The Rain Man

by James Rada Jr.

The rain began on March 16, 1936, and with it, the rain came pain. Raymond Twigg hates the rain because it gives the Rain Man power. It is a power to bring Raymond to his knees or drive him to deadly action. As the March 1936 rains bring the St. Patrick’s Day Flood, the worst flood ever seen in Cumberland, Maryland, it also unleashes the power of the Rain Man on the citizens of the city. While most of the police force is diverted trying to deal with the flooding in the city and the problems it is causing, Sergeant Jake Fairgrieve is called out to investigate a murder. Murders are unusual in Cumberland, but this one is more unusual than most. The dead man’s head has been crushed on the left side with no apparent weapon and the body is laid out on the street as if it was in a casket. Jake throws himself into tracking this murder with no motive. The search keeps him from having to deal with his own fears about the approaching flood until he comes face to face with the Rain Man. With the Jake trailing him, the Rain Man turns from hunted to hunter. He kidnaps Jake’s girlfriend, Dr. Chris Evans. In order to save Chris, Jake will have to face his own fears and the Rain Man in the flooded streets of Cumberland where the Rain Man is at his most powerful.

Genres: Historical Fiction

174 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2002

About the author

I am a multi-award-winning journalist and copywriter. I have also written a number of books, both fiction and nonfiction and plan to write even more. I work as a freelance writer in Gettysburg, PA, where I live with my wife and sons.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too often, historical fiction leaves the intelligent reader going "Oh, please, really?" at the manipulation of the facts for the sake of the fiction. Fortunately, James Rada is too conscientious to take the easy way out in "The Rain Man." Rada's research into the St. Patrick's Day Flood that devastated Cumberland, Maryland, in 1936 pays off in setting the background for this murder story.

"The Rain Man" pits killer against cop against rain and flood. Both have good reasons to be traumatized by the downpour; their conflict is heightened by their individual yet connected traumatic pasts.

Rada is especially skillful in the small details that bring the 1930's to life - the police call box, the 20,000-ton gasoline tank that in fact did wash into the water and threated destruction when it hit a bridge - that lend authenticity to the story.

Definitely a good read for a rainy evening.

[M. White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read

This book shares a fascinating bit of Cumberland, MD history that was new to me. Having married into a Cumberland family and visited there many times, I found the story particularly interesting. If you are at all interested in the history of the area, I definitely recommend this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a part of the Goodreads giveaway.

It was a bit difficult for me to review this book, because I feel it almost deserves two separate reviews. One on its basis as a historical piece and one as a novel.

From the intro and conclusion, you can see how well researched the book is. The author clearly knows his stuff.

The story itself was okay. It didn't leave me hanging on the edge of my seat, but with it being based on a true story and keeping with the actual events, I don't consider it a bad thing.

I think I probably would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I was from the area, and it is definitely a treasure for that those who live around there should pick up.

[Elc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this though a Goodreads giveaway. I enjoy this short mystery and the Cumberland, maryland setting