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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
What crazy things we do for love. Having read the story I know which accused I believe. The arsons were such a tragedy for the declining rural area.
I'm not sure how exactly she did it but this book was both interesting and incredibly dull.
A fast and satisfying read. You know who did it right from the start, but Hesse gives us a glimpse into the lives of everyone involved and a deeper understanding of the Eastern Shore of Virginia and its decline.
Interesting and ultimately sad book about a string of fires that baffled a rural community in Virginia. Hesse's book follows various volunteer and paid fire professionals as they fight and attempt to find the arsonist...and she also profiles the arsonist[s] as to discover why they did why they did. Fascinatingly sad.
Something was a little off in the storytelling. I could have done without the cheesy last chapter about the nostalgia for middle America.
a 2017 staff favorite recommended by Becky. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Samerican%20fire%20hesse__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
The well-paced true story of a string of arsons on the Eastern Shore. Hesse does well with these characters and their struggles, and if the ending is a bit ambiguous, well, it was for the detectives as well. Best line is when Charlie is being interrogated and stops for a cigarette break. Need a match, asks the detective. No, I've got a lighter, he replies.
informative
tense
fast-paced
This book covers a spate of arsons that took place in Accomack County, Virginia. The fire departments were volunteer, meaning these people had regular jobs outside of the fire department. I grew up in a family who served in a volunteer fire department, so I understand the exhaustion and appreciate the service of these people. These fires continued for months, with several calls per night. While reading this book, I was shocked there was a building left to burn by the time the culprits were discovered. I do not want to ruin the book for those who are wishing to read it by discussing the culprits and why they went on a spree of arson, but I will say that people do some really odd things. This was a very interesting case.
I saw this book at my local used bookstore, but they wanted more for it than I was willing to pay. I just found this completely by accident while I was waiting for my kids to check out their books at the library the other day. This book was not on my selected reading for this reading challenge, but since I am ahead of myself, I decided to go ahead and get it anyway. I thought it would be a really interesting read, because I like true crime, but also because it is near to the area where I am planning to relocate. I appreciate local history, so this was a good book for that. I liked that this book included the history of the area, as well as information on the fires and legal proceedings. This was one of the better books I have read in the past couple of weeks.
I saw this book at my local used bookstore, but they wanted more for it than I was willing to pay. I just found this completely by accident while I was waiting for my kids to check out their books at the library the other day. This book was not on my selected reading for this reading challenge, but since I am ahead of myself, I decided to go ahead and get it anyway. I thought it would be a really interesting read, because I like true crime, but also because it is near to the area where I am planning to relocate. I appreciate local history, so this was a good book for that. I liked that this book included the history of the area, as well as information on the fires and legal proceedings. This was one of the better books I have read in the past couple of weeks.
If the scale was more accurate, I would rate this book a 3.5 out of 5. I enjoy long form journalism/reporting. I loved seeing the story develop, but felt like I was constantly waiting for something ~more~ exciting. The story itself is very intriguing, but as you will read, there is a part of the story that’s missing that definitely could have filled the void.
I listened to this one during my summer drives back and forth from school. This is not one I would normally pick up but because I loved A Girl in the Blue Coat so much and I set a goal to read more nonfiction, I challenged myself with this one.
True crime fans will find this story fascinating. A young couple works together to burn down 67 houses for "fun." Hesse mixes some background information on arsonists over time with the narrative of how Charlie Smith and Tonya Bundick fell in love, committed these crimes, and then got caught.
Can't wait to book talk this one to students in the fall.
True crime fans will find this story fascinating. A young couple works together to burn down 67 houses for "fun." Hesse mixes some background information on arsonists over time with the narrative of how Charlie Smith and Tonya Bundick fell in love, committed these crimes, and then got caught.
Can't wait to book talk this one to students in the fall.