Because of the Weather

A stormy day like today reminds me of all the well-reviewed, weather-related fiction titles we’ve added to Schlow’s collection lately.

Fist, there’s Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd, a thriller about a climatologist who goes to London to interview for a job and ends up as the main suspect for a murder he didn’t commit. He hides out in London’s underworld and loses everything, except for his cunning and determination, which he’ll need to fight against the conspiracy he gets pulled into. Library Journal decided Ordinary Thunderstorms is “Not just for thriller fans, this engaging blend of trickery, danger, and human eccentricity will appeal to readers who enjoy not only John Grisham but also John Irving.” Available now.

The Stormchasers by Jenna Blum is a “somber, effective portrait of twins—of the strength they gain and the harm they do to one another” according to Kirkus Reviews. Karena Jorge goes on a mission to find her long- lost, mentally-ill, storm-obsessed brother by traveling with a professional storm-chasing tour company. Meanwhile, she recalls the dark secret of their past. Available May 27.

In The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors by Michele Young-Stone
Becca has been struck by lightning twice in her life; Buckley’s mother was killed by lightning. Experience their tragic stories and also their connection to each other when they finally meet. Sally Bissel from Library Journal wrote, “It's not often that this reviewer regrets a book's ending, but that's what happened here. The sense of melancholy, tempered by the resilience and heart of the characters, makes this ripe for Oprah or fans of Elizabeth Berg or Anne Tyler…Two thumbs up.” Available now.

The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard
Twenty years after the night her father was murdered and her mother disappeared, the man convicted of their murder is released for a new trial and moves in a few houses down from Jody Lindler. Collin Crosby, his son, is determined to prove his father’s innocence. Jody, and the uncles who raised her, will be forced by Collin to confront the truth of what happened that night. Available May 4.