Behind the Fire

By: Susan May

Narrated by: Hollis McCarthy

Narrated by award winning voice artist Hollis McCarthy.

What if all that stood between us and hell was a match?

An ordinary couple stand accused of a heinous crime. They're the last people you'd expect to save the world. Are they criminals, heroes, or completely insane? Or maybe all three?

Emily and Bobby Jessup are just a sweet, ordinary couple, except they stand accused of multiple counts of first-degree arson. Their small coal-mining community has branded them criminals and sociopaths. The case against them seems open and shut.

Something terrifying though led Bobby and Emily to leave their two young children with a sitter while they embarked on a crazy fire-bug spree. That something was an incredible secret they'd promised to protect.

When Emily impulsively breaks her promise while under cross-examination, a bizarre tale unfolds of the night she followed her husband and discovered the truth of his clandestine activities. These two are the last people anyone would expect to save the world. Yet, that's what they claim. Are they criminals, heroes or completely insane?

Inspired by true-life headlines, revealed in Susan May's fascinating postscript From the Imagination Vault, Behind the Fire is an engrossing novelette of the random appearances of frightening black things, and one couple's battle to protect their town from these dangerous and hellish creatures.

Fans of Stranger Things will delight in this horror thriller-with-a-twist inspired by true events. From the international best-selling author readers call the new Stephen King, comes a tale of horror, love, and incredible bravery.

©2013 Susan May (P)2019 Susan May

Don’t read before bed!

You will never look at the dark the same. Is there something there. A face perhaps! Susan May takes you on a ride of terror. Twists turns and surprise ending! If you like Koontz and King you will love this author!

Another spectacular Susan May story!!

Such a great read this one was. A fairly quick read, I loved the characters and their story lines. They were likable at times, and at other times not as much, which made them feel so real. I'm not typically a fan of books that go back and forth in time, but this one seemed to work.
I also don't like to give things away in my review, but I will tell you this was fun, very well written, and left me wondering what I could read next!
Take a look. I don't think you'll be disappointed!!

Bonnie and Clyde beat back Aliens...

I have read several of Susan May's books and Behind the Fire is one of my favorites. How much devotion does a wife have when her husband tells her he is secretly saving the Earth from terrifying creatures? Enough to help him do it! The whole time I was listening to this book, I kept thinking what a great movie it would make. Love, action, drama, monsters... what's not to like? I truly hope there will be a sequel to this story because I have questions (where did the coordinates to find the creatures come from?) and I need to see how this shakes out.
There is also a bonus short story featured with this purchase and it is very clever in how it deals with other life forms. 5 stars all around!

Captivating, an audible I could NOT turn off

A man wants to protect this family. He doesn’t understand what he is fighting. Hw only knows he must. In the end, he won’t be alone.

Average Joe is working at a truck rental company. A wife and two babies at home. Content. Somehow it falls to him to rid their town of the danger. Fate. He must finish a job involving destruction for the better good.

Hollis McCarthy does a fantastic job narrating. It’s like you are watching this on TV. Male and female, along with each character’s voice, is very distinct. The characters' accents and attitudes are so well done. These characters are more defined to me now having listened to this. I previously read it book and the characters were well defined. Hollis brought them to life. Excellent audible.

great story

loved the story and the unexpected story line, cant wait for the sequel so maybe we can know "what are the black things?" The story kept me interested and unwilling to push the pause button!

ANOTHER INTERESTING STORY

Great storyline.. super narration... although what they did was a crime but why they did it made the story. can't wait for book 2 to answer questions that were left unanswered....

A great short story.

Emily and Bobby Jessup are just your average people who by accident find that it is on their shoulders to stop the dark things from taking over. Okay, this paranormal was so awesome. The author took a real event and turned it into a great short story. It will not take long to read or listen to but it is well worth the time. If you like the strange this is the book for you. Two thumbs up to Hollis McCarthy's excellent narration. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

Are they heroes or nut-jobs? :P

Intriguing and well-paced, this short story hooked me from the beginning. Darkness and mystery are all present, creating a compelling atmosphere.

The characters, particularly the wife, Em, are fantastic, and I love how fiercely they love each other, and how far are they willing to go to ensure their children safety.

If you're not bothered by stories which won't give you all the answers and left intriguing points open, you'll enjoy this. And don't skip the postscript From the Imagination Vault, because, I least to me, it's a fascinating peek into the creative process :)

And Hollis McCarthy does an excellent job narrating

This version also has a really short story, 'Gone', which is intriguing and twisty, and, at its heart, a love story :)

How far would YOU go?

I loved this story! It was original and engaging! A young couple in a mining town has been caught engaging in arson, have been put on trial, and admit to being guilty. But WHY? The reasoning is mind-boggling. The characters are well-written, but given in broad strokes, as this is a short story. As with all of Susan May’s story-telling, there is some tragedy, some romance, and even a touch of confusion about what makes one’s behavior “villainous”. I can’t wait to read the novel she has promised to write later that will give us more information about “the rest of the story”. The narration is top-notch, and the author's description of how the story came about made it even more interesting.

imagine

liked the book but a lot was left to your own imagination. In the end what happens? What are the black things? I guess you have to imagine that yourself. I would have liked to have more answers.