Today I am reviewing Devil Sent the Rain by Lisa Turner for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): Fresh from solving Memphis’ most sensational murder case, Homicide detective Billy Able and his ambitious new partner Frankie Malone are called to a bizarre crime scene on the outskirts of town. A high society attorney has been murdered while dressed in a wedding gown. Billy is shocked to discover that he has a very personal connection to the victim. When the attorney’s death exposes illegal practices at her family’s prestigious law firm, the scandal is enough to rock the southern city’s social world.
In a tale of the remnants of Old South aristocracy and entitlement, twisted by greed and vengeance, Billy must confront the secrets of his own past to have any chance at solving the murder of the girl he once knew. But, as he seeks the truth, he’s drawn closer to an embittered killer bent on revenge – and eliminating the threat Billy poses.
My review: Gosh, I liked this novel! I was unfamiliar with Lisa Turner’s work before I read Devil Sent the Rain. I’m now a fan. As there are two other books in this series of Memphis police procedurals, I will be making up for lost time.
Turner clearly understands and knows the South. Her descriptions of Memphis are evocative and paint a picture of life in that city, as well as life in other, more rural, areas of the South. Also ringing true is the portrait she paints of Southern ‘aristocracy,’ and the members of that tribe who cling onto a way of life that is fast dying.
Billy Able is a fascinating character – one with a past that is very much a part of this present-day mystery. I really want to read the other two books in the series to follow his journey prior to Devil Sent the Rain. All of the characters are written in great detail, with sharp and telling portraits of the key players. The plot is complicated and compelling. As with all good mysteries, I couldn’t put it down as the story catapulted itself toward the denouement.
This is an excellent police procedural/mystery rooted in the deep south, with the past at war with present. From that starting point, everything spins out of control. I recommend it highly.
About the author: Born in Memphis, Lisa Turner is a southern mystery author who could the roots of Southern identity around her characters, then pushes them to the edge. She travels between her ancestral home in the Deep South and her writing haven on the wildly beautiful coast of Nova Scotia.
Published by Harper Collins.
Good news! One of you will win a copy of Devil Sent the Rain. Just leave a comment on this post and I will choose a winner on Sunday evening.
And stop by Just Let Me Finish This Page today, where I will be asking my favorite question: What are you reading?
Happy Friday.
Sounds like a great book to read. Thanks for the review.
Once agin you have introduced a author I haven’t heard about. First I will check the library and see if they have any of her books.
Oooh! I like the sound of this one. Count me in! (I’m currently getting my Southern vibe on…)
sounds good. thanks for the author/book introduction and chance to win the book!
hope everyone has a great weekend that includes time to read a good book or do something else they enjoy (not just chores and errands)!
kathy in iowa
Sounds like a must read! Always enjoy a new to me author! Thanks for the chance! ;)
Excellent review and wonderful feature and giveaway. Thanks for this chance.
sounds like an interesting read
dq
Thank-you, for your impartial, while very professional in my opinion, review. It sounds fascinating.
-Judy A-
Dear Claudia,
I’m a newbie to your blog and love your writing style. I just subscribed today and really enjoyed your anniversary story and the pictures of your day in Woodstock! It’s funny how things happen; I’ve been checking the Back Porch Musings frequently hoping to find out what happened to Pay since her last post in July. If I hadn’t read back through your blog posts I would never have known that she passed away recently. My heart is so sad for her family as well as her followers! I think you are stuck with me from now on!
Love anything about the South….reading everything I can get my hands on these days!
Sounds good! I’m heading over to my library sites to see if this author is available through Overdrive. HAve a great weekend Claudia.
I’m always looking for a new author and this one sounds great! I do love a good Southern story! I’m so glad to be home but I’m still on West Coast time! Hugs!!
I lived in Louisiana 70’s with my (then active-duty) military husband. In becoming friends with several long-time residents, I became VERY aware of a way of life this northern-born woman had never experienced! The author is spot on in her telling! I do hope to win!!!
Billy Able does sound like a fascinating character..I’m sure I would enjoy reading this and the other two books also…I’m going to check out Lisa Turner and her books on Amazon now!
Great to hear of a writer from Memphis. Would love to win “Devil Sent The Rain” since I live about 5 minutes from Memphis. If not, I will still read her books. Thanks Claudia for the give away.
I lived in Memphis for 5 years! I’m going to look these up from the beginning of the series – thanks Claudia!
Your well written reviews always send me to my library website and if not there to amazon to check out the book. I love getting new ideas for reading material. Thanks
Sounds like I need to check out this author as I really enjoy mysteries. DH is reading Missing Presumed right now and loving it.
I hope you enjoy the other books in the series as much as you enjoyed this one! Thanks for being a part of the tour.
Sounds like a good book from a new-to-me author. Thanks for the chance!
Claudia,
This sounds like a good read. Memphis is part of my life story so I love reading tales based there. Maybe you will pick me!
So glad you and Don had a pleasant celebration of your life together. A loving companion makes life so nice!
Happy Sunday,
Susan