When the entire collection of the Fireman's Museum ironically goes up in flames, Nell Pratt discovers one of the charred pictures isn't the one that was originally exhibited. But getting to the bottom of the mystery is bound to get Nell burned...

Review

The Pennsylvania Antiquarian Society has suffered more than its fair share of problems during the tenure of Society president Nell Pratt, so when a fire destroys most of the collection owned by the Philadelphia Fireman’s Museum, Nell takes pity on the organization and pledges to do what she can to help them take stock and rebuild.  The artifacts from the Fireman’s museum were being stored off-site in a warehouse while the museum itself was being renovated, and at first it appears that that warehouse was just one in a string of targets randomly selected by an arsonist who’s been terrorizing the city.  That theory doesn’t sit quite right with Nell, though – especially when it comes out that the security guard who supposedly perished in the fire was dead before the flames even caught.  Nell does some more digging, only to discover that the antique fire engine consumed by the blaze was not, in fact, the same one put into storage by the museum.  Was the fire set to cover the murder, the theft, or both?  Can Nell get to the bottom of this mystery without putting her own life in danger?

Fire Engine Dead is the third of Sheila Connolly’s Museum Mysteries.  It’s a complex, richly plotted tale of arson, murder, theft, and fraud, and in my opinion, it’s a real return to form for Connolly.  The prose is intelligent and has a nice flow to it; the pace, while not breakneck, never flags; and the story is peppered with interesting facts regarding the histories of Philadelphia and firefighting both.  I’ll admit that I did find the central mystery’s solution to be somewhat unsatisfying and wish Connolly had laid just a few more clues and done just a bit more to develop her suspects; that’s a minor complaint, however, and the book’s climax is more than thrilling enough to compensate.

Connelly’s core cast of characters is very nicely developed.  Nell’s a driven and intelligent yet charming and caring heroine (and a thoroughly engaging narrator, to boot).  Stoic FBI agent James Morrison is both a compelling potential love interest and an intriguing character in his own right, and his relationship with Nell is wonderfully realistic – the sort of awkward budding romance you might expect to develop between two busy, independent, career-minded adults whose relationship used to be strictly business.  Sidekick, confidante, and co-worker Shelby helps to bring out Nell’s softer side.   Rich, eccentric, wisecracking friend (and Society board-member) Marty Terwilliger adds great comic relief to Connelly’s tale and helps give the book a nice energy.  And Nell’s slightly antagonistic workplace interactions with the icy and mysterious Latoya help keep the B-story interesting and hint at plot complications to come.

Readers looking for an action-packed rollercoaster ride of a whodunit might not find this book to their liking, but those who appreciate strong, smart female characters and don’t mind a little learning with their murder will definitely find plenty to like in Sheila Connolly’s Fire Engine Dead.

Reviewed by Kat

READERS COMMENTS