Hurricane House

by Jay McGrath

Hurricane House tells the gripping story of the Parsons family—Ruth and Gilbert and their adult children, Joey and Junie—as they face one of the worst projected storms in Atlantic Canadian history.

Ruth Parsons, determined to celebrate her sixtieth birthday with a turkey dinner, insists on gathering her family at her home in St. Genevieve’s despite the looming threat of Hurricane Layla. Despite warnings about the hurricane’s record winds and rainfall, the predicted storm surges, and power outages, and despite none of her family desiring this dinner, Ruth remains resolute. As is typical in their lives, no one in the Parsons family wishes to confront Ruth and incur her wrath, so they gather reluctantly. As the storm's record winds and rainfall approach, long-buried tensions rise within the family, paralleling the chaos outside.

While the Parsons family navigates their dinner, volunteer Fire Chief Paul Callahan along with RCMP Officer Andrew Whyte diligently work to ensure the community's safety from the storm.

Amidst a hurricane, the Parsons family must test their resilience, evaluate their bonds, and confront their deepest fears to survive both the storm and their internal conflicts. This story explores the enduring scars of intergenerational trauma and the turbulent dynamics within one family, where the violent storm outside serves as a vivid reflection of the emotional storm raging within the Parsons home.

230 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2025

Reviews

[Karen Lundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hurricane House is a work of fiction that delves into the workings of a dysfunctional family led by a matriarch (Ruth) so lost to rigidity that she will risk her family’s lives in order to celebrate her birthday in the only way she knows how. While her children, Joseph (Joey) and June, wrestle with attempts to persuade her from going ahead with plans because a severe hurricane is bearing down on St. Genevieve, her husband, Gilbert, does little to intervene. McGrath’s portrayal of a family in the throes of their own personal trauma is mirrored by the weather outside. Hurricane Layla is based on Hurricane Fiona, a wild tempest that wreaked havoc on Newfoundland’s southwest coast in September 2022. While the elements rage outside, the Parsons family drama unfolds inside a house that might not withstand the storm. A highly exciting read.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH a good book. McGrath’s writing is both intimate and suspenseful. The storm’s approach is painted with such tactile detail (wind ripping, lights flickering, hearts pounding) that the tension carried me from paragraph to paragraph. It left me thinking about how our own internal storms shape our relationships. I’d recommend Hurricane House to anyone who loves emotionally resonant fiction that lingers long after the final page.

[Book Worm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great read! Interwoven stories, family, relationships, drama, and a storm brings it all together or maybe apart…you’ll have to read to decide for yourself!!
Great humour as well. I laughed and I cried while reading this. It has all the feelings!!
This book has it all. The author very quickly pulls you in as the characters and their stories are neatly wrapped into one narrative that unfolds in front of you.
Easy Christmas/holiday/birthday gift choice for my reader friends!