House on Fire

By: D. Liebhart

Narrated by: Susanna Burney

How far would you go to keep a promise?

Bernadette Rogers swore she’d never put her father in a nursing home. Does that include euthanizing him to keep her word? Her mother thinks it does. Bernadette isn’t so sure. And even if she were, it’s not like you can walk into a drug store and buy Nembutal.

As an ICU nurse, Bernadette’s no stranger to the blunt realities of death, but her mother’s request to help her father—who’s disappearing into the abyss of dementia—go “peacefully” blindsides her. Her mother thinks it’s assisted suicide. Bernadette knows better. Even if they do it for all the right reasons, it would still be murder.

What was supposed to be a relaxing two-week break with her best friend becomes an emotional rollercoaster as Bernadette is forced to make an agonizing decision about her beloved father and figure out just how far she’s willing to go for love.

For fans of Jodi Picoult and Lisa Genova, House on Fire is an unforgettable story of family, friendship, and the promises we aren’t sure anyone honors.

©2022 D. Liebhart (P)2023 D. Liebhart

Critic reviews

"One of the best books I've read this year!" (Electra Nanou, Reedsy Discovery)

"I was riveted from the first page of this novel to its explosive conclusion.” (Camille Pagán, best-selling author of Good for You)

Outstanding!!

I loved EVERYTHING about this book. The emotions, the questions of “what would I do?” And the jumping back and forth of who or what is wrong or right. The beautiful friendships and the challenges of a family relationship/friendship.
The narration was outstanding!!!!
I’m recommending to everyone!!

let down

I kept waiting for a real plot but it never happened. Alot of detail of the lives but never anything that kept me interested until the last 15 min.

the story---dementia changes everything for everyone

some loose ends, but does not detract from actual storyline. slow-paced in some spots, but a good read

Not Quite What I Expected

First I'd like to say that this author is a very good writer! The composition and the lack of what I call 'fluff' or 'filler' is excellent. The portrayal of a person with dementia is right on point. The narrator is very good. What turned me off was the communal living situation and goings-on there. The storyline does seem to go in several unnecessary directions. The ending is a bit too quick.... would like to have read more about the decisions that were made.

Good story but waiting for twist

The storyline was good but, there wasn’t any “moment” which I kept waiting for in any storylines of the story