The Scent of Rain and Lightning
Nancy Pickard
May 2010
336 pages
Published by Random House
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FTC blah, blah, blah: I purchased this on my nook.
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Synopsis (blatantly filched from the B&N website)
One beautiful summer afternoon, from her bedroom window on the second floor, Jody Linder is unnerved to see her three uncles parking their pickups in front of her parents’ house—or what she calls her parents’ house, even though Jay and Laurie Jo Linder have been gone almost all of Jody’s life. “What is this fearsome thing I see?” the young high school English teacher whispers, mimicking Shakespeare. Polished boots, pressed jeans, fresh white shirts, Stetsons—her uncles’ suspiciously clean visiting clothes are a disturbing sign.
The three bring shocking news: The man convicted of murdering Jody’s father is being released from prison and returning to the small town of Rose, Kansas. It has been twenty-six years since that stormy night when, as baby Jody lay asleep in her crib, her father was shot and killed and her mother disappeared, presumed dead. Neither the protective embrace of Jody’s uncles nor the safe haven of her grandparents’ ranch could erase the pain caused by Billy Crosby on that catastrophic night.
Now Billy Crosby has been granted a new trial, thanks in large part to the efforts of his son, Collin, a lawyer who has spent most of his life trying to prove his father’s innocence. As Jody lives only a few doors down from the Crosbys, she knows that sooner or later she’ll come face-to-face with the man who she believes destroyed her family.
What she doesn’t expect are the heated exchanges with Collin. Having grown up practically side by side in this very small town, Jody and Collin have had a long history of carefully avoiding each other’s eyes. Now Jody discovers that underneath their antagonism is a shared sense of loss that no one else could possibly understand. As she revisits old wounds, startling revelations compel her to uncover the dangerous truth about her family’s tragic past.
This had some surprising twists at the end, too. I, for one, wasn’t expecting who the killer turned out to be. I think I suspected practically everyone else, which was kind of fun. My thoughts went something like this: “No way is it that guy, that’s too obvious.” “Hmm….nahhhh, couldn’t be.” “Wait, maybe it’s…no, that’s too obvious, too. I think.” “Whoa. Didn’t see that coming.” “Whoa. Or that.”
You get the picture. Despite the bloody ending, this was a fun read, and it’s actually a well written book, to boot. I’m not a big mystery fan, and this doesn’t feel like a typical mystery story.
I Love that cover and I love the synopsis. I will definitely give it a try if I get it here.
Veens´s last [type] ..Sookie Stackhouse- 2 & 3
I am thinking of choosing this for our bookclub. It sounds like there will be enough to discuss with the plot alone. This book has been on my wishlist for a bit now, but your review has made me want to read it NOW.
This sounds really, really good and the cover makes pulls me in as well!
michelle´s last [type] ..Book Blogger Hop
This sounds like a Nora Roberts novel to me: two people with painful pasts drawn together despite their antagonism, locked forever in a passionate embrace as they struggle to fight the evil outside… I’m not saying that’s a bad thing – I like Roberts. Just writing what popped into my head. Okay, now that that randomness is over…
I like the premise, and while I don’t usually read mysteries that aren’t also romance novels, I think I’ll add this one to the list.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Book Review- The Boneshaker
I love books that keep you guessing the whole way through and then totally surprise you, so I think I like the sound of this book. I am glad that it was such a great read for you. I am not a big fan of this genre either, but when it’s done right, it can be very intriguing! Thanks!
zibilee´s last [type] ..The Vera Wright Trilogy- My Fathers Moon – Cabin Fever – The Georges Wife by Elizabeth Jolley — 568 pgs
I like a good mystery, especially one that makes me talk to myself! LOL
ooh – I just saw this in the bookstore last night, and made a note to reserve it at the library. I really enjoyed Pickard’s “The Virgin of Small Plains” – it was so suspenseful I almost couldn’t stand it! I hope I like this one as much.
I got a different book by this author because someone spoke so highly of her work. If I like that, I bet I’ll check this one out too.
Jenners´s last [type] ..At Long Last July Giveaway Winners
I loved her other stand alones that I’ve read and I have this on audio. Cannot wait to get to it!
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I had those same thoughts while reading this, lol!
and it’s set In Kansas! this does look like a good one.
The Scent of Rain and Lightning looks like a good one! I love to be surprised at the end, and it so rarely happens>
I’m not a big mystery fan either, but I read the Virgin of Small Plains by Pickard and really liked it. I think I will see if my book club wants to read this one.
Jo-Jo´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday-Aug 16