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Newpointe 911 #4
Trial by Fire
Pastor and fireman Nick Foster found the body in the inferno engulfing his church. From the bullet wound in the head, it's clear this is no ordinary fire victim. The quiet community of Newpointe, reeling from the shock of the dead man's identity, struggles with the agonizing question: who did it --- and why?
Paramedic Issie Mattreaux is no icon of virtue, but she cares enough about her teenage nephew, Jake, to track him down when he turns up missing. Only, what she finds is far more than a harmless bonfire on the outskirts of town.
After a chilling attempt on Issie's life, Nick takes on the role of protector even as he struggles wit the tragedy that has struck his church. Whoever is behind the fire is far from finished. Unknown to Nick, that person's twisted agenda now threatens to consume everything he loves most.
Paramedic Issie Mattreaux is no icon of virtue, but she cares enough about her teenage nephew, Jake, to track him down when he turns up missing. Only, what she finds is far more than a harmless bonfire on the outskirts of town.
After a chilling attempt on Issie's life, Nick takes on the role of protector even as he struggles wit the tragedy that has struck his church. Whoever is behind the fire is far from finished. Unknown to Nick, that person's twisted agenda now threatens to consume everything he loves most.
347 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2000
208 people are currently reading
1409 people want to read
About the author
Terri Blackstock
90 books5,563 followersTerri Blackstock is a New York Times best-seller, with over seven million books sold worldwide.. She has had over thirty years of success as a novelist.
Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in a U.S. Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.
In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re valued by God and that their trials have a purpose.
Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in a U.S. Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.
In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re valued by God and that their trials have a purpose.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
April 19, 2020
The Newpointe Series is very character driven. I've enjoyed getting to know the people of Newpointe. In Trial by Fire, Nick and Issie are the main focus. Issie's teenage nephew Jake has gotten in with the wrong crowd. Nick is struggling with whether or not God has called him to be a preacher. While the villain was known early on, the suspense was in seeing how things would turn out for both the villain and the people of Newpointe.
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October 28, 2025Excellent novel!
April 7, 2017
A great romantic suspense filled with a Christian message.
Nick, the local pastor, is dealing with doubts about his calling and what God wants for him.
Issie has to deal with a shaded past and learning what Grace means and how to relate to God as a loving father.
The relationship between Nick and Issie already started in book 3 and kept growing in book 4. A friendship which started out as professional colleagues and grew into a friendship.
The suspense was difficult - with an extreme group who thinks they are following the right path but killing people just because they don't fit the Leader's standards. Leaders who leads vulnerable people away into darkness.
This was another great book in the series. Series can be read out of order but the character history starts in book 1 so for character knowledge I would start with book 1.
Nick, the local pastor, is dealing with doubts about his calling and what God wants for him.
Issie has to deal with a shaded past and learning what Grace means and how to relate to God as a loving father.
The relationship between Nick and Issie already started in book 3 and kept growing in book 4. A friendship which started out as professional colleagues and grew into a friendship.
The suspense was difficult - with an extreme group who thinks they are following the right path but killing people just because they don't fit the Leader's standards. Leaders who leads vulnerable people away into darkness.
This was another great book in the series. Series can be read out of order but the character history starts in book 1 so for character knowledge I would start with book 1.
March 6, 2024
This book includes a disturbing subject matter. There are two teenagers who are following in their grandfather's KKK affiliation and recruiting other teens to join them. They burn down a church and encourage them to kill for the cause. Pastor/firefighter Nick is struggling to understand God's plan for him. The church members show Nick that the church isn't a building but the people. There is a lot of faith talk in this one as we see the Bible being used for evil purposes, Christians struggling with their beliefs and others turning to God during a trying time. I was very invested in the story but had to take breaks at times due to the heaviness of the storyline with the teenagers as this weighed on me.
October 26, 2022
Another great suspense read from Terri Blackstock that is very character driven. Nick's church has been burned to the ground and the son of one of his church members is found dead in the bombing. Once again, the small town of Newpointe, Louisiana pulls together to support one another through a terrible event.
February 21, 2022
Definitely the most thrilling and intense book of the series so far!!
December 6, 2022
Wow!!!😭❤️
September 30, 2017
Really loved this book. Probably my favorite in the series so far!!!
October 27, 2023
I think this book talks about salvation, it really helps us to understand that no matter how far we have fallen, God is always there to give us another chance. We just have to accept.
April 12, 2020
This one was better than #3. A little more believable. Not as much weird Christianese that even I--a pastor's wife--find unbelievable. And a really good story. C'mon. I gotta root for the pastor/fireman, since I'm married to a pastor/fireman!!
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February 15, 2022I have enjoyed this entire series. Suspense and redemption
September 11, 2022
This book is a bit sad in that we have people who think the way this group thinks. Unfortunately, this still holds true today where some ethnicities feel superior to others. The storyline made me a bit uneasy, but the writing was superb. This is why Terri Blackstock's book is a five-star for me. I felt like I was in this story and living through what the characters in this story were going through. There was definitely a lot of preaching going on but it is no wonder since Nick is a t the center of attention in this book.
July 27, 2007
All of these Newpointe 911 novels are fun, fast paced reads. I really enjoyed them, however.....if you are an avid reader and your eyes are drawn towards misprints and editing mistakes....BEWARE. I have never found so many mistakes in my life. It drove me insane.
April 14, 2024
Enjoy her mysteries even though I'm not reading her series in the right order!
June 23, 2015
This was a good book in this series of mystery suspense and love story combined. Terri Blackstock did an awesome job in this series and this book is one of my favs! Well worth reading?
October 2, 2021
Terri Blackstock has been a banner name in Christian fiction for over twenty years. I’ve found some of her books riveting and some of her books lacking. Recently, I decided to go back to some of her older books that I’d never read and see how her stories and writing style had changed and progressed. I started with Newpointe 911, a five-book series published between 1998-2003, that focuses on a group of first responders, their families, and way more drama than you’d expect from a small town.
Book four in Newpointe 911, if you’ve been following the series, invites you back to old friends. The first three books were all published in 1998, so it’s been a two-year gap since Blackstock visited these characters and there’s a definite change in tone. Trial by Fire takes a dark twist into a pseudo-cult bent on revenge against Nick Foster, Newpointe fireman and pastor. Caught up in it all is paramedic Issie Mattreaux. Best remembered for being the wedge between Mark and Allie’s relationship in Private Justice, Issie has lingered in the background but comes to the forefront here. Her nephew is caught up in the cult and her efforts to help him make her a target as well.
Trial by Fire suffers from Blackstock’s most common flaw: too many underdeveloped plot points. The pseudo-cult functions as an amalgamation of religious extremists, the KKK, and teenage gangs. I really wish Blackstock had picked a lane because the group’s motivation for murder never seems believable. They target Nick because he challenged the group for offensive picket signs sporting hateful messages. Their leader is a charismatic brother/sister pair with an abusive past whose parents were KKK members. Some of their killings are racially motivated. Like Word of Honor, Blackstock removes the mystery and tells us exactly who the killers are and focuses on the action thriller aspect of whether or not they can be brought down.
The faith elements are more naturally intertwined, showing a positive evolution in Blackstock’s writing that has continued into the present. It’s still heavy at points, but no longer distracts from the story. Blackstock’s narrative is singular and compelling. The previous books in this series I found easy to put down. This one had me going straight through. While aspects of the plot are still a bit unbelievable, Blackstock coaxed me into suspending disbelief and letting the story play out. It still has its flaws and is tonally different from the previous books in the series, but it’s a great leap in quality from what came before, reading more like a modern Blackstock novel.
Book four in Newpointe 911, if you’ve been following the series, invites you back to old friends. The first three books were all published in 1998, so it’s been a two-year gap since Blackstock visited these characters and there’s a definite change in tone. Trial by Fire takes a dark twist into a pseudo-cult bent on revenge against Nick Foster, Newpointe fireman and pastor. Caught up in it all is paramedic Issie Mattreaux. Best remembered for being the wedge between Mark and Allie’s relationship in Private Justice, Issie has lingered in the background but comes to the forefront here. Her nephew is caught up in the cult and her efforts to help him make her a target as well.
Trial by Fire suffers from Blackstock’s most common flaw: too many underdeveloped plot points. The pseudo-cult functions as an amalgamation of religious extremists, the KKK, and teenage gangs. I really wish Blackstock had picked a lane because the group’s motivation for murder never seems believable. They target Nick because he challenged the group for offensive picket signs sporting hateful messages. Their leader is a charismatic brother/sister pair with an abusive past whose parents were KKK members. Some of their killings are racially motivated. Like Word of Honor, Blackstock removes the mystery and tells us exactly who the killers are and focuses on the action thriller aspect of whether or not they can be brought down.
The faith elements are more naturally intertwined, showing a positive evolution in Blackstock’s writing that has continued into the present. It’s still heavy at points, but no longer distracts from the story. Blackstock’s narrative is singular and compelling. The previous books in this series I found easy to put down. This one had me going straight through. While aspects of the plot are still a bit unbelievable, Blackstock coaxed me into suspending disbelief and letting the story play out. It still has its flaws and is tonally different from the previous books in the series, but it’s a great leap in quality from what came before, reading more like a modern Blackstock novel.
July 28, 2020
I have been looking forward to Nick and Issie's story since their first introduction in book 1. They are such opposites- Issie as the loose morals drinker and Nick as the fireman and self doubting preacher, and this story really delivered for me. This was another fast moving story that opens with a fire that burns down Nick's newly constructed church. The discovery of the body of the son of one of our regular characters throughout this series is discovered in the burning building. Unfortunately its obvious the person was murdered, and it becomes quickly apparent hate crimes are happening in Newpointe. The murder investigation leads back to Issie's nephew who is under the bad influence of some new kids in town who's family was part of the KKK. Eventually the nephew comes to his senses on his own, and does his own coming to God. At first Issie is ok with her nephews questionable lifestyle choices - after all, she was a wild child herself and it didn't hurt her - but as she investigates the kids her nephew is hanging out with, her wild lifestyle opinions formed from her growing up years change very quickly (within a first couple of chapters she is questioning her brother's parenting skills) - a little too fast maybe but it sets in motion two fast moving story lines of Nick's loss of faith and confidence in his calling, and Issie's finding God and redemption for her past actions. One thing I liked was Nick and Issie weren't tied at the hip, and they did a lot of their personal changing independently. The author does a good job with dealing with the difficulties of staying faithful to God during tough times.
November 26, 2019
This book is still well-written and very suspenseful. I love the fact that this series includes the church life as the vital part of a Christian. The church people have their flaws but they are, by and large, growing Christians who really care about people. I'm ranking it one star less than the first three in the series because of personal preference. Pastor Nick is a great and loving pastor, but having a pastor who is a single and has never been married isn't the best in my opinion. It does open the door for a romance plot, however, which is what Terri Blackstock does. I never like to see a Christian character falling in love with an unbeliever, but this pastor finds himself doing this. He does realize that it's a problem but cares about Issie and becomes a close friend of hers. Though Nick is careful and his character with her is above reproach, he allows himself to get into some situations which seem spiritually dangerous as well as a danger to his testimony in order to help her. Personally I think that, though God forgives our past sin, an unbeliever with such a sinful past and reputation isn't the best fit for a pastor. A baby Christian isn't either. But setting that part aside, this is a great read.
December 23, 2018
This fire one was personal for the firemen it was the Calvert Bible Church, that they went to. Roof was collapsing and then Ben the son of Ray was found with a bullet hole in his head. The chief thinks it was a hate crime, racially motivated, that destroyed the church. That the KKK was involved somehow in it. While Nick as pastor doesn’t think he has it in him, to pull people together to even think of rebuilding, Jason is the grandson of the wizard behind the KKK, and others have had evidence of him stirring people up. Story is about this young group of teenagers having the wrong motive in life. The affects, injuring people, draws the people of the together. It will take time for the damages and lives lost. Wasn’t a story that I enjoyed reading about. Overall she tied the plot of what was happening and people coming together.
October 3, 2020
This is Book #4 in the Newpointe 911 series and my 26th Blackstock novel!
This story is set in Newpointe, Louisiana and continues to follow recurring character: Stan and Celia Shepherd, Nick, the local pastor/fireman and Izzie who has had a shady past and now a paramedic. Story also features Aunt Aggie ~ everyone’s favorite aunt. This story has Izzie as the main character.
I do love Terri Blackstock She is a Christian mystery writer with suspense and romance.
This series is not my favorite; it has more Christian preaching than a mysterious focus.
The Christian part is usually not this heavy but simply a strong belief in hope and in God’s help.
Ms. Blackstock is a great story teller and I certainly look forward to her next series!
This story is set in Newpointe, Louisiana and continues to follow recurring character: Stan and Celia Shepherd, Nick, the local pastor/fireman and Izzie who has had a shady past and now a paramedic. Story also features Aunt Aggie ~ everyone’s favorite aunt. This story has Izzie as the main character.
I do love Terri Blackstock She is a Christian mystery writer with suspense and romance.
This series is not my favorite; it has more Christian preaching than a mysterious focus.
The Christian part is usually not this heavy but simply a strong belief in hope and in God’s help.
Ms. Blackstock is a great story teller and I certainly look forward to her next series!
April 2, 2020
This was definitely another great installment of this series. I really liked this book. To be honest, I really wasn’t sure what I would think about this book because I’ve been kinda “meh” about Nick Foster (the pastor throughout this series.) But instead it turned out to be one of the best books in the series thus far in my opinion.
What I Liked: I grew to really like Nick Foster in this book and I think one of the things that is unique to his character is that unlike many preachers depicted in fiction, Nick has obvious faults. He really wrestled with himself in this book whether God had really called him to be a minister, but discovers that God uses our weaknesses to bring us closer to Him and it’s in humility before Him that we find safety in who we are in Christ.
The struggles of both Nick Foster and Issie Matreaux (I think I spelled her name right…) felt very real and the progression as they grew together was set at a good pace. As always, Blackstock brings a depth to her characters that so many in the Christian fiction genre miss entirely. She’s not afraid to throw (kind) Biblical punches in her books and that’s something I always appreciate about her.
What I Didn’t Like: I can’t really think of anything that I disliked about this book.
I give this book 5/5 stars for another excellent story by this amazing author. I only have one more book to go in this series!
What I Liked: I grew to really like Nick Foster in this book and I think one of the things that is unique to his character is that unlike many preachers depicted in fiction, Nick has obvious faults. He really wrestled with himself in this book whether God had really called him to be a minister, but discovers that God uses our weaknesses to bring us closer to Him and it’s in humility before Him that we find safety in who we are in Christ.
The struggles of both Nick Foster and Issie Matreaux (I think I spelled her name right…) felt very real and the progression as they grew together was set at a good pace. As always, Blackstock brings a depth to her characters that so many in the Christian fiction genre miss entirely. She’s not afraid to throw (kind) Biblical punches in her books and that’s something I always appreciate about her.
What I Didn’t Like: I can’t really think of anything that I disliked about this book.
I give this book 5/5 stars for another excellent story by this amazing author. I only have one more book to go in this series!
March 17, 2024
This wasn’t my favorite of the Newpointe Series.
The first part of the storyline bothered me some because the topic is often overdone and misrepresented.
But, she did a pretty good job showing that there is only a minuscule number of so-called “believers” who think like these evil people in this book. I like how she reiterated that their beliefs were skewed and NOT Biblical at all, but opposite true Christian beliefs.
But, as always, Blackstock paints a beautiful picture of redemption and forgiveness which can only be found in Jesus. There’s hope for all of us, no matter how far we’ve fallen.
The first part of the storyline bothered me some because the topic is often overdone and misrepresented.
But, she did a pretty good job showing that there is only a minuscule number of so-called “believers” who think like these evil people in this book. I like how she reiterated that their beliefs were skewed and NOT Biblical at all, but opposite true Christian beliefs.
But, as always, Blackstock paints a beautiful picture of redemption and forgiveness which can only be found in Jesus. There’s hope for all of us, no matter how far we’ve fallen.
December 14, 2024
This book was just OK for me. I listened to an audio version and I might have liked it better in book form. But, although it was readable and I wanted to finish, it was pretty clear that the two main characters would get together from the start. There were lots of other storylines but none was developed in a believable way. The author included a lot of Christian talk and explanation, which I agree with, but I feel that most of her readers would only appreciate this is they are already Christians.
July 3, 2018
Wow, I just discovered Terri Blackstock, even though this book is the end of a series. Looks like I'll need to read the others too. Set in Newpointe, Louisana, this thriller includes first responders, churches on fire, bigotry, young boys killed, grandchildren of a KKK grand wizard, a pastor, a "bad girl," teenagers looking for the freedom and family of a gang, and God creating good out of evil. And a map of the town at the front of the book.
April 5, 2021
In times like these
I always get emotional and praise God that He uses you though literary means. The scenarios you pick are relatable to life on earth. No matter what the obstacle, the end results are heavenly dictated. And no matter what we go though, Christians know that the Lord is our shepherd and that He restores our souls. Keep hearing and following His lead. I have read all of the 911 series and they were all powerful depictions of the Awesomeness of God!
I always get emotional and praise God that He uses you though literary means. The scenarios you pick are relatable to life on earth. No matter what the obstacle, the end results are heavenly dictated. And no matter what we go though, Christians know that the Lord is our shepherd and that He restores our souls. Keep hearing and following His lead. I have read all of the 911 series and they were all powerful depictions of the Awesomeness of God!
July 24, 2024
I was definitely in two minds wether I enjoyed this book or not. The first half I wasn’t sure if I had the interest to keep reading however I stuck at it and the second half was so much better.
You got to know the characters well, the setting, the storyline. However I felt it was repetitive in places.
Overall 3 stars.
Would like to read another Terri Blackstock book, can anyone recommend there favourite?
You got to know the characters well, the setting, the storyline. However I felt it was repetitive in places.
Overall 3 stars.
Would like to read another Terri Blackstock book, can anyone recommend there favourite?
September 23, 2024
I don't really know how to put my thoughts into words...whew. the suspense was great. The villain seemed kinda unrealistic but also not?? Idk.
What I do know is that this is, by far, the best book in the series. The characters had so much depth, and the struggles of a church going through tragedy is so compelling and inspiring.
I love Nick. And that last scene? I don't normally like books that end with a "several months later" chapter, but this time, I'm a big fan.
What I do know is that this is, by far, the best book in the series. The characters had so much depth, and the struggles of a church going through tragedy is so compelling and inspiring.
I love Nick. And that last scene? I don't normally like books that end with a "several months later" chapter, but this time, I'm a big fan.
June 8, 2025
Adventures in love, action and Christ Jesus
Once again I put my hope in Terri Blackstock to give me a story of adventure.
This book had so much scripture and truth of how Christ Jesus can change and cleanse our life if we accept him. Which makes me happy as a reader. The balance between good and evil filled the pages. The romance shared the struggle of our past choices and our present opportunities. The characters were real and their journey was real too.
Once again I put my hope in Terri Blackstock to give me a story of adventure.
This book had so much scripture and truth of how Christ Jesus can change and cleanse our life if we accept him. Which makes me happy as a reader. The balance between good and evil filled the pages. The romance shared the struggle of our past choices and our present opportunities. The characters were real and their journey was real too.
November 19, 2025
The Newpointe first responders saga continues! This time it is Pastor Nick's turn. After a devastating fire burns down his church and a body is found, his world comes crashing down. There is a sinister undercurrent running through town and the KKK's next generation is rearing it's ugly head. Paramedic Izzie is caught in the crossfire and Nick's finds himself at a crossroads in his personal life while lending her support. Grab this next installment and learn about grace and second chances.
July 26, 2020
One more time author Terri Blackstock has captured my attention in ways no one else has done so far. She has a way of touching my heart, my soul, my mind and caused me to look again at my own life. Am I all that God wants me to do, and if not I want Him to touch me in His own special way and help me to be not only His, but His completely with nothing held back. What an awesome God we serve!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews