Michael J. McCann - The Rainy Day Killer - Review and Giveaway

About the Book

A man in a business suit offers the protection of his umbrella to an unsuspecting woman, and several days later she turns up dead on a river bank, raped and strangled. The terrifying serial killer known in the press as the Rainy Day Killer is now hunting new victims in the city of Glendale ... whenever it rains.

Homicide Lieutenant Hank Donaghue leads the investigation as the killer begins to communicate directly to him through phone calls and grisly packages containing body parts of his victims. Assisted by FBI profiler Ed Griffin, Donaghue and Detective Karen Stainer pursue an elusive predator who leaves no physical evidence behind.

The timing couldn't be worse, however, as Karen Stainer's attention is divided between the investigation and preparations for her upcoming wedding. Distracted and uncertain about her future, Stainer is furious when she learns that the Rainy Day Killer has followed her to Virginia, where the wedding will take place, and that he intends to make her his next victim!

My Review

I judge a thriller by how fast it zips along. And I can happily report that I flew right through this one like a speeding bullet. I've never read anything by McCann before and I was delightfully surprised by how this indie author thoughtfully crafted a superb thriller. The level of detail was impressive. It felt like an insider's look at a criminal homicide procedure and I was shocked to read in his bio that McCann had no previous background in law enforcement. The amount of time he spent on research truly paid off. The writing felt real, authentic. No hack job here.

A large cast of characters is weaved through a pretty intricate plot. But what helps the reader through all the different names and technical terms is the sense of building tension throughout. The momentum is always moving forward. It never stalls. The pace is rapid, aided by date stamps at the top of each chapter. The killer first strikes Glendale in April (how apt, April showers, etc.) and wraps on the first day of June. There's never a dull moment as the killer repeatedly reaches out to personally taunt those who are hunting him.

Once the killer is identified as being a white male, dark hair and short of stature, I immediately started zeroing in on every physical characteristic that McCann dropped about his characters. At least twice, I thought I had it figured out, but I was surprised at the reveal. The Rainy Day Killer wasn't who I thought he was. McCann pulled one over on me, having the character make a significant change to his appearance and throwing a major red herring into the mix right before the unveiling. But that's what I expect a mystery writer worth his salt to do. Throw me off balance. Keep me in the dark until the very end.

Bravo, McCann. You duped me. Thank goodness The Rainy Day Killer isn't real (and I'm not blonde), or I'd be toast.

***

The Rainy Day Killer can be purchased at:
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBookstore, Sony, Kobo, Smashwords, Powells, Amazon UK, Amazon CAN, Fishpond AUS, Fishpond NZ

Prices/Formats: $8.99 ebook, $19.99 paperback
Pages: 290
ISBN: 9780987708786
Publisher: Plaid Raccoon Press
Release: August 30, 2013
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About the Author

Michael J. McCann was born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. He earned a B.A. (Hons.) in English from Trent University and an M.A. in English from Queen's University. He has worked as an editor and a project and training consultant and manager with the federal government. He is an author of crime fiction and supernatural thrillers. His Donaghue and Stainer Crime Novel series includes Blood Passage, Marcie's Murder, The Fregoli Delusion, and The Rainy Day Killer. He is also the author of the supernatural thriller The Ghost Man and is currently working on another supernatural novel.

Links to connect with Michael:
Web Site
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Blog (mystery)
Blog (paranormal)
Pinterest
Blog Tour Site


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