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The Scent of Rain and Lightning

The Scent of Rain and Lightning
A Novel
by Nancy Pickard
Hardcover: May 2010,
336 pages.
Paperback: Feb 2011,
352 pages.

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Page 2 of 4 There are currently 24 reviews
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Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Liz M. (Morristown, NJ)
The Scent of Rain and Lightening
I thought this book was great. Like her first book, the author keeps you wondering and intrigued until the very end. It was such an enjoyable read, once I started it, I zipped through it. I had to find out what happened. I felt a range of emotion toward a lot of the characters, at times liking them, other times disliking, feeling pity, or sorrow. I will definitely recommend this book to both my book clubs.

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Mary S. (Pinson, AL)
The Scent of Rain and Lightning
This was another great book by Nancy Pickard. I loved the character development and the way everyone seemed to be a suspect. I was truly surprised by the ending. I think this story would make an excellent book club selection.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Dorothy M. (Owatonna, MN)
The Scent of Rain and Lightning
Set in the small town of Rose, Kansas, this is the story of Jody, whose father was murdered and her mother disappeared when she was three. It opens when she is 26 and flashes back to the fateful day. Well-developed, interesting characters made me feel involved and the plot included enough twists and turns to keep me involved. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys a mystery that has a main character who struggles with her family tragedy as well as tells a good story.

Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by Teresa G. (Larue, TX)
Wanted to Like This Book
The characters were very well defined and the plot was conceived with enough twists and turns to keep me reading until the very end. I really wanted to like this book, but I disliked most of the characters so much that I could hardly wait for it to be over with. I realize they were supposed to be good ol' boy, salt-of-the-earth type people, but they just seemed self-righteous and full of themselves to me. Only one character was completely likable, and he was the antagonist's son. So, although I wish I could give it 5 stars as she is a good writer, I'm giving her only 3.

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Mary P. (Bellingham, WA)
Scent of Rain and Lightning
I enjoyed this book; once I was hooked it became a compulsion to read in one sitting. It becomes a whodunit mystery and love story, but it also deals with human behavior, how we judge people by past behavior and conclude that that judgment is consistent at all times, with tragic consequences. Even though the story is not told in first person, Jody Linder is our guide; through her observations and thought we understand this aspect of the story. This novel is a good read, on the bases of plot, character, being thought provoking, and not least, written in a style which draws the reader into Rose, Kansas, and the Crosby and Linder families.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Rosemary T. (San Antonio, TX)
The Scent of Rain and Lightning
Starting a little slow, the story line quickly escalates keeping the reader guessing until the end. The author successfully captures the emotions of a small town whose livelihood depends on the success of the largest ranch in the area. Both look out for the other with a loyalty that can go too far as the ending of this book reveals. Mistakes were made, or overlooked, when a man is quickly convicted and jailed for a murder. Only when the conviction is overturned 23 years later is the town and the man's daughter forced to face hidden secrets. Although I enjoyed this read, I was disturbed by the the absence of the main character's maternal grandparents. In my opinion, this relationship, even if not very desirable, would have completed the story.
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