What do you think?
Rate this book
House on Fire: A Novel
“ A masterfully written saga of family drama in the vein of Celeste Ng, Liane Moriarty, and Sally Hepworth” ( Book Reporter ) about a blended family in crisis after a drunk driving accident leaves one parent’s daughter dead—and the other’s son charged with manslaughter.
Divorce lawyer Leigh Huyett knows all too well that most second marriages are doomed to fail. Yet five years in, she and Pete Conley couldn’t be happier with their blended family.
But one rainy Friday night, on the way back from celebrating their anniversary, Peter and Leigh receive horrific news. Peter’s son Kip, a high school senior, has crashed his truck and been arrested for drunk driving. And Leigh’s fourteen-year-old daughter, Chrissy, was with him.
Twelve hours later, Chrissy is dead and Kip is charged with manslaughter.
Reeling with grief, Leigh nonetheless does her best to rally behind Peter and Kip. That is, until Kip changes his story and claims that he wasn’t driving after all—Chrissy was, and he swears there is a witness.
As they hurtle toward Kip’s trial date, husband and wife are torn between loyalty to their children and to each other, while the mystery of what really happened that night looms large.
Divorce lawyer Leigh Huyett knows all too well that most second marriages are doomed to fail. Yet five years in, she and Pete Conley couldn’t be happier with their blended family.
But one rainy Friday night, on the way back from celebrating their anniversary, Peter and Leigh receive horrific news. Peter’s son Kip, a high school senior, has crashed his truck and been arrested for drunk driving. And Leigh’s fourteen-year-old daughter, Chrissy, was with him.
Twelve hours later, Chrissy is dead and Kip is charged with manslaughter.
Reeling with grief, Leigh nonetheless does her best to rally behind Peter and Kip. That is, until Kip changes his story and claims that he wasn’t driving after all—Chrissy was, and he swears there is a witness.
As they hurtle toward Kip’s trial date, husband and wife are torn between loyalty to their children and to each other, while the mystery of what really happened that night looms large.
416 pages, Paperback
First published March 12, 2019
298 people are currently reading
8787 people want to read
About the author
Bonnie Kistler
10 books404 followersBonnie Kistler is the author of SHELL GAMES (on sale November 19, 2024); HER, TOO; THE CAGE; and HOUSE ON FIRE.
A former trial lawyer, she was born in suburban Philadelphia and educated at Bryn Mawr College and the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
After law school, she decided to seek adventure in Alaska––or at least as much adventure as she could manage while toiling away as a junior lawyer in a law firm. Perhaps her greatest adventure there was meeting her husband, coincidentally also a Philadelphian. She soon moved with him to Arkansas, and a few years later, full-circle back to Philadelphia. Having endured three different states' bar exams in four years (!), she decided to stay put.
Bonnie spent the remainder of her law career in private practice with major Philadelphia firms. She specialized in corporate litigation and successfully tried cases across the country.
But her love of writing eclipsed all else, and ultimately she left the law behind to become a full-time author.
She and her husband now live in Southwest Florida and the mountains of western North Carolina.
A former trial lawyer, she was born in suburban Philadelphia and educated at Bryn Mawr College and the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
After law school, she decided to seek adventure in Alaska––or at least as much adventure as she could manage while toiling away as a junior lawyer in a law firm. Perhaps her greatest adventure there was meeting her husband, coincidentally also a Philadelphian. She soon moved with him to Arkansas, and a few years later, full-circle back to Philadelphia. Having endured three different states' bar exams in four years (!), she decided to stay put.
Bonnie spent the remainder of her law career in private practice with major Philadelphia firms. She specialized in corporate litigation and successfully tried cases across the country.
But her love of writing eclipsed all else, and ultimately she left the law behind to become a full-time author.
She and her husband now live in Southwest Florida and the mountains of western North Carolina.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 595 reviews
December 8, 2018
After reading this book I have concluded that the author must suffer from multiple personality disorder and was off her meds while writing this book.
This is the most convoluted book I have ever read. What started out as an intriguing family drama turned into a discombobulated mess with multiple subplots that had absolutely nothing to do with the original storyline. Furthermore, these subplots were so outlandish they left me astonished at their absurdity.
I spent the second half of the book with a permanent look of a perplexed cartoon character with the floating question marks above my head.
I've read through the reviews and I'm telling you, the 4 and 5 star reviewers either
1) did not actually read the book or
2) felt compelled to give a positive review in exchange for the ARC they received.
Worst book of 2018 for me.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the most convoluted book I have ever read. What started out as an intriguing family drama turned into a discombobulated mess with multiple subplots that had absolutely nothing to do with the original storyline. Furthermore, these subplots were so outlandish they left me astonished at their absurdity.
I spent the second half of the book with a permanent look of a perplexed cartoon character with the floating question marks above my head.
I've read through the reviews and I'm telling you, the 4 and 5 star reviewers either
1) did not actually read the book or
2) felt compelled to give a positive review in exchange for the ARC they received.
Worst book of 2018 for me.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2019
3.5 stars
I am in the minority here and I liked this one. It wasn't perfect and I had some issues with it, however, overall, it worked for me. The suspense to the story kept me hooked and I flew through this one and ignored those issues till I got to the end.
With a few negative reviews for this one, I was hesitant about reading this one and it sat on my NG shelve for quite some time. I am now cleaning house and tidying up that shelve. I am glad I decided to see for myself and read this one.
House on Fire's main storyline is a complex emotional thought-provoking story that explores grief and how a family can survive the truth. I enjoyed how truth is explored here and it had me thinking about how complicated the truth about truth really is.
Bonnie Kistler creates the perfect blended family and keeps the messiness of that out. I found that so refreshing and was glad I wasn't subjected to that drama. There is some drama here with the subplots that didn't flow well with the core plot here. I found them distracting and keeping track of the characters was just to much work. I struggled to stay focus and found myself skimming when I thought I was reading and maybe that helped with my patience for drama.
Overall even with the issues, I had with this one I found the core plotline was strong enough to keep me a happy reader and keep that grumpy reader from showing up. I really like being a happy reader and not that big grump.
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley
I am in the minority here and I liked this one. It wasn't perfect and I had some issues with it, however, overall, it worked for me. The suspense to the story kept me hooked and I flew through this one and ignored those issues till I got to the end.
With a few negative reviews for this one, I was hesitant about reading this one and it sat on my NG shelve for quite some time. I am now cleaning house and tidying up that shelve. I am glad I decided to see for myself and read this one.
House on Fire's main storyline is a complex emotional thought-provoking story that explores grief and how a family can survive the truth. I enjoyed how truth is explored here and it had me thinking about how complicated the truth about truth really is.
Bonnie Kistler creates the perfect blended family and keeps the messiness of that out. I found that so refreshing and was glad I wasn't subjected to that drama. There is some drama here with the subplots that didn't flow well with the core plot here. I found them distracting and keeping track of the characters was just to much work. I struggled to stay focus and found myself skimming when I thought I was reading and maybe that helped with my patience for drama.
Overall even with the issues, I had with this one I found the core plotline was strong enough to keep me a happy reader and keep that grumpy reader from showing up. I really like being a happy reader and not that big grump.
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley
February 26, 2019
All of us have seen the difficulties of blended families. Parents who struggle to treat their step children the same as their own. Step-siblings that don’t get along and always feel the other side is getting a better shake. So, I loved the premise of this book. Here, the family has blended well, the kids get along, the parents do right by both sets of children. That is, until a car accident causes one child to die and her step-brother to be changed with the crime. Kistler takes her time setting up the cracks. I loved that Leigh tried so hard initially to keep her grief from overwhelming her desire to keep her family together. But little by little, Leigh can’t help but drive both husband and stepson away. “It was the worst sin a stepparent could commit. She made him choose between her and his son.” Soon, all sorts of battlelines are being drawn and everyone is choosing a side, even the dog. So much for the big happy, blended family.
Kistler also does a great job exploring grief in all its different permeations. Not just Leigh’s, but Pete’s and the step-siblings.
Kistler, a first time author, is a trial lawyer, so she’s got the background to write this. We get not only family dynamics but the whole legal situation and how it plays out.
When she started bringing in the subplots, my first thoughts were that they were an unwanted distraction. And then, what had been a really interesting story went completely off the rails. I mean, here was this beautiful family drama and it was hijacked by an action thriller. WHAT. A DAMN. SHAME. This could have been a really good piece of fiction if not for the desire to add some action to it.
My thanks to netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.
February 2, 2020
Engaging, intense & thought-provoking!
First off I am not exactly sure that I would say that this book is in the same caliber as Jodi Picoult but I thought that it was an interesting and well-crafted debut though.
HOUSE ON FIRE by BONNIE KISTLER is an emotionally-charged, entertaining and fascinating tale that immediately drew me in and held my interest right to the very end. I found the drama within this story to be quite captivating and totally immersive. The subplots were quite interesting to read about and I thought that we really got to see into our main character’s psyche with the inclusion of those storylines. They definitely brought something into the main plotlines for me.
BONNIE KISTLER delivers a slow-burning, suspenseful, intriguing and well-written read here that delves deep into the psychological side of a family’s tragedy through the exploration of their grief and loss. I found it very interesting to see how all of these characters dealt with their grief and drama.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Fiery, eye-opening, bold, appealing, intriguing and a fitting representation to storyline. Coverlove!
Title: Intriguing and absolutely loved how the title played so fittingly and meaningfully into storyline. I have a fascination with learning the meanings behind the titles and when I learned the meaning behind this one it was a very satisfying and rewarding feeling.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, engaging and readable. Thoroughly enjoyed the narrative!
Plot: Slow-building, steadily paced, intense, emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking and complex.
Ending: A surprising, intense and action-packed ending that left me totally satisfied.
Overall: I enjoy a bit of drama in my stories so this one was right up my alley and adding in a little bit of mystery to it well then I am one happy and contented reader. Would recommend!
Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for my complimentary copy.
Something fun about me: I go into the majority of my books blind and without any preconceived expectations. I do really think this enhances my reading experience and it totally works for me! If I am confused at all I will read the synopsis a few chapters in if I am not getting the feel for the book…..which luckily doesn’t happen very often.
Review can also be seen on Two Sisters Lost in a Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/
First off I am not exactly sure that I would say that this book is in the same caliber as Jodi Picoult but I thought that it was an interesting and well-crafted debut though.
HOUSE ON FIRE by BONNIE KISTLER is an emotionally-charged, entertaining and fascinating tale that immediately drew me in and held my interest right to the very end. I found the drama within this story to be quite captivating and totally immersive. The subplots were quite interesting to read about and I thought that we really got to see into our main character’s psyche with the inclusion of those storylines. They definitely brought something into the main plotlines for me.
BONNIE KISTLER delivers a slow-burning, suspenseful, intriguing and well-written read here that delves deep into the psychological side of a family’s tragedy through the exploration of their grief and loss. I found it very interesting to see how all of these characters dealt with their grief and drama.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Fiery, eye-opening, bold, appealing, intriguing and a fitting representation to storyline. Coverlove!
Title: Intriguing and absolutely loved how the title played so fittingly and meaningfully into storyline. I have a fascination with learning the meanings behind the titles and when I learned the meaning behind this one it was a very satisfying and rewarding feeling.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, engaging and readable. Thoroughly enjoyed the narrative!
Plot: Slow-building, steadily paced, intense, emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking and complex.
Ending: A surprising, intense and action-packed ending that left me totally satisfied.
Overall: I enjoy a bit of drama in my stories so this one was right up my alley and adding in a little bit of mystery to it well then I am one happy and contented reader. Would recommend!
Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for my complimentary copy.
Something fun about me: I go into the majority of my books blind and without any preconceived expectations. I do really think this enhances my reading experience and it totally works for me! If I am confused at all I will read the synopsis a few chapters in if I am not getting the feel for the book…..which luckily doesn’t happen very often.
Review can also be seen on Two Sisters Lost in a Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/
February 25, 2019
House on Fire is a tense, emotional family drama.
Leigh Huyett is a divorce lawyer, and she knows better than anyone how easily marriages fail. She’s five years into her second marriage with Pete, and they are beating the odds. Their blended family is what many would aspire to.
Leigh and Pete are out for the night celebrating their anniversary, while they left Kip, Pete’s biological son, in charge of Chrissy, Leigh’s daughter.
As Leigh and Peter drive home on a rainy night, their phones blow up. Kip has been out for the night at a big party celebrating, and he crashes his car on the way home…with Chrissy inside. Chrissy later passes away, and Kip is charged with manslaughter.
You can imagine the conflicted feelings Leigh must be working through. At first, she sides with Kip and Pete, until Kip changes the story. He says that Chrissy was driving, and there a witness to that fact. Leigh believes he’s lying; Pete believes his son and continues to back him. All the while, Pete and Leigh must walk the tightrope that is their marriage as they navigate their feelings about Kip and what happened, along with the grief and loss of Chrissy’s passing.
How does it all end for Kip? And will Pete and Leigh’s marriage survive this tumultuous time?
Overall, I found House on Fire to be immersive and psychologically engaging. This is not a “thriller,” but it is fantastic at what it is: a study on family, and a blended family in particular. The topics make you question your own morality and what you would you do if you were Pete- or Leigh. It also left me thinking about these characters long after I turned the last page.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Leigh Huyett is a divorce lawyer, and she knows better than anyone how easily marriages fail. She’s five years into her second marriage with Pete, and they are beating the odds. Their blended family is what many would aspire to.
Leigh and Pete are out for the night celebrating their anniversary, while they left Kip, Pete’s biological son, in charge of Chrissy, Leigh’s daughter.
As Leigh and Peter drive home on a rainy night, their phones blow up. Kip has been out for the night at a big party celebrating, and he crashes his car on the way home…with Chrissy inside. Chrissy later passes away, and Kip is charged with manslaughter.
You can imagine the conflicted feelings Leigh must be working through. At first, she sides with Kip and Pete, until Kip changes the story. He says that Chrissy was driving, and there a witness to that fact. Leigh believes he’s lying; Pete believes his son and continues to back him. All the while, Pete and Leigh must walk the tightrope that is their marriage as they navigate their feelings about Kip and what happened, along with the grief and loss of Chrissy’s passing.
How does it all end for Kip? And will Pete and Leigh’s marriage survive this tumultuous time?
Overall, I found House on Fire to be immersive and psychologically engaging. This is not a “thriller,” but it is fantastic at what it is: a study on family, and a blended family in particular. The topics make you question your own morality and what you would you do if you were Pete- or Leigh. It also left me thinking about these characters long after I turned the last page.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
March 24, 2023
Emotionally raw and thought-provoking read about a perfectly blended family suddenly ripped apart.
Chrissy and Kip may only be step-siblings but might as well be twins!
The two were fatefully involved in a car accident. Chrissy suddenly dies. Now unbelievably, Kip is charged with her murder. Can this family survive such a massive stroke of bad luck? Soon enough, lines are drawn as guilt and lies begin to surface.
Only two things will come of this…the family will somehow pull together, or completely implode.
I was absolutely captivated by this storyline. My heart ached for Leigh, the mother of Chrissy as she was left to grieve on her own. Her desperate struggle with honoring Chrissy's memory while holding the remaining pieces of her family together.
I listened to the audio version and the narrator Cassandra Campbell did an amazing job (as always).
4.25🌟
Chrissy and Kip may only be step-siblings but might as well be twins!
The two were fatefully involved in a car accident. Chrissy suddenly dies. Now unbelievably, Kip is charged with her murder. Can this family survive such a massive stroke of bad luck? Soon enough, lines are drawn as guilt and lies begin to surface.
Only two things will come of this…the family will somehow pull together, or completely implode.
I was absolutely captivated by this storyline. My heart ached for Leigh, the mother of Chrissy as she was left to grieve on her own. Her desperate struggle with honoring Chrissy's memory while holding the remaining pieces of her family together.
I listened to the audio version and the narrator Cassandra Campbell did an amazing job (as always).
4.25🌟
April 22, 2019
A tense emotionally charged domestic drama with some questionable subplots.
This is a really hard book for me to review. I was completely compelled and addicted to the main storyline. BUT there were some subplots in this book that were over the top. It’s like when somebody puts too much salt on your french fries. I mean french fries are the best, right? I am perfectly fine with just a little salt, but if you overdo the salt they become really unpalatable. However, that is not the fault of the french fry it is the fault of the salt. SO in this book I really enjoyed the french fries, but not the salt. The problem is it’s hard to separate the salt from the french fries, and you can’t dip a book in ranch!🙃
The main storyline is about a blended family and how they handle and are impacted by a terrible tragedy. Leigh and Pete are coming home early from an anniversary getaway when they get the call. Pete’s son Kip and Lee’s daughter Chrissy have been in an accident, and Kip has been charged with drunk driving. The next day Chrissy is rushed to the hospital where she dies of a brain embolism, and Kip is charge with manslaughter. Leigh is tremendously supportive of Pete and Kip until the story changes and Kip claims that Chrissy was driving. I was so compelled by the story putting myself in both Leigh and Pete’s positions. As a mother I completely understood Leigh was completely distraught. But Pete understandably needs to stand by his child. I felt as though the book portrayed a very real and honest look at grief and conflict. The court case was intriguing and I was keeping my fingers crossed for a satisfying conclusion.
The subplots involved a Sheikha, a minister, A Russian temptress, and a mystery house. Now in the beginning I really felt as though these subplots added some color to the book. But as the book goes on they became more and more outlandish and detracted from The riveting main plot. The ending was pretty wild and I’m still not certain what to think? I really like how the main plot was tied up, but the rest? I think this was just a case of a debut author wanting to put too much in her book. I am really looking forward to what she has in store for us next because I think she did a very good job with that main storyline and I was most impressed with her writing.
*** many thanks to atria for my copy of this book ***
This is a really hard book for me to review. I was completely compelled and addicted to the main storyline. BUT there were some subplots in this book that were over the top. It’s like when somebody puts too much salt on your french fries. I mean french fries are the best, right? I am perfectly fine with just a little salt, but if you overdo the salt they become really unpalatable. However, that is not the fault of the french fry it is the fault of the salt. SO in this book I really enjoyed the french fries, but not the salt. The problem is it’s hard to separate the salt from the french fries, and you can’t dip a book in ranch!🙃
The main storyline is about a blended family and how they handle and are impacted by a terrible tragedy. Leigh and Pete are coming home early from an anniversary getaway when they get the call. Pete’s son Kip and Lee’s daughter Chrissy have been in an accident, and Kip has been charged with drunk driving. The next day Chrissy is rushed to the hospital where she dies of a brain embolism, and Kip is charge with manslaughter. Leigh is tremendously supportive of Pete and Kip until the story changes and Kip claims that Chrissy was driving. I was so compelled by the story putting myself in both Leigh and Pete’s positions. As a mother I completely understood Leigh was completely distraught. But Pete understandably needs to stand by his child. I felt as though the book portrayed a very real and honest look at grief and conflict. The court case was intriguing and I was keeping my fingers crossed for a satisfying conclusion.
The subplots involved a Sheikha, a minister, A Russian temptress, and a mystery house. Now in the beginning I really felt as though these subplots added some color to the book. But as the book goes on they became more and more outlandish and detracted from The riveting main plot. The ending was pretty wild and I’m still not certain what to think? I really like how the main plot was tied up, but the rest? I think this was just a case of a debut author wanting to put too much in her book. I am really looking forward to what she has in store for us next because I think she did a very good job with that main storyline and I was most impressed with her writing.
*** many thanks to atria for my copy of this book ***
June 13, 2019
A familial piece with unexpected heart
FULL REVIEW UP!
Leigh Huyett and Pete Conley have the perfect blended family. At least, that was before that awful night. Now, they don't think they have the perfect anything anymore.
Leigh has a daughter, Chrissy, and Pete, a son, Kip, whom they both love to the moon and back. Chrissy and Kip are only a few years apart. Kip is a teenager and his decisions are questionable, as of late. But doesn't that apply to all teenagers? One night, when Kip knows Leigh and Pete will be gone a while, he throws a giant bash. It ends with his arrest and a tragedy no one is willing to forgive or forget, least of all - Leigh.
This was a domestic drama that was finely written. I'm not sure it was on par with Kristen Hannah or Jodi Picoult, however I enjoyed it. There were some questionable storylines that left me feeling confused. They also made me wonder how they were serving the main plot. Other than that minor issue, I did feel gripped to the story. If you enjoy domestic fiction, you will want to read this.
FULL REVIEW UP!
Leigh Huyett and Pete Conley have the perfect blended family. At least, that was before that awful night. Now, they don't think they have the perfect anything anymore.
Leigh has a daughter, Chrissy, and Pete, a son, Kip, whom they both love to the moon and back. Chrissy and Kip are only a few years apart. Kip is a teenager and his decisions are questionable, as of late. But doesn't that apply to all teenagers? One night, when Kip knows Leigh and Pete will be gone a while, he throws a giant bash. It ends with his arrest and a tragedy no one is willing to forgive or forget, least of all - Leigh.
This was a domestic drama that was finely written. I'm not sure it was on par with Kristen Hannah or Jodi Picoult, however I enjoyed it. There were some questionable storylines that left me feeling confused. They also made me wonder how they were serving the main plot. Other than that minor issue, I did feel gripped to the story. If you enjoy domestic fiction, you will want to read this.
March 26, 2019
1 Star ⭐️
The premise of House on Fire sounded very intriguing to me. I love domestic thrillers and this one sounded just perfect. The story started strong, but quickly fizzled from there. What could’ve been a fantastic book turned into a boring mess with subplots that had no business in the story. I don’t know why the author would do this - it took away from the plot and did not make any sense to me. I was really looking forward to starting it - mainly due to the Jodi Picoult comparison. To compare this book to Picoult’s work is laughable. I skimmed the last half just so I could say I finished it.
I really wanted to like this book, but it just did nothing for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Bonnie Kistler for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
The premise of House on Fire sounded very intriguing to me. I love domestic thrillers and this one sounded just perfect. The story started strong, but quickly fizzled from there. What could’ve been a fantastic book turned into a boring mess with subplots that had no business in the story. I don’t know why the author would do this - it took away from the plot and did not make any sense to me. I was really looking forward to starting it - mainly due to the Jodi Picoult comparison. To compare this book to Picoult’s work is laughable. I skimmed the last half just so I could say I finished it.
I really wanted to like this book, but it just did nothing for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Bonnie Kistler for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 19, 2018
Tl;dr: A tightly written novel about a blended family and what happens after an accident--until the wheels come off the bus in the last twenty percent.
Obviously, I had some issues with House on Fire. Well, make that one really big issue.
The novel opens strongly. High school senior Christopher (Kit) has just gotten into Duke, and is celebrating at a party with his friends when his fourteen year old stepsister, Chrissy, shows up--telling him that their parents are on their way home early from their five year wedding anniversary getaway.
They head home. There is an accident, and Kit, who was driving, bangs up the car and Leigh (his stepmother) and Pete (his father) get the call--Kit has been arrested.
It turns out that the officer who arrived on the scene suspected Kit had been drinking and he's flunked his field sobriety test. And as he's just turned eighteen, and already been arrested for a DUI once before, things look bad. Luckily, Chrissy is fine and Leigh's best friend, who happens to be an attorney like Leigh is (although Shelby specializes in criminal law and Leigh is in family law) arrives and gets Kit released and reassures Leigh and Peter that everything should be fine, although Kit's big summer internship may be in jeopardy, etc.
By the next afternoon, Chrissy is dead from a brain aneurysm. Leigh, Peter, Kit, and everyone else in the family is grief stricken. Ms. Kistler's portrayal of grief here (and through all of House on Fire) s outstanding, with Leigh's dazed, overwhelming grief and Pete's anguish for Chrissy (while relegated to a secondary role by Chrissy's oaf of a father during and after the funeral) particularly notable.
Then Kit is charged with manslaughter because he was driving and Chrissy, according to what he told the emergency room doctor, etc., was that she did bump her head during the accident.
Shelby, who is on hand (Kit is arrested after Chrissy's funeral), is put in charge of his defense. It looks like Kit might be okay again, but it turns out that Leigh represented the state prosecutor's wife during his divorce and the manslaughter charge is no longer a slight threat--it is real, and Kit is facing a trial and possible prison time.
Then Kit announces that he wasn't driving the night of the accident--Chrissy was.
Leigh is stunned that Kit would lie, Pete believes Kit, and the family starts to fall apart.
What starts as Pete and Kit taking a few days away (staying at a nearby home building project that Pete, a contractor, is working on) turns into a seperation.
Leigh wrestles with her grief and anger, eventually throwing herself back into work and getting involved in a very tricky divorce involving the first wife of the ambassador of Qatar, a custody case involving a highly decorated war veteran, and an ongoing custody/divorce battle between a wealthy tech genius and his pregnant wife, while Pete struggles to keep his building project going, Kit afloat, and deal with his growing realization that not only will Kit's trial be expensive and with likely a very bad outcome, but the possibility that Kit may well be lying.
There are other plot elements too, most notably one involving Leigh's blooming friendship with a minister who understands grief all too well.
Up until about 3/4 of the way through House on Fire, I thought it was a solid novel about family, grief, and the complications and implications that can come from one moment--how it can change everyone and everything.
Then everything fell apart or, more accurately, shifted into a thriller that although there was a trace of it in the plot strands, was so wildly unbelievable that every twist and turn made me roll my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck -- and then it all wrapped up perfectly, right down to the "surprise" court stuff that wasn't remotely surprising and ta da! Happy ending.
It's as if the first 3/4 of House on Fire was written and then the last quarter was either rewritten to give it the gloss of a thriller and/or to make sure there was a happy ending. But the abrupt shift in both tone and pacing, not to mentiom the unbelievability of it all, was too much for me and ruined what had been, until that point, an engrossing read.
Three and a half stars for the first eighty percent, minus a million for the remaining twenty equals one and a half, rounded down because the ending is that bad. Here's hoping Ms. Kistler can nail everything in her next book.
Obviously, I had some issues with House on Fire. Well, make that one really big issue.
The novel opens strongly. High school senior Christopher (Kit) has just gotten into Duke, and is celebrating at a party with his friends when his fourteen year old stepsister, Chrissy, shows up--telling him that their parents are on their way home early from their five year wedding anniversary getaway.
They head home. There is an accident, and Kit, who was driving, bangs up the car and Leigh (his stepmother) and Pete (his father) get the call--Kit has been arrested.
It turns out that the officer who arrived on the scene suspected Kit had been drinking and he's flunked his field sobriety test. And as he's just turned eighteen, and already been arrested for a DUI once before, things look bad. Luckily, Chrissy is fine and Leigh's best friend, who happens to be an attorney like Leigh is (although Shelby specializes in criminal law and Leigh is in family law) arrives and gets Kit released and reassures Leigh and Peter that everything should be fine, although Kit's big summer internship may be in jeopardy, etc.
By the next afternoon, Chrissy is dead from a brain aneurysm. Leigh, Peter, Kit, and everyone else in the family is grief stricken. Ms. Kistler's portrayal of grief here (and through all of House on Fire) s outstanding, with Leigh's dazed, overwhelming grief and Pete's anguish for Chrissy (while relegated to a secondary role by Chrissy's oaf of a father during and after the funeral) particularly notable.
Then Kit is charged with manslaughter because he was driving and Chrissy, according to what he told the emergency room doctor, etc., was that she did bump her head during the accident.
Shelby, who is on hand (Kit is arrested after Chrissy's funeral), is put in charge of his defense. It looks like Kit might be okay again, but it turns out that Leigh represented the state prosecutor's wife during his divorce and the manslaughter charge is no longer a slight threat--it is real, and Kit is facing a trial and possible prison time.
Then Kit announces that he wasn't driving the night of the accident--Chrissy was.
Leigh is stunned that Kit would lie, Pete believes Kit, and the family starts to fall apart.
What starts as Pete and Kit taking a few days away (staying at a nearby home building project that Pete, a contractor, is working on) turns into a seperation.
Leigh wrestles with her grief and anger, eventually throwing herself back into work and getting involved in a very tricky divorce involving the first wife of the ambassador of Qatar, a custody case involving a highly decorated war veteran, and an ongoing custody/divorce battle between a wealthy tech genius and his pregnant wife, while Pete struggles to keep his building project going, Kit afloat, and deal with his growing realization that not only will Kit's trial be expensive and with likely a very bad outcome, but the possibility that Kit may well be lying.
There are other plot elements too, most notably one involving Leigh's blooming friendship with a minister who understands grief all too well.
Up until about 3/4 of the way through House on Fire, I thought it was a solid novel about family, grief, and the complications and implications that can come from one moment--how it can change everyone and everything.
Then everything fell apart or, more accurately, shifted into a thriller that although there was a trace of it in the plot strands, was so wildly unbelievable that every twist and turn made me roll my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck -- and then it all wrapped up perfectly, right down to the "surprise" court stuff that wasn't remotely surprising and ta da! Happy ending.
It's as if the first 3/4 of House on Fire was written and then the last quarter was either rewritten to give it the gloss of a thriller and/or to make sure there was a happy ending. But the abrupt shift in both tone and pacing, not to mentiom the unbelievability of it all, was too much for me and ruined what had been, until that point, an engrossing read.
Three and a half stars for the first eighty percent, minus a million for the remaining twenty equals one and a half, rounded down because the ending is that bad. Here's hoping Ms. Kistler can nail everything in her next book.
July 27, 2019
Rodzinny dramat i poruszający dreszczowiec sądowy w jednym, który przyciągnie miłośników „Wielkich kłamstewek” Liane Moriarty i „Małych ognisk” Celeste Ng – „Nasz dom płonie” Bonnie Kistler.
„Nasz dom płonie” to opowieść o żałobie, która zamienia się w koszmar. Jeden przypadkowy wypadek, jedna przypadkowa śmierć i jedna rodzina, która będzie musiała zmierzyć się z konsekwencjami. Historia tragedii, która rozpoczyna efekt kuli śnieżnej, samonapędzającej się machiny, która zmierza ku nieuchronnej katastrofie. Bonnie Kistler pokazuje jak jedno nieszczęśliwe zdarzenie prowokuje do kłamstwa, do zagmatwania rzeczywistości, do rozerwania rodzinnych więzi, które wydawały się tak mocne, tak niezniszczalne. Nieprzypadkowo rodzina Kipa i Chrissy to dwie sklecone ze sobą rodziny pary rozwodników, a w nich podwójne mamy, podwójni ojcowie, podwójne macochy i ojczymowie, nie wspominając o rodzeństwie, o dziadkach, o wszystkich innych krewnych wokół. Łączy ich miłość, łączy ich wypracowane przywiązanie, ale czy to wystarczy, by w obliczu kłamstw i śmierci podnieść się z kolan? Kto komu uwierzy, kiedy zaczną się kłamstwa? Kto kogo ochroni?
U Bonnie Kistler rodzinna tragedia to dopiero początek, jedynie oś, kręgosłup fabularny całości, bo autorka zdecydowała się dorzucić czytelnikowi moc wątków pobocznych, które jedynie zagęszczają fabułę, sprowadzając go na manowce. Najmocniejszym jest wątek żałoby, tęsknoty za zmarłym dzieckiem, tego, jak śmierć wpływa nie tylko na matkę, ale na wszystkich wokół, jak naznacza ich cieniem. Zaraz potem wyróżnia się motyw kłamstwa i to najważniejsze pytanie, które narzuca się samo: czy można kłamać, by chronić tych, których się kocha, w imię czegoś ważniejszego?
Miejscami mroczna, miejscami smutna, wciągająca jak diabli opowieść – zaskoczy niejednego czytelnika!
„Nasz dom płonie” to opowieść o żałobie, która zamienia się w koszmar. Jeden przypadkowy wypadek, jedna przypadkowa śmierć i jedna rodzina, która będzie musiała zmierzyć się z konsekwencjami. Historia tragedii, która rozpoczyna efekt kuli śnieżnej, samonapędzającej się machiny, która zmierza ku nieuchronnej katastrofie. Bonnie Kistler pokazuje jak jedno nieszczęśliwe zdarzenie prowokuje do kłamstwa, do zagmatwania rzeczywistości, do rozerwania rodzinnych więzi, które wydawały się tak mocne, tak niezniszczalne. Nieprzypadkowo rodzina Kipa i Chrissy to dwie sklecone ze sobą rodziny pary rozwodników, a w nich podwójne mamy, podwójni ojcowie, podwójne macochy i ojczymowie, nie wspominając o rodzeństwie, o dziadkach, o wszystkich innych krewnych wokół. Łączy ich miłość, łączy ich wypracowane przywiązanie, ale czy to wystarczy, by w obliczu kłamstw i śmierci podnieść się z kolan? Kto komu uwierzy, kiedy zaczną się kłamstwa? Kto kogo ochroni?
U Bonnie Kistler rodzinna tragedia to dopiero początek, jedynie oś, kręgosłup fabularny całości, bo autorka zdecydowała się dorzucić czytelnikowi moc wątków pobocznych, które jedynie zagęszczają fabułę, sprowadzając go na manowce. Najmocniejszym jest wątek żałoby, tęsknoty za zmarłym dzieckiem, tego, jak śmierć wpływa nie tylko na matkę, ale na wszystkich wokół, jak naznacza ich cieniem. Zaraz potem wyróżnia się motyw kłamstwa i to najważniejsze pytanie, które narzuca się samo: czy można kłamać, by chronić tych, których się kocha, w imię czegoś ważniejszego?
Miejscami mroczna, miejscami smutna, wciągająca jak diabli opowieść – zaskoczy niejednego czytelnika!
March 6, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon&Shuster for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
Yes, I received the same book twice from two different publishers. A Netgalley first and I don't have good news.
I sure am glad that Kendall and Felicia have already reviewed this book. Because their reviews were beacons of light in the dark tunnel I find myself in after reading this book. MAJOR RANT and SPOILERS ABOUND.
Described as "domestic fiction ", House on Fire was really great in the beginning as Leigh dealt with the death of her daughter, Chrissy and Peter reeled from the arrest of his son, Kip. Soon the family find themselves torn apart by their grief and Kip's impending trial. But oh lord, the three subplots took precious time away from the main event.
But maybe the main reason I find myself "in a rage " is one particular character- Kip. I LOATHED this character. He disgusted me so much with his actions and had I been his parent, I would have grabbed that phone he was always on and thrown it out the window. I mean, this guy is facing prison time, his 14 year old stepsister is dead and his biggest regret at graduation is that he's never going to sleep with some girl??? COME ON!
Shaking my head, shaking my fists...just shaking with rage.
Respectfully to the author, your character got under my skin. I see a lot of people enjoyed this story more than I. I did read the entire book before coming to this judgement. No doubt that the author writes good legal scenes and that part I enjoyed. I guess it just wasn't meant to be for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon&Shuster for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
Yes, I received the same book twice from two different publishers. A Netgalley first and I don't have good news.
I sure am glad that Kendall and Felicia have already reviewed this book. Because their reviews were beacons of light in the dark tunnel I find myself in after reading this book. MAJOR RANT and SPOILERS ABOUND.
Described as "domestic fiction ", House on Fire was really great in the beginning as Leigh dealt with the death of her daughter, Chrissy and Peter reeled from the arrest of his son, Kip. Soon the family find themselves torn apart by their grief and Kip's impending trial. But oh lord, the three subplots took precious time away from the main event.
But maybe the main reason I find myself "in a rage " is one particular character- Kip. I LOATHED this character. He disgusted me so much with his actions and had I been his parent, I would have grabbed that phone he was always on and thrown it out the window. I mean, this guy is facing prison time, his 14 year old stepsister is dead and his biggest regret at graduation is that he's never going to sleep with some girl??? COME ON!
Shaking my head, shaking my fists...just shaking with rage.
Respectfully to the author, your character got under my skin. I see a lot of people enjoyed this story more than I. I did read the entire book before coming to this judgement. No doubt that the author writes good legal scenes and that part I enjoyed. I guess it just wasn't meant to be for me.
March 12, 2019
REALLY enjoyed this book! I liked the conflicts that the family had to deal with - I have no idea how I would deal with anything even close to what they had to deal with. I also enjoyed what Leigh went through with her clients as a lawyer. However....at times I felt like I was reading two different books. The main focus was Leigh’s family issues and what was going on there. But when we got into her client issues, I kept forgetting about her family issues. The two kind of tied together, but not enough for a full circle for me. While I enjoyed both aspects, I do wish that they had tied up more closely and more finally for me. But overall it’s definitely worth the read!
*huge thanks to Atria Books for sending an early review copy to me!
*huge thanks to Atria Books for sending an early review copy to me!
October 18, 2018
In short: A confused mess of a novel that doesn't know if it's a fast-paced legal thriller, an intense family drama, or a breezy Navy Seal adventure.
Slightly longer: I was drawn in by the "for fans of Celeste Ng" sales pitch, but this is not a Celeste Ng -style book. What starts out as a promising premise quickly derails into a madcap, mish-mashed, and, frankly, bizarre novel. I was left with the feeling that the author threw in a haphazard array of outlandish elements in order to avoid writing the book she set out to write: an intense family drama about a blended, slightly broken family dealing with grief, trauma, and guilt. That was the book I wanted to read, and this is not that book.
Slightly longer: I was drawn in by the "for fans of Celeste Ng" sales pitch, but this is not a Celeste Ng -style book. What starts out as a promising premise quickly derails into a madcap, mish-mashed, and, frankly, bizarre novel. I was left with the feeling that the author threw in a haphazard array of outlandish elements in order to avoid writing the book she set out to write: an intense family drama about a blended, slightly broken family dealing with grief, trauma, and guilt. That was the book I wanted to read, and this is not that book.
December 3, 2018
This book had a couple of different story lines going on and I found myself totally engaged in Kip’s story but the one about the embassy, I found myself pushing through the pages as quick as I could. For that reason, I’m giving this book 4 stars when I think I would’ve given it 5 stars if I didn’t do as much skimming. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book for my honest opinion.
November 14, 2018
It is an emotional story about a tragedy that take place in a blended family. I could not put this book down, the plot, narrative style and the characters are amazing. Good job.
Thanks to the publisher, author, and Net Galley for this copy.
Thanks to the publisher, author, and Net Galley for this copy.
August 8, 2019
"Nasz dom płonie" - czyli książka, która zbiera niemalże same pozytywne opinie. Powieść obyczajowa z elementami dramatu sądowego i okruchami thrillera, która - mimo kilku niedociągnięć - przekonała i mnie.
Już w pierwszych rozdziałach autorka rozrywa serce czytelnika na pół - gdy patchworkową, wspaniałą rodzinę spotyka tragedia, ciężko wybrać "stronę", której się kibicuje. Chciałoby się, by dramat na drodze nie rozegrał się wcale, aby nie musieć próbować postawić się na miejscu bohaterów. Jest to jednak myślenie życzeniowe, zresztą, gdyby nie było dramy, fabuła tej książki nie miałaby racji bytu. Od początku do ostatniej strony nie można być pewnym, jak potoczą się dalsze losy Leigh, Petera i jego syna Kipa. Kistler świetnie udało się też pokazać różne oblicza żałoby i rozpaczy po stracie bliskiej osoby. Dodajcie do tego interesujące wstawki z sali sądowej i pełnowymiarowych bohaterów, a otrzymacie naprawdę porządny dramat obyczajowy.
Ta powieść mogłaby być przeze mnie czytana z wypiekami na twarzy, gdyby nie to, że czasami akcja wlecze się jak ślimak po ścianie. Mnogość wątków pobocznych sprawiła jednak, że moje zainteresowanie fabułą przygasało tylko na moment, by zaraz ponownie "wskoczyć" na właściwe tory. Autorka trochę też przesadziła z sensacyjnością na ostatnich kilkunastu stronach, ale wybaczam, bo czytało się to dobrze.
Na pewno nic nie stracicie sięgając po tę powieść, a może się okazać, że będzie jedną z najlepszych obyczajówek, jakie przeczytacie w tym roku.
Już w pierwszych rozdziałach autorka rozrywa serce czytelnika na pół - gdy patchworkową, wspaniałą rodzinę spotyka tragedia, ciężko wybrać "stronę", której się kibicuje. Chciałoby się, by dramat na drodze nie rozegrał się wcale, aby nie musieć próbować postawić się na miejscu bohaterów. Jest to jednak myślenie życzeniowe, zresztą, gdyby nie było dramy, fabuła tej książki nie miałaby racji bytu. Od początku do ostatniej strony nie można być pewnym, jak potoczą się dalsze losy Leigh, Petera i jego syna Kipa. Kistler świetnie udało się też pokazać różne oblicza żałoby i rozpaczy po stracie bliskiej osoby. Dodajcie do tego interesujące wstawki z sali sądowej i pełnowymiarowych bohaterów, a otrzymacie naprawdę porządny dramat obyczajowy.
Ta powieść mogłaby być przeze mnie czytana z wypiekami na twarzy, gdyby nie to, że czasami akcja wlecze się jak ślimak po ścianie. Mnogość wątków pobocznych sprawiła jednak, że moje zainteresowanie fabułą przygasało tylko na moment, by zaraz ponownie "wskoczyć" na właściwe tory. Autorka trochę też przesadziła z sensacyjnością na ostatnich kilkunastu stronach, ale wybaczam, bo czytało się to dobrze.
Na pewno nic nie stracicie sięgając po tę powieść, a może się okazać, że będzie jedną z najlepszych obyczajówek, jakie przeczytacie w tym roku.
March 16, 2019
House on Fire by Bonnie Kistler is a family drama that will have the reader wondering where one's loyalty should lie in a blended family in crisis. Attorney Leigh Huyett and contractor Pete Conley have been married for five years. This is a second marriage for both and the couple have brought together their children from their previous relationships. On a weekend when Leigh and Pete have left her daughter Chrissy, 14, with his son Kip, 18, a horrible accident occurs. Chrissy and Kip are on their way home from a party when their vehicle slams into a tree. Within 12 hours, Chrissy is dead and Kip has been arrested for the manslaughter of his step-sister. This tragedy drives a stake through the heart of this family. With broken hearts on both sides, Leigh and Pete are doing their best to be fair and supportive while grieving. What would you do and whose side would you be on? The author has included a few other storylines which seem to deter from the main plot. Hence only 4 stars but definitely a book well worth reading. Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2019
2.5 STARS - I was eager to read this domestic fiction read that is touted as a cross between Jodi Picoult and Celeste Ng. Those are big shoes to fill but House on Fire impressed me with its strong, tense opening scenes which had me looking forward to a tense, emotional drama about a blended family suffering through a horrific event.
But, House on Fire soon became a convoluted read when several subplots were thrown in leaving the book with a decidedly disjointed feel. It felt like it didn't know precisely what it was supposed to be. Suspense? Domestic tearjerker? Legal thriller? There's one entire subplot that could have easily been omitted.
House on Fire had so much potential but unfortunately, I was left feeling underwhelmed with it. This is a domestic fiction read that touches on some big familial issues but not with the depth or emotion that I expected. With its muddled plot and rushed ending, I struggled to stay interested in its numerous plots and characters.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
But, House on Fire soon became a convoluted read when several subplots were thrown in leaving the book with a decidedly disjointed feel. It felt like it didn't know precisely what it was supposed to be. Suspense? Domestic tearjerker? Legal thriller? There's one entire subplot that could have easily been omitted.
House on Fire had so much potential but unfortunately, I was left feeling underwhelmed with it. This is a domestic fiction read that touches on some big familial issues but not with the depth or emotion that I expected. With its muddled plot and rushed ending, I struggled to stay interested in its numerous plots and characters.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 15, 2025
The reviews on this book are SO polarized, and upon finishing it, I understand both sides. What I think is happening is that Bonnie Kistler wrote the book she wishes she could read. By that, I mean a family drama, wrapped in a mystery, wrapped in a thriller, wrapped in a legal procedural. If that sounds convoluted, well, yeah--it was! But it satisfies, because it's more than just a kleenex commercial, more than a formulaic whodunnit, more than a string of sensational shock events; it's a story of people slogging through a tragedy as best they can, while dealing with a bunch of other people who have their own struggles. It all overlaps, and becomes both outlandish because the scope is too big, but also more real, because it isn't distilled down to an easy solution.
Do you have a book club? Because this would give you plenty of fodder for discussion. The characters are all flawed, making questionable choices that are both easy to condemn or defend.
I listened to the Audible Audio version, and Cassandra Campbell narrated well, as usual. At the end, I wished I had the physical book, so I could skim back and see if I missed something, because there were several threads that seemed to dangle. The last few chapters were very busy, so perhaps I didn't listen as closely as I should have, or perhaps those items were left unfinished because they weren't germane to Leigh's story. Either way, I was left wishing for more solid closure.
All in all, I do recommend this one. The prose is solid, and the story hooks the reader easily. The characters are well developed. And I applaud Kistler trying to elevate this book to appeal to multiple genres! If I could get the author to edit the last 25% a little, I might give it 5 stars. Here I sit, again, trying to gauge whether my 3.5 star rating should go up or down.
(Made you look!)
Do you have a book club? Because this would give you plenty of fodder for discussion. The characters are all flawed, making questionable choices that are both easy to condemn or defend.
I listened to the Audible Audio version, and Cassandra Campbell narrated well, as usual. At the end, I wished I had the physical book, so I could skim back and see if I missed something, because there were several threads that seemed to dangle. The last few chapters were very busy, so perhaps I didn't listen as closely as I should have, or perhaps those items were left unfinished because they weren't germane to Leigh's story. Either way, I was left wishing for more solid closure.
All in all, I do recommend this one. The prose is solid, and the story hooks the reader easily. The characters are well developed. And I applaud Kistler trying to elevate this book to appeal to multiple genres! If I could get the author to edit the last 25% a little, I might give it 5 stars. Here I sit, again, trying to gauge whether my 3.5 star rating should go up or down.
(Made you look!)
March 22, 2019
Full disclosure here, this is labeled as a mystery/thriller on Goodreads and I wholeheartedly disagree with that, enough so that I would say it’s fiction and leave if at that. I feel like expectations are super important to me as a reader and this is really not a thriller whatsoever. I’m actually not even sure what it is to be totally honest, so there’s that too. Is there a mystery? Sure I suppose so but I mean that in the loosest sense of the word. Is it a thriller by any means? Nope, not at all. Is it really an examination of a family on the brink? Yes, that’s the most accurate explanation that I can come up with.
I enjoyed the dynamics of this family that were explored and couldn’t even imagine being in the same situation myself, losing a child is unfathomable but having your other child be at fault? Horrific, and seeing Pete and Leigh deal with the aftermath was fascinating and heartbreaking. How do you chose between your child and your wife? You don’t, it’s an impossible dilemma.
The author did a great job bringing the main storyline to life, but there were several side plots as well that made it sorta messy for me. I just don’t think it any added value to the story, in fact it was distracting for me. Just unnecessary and made the book longer than it needed to be. Overall an interesting book that mostly worked for me in the end, well drawn characters and solid writing, definitely enough to make me pick up her next book but it needed to be scaled back a little for me.
I enjoyed the dynamics of this family that were explored and couldn’t even imagine being in the same situation myself, losing a child is unfathomable but having your other child be at fault? Horrific, and seeing Pete and Leigh deal with the aftermath was fascinating and heartbreaking. How do you chose between your child and your wife? You don’t, it’s an impossible dilemma.
The author did a great job bringing the main storyline to life, but there were several side plots as well that made it sorta messy for me. I just don’t think it any added value to the story, in fact it was distracting for me. Just unnecessary and made the book longer than it needed to be. Overall an interesting book that mostly worked for me in the end, well drawn characters and solid writing, definitely enough to make me pick up her next book but it needed to be scaled back a little for me.
March 19, 2019
I finally ended up skimming to the end. Very disjointed and all over the place. It was like trying to read two very different books.
March 17, 2019
House on Fire is the debut book by former lawyer Bonnie Kistler.
At first I was a bit unsure what genre this book was. Was it a domestic drama? A mystery? A thriller? I think that it is a bit of all three combined.
The story is told from the 3rd person POVs of a husband and wife (Pete and Leigh). His son Kip and her daughter Chrissy are in an accident. This accident rocks their family. And at first I thought that this case was going to be the sole focus of the story.
Leigh is a divorce lawyer and she ends up with a bunch of interesting cases. There are major mystery and thriller aspects involved with each case. It would seem like there might be too much going on for one story. But truthfully I did not want to put the book down. Were some of these things a bit over the top? Probably. But I found myself invested in this story and very interested to see how each case would be resolved.
The book starts with the Turkish proverb "a liar's house is on fire, but no one believes him." I think that this relates to such an important part of the book.
As mentioned there is an accident at the beginning part of this book. Truthfully I did not know the full extent of what would happen (it is in the book blurb). I therefore found the beginning very upsetting and a bit depressing. And I thought that maybe I wouldn't enjoy this book. But the more I read the more I was interested. Leigh is a divorce lawyer. The author's legal knowledge was expertly used in this story. And I think that it made this book so much better.
Just before the halfway point the book turned into more of a mystery. There is a woman, Devra, who seeks Leigh's counsel. And I was very curious to see how this sub-plot would turn out. There is also a man named Stoddard who wants Leigh's help. And a reverend who also fits into the story. All of these elements, plus what was going on with Kip and the accident made this book more interesting for me.
This book at its core is really about family. Since it is the second marriage for both Leigh and Pete there are a lot of kids and exes involved. I thought that the family dynamics seemed realistic. And overall this story ended up being much different from what I was expecting. There were a lot of twists and turns in the last part. And a lot of action.
Thanks to netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for allowing me to read this book.
At first I was a bit unsure what genre this book was. Was it a domestic drama? A mystery? A thriller? I think that it is a bit of all three combined.
The story is told from the 3rd person POVs of a husband and wife (Pete and Leigh). His son Kip and her daughter Chrissy are in an accident. This accident rocks their family. And at first I thought that this case was going to be the sole focus of the story.
Leigh is a divorce lawyer and she ends up with a bunch of interesting cases. There are major mystery and thriller aspects involved with each case. It would seem like there might be too much going on for one story. But truthfully I did not want to put the book down. Were some of these things a bit over the top? Probably. But I found myself invested in this story and very interested to see how each case would be resolved.
The book starts with the Turkish proverb "a liar's house is on fire, but no one believes him." I think that this relates to such an important part of the book.
As mentioned there is an accident at the beginning part of this book. Truthfully I did not know the full extent of what would happen (it is in the book blurb). I therefore found the beginning very upsetting and a bit depressing. And I thought that maybe I wouldn't enjoy this book. But the more I read the more I was interested. Leigh is a divorce lawyer. The author's legal knowledge was expertly used in this story. And I think that it made this book so much better.
Just before the halfway point the book turned into more of a mystery. There is a woman, Devra, who seeks Leigh's counsel. And I was very curious to see how this sub-plot would turn out. There is also a man named Stoddard who wants Leigh's help. And a reverend who also fits into the story. All of these elements, plus what was going on with Kip and the accident made this book more interesting for me.
This book at its core is really about family. Since it is the second marriage for both Leigh and Pete there are a lot of kids and exes involved. I thought that the family dynamics seemed realistic. And overall this story ended up being much different from what I was expecting. There were a lot of twists and turns in the last part. And a lot of action.
Thanks to netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for allowing me to read this book.
January 11, 2019
House on Fire by Bonnie Kistler was one of my anticipated reads for 2019!
With that being said... I feel that people are going to be on a spectrum with this story. You're going to love it or you're going to hate it.
I was initially interested in this one due to the domestic and intense family drama aspect. The premise of the storyline had so much potential and it appeared would hit it out of the park. But, unfortunately, this one didn't live up to my expectations at all and didn't hit my mark.
The story started out strong with an interesting aspect to this blended family. The family was involved in a stressful event/accident and the novel explores the aftermath of this event and how if affects the entire family.
So, I was very confused because the author had other multiple storylines/subplots that were going on besides this main story between the family. I was losing interest and was having a very hard time following the story. The second half of the book... I just was finding myself more lost than anything?
The other subplots were almost unbelievable in my eyes and it changed the entire tune/feel of the story for me. It left me very disappointed and just wondering what the heck haha?
Overall, this story just wasn't for me.
2.5 stars for me on this one.
Thank you to Atria for the advanced arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Published to GR: 1/11/19
Publication date: 3/12/19
With that being said... I feel that people are going to be on a spectrum with this story. You're going to love it or you're going to hate it.
I was initially interested in this one due to the domestic and intense family drama aspect. The premise of the storyline had so much potential and it appeared would hit it out of the park. But, unfortunately, this one didn't live up to my expectations at all and didn't hit my mark.
The story started out strong with an interesting aspect to this blended family. The family was involved in a stressful event/accident and the novel explores the aftermath of this event and how if affects the entire family.
So, I was very confused because the author had other multiple storylines/subplots that were going on besides this main story between the family. I was losing interest and was having a very hard time following the story. The second half of the book... I just was finding myself more lost than anything?
The other subplots were almost unbelievable in my eyes and it changed the entire tune/feel of the story for me. It left me very disappointed and just wondering what the heck haha?
Overall, this story just wasn't for me.
2.5 stars for me on this one.
Thank you to Atria for the advanced arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Published to GR: 1/11/19
Publication date: 3/12/19
December 13, 2018
This book blew my mind! What a powerful and emotional look into the perfect blended family until one night changes everything. Leigh is a divorce lawyer married to Pete. When Pete's son Kip and Leigh's daughter Chrissy get in car accident everything changes when Chrissy dies. Kip is smart, headed to Duke but he seems to always walk the line of trouble. When Kip changes his story of what happened and now says that Chrissy was driving Leigh doesn't believe it. Pete is willing to do anything to save Kip from prison. This leaves Leigh broken. The harrowing events that Leigh and Pete face, so do their other children. The story also take you into the lives of Leigh's clients. This was a riveting read! Just stunning! I loved it. Emotionally charge and intense. I highly recommend.
I was given a copy from the publisher for my honest review.
Dawn Ruby-Book Gypsy
Novels N Latte Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club
Hudson Valley NY
I was given a copy from the publisher for my honest review.
Dawn Ruby-Book Gypsy
Novels N Latte Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club
Hudson Valley NY
May 26, 2018
I legitimately could not put this book down once I had started it! For fans of Jodi Picoult & Lisa Jewell, this book will leave you shocked, satisfied, and desperately wishing for more. Kistler has knocked it out of the park with this novel, and I’m already looking forward to reading whatever she writes next!
January 28, 2019
It’s a modern day Brady Bunch for Leigh and Pete. The second marriage for both, they bring their children together to create a beautiful blended family. They go away together to celebrate their anniversary, leaving high school senior Kip in charge of 14 year old Chrissy. On the way home, they get a phone call that there has been an accident and Kip has been charged with drunk driving. The next morning, Chrissy has died and Kip is charged with manslaughter. Until his story changes and he claims Chrissy was the one driving that night. This puts their family, their marriage, and Kips future to the test. House on Fire starts off strong and then starts to converge into different side stories. While these stories do eventually merge together, it detracts from the original purpose of the book. This book could use a lot of editing, as it’s much too long and needs to be streamlined. One of the side stories could have been removed completely. This could have been a solid 4-5 stars until it derailed. For me, House on Fire was ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars. Thank you @atriabooks for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
March 8, 2022
Patiko; knyga, kuri nepasimirš ilgai. Šeimos tragedija, skausmas netekus artimo, sielvartas, kurį galima palaidoti ir užmiršti, bet jis vistiek liks ir galės prisikelt. Kai kiekvienas tėvas yra savo vaiko pusėje; kokie išbandymai laukia santuokos , ką reikia išgyventi vaikams, ir kaip po viso šito visiems likt kartu.
"Meluoja visi. Net ir tie, kurie teigia, kad nemeluoja". Aš pati iki paskutinių knygos puslapių nenujaučiau , kas meluoja dar.
"Meluoja visi. Net ir tie, kurie teigia, kad nemeluoja". Aš pati iki paskutinių knygos puslapių nenujaučiau , kas meluoja dar.
April 27, 2019
It was supposed to be like the Brady Bunch. It was like the Brady Bunch until the accident. The accident that left one child dead and the other to blame for her death.
The two Chris’s - Christopher “Kip” and Chrissy. They were so close that one night Chrissy biked to the party where Kip was to warn him of their parents’ early return from out of town. Neither should have driven the car home. But one of them did. And the repercussions were drastic and tragic.
With the death of her daughter by the hands of her stepson, how could Leigh and her husband Peter and the remaining children go on as a family.
What caught me first with this book, was the captivating cover. I loved the main premise of the book but didn’t love how everything played out. I found there were too many things going on at once, almost like separate stories and too much time was going in every direction with the different storylines. Some of it was connected but there were subplots all over and too much time was spent on them, taking away from the main storyline.
I think realistically, that the family could possibly go forward as a family but not without scars. And I don’t mean scars from the loss of Chrissy, that’s a given. It’s only natural in the case of children and stepchildren, that forgiveness and acceptance comes easier towards your natural children and in a stepchild situation, it’s easier to place blame. I think the way Leigh reacted towards Kip may be forgiven but will always be the elephant in the room. The same can be said about her relationship with Peter and how that played out.
I found some of the characters to be unlikable. It’s hard to get into a story when you can’t relate to its’ characters. I don’t mean relate as in how they reacted to the accident. I can’t imagine what Leigh was feeling. To lose a child must be the worst thing ever and any emotions she was feeling would be real. I found that I didn’t care for her as a person aside from her grief. I totally disagreed with how the trial turned out and the message it sent to Kip.
I totally disagree with the reverend’s interpretation of the acceptability of lies and had very little respect for him. It’s very convenient to interpret when lies are or aren’t acceptable and we aren’t talking little white lies. Stephen’s interpretation of who was or wasn’t hurt by a lie isn’t accurate nor is it a message a priest should be conveying as acceptable.
For the most part, I sympathized with Kip. He made some stupid decisions while trying to cope and didn’t seem to fathom the seriousness of his decisions or situations, but he is a child without years of experience to know how he should behave.
While I did enjoy reading this book, I really wanted to like this book more than I did. It had a more original storyline than a lot of books out there but I think there should have been more emphasis on that main plot instead of bringing so much attention to so many other tangents.
Thanks to the publisher and net galley who allowed me the privilege of reading and reviewing this book by sending a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The two Chris’s - Christopher “Kip” and Chrissy. They were so close that one night Chrissy biked to the party where Kip was to warn him of their parents’ early return from out of town. Neither should have driven the car home. But one of them did. And the repercussions were drastic and tragic.
With the death of her daughter by the hands of her stepson, how could Leigh and her husband Peter and the remaining children go on as a family.
What caught me first with this book, was the captivating cover. I loved the main premise of the book but didn’t love how everything played out. I found there were too many things going on at once, almost like separate stories and too much time was going in every direction with the different storylines. Some of it was connected but there were subplots all over and too much time was spent on them, taking away from the main storyline.
I think realistically, that the family could possibly go forward as a family but not without scars. And I don’t mean scars from the loss of Chrissy, that’s a given. It’s only natural in the case of children and stepchildren, that forgiveness and acceptance comes easier towards your natural children and in a stepchild situation, it’s easier to place blame. I think the way Leigh reacted towards Kip may be forgiven but will always be the elephant in the room. The same can be said about her relationship with Peter and how that played out.
I found some of the characters to be unlikable. It’s hard to get into a story when you can’t relate to its’ characters. I don’t mean relate as in how they reacted to the accident. I can’t imagine what Leigh was feeling. To lose a child must be the worst thing ever and any emotions she was feeling would be real. I found that I didn’t care for her as a person aside from her grief. I totally disagreed with how the trial turned out and the message it sent to Kip.
I totally disagree with the reverend’s interpretation of the acceptability of lies and had very little respect for him. It’s very convenient to interpret when lies are or aren’t acceptable and we aren’t talking little white lies. Stephen’s interpretation of who was or wasn’t hurt by a lie isn’t accurate nor is it a message a priest should be conveying as acceptable.
For the most part, I sympathized with Kip. He made some stupid decisions while trying to cope and didn’t seem to fathom the seriousness of his decisions or situations, but he is a child without years of experience to know how he should behave.
While I did enjoy reading this book, I really wanted to like this book more than I did. It had a more original storyline than a lot of books out there but I think there should have been more emphasis on that main plot instead of bringing so much attention to so many other tangents.
Thanks to the publisher and net galley who allowed me the privilege of reading and reviewing this book by sending a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2019
3.5 stars
House on Fire was a slow-burning family drama novel with a little bit of mystery. That being said, it was still in the 3 star range for me because of its little twists here and there.
Pete, an architect and Leigh, a divorce lawyer choose to go out and celebrate the night of their anniversary leaving Pete's son, Kip who is a high school senior with 14 year old Chirssy, Leigh's daughter. Retunring home they recieve a call that they were in an accident and that Kip was driving intoxicated with Chrissy in the passanger seat. 12 hours later, Chrissy is dead and Kip with charged with manslaughter. Then his story changes and he tells his parents that he wasn't the one driving. Is that a lie? Is it the truth? Why change his story after she dies? Slowly and slowly Leigh's blended family begins to fall apart.
I loved how the central plot of the novel was about Kip and Chrissy, but we also got to learn about Leigh and the cases she handles and how she works on them. I thought it was very interesting and Leigh really is a great character and will do the impossible for her clients. Since Kistler is a trial lawyer it made it a lot more intruguing to read about the cases that Leigh would recieve. I think it was also interesting to see how every person deals with grief. For Leigh, she occopies herself with work to distract herself even though she isn't fully over her grief.
I found Pete to be a little annoying. I understand that he was trying to do anything to ensure his son would stay out fo jail, but it irked me how he sided with his son right away! What about your wife, Leigh, whose daughter just died??
Kistler opened up the doors of Leigh's house, and we got to see how her family dealt with grief and drama.
House on Fire was a slow-burning family drama novel with a little bit of mystery. That being said, it was still in the 3 star range for me because of its little twists here and there.
Pete, an architect and Leigh, a divorce lawyer choose to go out and celebrate the night of their anniversary leaving Pete's son, Kip who is a high school senior with 14 year old Chirssy, Leigh's daughter. Retunring home they recieve a call that they were in an accident and that Kip was driving intoxicated with Chrissy in the passanger seat. 12 hours later, Chrissy is dead and Kip with charged with manslaughter. Then his story changes and he tells his parents that he wasn't the one driving. Is that a lie? Is it the truth? Why change his story after she dies? Slowly and slowly Leigh's blended family begins to fall apart.
I loved how the central plot of the novel was about Kip and Chrissy, but we also got to learn about Leigh and the cases she handles and how she works on them. I thought it was very interesting and Leigh really is a great character and will do the impossible for her clients. Since Kistler is a trial lawyer it made it a lot more intruguing to read about the cases that Leigh would recieve. I think it was also interesting to see how every person deals with grief. For Leigh, she occopies herself with work to distract herself even though she isn't fully over her grief.
I found Pete to be a little annoying. I understand that he was trying to do anything to ensure his son would stay out fo jail, but it irked me how he sided with his son right away! What about your wife, Leigh, whose daughter just died??
Kistler opened up the doors of Leigh's house, and we got to see how her family dealt with grief and drama.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 595 reviews