Janet Trull Knihy

Following on the heels of her critically acclaimed first collection Hot Town and Other Stories an examination of relationships within communities continues in this new collection of short fiction, Something's Burning . The twenty-first century speeds ahead with fast-changing ideas about culture and identity, and a new choir of voices are telling their long-suppressed stories. Outdated belief systems are challenged. Society norms and hierarchies crumble. But fresh ideas cause tension between generations, sexes, races and neighbors. The population is at odds about the revised script. Is it the end of misogyny, or the end of men? Is it the end of social injustice or the end of loyalty? Is it the end of discrimination or the end of common sense? Some characters in these stories are oblivious to social change. Some are committed to stopping it. Some are invested in promoting their agendas at all cost. The bumper stickers on pick up trucks in the Foodland parking lot warn you that conflict awaits in the cereal aisle. The spacious landscapes where these stories take place are big enough for many opinions, but small enough to fall back on nostalgic principles. They represent the spectrum of joy and loss, and my enduring love for those who can find a balance between them.

The narrative explores the profound grief of a parent coping with the devastating loss of a child. Janet Trull skillfully weaves emotional depth and sensitivity into her storytelling, capturing the complexities of mourning and the journey towards healing. Through her poignant prose, the author invites readers to reflect on love, loss, and resilience in the face of unimaginable sorrow.

Set in 1878 Haliburton, Ontario, the story unfolds as the new Victoria Rail Line brings a wave of immigrants, each facing the challenges of survival in a harsh landscape. While wealthy newcomers seek fortune, many struggle in poverty, relying on Ona McLeod and her group of women at the Nunnery for support. As Rev. Whitlock and banker Alex Smith attempt to expel these women, a brutal murder exposes the depths of human greed and the capacity for compassion, revealing profound lessons from the dead for the living.