Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Winter Wind

Rate this book
Former LAPD homicide detective Lee Jordan can't see, speak or hear...
But he will find you, one way or another.

And with a killer at large, and people disappearing from his city, Lee must must unravel his most baffling case yet...
Before the killer strikes again.


FROM THE BACK COVER

Five years ago, Lee Jordan was nearly killed on the job. Now blind, deaf and mute, he’s recovered enough to live a routine but silent life.

However, now, LAPD needs him back...

When the cases of many missing persons are tied together with the same M.O., this remarkable deaf and blind ex-cop is called in to help locate people who seemingly walked away from their everyday lives. But did they? When one of them surfaces, the forensic evidence makes it clear that this man did not stay gone as willingly as he disappeared.

Lee's only assets are his guide dog, fourteen years of experience as a homicide detective—and an intriguing American Sign Language translator named Rachel.

Just as Lee begins to discover something remarkable about himself, he must engage in a battle of wits with a murderer he can't see or hear. With no weapons but his own mind—and a guide dog with a heart of gold—he sets off alone in Los Angeles to investigate the disappearances.

It’s only a matter of time before more people may die under nefarious circumstances. And the manner of death could put the entire city at risk from…something even more dangerous.

Lee Jordan knows there is more to fighting crime than meets the eye, or ear, or voice. But will he survive his courageous solo pursuit of a twisted killer on the mean streets of L.A.? And can he really stop a madman by himself?


ABOUT WINTER WIND

WINTER WIND is a suspenseful and poignant crime thriller by bestselling author J.R. Rain, whose repertoire includes novels and stories in many genres. He has captivated millions of readers with standalone novels such as the acclaimed smash hit and ghost mystery, THE BODY DEPARTED, and SILENT ECHO, starring a detective whose death is imminent. As well, J.R. Rain has authored many mystery and urban fantasy series, with and without paranormal twists, such as VAMPIRE FOR HIRE and JIM KNIGHTHORSE. Readers are in for a heart-pounding treat in WINTER WIND, which takes readers into the brilliant mind of a detective whose surface weaknesses become his inner strengths. WINTER WIND is the first standalone novel from J.R. Rain since his mystery thriller, SILENT ECHO, hit #1 over all on Amazon Kindle.

WINTER WIND continues to establish Rain's standard for unique mysteries and thrillers, richly-layered characters, exciting plots, big questions and even bigger answers - answers that keep readers thinking long after the final page.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2015

375 people are currently reading
538 people want to read

About the author

J.R. Rain

699 books1,730 followers
J.R. Rain is the author of 110 novels and counting. He lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where he's hard at work on his next novel... and fighting off sparkly vampires.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
317 (47%)
4 stars
189 (28%)
3 stars
110 (16%)
2 stars
34 (5%)
1 star
14 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
Profile Image for Maven_Reads.
1,973 reviews59 followers
January 22, 2026
Winter Wind by J.R. Rain

Winter Wind follows Lee Jordan, once a top LAPD homicide detective until a bomb destroyed his senses, leaving him blind, deaf, and mute, haunted by the loss of his partner and forced into a starkly quiet life with his loyal guide dog Betsie. But when a string of baffling disappearances grips Los Angeles, Lee’s old captain asks him to help, drawing him back into investigation through tactile sign language, razor-sharp instincts, and the sheer force of his will. As Lee probes deeper into the mystery, he confronts both dangerous twists in the case and his own inner darkness in a story that blends suspense with psychological exploration.

I found Lee’s perspective exceptionally intimate and emotionally powerful. His silence and isolation made every thought and small victory resonate in a way few thrillers achieve, and his bond with Betsie added a heartfelt, grounding thread throughout. The mystery and Lee’s resilience pulled me forward, even if the narrative can linger on his internal world more than on action at times.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Because its unique protagonist and emotional depth make this thriller linger in the mind long after the last page.
528 reviews5 followers
May 2, 2015
Outstanding!

A great writer can pull a reader into a story with the first paragraph. Dean Koontz and Stephen King can interest a reader with a description of toilet training a two year old. J. R. Rain has that ability. This book is incredible. The writing is excellent; the characters are fascinating; and as a Lab owner, I adore the golden Betsie. There had better be more stories of these heroic characters or I will be disappointed. A blind, deaf, non-verbal/non-vocal retired robbery/homicide detective makes an interesting character. As a teacher of students with physical and health impairments, I find his characterization to be pretty cool. Rain does a great job of trying to explain the unique world of the severely disabled. I could not put this e-book down.
Profile Image for Karen B..
457 reviews9 followers
March 19, 2017
J. R. Rain did it again with this book -- simply captivated me. Lee Jordan is a retired robbery/homicide detective, who due to an accident on the job can no longer see, hear or speak. Still he manages to live with his seeing eye golden lab, Betsie. The police are asking him to help out with a Big Case: 10 people have disappeared in the last year (that they know of). They bring in a sign language interpreter to help them communicate with Lee. Lee finds a new inner strength within himself that enables him to help solve the case. What happens to Lee is amazing and the best part of the book to me. My favorite character was his loyal dog, Betsie, who is an angel; more than a guide dog but a dog who gives him unconditional love.
Profile Image for Julie.
937 reviews8 followers
February 15, 2018
This book turned into an amazing surprise for me. After being nearly killed in an explosion (and the death of his partner in that explosion) Homicide Detective Lee Jordan lives alone in an apartment along with his seeing eye dog. Jordan was rendered blind, deaf, mute and with a trachea tube with which to breathe. His world is darkness and silence. But a case comes along and his thinking skills are needed. His Sergeant brings a sign language translator to visit Lee and get his thoughts on this case of more than ten people just up and walking away from their lives within the last year - without leaving a trace.
This book makes Lincoln Rhyme look like an athlete. How does one do anything with none of the senses working? Even his olfactory senses have been damaged.
To top it off, his sergeant arranges to have an old boxing trainer, Jacky, come to Lee's apartment to teach him boxing to "defend himself" (and to get him interested in something again).
Author J. R. Rain rewards the reader with surprise after surprise in this amazing page turner. And it looks as though Rain has many many books that I am going to now be exploring! He is an amazing author!
6,726 reviews5 followers
June 6, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

This kindle novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account a stand alone book

He is blind, deaf, and dumb from a bombing event when he was a detective on the LA police department. He is approached by the police about a case for his help. He finds love 💘 the truth leading to arrest.

I would recommend this novel and author to 👍 readers of romantic family and friends relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024
Profile Image for Nancy.
397 reviews
May 1, 2018
Extremely strong writing!

Extremely strong writing, gives us a glimpse into the life of the protagonist! You can almost feel the unrelenting enormity of this man's plight in life. The despair and feelings of being imprisoned within himself, as well as when he begins reaching out of his seeming isolation. I would truly love to read more about this character and how he continues to expand his horizons.
I loved this book but it could have been a much larger, more intricate story. The author could easily have made this a much longer book, it was too short.
Profile Image for Mary.
455 reviews9 followers
April 21, 2015
Former police detective Lee Jordan has been asked to help with a missing person case that’s got the LAPD baffled. People are disappearing, presumably just going out for a stroll, never returning, not a sign or a body being found. What makes this a peculiar request is that Lee can’t hear, see or speak anymore. Years ago, while working on a case, Lee was in a tragic accident that took his biggest senses. Because of his abilities to see what other detectives can’t, his former Captain asks for his help with this strange case. With the help of a sign language interpreter named Rachel, Lee is able to help piece the case together.

JR Rain’s books always have a wonderful enlightened feel to them and this is no different. Although this is a mystery, that is not the main subject of this book. Most of this book takes place in Lee’s head, which only makes sense because his is a dark world without sight or sound. Obviously missing is the fun interaction of dialogue you get in most books. There is some, but because it is almost all through sign language, it is brief back and forth. I understand that is the way it has to be but I wasn’t a fan all the time. I really did miss that interaction between the characters. It ended up feeling like a personal journal than a mystery book. What I did like was the way Lee was able to come to a better understanding of himself and the universe, bringing himself to a higher level and the way he found his way there. The mystery was a good one too and it finally picked up the final quarter of the book, which is where I didn’t want to put the book down again until I finished- I had to find out what had happened to these missing people.

Rain always is an entertaining author and this is no different. If you’re looking for a straight mystery, you might be disappointed, but the personal growth of Lee as a character is a wonderful part of this book also.
Profile Image for C.D. Gorri.
Author 392 books1,916 followers
April 20, 2015
The universe that J.R. Rain has established over several books and series is one that I completely adore! His characters are refreshing and full of conflict, emotion and depth that make his books unlike any others that I have seen available today.

In Winter Wind we meet former robbery/homicide, but mostly homicide, LAPD Detective Lee Jordan who, having been injured in the line of duty, is now blind, deaf, and mute. He narrates his tale through what I think of as his inner dialogue and though he does interact with others through sign language, braille text, block letters, he is the absolute focus of the work. He is consulted by his former boss, along with a ASL translator named Rachel, about a 'Big Case' involving the disappearance of several people in the LA area. In an unexpected turn, his own brother/caretaker, goes missing about halfway through the book. Despite his injuries, Lee uses dormant, but not gone instincts and discovers a horrific plot and those behind the disappearances.

An unlikelier hero I have certainly never read. That said, I found Lee to be such an interesting character. His inner struggle to find hope and faith when so much had been taken from him is expertly portrayed in Mr. Rain's writing. The philosophical overtures and message of unconditional, universal love and creation were surprisingly powerful and light under such heavy circumstances.

I devoured this book in just a few hours. I cannot recommend this highly enough, it is the perfect mixture of crime thriller meets paranormal activity.

I have read several J.R. Rain books/series and have loved them all! 5 enthusiastic stars!!
Profile Image for Crystal-Rain Love.
Author 43 books138 followers
April 20, 2015
I purchased this book the second it went live on Amazon and 4 hours later, I've finished it. This is a full length novel that I plowed through because it was THAT GOOD. Already a fan of the author, I'd learned of the book before it was written. When he announced the book, I was instantly intrigued. A detective who can not see, hear, or talk. How the heck was he going to pull this off? But I knew if anyone could do it, he could.
And he did.
Lee Jordan is an extremely well-written character and this book will take you through a wide range of emotions. It also features beloved minor characters from his other series, but is still written in a way that someone reading his work for the first time wouldn't be lost.
I was impressed with the world building and with the author's descriptions of the physical damage Lee had went through, and what all was involved in his daily care. I was beyond impressed by the fact the author was still able to "show, not tell" this story given his main character's limitations, and the creative way he enabled that character to go beyond those limitations.
I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Rich Meyer.
Author 50 books57 followers
June 10, 2015
I have to say that when I read the description of this book, I thought it was a parody of some sort; I mean, a blind, deaf, and mute detective? That's a Saturday Night Live skit, not a proper mystery novel. However the way it was set out, at least in the beginning, was interesting, and it made me think of being in similar circumstances myself. But going out and solving crimes is still a tad far-fetched.

The BIG problem in this book is that it isn't a proper detective novel; it's a fantasy novel, does severe disservice to differently-abled people and their caregivers. Facilitating the main character's crime solving by giving him a form of divinely-granted, if intermittent, sight, is completely ludicrous. And the serious of coincidences that lead to the climax and just too many to warrant mentioning.

This is the Asylum Films version of a good book, say the Bone Collector. That was a believable detective with a handicap. This is ... not.

Profile Image for Samantha Zee.
643 reviews17 followers
August 17, 2017
This was a weird book. It had an unconventional main character of a deaf,mute and blind former detective who is brought in on a case once his brother goes missing. While on the case he discovers "Winter Wind" a form of meditation that allows him to "see" the vibrations around him (similar to DareDevil I'm assuming).

It's a quick read but not really strong in any aspect to me. Not really a spiritual book, nor a love story (in fact, the love story didn't seem natural until we find something out later in the book then I guess it someone makes sense), and the mystery is ignored at some points and then so swiftly solved I couldn't really get into it.
Profile Image for Shell.
435 reviews14 followers
March 21, 2019
A great start to a book. The author obviously has a lot of knowledge of what it is like to have sensory disabilities and is refreshingly accurate. However, about half way through it wanders off into the fantastical and by the end was too rediculous for any further enjoyment. A shame as it had a very promising start. I dread to think what roads a sequel will go down, but I won't be reading anyway.
Profile Image for Tulay.
1,202 reviews2 followers
August 29, 2015
Different but very good story.

Lee Jordan character can't see, hear or talk. But has a incredible dog named Betsie. But they do more than any seeing, hearing or talking LA detectives. Very interesting and sometime horror mixed with humor. Author with incredible vocabulary, learned couple new words.
Profile Image for Paige.
144 reviews
April 19, 2016
Wait! What?!! I was going along fine reading Winter Wind (O.K. some repetition, but the character had a sense of humor so on I went), when all of a sudden it felt like a storyline out of left field was plopped right on in. If I had to guess, somebody said... "It's an O.K. story/mystery but it's a tad boring... so voila! enter Winter Wind. Cheesy.
Profile Image for Maureen Tumenas.
660 reviews8 followers
June 25, 2016
implausible story. Really disliked the narration. The main character was blind, mute, deaf and signed... the narration of everything that was signed was done in this really annoying voice.
1 review
July 28, 2021
Dumb

The idea of a deaf blind mute protagonist is great. But the ridiculous coincidences and the god/"use the force" bit made me regret finishing this book
Profile Image for Peggy Kindt.
138 reviews2 followers
August 21, 2023
What a fabulous read! J. R. Rains excels at that which is beyond the every day grasp...

The way J. R. Rains describes his character as being blind, deaf, mute; his feelings, thought processes and his scared self. Its awesome. The depth of just how in touch with bodily short comings and his triumphs. How does a writer know how a blind, deaf, mute grasps life while living it? How to translate into writing so those that have eyes can read and actually engage oneself within immersion, is stupendous. Certainly, I can't describe how it's achieved. Though I have eyes; I cannot see what is before me. I feel it; my belief is steadfast. WOW! What a read. Thank you J. R. Rain for this great insightful read. PottsvillePA_08202023. This IS the book to read!!!?
Profile Image for Rebecca F Jones.
12 reviews
March 9, 2024
One of the best books I have ever read

I started this book, expecting a light science fiction mystery, and I was wrong. It gripped me from the first page to the last. Written in the first person, I felt tears, compassion, hope and so much more, wrapped in a mystery. I couldn't put it down. I fell asleep with the book on my chest, woke about 3 in the morning, and finished it. You won't be sorry to read this book. If I could give it 6 stars I would. I read a lot, but am rarely moved to leave a a written review. One of the best books, ever.
1,149 reviews7 followers
May 22, 2022
Good Vibrations

A former. detective , rendered eaf, mute and blind, by an explosion , is enlisted to assist a troubling missing persons case. Being need helps his psyche and with the help of new acquaintances introduces him to a new perspective on the world. But when his brother becomes one of the missing the stakes get higher.

This is a good book. The story engages. The characters are real. It is somewhat melancholy but ultimately rewarding.
679 reviews29 followers
May 2, 2018
Wow!! What a book. I loved it. I would like to see this go into a series. I would definitely read them.
A man is blind, dead, and mute. Caused by an explosion, five years ago, when he was on the job as a homicide detective. He is introduced to a man that helps him see by using vibrations. Very interesting.
He is asked by a detective he knows to help on a case where people are disappearing.
Profile Image for Franklin.
33 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2018
Different & Very Interesting

I really enjoyed trying to understand how it would feel being blind, deaf, mute, hooked up to just be able to breathe. To feel responsible for the death of a close friend and partner. He must have the weight of the world on his shoulders yet he doesn't sit around and feel sorry for himself. He gives hope to others who may have similar problems.
Profile Image for Kathy Floyd.
581 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2018
Remarkable.

I was very impressed with how a deaf, blind and mute person's day-to-day life could be portrayed without it being dull, but, of course, that's what makes great writers! I loved the love and trust between Lee Jordan and his dog, and also his sense of humor, which got him through his bad times.
4 reviews
August 27, 2023
A must read

A must read. J.R.Rain really knows how to write a story. Knows how to get you fully into it. Makes you feel like you're part of that story. Like you're A friend of his characters. Makes you wishing for more. An ex detective, deaf,mute,blind fighting to find those gone missing with the help of his dog and others.

39 reviews
September 16, 2019
Wow! Deep enough for me!

This is one of the best Ive read to dwelve into and make believable sense of how everything works. It is all brought together in a story that is easily read and understood. Good job, Mr. Rain!
74 reviews
March 25, 2022
Another winner

I don't know where he gets his ideas and how to make such great characters. As you get into the book the theme seems to be one step ahead and you catch up to who you are.dealing with. I gotta.tell you though, Bessie was.my favorite character in the book.
1,076 reviews5 followers
May 29, 2022
Lee, a former detective, is gravely injured in an investigation. He was left deaf, mute and blind. Now his help is needed to solve another serial killer murders. How can he help? Great read, fast. I rate this book a 5.1.
Profile Image for LB .
2 reviews
September 18, 2017
This is one of the best books I've ever read, I don't ever write reviews, but had to say something for this book. Wow! Thanks for an amazing story!
7 reviews1 follower
May 5, 2018
Good Read!

A good read. It kept me interested , I wanted to know what happened next and how it ended. It didn't drag on monotonously. A quick, easy interesting read.
Profile Image for Angela Frank.
51 reviews1 follower
August 16, 2018
Where is the sequel??

Wow! What an amazing story! I loved every word. I would love to see the be book 1 of a series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.