Introduction
"Fire Will Freeze" is a secret unique written by Canadian-American writer Margaret Millar in 1944. The story is established throughout World War II and also occurs in a rural Quebec estate. The tale focuses on a group of individuals stranded in a strange manor throughout a snow storm as well as their attempts to fix a murder that occurs within the estate. The book is recognized for its thorough characterizations, climatic setup, and intricate story, which showcases Millar's skill as an author of psychological suspense.
Establishing and Characters
The unique takes place on an isolated estate called Château Mont-Val, which is possessed by the enigmatic Madam Mont-Val. The estate is located near Ste. Agathe-des-Monts, a small town in Quebec, Canada. The separated area and heavy snowstorm set a claustrophobic atmosphere, adding to the tale's suspense and also tension.
The personalities in "Fire Will Freeze" are a diverse group of people that are required to take refuge at the estate as a result of the snowstorm. The main personality is Alice Darragh, a woman that has ventured right into Quebec from California in search of her missing spouse. Various other characters consist of Myra Raikes, an emotionally volatile lady on the edge of divorce; Dr. Roger Pollard, an asthmatic doctor with a strange past; Fernand Berthelot, Madam Mont-Val's bitter son-in-law; as well as Nicolai Hrabovsky, a Russian fugitive on the run from the police.
Plot
The story's story untangles as a house party is organized at Château Mont-Val by Madam Mont-Val's little girl and also son-in-law. Dr. Pollard gets here early as well as sneaks into the house to swipe some papers hidden in Madam Mont-Val's study. In the stormy evening, Alice Darragh's automobile slides off the road, as well as she too discovers herself stranded at the estate. When the various other guests get here on a bus because of the snowstorm, they are stunned to discover that Madame Mont-Val is dead, apparently a suicide target.
The snow storm aggravates, stranding all the guests inside the manor without means of communication with the outside world. The strained situation intensifies existing interpersonal disputes amongst the visitors, along with their mutual uncertainties regarding their hostess's death. Alice, assisted by Dr. Pollard, starts checking out Madame Mont-Val's fatality and uncovers an internet of secrets and also deception among the passengers of your home.
When Myra Raikes is found killed, the guests recognize that there must be an awesome amongst them. As they look for the killer, the visitors need to challenge their very own dark pasts as well as the secrets that have brought them to Château Mont-Val. As Alice comes better to uncovering her spouse's destiny, she likewise realizes that she can not trust anybody in the house, including Dr. Pollard.
Final thought
The story's final spin exposes that Dr. Pollard is, in fact, functioning as a spy for an international government. He had actually eliminated Myra to cover his burglary of top-secret files from Madam Mont-Val's study and also framed her fatality as suicide. Alice at some point uncovers Pollard's identification, as well as both take on in a thrilling fight.
"Fire Will Freeze" concludes with the killer nabbed, but Alice's search for her husband stays unresolved, leaving the viewers with a sense of anxiousness and uncertainty. The story's abundant characterization and dramatic plot properly engage the visitor's interest throughout the story. Millar's exploration of the personalities' emotional midsts and the novel's haunting atmosphere have actually solidified "Fire Will Freeze" as a traditional in the enigma genre.
Fire Will Freeze
A group of survivors from a bus accident in the mountains stumbles upon a murder scene in a secluded lodge.
Author: Margaret Millar
Margaret Ellis Millar, Canadian-American author and pioneer of psychological crime novels. Discover her passion for psychology, quotes, and more.
More about Margaret Millar