Trial by Fire

This is the story of a 2003 fire that broke out at The Station nightclub in Rhode Island. The tragedy killed 100 people and caused harm to over 200 people, ranging from minor bumps and bruises to life altering burns.
The author begins by giving us a peak at how the things began for some of the Great White concert goers that November night. He leads up to the events that caused the fire, takes us to: the hospital or grave site for the victims of the fire, to the trial to assign blame for the fire, and finally to what life is like today for survivors and loved ones of the perished. At the end of the book, the author explains that his goal was to retell the events and ensure all those involved were portrayed as human. He did a pretty good job as I felt sympathy, obviously, for those that experienced the fire, but also the owners of the club, and even a little for man that made the horrible decision to set off fireworks inside a nightclub.

Excellent and well-researched book about the preventable tragedy of The Station nightclub fire in the early 2000s that killed 100 patrons and injured hundreds more. The author did an amazing job of humanizing everyone, even those whom others would never think of as “human” ever again. No detail was left out, and descriptions gave one a “you were there” feeling, from the events leading up to the fire, the band, the fireworks that started it, the fire itself and how quickly its devastation spread, the souls who perished, the survivors, some living with PTSD and horrific injuries to this day. The trial was neatly described as it played out in excruciating detail. Political corruption was examined closely, with more than enough blame and finger-pointing to go around and then some. The aftermath, the survivors’ struggle to become whole again, the funerals, the memorials, the charities; not one stone was left unturned, including the story of the owners. I remember the fire, and it was fascinating to read the history and how well this book treated the tragedy as a true crime event. Kudos to the author for so thoroughly and thoughtfully seeing all sides and every angle of a tragic and life-altering situation. I hope all involved learned something positive going forward. Bless all who were killed or injured or otherwise affected by this event.
Thank you to Scott James, the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a very well-written and heartbreaking read. Although I knew of the tragic event covered in this book, I certainly did not know all the details and the author did an incredible job writing about it. The author wove stories of survivors and victims in this tragedy seamlessly in a factual but sensitive manner.

Very interesting book. Tragic.

Thanks to author,publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free,it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

A thorough, thoughtful, harrowing account of the Station nightclub fire and aftermath. Despite living in Boston when it happened, I was in a college student bubble so I knew of the fire generally but few of the details. I think that helped me, going in somewhat cold. The book largely exists as a way to give a thorough accounting of all "sides"--including from people who have never been formally interviewed before. Ultimately, the book is an accounting of what happened, as well as an analysis of the aftermath and how government corruption in Rhode Island, as well as high emotions in the media impacted how those responsible were held to account--or not.

James is a Rhode Island native, and he infuses the book with tons of character and context, re: the place and the people. James anchors the book with three profiles: survivors Gina Russo and Phil Barr, and nightclub co-owner (and survivor) Jeffery Derderian. Jeffery and his brother Michael, co-owner of the club, are really the central focus of the book--they were vilified by the media and victim's families, and this book is them setting the record straight. (That is not to cast any blame on said victim's families--they believed what they heard and were justifiably angry, but the media and government officials should be ashamed.)

That said, the book doesn't suffer from an abundance of bias. James is a meticulous reporter--he counters false claims (made in the media, in particular the Providence Journal) with facts from both primary sources and multiple sources. Meaning, the things that help to clear the brothers' names, in part, are straightforward pieces of evidence that were withheld from the public and deserve to be shared/known. He also is fair--negative aspects of the brothers' and other individuals are included along side positive. The book offers a nuanced understanding of what happened, particularly after the fire.

And then the survivors: I was on the edge of my seat at the beginning, as James pulls you in to interweaving stories of that night but you don't know who lived or died, or to what degree anyone was or wasn't injured. I cared so deeply about everyone, and the book made me cry multiple times, especially at the end. If you are sensitive to tragedy and graphic depictions, this book may be too much. It is a harrowing and haunting read, worth it if you can push through the horror of that night. James puts humanity on display--the good, bad, ugly, and the beautiful--the way all the best pieces of narrative journalism do. The dichotomy between survivors and victims' families, the differences in grief styles, feelings over the outcome of the trial, and the callous responses from Jack Russell himself were especially fascinating.

This book will stay with me. I highly recommend it.

This book tells the story of The Station fire in 2003. It tells you the unheard side of the story, that of the Derderian brothers, the club owners and ultimately the ones that took the fall for the disaster.
If you like investigative reporting on the likes of John Carreyrou's "Bad Blood", this is the book for you. The author uses facts and differing sources to present his information but at the same time expresses the feelings of different people involved that agreed to have interviews with him. When you read this book even though you know the conclusion you are invested and want to learn more about the characters and the circumstances. It makes you intrigued and makes you want to find out more about the topics presented such as fire safety and the legal system.

This story about a tragedy in a club back in 2003 really got to me once I started reading it. I don’t know how you could read it and not be affected by it, really. It is so well-researched and told that you almost feel a part of things as you read along. I couldn’t help but feel for both the owners of the club, the brothers, but also the victims, those who got out, the ones who were injured and survived, the ones who perished; and the families of all of them. There was a lot to this story, it wasn’t so cut and dried and I found it fascinating. I plan to do more reading on it as I plan to find some of the other books that are mentioned about it in this book. I’ve already seen the video that was captured that night it happened by pure happenstance, and it was horrifying to see it after reading the book. It's totally haunting to watch anytime, knowing that 96 souls died in that space, with 4 more losing their battle in the hospital later.

I highly recommend this for anyone wanting to learn more about this famous case, perhaps ready for a fresh perspective, or interested in this type of non-fiction book.  Just be warned that it is very heavy subject matter if you are of delicate nerves.  Advanced electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, the author Scott James, and publisher for my unbiased review.

This is the interesting, emotional, true account of the worst rock concert fire in history. Being in my early 40's, I could have seen my friends and I going to this concert seventeen years ago. The author gave a neutral perspective about who was to blame and was not quick to point the finger towards the owner's of the Station, Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, but allowed the reader to develop their own opinions based on the facts he presented very well.

I loved reading about the determination of the survivors mentioned after having to deal with some great obstacles. Gina had severe burns and lost her fiancee in the fire and became a strong voice in providing help to the fire victims, both families of the deceased and the survivors and eventually convinced the land owner to donate his land to set up a memorial garden more than 14 years after the accident. Phil Barr, the youngest survivor, beat all odds after he was told he would never compete in swimming competitions at school again, and made a name for himself in the world of finance.

Who I did not like in this book was the lead singer of the band Great White, Jack Russell. It is his band and his manager who illegally brought fireworks/pyrotechnics across state lines to shoot them off in a bar way too small for it to not be a fire hazard. While the building was blazing, he got on the TV and was promoting his summer tour, either he did not realize how serious the fire was or maybe he didn't care. I realize he is an old rocker has been who was not drawing the crowds like he did in the 80's and 90's, but for him, it seemed all about greed. He would not even talk to the author of this book without monetary compensation and turned down an interview once he found out he would not be paid. Matt Lauer was asked by the Derderians to help host a benefit concert for the victims, but refused to do so, yet held the exact same concert for hurricane victims years later. I watched the notorious video out of curiousity while reading this book and I couldn't help but notice how the cameraman Brian Butler was filming, but would not get out of the way as people tried to escape. He claimed he had tried to help get people out, but no such evidence exists. It's like the kids these days who record something terrible happening on their smartphones, for a few minutes of YouTube fame.

I felt sorry for the brothers as they had to take the brundt of the blame, and they never really got to tell their part of the story until this book was published. Everyone mentioned should have took some of the blame, the band and their manager, the owners of the Station, the salesman who sold the brothers flamable foam, the camera man, and the fire marshall for deeming the bar as safe, when in fact it was not. Just a terrible tragedy all around, but it made a very intrugiung read. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to sample this book!

This book does a good job of covering the event, the search for the truth and the aftermath. I had not heard of this devastating fire prior, but it won't be leaving my memory anytime soon.

Trial by Fire is a heart wrenching accumulation of true stories from real people, who were present on that horrific night of February 20, 2003 at the Station Club in Warwick, Rhode Island. Scott James made the reader look at the incident from all perspectives and made them feel as if they were present on that very night. These are true stories from victims, survivors, family members and those who had the misfortune of watching this happen and not be able to do anything about it. Those 90 seconds it took for 100 lives to be lost were engraved in the minds of the Rhode Island community for the rest of their lives and Scott James did an amazing job in returning the humanity to the victims by sharing their life stories, dreams, and aspirations and not seeing them as another casualty.

I remember when this happened and how shocking it was. Reading this book not only brought back the memory but made me feel like I was there. Those poor people. I'm so glad this book was written and I hope it brought some comfort to those who bravely told their story. Another great book published by St. Martin's Press. One of the few publishers who I can always count on for a good read. Highly recommend this book.

This is an incredibly tragic and and heart-breaking story of the fire that occurred at The Station, a bar/live music venue in West Warwick, RI in February 2003 where heavy metal Jack Russell's Great White was performing. Fire works were set off to start the show and they quickly ignited the soundproofing foam that had been used on the walls and ceiling to control the noise. Over 100 fans died as they tried to escape and several hundred more were severely burned and injured.

The author did a fantastic job researching and writing this story. I remember when this happened but did not live in the area so I did not hear much after the initial first few days after the tragedy. I was hooked from the first page until the very end. I was glad the author referred back to some of the survivors and how they were doing, especially Gina Russo and college swimmer Phil Barr. This story, although very sad, really needed to be told to sort out what was fact and what was fiction.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this extraordinary story in exchange for an honest review. If I could, I would give t more than 5 stars.

I had read another book on the Station fire years ago and have been fascinated by the disaster ever since. This book is so in-depth and tells so many sides of the story that, in my opinion, if you want to know as much as the truth as can be known, just read this book. Thank you Scott for telling the story.

A true story of a horrible and tragic fire that took the life of 100 people. So many more were injured and facing years of trauma.
It is also a story that covers more than just what the news reporters covered. This time evidence is shared from the owners of the club, The Station.
I believe there was a rush to judgment and the full story was not told at the beginning. There were people involved that should have been charged.
This book may answer questions that many may be asking themselves.
Great job!

I was lucky to get a pre-release copy of this gripping, disturbing and in a way, hopeful book. Scott James recounts the 2003 fire in a nightclub in Warwick, R.I. that killed 100 people, making it one of the deadliest fires of the 21st century. James does a masterful job of telling the stories of some of the survivors. He uses details of how they got to the club that night, how they survived the flames and toxic fumes and how they put their lives back together after the tragedy to create a novel-like, page-turning book. More importantly, he shows how politicians, in a rush to judgment and a rush to make people "pay," decided early on that the two brothers who owned, The Station, had acted criminally. Scott peels back the hyperbole and digs into the facts to show that blaming the brothers was both a simplification of the situation but patently unfair. "Trial by Fire" also indicts The Providence Journal for publishing many inaccuracies about the fire and the brothers' ownership of the nightclub and never acknowledging its mistakes. I read this book very quickly as it moved along and kept drawing me in. It's heartbreaking and gripping.

4 stars
Trial by Fire by Scott James

This is a fascinating look at the 2003 horrific bar/concert fire featuring Great White with lead Jack Russell in Rhode Island. I remember when this fire occurred and the details that came swarming out from the media. I was unaware of the true facts on the case, the real lives which were destroyed by this fire, or the aftermath made so much worse by incompetent media, lawyers, and fire and law officials.
This book is a stunning indie look of what truly happened not just the bits and pieces of what was actually reported to have happened.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own.

Trial by Fire is an extraordinary book that will stun and shock every reader. The untold facts of the deadly fire at The Station in Rhode Island are brought to life by author Scott James. A healthy skepticism of the justice system will emerge after reading this book. Inspiration can be found in the survivors stories as they struggled to overcome their unrelenting physical and emotional pain and scars. Hard to put down, difficult to forget, an incredible story. Thank you to the publisher.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for providing this ARC. This is an excellent work of investigative reporting on the 2003 Rhode Island Station Fire. I remember when this tragedy happened, but I think I’ve only heard details in the broadest sense. This book captures details regarding the state and the press’ rush to judgment and uncovers many facts that were not publicized at the time, casting serious doubts on the culpability of the club owners. This is also the first time that the owners have spoken at length about the fire as there was no trial in which they could present their side of the event. Depressingly, I think a similar situation could easily happen today (perhaps not the fire, given some improvements in fire safety codes) but definitely the political and emotional aftermath. The book is disturbing and graphic in some parts describing the fire and the dead and survivors. Recommended for those who enjoy non fiction and investigative journalism.

The gripping and tragic story of the true events involving the fire at the Station Nightclub in 2003. What should have been a night of fun resulted in the death or injury of over 100 people. This book will have you immersed from start to finish; well researched and includes multiple perspectives of people personally affected by the tragedy. Dark and disturbing but difficult to put down. Highly recommend this one for lovers of true crime. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this ARC.

In February 2003, excited fans went to The Station nightclub to see the concert by the band Great White. It was held in the small town of West Warwick in Rhode Island where most people knew each other. As over 300 people gathered inside, the band got prepared and gerbs or large sparklers, were going to highlight the start of the show. As the lead singer Jack Russell took his place on stage, the gerbs were lighted and long sparks flew out and touched the sides of the narrow stage and ignited the foam insulation starting a fire that quickly spread to the ceiling and caused thick black smoke. At first the fans thought it was all part of the show, but very quickly panic took over and the large crowd surged towards the doors where they had entered. There was much confusion and the smoke made it impossible to see or to breathe. People were trampled in their efforts to escape. One hundred people lost their lives that night and many others were badly burned and injured. One journalist did capture the awful moments on video. Who was to blame - this question and subsequent trial took years,
The fire is very well documented and describes in detail that terrible night.

“Ninety seconds marked the moment between life and death on the night of February 20, 2003, at The Station, a scruffy, low-slung roadhouse nightclub in the old New England mill town of West Warwick, Rhode Island. Tragedy started with a song.”

And this is what Trial by Fire is about. It is a heart wrenching and moving account of a devastating fire that occurred during Jack Russell’s Great White rock concert, killing 100 people and injured hundreds. This fire was one of the deadliest fires in American history and the search for the truth that will take more than a decade.

My thoughts:
I am beyond words after I finished this book. Honestly, I find it difficult to review this book. I feel sad, infuriated, disgusted, and just emotional. The aftermath of the fire left both the victims’ families and survivors physically, emotionally, and financially devastated.

The author has done an incredible amount of research in this gripping case and there is so much to unpack in this book. It is so well-written and I really liked how the author writes objectively, capturing the point of views of all parties, including the club owners, the Derderians brothers.

I always believe that there are three sides to a story – my truth, your truth and the truth. However, in this case, the truth is tainted by corruption, politics and even the legal system as you will see that sometimes the law fails to protect the people. ““People think the legal system is a search for the truth. It is not. “It’s a search for a result.””

I have not heard of the hair metal band Great White before (and I am glad I am not a fan!). I have no idea about the fire either. So, this book is absolutely insightful and informative. I learnt quite a bit about fire and how dangerous polyurethane foam is. I’m paranoid about going to clubs now (but then again, I am a person with a lot of irrational fears!) and whenever I find myself in a building, I will make sure to know where the fire exits are.

Pub. Date: Oct 27, 2020

***Thank you St. Martin’s Press, author Scott James and NetGalley for this gifted review copy in exchange for an honest review.***

A pretty daring non-fiction premise: the owner of a Rhode Island nightclub where 100 people lost their lives in a 2003 fire is the sympathetic victim. I admired the author for taking this thesis on. (To be clear, that is NOT sarcasm.) The author will probably get some unpleasant mail from the families of those who were killed or badly injured in the fire and I'm sure, to this day, believe that all those responsible got off lightly.

Some surely DID get off lightly, including (1) the aging metal rocker who led the over-the-hill band whose fireworks caused the fire (never saw the inside of a courtroom), (2) the fire inspector whose neglect allowed highly flammable material to be used as soundproofing (promoted and allowed to retire on a generous pension), and (3) the newspaper that published inaccurate information about the number of people who lost their lives (corrected themselves very quietly and with great reluctance).

And don't even get me started on the politicians.

This book was a serious but fun read, although parts at the beginning, describing those trapped, injured, or burned to death in the fire, were sometimes nightmare-inducing reading if consumed too close to bedtime. The parts toward the end, when the book becomes more of a courtroom drama, are a little less gruesome.

But also nightmarish, in a different sort of way, is being caught in the gears of the justice system, as both the accused and the accusers seem to be very badly served by the way things are. Only people with a sense of low cunning and an ability to manipulate the system avoid the worse outcomes.

As I enter my seventh decade, moments when someone attempts to flatter me are becoming a little thin on the ground, so when I got an email with a unusually friendly and personal touch from a marketing person at St. Martin's Press inviting me to download a free egalley review copy from Netgalley, I chose to encourage such behavior by doing as asked. I was glad I did

This book talks about the tragic fire that occurs almost twenty years ago in the station night club. I was not aware of this story, but I am glad to read the book. The 90 seconds devastating and horrific fire incident claimed the lives and injured so many people. The author did great in researching and elaborating on essential facts and information mainstream media failed to show to people. Finding who's responsible wasn't an easy task as well. There are various points that were look out and explained. And what breaks my heart even more is the effect of this traumatic experience to the survivors who found themselves enslaved with fear, anxiety and other post traumatic stress disorder. It was difficult to go back to normal and pretend it didn't happen. This book is heartrending, eye-opening and remarkably written.
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Thank you, St. Martins Press for my arc

Thank you Thomas Dunne Books and NetGalley for an ARC of Trial by Fire by Scott James. This was very well written and gut wrenching to read about The Station Fire in Rhode Island. The details of the fire and the investigations to find the cause of the fire and the multiple deaths, and stop this from ever happening was in depth and detailed. The descriptions of the carnage was devastating and made me feel I was an eyewitness.
#Netgalley #ThomasDunneBooks #ScottJames #TrialbyFire

Trial by Fire is a heart breaking and devastating story of the worst fire in modern American history.

Scott James has told the story so well with empathy, truth and facts that will be beyond comprehension at times.

The statistics presented are unbelievable.

The people that died and those that survived and their families , there will never be justice for them.

The people that walked away with no consequences is horrific. Can you really live with yourself at the end of the day.?

It is also a story of determination, courage and remembering history so it will not happen again.

Scott James did an excellent job and I highly recommend Trial by Fire.

This book will stay with me for a very very long time.

It was my privilege to read and review Trial by Fire. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press , Thomas Dunne books for the opportunity to read this book.

Trial by Fire by Scott James is a truly horrific and heart wrenching account of the Station Club fire that happened on February of 2003. It is a hunting detail of the fast paced fire that caused so much damage in such a short amount of time. This book is so well researched. it is an emotionally telling book of hows and the whys and the whats. A really incredible read.

Trial by Fire by Scott James is a superb read! It is an engrossing page turner of a read well worth the time spent

TRIAL BY FIRE
BY SCOTT JAMES

I remember hearing about this tragedy vaguely at the time it happened but nothing prepared me for the abject horror the victims survivors and those that perished endured. I had seen this band Great White perform in the early 1990's and I can't remember if they used pyrotechnics at that time. In Warwick, Rhode Island on February 20, 2003 at approximately at 11:07 PM 100 people lost their lives and many more were burned so severely that they had to be put in medically induced comas. Scott James has written an informative account of what happened to start the fire that was the worst night club fire this century.

I felt reading this that the author has tried to give a balanced account as possible letting the reader decide just who was at fault and who acted irresponsibly in the aftermath. The victims and the police and prosecution were quick to criminalize the fire that broke out at the nightclub called The Station. I feel that the owners of the nightclub got a raw deal in what I read. I think that the band Great White and the member of the band that set the pyrotechnic's was more culpable than the night club owners. I feel that the owners were unfairly demonized and they had no idea that the band was going to use pyrotechnic's that set the fire. There is mention of the highly combustible foam to soundproof the nightclub surrounding the stage combined with the flames that shot 15 feet high with twelve foot ceilings was the cause of the rapidly highly inflatable fire. The fire inspector failed to illuminate that the sound proofing foam could be a fire hazard yet he was not blamed.

This is definitely a horrific part of history and my heart goes out to all of the innocent people in the club that night both the survivors whose lives were changed forever and those poor souls who perished. I also feel bad for the owners of the nightclub and don't feel like it was their fault because they had not given the band Great White permission to use pyrotechnic's during their concert. Furthermore they didn't have any idea that the foam sound proofing that they had installed was highly combustible. I think that the person who set off the fireworks was more culpable than the owners and also Jack Russell the singer of the band was never held responsible. I am basing these thoughts on the narrative of this book which is said to have used court documents and eyewitness testimony. I feel badly that such a horrible incident happened but feel that the band should have been held more responsible because they did not have permission or a fire permit and I feel like the owners were treated unfairly.

Publication Date: October 27, 2020

Thank you to Net Galley, Scott James and St. Martin's for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TrialByFire #ScottJames #StMartin's #NetGalley

Seventeen years ago, a fire ripped through the Station nightclub in Rhode Island, taking the lives of a hundred concert-goers and injuring many more. Many of the survivors and victims’ family members felt that justice was never served; the nightclub owners never had the chance to tell their side of the story. Trial by Fire is the tell-all: Scott James has spent ten years researching and writing this book, and it presents the facts from every point of view.

Emotionally, this is an extremely difficult read, especially in the beginning. James begins by reconstructing the events of February 20th, 2003, detailing the actions of several attendees prior to the Great White concert, the moment when the band manager set off fifteen-foot-high pyrotechnics, the rush to escape the nightclub, and the aftermath of the fire. This is a significant portion, and the book is slow-paced, but for good reason; James takes his time providing biographies and information about the victims and the history of the Station and its owners. James’ work ethic and dedication to the story shines through the pages; the hundreds of hours he spent interviewing people connected to the fire really pays off.

Although James does his best for the victims and survivors, this book may upset many of them, because one of the main objectives of this book is to tell the owners’ side of the story. For years, the government, the press, and the survivors blamed Michael and Jeffrey Derderian, the brothers who owned the Station, for the fire. They were indicted for two hundred counts of involuntary manslaughter, but when they took a plea deal, their case never went to trial—which means that many of the facts and details that would have been revealed at trial never came to light. The Derderians expected to face a civil lawsuit, and assured people that they would share everything they knew there, but the civil trial never happened. This book includes all the details.

Those details paint the Derderians in a very sympathetic light, which many survivors may object to. James instead casts blame on the systems in place: the fire code that allowed the nightclub to increase their capacity, the fire marshal who inspected the Station multiple times and never found the extremely flammable foam on the walls, and corrupt Rhode Island politics. James brings us to the depressing conclusion that there may never be justice for the Station victims.

I know I’m painting a bad picture, but this book isn’t all doom and gloom. There are wonderful moments that show the bright light at the end of the tunnel—uplifting stories about some of the survivors, and a message of hope that prevails throughout. This is a book that will break your heart and build you back up again by the end, and it is one that will stay with you. It is one that I cannot recommend highly enough, and one that I hope will reach many, many readers.

**Note: my review will be posted via the provided link on Oct 27, 2020, at 7 am EST.

I have always wondered what happened with this case. It seemed as though the band wanted to help when this first happened and then after reading this book I actually saw a different side to all of those involved. Whether it was the sheer number of people killed that had them placing blame on the others or the fact they wanted to save face, all sides really should have jumped to help. The band, I felt, should have been more ready to financially help but it is a little bit sketchy still. The author has done a great amount of research for this book and has been able to provide a lot of info to the reader. I feel that the pace was perfect and it was not over done or drawn out. It certainly is an interesting read

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

A heart wrenching tragic story I remember hearing about the fire in the nightclub reading this book brings the horror alive.Told from many pints of view so much explained.Really well written drawing us in to the real story.#netgalley#st.martinspress

This book was a great read covering a very sad event. I found the book easy to read and follow along with an extensive amount of detail, that some other true story books do not cover. Would highly recommend..

I remember when The Station fire happened; I was living in Toronto at the time and there was a huge call to review clubs and their procedures and safety and all the clubs in Toronto had to be inspected and deemed safe. I know it took quite a bit of time, but no one was complaining. No one wanted a fire like that in Rhode Island on their hands or watch. I thought about all the times I spent in clubs when I lived in Westchester County NY and how I never really thought about safety measures or how to get out should there have been an incident and that after the fire happened, I started paying attention to where the exits were [something I still do]. I remember watching the whole thing unfold and wondered just who was to blame [though my initial leanings were always to the band and their manager - that really hasn't changed with the reading of this book]. And then the story just disappeared and we all went on with our lives. I wish it could have been that easy for the victims and families of the dead.

90 seconds was all it took to light that place up and that thought terrifies me. One of the paragraphs that stuck with me was that people are no longer sufficiently afraid of fire and don't realize the power behind it [and they talked about the fires in California as an example], and all I could think of was that I am more than sufficiently afraid of fire; it is one of my biggest fears. I would rather drown than burn and this book just reinforced that thought process. I cannot even begin to imagine how the people that did survive got through what was described as a horrific experience [on top of the trauma of the event]. The fact that some did and have ended up thriving is nothing short of a miracle to me. I am in such awe of them. I spent much of this book either angry or in tears; when the description of what some of the survivors went through, the tears flowed copiously. My heart broke for them and they will never leave my mind. All those who fought to live will forever be in my memory. And those who lost their loved ones will be there as well. Loss is loss, no matter how it happens.

This book also highlights the complete bungling of this whole event. I cannot even imagine how people kept their jobs. To condemn people even before the fire was out was irresponsible and dumb and really kicked into motion all the anger and hate that brewed for years. And led to people not being charged that [IMO] were directly responsible. There is little justice in the justice system I fear. And there is almost no closure. There will never be. There will just be the attempt at as normal a life as one can have. And for many, even 15+ years later, that will still never be enough. And that breaks my heart.

Thank you to NetGalley, Scott James, and St. Martin Press/Thomas Dunne Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Do you love true crime? Scott James new book, TRIAL BY FIRE, is a true crime book that reveals who was really at fault for The Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island that killed 100 people and injured 100s more in the nation's deadliest rock concert.

I remember this horrific fire and the news coverage in 2003, I even remember the footage one of the survivors took from the moment the nightclub started on fire up until his escape outside where he continued to film. Great White was the last band of the night and set off gerbs (a firework that shoots off sparks) as part of the show. Within seconds of lighting these gerbs, the walls near the stage were on fire and from there the fire spread at an unbelievable rate trapping many inside who died from toxic smoke and flames.

This book was so well researched that I felt completely immersed into these events. This book really dives into how this fire started, how it spread so quickly and the aftermath for all involved- the club owners, the band and band manager, the survivors and their families and those families that lost someone in the fire.

Reading this book was eye opening but it was also really heavy to hear from all sides that were involved. Everyone was pointing fingers at who was responsible, but in reality there were so many individuals that shared the blame. And although no one set out to kill anyone that night, families who suffered wanted someone to pay. I really struggled with hearing about criminal charges being brought against the club owners because this was just a horrific accident and in my mind they will be punishing themselves for the rest of their lives knowing in even a small way they played a part in the death of 100 people. It is just devastating all around so I can never judge the families that were grieving and wanted justice.

This book was heartbreaking, but also incredibly moving to hear from the survivors and what life looks like for them now. I highly recommend this one because it gives such a detailed account and really helps the reader understand everything that happened and how everyone was affected. Trial By Fire is available 10/27/20- true crime lovers this is one you won’t want to miss. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for this advance reading copy.

I am so thankful that I was invited to read this book as I don't think I would have otherwise - and now I can't stop recommending it to friends and family! It covers the most lethal rock concert in America. In West Warwick, Rhode Island in February of 2003, The Station bar and venue went up in flames within 90 seconds, killing 100 and injuring even more. I was in college when this took place and honestly don't remember any of the news coverage (although I do recall the incidents in Chicago that the author mentioned, so I guess I was more tapped into local news at that time than national).

Still, as I read about this tragedy - which James does an amazing job in making everything seem so immediate and really puts the author right there - I couldn't believe that none of the details felt familiar to me at all. I appreciated the narrative style of writing, but even more greatly appreciated the note in the front of the book about his process of research, quotes and the footnotes. The entire book, even as it is an outside journalist reporting on the work of past colleagues and peers, still manages to actually feel like a more neutral account of the past. There are a few moments that some may say are more skewed in favor of the club owning brothers, but it comes off more as revealing the previous unfair vantage point put forth by the state. I am really curious to see what the Rhode Island based reviews of this one will be after reading this! Plus, it was nice to learn more about Rhode Island itself. In fact, the fascinating brief chapter on its history is one that I read aloud in its entirety to my husband.

This is a thoroughly researched and fascinating read, but it's hardly devoid of emotion. I found myself crying throughout. So many things went wrong - both before and after the night of the fire. I think that this is a more balanced look and provides a large overview, spanning years. It's a heart-breaking true story and I hope that this helps readers better understand these events and doesn't add to the grieving of any survivors. It feels well-intentioned and very well-written.

I love a good true crime/nonfiction novel, and I think that Trial by Fire has been my favorite non-fiction novel of the year!

Scott James clearly did years worth of research to write his book. Everything was very well researched, and I think he did a great job piecing everything together, so that it flowed through the pages. Sometimes, nonfiction writers focus so much on one thing, that it makes it hard to connect all of the dots.

I vaguely remember this story (I was a little over 10 YO at the time), and while reading this book, I was visiting my parents, and asked them if they remember the story.

To think that this tragedy happened shortly after 9/11 is very sad. At a time when the nation was divided on how to answer to the terrorist attacks, reading this story and seeing the division even within the state of Rhode Island is heartbreaking.

It was also really interesting to read about some of Rhode Island's state laws--"in Rhode Island it was legal to withhold information from a grand jury that might prove someone's innocence." WHAT?? That doesn't seem fair at all!

I can not wait to see what else Scott James has in store for the publishing world. What a wonderful book--I know that I will have a book hangover for awhile.

I was only familiar with The Station nightclub fire in a very peripheral way. But, from the very first page, author Scott James grabs your attention and brings home this tragedy HARD. He makes you understand the horror of the fire - the lives lost, the lives forever changed - in a very relatable way:

"It takes ninety seconds to sing "The Star Spangled Banner." Human beings, on average, can hold their breath for up to ninety seconds. A typical person needs ninety seconds to read one page of this book. [...] in ninety seconds nearly everyone inside The Station nightclub was dead or dying."

Rhode Island - at 37 x 48 miles in size - is the sort of place where everyone has only a few degrees of separation. Scott James, a New England native, knew several of the people involved in the fire, and many people later learned just how many friends and acquaintances were affected by the tragedy. For a country only 500+ days past the horror of 9/11, this tragedy opened fresh wounds and memories.

The story is meticulously researched, but on the most basic level, James writes of gut-wrenching moments of heroism, cowardice, and courage; of death and loss and heartstopping pain. I had a hard time reading parts of the book, first because of sorrow and then anger as the blame game starts. The owners are immediately vilified, the soundproofing foam ordered for use in the club was actually another - flammable - foam, Great White's lead singer Jack White acted despicably and in the end there was a resolution, but the devil is in the details.

The author skillfully details the fire and its aftermath, as well as the personal loss, and I highly recommend this book. 5 stars for "Trial by Fire."

I requested this book from NetGalley mostly because I am interested in non-fiction books that look at disasters like this and have a detailed look at why it happened and what the response was. This book did not disappoint. 

At the Station nightclub in Rhode Island, a fire started that killed 100 people in 90 seconds and injured hundreds more. This was before the internet really took off and social media was a thing. Scott James looks at the incident itself, but also the response of the authorities, the community and the survivors. He takes us through the years of figuring out who was at fault for the fire and the amount of death and injuries that came from it. 

I found this such an interesting book. It took me a while to read it (I started this book in September), but that was mostly because the subject matter was quite distressing at times and I would have to put it down and go and read something light and fluffy and fictional for a while. The way it was set up meant that we didn't just follow one point of view, we went with the survivors, but also the authorities and the brothers who owned the nightclub.

This book was extensive but most of all it looked at how less than two minutes could have such a massive effect on a whole community, not just the people in the nightclub at the time. It also looked at how the response of the authorities could have such a knock-on effect on the survivors of such an incident. 

I also appreciated James looking at the culture at the time. He talked about Rhode Island and how the community was set out, which had an effect on after the fire. He talked about the corruption in the police and politics which had an effect on the trial, as well as not having social media had a effect on what information got out to people and how it affected how people saw things. The writing style was easy to digest and I found it was broken up in such a way that you didn't get bogged down in one thing as James would switch between the survivors and authorities' response. 

The author was involved in this community, not at the time, but he had many connections to the people in this book and he takes care to add footnotes when he might have some bias towards someone because he was a classmate of them or worked with them for a time. But even with this, I found this a detailed, remarkably unbiased account where he looks at what isn't a malicious incident at all, but how many people not doing their job as they were meant to, could have a such a catastrophic effect. 

I knew nothing about this incident before this book (I live in the UK and I was eight at the time) but I really appreciated reading this book. This was definitely a really interesting, well-written book and I would recommend it. 

5 stars!

TRIAL BY FIRE: A Devastating Tragedy, 100 Lives Lost and a 15-Year Search for Truth by Scott James is a new nonfiction book about the horrific fire at The Station nightclub in 2003. The author uses exhaustive research and intersperses personal accounts into a work of nonfiction that reads as easily as a work of fiction. I could not put it down!

It was supposed to be a night of fun and partying watching the hair metal band Great White perform at The Station nightclub in Rhode Island. After local warm-up bands, the lights go out and suddenly the band’s road manager sets off four large pyrotechnics which catch the foam on the back wall on fire. The foam is on all of the walls and ceiling and is as effective as gasoline at spreading the fire and within seconds the inside is filled with a black fog of smoke and the entire building is engulfed in flames.

The author takes the reader through the entire tragedy and introduces the reader through family and friends accounts to some of the individuals who died that day, some of the survivor’s stories and the families of both. Then the story follows the investigations into who is responsible, while continuing to intersperse victim’s stories. The author points out the mistakes made and reported and the series of events and decisions that led to unintended consequences and the terrible number of deaths.

I was completely engrossed in this story. (I remember the terrible story when it was on the national news, but like all other news stories, unless you were personally affected it fades from your life.) Mr. James takes the reader to the very beginning and through his research and the passage of time which separates actual facts from the hype and rush to judgement immediately after an event like this, he writes a narrative that illuminates the cascade of errors made and continues to follow survivor’s stories. I believe the author does an excellent job of illuminating the truth about the good and bad of all the major players involved in this tragedy.

I highly recommend this book!

One of America's deadliest fires happened at the Station, a nightclub in Rhode Island. There was a show that night where a band decided to set off some pyrotechnics as part of their set. This started the fire and burned down the building in under 10 minutes. The fire tragically took 100 lives and severely injured many more. Although we know who started the fire, who was at fault? The owners? The band? The city?

This book takes a deep dive into the investigation of the fire and at the same time pays homage to the victims and survivors of the fire. We learn about what really happened that night and all those who played a part in the incident. We also learn why so many people died and why it was so difficult to escape. Many other questions are answered including one of the most important, how could the fire have been prevented in the first place?

I'm surprised I didn't hear as much about the fire when it happened back in 2003 considering how tragic it was so I'm glad I read this book. I felt like the book didn't necessarily point fingers at one specific person and did a good job of putting out all the information on the incident without being extremely biased. Overall, you get to come to your own conclusions while reading the book.

This was such a heartbreaking story to read about especially when you hear from the survivors of the fire and what they went through. My thoughts go out to the survivors from that night, because I can't even imagine the pain they continue to experience every single day.

I definitely recommend this book especially if you're a fan of true crime or nonfiction in general. This book covers a heavy subject that will stick with me for a very long time.

This was a very interesting and compelling account of the 2003 deadly fire at The Station nightclub and live rock venue in West Warwick, Rhode Island that took the lives of 100 people and injured over 200, many severely. For some reason I do not recall this event yet it still stands as the most deadly single dwelling fire in modern American history. The author has ties to the area as well as to other journalists he had worked with in the past and was able to get information that has basically been impossible to get for the past 15 years as no trials ever occurred.

The author gives us a blow by blow account of the fire, the causes of the fire and the aftermath. He tells the story of several people who survived the fire with significant injuries and their recoveries are heartbreaking but also heroic. There was and still remains a large amount of negative sentiment over the way the government handled the prosecution of those who appeared to be at fault. I will let you decide if that is valid or not. The author did a great job bringing the story to life but it still leaves questions in my mind about that night. A solid book in the genre of true crime and historical documentation.

Thank you to NetGalley and and the publisher for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

A gripping, heart-wrenching story that will have you flipping the pages and hooked, wanting to know more. I remember vaguely hearing about this fire and when I found out that a book had been written about it I was thrilled to get my hands on a copy of this book. The story is told from many different point of views which I enjoyed, as it gives many different accounts of various people’s experiences of that night in the nightclub. I cannot imagine what it was like for those inside the nightclub, and their panic to get out alive, as they struggle to find an escape route from the club and make it out into the safety of the night outside. I felt as though I was experiencing the fatal night with them as we read their account of what happened.

We are introduced to several different people in this story and often it was difficult to read the heart-wrenching accounts of what happened. It takes you inside the nightclub and you feel as though you are there with them, experiencing what they are experiencing. I enjoyed reading the facts as well, and following along as the investigation and interviews unfolded.

A book that I highly recommend.

Trial By Fire A Devastating Tragedy, 100 Lives Lost, and A Fifteen Year Search For The Truth by Scott James. This is a non fiction book about the fire at The Station nightclub in Rhode Island that killed 100 people. I requested to read this book because of the last line in the title... A Fifteen Year Search For The Truth. I admire tenacity, and I admire people who can research a book and dig for those answers until they find them... Scott James is that person.
⭐
The range of emotions I felt after finishing this book left me exhausted. Scott James not only does an amazing job investigating this story but the way he wrote it makes it read like a fiction book. He gave all the facts, but not in a dry tone and that makes you want to read and finish this book. I think what I liked most about this book, besides his writing style was his impeccable research. There were a lot of players involved in this story, not all were in the forefront, but even all the supporting players were talked to and their story told. The author did not hide the horror, he kept it up front and real. So real that I could feel the heat, the pain and the anguish. I just hope that people read this book and understand  not only how a series of events played a part in this tragedy but how the media played a part in the truth being hidden for all these years. 5⭐
⭐
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, Scott James and Sara Beth Haring for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love anything true crime. I heard about this case from being in the entertainment industry. This book is very unique. It reads like a novel and how the author wrote about the victims... it made the story more heartbreaking.

Thoughts: The devastating Station nightclub fire in a small Rhode Island town in 2003 forever changed the lives of hundreds of people - over 100 people died and over 200 people were injured, some left with lifetime illnesses, disabilities, or disfigurements. I don't know enough about the fire or the events that night to be any sort of judge or jury, however the investigative journalism by Scott James into this terrible tragedy is so thorough that I couldn't help but share tidbits with my husband as well a coworker, both of which were aware of the 2003 fire and originally thought the nightclub owners were to blame due to what they saw in the media. When I shared with them just a few of the facts James presents, they realized there were so many more details about that night that the media never focused on; details such as why the fire spread so fast, how the club passed several fire marshal inspections prior to that fateful night, and who was responsible for setting off the pyrotechnics that led to the fire itself.

I was appalled to read how quickly and completely disinformation and misinformation was spread by the media in the aftermath. To think the Providence Journal almost got a Pulitzer for (what I would consider) sloppy journalism! I also felt for the victims' families and the survivors - they deserved to know what happened that night, as well as why it happened. They deserved the truth, and they never got it. Well, maybe until now...

To say this is a compelling read is an understatement. It was powerful, emotional, raw, shocking, and maddening. Even if you know nothing about this tragedy, I highly recommend this book. In addition to the events of that night, Scott James also puts a spotlight on several human interest stories - reminding us of the victims and survivors who should never be far from our minds - as well as drawing back the curtain covering political corruption and the injustices of our justice system. I can't say enough about this book. Go buy it, and while you're at it grab a box of tissues and hug your loved ones tight...

This was an absolute jaw droppee. I loved the way this story was told. I'd definitely recommend and read again.

Such an interesting book topic! I really enjoyed this one. It was quick to read, hard to put down, and very informative! Highly recommend!

Well researched, well written. Everything you thought you knew about the horrific fire at The Station is brought to light with many other details that will shock you. Telling the awful tragedy of the events of that night without taking the light off the people at the heart of the story, and those still affected by it.

Trial By Fire is the incredible true story of a nightclub concert gone wrong and the hundreds of lives affected as a result.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for my eARC for review!
On Feb. 20, 2003, in a small town on Rhode Island, hair metal band Great White took the stage at The Station and set off pyrotechnics to open their show.
Seconds later, the walls of the stage were in flames - and mere minutes following, the entire building was engulfed. With more than 400 concert-goers and staff inside.
Ultimately, 100 lives were lost and hundreds more injured.
Author and journalist Scott James, who grew up in the event's town of West Warwick, takes us through the evening in question, the players, and the aftermath.
Who was to blame for one of the largest fire-related losses of life since modern fire codes came into being? How did the fire ignite, and spread, so incredibly quickly?
James's writing is clear, descriptive and research meticulous without being sensational. The event itself is so incredibly tragic that no embellishment is required. Descriptions of deaths and harm incurred are not for the faint of heart, as burn and smoke injuries are so very devastating.
All human angles are examined in the book; from the club owners, patrons and victims, band members and management, media, government officials, first responders and healthcare personnel, attorneys and investigators. All factors relating to the fire are presented - the issues and errors that wove together for such a tragic result are mind-boggling.
This non-fiction novel made a big impact on me and will not soon be forgotten. It is easily a standout in the genre. Absolutely recommended.
Released on Oct. 27, 2020.

February 20, 2003. This is a date that hundreds of people won't ever be able to forget. A date that changed the lives of so many. What started as what was supposed to be a fun night out at the Station in RI, ended in the loss of 100 lives, and more than 200 injured. On this unfortunate night, there was a band booked to play called Great White. What started as a rush of fun and energy, ended abruptly in tragedy and shock. Minutes after the band started to play, the set caught on fire and it spread faster than wild flowers. This particular story talks about what really happened that night from several peoples' point of views. This book follows a few individuals lives and the suffering and challenges they endured after the accideng, as well as the days leading up to the sentencing of the bands' manager that was in charge of the pyrotechnics that were as some view, responsible for the fire, as well as the sentencing of the Derderian Brothers who were the owners of the club at the time. This book is very interesting pointing out many arguments as to who was really at fault for ending the lives of so many, as well as the twisted way the media portrayed such a tragedy. I received a free copy of this book through @Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. It was a very well written and informative book. This isn't something I typically read, but it kept my interest and pulled at many of my emotions. I am very glad I picked up this book.

"Trial by Fire" documents the horrific nightclub fire that occurred in Rhode Island in 2003. I remember this event from the headlines: "the deadliest rock concert in history" and it has continued to be one of the most devastating instances of mass casualties in the US to date. So, how would someone write about it in a way that honors the victims while still giving an accurate portrayal of the event? Somehow Scott James figured it out - this is one of the best nonfiction (and true crime) books that I've read in a long time.

When I started the book, I saw how many chapters there were and felt briefly overwhelmed at reading this much about one event (especially one with some pretty gruesome details). But as soon as I started reading, I was enveloped by the book's honesty and integrity. Every aspect of the tragedy gets examined - from Rhode Island's infamously corrupt government to the band manager and club owners who were at the heart of the cause of the fire. James' writing becomes even more alive with the chapters centered on the victims and survivors of the event - their stories are told with great authenticity and heart.

As hard as it was to read about some of the truly awful details of the fire, this book felt like a pageturner to me - I was always wanting to read just one more chapter to find out more about how the event would play out. It's a true testament to James' writing ability that this book felt more like a thriller than a nonfiction book filled with numbers and dates.

I'm recommending this one to everyone - it's an important read that sheds light on a tragedy that should have been preventable. I hope James is planning on writing his next book soon!

I remember this when it happened. I grew up with the hair bands and I must admit I did enjoy Great White, however only their one hit. I would not call myself a fan. So, when this started to be reported i was shocked and pulled in. This book goes into so much detail with lives lost, survivors and those accused of wrongdoing. Some of the things in the book are shocking and all the cracks that others let things slip through is devastating. Even if you don't know about the fire that one hundred people were killed in Rhode Island during a Great White concert you should read this. Especially if you enjoy true crime and real-life stories.

The author really did a wonderful job researching and writing this book. I was hooked right from the beginning. What a heartbreaking event. I did really appreciate that the author went back and gave us more info on some of the survivors. I’ll definitely be recommending this one!

I received a review copy of this book through Netgalley. All thoughts and comments are my own.
This is a straight forward account of the horrific Station nightclub fire, with first hand accounts, personal details, family memories. When you go out at night, you expect to have a wonderful time and make lovely memories. The fire itself and the losses incurred to human life will haunt the partygoers for years to come. These are their stories. Also, as to blame...justice to be served...who and what is responsible for the tragedy. Many theories abound and the author addresses them here.
True crime, deadly fire, human loss of life.

this book has such high reviews that I was hesitant going into it, but it was so worth it. This book follows the horrible tragedy of the Station Club fire that occured on February 20, 2003. So much destruction happened in this fire, and James uses research and personal accounts to provide insight into this horrible event.

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

A very harrowing, interesting, detailed account of what happened on that fateful night in Rhode Island, 2003. I had only ever heard bits and pieces of what happened before reading this, so I hadn’t realized just HOW catastrophic the fire was or WHY it happened in the first place. This book answers all of those questions and more. I really like the way the author gave such an exhaustive account of what happened - starting with a minute by minute retelling of what was happening when the fire started and how in just those few minutes after erupting, it had already turned deadly. Then he doubles back to explain the causes and finishes by talking about the aftermath. It was very well written, and I hope this author writes more compelling nonfiction in the future!

Thank you to Thomas Dunne Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book kept me at the edge of my seat, Heartbreaking and based on a true story I felt like I was a witness. The details, horrifying at times made me cry, the lost lives and danger that was in the building that could of been prevented. Well done by Scott James to bring this true story to life.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an early edition of this book for a an exchange of my honest review.

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Trial by Fire: A Devastating Tragedy, 100 Lives Lost, and a 15-Year Search for Truth was a good read by Scott James. A hundred people died during a show by the metal band, Great White. There was a sudden burst from two giant sparklers that ignited the acoustical foam lining at the night club. This book follows the investigation into who was at fault for the disaster.

I vaguely remember hearing about this tragic event when it happened, but I really didn't know any of the details. I found this book extremely interesting and found myself picking it up every time I had a free moment. I highly recommend this book!

Excellent book about a very sad story. Well written and hard to put down. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this great book.

I read a lot of non-fiction and true crime. There are so many true crime books that are rushed to publication after a crime that I am left with the feeling that there is missing information or the crime hasn't even been solved yet.

Trial by Fire was published 17 years after the 2003 Station Night Club fire. I am sure that I would have read a book about this disaster sooner if it had been published, however I am so glad that this book wasn't published until the author could get all sides of the story.

Scott James is an experienced and established journalist. He was able to speak to almost all parties in regards to this tragic event. If he wasn't able to speak to them, he was able to obtain court and public documents. James was very respectful of all parties, especially victims and their families.

I vaguely remember hearing about the Station Night Club fire. I was 22, attending concerts and sporting events, and I remember starting to be very aware of all exits anywhere I went.

I only heard about this tragedy a couple of years ago. I came across a documentary about it and I just couldn’t get enough of the story.

This book really had all the details and more that I didn’t know.
It was a great book and kept me engaged the whole time.

If you enjoy crime books I recommend this one. While it isn’t true crime it’s still very similar to stories like that.

Scott James pays tribute to the many people affected by this tragic event. Not only does James shed light on a side of the story that has never before been shared, he also honors the victims, survivors, families/friends and the tight-knit community whose lives were forever changed in the wake of America's deadliest concert. In an age where journalists and news outlets are often viewed in a negative light, James offers a well-researched, objective account of the Rhode Island nightclub fire in hopes that the victims might be remembered and that other needless tragedies might be avoided.

Trial By Fire is an incredibly heart breaking story. I can remember when this took place. The author did an amazing job with the details. I highly recommend this one.

An absolutely compelling story of this horrific fire, with consummate reporting that shows how justice was not served for many of the people involved. It is mind-boggling that certain people simply walked after decisions that cost a hundred people their lives and devastated many more. James's book is compassionate and yet firm in its unblinking focus.

This was a well-researched and interesting non-fiction book about a fire at a nightclub in Rhode Island in 2003 that took the lives of 100 people and left 70 severely injured/burned. I think the author really succeeded at humanizing everyone involved.

This is the story of a devastating fire at a club. 100 people died. The fire lasted minutes, but the search for the truth of what happened that night would last for years. The families wanted justice, the authorities wanted blood. This is the story of that search for answers and the story of the families left behind.

I’m not sure how I went into this book knowing nothing about this devastating event, but I was blown away by how heartbreaking this was. From the 100 victims and the individuals featured as they worked to heal from this trauma to the massively unfair media coverage the owners received, I sat here in shock through the entire book. I’m not even sure how to rate this, as the story caught me so off guard. This book was truly mind blowing, and not a book that I will easily forget. I cried multiple times at the horrors these poor people endured, but I really lost it at the end when I read the names of the victims and realized most of them were younger than me. I’ve had nightmares about how horrifying this night must have been for the concertgoers. I cannot believe this band wasn’t held accountable, and even went so far as to try and profit/gain fame from this afterwards.