Fire Season

A Novel

By: Leyna Krow

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

LONGLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE

"Devilishly funny and endlessly inventive." —Jess Walter, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Ruins

"This story is darkly funny, deliciously devious and hugely inventive, a magical twist on the allure of the American West and who goes there to seek their fortune." —Good Housekeeping, "The 30 Best and Most Anticipated Books of 2022 (So Far)"

The propulsive story of three scheming opportunists—a banker, a conman, and a woman with an extraordinary gift—whose lives collide in the wake of a devastating fire in the American West

For the citizens of Spokane Falls, the fire of 1889 that destroyed their frontier boomtown was no disaster; it was an opportunity. Barton Heydale, manager of the only bank in Spokane Falls, is on the verge of ending his short, unpopular life. But when his city goes up in flames, he sees an ember of hope shimmering on the horizon, headed right for him. As citizens flock to the bank to cash out insurance policies and take out loans, he realizes he can command the power he craves—and it’s not by following the rules. Here is his reason to live.

When Quake Auchenbaucher, a career con man hired to investigate the cause of the fire, arrives in Spokane Falls, he employs his usual shady tactics. But this time, with Washington Territory vying for statehood, the sudden attention to due process jeopardizes Quake’s methods of manipulation.

And then there’s Roslyn Beck, whose uncanny ability to see the future has long driven her to drink, and with whom both Barton and Quake have fallen madly and dangerously in love. She is known as a “certain kind of woman,” in possession of unique talents and influence, if only she can find the right ways to wield them. As their paths collide, diverge, and collide again, Barton, Quake, and Roslyn come to terms with their own needs for power, greed, and control, leading one to total ruin, one to heartbreak, and one, ultimately, to redemption.

With masterful precision, devious originality, and dark whimsy, Fire Season freshly imagines the greed and misogyny of the American West to tell a rollicking, bewitching story about finding purpose in the face of injustice.

©2022 Leyna Krow (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Part revisionist western, part meditation on misogyny and female power, it’s an appealingly strange, idiosyncratic tale.”—Carolyn Juris, Publisher’s Weekly, "A Summer Reads Staff Pick"

“In this enthralling debut, Leyna Krow brings us the story of three misfits, united by fire, each living out a dream (or nightmare) of the American West. It’s an arresting take on magic, science, disaster, and salvation that’s eerily resonant with the fire seasons we find ourselves living through today.”—Anna North, author of Reese’s Book Club Pick and New York Times Bestseller Outlawed

“Devilishly funny and endlessly inventive, Fire Season is a remarkable debut novel, a wry alternate history of Northwest schemers, dreamers and scorched earth. Leyna Krow is a wildly talented young writer.”—Jess Walter, #1 New York Times bestselling author Beautiful Ruins

I loved this book, until...

the ending. Quirky characters were great, but the ending was befuddling and disappointing. I would still recommend it and I will look forward to reading other listener's reviews. BTW, Mark Deakins is a favorite reader of mine,

Loved it!

I've already read this book twice. The characters are complex and interesting in their imperfection. The humor is sharp and witty and the story line isn't easily predictable. I really enjoyed this book and I totally recommend it.

Kind of weird to be honest

It kept my attention but the ending felt like the author just was tired of writing