Veil of Fire

In 1894, the worst firestorm in Minnesota history descended on the town of Hinckley, consuming 400 square miles and killing 418 people in just four hours.

Heat, flame, and darkness swept through the town, devouring lives, and consuming all hope. In the aftermath of the fire, the town of Hinckley rises from the ashes, its people determined to rebuild their lives.

But in the shadows, someone is watching, someone is waiting, someone who knows the secrets the fire lay bare. A rumor spreads of a mysterious figure that haunts the hills; monster, a ghost, or a memory?

Veil of Fire by Marlo Schalesky is a riveting novel, portraying the masks we all wear, the damage they can cause, and the healing that can happen when they are removed.

The author uses a historic tragic fire that occurred in September 1894 in Minnesota, combined with a "ghost" myth that has circulated for years since, to weave a story that will keep readers guessing until the end.

Readers meet Arla Anderson, a woman who lost her nineteen-year-old daughter in the fire; Ellie, a young girl orphaned by the fire; Josef, left with a baby after losing his wife in the fire; and Lars Jensen with his teen-age son, Leif, who lost his wife and daughter.

Some have secrets that the fire covered over. Others are left with scars and many questions. All have lives and a town, Hinckley, to rebuild. But wait! Who—or what—is that creature skulking around town stealing? For some, he provides a scapegoat to hide evil actions. Yet to others, he becomes a rescuer and help. But could he be a threat to all their secrets—or possibly provide a revelation that causes masks to fall and true love experienced?

Many emotions play as the thoughts of different ones are revealed while they struggle with their perception of God and of themselves. Life has its good and bad moments, but how they are handled shapes how one ultimately perceives God and relates to others.

Marlo Schalesky chose John 8:32 as her theme: "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." As you read Veil of Fire, you will see the dangers of living a lie and the blessing of being released from self-lies. Whether man or woman, all will enjoy this book and maybe find a lesson for their own lives in it. – Linda Demorest, Christian Book Previews.com

Average Rating:

6 of 6 Reviews Showing:

Reviewed by Cathy Elliott (www.cathyelliottbooks.com), May 19, 2008

I had heard that Marlo Schalesky's writing was a cut above the rest, and this novel drew a line under that phrase and placed an exclamation point at the end. In BOLD font. What a spellbinding book! I was hooked right away and read right through to the end, breathless, savoring the excitement with each page. A VEIL OF FIRE has it all: great story, heartfelt, tender moments, real characters, the thrill of the chase, quiet beauty, and truth. I loved that it was based on a real event in history. Marlo's fine writing and historical accuracy made this a memorable read. Looking forward to my next Marlo novel! Well done.

Reviewed by Todd Michael Greene (NC), June 14, 2007

In 1894 a fire broke out in the town of Hinckley, Minnesota. Four hours later 400 square miles were torched. 418 lives were lost. Out of the ashes they rebuilt and rose again like the Phoenix of mythology. And a myth began to grow among the survivors. There was one in the hills watching, observing. Friend or foe? No one knew. To this day no one knows. I must say I'm not a fan of historical fiction. However, this story caught my attention because it seemed to have a little mystery and suspense to it. This story, though set in a historical time period and speculating on what might have been so and what was, reads more like a suspense novel than anything else. I went into it expecting chapter one to be about the fire and the remaining pages to be about the aftermath. I got more than I bargained for. The first four chapters cover the fire and the townsfolk attempting to escape. Some succeed, others fail. This section was some of the most intense reading I've done in a long time. I could smell the smoke and hear the flames. The fear of the characters was palpable. I experienced it all with them. This is the mark of a great writer. The remaining story takes you on several paths. That of a little girl orphaned by the fire. A woman grief-stricken over the loss of her own daughter. A businessman who essentially owns the town. His no account son. A farmer whose only tangible of his lost wife is his infant daughter. And the hermit in the hills. We see inside the mind and heart of this character. Learn their struggles, meditate on their questions, consider possible answers along with them. All the while having no idea who this person is until the last possible moment. Marlo tosses out so many possibilities to reader as to the identity of this person. I personally was so torn by the possibilities that I could not make up my mind. And yet, it stared me in the face the whole time. Like any good story should.

Reviewed by Narelle Mollet (Melbourne, Australia), June 08, 2007

In 1894, the town of Hinckley, Minnesota was forever changed by a rampaging fire that struck without warning. Marlo Schalesky weaves a compelling and moving story around that tragic historical event, with tenderness and lyrical artistry. Josef, Ellie, Lars and Arla's lives take a twist they never thought possible when the Hinckley conflagration consumes buildings, stock and people indiscriminately. Fear, pain, hope and love all rise up from the ashes as they wonder how to move on. God's faithfulness and protection is called into question by some, while others cling to their faith in the face of such tragedy. As the community attempts to restore their lives, another is hoping a dark and sinister secret has been laid to rest underneath the blackened landscape. The impact of Veil of Fire is lasting and heartfelt. That the fire actually took place, killing 418 people in four hours, contributes to the book's punch but no less is Marlo's beautiful abilities as a wordsmith. She has crafted a tale that engages the heart with her appealing and compelling characters and activates the mind with a mystery that remains satisfyingly unresolved until the final chapter. I was so impressed with this novel that I have nominated it for my book club to read later this year!

Reviewed by Jill (Santa Barbara, CA), May 07, 2007

Veil of Fire is a compelling book from start to finish. I picked it up thinking it would be an interesting historical fiction, primarily about a factual fire in the Midwest. However, from the very first chapter I became engrossed in this captivating novel that introduced me to the depths of tragedy and despair as the fire ravaged, and the anticipation of hope and redemption as the people in Hinckley rebuilt their town and their lives. Schalesky does an excellent job unfolding the plot of the story and developing her characters. Truth and freedom are wrestled with in new ways as the characters struggle with their own depravity, and the crushing depravity of others. I was pleasantly surprised in the end at the reality of the characters humanity and my own, as the issues in this novel easily translate into struggles of truth, hope, freedom, and faith in my own life, in the face of terrible loss. Yet, it would be an oversight to end my comments here. Veil of Fire is a suspenseful thriller as the reader tries to discover the identity of the hermit in the hills. One of the driving forces of the novel, unveiling the hermit's identity was the primary reason why I could not put this book down. I have already recommended this book to my husband and my friends; a great read for everyone!

Reviewed by Michelle (Arizona), April 27, 2007

Veil of Fire is a fascinating story based on an actual historical event--the worst fire in Minnesota's history--a fire that burned 400 square miles and killed 418 people in just four hours. The story begins with non-stop action as a hellish blaze consumes everything in sight. The reader is placed in the middle of the maelstrom as the events unfold, and it's an awesome and terrifying experience. The potential for evil in the hearts of men really comes out in this story, as does a theme of regret. But God takes the painful things and if we let Him, He will shape us into beautiful vessels. I loved the analogy of the gingerbread cookie. Something bitter, something sweet, and a whole lot of heat. That about sums up life in this world. Why do bad things happen? They just do. Is God there? Yes. Whether we see Him or not is based on our choice. These are just a few of the meaty lessons I gleaned from this wonderful story. Of course, some of the bad guys never change, but that's real life. But many people who were either lukewarm or living behind of false mask, or a "church face" learned about unconditional love and the power of opening your heart and taking risks. Wonderful, wonderful stuff. Plus, the poor "monster" in the hills really tore at my heart. I loved how the "monster's" thoughts were in first person and the others were in third person point of view. That style had greater impact for the reader. Oh, and the best part of all is that who I thought the "monster" was through the whole story turned out to be someone else. I just love twists like that. I might even read this story twice. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner (Morrow, Ga), April 04, 2007

In 1894 in Hinckley, Minnesota, the fire came out of nowhere turning the town and a few nearby towns into a raging inferno. Dressmaker Nola Hanson and her twelve years old daughter Ellie Jean are trying to escape by riding a horse towards a train that they hear. Nola passes her daughter through the window of a car into the hands of Arla Anderson before being engulfed by the flames. Arla has her own guilt knowing she had locked up her daughter Rakel, but failed to free her in time when the flames engulfed her house. Josef Strom watches his beloved wife Maggie die in the blaze. He manages to reach a gravel pit filled with water while holding on to his baby Emma. The preacher’s wife tells him to keep soaking himself and his daughter as he ponders why God would allow a cow to live and a mother to die. The preacher’s wife tells them they are the remnant who must go on. When the inferno ends, no one is the same. Ellie Jean mourns her mom while Arla mourns her daughter. Josef mourns his wife while caring for his child. However, rumors spread of a monster living in the shadows. Could that essence be a ghost or the mythical fire-starter or someone hurt by the deadly blaze mentally unable to come home? None of the remnant’s life will ever be the same? This is an exhilarating inspirational historical saga based on a real event. Readers will feel the heat of the fire when Nola tries to save the lives of her daughter and self, the immediate impact on Josef and Arla, the mystery of the “monster”, and the loss of faith by some while others are strengthened by just being alive. Readers will appreciate this deep look at the remnant struggling with why. Harriet Klausner

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Author: Marlo Schalesky
Located in: Salinas, California
Submitted: March 07, 2007

    Tell us a little about yourself.  I love iced white mochas (with peppermint, please!) from Starbucks, reading the New Testament in Greek, and watching the hummingbirds flit outside the windows of the solarium-turned-office in my log home in California. But more than that, I love reading horse books to my 7-year-old daughter, doing workbooks with my 3 1/2 year-old daughter, and playing chase-and-giggle with my 1 1/2 year old twins (again, both girls!). In my free time, between loads of laundry and picking up toys, I run an engineering firm, a construction consulting firm, and write a regular column for Power for Living. I've written over 500 articles for various magazines and a number of books which you can find here on the CBD site. I have a bachelor's degree in Chemistry (of all things!) from Stanford University and a Masters in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary (hence, my love of New Testament Greek).

    What was your motivation behind this project?  My husband’s great great grandmother moved to Hinckley, MN just after the great fire. Veil of Fire is inspired by stories handed down from her through the generations.

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  Once, when we were children, we believed in miracles. The impossible was only a prayer away. Fairy tales were real, and dreams were free. Where did we lose the ability to trust? When did we stop daring to believe? What happened to us? Life happened. Failure, discouragement, pain, loss. Somewhere, somehow, life burns us all. And we realize that this life we live is not the one we once dreamed. The realities of life scar us. Doubts rise. Fear whispers that hope is gone. And what was once a simple faith can fail in the face of that fear. In the midst of life’s disillusionment, choices appear. Do we retreat? Hide our hurts far from probing eyes? Do we embrace bitterness and cynicism? Do we use deceit to try to obtain our goals? Do we give up, give in, forget that we ever dared to dream? Or is it possible to reach the high places of faith in the low valleys of life’s reality? Can we still live a life of bold faith, of fierce hope, when fairy tales don’t come true? How do we live this life that God has given us when it’s not the life we dreamed? These are the questions I wanted to explore in Veil of Fire. These are the questions which underlie each character’s journey in the aftermath of the great fire of 1894. So, for those burned by life, for those who carry scars that cannot be seen, for those who have retreated for fear of more pain, this story is for you, this journey from the hidden places of pain to a new hope in the unhidden truth of Christ’s love.

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  I love music and I love to read, so I have many favorite authors and artists. But for this book, the greatest influence has been my love for the mood and mystery of the Phantom of the Opera. I’ve tried to capture a little of that mystery in my hidden hermit. Come, see if you can hear echoes of the phantom in the hermit of the hills.

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  Please visit my website at www.marloschalesky.com and drop me a note. I love to get email from my readers!

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