Mortal Fire is the first novel by C.F. Dunn and the first in the Secret of the Journal series. From the first scene I was drawn in. The descriptive writing, the multi-faceted characters kept me turning page after page. Set on a small college campus in New England, you are introduced to various faculty. Through the early pages you quickly form opinions of them. How accurate are those first impressions?
Twenty-nine-year-old, independent, and self-assured Cambridge history professor Emma D’Eresby has one obsession in life: the curious journal of a seventeenth-century Englishman, a portion of which was left to her by her late grandfather.When an unexpected opportunity to study the journal in its entirety presents itself, Emma finds herself leaving Cambridge to take up a year-long position at a prestigious university in Maine. Anticipating a quiet year of research, Emma quickly discovers her work impeded by a range of unforeseen complications. From the start, there is the well-intentioned matchmaking of her vivacious Russian colleague, Elena Smalova, and the unexpected jailing of one of her post-graduate students. More troublesome, however, are the unsolved, brutal night attacks on women near the university and Emma’s suspicion that they might be linked to the sinister English professor, Kort Staahl. But, most diverting and disconcerting of all, is Emma’s growing attraction to the strikingly handsome Dr. Matthew Lynes, whose kind but deliberately distant demeanor puzzles her.Suspense and dread mount when Kort begins to take a persistent and unsettling interest in Emma. What are Kort’s intentions, and what is he capable of? And the mystery surrounding Matthew only deepens when Emma discovers a link between him and the journal. What is Matthew trying to hide?
There are many mysteries uncovered throughout this book. The topic of the series, the journal that has brought Emma D’Eresby to America is only one small bit of the action. The mysterious Matthew and other faculty members add more. Much more thrill than romance (my favorite balance – I will say I don’t like romance, yet I am drawn to those that are more than just romance) but enough of both to keep everyone satisfied. Satisfied until the end comes much too soon.
This thrilling mystery/romance answers just enough questions to feel satisfied at the conclusion and poses so many new ones I was searching for the next title’s release date (summer 2013).Reading ahead into the preview of Death Be Not Proud, I am looking forward to the next twist in the story. Curious to see which of my favorite characters are returning. Interested in the new ones to introduced to. In all there will be five books to the Secret of the Journal series.
You can view a trailer for Mortal Fire by C.F. Dunn or pick up a copy from your favorite Christian book seller or Kregel Publications.
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book at no charge by the publisher for the purpose of review. I was not required to write a positive review; all opinions expressed are my own.