The Storm by Rachel Hawkins

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a great day.

Well, now that the New Year has passed, we are in what my husband calls the "armpit of the year."  He has a way with words, doesn't he?  You ought to hear him when he is mad, he combines his wordsmithery with cussing that makes a drunk sailor sound like Captain Kangaroo.  One good thing about this time of year is no hurricanes.  During the summer I am constantly watching the weather.  I've practically become a junior meteorologist, learning to recognize developing low pressures and incoming fronts.  It is absolutely terrifying.  I'll never forget the sound of trees slicing through my next-door neighbor's house and waiting for one to hit ours.

I recently read The Storm by Rachel Hawkins. I have read all her books so was anxious to see what this story had to offer.  The Storm is about a town in St. Medard's Bay, Alabama.  Geneva Corliss owns the Rosalie Inn, a beautiful 100-year-old hotel on the beach.  Geneva discovers that a writer is coming to town to research a scandal from St. Medard's Bay's past, the death of the popular Landon Fitzroy and Lo Bailey, the local girl accused of killing him.  Despite the years that have passed, Geneva is not only surprised that the writer is staying at her inn, but he is bringing none other than Lo Bailey herself.  As the death of Landon Fitzroy is unraveled a hurricane approaches, just like when Fitzroy was murdered years ago.

This book was engaging from the beginning.  It was so atmospheric, you can feel the humidity building as the hurricane approaches.  The story told in past and present, is clear and easy reading, holding the readers interest throughout.  Despite reading lots of thrillers and mysteries, I didn't guess the ending.  Very fun.  Would make a great winter escape or a fun summer beach read...just not with an impending hurricane.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy.