Fire in the Night

By: Linda Byler

Narrated by: Erin Moon

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

One barn fire might be an accident, the Lancaster County Amish community believes. But two barns burning just weeks apart is suspicious. Sarah Beiler wants to protect her family, even though they don't like Matthew, her new boyfriend. Book one in Amish author Lydia Byler's series Lancaster Burning.

The Amish community of Lancaster is being terrorized by barn fires. David and Malinda Beiler's barn was the first to go. The clues are sparse, but Levi, the Beilers' oldest son, happened to be awake in the middle of the night and spotted a white vehicle driving past the house with its lights off. Sarah, David and Malinda's daughter, observes her parents' agony. Not only is she afraid and wishing she could protect her parents, she's entranced by the flirtatious Matthew Stoltzfus. He's dating her friend, Rose, but when he tenderly bandages Sarah's hand after she burned it at the barn raising, she wonders who he's really interested in. When a second Amish barn burns for suspicious reasons, the Amish grow more restless. "We're too quiet too much of the time," a group of Amish men tell David Beiler, their minister. Seriously considering police protection, the increasingly tense community questions their traditional, nonresistant approach to violence. Sarah now finds herself at odds with her mother over her choice of boyfriends and uncertain about how to respond to the attention of Lee, a newcomer to Lancaster. Not only that, she wonders if her dad is a wise enough leader, as her community reels from within and without. Everyone is on edge, as the losses mount and suspicions undo the usual steadiness of these people.

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Fascinating novel set in the Amish culture of Lancaster County

The author crafts a story of the everyday life, the pain of sudden loss, family and church community relationships, unrequited young love, and forgiveness. The Sarah/Matthew dynamic feels a bit overplayed, but they are young! The depth of character development of Sarah’s family, including her father’s role as the pastor for their church, is a beautiful picture of love and forgiveness as their family struggles deeply, but continue to pull together to go on & find joy in the mundane tasks and hard work of Amish life.
The narrator is really good and her voice fits the story.
Unfortunately, much is left unresolved at the end of this book—which is actually a series of 3 books. Very disappointed that my “audible plus” membership does not include book 2–but it does include book 3. What’s with that??
Audible Plus membership once more a disappointment.

Wonderful story

The story keeps pulling me in with suspense. I’m guessing the entire time who may have done this to these families. The narrator is excellent. She definitely knows how to read a story. This is a great book to read and/or listen to. Love it. Can’t wait to start the next book.

Fire in the night

Story was slow but still of interest. Although arsonist was quite busy, the Amish relied on God to get control of the situation.

Great story

Great story fun characters. Loose ends definitely need to be tied up for sure. Leave me hanging why don’t ya.

Good Story.

I enjoyed the authentic way Ms Byler writes. I liked the characters very much, but was over the Matthew situation, like everyone else. It dragged on and on.
Narration was AMAZING.

Obviously written from personal experience

I really enjoyed this book as it had the perspective of a truly Amish person. I wondered if the author had actually experienced a fire of this sort, and the loss of a child.

unfinished

this book reeled me in easily but it seems so unfinished and I have so many questions...

I wasn't sure in the beginning. I grew to love it

it was a little slow in the beginning. But I grew to love the characters and the story. it was pretty sad though.

Marvin, Mervin, Melvin

Just a small thing but was annoyed so many men/boys in this book had very similar names. Other than that, pretty good.

Good Storyline

I enjoyed this book and the narration is good. However, listening to the ongoing whining of the lovesick daughter gets frustrating.