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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
sad
Pretty interesting, rather tragic story. Solid writing, if somewhat pro-cop. the intersection of rural poverty, mental health issues, trauma, and bad decision making. Phew.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Gaslighting
Normally the true crime books I read involve murder and more often than not, serial killers! American Fire does not have serial killers or murder, it has arson. It has more than 80 fires set over the course of about five months in one rural Virginia county. Monica Hesse is a journalist who went to cover the trial of one of the arsonists and saw that there was a much bigger story. Not just why the culprits were starting fires, but also about the rural community that endured the fear and anxiety as night after night their county burned. Great writing and really highlights the people of Accomack County Virginia, their tenacity and resiliency. Highly recommend for true crime fans and those that enjoy narrative nonfiction.
It was just ok. Well written but dry. Not my cup of tea.
True crime rundown exploring the string of 80+ arsons that kept a small Virginia county on edge for five solid months (if you're doing the math, that's nearly one fire every 2 days) and the couple that set them. The author highlights how the rural nature of the area and the economic downturn for the region affected both the fires' start and why they were so hard to stop.
Washington Post feature writer, Monica Hesse, tells you the story of love and arson in Accomack County, Virginia. If you are a fan of feature pieces and crime, then this is a must read on your list. Monica's story of the crime keeps you engaged and eager to learn how a regionally poor, but a tight-knitt community in Virginia survived 67 fires and more importantly, why they were lit.
A quick, easy-to-get-through little read. Liked reading about the Eastern Shore (where I grew up) and the complex lives underneath the seemingly simplistic small-town life in Accomack. Also appreciated the compassionate way the author portrayed the defendants in this case.
dark
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
Fascinating story, that I'm shocked I'd never heard of (or at least don't remember), especially living relatively close to the areas this was happening.
4.5 stars. Fascinating. The type of book you don't read often enough; one about a topic you don't know about. The series of fires and the area of Virginia this book profiles are interesting and accessible. The people who populate the story aren't just characters in the act of a play, they have real depth and participate in the story. This is more than worth the read.
informative
tense
medium-paced