Just like The Mikado, Daniel “has got a little list” of folks the world could do without. So, from the beginning of the book, we know the identity of the serial killer and can get a certain perverse satisfaction as he doles out his peculiar form of justice.

Meanwhile, Czarcik is the longest tenured Detective for the Illinois Bureau of Criminal Justice and is given lots of leeway to do things his way.

Holgate does a great job of creating both of these characters. They are each very unique individuals and it’s great fun to watch them play this game of cat and mouse. Czarcik uses coke, prostitutes for company, not sex and smokes wherever he wants, rules be damned. He reminds me of the old detectives from the 1950s and 60s. Daniel helps out those down on their luck. It’s not all black and white here. In fact, Czarcik actually envies Daniel his ability to mete out justice.

Be prepared, parts of this book are downright gruesome. If you can handle that, it’s a fast paced book that keeps you engrossed. The big reveal at the end was obvious from early, early on. Holgate has written feature films and TV movies. The novel reads like it’s been written with a film in mind.

My thanks to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.

Paul Czarcik, a hardened detective in the Illinois Bureau of Judicial Enforcement has seen it all, at least he thought he had. Called to the scene of a double homicide, a woman and man who fostered children have been brutally murdered. Paul learns that the couple had severely mistreated the children in their care and it seems as if someone has decided that they must pay. When more cases of particularly violent homicide occur, Paul knows that they have a serial killer and vigilante who is balancing the scales of justice. The killer realizes that Paul is after him and when an unexpected witness comes forth with vital information, Paul realizes that the game has just begun. An absorbing mystery that keeps you reading even through the more disturbing murders. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Chicago, in itself, is a detective story.

Rain Will Come caught my attention for that very reason. Who wouldn't want to gravitate toward big time crime, a wayward aging detective, a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde serial killer, and some brutal goings on in the Windy City.?

I would. I did. And now I'm not so sure.

Thomas Holgate lays out his main character of Detective Paul Czarcik like a beefy cut of Chicago's finest on a crusty roll. He's Old School, on the other side of fifty, and still drives around in a Crown Victoria. In his back pocket is a Blackberry relic and his coffee breaks consist of Cutty Sark and a line of cocaine now and then. He works for the Illinois Bureau of Judicial Enforcement and his boss is trying to get him to retire.

Czarcik is called up in the middle of the night to check out a double murder crime scene. One of the victims has a dead chicken around her neck. Not your usual murder attire. Czarcik is assigned to the case and soon finds a thread that will connect these deaths to someone on a crime spree that will make your jaw drop.

But here's where Holgate loses me. What starts out as a snarky detective story soon flips over to the burnt side of the road. He wades too deeply into the shock-and-awe of a psychological thriller that gets lost in graphic descriptors rather than with a well-honed storyline. It's the gore that he's after and he's obsessed with his views on timely social topics. I've read enough thrillers and horror genres to fill a Chicago warehouse. Nothing shocks me, but this will be a DNF to many, many readers when they arrive at this juncture in the story. Oh, so not necessary. Work on the potholes in this road, Holgate, and re-think the future of the great possibility you have in the character of Paul Czarcik.

I received a copy of this boo through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to Thomas Holgate for the opportunity.

The book is set in Chicago, although it soon expands into other states as broken cop Paul Czarcik attempts to apprehend a serial killer with nothing to lose.

I really liked the characters in this book, particularly Paul Czarcik, the damaged cop with more vices that you can count and the serial killer, who seems hellbent on sorting life’s wrongs.

The writing in this book was very descriptive, especially in the way the serial killer tortures his victims, so not for the faint hearted.

The only downside is there was not enough twists and turns for my liking, but on the whole a very enjoyable read and I look forward to the authors next book, hopefully featuring Paul Czarcik.

I’d like to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book for free in return for an open and honest review.

This book is a somewhat unique take on a serial killer hunt. We are introduced to the killer from the go. Some may not like that, but there is a reason for it. It's what the story dictates to get the overall point across. It's a game of 'catch me if you can'. 

I devoured this book. I love the flawed characters. They were perfectly flawed in all the right ways. There are no perfect characters in this one. Czarcik is most likely the most flawed, and he doesn't have any shame for it. He is who he is.

There are a handful of very graphic scenes. If you have a soft stomach, this might be hard to read. Some of the crime scenes hold nothing back on what this serial killer is capable of. Personally, their graphic nature is what adds to the impact the story had on me. 

Daniel, the serial killer. Is he really a criminal? Sure he is murdering people. But for him, there is a reason. Vigilante killers always peek my interest. A murder is a murder, but when those being hunted are predators in some way, is it really a crime? This is the big conundrum in this book. One that Czarcik himself struggles with.

Overall, this is an extremely well-written crime thriller. I could have done without the little romantic twist thrown in during the last of the book, but it didn't totally kill my mood while reading it. This book is definitely worth picking up.

This was a very interesting book. The detective is a mess and pretty unlikeable. The killer, on the other hand, is sympathetic. We know the killers id pretty early so the story is more about the dynamic between the detective and the killer. I found the book enjoyable even if i also found i had to suspend belief in order to enjoy it.

“You have a decision to make.” Rain Will Come by Thomas Holgate

This book...feels like it’s grittier than it is I think.

It’s a thriller, with gore and an anti-hero and a bad guy out to rid the world of its worst scum.

Paul, the anti-hero detective, is on the move to catch probably the most efficient killer of the country. And no one else knows or believes in him or believes him. So does he stop him in time?

It’s fun in that it’s rather dark and in a descriptive way too. Trying not to spoil anything but all the gore is so complimentary to Aubrey Rose and Thomas. Hahaha. Took a break from the pair to finish up and review this arc.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for the copy of this book!

A page turning thriller about a seasoned detective on a cat and mouse hunt with a serial killer. Sometimes one has to cross lines that might not usually be crossed to get justice where justice is due. This book makes us question ourselves and our moral beliefs about what is acceptable in certain situations and how far they would go. Really enjoyed this book!

4* A very good intro to this author, in a tale I hadn't seen coming. Only loses 1* because...

... 1) Paul Czarcik was made to sound old and unattractive and I couldn't see him ending up with what he did (trying not to spoiler here) and how he'd be able to explain things away. I'm sure the fact that he wasn't a cop/detective on active duty (well, not as I read and interpreted it) will help, but still there should/could be questions and he's in an awkward position.

2) There was a slight plot hole with the killer watching Paul at various hotels, because there weren't sufficient visits, once he knew about Paul's predilection, to make up all the photos he had that could have compromised Paul. But, I doubt others will notice and it didn't spoil the book, and neither was the predilection fully explained.

3) Paul wasn't lead material, as a cop or a guy, in my book, no pun intended. I need to at least have some kind of connection with a lead, but he was utterly not my kind of person. Tbh, this may just be a male character written by a male author making me feel like this, as I mostly read books by female authors, but he really had not one single thing that made me like him. Even his doggedness and his intuition didn't make me admire him; to me, he was about as attractive as Columbo (i.e., not!)

Other than the above, and despite a rather dull and grey start with Paul's intro, and his rudeness, his arrogance, his lack of personality and his utter lack of likeability and people skills (I still didn't like him even at the end), this was a really good tale. And I liked that Paul did the right thing, at least in my eyes (and no doubt the eyes of other Average Joes/Janes) at the very end, when faced with an abuser.

It's not your average cop-hunting-a-killer-down tale, and the killer wasn't your average guy. In fact, I was left wondering what his life would have been like without the thing that prompted his spree. Would he have been fulfilled? Was his loved one fulfilled, or did I detect some resentment from her, despite the deep love they had for each other (well, more so on his part, I thought, than hers)? This book had me thinking about it for a while after I finished, which is a good sign.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas Mercer books, for my reading pleasure.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer, Mr. Holgate and Netgalley.
This was one badass book! I loved it!
Truth is that as much as I tell myself that I'm a nice person, I realise that when it comes to messed up people, I really don't want them to spend time in the pokey. Prison is not good enough for me. Murderers, rapists or pedophiles should suffer exactly how they made others suffer. So, of course I loved this story! I wanted the deaths to continue.
On the other hand, we have a policeman. Old school, who has an instinctual way of working. Also, he's a lone wolf. "Can't blame him." But, he's also messed up, but not really. He has some issues. But I honestly can't complain, because he deals with them. Kind of. Is it weird that I sort of identified with him? Crikey! He drinks alot, does cocaine and rents ladies of the night. Not for sex though. He likes the company, and wants to hear their stories. He's kind of rude, yet for me there was something almost appealing about him. Oh, ha, ha!! Yeah, I don't have his habits! Though I have. Well, except for the night gals! Still, I'm not opposed. I love a good story!

Paul Czarcik, Is a ruthless , somewhat broken detective who works in the Illinois Bureau of Judicial Enforcement, He has the reputation for always solving his cases but doesn’t often play by the rules. He drinks and smokes too much and often snorts cocaine so he’s got his own vices but he does his job. He is tasked with solving a double homicide in which the male victim was tortured and beheaded and the female victim was beaten to death. He finds some similarities between another homicide and begins to suspect that there is a serial killer at work. As he gets closer and closer to the killer bodies pile up and he suspects the killer is manipulating him. Overall this is a good thriller. The characters are well thought out and the story is plausible. There were a few things that bothered me. The first is that the killer seems invincible and never really makes mistakes. He is able to pick any lock, evade any alarm system, sneak up on anyone. It was a little too super villain for me. In real life criminals almost always slip up and get caught. Also, Paul is such an ass. In every interaction with others, he never misses a chance to say something mean. I can understand a few instances but every time? I didn’t like it. Also he’s a mess, with the cigs, booze and coke, I find it hard to believe he has such a high solve rate. I also don’t believe the love interest would have had thing one to do with him for many reasons. I understand why it was written that way but it required a huge suspension of belief at the end. Overall, I liked the story but it read more like a screenplay rather than a hard boiled novel. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this book. It’s page turning , thriller fun. I enjoyed the dialect and the mystery. I look forward to reading more by this author.

I would like to thank the author and #NetGalley for the ARC of #RainWillCome which will be the object of this review.

<b>Overall: 4.67</b>

Cover: 5
It was precisely the cover that drew me in to the book to begin with. In its simplicity, it looks professional and inviting. The cherry on top is the title, which at first I couldn't place in the story line until well after the last quarter of the book when this relation is revealed <spoiler>by quoting Taxi Driver's Travis Bickle: “Someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets," referring to how Daniel expected Paul's understanding of his mission</spoiler>.

Writing and Delivery: 4
Thomas Holgate just became one of my favorite authors. His voice and prose makes you want to keep turning pages. This ending was not at all unexpected but I love how he built it up and kept me wondering if my take was the correct one. On the other hand, I believe that while our protagonist was a bit of a rogue, some of his behavior <spoiler>his dependence on substances (either legal yet inappropriate on the job or downright illegal) to function properly</spoiler> was a bit much. Especially younger audiences might read the wrong message here.

Editorial: 5
For an uncorrected proof, this copy is pretty much flawless. Thank you very much.

Rain Will Come is a dark, gritty story with some crazy twists. The story is well-written with fully developed characters. I didn’t particulary like them but I liked the way they interacted with each other.

All in all this was a gripping story though a gory one.

I will read more books from Thomas Holgate if I get the chance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.

Rain Will Come by Thomas Holgate, 302 pages.
Thomas & Mercer, 2020. $16.
Language: R (129 swears, 70 “f”); Mature Content: R; Violence: R
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - NO
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
Detective Czarcik has been in law enforcement for a long time, and he’s seen some horrible things come to pass in Chicago, but nothing quite like this. Czarcik is tracking down Daniel who’s on a mission to kill. While no one else suspects the attacks are related, Czarcik knows he is going to stop Daniel -- even if it’s the last thing he does.
This thriller, with the characteristics inherent in that genre, lends itself to pique the interest of readers and entice them to keep reading for the suspense. While I definitely felt that draw, I was disappointed to not feel entranced or captivated enough by the story and the characters to want to read for them. I honestly would have put it down if I wasn’t reading it for a review. The language is crass and a lot of the images are either lewd or gruesome -- or both. The mature content rating is for illegal drug use, partial nudity, prostitution, rape, child pornography, and sex. The violence rating is for child abuse, inhumane treatment, gun violence, and murder.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader's copy in exchange for my opinion/review. This was a slow to start book and pushing through, I'm glad I did. Good story line, with relatable killer. Some of the protagonist quirks were odd, but still good fast read.

Rain Will Come by Thomas Holgate starts out with the reader knowing who the killer is. A new twist on a serial killer thriller. We have a real game of who can catch who "cat and mouse" type thriller. What is motivating Detective Czarcik? Why does Detective Czarcik decide to color a little outside the lines? This book is a face paced book and I enjoyed it. "This book was given to me for free at my request from NetGalley and I provided this voluntary review."

Lots of twists and surprises in this “catch the serial killer” mystery. There is some descriptive violence to be aware of. It is well written with well developed characters. The detective is flawed and that makes him more realistic.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I normally enjoy books about serial killers but I just couldn't enjoy this one. The protagonist wasn't likeable and the story itself wasn't very interesting.

Wow, what a read!
Rain Will Come will keep readers entertained from start to finish. It’s a quick read that will definitely appeal to police procedural fans.

I just love how Holgate narrates a story. This one was engaging and gripping and I refused to stop reading until I reached the very last page. The writing is splendid and so is the crafting of all the characters.

I absolutely couldn’t put it down - highly recommend!