"strong historical romantic suspense"

In 1929 Jill Jones recently moved to Rainwater, Oklahoma to manage her dying Aunt Justine's Byers Hotel. Running the hotel seems quite easy when compared with keeping the advances of the women hungry males away from her.

However, Jill becomes angry with her beloved aunt when Justine hires Thad Taylor to help around the hotel. Thad is a close friend of Jill's brother and insists he only came here as a favor to Joe to watch over his sister until her sibling can arrive. Jill wants nothing to do with the man from her hometown until someone murders a woman. However, Jill soon realizes she wants more from her hometown neighbor, but he insists he will remain here only until Joe arrives.

A PLACE CALLED RAINWATER is a strong historical romantic suspense that is at its best before the murders begins. The story line provides insight into a bygone era through the lead couple and the support cast. Though the who-done- it is well designed and intriguing, it does take the audience away from the novel's strength that of the bickering between Jill and Thad that shines a light on the late 1920s in Oklahoma.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted December 15, 2002