Unfortunately I DNF at 50%. I found this book boring and could not engage with the characters. Not for me. Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove press for ARC.

definitely promising and fulfills much, but not all, of the promise. what you get on the tin. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I was hopeful that this story would follow a similar line of a strong main character with secrets and lies hiding in her past (or even her present) but unfortunately I just didn’t like anyone in this book. It’s so hard to connect when everyone involved is kind of terrible. I was just really disappointed that I wasn’t compelled to like the characters as much as I had hoped.

The plot is interesting, but it’s also somewhat predictable in where it goes. The social commentary is a bit hamfisted too, which is a shame. I did enjoy the twist and appreciated how everything got tied up in a neat little bow with all the characters.

The cover art is worth a mention too- it’s beautiful! I get what this book was trying to do, I just don’t feel like it fully got there.

It's all kind of a bummer when you find yourself disliking the characters more and more as you go on. Like, surface level dislike is one thing, but I began to legitimately want had things for them...Some of the pottery stuff was nice.

I'm sure this book is right for someone, but I was bored almost the entire time. I kept finding myself doing other things instead of reading, since reading felt like a slog.

I suppose when I expect a book to be feminist, I want the women to have a sort of redeeming quality - I love women's wrongs, but not this kind, if that makes sense? Sometimes it felt like the author was trying to hit a trauma quota, which bothered me greatly.

Oh well. Onwards and upwards.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Such a great book about a time past, yet so timely. The writers style is unique, straddling humor and pathos. I really like it when she takes me on "character journeys" through dialogue and scenes. I learn so much more about each character this way. The small Cape Cod town is a character in itself. The visual, granular prose reflects an artists sensibility (the protagonist being a potter!) The "mystery" is propulsive and keeps me reading. At the same time the story tells of a very important time: when women did NOT have choices and were exploited. The Old Lady Gossip Militia is an origin story, both hilarious and warning of what unchecked chatter can yield. I find this, a cautionary tale, timely for the moment we are in. Love this book!!!

Highly recommend this book! Stiles' writing is extraordinary and her characters are so well developed. When a mysterious fire strikes a small New England health clinic, long-held secrets are revealed. Loved getting to see the "other side" of Cape Cod. Told through multiple POVs, this book has a darkly humorous tone that kept me wanting more. I really enjoy books that explore important topics (here: pregnancy, abortion, and adoption) through story and this one didn't disappoint. A must-read for anyone who loves mysteries and thrillers with quirky, dark characters!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for a copy of this book it was really good and I would rate it 3/5 stars!

**Features:**
- Uncovering family secrets
- Explores themes of identity, belonging, and family
- Murder and arson mystery where the main character is a key suspect
- Unreliable narrators

**Synopsis:**

Mary Newcombe knows that fire has many uses. Most of the time, she uses it for pottery in her Brooklyn studio. However, once a year, she makes an obligatory trip back to Cape Cod with her son to visit her adopted mother for Christmas. This holiday promises to be like any other until a fire breaks out in her father’s old clinic. The police are in search of Mary’s cousin, Jimmy, who has disappeared and Mary quickly finds herself on the suspect list as well. Meanwhile, her mother Birdie seems to be keeping more secrets than usual and her son seems to be growing more and more distant. It doesn’t help that Mary had one too many and can’t remember what happened that fateful night. Mary’s only chance at answers is to start digging deep into her family’s history. However, some skeletons are better left buried.

**Thoughts:**

This book has fascinating characters and a dark, mysterious plot. The fact that it can so quickly turn the usually idyllic Cape Cod into a place that feels cold, sinister, and isolated really speaks to Newcomb Stiles’s ability to create an atmosphere. This book has been recommended to lovers of Lessons in Chemistry and Where the Crawdads Sing however, I wouldn’t strongly liken it to either book. I imagine that the ‘feminist’ bent of this book through its exploration of reproductive rights and the fact that the main character is being suspected of a crime in a small town setting are the reasons for the comparison. However, Hush Little Fire is far darker than either of these other books and has morally complicated characters that are hard to truly root for. Where I really liked the way these themes and characters were explored, readers should be aware that the places this book is willing to go and overall vibes are completely different.

Despite being told from multiple characters’ perspective, this book has an odd, wandering style to it. There are enough clues in each chapter to keep the story moving and make sure you never lose the sense that everything is connected. However, it can also feel a little scattered and chaotic. Additionally, there are few just purely odd interactions and ‘moments’ different characters had. As a result, I found the book really hard to stay fully invested in. The mystery unfolds in an interesting and satisfying way, but I also felt like the book was holding me at arms length the whole way. Despite that, it is still well worth the read if you are looking for an intriguing, mind-bending mystery.

Hush Little Fire, my first book started in 2025, almost became my first book not finished in 2025, as I had a little struggle getting into the story. Once I became more comfortable with the wandering flow, and got further into the story, I started to appreciate the author's style more. The characters are realistic and believable, and the setting is described well. I liked how the different story lines tied together the further along I read, and how everything wrapped up well by the end.

The premise sounded interesting but unfortunately this did not hold my attention. I didn't particularly like any of the characters and it just didn't end up being what I thought it was going to be. We do find out who set the fire and who Mary's parents are, so I appreciated answers to those questions.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book. It was interesting, had good writing, and a good pace to it. I liked the secrets and family drama that comes out, it made it entertaining and kept me intrigued throughout reading.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

A fire on Christmas and the whodunnit of how (and by whom) it was started is the main storyline in Hush Little Fire by Judith Newcombe Stiles. We are introduced to Mary Newcombe and her mother Birdie, a pair whose strained relationship plays into the key mystery, who are also the daughter and mother of the town’s long deceased family doctor. That he performed under the counter illegal abortions before the passage of Roe vs. Wade is an open secret in their small Cape Cod town. Also included is the nurse horribly burned in the fire, a would be conniving waitress/house cleaner and low-level policeman determined to find out the true nature of the holiday fire.

I have to admit, I found this book rather strange. I understand what the author seemed to be going for, the story of a fire, telling the narrative through intersecting points of view that weave together at the end and tie the mystery up seamlessly—but I don’t think she achieved her goal. I found the writing too overly flowery and aimless and don’t think the portrait she painted of the town through classes and characters study came together in the end. Two and half stars for a disappointing result to a premise that was interesting but never really panned out for me.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

Thank you Netgalley and Alcove Press for the ARC!

Hush Little Fire offers an intriguing story with a compelling premise centered on themes of family, identity, and belonging, though its exploration of these ideas felt somewhat underdeveloped. The child and pregnancy themes provided an interesting layer, but I struggled to grasp the author's deeper intentions—was it about understanding one's roots, or something broader about connection and family?

That said, the multiple points of view were a strong feature of the book. They gave a refreshing and comprehensive perspective on the events that unfolded. The plot twist was a standout moment, and the ending tied everything together in a satisfying way, even if I couldn't really connect with the story emotionally.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

When a small town experiences a fire and injures a well known person in the town, rumors begin to swirl. So many moving pieces as to local community members and their connection to the fire. A family full of secrets and a few key characters trying to get answers to the truth and their money.

This wasn't my favorite but it was pretty good. I just couldn't really connect with any of the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. This refreshing book was just what I needed. Cathy Lamb vibes for the win. Quirky, wonderful writing. Highly recommend.

Hush Little Fire by Judith Newcomb Stiles is a gripping cross-generational mystery that dives deep into family secrets, long-buried truths, and the aftermath of a devastating fire. Set against the evocative backdrop of Cape Cod, the story follows Mary, who becomes entangled in a web of suspicion after a suspicious blaze destroys a health clinic with ties to her family's shadowy past. This debut novel is packed with intrigue, dark humor, and complex relationships, making it a compelling read for fans of atmospheric mysteries.

The narrative weaves together multiple perspectives, enriching its exploration of themes like adoption, identity, and hidden histories. While it carries the intrigue of a thriller, some parts might feel a tad heavy-handed with revelations, though the emotional stakes keep you hooked. Perfect if you’re into stories like Where the Crawdads Sing. My rating: 4/5.

this was a strong debut from Judith Newcomb Stiles and enjoyed the overall feel of this book. The concept was so well written and strongly done. The characters had that feel that worked well overall and enjoyed the overall feel that they worked with the storyline. Judith Newcomb Stiles has a strong writing style and was glad I read this.