Private investigator Annie McIntyre is twenty-five working at her elderly Grandpa’s agency with his partner Mary-Pat. Annie still hangs out with high school friends, dates a safe guy and isn’t sure what she wants. Her best friend Nikki's getting married and Annie can’t commit to a dinner date with her boyfriend. Annie returned to her small Texas hill country home town after college. The area is a one diner sorta place where everybody is up in your business. Her family dynamics are strained.
Annie’s working a missing person case by herself for the first time. The new client nearly lost her life when a flash flood caused the river to flood at hundred year depths. Bethany needs to know the identity of the man who rescued her. The clues are few in the aftermath of the devastating flood. When Annie revisits the river the case turns into a murder investigation. The unknown stranger proves almost impossible to put a name to much less to find. As Annie keeps asking questions and following dead ends someone in a red pickup truck is stalking her.
The biggest thing in town is a church complex rivaling those in a metroplex. Bethany married the pastor’s son, John David, also a preacher. He’s devoted and full of hidden secrets. Before Annie can solve the missing man’s identity, she’ll need to protect herself and decide if she’s on the professional and personal path she really wants.
The case was full of unexpected discoveries, people aren’t what you assume, kept me guessing. This was second in the series, could be read as a standalone, by an author I enjoy. The setting is very realistically small town Texas and enjoyable.
Thank you to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “Hard Rain” by Samantha Jayne Allen and to St. Martin’s Publishing, Minotaur Books. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

I read and loved Allen's debut Pay Dirt Road this past Spring.
And her sophomore novel was just as great!

Hard Rain by Samantha Jayne Allen is a satisfying small town mystery!

Annie I enjoyed this character a lot. It was so good to follow her story again!
She is determined and she won't stop till she finds answers.
The town of Garnett, Texas was a captivating setting. I love small town settings and she writes it well.
Samantha Jayne Allen and her vivid descriptions that pull readers into the story.
This is somewhat of a slow burn, but it held my attention and not once did I ever get bored!
Allen has written a terrific mystery that crime fiction and murder mystery fans will enjoy this one.

'Annie's own convictions are put to the ultimate test as long-held secrets, corruption, and violence are exposed like the ruin that lies beneath receding waters.'

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Minotaur Books,
Thank You for your generosity and approving this eARC!

I didn't know there would be a sequel to Pay Dirt Road so I was pleasantly surprised to see this book on NetGalley. I'm glad I got approved because this book was just as good as the first one. Annie McIntyre, who is now working full time at her grandfather's investigations firm, is given her first solo case. A woman who was rescued during a recent flood asks Annie to find the man who helped her to safety before he was swept away by the floodwaters. When Annie's initial search turns up a different person- a murder victim- she realizes the case is more complicated than she initially thought. Her determination to find the missing man gets her closer to the truth but also closer to an unseen danger that is closer than she realizes. I enjoyed this second adventure with Annie, who is a fascinating character. She keeps digging for the truth even while she struggles with her personal family drama. Samantha Jayne Allen has written another tense, slow burning story that keeps you rooting for Annie the whole way. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.