An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England

Now this book was funny.  When I say clever, it really is!  Brock Clarke’s An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers' Homes in New England keeps you alert and interested from start to finish, though I did have a hard time when Sam went back to his home (the one with his wife and children) and the in-laws and Thomas were dressed in Muslim garb?  Otherwise, you had me.  The reader does need to pay attention as so much of the story is connected, each action produces a reaction.  Stay away from being a “Bumbler” as our narrator Sam Pulsipher suggests as it has lasting effects on one, ask Sam - he would know.  Sam, the protagonist, inadvertently burns down the former home of Emily Dickinson.  Unfortunately Thomas Coleman’s parents were in the house at the time, having some “hanky-panky” upstairs.  Sam dropped a cigarette in the house when he snuck back into the home late the evening after he was unable to see the real aspects of the tour provided from the non-profit agency.  After a ten year sentence in prison, where he meets junk bond prison-mates (white collar criminals), he is released but decides to start a new life after leaving town (everyone hates Sam for what he did), attends college, marries Anne Marie, has two children, gets a job at a Plastics Company, and then guess what…. Thomas Coleman decides he wants revenge for the death of his parents.  Unfortunately, Thomas never told his wife about the fact he served time in prison and he told her his parents died in a fire.  Thomas goes to Anne Marie and creates his own set of lies about Sam and then the story spirals quickly using connection after connection after connection of the lies, the characters, and fires in other homesteads of the famous writers of New England.  Sam plays detective as he knows that he will be the main suspect in the crimes.  Sam’s mother, father, and all of the people who wrote to Sam while in jail asking him to burn down other famous author’s homes are also brought into the story.  And don’t forget about the ex-bond junkie cellmates, they also show an interest in Sam’s story.  If you ever saw It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1960s movie), this is it.  If you haven’t, same concept, running around after the arsonist.  Like all good novels, a twist in the end.  Not sure I liked the ending though.  A fun read.  I’d add it to the list.  Funny tidbit, I went to the library and they gave me the large print version, not sure I can now go back to small print versions!  Getting old!