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Out of the still-smoldering ashes of a fatal arson fire . . .
The Enterprise has a new lease on life, but nobody knows how long that will last. Will there be a newspaper tomorrow? There’s plenty of work on Jessica Nelson’s crime desk, but when she learns of a hot lead in the cold-case arson deaths of her parents and twin sister, she knows she has to investigate it.
The story pulls her into the death of a cop, requires her to face her own phobic fear of fire, and introduces her to a man—much too old for her—who is passionately committed to using fire to protect the wilderness.
Will this bring her any closer to a killer who has eluded the police for over twenty years—and who threatens to start another deadly, catastrophic wildfire?
The Enterprise has a new lease on life, but nobody knows how long that will last. Will there be a newspaper tomorrow? There’s plenty of work on Jessica Nelson’s crime desk, but when she learns of a hot lead in the cold-case arson deaths of her parents and twin sister, she knows she has to investigate it.
The story pulls her into the death of a cop, requires her to face her own phobic fear of fire, and introduces her to a man—much too old for her—who is passionately committed to using fire to protect the wilderness.
Will this bring her any closer to a killer who has eluded the police for over twenty years—and who threatens to start another deadly, catastrophic wildfire?
- GenresMystery
94 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2020
105 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wittig Albert
120 books2,381 followersSusan is the author/co-author of biographical/historical fiction, mysteries, and nonfiction. Now in her 80s and continuing to write, she says that retirement is not (yet) an option. She publishes under her own imprint. Here are her latest books.
A PLAIN VANILLA MURDER, #27 in the long-running China Bayles/Pecan Springs series.
Two Pecan Springs novella trilogies: The Crystal Cave Trilogy (featuring Ruby Wilcox): noBODY, SomeBODY Else, and Out of BODY; and The Enterprise Trilogy (featuring Jessica Nelson): DEADLINES, FAULTLINES, and FIRELINES.
THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE POINSETTIA PUZZLE #8 in the Darling Dahlias series, set in the early 1930s in fictional Darling AL
THE GENERAL'S WOMEN. Kay, Mamie, and Ike--the wartime romance that won a war but could have derailed a presidency.
LOVING ELEANOR: A novel about the intimate 30-year friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok, based on their letters
A WILDER ROSE: the true story of Rose Wilder Lane, who transformed her mother from a farm wife and occasional writer to a literary icon
THE TALE OF CASTLE COTTAGE, #8 in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter
DEATH ON THE LIZARD, the 12th and last (2006) of the Robin Paige series, by Susan and Bill Albert
TOGETHER, ALONE: A MEMOIR OF MARRIAGE AND PLACE
AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR OF ORDINARY DAYS
WORK OF HER OWN: A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO RIGHT LIVELIHOOD
WRITING FROM LIFE: TELLING YOUR SOUL'S STORY
A PLAIN VANILLA MURDER, #27 in the long-running China Bayles/Pecan Springs series.
Two Pecan Springs novella trilogies: The Crystal Cave Trilogy (featuring Ruby Wilcox): noBODY, SomeBODY Else, and Out of BODY; and The Enterprise Trilogy (featuring Jessica Nelson): DEADLINES, FAULTLINES, and FIRELINES.
THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE POINSETTIA PUZZLE #8 in the Darling Dahlias series, set in the early 1930s in fictional Darling AL
THE GENERAL'S WOMEN. Kay, Mamie, and Ike--the wartime romance that won a war but could have derailed a presidency.
LOVING ELEANOR: A novel about the intimate 30-year friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok, based on their letters
A WILDER ROSE: the true story of Rose Wilder Lane, who transformed her mother from a farm wife and occasional writer to a literary icon
THE TALE OF CASTLE COTTAGE, #8 in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter
DEATH ON THE LIZARD, the 12th and last (2006) of the Robin Paige series, by Susan and Bill Albert
TOGETHER, ALONE: A MEMOIR OF MARRIAGE AND PLACE
AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR OF ORDINARY DAYS
WORK OF HER OWN: A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO RIGHT LIVELIHOOD
WRITING FROM LIFE: TELLING YOUR SOUL'S STORY
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 21, 2020
As a lifetime fan of Susan Albert's China Bayles series, I especially enjoyed this deep dive into the personal and professional life of Pecan Spring's reporter, Jessica Nelson. Jessica has a sad, mysterious back story that surfaces years after her childhood family lost their lives when their home burned to the ground, while she was not home. Simultaneously Jessica's newspaper is experiencing financial problems that reflect much of what is happening to local newspapers around the country. Will it survive? Was the fire that destroyed Jessica's home and family not an accident after all?
I thoroughly enjoyed Firelines, Albert's sixth recent novella, a format that has deeply engaged me
I thoroughly enjoyed Firelines, Albert's sixth recent novella, a format that has deeply engaged me
August 10, 2020
I have been reading (devouring) every book Susan has written almost since the beginning of the China Bayles Pecan Spring series. I was very excited to learn more about Ruby Wilcox in her first trilogy series, and now Jessica in this second trilogy series. Susan's description of place makes me feel like I'm right in the setting. And the stories, oh the stories are amazing. Everybody needs to read everything Susan has written, because not only are you entertained, but you learn. In this last book, I learned about forest fires and wildfires - and Smokey the Bear has updated his slogan. Thank you Susan for all that you do for your readers.
January 24, 2021
This final selection of Albert's Pecan Springs Trilogy of Enterprise writer Jessica Nelson fills us in on the tragedy of her early teen days when her family's home burned to the ground while she was out on a weekend school trip. Her parents, twin sister Ginger, and family dog lost their lives in the fire. Although the disaster was arson, the fire-starter was never arrested. Still plagued by the loss Jessica researches the police and fire records to solve the cold case on her own. An excellent read, this trilogy is now available in one book. Mystery readers should pick this one up!
August 8, 2020
Fireline
Another great story by Susan Witting Albert. I like these novellas they move fast and don’t waste many words. Jessica finally gets the end to the story about her family. Enjoyed it.
Another great story by Susan Witting Albert. I like these novellas they move fast and don’t waste many words. Jessica finally gets the end to the story about her family. Enjoyed it.
August 8, 2020
Another Winning Series
I eagerly devour anything Susan writes, as I know I am guaranteed an exciting journey into a well written mystery.
This new series, the Enterprise novella series, was well worth the wait.
I am looking forward to book 4.
I eagerly devour anything Susan writes, as I know I am guaranteed an exciting journey into a well written mystery.
This new series, the Enterprise novella series, was well worth the wait.
I am looking forward to book 4.
August 8, 2020
More please!
I only hope Ms. Wittig Allbert is going to write more of these. I adore the full length China Bayles novels but these novellas are purely delightful.
I only hope Ms. Wittig Allbert is going to write more of these. I adore the full length China Bayles novels but these novellas are purely delightful.
August 13, 2020
I didn’t enjoy this trio of novellas. The characters and plots were meh. The writing was unimpressive and tedious. I’m amazed at the high praise for this author.
August 21, 2020
Enjoyed reading these novellas. Hope there are more.
August 21, 2020
Good Story
Enjoyed all three of this series. Short and a good story. Enjoyed the world of reporting. Hope there are more.
Enjoyed all three of this series. Short and a good story. Enjoyed the world of reporting. Hope there are more.
August 24, 2020
great ending to the trilogy
August 29, 2020
great story!!!
January 22, 2021
Really enjoyable conclusion to the novella trilogy.
Jessica Nelson discovers what happened during the house fire when she was a child.
Jessica Nelson discovers what happened during the house fire when she was a child.
April 15, 2021
Another good Pecan Springs novella - more of a suspense story than a mystery, I think. What’s next? Can’t wait to read it
November 18, 2022
Please Susan write more of these and more Crystal Cave. Love all the China Bayes series and the spin offs
January 31, 2023
Really enjoyed it!
March 14, 2024
Last of this 3-part novella featuring intrepid Pecan Springs reporter Jessica Nelson. Engaging and deeply interesting plot, well researched. I wanted more. Much more!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews