“The Storm” by Rachel Hawkins is a mystery set at an oceanside inn on the coast of Alabama. The moody atmosphere and three major hurricanes, which arrived in three different time periods, are a major emphasis in this novel. The story is told from multiple points of view, which I enjoyed – even though sometimes I had to stop for a minute and think ‘who’ was actually telling the story in a chapter.
Geneva runs the Rosalie Inn, which has survived multiple hurricanes over its many years. Geneva’s mom, Ellen, used to run the inn before her Alzheimer’s left her in a nursing facility, unable to communicate. When Ellen was a teen, she and her friends, Lo and Frieda, experienced a hurricane that was followed by a sensational murder trial that involved Lo. Now, Lo has reappeared at the Inn with a writer/reporter named August who wants to write about the history of the area, including the Inn and the hurricanes. As the days go by, Geneva begins to uncover secrets that she never suspected.
I have been looking for a mystery to read during these cold days, and I was happy I chose “The Storm.” There were several twists along the way, although some were rather predictable. Still, the novel kept my attention and the ending built up to a satisfying end. The novel did have me dreaming of white sand beaches and warmer weather, lol!
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