Death by Fire

Set in the picturesque Caribbean island of St. Lucia, Death by Fire is an epic novel in which natural calamities, historical events, supernatural forces, and betrayed love all combine in deciding the fate of its characters. Felina, a woman with a childhood plagued by disaster, is betrayed by her first love, but not before she is pregnant with Robert. Unable or unwilling to forgive Robert's father, she takes out her misplaced hatred on her son. Christine, on the other hand, is blessed with an unsurpassed beauty and she refuses to allow her misfortunes to interfere with her zest for life. A life in which she has little time for her son, Trevor. The two women are never to become friends and they have little in common. Their ancestors are from different corners of the globe, their lifestyles are as different as night and day. Nevertheless, their sons become bosom friends, and it turns out that parental neglect produces nearly the same fate as parental hatred. Death by Fire is a profound statement on the nature of fate and the forces that shape society. A story that is as compelling and spellbinding as the island in which it is set is beautiful. The novel brings to mind the works of William Faulkner, Toni Morrison, and Jamaica Kincaid. "Death by Fire is an impressive piece of narration ... A veritable tapestry of St. Lucian life and culture ... Reading it left me with a seething appetite for more. Easily one of the most compelling pieces of literature I have laid hands on in recent years." -Modeste Downes, author of Phases"The telling of the story is exceptional ... Extremely difficult to put it down ... A cunningly-woven tale ... A journey back into St. Lucian life ... (which) paints the dark side of the struggle for survival in a young country." -Victor Marquis, The Voice"A novel on a grand scale ... A broad canvas of St. Lucian life ... If one is looking for a key to the feeling and conscience of the age in which we live, this novel is a guide." -Jacques Compton, The Crusader