This book is the third in a trilogy about firefighters in the fictional town of Hidden Cove, New York.  An emotionally satisfying, beautifully written novel, the story evolves around two main characters—Rick Ruscio and Ian Woodward—men who have lost significant parts of their identities.  While the book includes many characters from the previous two stories, it is a stand alone novel for readers who haven’t read the first two books.  Like the other two books, Hale’s Haven, the camp for children of fallen firefighters and policemen, is a constant backdrop for many activities in the novel

This novel is really two stories pulled together into one book.  In the first, Ian is a firefighter who was left partially paralyzed in the 9/11 attack on New York’s Twin Towers.  He has come to Hidden Cove at the insistence of his sister, Eve, married to a fire chief.  He has been hired by the training academy to educate firefighters about terrorism.  He is dismayed and distressed when he realizes that the woman who fell in love with him, actress Lisel Loring, has come back to live next door to him while she recuperates from a gastric ulcer.  Ian’s rejection of her and his belief that as a handicapped man he cannot meet her needs, hasn’t diminished their feelings for each other.

The second story also involves a character introduced in previous novels, Rick Ruscio.  A former policeman, Rick has left the force after revealing he was part of an elaborate blackmailing scheme.  When he is granted state’s immunity in exchange for his testimony against a government official, he opens his own security business.  He is also required to do community service in a preschool where he meets Faith McPherson. Faith is a teacher and the daughter of a minister, the exact opposite of Rick, who is dealing with tortured guilt over his behavior and his upbringing in a violent alcoholic family.

Rick and Ian become involved with each other when Rick is hired to protect Lisel from a stalker.  Other secondary characters include Joe Harmon, Ian’s trainer and friend, Ian’s sister Eve and her firefighter husband, Rick’s sisters Pillar and Anita, and his mother.  Faith’s family, as well as Ian and Lisel’s parents all contribute to the depth of the story.

This novel has many amazing messages.  Ms Shay captures the range of emotions experienced by a traumatized person whose life has changed irreparably in her characterization of Ian.  This endearing man embodies the essence of an American hero without being romanticized or trivialized in the telling of the story.  This is no small accomplishment for any author. 

Similarly, Rick’s haunting past, his guilt, and his struggles to define himself as different from his family are thoroughly and expertly detailed.  As in past novels, Shay captures the emotional baggage that comes from growing up in an aggressive, alcoholic family.  Again, no small accomplishment.

A few months ago I decided to go back and read Kathryn Shay’s archived novels, dating back to the mid 1990’s.  Having now read nearly all of them, I can honestly say that I have rarely read an author who is so consistently outstanding in her writing, so true to her craft, completely clear and detailed with character development.  In notes at the conclusion of this book she describes living with her characters and how this felt.  Her excellent writing reflects the attachment and involvement she feels with these contemporary individuals.

This novel should not be missed as it is one of the best I’ve read in a long time.  Hats off to Kathryn Shay for creating a marvelous winner!