from herself.
When Jess Madsen Jr. and his niece Dawn uncover evidence that Bonnie might still be alive, they turn to retired homicide detective Joe Minelli for help. Joe remembers the Madsens from one of his last cases on the Baltimore County police force, and the chance to unravel what really happened draws him in. His search leads him to Florida, where every lead peels back another layer of truth—about Bonnie, her family, and even himself.
Unflinching yet tender, Playing with Fire pulls readers deep into a tangle of human emotion—trauma that scars and love that heals. Spanning fifty years—from the 1930s through the 1980s—the novel moves between past and present, alive with the culture, music, and atmosphere of each era. Mystery, romance, and psychological suspense collide in a BitterSweet story of survival, revenge, and the unbreakable bonds of family.
Perfect for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing, Safe Haven, and Sleeping with the Enemy, this prequel to Beyond the Broken Window stands alone as a powerful saga. Its smoke will linger in your thoughts long after the flames subside.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2025
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Joy Strouse
2 books8 followersJoy Strouse is writer, artist, teacher, actor, mother, and grandmother. She channels decades of reflection and creative spirit into her writing, conjuring stories and characters that captivate and inspire. When the world slowed during the pandemic, she finally found the stillness to bring her debut novel to life. As an author, Strouse paints with words, vivid and authentic, driven by her own experiences and a deep knowledge about the human condition.
Beyond the Broken Window is a haunting trip back to 1970s and 80s Baltimore, a tapestry of mystery and psychological suspense, where love, grief, and the shadows of family secrets intertwine. The story explores the complexities of tangled family bonds, resilient friendships, and the hidden scars of domestic abuse, drawing readers into Julie Fairburn’s troubled world, where love and trauma intertwine and secrets refuse to stay buried.
Joy Strouse’s journey as a master storyteller continues with Playing with Fire, a prequel to Beyond the Broken Window. Her characters spring from the pages to reveal secrets of what went before the broken window, with simmering tension and a twisted, bittersweet end.
For side stories, insights about her work, and news about upcoming events, be sure to join the Joy Strouse community on her website and experience this unfolding narrative to fullest.
Beyond the Broken Window is a haunting trip back to 1970s and 80s Baltimore, a tapestry of mystery and psychological suspense, where love, grief, and the shadows of family secrets intertwine. The story explores the complexities of tangled family bonds, resilient friendships, and the hidden scars of domestic abuse, drawing readers into Julie Fairburn’s troubled world, where love and trauma intertwine and secrets refuse to stay buried.
Joy Strouse’s journey as a master storyteller continues with Playing with Fire, a prequel to Beyond the Broken Window. Her characters spring from the pages to reveal secrets of what went before the broken window, with simmering tension and a twisted, bittersweet end.
For side stories, insights about her work, and news about upcoming events, be sure to join the Joy Strouse community on her website and experience this unfolding narrative to fullest.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 20, 2025
Those know me know that I rarely write reviews of the books I read, but this one really touched me. This is an amazing book and I hope it gets the recognition it truly deserves. It checks all the boxes. There is romance, mystery, intrigue, etc. If there were more than five stars to give, I would give them.
February 11, 2026
A wonderful recounting of a life well-lived, but with the need to reconcile with the past. I loved all of the cultural and Baltimore region references, accurate to a T. We wonder at times how people can overcome early trauma, and this novel shows a unique way in which Bonnie / Eliza builds her own future (rising from the ashes) and painstakingly builds happiness for herself - and yet gets her revenge, completing a circle of sorts.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews