Our Debut Novel

“Thank you for capturing this epic chapter in Boston's history. Saturday, November 28, was a cold and damp night, but it was also Thanksgiving Day weekend, and citizens and military personnel alike looked at the Grove as a place to celebrate, enjoy friendship, and say goodbyes—right up to 10:15 PM.    

We are currently working with our Design Team to create a fitting Cocoanut Grove Memorial to honor the 490 victims, along with the survivors, first responders, brave citizens and medical professionals. Thank you for writing your book and keeping the Cocoanut Grove Fire front and center not only as a tragic event, but also for the many medical and fire prevention and building codes reforms that were instituted here in Boston and adopted worldwide and still practiced today.  Well done.”  

          - Mike Hanlon, Vice President & Treasurer Cocoanut Grove Memorial Committee

"The sheer horror of Boston’s Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire can’t be captured in death tolls and statistics. To do honor to the multiple people impacted—the dead, the injured and those who somehow escaped the inferno—authors Denise M. McShane and Betty Lynn Nye have created a compelling work of historical fiction about that fateful night of November 28, 1942, from the events leading up to it to the aftermath. Mixing historical fact with imagination, the authors weave together the individual stories of a memorable cast of characters and reveal the factors that led to the fire and the quirks of fate that saved some and doomed many. Meticulously researched, the novel adds to our collective knowledge of the fire and its lingering effect. A Fire that Still Burns helps us imagine the unimaginable."

                                                        - Stephanie Schorow, author

                                  The Cocoanut Grove Nightclub Fire: A Boston Tragedy

“Denise M. McShane and Betty Lynn Nye, gifted authors of A Fire That Still Burns, put their considerable talents on full display with their masterful weaving of a beguiling WWII love story set against the unspeakable horror of the fire in the Cocoanut Grove in Boston. The reader careens back and forth amid a host of artful, well-defined silhouettes of emotion that will touch each reader in their own and personal way. A Fire That Still Burns is a literary triumph!” 

                       - Mike Foley, retired Boston Fire Department Lieutenant and author

“Fabulous historical fiction capturing a tragic event in history that elicited pathos for the well-developed characters. Highly recommend!” 

                                           - Sandy Tovray Greenberg, author

"Those who delve into the double-edged world of 1940s Boston will not be disappointed by what they find but will be intrigued by the misdeeds hidden amongst layers of glamour and glitz. Author duo Denise M. McShane and Betty Lynn Nye do a superb job with character development, in particular, endearing us to so many people wrapped up in the personal and business drama going on at the Grove. I found the recently crippled Danny to be a heartfelt portrayal of someone in very real pain for more reasons than one. The dialogue feels authentic to the place and time, bringing history to life amid modern-day pacing and plot techniques. Overall, A Fire That Still Burns is a book that will stay with you long after reading.” 

                                     - K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite - 5 Star Review

“Overall, I’m truly moved by the story you've told here. I can’t believe I’d never heard

of the Cocoanut Grove Fire before reading this, and it’s honorable that you’ve chosen to

write about it in this manner in order to shine light on the tragedy and recognize the lives lost in this fire. It was a powerful book with great storytelling and a very likable main cast, and once again I am incredibly grateful you have allowed me to read this story. The research you did for this book is also evident throughout the entire story and you should both be proud of the work you’ve done!” 

                                             - “ilhywrites” of FIVERR - Beta Reader

“I have read a lot of tragic moments in stories, but I think this one will be one of the most memorable I have ever experienced. The descriptions are startling in their realistic portrayal, and I felt like I was there witnessing it myself. It creates powerful emotions and I felt myself tearing up at moments during this point. The story offers vivid imagery that will transport a reader into this unthinkable tragedy.… This story definitely moved me. I had never heard of this historical event or the history surrounding it, so the events felt that much more emotional for me.” 

                   - “ellieracer3” of FIVERR – Beta Reader & Raceediting.wordpress.com 

“A Fire That Still Burns was a thrilling, compelling and heart-wrenching read that I found myself heavily invested in the whole time.” 

                                           -  “ashreads” of FIVERR - Beta Reader  

                                                WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:

                                          12 - 5 STAR REVIEWS ON AMAZON!!!

“Haunting story that leaves you thinking about the tragic event and characters long after it was read. Bravo to the authors for their efforts around research, character development and their passion to tell this story about the horrific fire at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in 1942. The beginning of the book showed the characters in true 1942 verbiage and fashion, to make you feel like you were peering into the day-to-day business of this swanky nightclub. Once the fire started, the pace of the story “quickly burned”, and revealed how the tragedy of being there, stole the lives of the poor souls trapped. You could just feel the panic they must have felt, by the way the authors metaphorically brought to life the moments they took their last breath. The book was riveting, as well as haunting.  The story stayed with me long after reading! I also felt that the blueprint of the building included in the first few pages of the book helped me to understand where certain events took place, as well as to appreciate the size of the club. Highly recommended for nighttime reading, a weekend read or on vacation, like I did!” - Dr. Margie Downes (November 2, 2024)

"A Fire That Still Burns is a terrific read. I usually read nonfiction but I enjoyed the mix of fictional characters and a real event. The authors did a great job of weaving fictional relationships, and inserting facts about the night club that helped cause the huge number of deaths, throughout the story. Most important for me was the sense of absolute chaos throughout the story. All of this made it difficult to put the book down. I highly recommend it." - Tony G. (October 6, 2024)

"I probably won't have enough space to express what I feel. I loved every character and loved the time period it was taken in. The idea it was a true story made it so much more exciting. The writing was amazing. The details were so accurate. I wish this was made into a movie. It would without doubt get nominated. Can't wait for their next book." 

-  Mary G. Pagliuca (September 20, 2024)

"So interesting and well researched. A part of history brought to life that should not be forgotten!" - Sandra Pender (September 6, 2024)

“I was interested in the Cocoanut Grove fire that took place in Boston in 1942. I was eager to read A Fire That Still Burns. The book did not disappoint. It is very well written with characters and events that come to life. The event descriptions were compelling and I could see and feel everything that took place. I highly recommend this book; you won't want to put it down!!” - Diane Martini (July 9, 2024)

“If you like historical fiction, put this on your list today! I just finished this gem and truly did not want it to end. These authors are genuinely gifted in blending the history of the tragic Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston with a beautiful love story and a powerful friendship between the main characters. It is a captivating, thrilling, tragic, pulls at your heart strings kind of novel. I vote they get it on the big screen soon!!!” - Kathy Bowden (July 9, 2024)

“While it is a fictional love story, it centers around a true and tragic event in Boston's Bay Village District. The excitement built for me just like when I watched Titanic for the first time. Well researched, well written, well done!” - Vanessa Coulson (June 25, 2024)

“I struggled to put A Fire That Still Burns down!! It pulls you in quickly and keeps you engaged until the very end. Denise M. McShane & Betty Lynn Nye outdid themselves!” 

- Gail Peckman (June 20, 2024)

“This book was so good. This was a quick read. Great for summer reading. This was the best book I've read in a long time. All of the characters were interesting. You just have to read it! This should be a movie and in Oprah's book club!” -Danielle Hogrell (June 20, 2024)

“Denise M. McShane and Betty Lynn Nye, gifted authors of A Fire That Still Burns, put their considerable talents on full display with their masterful weaving of a beguiling WWII love story set against the unspeakable horror of the fire in the Cocoanut Grove in Boston. The reader careens back and forth amid a host of artful, well-defined silhouettes of emotion that will touch each reader in their own and personal way. A Fire That Still Burns is a literary triumph!”  - Mike Foley, retired Boston Fire Department Lieutenant and author (June 19, 2024)

“If you’re looking for some summer read, this is a wonderful fast read book. It is very well written by the authors, as they did a great job capturing the events leading up to and during that horrific fire in Boston. I look forward to their next novel!” - Fran Giannakopoulos (May 31, 2024)

“The descriptive writing helped me to imagine the glamour of the club and sadly, the horror of the tragedy. As a native of Massachusetts and born well after the event, I was only vaguely aware of the history. But the thorough research conducted by these gifted writers enlightened me about this sad time in Boston's past. I highly recommend this amazing read! Would LOVE for this to turn into a movie! (Are you listening, Netflix?)” -  Jo Anne Hilly (May 30, 2024)

                                                   OTHER COMMENTS:

“I was riveted to your book. I loved it. It was fantastic! It would be a fantastic movie. Honestly, I didn’t move for almost 3-4 hours with your book. It was really a can’t put this down book.” - Diane Celli

“What a compelling book you have written! I was 20 years old when that terrifying fire happened. Just think, you went back over 80 years to tell of events of that horribly sad time!” - Jean Holmes

“Fantastic!! It was like reading a movie. Heart-wrenching but loved it!” - Diane Lusardi 

“I loved the story the way it is told. The details to make it all come alive. I only wish it could continue!!!???? Great reading. Like the history. When is the next book coming????” 

- Rita Finnell

"I loved your book. Very well written. It was certainly a page turner. I felt for the victims. I laughed and cried throughout the book." - Ann Terpstra 

"I recently finished reading A Fire That Still Burns and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the story and that I’m truly impressed with the amount of research the two of you must have done. The personalities of your characters were very realistic and one can picture the devastation as it was happening at the Cocoanut Grove.  A very informative and entertaining story. " - Charlene Coulson 

 "This book was fantastic! It should be a movie. I loved it. I felt like I was there."

- Karen Cote