Title: The sign of the flame
Description: Mystery novel aimed at advanced youth readers in the spirit of the Hardy Boys. Set in small California town, a team of young adults solve a mysterious series of arsons.

pg62 "The sight of the huge flames leaping skyward less than a hundred feet from his bedroom window appalled him. With trembling fingers, he drew on his cloths; although his impulse urged him to run far away, out of sight and sound of the big blaze, he forced himself to leave his room and descend to the garden."
Places: Cedar Valley California, San Francisco
Time periods: 1960