Sibella GiorelloRecensioni

It was alright. Pretty short. Little depth.

Read for Inspy's

This is the third in a crime series featuring FBI forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon. In this book, she has returned to Richmond, Virginia, after having been banished because of a disciplinary transfer. She is happy to be back, but has to work for a judgmental and somewhat caricatured boss, Victoria Phaup. She is given two tasks: solving a hate crime against a famous black rapper, RPM, who lives on a former plantation, and filling in on a drug-busting task force. When not working the jobs, she is eating massive amounts of fast food (but is still “gorgeous”), trying to see how she feels about her former high school boyfriend Demott Fielding, and worrying about her mother, who is exhibiting worrying dementia-like behavior.

Two rather unexpected themes also weave through the book. One is a Christian emphasis. About half the time it blends in with the plot, but other times, like her lecture about intelligent design, seem contrived. There are also gratuitous (it seemed to me) statements thrown in like about how it felt good to come home, but “it was nothing compared to the feeling of returning to a God who loved me and was waiting for me.”

The second theme is Raleigh’s somewhat bizarre tendency to view everyone’s eyes in terms of rocks. We have eyes like “fractured gray pebbles,” like “birefringent blue prisms” [pedantic for no good reason], “luminous as opals,” "shiny as marbles," and so on.

For the most part the characters were not very nuanced - they tended to be either rock, paper, or scissors, to borrow the author’s tendency for geological metaphors. Her religious metaphors are a bit inept as well, such as when she compared the buildings on a cold Saturday morning in downtown D.C. to “Advent panels nobody would want to open.” I think the author has potential but maybe she tries a bit too hard.

From Amazon:

Raleigh Harmon's life seems as impossible to solve as the high-profile case she's pursuing. Closing her assignment with the FBI's Seattle office, forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon returns to her hometown of Richmond, Virginia, expecting a warm welcome. Instead she finds herself investigating an ugly cross burning at a celebrity's mansion and standing in the cross-hairs of her boss at the Bureau. And the deeper Raleigh digs into the case, the murkier the water becomes . . . until she's left wondering who the real victims might be. To make matters worse, Raleigh's personal life offers almost zero clarity. Her former confidant is suddenly remote while her former boyfriend keeps popping up wherever she goes. And then there's her mother. Raleigh's move home was supposed to improve Nadine's fragile sanity, but instead seems to be making things worse.

My Thoughts:

The Clouds Roll Away is a gritty suspense story that, though it alludes to discussion of faith, faith plays more of a small part in a mostly suspense filled story.
Although I felt the first few chapters were bit slow and the characters starting out were stereotypical and two dimensional, the pace of the book quicken in the middle and held promise...but then the ending had that thrown together feeling. I did find some aspects of the FBI theme compelling and it was interesting how various seemingly unrelated elements pulled together toward the end.

Christian mystery.

The Stones Cry Out is the first book in Sibella Giorello’s Raleigh Harmon series. I started this series with book 3, so I was really interested to get back to the beginning — of great writing and a great character. Giorello is one of my favorite suspense writers. If you haven’t read any of her books or if you started in the middle like me, check out The Stones Cry Out.

Things are hot in Richmond in the summer. But the heat is not the only thing getting tempers hot. A civil rights investigation by the FBI into the deaths of a white policeman and a black businessman has the city on edge. And while the two plummeted to their deaths in the midst of a demonstration, there are no witnesses to the incident. Raleigh Harmon, geologist turned agent, is charged with the investigation and getting the case closed quickly. No one seems interested in finding out just what happened. But Raleigh, who is haunted by her own unsolved case, won’t give up.

Raleigh Harmon is a great character. She has lots of baggage — a father murdered in a mugging, a sister that thinks the FBI is no better than the Gestapo, and a mother who struggles with mental stabilbity. Raleigh also has a strong sense of right and wrong. Her faith keeps her going despite the obstacles thrown in her way — a vindictive boss, hostile citizens and uncooperative police. Raleigh is a complex character with plenty of flaws and lots to love. The story is also a great twisting mystery. The forensic investigation is just as important as the hunches Raleigh follows. The Stones Cry Out is great for those who like CSI or Bones.

I loved this book and look forward to #2 in the series, The Rivers Run Dry.

Recommended.½

absolutely loved this debut read of Sibella Giorello's newest.

Enjoyed meeting the author, the protagonist and the supporting characters in a fascinating story. Lots of action, tension and conflicted relationships that kept Raleigh real in the midst of highly adventurous escapades.

One of my favourite discoveries in this intro to Sibella's writing is her excellent use of language ~ creative word selection added immeasurably to descriptions. Left me feeling the deficit of many recent books in my reading diet...

Definitely appreciated Sibella's newest as a welcome addition to my library. An author I will be anticipating with pleasure! TY Sibella :)

I liked this book well enough. The story was pretty good, but for some reason I didn’t really get caught up into it until about the last quarter of the book. The first three quarters weren’t boring or poorly written, I just didn’t really get into it. But the mystery of what was happening to the horses was enough to keep me reading until I got really hooked. I think part of that is because I am such an animal lover that I wanted to know what kind of sick person would be hurting animals, and what end it would serve. But either way I ended up really liking a book that I thought was going to be just so-so.

I haven’t had a chance to read any of the previous Raleigh Harmon novels, but I can’t say that I feel like I was missing anything starting so far into the series. The story doesn’t seem to be too dependent on previous stories, although I’m sure there’s some background information not shared in this book that some one who’s read the whole series might be able to use to “fill-in” some of the story. But I have to say that Giorella does a great job of keeping the reader up to date, so to speak, on the pertinent information.

I did like Raleigh. Like most Heroines she was a do what you got to do to get things done kind of woman. Which apparently has gotten her into quite a bit of trouble in the past. Even in this book, her inability to follow the rules and let things come as they may gets her into some sticky situations. Which adds to the story so much. She also has a relationship with God that I could easily relate to. Even when she’s doing things she would rather not do she makes herself aware of it and then prayed about it a few times in the book. That made it much easier for me to relate to her. There are many times in my life that I’ve done something, for whatever reason, that I know I shouldn’t have and knowing that as long as I take steps to not repeat those mistakes I can always receive forgiveness.

The secondary characters were pretty well developed too. Each person had a specific purpose in the story. Some of them seemed to be there just to throw you off of who was really behind everything. I think my favorite character was Jack – he was a tough guy womanizer. But he had a bit of a change of heart in this one. I’d imagine that change started in the last book, given the relationship with Raleigh, but I could see the change even without the previous story as a gauge.

What I really liked about this story is that it kept me guessing. When Raleigh first takes the undercover assignment I had no idea that it was going to twist into the story that it did. The original mystery opens up so many more mysteries that if you were to just read the beginning and the end of the book you’d probably think you were reading two different books. And the who-dun-it twists were pretty awesome too. Given how quickly things changed in this one I was never really quite sure I had it pegged. I love stories like that, where it really keeps you guessing and engaged. And the twists weren’t crazy – they really flowed well.

It was a very well written book. The only reason that it doesn’t get 5 stars is that it took so long for me to get into it. But I do have to say I’m glad I stuck with it. It was worth every second

FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon has been suspended for bending the rules in a previous case, and finds herself being investigated by the agency's Internal Affairs department. The FBI is giving Raleigh another chance to redeem herself, she is sent to Seattle, Washington, on an undercover assignment at Emerald Meadows, a thoroughbred horse racing track, to investigate a case of fixing horse races. Raleigh finds that there is more than fixing races going on at the track, the horses are dying from mysterious illnesses, and someone is trying to stop her from solving the case.

Complicating matters even more for Raleigh are her personal issues: her mother has been involuntarily committed to a mental asylum; her fiance wants her to give up her job and move home to Virginia; and she's fighting an attraction to her co-worker, FBI Special Agent Jack Stephanson.

Can Raleigh put her trust in God and her faith, with memories of time spent with her Dad looking up at the night sky where The Stars Shine Bright to solve the case and her personal problems?

The Stars Shine Bright is an intriguing mystery novel filled with enough adventure, drama, suspense and romance to keep you guessing and sitting on the edge of your seat. Written in the first person narrative by our quirky protagonist, Raleigh Harmon, the reader goes along for the ride on her latest FBI assignment. Rich in attention to detail and vivid descriptions of the beautiful setting in Seattle; along with the sights, sounds and smell of the horse racing world, the reader is easily drawn into Raleigh's latest adventure full of suspenseful twists and turns with a bit of romance in the mix. The story is a real page turner, you can't help but feel like your transported to Seattle and becoming involved as Raleigh investigates the case, you won't be able to put the book down!

The author provides a cast of characters that are realistic, complex, multi-faceted, and easy for the readers to relate to. Raleigh is a little spit-fire, she has a quirky and engaging personality that made me laugh. Raleigh is a person that people can relate to, she has flaws and issues that she struggles with, just like we do. I was really intrigued by Raleigh's training as a forensic geologist, I found the description of her training and the interesting geological facts to be fascinating. Eighty-four year old race course owner Eleanor Anderson is a spunky lady who quotes playwright Tennessee Williams; while handsome FBI Special Agent Jack Stephanson matches wits with Raleigh while the sparks fly. The characters' stimulating dialogues, interactions and dry humor make this story an entertaining and enjoyable read.

The Stars Shine Bright is a gripping whodunit mystery novel that will keep you in suspense and entertained with its high level of intensity, drama and a bit of romance thrown into the mix.

The Stars Shine Bright is the fifth book in the Raleigh Harmon Mystery Series. While the book is part of a series, it can easily stand alone.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event host by Litfuse Publicity.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-stars-shine-bright-by-sibe...

Raleigh Harmon is back, and this time she is undercover. With the FBI suspending Raleigh for bending the rules, Special Agent Raleigh Harmon has one last chance to redeem herself and to save the career she loves so much. With the possibility of races being fixed at Emerald Downs horse track, Raleigh is called in to go undercover to discover what is happening; however, once she gets there horses are getting injured and dying and Raleigh’s own life is threatened. She soon realizes that there is something more than just horse races being fixed.

The one contact Raleigh has at the FBI is the one person she doesn’t want to have to deal with, never knowing if he will be teasing her, lecturing her or being a genuine friend Jack Stephenson is the last person Raleigh wants to have contact with. As things heat up at the races, Raleigh’s life continues in a downward spiral, her mother doesn’t want to see her, the required meetings with her shrink can mean losing her job with the FBI, Demott, her fiancée wants her to return home, a black Cadillac keeps appearing out of nowhere to follow Raleigh. With her life spinning out of control and the case having too many open ends with the FBI wanting to know her every move Raleigh is unsure where to turn. Can she figure out what is happening before someone ends up hurt and before the FBI pulls her off the assignment?

Sibella Giorello returns with the 5th book in the Raleigh Harmon series, The Stars Shine Bright, Giorello’s writing will wrap you into the pages, weaving you into the intricate story lines that make you feel as if you are watching the story develop. Giorello’s writing is complemented by her strong research and authentic characters that you can relate too. Filled with laughter, heartache, good times and bad you will sink into this story till the last page.

Raleigh Harmon [David] is fighting to save her job at the FBI. She is now undercover at a horse race track, where mysterious things are happening. Her Aunt Elanor [not really] is a wealthy thespian, and plays her role of Aunt so well, you will forget she is not really her Aunt.
It looks like someone is fixing races, and horses are being hurt and Elanor wants her to get to the bottom of things. Things are going from bad to worse, and Raleigh has one friend she can contact [he seems to there for her throughout the book] Jack Stephanson. Raleigh has played it on the edge one to many times at the FBI, and they are looking at her closely.
Besides almost loosing her life in a barn fire, she is being tailed by a black Cadillac.
Then her fiance, DeMott, calls and is bring her Mother's dog to her. Madame is so depressed from being away from her family she is loosing weight. This darling dog adds more delight in this story. Also throughout the book I keep thinking...throw in the towel and go and live the easy life with DeMott.
One thing I loved about this book is the title....it is a reference to Raleigh's deceased Dad. Although this is the fifth book in this series, it can be read alone. I would recommend that you give yourself a treat and read all of the books.

I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Tours and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

I just loved this book! The book is 369 pages long and I enjoyed every page. I was hooked in the first few pages. This book was the first book I had read by Sibella Giorello. It is the fourth book in the Raleigh Harmon series. I have to say I wish I would have read the first four books prior to this one but the author does not leave you completely in the dark on past crimes form other books. You can read this book out of the order of the series. Raleigh Harmon is the main character in this book. She is on a vacation, well sort of as much of a vacation any FBI agent could be on when murder happens. Raleigh is a highly educated character. She is a geologist and FBI agent however her southern belle mother does not know this. The place of the crime is a cruise ship and one that she is on with her mother so this makes it tricky. The cast of characters is this that a cast because they are filming a movie so this makes it more challenging for Raleigh and then there is her aunt’s friend Claire the clairvoyant that has a past who makes it even more challenging. Now this story would not be complete with out a handsome leading man enter Jack Stephanson pilot and fellow FBI agent. I will be getting the rest of the series by this author. She is such a good story teller. I highly recommend this book.

The Mountains Bow Down by Sibella Giorello is the 4th book in the Raleigh Harmon series. I recently reviewed the third book in the series, The Clouds Roll Away, so I was very interested to see what Raleigh Harmon was up to now.

Raleigh Harmon is taking an Alaskan cruise with her mother and aunt. A movie is being filmed onboard the ship and seems to be going as well as can be expected until the star's wife is found dead of apparent suicide. Although Raleigh should be on vacation, she jumps into the mystery by pointing out prevailing evidence against suicide and finds herself deep into another mystery, all while still trying to hide her true career from her mother.

I have to say right off the bat that I enjoyed The Mountains Bow Down much more than the book I reviewed in December. I was instantly engrossed and found it hard to put down the book. While once again I did get some characters mixed up at times, it really wasn't that hard to keep track of who was who. I do have to owe some of that to Giorello's writing skills - the numerous characters, while necessary to the plot, were unique enough that I was really never confused.

I also appreciate Giorello's subtle Christianity. It seemed even more subtle in this installment of the series than in the third book. I would say that I find it hard to even really classify this book as Christian fiction as Raleigh seems to be looking more internally than heaven-wards.

Finally, I greatly enjoyed the description of the cruise ship's workings. I have never been on a cruise and this book just fascinated more as to how a cruise would be. I don't know how accurate the story was to true facts, but the readers are treated to many "behind the scenes" stories about how different things like laundry and debarkment are handled on a large cruise ship.

read The Clouds Roll Away last month when my friend, Katy, let me borrow it. I enjoyed the story and while it didn't make it onto my favorites list it was good enough to where I got the next book - The Mountains Bow Down. WOW! What an AMAZING book that was! I couldn't put it down - the mystery was so great and I absolutely loved joining Raleigh on her investigations. I enjoy how Giorello doesn't simply incorporate the mystery, but also Raleigh's own life. It gives the book a little more personal feel. I usually don't like books narrated from the first person's view point, but Giorello did an excellent job pulling it off and I loved reading this book from Raleigh's perspective.

Raleigh was awesome. I loved her in The Clouds Roll Away and even more in The Mountains Bow Down. She loves her job and does it to the best of her ability, often sacrificing her own relax time to do her job, which she actually loved. Few people could understand Raleigh's willingness to do her job even during her vacation in the book, but I sure did! If I had a job as enticing as Raleigh's, I wouldn't want to rest - resting could mean that someone guilty was on the loose! :-)
Raleigh was a very realistic character. She loved her job and desired strongly to get to the bottom of each case. Her mother, who is unstable, is under the assumption that Raleigh is a geologist and Raleigh feels bad about not telling her mother she is an FBI agent and deceiving her. I know I would feel the exact same way! Raleigh thinks that this is the best way to protect her mother and learns some great lessons in the book. I loved her kind and caring nature, and felt as if I were there with her as she endured hardships.

In The Clouds Roll Away I met Demott, who is now Raleigh's fiancée. I'll be honest and say I never really liked Demott. I don't know why really, but I just didn't like him that much at all. Something didn't settle right with me about the guy. In The Mountains Bow Down...I won't lie and say that after the first chapter the voice inside of my head wasn't going "Yes yes YES!". LOL. I'm not sure where the whole Demott thing is going, but suffice to say, I wasn't disappointed at all by the end of the book.

Jack Stephanson. If I was to use one word to describe him it would probably be...SUPERB. ;) Oh my, as soon as Jack walked onto the scene I knew he was going to be my favorite character. He was very funny and annoying and everything awesome. I loved his personality and couldn't help but smile every time he entered the story. His and Raleigh's relationship was so funny and I found myself chuckling at some of the conversations they have. Jack is impossible to not like!

There are a few things to point out as to the content: Porn is involved in a mild amount. There is nothing descriptive in the least - they just find some pictures that it says disgust Raleigh and some of the bad guys are pornographers. Nothing is described at all - but it is something to be pointed out. Also, there is a man who commits adultery with a bunch of women and when his wife finds out she takes him to a therapist to help with sexual addiction. It is just mentioned briefly and it doesn't go into any further.
The last think I have to mention is there are a few alcoholics and a man who is always drunk. Nothing bad happens, and it didn't bother me, but I thought I'd point it out.

All in all, this was an amazing book that I highly recommend you pick up. While I do suggest you read the previous books in the series first for a little background, it is not necessary and you could read these as stand alones if you desired. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a great mystery! Purchase it HERE and don't forget to participate is Sibella's giveaway above!

This is a FANTASTIC addition to the Raleigh Harmon novels. Sibella Giorello's talent shines through her works of fiction as she creates yet another suspenseful mystery for her readers. Her work is masterful, as she adds bits and pieces of humor to keep the reader hooked, lots of tense moments to keep the reader on the edge of their seats and guessing what's next.

Newly engaged FBI Agent Raleigh Harmon needs to get away to make sure things will be all right, and she's making the right choice. But, once she boards the boat, she's not quite as "away" as she thinks....a MOB turns up and it's a suicide attempt....of is it? From page one, Sibella Giorello pulls the reader in when the suspense begins. You're following Raleigh on her cruise, you're helping her rely on God to work the case out and her life questions, and you're helping with the clues-what ones that Raleigh can find! From the first page to the last page, Raleigh's work and FBI talents shine through.

If you love mysteries, then you'll LOVE the Raleigh Harmon novels. This one is worthy of 5 stars and doesn't let the reader down. While each can easily be read as a stand alone, it's best to read them in order. Sibella Giorello and her complex character, Raleigh Harmon, are here to stay and I'm anxious for the fourth addition, The Stars Shine On- due March 2012!

I sort of put off reading this book. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s just my natural tendency towards procrastination, but I think it was more than that. I’m always a little nervous when picking up title from an author whose work is new to me, as this was. I’m kind of a sucker for female FBI agents in suspense, but I've seen it done enchantingly and well... not so well. I was holding my breath, and tensed a bit as I started this book, not sure which category it would fall into, and literally felt my body relax with relief as I read the first few pages and realized almost instantly this was a book I was going to enjoy reading.

The Writing
Much of my instant connection with the book, had nothing to do with the plot. It was the writing. Sibella Giorello is quite simply a fabulous writer. She is the kind of writer who loves words. She writes tight and smart and imbues her narrative character with the kind of voice that I could have mistaken for my own. There is zero clunkiness to this novel. Nothing to trip you up or take you out of the story, it simply flows. And her writing is original. The book is peppered with authentic descriptions and dialogue that give color to a picture so flawless you feel a part of the action. She never resorts to tired cliche’s or sloppy portraiture and I loved her for that. It’s not that her style is poetic, as much as disarmingly fresh.

“The nubile Mrs. Sparks climbed the four steps to the edge of ht hot tub, then made a slow descent into the water. Perhaps it was the pile of vanilla hair on her sticklike body, but she reminded me of an ice-cream cone dipping itself in melted chocolate” - {Ch. 6}

She also won bonus point in my geeky book for including words that I actually had to look up. Yes in a suspense novel. Unapologetically, one of the surest ways to my nerdy little heart is to surprise me by letting me learn something! And Giorello did not disappoint on many fronts here. She not only taught me a few words, she taught me about the beauty of Alaska and the working class underbelly of the cruise industry, and she somehow even managed to hold me fascinated by mini lessons in geology.

I was not at all surprised to finish the book and realize that her writing has been nominated for two Pulitzers.

The Concept
FBI Agent Raleigh Harmon from Giorello’s earlier novels steps back up for a suspense thriller set aboard an Alaskan cruise. I’m wouldn’t call the murder on the high seas concept entirely unique, but it was a story I hadn’t read before. In fact, it was one of the things that made me fall in love with the story. I suppose wanted to experience the world of a luxury cruiseliner for a while, and in this the The Mountains Bow Down is a breathtaking getaway, even if the trip turns out to be anything but a vacation for our heroine.

The Plot
When the wife of a famous Hollywood action-star filming his latest sequel on the cruise turns up dead, Raleigh’s vacation dissolves into a race to find the killer and recover evidence before the cruise ends and all her suspects walk off free. She is reunited with Jack Stephanson, another agent who she thought she couldn’t stand. The plot threw quite a few twisty surprises at me. Everything that could possibly go wrong for poor Raleigh including many things I couldn’t have anticipated going wrong, did. Again, this was a tight mystery plot that surprised me in its ability to keep one step ahead of me in my quest for whodunnit.

The Characters
This book is worth a read for the characters alone. Especially Raleigh and Jack, but also her wacky extended family and many of the cruise line employees. There is a lot of originality here. The characters are well-developed and unique for the most part. A few of the Hollywood types came off a little clichéd to me, especially compared to the excellent complex characterization of almost every other character in the book. They had a few quirks, yes, but it still felt a bit like typecasting to me. That said, her mother and the story line there was well done and compelling, and I felt like the ships employees including Geert, head of security were well done. I have to say also, in my mind I kept reverting to characters from Bones as I was reading this. Jack was Agent Booth in my mind and while Raleigh wasn’t quite a Temperance, she was more feisty and innocent, I saw her as Hannah. A few other characters slipped in as well, and in fact it kind of felt like I was reading one long episode of the show. Let me make it clear this is not a bad thing in my mind, folks. Bones is one of the best shows on television in my not so humble opinion and has by far the most interesting characters you are likely to come across in prime time. Giorello’s characters gave me that super cool, quirky and fascinating vibe I love from the show.

Christian Suspense
I did just want to mention that this is considered a Christian suspense work. It’s not something I am usually drawn to, but Giorello is not at all blatant in making this a Christian work. It is a clean read, certainly, with a character in possession of a strong moral compass, and a set of beliefs through which she views the world. But, it is first and foremost an excellent mystery. Second, perhaps a character drama. As we get closer to the end she drops in a few narratives from Raleigh that make her beliefs more overt, but you also get the sense that while our heroine is unwavering in her faith, she is struggling, human. It struck a nice balance for me.

I know that some have come to this book looking for it to be an affirmation of faith and find it sparse on the “God is Great” front. It was the right choice for this story. Even the times that she does subtly push the character’s spiritual thoughts to the forefront feel a little out-of-place against all the action here. I felt a touch uncomfortable with it, as I did with the ever so slight characterization of those who had other belief systems, or were more human in their frailties as either crackpots or morally bankrupt, while her beliefs were certainly never challenged. It was true faith, less rational than most FBI agents portrayed in fiction, but I’m decidedly not the target Christian demographic and I could easily accept it as part of Raleigh’s character. I was certainly nowhere close to feeling pushed away from finishing the book, which is another testament to the writing. Ultimately this is not a story about faith. It is a mystery, and adding too much of the character's opinions on the subject might have made her come across as self-righteous and preachy. I appreciated the subtlety.

The Wrap Up
Overall, this is an engaging read and a satisfying mystery. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a world I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend suspense lovers lose themselves in for a little while. It’s also worth a read for the strongly developed quirky characters, and the simply fabulous, smart writing style. I’ll definitely be looking for Giorello’s next book in the series, The Stars Shine On due early next year.

Review Copy Courtesy of Litfuse Publicity
This may be partial text of the review originally appearing on Aurelia {Lit}

FBI agent Raleigh Harmon transferred to Seattle from Richmond. missing hiker rich girl, staying with "new-age aunt"

Richmond VA FBI agent Raleigh Harmon. one black man and one white cop die falling from a roof.

When I sat down to read this book by this new-to-me author, I started out a little disappointed. Why? Because, for some reason, it was difficult for me to really get hooked. But, I pushed myself because I feel every book deserves a chance. And, once I reached Chapter 3, things looked up for me and man, was I ever hooked after that! This is book 3 in the Raleigh Harmon Novel series, but, while there is mention of some things that were in the previous books, I was not overly lost or confused. Sibella Giorello mentions these things in a way to bring the reader up to date with the current happenings in the novel.

That being said, I did become totally hooked on the story and really loved it! The are complex and fit their personalities and rolls perfectly. Raleigh Harmon is a character that just stands out and is one that you root for through out the story. To me, she reminds me of James Patterson's Alex Cross. Yep. She's the Alex Cross of Christian suspense. The message of relying on God with a strong, unwavering faith to overcome anything, including a crime that is confusing as the case keeps getting crossed, shines strongly through Raleigh and can be felt by the reader fully.

This book has a great look, while written to be a fiction novel, at a serious subject: cross burnings and hate crimes. The research the author did for this novel was outstanding, and, having been raised in Virginia Beach, could picture Virginia being the way that was described in the novel. Virginia is the perfect setting for this novel. It was very interesting to read about this subject. You just wouldn't think that there would be these awful events in the world today, but sadly, there is. It is all portrayed perfectly in this novel, as Raleigh tries to uncover the truth and fight the bad guys.

Sibella Giorella really surprised me with this novel. She is an author who has made a fan out of me. Her books pull the readers so completely in, that they become a part of the FBI along with Raleigh, hoping the clouds roll away in time to solve the crime. I am definitely looking forward to reading more 5 star work from Sibella when I go back and read books 1 and 2, as well as checking out book 4! Can't wait!

This is the second book of Giorello's that I have read. Her style is a little different and it took me a little getting used to, but it fits the character of Special Agent Raleigh Harmon. I enjoy the characters and the storyline. There was a good twist at the end. Definitely entertaining.

Raleigh Harmon is an FBI investigator who has just returned to her home to Richmond Virginia only to find she's investigating a cross burning. It appears to be a hate crime but the accelerants used in the burning are unusual and deadly. As she continues to dig, things become more puzzling and complicated to the point she's wondering who the bad guys and the victims really are. She's having a hard time with her supervisor who is not convinced she learned anything on her previous assignment. Her mother is behaving in an usual manner. DeMott Fielding is trying very hard to win her heart. Will Raleigh be able to handle all the pressures in her life? Will she be able to hang onto her faith?

I enjoyed reading The Clouds Roll Away. I thought the author displayed an honesty in the nature of her characters and their struggles. Both good and bad. I liked her style of writing and the bits of humor splashed throughout the story. Especially when she would make references to Christmas songs. DeMott was a man I wished I had seen more of because I liked what I saw. I wanted more between him and Raleigh. I feel like I might have understood the story better if I had read the previous books in the series. I would recommend this book to those who like a police procedural type story. Thank you Thomas Nelson for providing me with a complimentary review copy.

Raleigh Harmon has returned to Richmond, Virginia after finishing her assignment with the FBI's Seattle office. She is a forensic geologist, who finds herself investigating a cross burning at a celebrity's mansion. She is not well liked by her boss and doesn't have alot of friends, but does have a Mom to look after and a man, DeMott, who would welcome her back in his life. The further Raleigh looks into this case, the cloudier it becomes, and the boss lady has given her a deadline to come up with a breakthrough.

I must admit that when I first started reading this book I did not think I would like it. But the author did a good job of drawing me into Raleigh's thoughts and the way she thinks and feels. It was very good at describing the world of the undercover detectives and of the "gangs" and criminals they deal with. It was filled with suspense, intrigue and double-crossing and done in such a way that it is all very believable.
Although this isn't a story line that I would normally pick up and read, I found that stepping outside my normal reading habits opened up a whole different type of story, and I am glad I read it.
Thanks goes to Thomas Nelson Publishers for giving me this book to review.½

The second book, in Sibella Giorello's Raleigh Harmon series, The Clouds Roll Away finds Raleigh back in her hometown of Richmond, Virgina after closing her assignment in Seattle. She is immediately pulled in investigating a cross burning at a celebrities estate. With this new case and her still unhappy boss at the Bureau, Detective Harmon receives anything but a peaceful homecoming. The deeper Raleigh gets into the case the more she realizes there is more to be found. On top of everything at work, her personal life leaves something to be desired. Her mother falls into the holiday spirit, something she hasn't done since the death of her husband and Raleigh's former boyfriend vies for her attention. What more will this case uncover? Will Raleigh let Demott back in her life? Most of all will she survive till Christmas? Read The Clouds Roll Away to find out for yourself.

This is the first Sibella Giorello book that I have read, but I was pleasantly surprised. Giorello's use of imagery and visuals is astounding. She truly allows her readers to visualize Raleigh's surroundings and feel what is happening rather than just assuming. Giorello's characters are well built and there is a depth to Raleigh Harmon that is hard to find with many leads. Giorello also has a very comfortable, even balance of themes in her book. I never felt that the romance was too stifling and definitely did not feel that the action was too much to handle. Even though this is listed as religious fiction, I didn't feel that the religious elements were ever overwhelming. Giorello's writing is well structured and her plot and themes are believable. Never did I feel that any of the FBI and case elements were fictional or far-fetching. All in all I was very pleased with this book, and I would gladly read more from Sibella Giorello in the future. Giorello is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Review originally posted on my blog Draw A Blank.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This thriller about a FBI agent investigating the possible racial motive behind a double homicide seemed run of the mill to me. Special agent Raleigh Harmon is said FBI investigator working near her southern hometown--so lots of family issues come to play as well. It is a bit convoluted and not very memorable.½