The Storm by Rachel Hawkins

THE STORM by Rachel Hawkins is full of suspense as the best-selling author uses multiple viewpoints to share events that takes place over several decades. A central theme is the physical and emotional damage which hurricanes can leave behind. In 1984, Landon Fitzroy, considered an heir apparent in Alabama politics, died during Hurricane Marie. His teenage mistress, Lo Bailey, was acquitted of the murder, but returns 40 years later with a young author, August Fletcher, to write a book about her experiences. Another strong storm starts brewing during their stay where the innkeeper of the Rosalie Inn, Geneva Corliss, is their hostess. Geneva also has a box which her Mom (Ellen, now residing at a memory care unit) filled with old clippings about the 1984 storm. So, what, if anything, is the connection? Slowly, Hawkins brings these pieces of a puzzle and the consequences of another fictional hurricane together. There is quite a bit for readers to track and they will likely be surprised by some of the twists. The audiobook of THE STORM is narrated by a cast of characters, providing a creative way of differentiating who is speaking and when. Library Journal said that readers will enjoy this “fast-paced, atmospheric suspense novel” which is a LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection for January.