Conflagration: Conflagration: A Historical Romance Novel of the Great Peshtigo Fire

by Susan M. Gordon

One forgotten disaster. One unforgettable love story.

On the night of October 8–9, 1871, a firestorm swept across northeastern Wisconsin, claiming more than a thousand lives and destroying entire communities. Although it remains the deadliest wildfire in American history, the Peshtigo Fire has long been overshadowed by the Great Chicago Fire, which ignited on the very same night.

In Conflagration: How Love and Courage Survived America's Deadliest Fire, newlyweds John and Jennie Mulligan begin building a future in the thriving lumber town of Peshtigo. Surrounded by hardworking families, immigrants, clergy, healers, and their Indigenous Menominee neighbors, they create a life filled with hope as the forests around them quietly become a tinderbox.

As drought intensifies and warning signs are ignored, small fires merge into an unstoppable inferno. When the firestorm finally strikes, it moves with unimaginable speed and destruction, forcing impossible choices and testing the strength of love, faith, and community.

Meticulously researched and emotionally powerful, Conflagration is both an unforgettable historical novel and a moving tribute to the people whose courage endured one of America's greatest forgotten tragedies. Blending historical fact with richly imagined storytelling, Susan M. Gordon shines a light on resilience, sacrifice, and the extraordinary strength found in ordinary people.

Perfect for readers who enjoy:
• Historical Fiction
• Historical Romance
• American History
• Civil War–era and 19th-century fiction
• Family sagas
• Stories inspired by true events

"A richly detailed account of an under heralded American tragedy." — Kirkus Reviews*

Genres: Love, Survival, Friendship, Faith, Cultural Heritage, History

175 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2026

About the author

Susan M. Gordon is a historical fiction author whose work brings overlooked moments of American history vividly to life through compelling characters, emotional storytelling, and meticulous research. Her debut novel, Conflagration: How Love and Courage Survived America’s Deadliest Fire, explores the forgotten tragedy of the 1871 Peshtigo Fire, weaving together themes of love, resilience, community, and survival.

Drawing on survivor accounts, historical records, and extensive research, Susan illuminates the lives of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances, with particular attention to women, immigrants, working-class families, and the Indigenous Menominee community. Her novels honor the courage of those whose stories history has too often left out.

Born and raised in Shawano, Wisconsin, Susan has lived in Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Los Angeles before settling in Olympia, Washington, with her husband, Reed, their friend Kerry, and their three dogs, Jezebel, Tango, and Hazel. Before becoming a full-time writer, she enjoyed distinguished careers in nursing and the medical device industry.

When she’s not writing, Susan enjoys gardening, cooking, entertaining friends, Saturday morning walks with her neighbors and their dogs, and spending time with family and loved ones.

“Conflagration brings attention to one of the deadliest yet most often overlooked events in American history with great detail and well-crafted prose... A richly detailed account of an underheralded American tragedy.””— Kirkus Reviews

Reviews

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already have a fear of wildfires and tornadoes… so why did I decide to read this?
This story was absolutely beautifully heartbreaking. Following Jennie and John as newlyweds, only for them to face such devastation, genuinely brought me to tears.

I also loved Oma Lizzie and her strong-willed personality — her little quips added moments of humor and warmth throughout the story.

The novel uses a third-person narrative style that feels more observational, which I really appreciated. It was refreshing to experience multiple perspectives instead of following just one character’s thoughts and experiences the entire time.

There were a few instances where quotation marks were missing, and some details felt slightly repetitive — particularly the descriptions of the sand turning to glass and how several months later people were being discovered.

Overall, though, this was a powerful and emotional read. Now I’m going to bed sad, knowing this was inspired by real events and real people who suffered through such tragedy.


My favourite quote: “This,” Oma murmured, chin resting against Jennie’s hair, is how we face big days. We rock and we breathe and we remember we’re loved.”

Genre: historical romance
✨️ Magic: no, but she has premonitions
🌶 Spice level: low (fade to black)
Setting: Wisconsin, USA in 1870-1871
📚Book: standalone
Method of reading: ebook
Rating: 4.5/5
Thank you NetGalley

Vibe: feels like standing in a pine forest while the sky turns copper and the wind starts carrying ash instead of snow. A love story trying to survive at the edge of catastrophe: rugged, smoke-stained, deeply human, and haunted by the feeling that everything beautiful can vanish overnight.

Characters:
Jennie (FMC) mid twenties
She’s strong, confident, and isn’t afraid to tell em as it is.

John (MMC) 28 years old
He’s a proud, hard working man who loves very strongly.

[Bookish Emili Reads · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Conflagration is a moving historical fiction novel that combines romance, resilience, and survival against the backdrop of one of America's greatest tragedies. Susan M. Gordon does an excellent job immersing readers in frontier life, creating a vivid sense of place and a strong connection to the community before disaster strikes.

Jennie and John's relationship is the heart of the story. Their love feels authentic, and watching them navigate both everyday challenges and unimaginable loss makes their journey emotionally engaging. The supporting characters add warmth and depth, and the themes of courage, family, and perseverance resonate throughout the novel.

The fire itself is portrayed with intensity and emotional impact. The devastation feels real, and the desperation and determination of the characters kept me turning the pages. I also appreciated the historical detail and the attention given to the people and communities often overlooked in accounts of this tragedy.

The reason this wasn't quite a five-star read for me is that parts of the story moved more slowly than I would have liked before the action intensified. While the buildup helps establish the characters and setting, a tighter pace in some sections would have strengthened the overall narrative.

Overall, Conflagration is a compelling and heartfelt novel that brings an important historical event to life while telling a powerful story of love and survival. Recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong emotional stakes and well-developed relationships.

[Julie Pulie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

Jennie and John are newlyweds moved to Peshtigo to pursue John's job offer leading a team of lumberjacks in 1871- right before the great fire burned the whole county to the ground.

The author does a phenomenal job of writing tragic history entwined with the setting and background of characters within the book, as well as showing the quiet strength and bravery of both Jennie, John, and many others within this story.

I was not personally familiar with this great tragedy- the great Chicago Fire being far more famous despite Peshtigo fires claiming a staggeringly higher number of lives, both at the time, and after the fact from fire related injuries. This story managed to educate me and bring tears to my eyes. Highly recommend.

[Harlyn Zia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conflagration sounds like a deeply emotional and unforgettable story that blends history, love, and survival beautifully. The vivid setting and powerful stakes make it impossible not to get invested in Jennie and John’s journey.
I especially love how the story honors the courage and humanity of the Menominee people alongside the tragedy of the Peshtigo fire. This feels like the kind of historical novel that stays with you long after the last page.

[Mattew Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up because I enjoy historical fiction, but I ended up learning about a tragedy I would honestly never heard of before. The story pulled me in pretty quickly, and by the time the fire happened I really cared about the people. That's what made those chapters so hard to read. Definitely a memorable book.

[Sofia Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan M. Gordon took a tragedy that history buried and brought it back to life. Jennie and John's story is tender and terrifying, and the Menominee voices Gordon includes make this more than a romance, it is a reckoning with what we choose to remember. I finished this book knowing something I should have learned in school.

[Isabella Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of romance, but this felt like much more than a love story. It was really about ordinary people trying to build a life together before everything changed overnight. The historical setting made it even more interesting.

[William Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me look up the real Peshtigo Fire after I finished it. I could not believe I would never heard about it before. I liked that the history never felt like a lesson, it was woven naturally into the story. The characters kept me turning the pages.

[James Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting was one of my favorite parts. You can almost picture the forests, the small town, and the people trying to make a living there. When everything starts falling apart, it feels very real because you have spent time getting to know everyone first.

[Caleb matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always looking for historical fiction that's based on real events, and this one didn't disappoint. It tells a story I was not familiar with and does it through characters that are easy to connect with. I finished it in just a couple of days.

[Ethan White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books entertain you while you are reading them, and then you move on. This one stayed in my head afterward. I kept thinking about how quickly life can change and how people find the strength to keep going.

[Rose Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this because the description sounded interesting, and I'm glad I did. It was an engaging read from beginning to end. I especially liked learning about a part of American history that doesn't seem to get talked about very often.

[Micheal Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly picked this up because the cover caught my attention, but I stayed for the story. I had never heard of the Peshtigo Fire before, and now I can't believe it is not talked about more. The history and the characters worked really well together.

[Sandrajulie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first few chapters let you settle into the characters' lives, and I'm glad they did. By the time everything started falling apart, I actually cared about what happened to them. It made the whole experience much more emotional.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me why I enjoy historical fiction so much. It's not just about learning history it's about seeing how ordinary people lived through extraordinary moments. I really enjoyed this one.

[Grace Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read books centered around historical disasters, but this one was recommended to me and I'm glad I gave it a chance. It felt much more like a story about people than about the fire itself.

[Alejandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I closed this book feeling a little emotional. It's heartbreaking at times, but it's also full of hope and resilience. Those are the stories that usually stay with me the longest, and I think this one will.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. The author makes you feel like you were there. I highly recommend and now friends who read it as well and I, will be making a trip to Peshtigo to visit the museum and the town, even though I have been there many times.

[Jerry Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed how much heart this story has. There are some difficult moments, but there are also quiet scenes that make the characters feel like real people. By the end, I was rooting for all of them.

[Sophia Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked that the romance never took over the whole story. It was there, but so were friendship, family, and the community around them. That balance worked really well for me.

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical fiction that introduces me to something new, and this definitely did that. I found myself reading about the real event after I finished the book. That's always a good sign for me.

[GEORGE ETHAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked that this was not all action from start to finish. There are quiet moments, friendships, family, and everyday life that make the disaster feel even more heartbreaking when it finally happens.

[David Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennie ended up being my favorite character. She felt determined without being unrealistic, and I enjoyed seeing how she handled everything that came her way. I was rooting for her the whole time.

[George Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Menominee perspective added something really meaningful to the story. It reminded me that there are often important parts of history that don't get enough attention. I appreciated that inclusion.

[Lopez Mateo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books where I kept saying, "Just one more chapter," until suddenly I was almost finished. The writing made it easy to picture everything without feeling overdone.

[Fyre.Katz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read only the first couple chapters and had to DNF it due to writing style.
I didn't like the style of writing.

[Joseph Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of historical novel that reminds you there were real people behind these events. I found myself getting attached to the characters long before the disaster happened, which made the ending much more emotional.

[Susan M Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author's Note:

Thank you for reading Conflagration.

This novel was inspired by the forgotten tragedy of the 1871 Peshtigo Fire, the deadliest wildfire in American history. Through extensive historical research and survivor accounts, I wanted to honor the lives, courage, and resilience of those who experienced this devastating event. While John and Jennie's story is fictional, it is rooted in real history and written as a tribute to the people whose stories deserve to be remembered.

I hope this novel stays with you long after you turn the final page.

— Susan M. Gordon

"A richly detailed account of an under heralded American tragedy." — Kirkus Reviews