Reviews

Along Came the Rain by Alison R. Solomon

elvang's review against another edition

4.0

Well that was fun.

Wynn Larimer loves making gourmet meals, designing jewellery and is dealing with what she fears is increasing memory loss. Her partner Barker is a social worker with a heavy caseload and is concerned about Wynn's inability to remember simple basics, like walking the dogs and remembering dinner invitations.

When Wynn is thrown in jail accused of kidnapping two foster kids under Barker's supervision the reader is left wondering how can this slightly confused older woman be involved in something so terrible and how will Barker protect her partner and find the teens.

Alison R. Solomon has written something new and different with Along Came the Rain. It's a thriller but it's gentle. A Cosy Thriller perhaps? There is tension created and we worry that Wynn, while not at the top of her game is being framed but by whom? And to what purpose?

I liked the author's writing style. The story moves along nicely with an easy flow but as another reviewer has indicated, it is important to note the dates listed under the chapter headings. To build layers and increase tension and intrigue the story bounces back and forth from the day Wynn is arrested, to the events surrounding the kidnapping and moments in Barker and Wynn's personal life.

This style of writing is not for everyone, and neither is the first person perspective told chapter to chapter by Wynn, Barker and one of the kidnapped girls but in this novel it works. We readers get to see first hand how Wynn's slips in memory are affecting her confidence and self esteem. Barker gives us insight into the career of a social worker, it's challenges and small victories. She also comes across as short-tempered when her partner forgets some of the smaller details in life. In Kallie we see the world through the eyes of a foster child caught in the system. Her survival skills are honed and she is mature beyond her fifteen years.

Spoiler

The most poignant scene in the book for me was Kallie saying she had been drinking beer since she was three years old. Her drug addicted mom would dip her pacifier in beer to calm and quiet the child.

I found myself unable to put this quick read down. If you are looking for a Karin Slaughter or Lisa Gardner type thriller then this is not the book for you. The mystery involved is not earth shattering but it is surprising.

3.5 stars boosted up to 4 stars for its unique style and subject matter.

ARC received with thanks from Sapphire Books via NetGalley for review.

munleigh's review

2.0

Wynn Larimer is arrested for kidnapping two teenage girls but she's innocent. Things don't help her because she has a poor memory but she knows she's been set up but not who and why.

I couldn't quite get into the book as much as I would have liked. Perhaps it was because of the constant change of POVs and time-hopping. There wasn't much romance as it was more a mystery novel.

I must admit I was quite surprised finding out who did it but I felt the delivery could've been better. I thought that certain leads could have been followed by the police but they didn't, making them somewhat incompetent. I couldn't grasp how Wynn reacted when she found out who it was that framed her.

Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-vp

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.