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September 1, 1894 started out as any other day in Hinckley, MN—except it seemed abnormally hot for a Minnesota September, and it was hard to breathe. Ellie Jean’s mother is finishing up a dress she’s making as a gift, when they happened to look outside and see a wild fire racing out of control toward them. They grab the horse and attempt to outrun the fire, hoping to catch the train. But the train is leaving the burning station when they arrive. Someone reaches from the train and grabs Ellie Jean, but her mother is consumed by the fire. Josef, his wife, Maggie, and their newborn baby are trying to flee the fire by foot. A burning wagon hits Maggie. Josef tries to save her, but she urges him to take the baby and run…he makes it as far as the gravel pit, and covers himself and the baby in mud… The fire burns 400 square miles and killed 418 people in just four hours. One hundred people were saved by hiding in the gravel pit. Another handful escaped by the train. But many were killed. After the fire, the survivors started to rebuild. But some ghost—or monster—is living in the hills behind the town. Haunting them. Who or what is this ghost? VEIL OF FIRE is the first book I’ve read by Marlo Schalesky, but it certainly won’t be the last. This book is based on a real story, the real fire of 1894, and a real “ghost of Hinckley” although nobody for sure knows who the real “ghost” was. The characters in this story are realistically developed, and tug on your heart strings. Written in multiple points of view, one knows what all the main characters are going through. One should never judge a book by it’s cover, and that point was driven home with VEIL OF FIRE. Judging by the cover, I didn’t expect it to be very interesting. However, once I picked up the book and started reading it I had to keep reading. The plot—based on real life—was enough of a draw for me, but the characters, the story telling, and the faith message all kept me reading. I tried to figure out who the ghost might be, but the mystery there is so well done that I had trouble guessing. Bravo, Marlo Schalesky. Historical fans will not want to miss VEIL OF FIRE. My copy will be going on my keeper shelf. This is easily one of the best books of 2007. $13.99. 320 pages. Publisher: Cook Communications Ministries |
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