True Fires: A Novel

by Susan Carol McCarthy

In the idyllic town of Lake Esther, Florida, little is allowed to ripple the surface calm—which is just the way Sheriff Kyle Deluth likes it. But when Deluth "removes" two young children from the local school because of the color of their skin, the sheriff's senseless act of cruelty sparks a fire under the women of Lake Esther that will scorch the lives of all involved. In their pursuit of justice, an indomitable heiress, a revered journalist, and a fading Southern Belle will forge an unlikely alliance across the racial divide. One that will change the face of the town—and their lives—forever.

Deeply moving and peopled with a rich cast of characters, Susan Carol McCarthy mines the hotbed of racism with insight and compassion. Bittersweet, inspirational and wholly compelling, True Fires confirms McCarthy’s reputation as a dazzling new voice in probing real-life events to interpret the injustices of our past.

Genres: Historical Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[kiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was pleasantly surprised with this book. a stark reminder of how far we’ve come but also provides a moment of reflection for how easily we could return to these ways.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based loosely on the true story of the Platt family in Mount Dora, FL, whose evil sheriff was the real Sheriff Willis McCall of Lake County, True Fires moves your heart and increases your understanding of terrible times in the United States. Here, the family is the Kanes, whose heritage is Irish and American Indian, and it's the Kane children who are excluded from public school in Lake Esther, FL, by racist sheriff K.A. DeLuth. DeLuth was best friends with the late Louis Hightower, whose twin sister Lila Has returned to work on her late father's complicated estate. Lila's mother, an old Southern Belle alcoholic, slowly reveals her evil past machinations, as DeLuth roils the community with his illegal control of Lake Esther's institutions. Daniel Kane and his black/Indian mentor Sampson display a connection with the local wilderness that will surprise those who know only the Florida of today. McCarthy's command of rhythm and vocabulary, together with her honest use of dialect, profanity, and racial slurs, shape prose that carries you quickly from chapter to chapter, despite the discomfort you feel. The characters compel belief, especially reporter Ruth Cooper Barrows, modeled on Mabel Norris Reeves, nominated for the Pulitzer for her reporting in the Mount Dora Topic. Ruth Barrows and Lila Hightower unravel the truth as the story moves to a painful conclusion. As in McCarthy's first novel, Lay That Trumpet in Our Hands, the Ku Klux Klan figures large in the novel's social world, but there's plenty of evil aside from the Klan shaping this story.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have read in a long time. In light of the current increase in racial tensions, this book is a stark reminder of how far we have come in the last 60 years, even if we still have far to go. I thought this book was as good as To Kill a Mockingbird, and better than The Help. I cannot understand why it is not better known, and I wish it would be read by more people. Aside from the message, the writing itself is a joy. I loved some of the characters, and hated others, but all became alive in the telling of the story, even some of the minor characters. Sometimes things written in a dialect can be annoying or distracting, but the dialect used in this novel seemed authentic to me and added a lot to the story. As an added bonus, I learned a little bit about keeping bees. I cannot think of any criticism of this book, unless it is that it ended too soon and I would have liked to read more about what happened to all of the characters over time.

[Kris Lodwig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wondered how this book ended up on my WTR shelf, but realized that I liked the author’s first book. This book was excellent. Stars were closer to 5 for me. Loosely based on a true story, set during the late 50s, I think, in a small town in Florida when schools were segregated. I enjoyed the authors writing style, including having a paragraph sporadically throughout the book that was the POV of a beehive (sounds corny but it truly added to the story) Loved the heroes, loathed the villains, was saddened by those who didn’t take a stand. Highly recommend.

[Ruth Vanderhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually about a 3.5, rounded up. The resolution of the novel seemed too easy to me and the villain a tad stereotypical. Still, this is a powerful story about racism and the abuse of power. Definitely worth reading. Reminded me frequently of To Kill a Mockingbird.

[Karen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely book set in the 1950’s. The racism, the bullying and politics are quite relevant to today’s contemporary America. The author’s message of hope is needed as we the election results are just a few weeks away...

[Nana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very touching story of misplaced hatred pertaining to racism. This author pens a beautiful story with authenticity and grit. Numerous issues are broached in a believable, earthy manner.

[Cndy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Racism in the 1950’s. Politician who likes to use scare tactics to get the votes. Give the people something or someone to hate. Hmmm. Sounds like modern day menacing politicians. Doesn’t it?

[rhonda granquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked a lot. Some language , the N word mostly , which made it hard to read. This place in the early 60's in a small town in Florida. The Dare family, franklin , the dad and his two
Children Daniel around 10 and dans younger sister , Becca, a first grader are enrolled in the ALL white elementary school
The sheriff , who thinks he's very important, escourts the two
Children out of school
Claiming they have negro blood in them.their great grandfather was Croatan this gets pretty tense. Good book

[Barbara M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about Central Florida during the 1950s when schools were still segregated. It is not an easy book to read in that it is not (thank God) the same world. In this case, there are two children that the extremely bigoted County sheriff has deemed to be "too tan". He pulls them out of school - the white school. They are decended from Irish and Croatan (Indian) roots. The sheriff claims they have negro blood at an unacceptable level. The first several pages are the most painful but then you meet others who are offended by this situation and it raises your hopes. Of course, there are still those of a like mind to the Sherrif including the School Board. It was a time of change.

There's plenty of tension and somewhat of a surprise ending. One little thing that might put others off was the little side story that confused me a bit. It is a single column done in italics that crops up between chapters; it all come to light later on. These are really good characters; Lila Hightower, Daniel Dare and his family, Ruth and Hugh Barrows, and others. Some of the dialogue is written in the vernacular. Rumor has it that K. A. DeLuth is actually Lake County Sherrif McCall. Of course this is a work of fiction but from what I've heard, this is very believable. Now I'm off to find out just how much it is true.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed her first book and this one wasn't a disapointment either. It was interesting that comparisons were made in this book about Miz Betty being like Isabelle Amberson in the Magnificient Ambersons that I just finished reading.
I liked the authors use of a bee's eye view at the beginning and end and a key points in the book. Minor characters, the the bees were also important to the story itself.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly engaging story about prejudice and a family having to prove themselves in the 1960's South. The author spings the tale from several different points of view and young narrator (Danial Dare) is the most captivating and heart-wrenching of them all. A well-written page turner. Would highly recommend.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book.

[Lynnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Deeply moving and peopled with a rich cast of characters, Susan Carol McCarthy mines the hotbed of racism with insight and compassion."

[Kimberly Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really didn't capture my attention too much. I kept waiting for the plot to thicken, or for something to happen to where I couldn't put it down.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!