Shadow in the Rain

by Harriett Ford

A cub reporter becomes convinced that an innocent man has been convicted of murder. While she tries to untangle the truth of the crime and free him from prison, she is stalked by a killer and challenged to free herself from her own prison of grief and love again. Based on an actual crime in Rockford, Illinois, the book includes an addendum by a nationally known, forensics scientist, Arthur Chancellor, who states, "There is not enough evidence--motive, weapon, or witness accounts--to convict Ted Kuhl." This is a must read for those who hope to see changes in the criminal justice system, those who are hoping to see a new trial for Ted Kuhl, imprisoned since 1997, and for any person who finds himself wrongfully accused of a crime. Based on an actual crime in Rockford, Illinois, this is a must read for anyone hoping to see changes in the criminal justice system.

296 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

About the author

I'm a veteran humor/advice columnist and a reporter. If you remember Ann Landers, I'm younger than she, but if you do not recall that famed lady, I'm two days older than you are.
My newest book, DANCE ON THE DEVIL, is a page-turner-award winner from Faith Writers, a supernatural thriller, comedy-romance.
Readers who have grown up on supernatural titles will find this book appealing.
It has a five-star recommendation from HomeSchool Book Review, which primarily recommends books written from a Christian world view. Yayyy! Your Harry Potter fans will find it a great alternative and learn there is a Greater Power than Witchcraft.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harriet Ford was a reporter/columnist for the Rockford Labor News in Rockford, Illinois. She covered Ted Kuhl’s trial for the murder of his girlfriend. At the time Ms. Ford as well as many others felt that the investigation into the murder was sloppy and many other possibilities were overlooked. Along with Joe Lamb, an investigator, she delves more deeply into the case and even has an expert criminologist look at all the evidence, interviews done prior to the trial and interviews Ms. Ford conducted. All the evidence pointed to the very strong possibility that Ted Kuhl was not guilty but no one in the Illinois justice system including Paul Logli, IL State’s Attorney, will support a retrial.

When they started their investigation Harriet asked Joe “Joe, what're we going to do if no one pays any attention to all of our efforts here?' and he said, 'Well then we go to plan B. We write a book.” Joe died shortly before the investigation was completed but Ms. Ford completed ‘Plan B’ with Shadow in the Rain - a fictionalized version of Ted Kuhl’s case.

As the fictionalized reporter, Tia Burgess, pursues finding the truth about Ben Krahl (Ted Kuhl) or at least as much evidence as she can to show the need for a new trial, amazing lapses in investigative procedure, police coercion in interviewing witnesses as well as Ben himself and the suppression of some witnesses information come to light.

All of the documentation Ms. Wood included at the end of the book which makes for an even more interesting read. It is appalling that such a travesty of justice was carried out to begin with but even more so that there has not been a retrial with the new evidence coming to light.

Intertwined into the real story is a fictional story that keeps readers turning the pages with a lot of excitement. The combination of the fiction and the non-fiction is entertaining but also an enlightening look at our justice system.