“The Scent of Rain and Lightening” by Nancy Pickard
“The Scent of Rain and Lightening” by Nancy Pickard
Published May 4, 2010
The book starts with 26 year old Jody Linder watching her uncles park their trucks outside “her parents” house. Her parents have been dead (Dad) and missing (Mom) since she was three. She is immediately suspicious as the three ranchers are in clean clothes and have shown up unannounced. And in fact, they’re there to tell Jody that the man jailed for murdering her father 23 years before is being released.
So begins a classic mystery with an emotional undertow of a raging river. Jody is an intriguing character: independent yet fiercely family centered, strong yet suspiciously wary of good times. She grew up sheltered by her grandparents but simultaneously in the fishbowl of a small farming community where her family’s tragedy was the biggest scandal…ever.
Pickard draws out the story and its players beautifully. After the initial scene, the story flashes back to the events leading up to the murder/disappearance. It then proceeds linearly until catching back up to present day and moving into the resolution. Although the facts seem clear cut, the fate of Jody’s mother infuses the pages with a suspense that seeps into other aspects. I found myself questioning everything…and being wrong with every theory. The end was completely unexpected without any hint of contrivance.
I’m very glad I picked up “The Scent of Rain and Lightening”. Fair warning – once you pick it up, you’re not going to want to put it down.
Category books, fiction new releases, review | Tags:
