Emily Bleeker

Working Fire is told in dual timelines, the first is through Ellie’s eyes starting the day she gets a call that there’s been a shooting at her sister Amelia’s address and the second is from Amelia’s point of view six weeks prior. The alternating chapters each have a clear, distinct voice as the sisters were both well drawn and multidimensional, I had a strong sense of both of them as individuals as well as a firm grasp regarding the dynamic of their relationship with each other.

While there is definitely a mysterious element at play here, I don’t think it’s the driving force of the book. Yes, I was super curious about exactly what had happened the day Amelia was shot as well as what events sent things into motion, but at its core this is a novel about family relationships and the secrets that can rip them apart. There’s really not much that interests me more than the bond between sisters and some good old fashioned family secrets and Working Fire had plenty of both. While I wouldn’t describe this as twisty, it did keep me guessing and still surprised me a few times.

There was an emotional component to this, Bleeker has an evocative writing style that makes you care about the characters she creates even if you don’t always understand them. This would be perfect for people who don’t want violence or highly disturbing content in their mysteries, it’s on the lighter side yet still manages to pack a decent punch. The ending especially caught me off guard, it was unexpected and fitting.… (mehr)

At first I thought this was very much like PS I Love You - letters from the now deceased loved one arriving on a pre-defined schedule... This one wasn't all-romantic though. The letters started out with small talk, how she hated her cancer, that she didn't want to go and pass on, especially with the children to be left behind, but there wasn't really any choice. What she had was time, albeit very little, that she spent writing to his soon to be widowed husband. Only she kept the letters a secret, arranging for their delivery starting on the day after her funeral, with the last one to be sent on the first anniversary of her death. She thought that after a year, with all the other letters as a prelude, he would have been well prepared for the big reveal.

The story has a very good twist. I thought I saw what was coming, only to be blindsided. Pick up this book if you're in the mood for a lot of family drama, grief over the loss of a loved one, surprises, and moving on.… (mehr)

Current day, Elise is a PR powerhouse. She is also the daughter of a famous actress and the granddaughter of a beloved Hollywood icon. Newly engaged, she is talked into combining her wedding planning with a documentary about her famous grandmother’s early years, against her better judgement. It’s 1943 and Vivian needs a way to help support her injured father, mother who is in a psychiatric hospital and younger sister, still at home. She secures a job at a POW camp translating for the military and the Italian Prisoners. Vivian moonlights as both a dancer and a singer at the local USO.

The book follows both stories, easily switching between the two. The author gives us a look into the prisoners, military and the local USO club, not to mention film making. Vivian’s dedication to both family and job are admirable, always putting her own wants and needs secondary, totally realistic to the time. Storylines flow nicely and the cast of characters is easy to follow. Characters are transparent, there are no surprises into their nature. The stories come together nicely, but there were a few gaps I would have liked filled in. The story could have been a little longer to really bring it to a more complete close. The war takes a backseat to the family drama unfolding. I’ve enjoyed this author’s previous thrillers and look forward to reading her again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.… (mehr)