Story 112: "This House is Burning" by Tesla

[wendelah1]

"This House is Burning" is flat-out the best Profiler!Mulder series I've ever read. Tesla's writing style flows effortlessly, and is, by turns, unobtrusive and lyrical. Her Mulder is both much more competent at his job and much less crazy than he's often written. Frankly, that's a pleasant change. But the trilogy is more than a series of meticulously constructed police procedurals, it's also a believable, emotionally involving, Mulder/Scully romance. So let's see: great writing? Check. Exciting plot? Check. Scorching hot sex scenes? Check, check, check. This story was nominated by estella_c, and seconded by yours truly.

tesla321 is still on Live Journal, but unless I've missed something through my inconsistent lurking, she's not actively writing. Could I be more wrong? She's still writing and has even posted a challenge at fandom_charity.

As far as I know, her email address is still current, so go send her some feedback. Or leave it at her Live Journal. Then go donate some money to the Haitian relief effort and get her to write us some fic.

If you don't like my choices, you can always go suggest some of your own.

This House is Burning
Part 1: Blood on the Snow
Part 2: A Thief's Diet
Part 3: The Quiet Glades of Eden

Here in multiple parts on her LJ:

Blood on the Snow 1/2
Blood on the Snow 2/2
A Thief's Diet 1/3
A Thief's Diet 2/3
A Thief's Diet 3/3
The Quiet Glades of Eden 1/2
The Quiet Glades of Eden 2/2

Tesla's Author Page at Gossamer.


Upcoming attractions: "Fathoms Five," by Penumbra, "Blue Patches" by Maybe Amanda, and maybe--Your Nomination.

Comments

[estella-c.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you pointed out that Mulder is still in a PTSD reaction from Scully's abduction (so horrifyingly reproducing his sister's abduction, with all the guilt). It was RIGHT THERE, though not stated. And I'm the one who makes much of Tesla's subtlety.

I actually never realized that THIB takes place during season two. It must be stated somewhere, as everyone *else* knows it.

As I've implied before, I get all het up over splintered branches. You, on the other hand, are good at noticing the forest.

I do think that pole dancers would use lots of moisturizer. Not that I know any. (Maybe that's why they clean the pole with Windex between acts.)

[wendelah1]

It's not stated explicitly anywhere. I'm inferring that from Tesla's saying that the story occurs very early, and because Scully's season two abductions are referenced.

Actually, in this story Scully mentions Mulder's PSTD as a result of her abduction. I think she says his is worse than hers, or words to that effect, so not really my idea.

This fic would make my top ten. I just think Tesla is a terrific writer. She makes it look so easy, which it really isn't. She said in her LJ that she wrote this over about 18 months, in 2002, I believe.

You, on the other hand, are good at noticing the forest.

Thank you.