Monday With Kaye: "The Rhythm of the August Rain" by Gillian Royes (Reviewed by Kaye George)

It is April and here that means there is rain as opposed to August where there is often not a drop of rain to be had. According to Kaye George The Rhythm of the August Rain is not at all about Texas in August. As a native Texan, I figured that out just from the title.

The Rhythm of the August Rain by Gillian Royes

This is an intriguing tale of friendship between two men from very different cultures who are together in the exotic setting of Largo Bay, Jamaica. Largo Bay is fictitious, but I have the feeling that the Jamaica in this book is the real thing.

Eric came to Largo Bay from the New York with grand plans for a hotel. Shad was already there, a native, and helped build the hotel. The hotel, never having made the profit Eric hoped for, has been destroyed by a storm and stands on the island near the shabby bar he and Shad now operate. There are some hopeful plans to develop the property.

Simone, a talented photographer whom Eric once thought was the love of his life, is coming to Largo Bay in July to do a story on Rastafarians. This turns out to be a lot more risky than one would think. They do not like people investigating them, and especially do not like to be photographed during their rituals. However, Shannon, Eric’s ex-girlfriend and the mother of his daughter, Eve, is also arriving soon. Meanwhile, Shad is being pressured by Beth, the mother of his four children, to make it legal with a real wedding.

Eric makes some discoveries about himself and it’s fun to make them with him. There is a bit of a mystery about an old killing that Shannon manages to do some detecting on, even though Shad is supposed to be a detective. The developing relationship between Eric and his daughter is well done. But the best part of this book is the Jamaican setting and the Rastas, their history and culture.

Reviewed by Kaye George, Author of Death in the Time of Ice for Suspense Magazine