My rating: 4/5
Through the Fire by Embassie Susberry is a gratifying conclusion to the four book ‘Tate Family’ series. With each book that I have read authored by Susberry, she continues to demonstrate herself as a masterful storyteller and writer. Through the Fire is integrated with themes of redemption and family, resulting in a wonderful tale of community, healing, and love.
Isaiah 43:2 (ESV) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
Main character and POV, Norma Tate Cummings, is slowly resuming a life of normalcy after the sudden death of her beloved husband a year prior. Raising three small children and maintaining her multi-acre farmland alone has not been easy but serves as an escape from the bouts of grief that she experiences. This all changes when her younger sister, Kate, convinces her to hire ex-convict Clyde Halpern to assist with her farm work. She is also asked to provide Clyde and his teenage daughter, Mary, with temporary boarding until Clyde can save enough money for their own place. Although Norma is hesitant to trust Clyde on her property and near her children, she reluctantly agrees to help them. To her surprise, the arrangement becomes a catalyst towards her emotional healing and results in the resurrection of newfound love. However, when an abandoned truck is uncovered in a lake not far from her property, and a dead body is discovered on her land, she and Clyde are thrust into a mystery that threatens the safety of their family, as well as uncovers several years long secrets within their small town. Only their relentless faith in Christ, support of local family, and the trust acquired from their budding friendship, will see them through.
“It’s a hard thing really, to comprehend the depth of God’s love for his people. For me in particular. But once you do, nothing anybody says or does can shake your faith” (Clyde, Through the Fire).
Through the Fire is plot and character driven, with memorable characters. Most of the characters were familiar from the previous first three books within the series, which made the story that much more delightful. The plot is inspiring with a pleasant subplot of Christian faith woven within the story. There is also an element of suspense, as both Kate and Clyde journey to solve a potential life-threatening mystery. Well-paced and adequately intriguing, the novel was a satisfying conclusion to a well-developed series. If you enjoy Christian fiction, with memorable characters, and a moderately suspenseful plot, you will enjoy this novel.
