Fire Dancer

by Colleen Coble

When a serial arsonist known as The Fire Dancer strikes in the wilds of Arizona, Tess finds herself fighting more than wildfires.

Tess Masterson's parents died in a terrible barn fire. The tragedy drover her to become one of the best smoke jumpers in the business. Though she makes a living jumping out of planes into roaring wildfires, she's never found the courage to face the wounds of her past--or to deal with the anger that flares whenever she encounters Chase Huston.

When a serial arsonist known as The Fire Dancer strikes near her old homeplace in Arizona, Tess must examine her past. Can she confront her own demons and put a stop to the terror that has the area in flames?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Fiction, Contemporary

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2006

About the author

USAToday bestselling author Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Arizona. She is the author of dozens of novels including the Rock Harbor Series, the Aloha Reef Series, the Mercy Falls Series, the Hope Beach Series, the Lonestar Series and two Women of Faith fiction selections, Alaska Twilight and Midnight Sea. She has more than 6 million books in print.

Reviews

[Anja · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is not a bad book, just not my kind of read really. It read kind of like a lifetime movie...way to melodramatic for my taste. And I think the romance was completely unnecessary for the storyline. Honestly I'm not sure I would've picked it up, if it wouldn't have been a book club pick.
1.5 stars

[Teresa TL Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fire Dancer was not my favorite Colleen Coble book so far, but it is still an exciting mystery. The characters live on an Arizona ranch, and some are also firefighters who jump from planes to fight wildfires. Great imagery. Frightening suspense. Compelling romance. Faith was woven into this story, but it played more of a background role than in her other books I have read.

CAUTION: Without giving any spoilers, I wish to warn that some of the characters' discoveries of the truth about past events are disturbing, and the arsonist's internal dialogue gave me the creeps!

[Dawn Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED the fact that Colleen had the courage to deal with something many authors seem to avoid like the plague - spiritual issues such as Skin Walkers. Those supernatural leaning aspects were one of the things I enjoyed most about this book, particularly since she hit it head on from the perspective of the power of prayer over such things. Go, Colleen!

[Lauren Acosta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was depressing.

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been a few years since I've read a book from Colleen Coble. My favourite still remains the Aloha Reef series, followed by the Rock Harbor series.

I read this book in one sitting. The mystery was so intriguing and the suspects of who the arsonist could be, kept chancing in my mind. However, when the arsonist was revealed the person was one of my main suspects, however, some truths that came to light was unexpected.

Tess had to deal with a lot of hurt and guilt after watching her parents die 12 years ago. I enjoyed seeing how her relationship with Chase also developed and once she could let go of her jealousy and bitterness towards him, she could see the great man he was. I loved Aunt Doty and how she handled Jimmy.

The book deals with some difficult issues spiritual warfare (mentions of witchery to become a skin walker and sexual abuse so not recommended for sensitive and young readers.

[Cyndi Canaday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horse Lover

Loved this book! Suspenseful your u would never imagine the ending. Coleen is a great writer. I am hooked on several of her books.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed a lot of Colleen Coble's books, but this is far and away my least favorite of her books. It is just a far-fetched, convoluted mess.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Really cool to learn about wild fire fire fighting! Great plot. Great characters.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of Colleen Coble's earlier works, but don't let that cause you to hesitate, as it's an interesting story.

I really loved these characters, all of them, not just the main ones. They were all flawed in their own ways, but they were all characters that one could relate to.

Arson is a crime that isn't touched upon as much in suspense and crime novels. It was fascinating to get inside the mind of an arsonist, and learn about the general characteristics they have. It was eye opening to me to see the impact that fire causes, whether it be a wildfire or a fire started intentionally.

I also loved that I got to see the career of someone who fights wildfires. I don't live in an area where they are present, so it was interesting to me to connect to some of what I see on the news.

There were parts of the book that I thought were a bit predictable, one of the big secrets was something I had figured out about halfway through. I was also able to figure out who it was, but that made me feel more proud than disappointed. Usually with Coble I don't figure it out! Also, the figuring it out didn't ruin the story for me.

I loved the romance in this book. I ship it!

Overall, a gripping page turner. If you're a fan of suspense and looking for something a little different, I imagine you'll enjoy this book!

4 stars.

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Coble's earlier novels, this one is set in ranch country in Arizona. Fire is the central character of the story that alternates between wild fire fighters / jumpers and the Masterson ranch. Just who is the arsonist who is setting fires all over the county? harming businesses and ranches without rhyme or reason? And why do the Masterson's seem to be the center of the arsonist's ire?

There are plenty of clues but they don't come together until the very end, an ending that will surprise you. You can read around the religious comments and Christian faith if that's not your thing. All in all, a well-crafted story.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a thriller than a procedural, with Tess in reaction mode most of the time from danger after danger. I'd definitely rate this in the read-with-the-lights-on category because the wolf-man stuff is quite dark and scary.

I really enjoyed Tess and Chase and was sad not to get to know more of her coworkers at the end. I especially wanted to know what happened with Allie and Buck and a couple others. I was so surprised by/saddened by the tragedy that happened to Stevie and the secrets that she was holding onto. (In fact, a lot of the book is quite tragic! But it ends on a hopeful note.)

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great I had to read each chapter more than once, it was wonderful to read! Thank you Colleen Coble for another heartwarming book, just the right amount of everything in it.
You meet Tess Masterson and her sister Stevie, along with Chase Huston and all of the other people on the ranch, and firefighters from Tess’s team. This book has so much action and suspense, with a little bit of romance and God thrown in to make this book the perfect read!
I highly recommend reading this, it’s really great!

[Steve W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is kind of creepy story about a disturbed person who seems to feel compelled to punish Tess and the Masterson family for something. And their method of punishment includes setting fires and trying to kill people (while making it look like accidents). What did Tess ever do that makes her a target, and who could be out to get her? Like the perpetrator, she is fascinated with fire, but Tess, as a smoke jumper/firefighter, has a healthy respect for it, not an urge to use it as a tool against people. Along the way, can she finally make peace with Chase, her adopted (or foster) brother?

[Bekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Skinwalker parts made my skin crawl- made me think twice about reading the book after dark. They fit well into the story, though, I think some of the spiritual aspects could have been developed better.
I really enjoy Coble's contemporary suspense/mystery novels! I enjoy her varied & flawed characters. I also love how she vividly describes each setting. The geographical elements really set the atmosphere. They are characters in & of themselves.

[Maggie Shanley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story of found family with only a slight ick factor probably truly deserves a 2.5 rating, but since that is not possible in GR I am giving it a two star review. Tess just a young girl when her parents and uncle are killed in a barn fire has a hard time coming home to see her sister, brother-in-law and niece on the ranch they all live on and run. But her sister needs her and fires are being set ever closer to the ranch. This plot had so much potential, but too many characters and the portrayal of the Navajo's was another factor that bothered me in this story.

[Larissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will say there were times Tess frustrated me due to her thoughts about Chase and his place with them but I still liked her as a character. I have to say I didn't think the one doing it was the person...I had a few thoughts on who it might be. It had a bittersweet ending I think. But I liked it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read an older Coble novel. I can definitely see where her writing style has improved over the years. My main complaint with this story was that the plot dragged too much. I was still caught off guard by several twists. Some difficult topics were brought up, and there was no completely happy ever after ending.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

All For Love

Tess and Chase had always been at odds from the first day they met. The Mastersons had had their problems but now it seemed everything was falling apart. Broken marriages, newfound love, sickness and death. Every page of this book will keep you on edge. Continue on the adventure.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story set in Arizona among the Indian Tribes. Focusing on a Skinwalker who is causing fires throughout the area along with killing people from the Masterson family. Can Tess Masterson, along with her fire fighting friends, figure out who the Skinwalker is and stop the fires and killing? A very enjoyable easy to read suspense novel from Collee Coble.

[Kathy Filardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read though at times I grew frustrated with both main characters for their juvenile grudges and angry with how the sexual abuse and rape was covered up. Good suspense with the firebug though And loved Wildfire.

[Kayron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read

Overall this was a good book. However, had it not been one of my "Book Clubs" suggested reads I would not have read. I am pulled into a story by the way the first chapter is developed, but after I got beyond this point I was drawn in.

[Callie Carpenter · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love a good twist, however I did not like any of these books twists. They were all upsetting twists and I actually saw some of them coming so I didn't I get surprised. Instead I felt horrified. I kept reading it and did not get better. I have read much better books by Colleen Coble with better twists and not creepy like this was. I would not recommend and do not plan to ever read it again.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skimmed this..nice to see a Christian author in a smaller paperback size..but this story never really "captured" my attention..read 2 discover the arsonist basically.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow ! A great book!

[Kathryn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense till the end but so worth it.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good. It had a lot of twist and turns. I didn’t know who did it until the end. I kept thinking different people. Not a lot of romance in this one but a touch of it.

[Gretel · Rating 5 out of 5]

💞

[Mollie Bond]

Colleen Coble is a favorite author. She didn't disappoint in this book!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved her series Rock Harbor. This one is a stand alone. Not as well written. Way too many characters.

[Pat Raab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tense and engaging, with a few unsuspected family secrets jumping out. Some things fairly predictable, others definitely not!