My Rating : 4🌟
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Kindle/ Netgalley/ July2020
mabookyardchallengeJuly2020
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Thank you so much Netgalley for the gifted review copy which allows me to give you my unbiased opinion.
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*Trigger warning : Serial killers, Death and Gore*
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This book is a mix of sadistic thriller killer mystery novel that follows an ex-Chicago PD, Paul, who is now part of a new unique skills detectives Judicial Enforcement. Oh that blurb made me so happy I didn't even think twice before requesting this book.
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First, this book was so sadistical serial killery good, I was hooked from the first page. It's not a typical 'detective takes a case, cracks it, catch the killer' story, but instead the killer pays our main character a visit and baits him to catch him!
It's a double murder solving mystery that starts as a base for this plot, which then leads to a cat and mouse chase of a Serial killer who has the attitude to bait the catcher. Umm... If that's not an interesting plot, I don't know what else would be.
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Second, I really loved the way the characters and the scenes were placed in the story. Our detective main character Paul, goes on this merry go round trying to catch the killer, Daniel, while the killer's wife is filling the missing pieces for him! The crime scenes written were detailed, thorough and not less on any detail so it's very descriptive and realistic.
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Now coming to the characters and story, we get to see Paul as a character in both the timelines, his Chicago PD days and his current detective days, and the character arc he gets receives an appreciation. The support characters introduced were always in a necessary fashion that helps with the story development. The writing is really good and that helped with the imagination of the story even better. We can see the amount of research that went into the story with the kind of police procedural scenes that were written. The only thing that bothered me was the pacing or the momentum of the story. One chapter it would be a lot of c action, action, action, let's catch everybody' and some chapters were just filled with a lot of descriptions and explainations. And that ending was so satisfactory, I almost didn't expect that to happen!
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Overall, this story had amazing characters and character development, very good story line, amazing writing, lot of insight to police procedures, psychotic serial killer vibes, lots of action and slow - fast pacing. If you are not bothered by that, I think this is a solid novel to start your Police investigation/ detective story journey!

I could not read this book past 30%, I had no idea what was going on. The storyline was as clear as mud to me. Unfortunately, I won’t be recommending this to anyone. Sorry!

A debut novel fo this pen name, there's a lot to like about this book.
Well-fleshed out characters for the most part, this book is interesting, intriguing and has lots of twists and turns, but there's a certain something about this that isn't above the normal fare of the genre. The twists are there, they're unexpected in the context of the book, but they're not - with a view of the genre, they're up there with the upper portion of the books in the genre, but....not unique. Which is a shame.
It's not a bad book though, so as long as you're aware if you're a broad reader of the genre that there's a solid story and a good airport read. For newer readers of the genre, there might be a few things in here that they enjoy, and leads to other good things in the genre to enjoy.

I wish to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ebook in return for an honest review.

Rain Will Come is a first novel for author Thomas Holgate. It is intriguing in many ways. The protagonist, a career officer who now works for Illinois’s elite state police unit, is a difficult character to like in a way. Dependent on cocaine and decidedly rough around the edges, he defies the norm of a hero profile. The villain of the story is the sympathetic character of Daniel, a tech wiz who’s life was shattered after being diagnosed with a deadly, inoperable brain tumor. With time running out, he decides to become a vigilante angel of death, and right the wrongs of people who have escaped proper justice for crimes committed against other people. Armed with his wits and depraved indifference he embarks on a journey across the country to render justice. The descriptions of the “justice” he perpetrates are graphic and brutal. Despite their crimes you almost feel sorry for these unfortunate souls who make Daniel’s list. There are some minor plot points that don’t always get a full explanation, but in general all the characters find a resolution and the story is wrapped up in a neat little bow. This is a solid first novel and Thomas Holgate is one to watch in the future. Review posted to Goodreads, Facebook, Litsy, LibraryThing, and Amazon.

A fast-paced book with interesting characters that are well-fleshed out and seem to jump at you from the page. The author's choice to pit these two characters against each other, each with nothing to lose and all the more deadly for it, is what I think drew me to this book.
I would recommend it to anyone in the mood for a good book about a killer and a cop but with a twist on it and more surprises than you can imagine.

I don't really know where to start with this book. I was excited by the synopsis but a few times I contemplated DNFing. I found the main detective character to be a huge cliche and honestly just rude and unbearable. I don't know if this was intentional but it's how he came off to me for the majority of the book. There was also some casual racism and sexism throughout, mainly from the perspective of the detective and again, I'm not sure if this was meant to add to his character to make him seem worse, but there was absolutely no reason for it. I would be interested to hear the justification for why it's even in the story and would just hope that it is not a reflection on the author. The writing style was also very wordy and at times overly descriptive when it didn't need to be and the ending for me was underwhelming. This may have been because we knew about the killer from the start but after the build up and the chase aspect throughout it seemed to just be over and done with within a few pages. The slight saving grace was Daniel but he almost didn't seem like the most well rounded character and it would have been nice to have had some more of his perspective. Honestly, by midway through I was rooting for the killer and hoping he would kill off the detective, which might have been a fun twist. The writing style may suit some people but overall, this book wasn't for me.

Rain Will Come follows the story of Detective Paul Czarcik, who is a hell bent infamous cop, with indispensable skills with an eye for kicking up details about people and his crime cases. The novel also follows the story of Daniel Langdon, who has a terminal brain cancer diagnosis and is taking the world into his hands in terms of avenging people who have been abused by some nasty types of people. The story follows Czarcik trying to track Langdon down over the course of many murders in many American states.

From the beginning, I was hooked to this book. I love a great grey character, and Czarcik is one of the best morally grey character I’ve read for a while. I loved reading about how much Czarcik gets away with as a cop, purely because he is the best at the Illinois Bureau of Judicial Enforcement. Czarcik is definitely one of the strangest police characters as well, in terms of his encounters at the constantly changing rented hotel rooms. I loved seeing this difference in his character, because I was truly expecting the typical bent cop kind of character, so Holgate definitely took me on a wild ride with Czarcik’s character. From the very beginning we know that Daniel Langdon is the killer. I loved reading his perspective in the novel. I think that without his perspective the book would have been lacking, and that’s even with me absolutely loving Czarcik’s perspective too. I just loved the interactions between Langdon and Czarcik early on, and all throughout the book at every murder scene too. Langdon was just always that one step ahead of him until the moment the brain cancer just took over too far for reasonable choices for Langdon to make in relation to the murders. I also loved the inclusion of Langdon’s wife, Chloe. She added an aspect to the novel and the characters that I wasn’t expecting. I can safely see I didn’t see the very ending with her and Czarcik to be how the book ended, except the fact I never really trusted what she was saying to Czarcik from early on in their first meeting to between each and every murder.

I was hooked from the beginning of this novel. The pacing was incredibly fast but so good. I felt that something was happening every single page I read, with new facts being found as well. Although the murder scenes were explained in such a way that was incredibly descriptive, which may turn some people off, it added an aspect of realism for me and just how someone can murder someone in cold blood and do such malicious things to do to them, if there’s a backing reason behind it. I adored learning more about each character and their reasons why they were doing what they were doing in relation to the murders and the police chase. I commend Holgate’s writing style that was fabulous. I can’t wait to read more of his books he releases in the future after such a great debut novel.

Thank you very much to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

First- thank you to netgalley for providing me with a digital advance copy of this book in return for an honest review

This book caught my attention with the synopsis, it sounded like a great crime mystery and who doesn’t love that!

I have mixed feelings about the mystery part- the characters are well developed, the plot and story told very well but it’s more a cat and mouse story and the cat - the detective knows who the mouse is- the serial killer; from very early on. A few plot twists but the ending was predictable; thus my issue with calling it a mystery.
An enjoyable read all the same.

Rain Will Come by Thomas Holgate is a first novel but the author’s writing experience of films and television movies and series shines through in this mystery. Paul Czarcik, a senior detective with the Illinois Bureau of Judicial Enforcement is investigating a double murder when he realizes that this crime shares similarities with the murder of a judge in Texas. This leads him to believe he is on the trail of a serial killer. His investigation will take him to other states in pursuit of the killer, in the hope of preventing future murders and trying to detect how he selects his victims. This murder mystery is fast-paced, the characters are well-developed and the storyline is original. Suspense increases with every page. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The thing that stands out in this book is that unlike other crime thrillers dealing with serial killers, the reader already knows who the killer is from the start. So the plot is not so much about Paul Czarick, a detective working for the Illinois Bureau of Criminal Justice, trying to figure out who the killer is, but trying to stay one step ahead of the killer to prevent him from killing his next target.

Paul is both brilliant and a rogue. He has a very unorthodox way of solving crimes and he requires his daily dosage of drink, drugs, cigarettes and conversations with prostitutes to get his detective juices flowing. He is the only person to connect two seemingly separate gruesome murders together as the work of one person which leads the killer in question, Daniel Langdon, to pay him a visit. Later, through his wife, Langdon basically hands over to Paul all the information about the murders he still has to commit and invites him to a game of 'Catch Me If You Can'.

Daniel Langdon is a vigilante of sorts who has taken it upon himself to become judge, jury and executioner to those people who under the garb of being respectable citizens, have crossed all limits of being vile. He is dying and feels that this is one way he can serve mankind...by removing a few people who are an insult to mankind and humanity. Although his idea of doling out justice is very bloody and gruesome, there is a perverse sense of satisfaction from reading about it because we know that those vile people deserve everything that Langdon puts them through. Even Paul who is hell bent on stopping Langdon, at one point begrudgingly envies Langdon his freedom to mete out justice the way he does. Even though both Paul and Langdon are at opposite ends of the justice line, we feel a sense of respect each have for the other.... in different circumstances, these two could have been great friends.

Fast paced and engrossing with well etched out characters, this is a brilliant debut by the author Thomas Holgate, who prior to this book has written for feature films and television shows. This book reads like it could be made into a good thriller movie. The only drawback for me was the ending because it felt very rushed and was an anti-climax.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Thomas and Mercer and the author Thomas Holgate for the e-Arc of the book.

Thank you to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A fast paced story that with some great characters and an addictive plot.
We have a killer with a hit list of people that have gotten away with various crimes and he is about to rectify that. Czarcik is the detective on the case who has seen a lot in his career.
I love the character of, Czarcik, the detective following the serial killer. He comes across as this hard ass with some questionable habits willing to do what he needs in order to catch the suspect.
There are lots of reveals that keep the story moving forward, some of which I didn't see coming.
Looking forward to more books by Thomas Holgate.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
What an interesting story. Paul Czarcik is a loner but part of a policing unit that does things different. Paul himself drinks, smokes, takes illegal substances, and regularly hires escorts. He is no angel and doesn’t necessarily follow the rules. After a horrific crime is committed in Chicago, he connects it to a case in Texas. The connection between the cases is flimsy but Paul is on the right track.

The story is also told from the point of view of the killer. When we see what he is doing and why, it becomes harder to feel for his victims and left me with mixed emotions about the killer.

Rain Will Come has a good, steady pace but you need to have a strong stomach because the crimes committed are pretty gruesome. I was intrigued with the story because I was never sure that Paul was going to get his man. The twists and turns and the story’s conclusion were all so good. Four stars from me.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Rain Will Come by Thomas Holgate.

If someone asked me what the love child between the storyline of Dexter and any generic cop drama would look like, here you go. It's got it all! Murder, sex, ex-spouses, a mysterious vigilante, and a broken and misunderstood cop. It even has super campy dialogue, including, but not limited to:

"we're not so different, you and I."
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"evil is afoot."

So this might be everything you've ever wanted, or the absolute last thing. Either way, it's explosive, readable, and was a nice way to fill the ear space whilst quarantined at home.

Rain Will Come is a police procedural with a character who doesn't mind bending the rules when necessary - my very favorite kind. The story is well-written and definitely held on tight from the beginning. The story does lean toward the gruesome, but that didn't bother me. The whole thing is fast-paced, and the characters are well-rounded. It's just an all around good read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good procedural with a flawed main character.

Sometimes I'm tired of thrillers, but then comes a book that drop kicks me right back into thriller land. This is that book. An excellent read all around!

Paul Czarcik is a detective, par excellence. His methods may not be exactly by the book, but he gets the job done. He has a few vices, but in his book, some alcohol, a little cocaine and a heart to heart conversation with a hooker every now and then, never hurt anyone. In this excellent debut thriller, Czarcik is after a serial killer who has a list of "must kill" victims that have only one trait in common, but the connection is such that it isn't until the killer reaches out to Czarcik, that the pieces fall into place. Then the thrill of the ride really begins.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great story, with interesting and unusual characters, and a pace that kept me turning pages fast! I strongly recommend this book and will be looking for more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author Thomas Holgate and the publisher Thomas & Mercer for the free ARC which I read in return for an honest review, which this is.

Although not new to writing, just to novels, here is an author not afraid to give every grizzly detail... I am not usually squemish, but Rain Will Come had me flinching on more than one occasion.

I enjoyed the intellectual battle and moral overtones in this book immensely. Yes, it was very dark, but the gritty realism adding to the drama and suspense. All in all, I enjoyed it - if you're a fan of the genre and don't mind a lot of gore, I recommend it.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this one!

This is a very well written crime thriller/police procedural book. I really liked the writing in this one, as well as the plot. At first I wasn't sure, but once the pace picked up it was great!

Not for the faint of heart!!
Brutally detailed...
The sights, the sounds, the feels... ooh the feels.
Vigilante justice at its best

JUST RELEASED April 01, 2020!

Thank you to Netgalley as well as Thomas & Mercer for giving me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WOW!! I must say that I am thoroughly impressed, and a debut novel at that! Thomas Holgate is really going to go places if he continues to write with such intensity.

“What you should be asking yourself is, how much pain can I endure?”

Meet—Detective Paul Czarcik, a brash, outspoken member of the BJE ( Bureau of Judicial Enforcement)- an organization with a single obligation— “ To get shit done.” Czarcik is far from innocent, even further from admirable and what some might call a crooked cop. He likes his escorts, his cigars, his coke and rarely abides by the rules. But, he goes above and beyond his call of duty and doesn’t care what measures he has to go to in order to get the bad guy.

However, what if the killer isn’t really the one who’s TRULY to blame, what if these so -called victims had it coming to them? Dare I say—- that they deserved everything that happened to them? If the murderer was taking out people that were the scum of the earth, men and women that just barely escaped jail sentences, or have shown no remorse for the gruesome acts that they’ve committed—how fast should you really chase him? Doesn’t a little part of you WANT him to keep killing? Do you know what it’s like to empathize with this estranged psychopath? You will.

Headless bodies, death involving poultry, hacksaws, cigarette burns, insides on the outside, skinned alive— you name it, you’re in for it! “ [ He ] didn’t want him to die. He wanted him to live. To live and to suffer. Paralyzed. For the rest of his natural life.”

Different parts of this book reminded me of a few different things that I have either watched or read in the past. For instance the killer has a mindset similar to “ The Jigsaw Killer” in the Saw movies as well as could be comparable to “Dexter” in the tv series, but the vibe of the story is more gory and haunting like the movie
“ Seven.” When it comes to writing style... I would compare it to Karin Slaughter or Jack Ketchum. While these are some examples of my favorite narratives all rolled into one frightening book, I can assure you that it is not for the faint of heart. The truth is, you just might not have the stomach for it. Hence, you’ve been warned.

“ It was easy to forget that the THING in the photograph had once been a living, breathing person.”

Everything really ties together in the end and I actually had a smile on my face when I was done. I hope that this becomes a series, it would be nice to go more into depth with the character Sal Cicci.

5 stars!