Trial by Fire

published	October 1st 2000 by Zondervan
binding	Paperback
isbn	0310217601 (isbn13: 9780310217602)
ebook
pages	352
description	Pastor and fireman Nick Foster found the body in the inferno engulfing his church. From the bullet wound in the head, it’s clear this is no ordi...more [close] Pastor and fireman Nick Foster found the body in the inferno engulfing his church. From the bullet wound in the head, it’s clear this is no ordinary fire victim. The quiet community of Newpointe, reeling from the shock of the dead man’s identity, struggles with the agonizing question: Who did it—and why? Paramedic Issie Mattreaux is no icon of virtue, but she cares enough about her teenage nephew, Jake, to track him down when he turns up missing. Only, what she finds is far more than a harmless bonfire on the outskirts of town. After a chilling attempt on Issie’s life, Nick takes on the role of protector even as he struggles with the tragedy that has struck his church. Whoever is behind the fire is far from finished with their twisted agenda. Unknown to Nick, that agenda now threatens to consume everything he loves most. [close]
date added	01-11-07 edit book

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Nola rated it:

03/26/08

Read in August, 2006

recommends it for: Anyone looking for clean crime novels; christians

Nick Foster, pastor and firefighter, receives a shock when his church is reported on fire. But nothing can prepare him for the body he pulls out of the ashes. At the same time, town bad girl Issie Mattreaux finds out that her teenage nephew, who she always claimed took after her, is in trouble way over his head. When she drops into his hangout to tell him to come home, his friends slash her tires and vandalize her apartment.

In the fourth book of the Newpointe 911 series, Trial By Fire, the ...more Nick Foster, pastor and firefighter, receives a shock when his church is reported on fire. But nothing can prepare him for the body he pulls out of the ashes. At the same time, town bad girl Issie Mattreaux finds out that her teenage nephew, who she always claimed took after her, is in trouble way over his head. When she drops into his hangout to tell him to come home, his friends slash her tires and vandalize her apartment.

In the fourth book of the Newpointe 911 series, Trial By Fire, the two opposites struggle to understand God’s plan for each of them. The relationship that has slowly developed comes to a head as Nick and Issie reevaluate their lives and their purposes.

Once again, Terri Blackstock has created a fantastic combination of action and spiritualism, bringing the two together flawlessly. Realistically created, her characters keep the story moving as they struggle not just with the murderer in their midst but also with the sinner within. After four long novels, we finally watch Nick and Issie grow together, each of them compensating for the other.

Unlike most of her novels, the villain in Trial By Fire is obvious from the beginning. The problem becomes locating him – and avoiding his vendetta against Nick and Issie. The young man, who led a life filled with problems, lashes out in hatred over and over again.

While dodging bullets, Issie struggles with her life and the things she has taught her nephew – concepts like ‘there is no good and evil’. She comes to realize what her influence has led him into. While young Jake is responsible for his own actions, Issie comes to understand exactly what her example has meant.

Through the last three novels, Nick has struggled with a sense of failure as a pastor. He views the burning of his church as a sign from the Lord that he should not be a minister. Only the combined and unorchestrated efforts of his congregation can prove to him that Christ’s church is not a building but a state of mind.

Blackstock’s talent for building suspense keeps the reader gripped to the novel. Her fast and exciting pace keeps us reading all through the night, and she doesn’t let us down when we reach the conclusion. Originally supposed to conclude the series, Trial By Fire mesmerizes the reader to the point where putting the book down is not an option....less

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Trial by Fire

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