With razor-sharp wit and an unflinching eye for the little insanities of those who believe they are in charge, Fire in the Henhouse takes the reader on a rollercoaster of a ride. Dooleysburg, PA, chock full of local celebrities like the cross-dressing car dealer who doubles as the town mascot and a police chief who had to get his own juvenile record expunged, prides itself With razor-sharp wit and an unflinching eye for the little insanities of those who believe they are in charge, Fire in the Henhouse takes the reader on a rollercoaster of a ride. Dooleysburg, PA, chock full of local celebrities like the cross-dressing car dealer who doubles as the town mascot and a police chief who had to get his own juvenile record expunged, prides itself on being progressive and tolerant, a great place to raise a family. Widowed Maggie Rifkin returns here with her fourteen-year-old son and her New York attitude, naively imagining she can leave her past behind. But this town where friendships ignore racial boundaries and sexual eccentricities are a family business has been tempting the Fates. When sudden tragedy strikes, the thread of destruction might well unravel all the way back to Maggie's childhood secret. Fire in the Henhouse uses details delivered by witty characters and humorous situations to paint a complex portrait that includes both the light and darkness of 21st century American life. Grote is a master at building small everyday coincidences into the superstructure of events that ensnares her characters - and the reader.
Fire in the Henhouse
With razor-sharp wit and an unflinching eye for the little insanities of those who believe they are in charge, Fire in the Henhouse takes the reader on a rollercoaster of a ride. Dooleysburg, PA, chock full of local celebrities like the cross-dressing car dealer who doubles as the town mascot and a police chief who had to get his own juvenile record expunged, prides itself With razor-sharp wit and an unflinching eye for the little insanities of those who believe they are in charge, Fire in the Henhouse takes the reader on a rollercoaster of a ride. Dooleysburg, PA, chock full of local celebrities like the cross-dressing car dealer who doubles as the town mascot and a police chief who had to get his own juvenile record expunged, prides itself on being progressive and tolerant, a great place to raise a family. Widowed Maggie Rifkin returns here with her fourteen-year-old son and her New York attitude, naively imagining she can leave her past behind. But this town where friendships ignore racial boundaries and sexual eccentricities are a family business has been tempting the Fates. When sudden tragedy strikes, the thread of destruction might well unravel all the way back to Maggie's childhood secret. Fire in the Henhouse uses details delivered by witty characters and humorous situations to paint a complex portrait that includes both the light and darkness of 21st century American life. Grote is a master at building small everyday coincidences into the superstructure of events that ensnares her characters - and the reader.
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Kathleen Greenough –
What really drew me in was how lovable the author made the main character - out of such an unlovable personality. It felt like a blend between Stephanie Plum and Crime and Punishment – fun and engaging with awesome characters but with a psychological depth that really made it so much more meaningful than just a fun read. It made me think of Csilla’s Sense of Snow and that Kathleen Turner movie House of Cards. One other thing I really appreciated was that the author expects the reader to be clever What really drew me in was how lovable the author made the main character - out of such an unlovable personality. It felt like a blend between Stephanie Plum and Crime and Punishment – fun and engaging with awesome characters but with a psychological depth that really made it so much more meaningful than just a fun read. It made me think of Csilla’s Sense of Snow and that Kathleen Turner movie House of Cards. One other thing I really appreciated was that the author expects the reader to be clever and imaginative. There were breaks where action happened and life went on, but referenced in passing and if I missed the reference I missed a bit of the plot. The plot was not spoon-fed to me. I became more careful in my reading and was drawn in to live with the characters and imagine what is going on in their lives. It was a fantastic device that made the characters much more real because they had a life outside of what was written and engaged me to participate in the storytelling.
Marie –
Nutty neighbors, heartfelt friendships, laugh out loud situations, heartbreaking truths. Frances Grote's FIRE IN THE HENHOUSE has all of this and more. I was immediately drawn into this book by Grote's way of continually surprising me. And it felt like she was opening doors within a house I always wanted to visit, letting me look inside each room and learn the stories and secrets of every person who passed through. This novel, with its witty point of view, quirky characters and gripping drama ha Nutty neighbors, heartfelt friendships, laugh out loud situations, heartbreaking truths. Frances Grote's FIRE IN THE HENHOUSE has all of this and more. I was immediately drawn into this book by Grote's way of continually surprising me. And it felt like she was opening doors within a house I always wanted to visit, letting me look inside each room and learn the stories and secrets of every person who passed through. This novel, with its witty point of view, quirky characters and gripping drama had me up way too late for many days as I turned the pages and thoroughly enjoyed the journey through one small town filled with large egos and even larger dreams. Don't miss this one. Highly recommended.
Suzanne –
This story pulled me from sentence to paragraph to page after page. Maggie, recently widowed, and her early teenage son move back to her hometown. There she confronts a past she wants to forget (or does she?), a romance in the person of the town's chief of police, and many unforgettable characters: Vee, Daniel, Margaret, Gamey, Morsel, and a host of others the author creates so well. And was her husband's death really an accident? Why did Maggie's father send her away? Will she and the police chi This story pulled me from sentence to paragraph to page after page. Maggie, recently widowed, and her early teenage son move back to her hometown. There she confronts a past she wants to forget (or does she?), a romance in the person of the town's chief of police, and many unforgettable characters: Vee, Daniel, Margaret, Gamey, Morsel, and a host of others the author creates so well. And was her husband's death really an accident? Why did Maggie's father send her away? Will she and the police chief really get together? Once begun, this book will NOT be put down!
Marie Fouhey –
This book is all over the place. It starts out with a disagreeable heroine moving back to a small town filled with obnoxious characters. The tone is very jokey but not particularly amusing (for example, the henhouse in the title is the local brothel.) The book climaxes with a Columbine style massacre at the local high school, followed by a scene straight out of the book Sybil which reveals the source of the heroine's problems and cures her. Generally preposterous. This book is all over the place. It starts out with a disagreeable heroine moving back to a small town filled with obnoxious characters. The tone is very jokey but not particularly amusing (for example, the henhouse in the title is the local brothel.) The book climaxes with a Columbine style massacre at the local high school, followed by a scene straight out of the book Sybil which reveals the source of the heroine's problems and cures her. Generally preposterous.
Mahoghani 23 –
This book showed the real side of life and the struggles we as human b we ings go through. The story really had nothing to do with the title. The story was based on family secrets in a small town. It went from humorous to serious really quick. A good book for any book club.
Nikki –
Frances did a great job on her first novel, I enjoyed the humor and it was great hearing about places in PA since that is where I grew up. You will truly enjoy this story
Sue –
Full disclosure: I know the author. But, I thought that this was a really well written and cute book. Lot's of twists and turns. Fun but serious. She did a great job writing this. Full disclosure: I know the author. But, I thought that this was a really well written and cute book. Lot's of twists and turns. Fun but serious. She did a great job writing this.
Rebecca –
Started off ok, then unfortunately becomes highly implausible and the ending is very cheesy. Most disappointing read I had in a while.
Jamie –
Very dark; I was not entertained as much as I wanted the whole story to end!
Pretty –
i hove it so bad
Angie –
This book was darker than I expected, but multiple characters are able to find their way to healing and redemption.
bonnie weigel –
Charlie Youngjoo –
good
Cheri –
Bob Battle –
Judy Shaffer –
Jana –
Brad Farrar –
Michelle –
Mary –
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A.C. Wise –
اسلام عبد –
Patricia –
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Wendi Manning –
Brea Brown –
master jet –
Cindy –
Gregory Frost –
Karen –
Mark McDonald –
Laura Often –
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Megan –
Steven Seelig –
Laura –
Meredith –
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Heike –
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Sarah –