Book review: The Sound of Rain

We all love a good thriller, especially one that talks about police, crime and the way justice is served. Add to it a hero(ine) who has fallen from grace and we have a good recipe for a masala page turner, Bollywood style. In short, we have a page turner in our hands.

Gregg Olsen does a good job in creating this piece of work. This has been my first introduction to his writing. Needless to say, I will explore more.

The pace is set appropriately, although it does simmer a bit in the middle. The lead character follows a redemption arc and that is where the otherwise good pace takes a hit. However, this cannot be held against the book. It is usually a difficult task to depict the rise of a character from rock bottom.

The ending has a nice twist. That is expected from a thriller. If you read thrillers regularly then you reach a point where you are able to predict the ending of a book with a decent level of accuracy. This is where Mr. Olsen shines with his wordplay. An unexpected ending is a breather amongst the sea of whodunits that have become commonly available today.

The characters are deftly and brilliantly written. A lot of readers do not belong to the profession described in the book. Even then they will be able to associate themselves with the written characters. Do not be surprised if you find yourself drawing parallels between a character and a colleague from workplace. This relatability and understanding of the reader’s psyche is what makes the reading so special. The lead character is strong yet vulnerable. She is bold, ferocious and yet, confused at times in her beliefs. The reader might find similarities between her journey and their own. Thus, the book becomes relatable in this way.

The plot revolves around a crime and the functioning of the police department. Even if you are not from the country where the story is based you will still be able to understand how the system works. This can also be due to the fact that the book talks more about the characters and the story than the intricacies mirroring the real world which can be boring for the reader. This style of writing can be an inspiration for new writers who have just ventured into the territory of creating thrillers.

Overall, it is a good and interesting read. Do give it a try if you are looking for a good read on the lazy weekend.