When I read Set the Night on Fire, I was taken back in time so marvelously well. Those who remember that period of such great upheaval--political, social, philosophical--will relish this book for its fine evocation of time and place. But there's a good deal more at work in Ms. Hellmann's story. It's a tight thriller with some dynamic twists of plot. Profound sense of place, believable characters, solid motivation--it's all there, everything a compelling story needs. I loved this book, obviously. One of the best by a writer who always delivers a top-notch read.