Rain Gods

Burke returns with a masterfully told, high-octane thriller in which a young Iraqi war veteran and his girlfriend find themselves on the run after a series of brutal murders in the Deep South. Fortunately, Sheriff Hack Holland is on the case and back in a world he'd tried to leave behind so long ago. While there are familiar aspects to this story, Burke's writing never fails to captivate nor does Will Patton's narration disappoint. As Sheriff Holland, Patton is gritty and intense, but subtly heartbroken and grieving over the death of his wife. As war veteran Pete Flores, Patton creates a relatable character who is at once terrified and exposed while still as heroic as one can possibly be. A Simon & Schuster hardcover (Reviews, June 1). (July)