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After the Blue, Blue Rain
This is an exciting tale with a fast-paced plot that followers of the mystery genre will find too appealing to put down. An excellent detective story.
Asian Essien, Readers’ Favorite
Libraries strong in historical mysteries that incorporate veteran issues will find After the Blue, Blue Rain attractive to readers of both genres; but ideally it also will attract book clubs seeking edgy novels that operate both within and outside the confines of genre reads. This audience will find After the Blue, Blue Rain presents underlying issues of interest to readers of veteran experiences, offering food for thought and discussion that augment the mystery and history components with powerful reflective insights about survival, adaptation, and change.
D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
L.A. 1946. The client is desperate, the target has disappeared into thin air. And a routine missing person case is about to take a dangerous turn for P.I. Kit Comfort and partner Henry Richman, the LAPD's most infamous ex-cop. While on the hunt for a veteran who's gone missing from an L.A.-bound train, detectives Kit and Henry come face-to-face with an underground network of enemy sympathizers. The duo's discovery sets off alarms with the U.S. Army, and soon, the pair are in a race against the clock, battling both a deadly cabal and dodgy government agents. The wounds of war come full circle in this devastating conspiracy between "good and evil."
Asian Essien, Readers’ Favorite
Libraries strong in historical mysteries that incorporate veteran issues will find After the Blue, Blue Rain attractive to readers of both genres; but ideally it also will attract book clubs seeking edgy novels that operate both within and outside the confines of genre reads. This audience will find After the Blue, Blue Rain presents underlying issues of interest to readers of veteran experiences, offering food for thought and discussion that augment the mystery and history components with powerful reflective insights about survival, adaptation, and change.
D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
L.A. 1946. The client is desperate, the target has disappeared into thin air. And a routine missing person case is about to take a dangerous turn for P.I. Kit Comfort and partner Henry Richman, the LAPD's most infamous ex-cop. While on the hunt for a veteran who's gone missing from an L.A.-bound train, detectives Kit and Henry come face-to-face with an underground network of enemy sympathizers. The duo's discovery sets off alarms with the U.S. Army, and soon, the pair are in a race against the clock, battling both a deadly cabal and dodgy government agents. The wounds of war come full circle in this devastating conspiracy between "good and evil."
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2022
52 people are currently reading
2620 people want to read
About the author
A.D. Price
4 books70 followersBorn in Washington, D. C., A. D. Price is an Emmy-winning screenwriter and author. Her publications (as Amy Dunkleberger) include educational books and feature articles on historical and arts-related subjects. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 14, 2024
After the Blue, Blue Rain was A. D. Price’s debut noir detective mystery book. I found the cover very enticing and was curious about this author. It did not disappoint. After the Blue, Blue Rain was set in Los Angeles, California during the mid 1940’s. World War II was finally over but many were still waiting and hoping that missing soldiers were safe and would return home soon. Some soldiers returned from World War II suffering from what we know now as PTSD and sought treatment. During this time, POW camps were still in existence in the United States. The POW camps housed the captured soldiers, guarded them closely and put them to work doing manual labor. There were also citizens of German descent that lived among the people of the United States that tried to help Germans escape to South America and other safe havens. Women during this time were content to be housewives and mothers. If any of these women had ventured into the workplace they found work as secretaries or some similar type jobs. After the Blue, Blue Rain explored all these issues and more in a most compelling manner. I listened to the audiobook that was narrated by Elizabeth Schmidt.
Kit Comfort was not your typical American woman. She was strong, intelligent and had aspirations towards a career as a private investigator for as long as she could remember. Private investigators were not the typical role women aspired towards nor chose as their preferred career. Kit was a good one though and she had opened her own office. She worked with her partner, Henry Richman, who had been an ex-cop turned private investigator. They worked well together and both brought their own expertise to the table. Their majority of cases centered around locating missing veterans. One of their recent clients was a woman named Dina Harris. She was trying to find out where a particular veteran who had been a medic during the war was. Dina and this missing vet had been romantically involved during the war. He had been traveling by train from Chicago to Los Angeles to see Dina but had never arrived. Dina needed Kit’s and Henry’s help to find out what had happened to him and why he hadn’t arrived. When a body was discovered alongside train tracks, Kit and Henry discovered that the man was the one their client Dina had hired them to find. They were tasked with the unpleasant duty of relaying the devastating news to their client, Dina. It was soon discovered that the vet had been murdered. Who had been responsible for killing this vet?
In addition to Kit’s responsibilities as a private investigator, Kit was committed to helping her brother, Stanley, recover from his emotional trauma he suffered as a soldier serving in the Pacific during World War II against the Japanese. Stanley had been admitted to a hospital where a psychiatrist was trying to help Stanley remember the trauma that had caused him to suffer from amnesia. Kit was totally committed to helping her brother recover from the traumatic events that caused his amnesia. She worked closely with the doctor who was treating Stanley. Was there an attraction between Stanley’s doctor and Kit?
Early on, in a German POW camp, one of the prisoners who was working as a laborer, planned and executed his own successful escape from somewhere in the Midwest. His story was presented in the form of journal entries where he confessed what he had done and what he planned to do. These journal entries were interspersed throughout the book. The escaped German prisoner was searching for a relative that he hoped would help him escape from the United States to another country where he could live as a free man. Would his efforts be successful?
After the Blue, Blue Rain by A. D. Price primarily explored the idea of good verses evil. It was well written, fast paced and well plotted. So many themes were explored that existed during this time period. I was impressed that this was A. D. Price’s debut book. The characters were all well developed and interesting. There is already a second book in this series that I can’t wait to listen to. I really enjoyed listening to After the Blue, Blue Rain and recommend it highly.
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of After the Blue, Blue Rain by A. D. Price through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Kit Comfort was not your typical American woman. She was strong, intelligent and had aspirations towards a career as a private investigator for as long as she could remember. Private investigators were not the typical role women aspired towards nor chose as their preferred career. Kit was a good one though and she had opened her own office. She worked with her partner, Henry Richman, who had been an ex-cop turned private investigator. They worked well together and both brought their own expertise to the table. Their majority of cases centered around locating missing veterans. One of their recent clients was a woman named Dina Harris. She was trying to find out where a particular veteran who had been a medic during the war was. Dina and this missing vet had been romantically involved during the war. He had been traveling by train from Chicago to Los Angeles to see Dina but had never arrived. Dina needed Kit’s and Henry’s help to find out what had happened to him and why he hadn’t arrived. When a body was discovered alongside train tracks, Kit and Henry discovered that the man was the one their client Dina had hired them to find. They were tasked with the unpleasant duty of relaying the devastating news to their client, Dina. It was soon discovered that the vet had been murdered. Who had been responsible for killing this vet?
In addition to Kit’s responsibilities as a private investigator, Kit was committed to helping her brother, Stanley, recover from his emotional trauma he suffered as a soldier serving in the Pacific during World War II against the Japanese. Stanley had been admitted to a hospital where a psychiatrist was trying to help Stanley remember the trauma that had caused him to suffer from amnesia. Kit was totally committed to helping her brother recover from the traumatic events that caused his amnesia. She worked closely with the doctor who was treating Stanley. Was there an attraction between Stanley’s doctor and Kit?
Early on, in a German POW camp, one of the prisoners who was working as a laborer, planned and executed his own successful escape from somewhere in the Midwest. His story was presented in the form of journal entries where he confessed what he had done and what he planned to do. These journal entries were interspersed throughout the book. The escaped German prisoner was searching for a relative that he hoped would help him escape from the United States to another country where he could live as a free man. Would his efforts be successful?
After the Blue, Blue Rain by A. D. Price primarily explored the idea of good verses evil. It was well written, fast paced and well plotted. So many themes were explored that existed during this time period. I was impressed that this was A. D. Price’s debut book. The characters were all well developed and interesting. There is already a second book in this series that I can’t wait to listen to. I really enjoyed listening to After the Blue, Blue Rain and recommend it highly.
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of After the Blue, Blue Rain by A. D. Price through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
June 11, 2024
oooh! A great noir mystery by an amazing writer. If you love Christie please take a butcher's! Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC/audiobook. The narrator is a bit too harsh for my liking. She does a sultry voice for one of the characters which would work better to narrate the whole thing. Maybe next time! I did love this book.
February 28, 2023
4.5 STARS
AUDIBLE LISTEN
Debut writer A D Price grabbed my attention in the prologue with an unnamed prisoner’s escape followed by a chapter from a psychiatric patient’s journal. Set in the 1940s following WW II AFTER THE BLUE, BLUE RAIN checks all the boxes for a compelling read—interesting characters, clever world-building, atmosphere and plot. Price transported me back to California during a period of history I know little about.
My only slight criticism is that Elizabeth Schmidt’s narration, pitch perfect for neutral and female points of view, was less authentic for the male section. I often found myself forgetting I was hearing a male journal entry. Otherwise, I enjoyed Schmidt’s performance very much.
AUDIBLE LISTEN
Debut writer A D Price grabbed my attention in the prologue with an unnamed prisoner’s escape followed by a chapter from a psychiatric patient’s journal. Set in the 1940s following WW II AFTER THE BLUE, BLUE RAIN checks all the boxes for a compelling read—interesting characters, clever world-building, atmosphere and plot. Price transported me back to California during a period of history I know little about.
My only slight criticism is that Elizabeth Schmidt’s narration, pitch perfect for neutral and female points of view, was less authentic for the male section. I often found myself forgetting I was hearing a male journal entry. Otherwise, I enjoyed Schmidt’s performance very much.
November 6, 2022
The title alone conveys images of a steamy night in the naked city. Smoke pours from an open manhole cover. A streetlight flickers, casting its incandescent light in frenzied patterns. A woman in a worn fur stole wearing an obscenely large hat sashays into the office of a private detective. Noir—a genre of fiction famous for cynical commentary, cliches, gratuitous inner monologue, and morally ambiguous protagonists. That is the genre the author is attempting to emulate with some degree of success. After the Blue, Blue Rain is more like a graduate student thesis struggling to come off as vintage. It's wordy, overly complicated, and oblivious. It is also a good story. There is some originality to the narrative, which was a refreshing change of pace for this reader. There are also strong characters. In essence, it is both compelling and a chore.
After the Blue, Blue Rain is set in an America at the top of the global food chain. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the United States was just beginning its journey as a leader in world affairs. While the rest of the world rebuilt, it was up to Uncle Sam to step in and provide the firm hand of leadership. Commies were everywhere, and the nation was on alert. Fascinating, if not overdone and somewhat historically skewed. This is the backdrop of the narrative and the story that unfolds could have been captivating were it not so droll in its execution. It's all over the place, showing too much effort to recreate a simplistic genre. Noir is not wordy and winding, it's blatant and intense. The central characters parallel classic archetypes of the genre and are quite well-developed. This is a strength. The storyline itself is a good one, and the author deserves credit for originality.
Kit Comfort runs the Comfort and Company Detective Agency. Business has not been booming, so she takes any work she can get. Dina Harris is desperate to locate her missing fiancé and Kit takes the case. A missing person may not be the spicy money-maker that she craves, but it pays. A simple missing person case becomes somewhat more complicated when you throw an escaped Nazi prisoner of war and mysterious medical professional. There are twists and turns and conspiracy theories in abundance outlined in subsequent chapters. Here is where the main genre breaks down into something more complex, with intersecting plotlines more reminiscent of Tom Clancy or Dan Brown. The long segues are where I found my attention waning.
After the Blue, Blue Rain is not a bad narrative. Author A.D. Price demonstrates a talent for world-building, strong character development, and clever dialogue. The fluid moments of the narrative tie in the plotlines quite well, even diving into psychological issues that are prevalent today—most notably post-traumatic stress. It’s the moments that drag on and fail to entrance that render the work a chore at times. The author tries to tell a story and, at times, does so in quite a compelling manner. There is just a great deal of fluff to sort through. Examining the narrative based on a storyline, it is a good read. From the technical perspective, less art and more matter would suffice.
Pan out on a smoky glass door emblazoned with the watchful Pinkerton Eye.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
After the Blue, Blue Rain is set in an America at the top of the global food chain. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the United States was just beginning its journey as a leader in world affairs. While the rest of the world rebuilt, it was up to Uncle Sam to step in and provide the firm hand of leadership. Commies were everywhere, and the nation was on alert. Fascinating, if not overdone and somewhat historically skewed. This is the backdrop of the narrative and the story that unfolds could have been captivating were it not so droll in its execution. It's all over the place, showing too much effort to recreate a simplistic genre. Noir is not wordy and winding, it's blatant and intense. The central characters parallel classic archetypes of the genre and are quite well-developed. This is a strength. The storyline itself is a good one, and the author deserves credit for originality.
Kit Comfort runs the Comfort and Company Detective Agency. Business has not been booming, so she takes any work she can get. Dina Harris is desperate to locate her missing fiancé and Kit takes the case. A missing person may not be the spicy money-maker that she craves, but it pays. A simple missing person case becomes somewhat more complicated when you throw an escaped Nazi prisoner of war and mysterious medical professional. There are twists and turns and conspiracy theories in abundance outlined in subsequent chapters. Here is where the main genre breaks down into something more complex, with intersecting plotlines more reminiscent of Tom Clancy or Dan Brown. The long segues are where I found my attention waning.
After the Blue, Blue Rain is not a bad narrative. Author A.D. Price demonstrates a talent for world-building, strong character development, and clever dialogue. The fluid moments of the narrative tie in the plotlines quite well, even diving into psychological issues that are prevalent today—most notably post-traumatic stress. It’s the moments that drag on and fail to entrance that render the work a chore at times. The author tries to tell a story and, at times, does so in quite a compelling manner. There is just a great deal of fluff to sort through. Examining the narrative based on a storyline, it is a good read. From the technical perspective, less art and more matter would suffice.
Pan out on a smoky glass door emblazoned with the watchful Pinkerton Eye.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 9, 2023
Book Sirens eARC. In post war LA, Kit Comfort's detective agency's main business is locating missing vets. Dina Harris's fiance was due on the early train from Chicago but failed to arrive. Kit and her partner, Henry uncover some disquieting information regarding a body found beside the tracks near Barstow and an escaped German POW from a camp in the Midwest. Could their paths have crossed? This historical noir features strong character development and witty dialogue. Kit is a likeable relatable woman ahead of her time. Her brother Stanley's battle with post traumatic stress disorder is an interesting sidebar and relevant even today. I enjoy multiple point of view narratives even though they are not for every reader. The transitioning was smoothly done and flowed chronologically. An engaging read. Not sure if it is part of a series or a standalone and the author was new to me.
June 14, 2024
AD Price writes a promising beginning to her complex and multilayered historical noir mystery series set in post-war Los Angeles, California, which I listened to on audio, narrated with verve and style by Elizabeth Schmidt, approximately 8 hours and 20 minutes, wonderfully atmospheric and with a strong grasp of the wide range of distinctly different characters, building a historical period and action that kept me gripped from beginning to end. 1946 has the United States in the ascendent globally after the end of WW2, but there is a sense of chaos and turbulence bubbling over, whilst Hitler may have been defeated, ideas of white supremacy do not disappear, some find solace in confirming their ideology by forming groups, and there are those looking to find sanctuary in South America.
Kit Comfort is a strong independent woman with a love of hats and artichokes, who has stepped into what might be viewed at the time as a man's world, she runs a PI agency with her ex-police officer partner, Henry Richman. Henry has insisted that him taking care of his wife, Bea, is his first priority, she suffered trauma after a bombing that has left her needing care, although she does have spells when she appears to be able to cope. Kit has a veteran brother, Stanley, suffering from significant memory loss and PTSD, and we follow, in reasonable depth, his treatnent using hypnosis to help sketch in much of what happened to him in Japan. Kit and Henry take on a client, Dina Harris, who want them to find out what happened to a missing medic, a vet, last seen travelling on a train to LA.
They have no idea just how much danger they will find themselves. This was such an engaging historical mystery, that I am glad to say that I am currently busy listening to the second in the series, it was that good! I particularly recommend the audio to readers, it vividly brings alive the post-war period, including the experiences of soldiers with its fascinating focus on Stanley, who I have to say was one of my favourite characters. Many thanks to ACX for the ALC.
Kit Comfort is a strong independent woman with a love of hats and artichokes, who has stepped into what might be viewed at the time as a man's world, she runs a PI agency with her ex-police officer partner, Henry Richman. Henry has insisted that him taking care of his wife, Bea, is his first priority, she suffered trauma after a bombing that has left her needing care, although she does have spells when she appears to be able to cope. Kit has a veteran brother, Stanley, suffering from significant memory loss and PTSD, and we follow, in reasonable depth, his treatnent using hypnosis to help sketch in much of what happened to him in Japan. Kit and Henry take on a client, Dina Harris, who want them to find out what happened to a missing medic, a vet, last seen travelling on a train to LA.
They have no idea just how much danger they will find themselves. This was such an engaging historical mystery, that I am glad to say that I am currently busy listening to the second in the series, it was that good! I particularly recommend the audio to readers, it vividly brings alive the post-war period, including the experiences of soldiers with its fascinating focus on Stanley, who I have to say was one of my favourite characters. Many thanks to ACX for the ALC.
February 28, 2023
Set in Los Angeles in 1946, After the Blue, Blue Rain recalls the time when GI's returned home from the war, many in damaged condition, physically or mentally. Private eyes Kit Comfort and Henry Richman are hired to find a missing doctor who boarded a train for LA but never arrived. Finding him doesn't take much time. Finding the Nazi that delayed him, and their mysteriously absent employer, does. As they work the case, Kit helps to attend to her brother, who has returned from the Pacific with part of his memory missing. Henry's wife is also fragile mentally, and she is always his primary concern.
Author A.D. Price's strongest suit is characterization. Each of her characters is well developed, with a detailed back story and set of unique traits. While I can't say I could actually visualize the main characters, I found their behavior consistent. The story is told primarily in third person, with the focus of each short chapter on one of the main players, usually in present tense. The exception is that the Nazi culprit's tale is told in first person, past tense, interspersed with the other characters' chapters, roughly in the same timeline, as part of a confession statement. This, unfortunately, reveals beforehand that the Nazi survived, and produces an uneven narrative.
While the fast-paced ending gives the novel a thriller feel, for the most part this is a PI procedural, not really a mystery or a thriller. It's worth reading for its interesting characters and their stories as much as the primary plot. I'll look forward to the next installment.
This book was provided to me by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.
Author A.D. Price's strongest suit is characterization. Each of her characters is well developed, with a detailed back story and set of unique traits. While I can't say I could actually visualize the main characters, I found their behavior consistent. The story is told primarily in third person, with the focus of each short chapter on one of the main players, usually in present tense. The exception is that the Nazi culprit's tale is told in first person, past tense, interspersed with the other characters' chapters, roughly in the same timeline, as part of a confession statement. This, unfortunately, reveals beforehand that the Nazi survived, and produces an uneven narrative.
While the fast-paced ending gives the novel a thriller feel, for the most part this is a PI procedural, not really a mystery or a thriller. It's worth reading for its interesting characters and their stories as much as the primary plot. I'll look forward to the next installment.
This book was provided to me by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.
October 12, 2025
I wanted to write this review after having listened to the next in the list because I had it with me already. Unfortunately, I am taking my own sweet time getting to it so I decided that I should at least finish this review while I remember the plot!
This is a post-war story set in the US – in 1946 LA to be more precise. Kit is running a detective agency with a more seasoned ex-cop. She has her own personal issues like her brother who came back from the war broken. The man treating him might be more interested in just his patient.
The central plot is interesting. We have a missing fiance and when Kit starts to look for him she finds herself looking into Nazi sympathizers and actual Nazis hiding in plain sight. The investigation is thorough and makes sense but the narrator ( who did a good job) did not suit Kit or at least in my opinion. For some reason I continued to feel like the two ( the voice and the character) did not match up and this was the main reason for my overall reaction to the book.
It is not common for me to say I might have reached the ebook version higher but it is the case here. I would recommend this to fans of the historian fiction genre. There’s action without it being too dramatic I am still working my way through the next book.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own listening experience.
This is a post-war story set in the US – in 1946 LA to be more precise. Kit is running a detective agency with a more seasoned ex-cop. She has her own personal issues like her brother who came back from the war broken. The man treating him might be more interested in just his patient.
The central plot is interesting. We have a missing fiance and when Kit starts to look for him she finds herself looking into Nazi sympathizers and actual Nazis hiding in plain sight. The investigation is thorough and makes sense but the narrator ( who did a good job) did not suit Kit or at least in my opinion. For some reason I continued to feel like the two ( the voice and the character) did not match up and this was the main reason for my overall reaction to the book.
It is not common for me to say I might have reached the ebook version higher but it is the case here. I would recommend this to fans of the historian fiction genre. There’s action without it being too dramatic I am still working my way through the next book.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own listening experience.
December 7, 2022
Henry and Kit operate a detective agency, and they are hired to find a woman’s missing boy friend. This is After the Blue, Blue Rain by A.D. Price.
I really liked Henry and Kit. It was easy to relate to them, and written in such a way that the reader almost felt like they knew them, personally. Kit’s brother, Stanley, was another great character who was dealing with amnesia after coming home from the war.
The plot is much more than just finding a missing boy friend. The story is told via different perspectives. There’s the case of the missing boy friend, Stanley getting treatment for his amnesia, and a confession from an escapee. All of which added up to a very good detective story.
The writing flowed well and the author had a style that was easy to connect too. It was almost like watching a movie unfold before my eyes. The author was able to keep the story from getting confusing and blended the different perspectives well.
Only negative to me; it really needs a better title.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.
I really liked Henry and Kit. It was easy to relate to them, and written in such a way that the reader almost felt like they knew them, personally. Kit’s brother, Stanley, was another great character who was dealing with amnesia after coming home from the war.
The plot is much more than just finding a missing boy friend. The story is told via different perspectives. There’s the case of the missing boy friend, Stanley getting treatment for his amnesia, and a confession from an escapee. All of which added up to a very good detective story.
The writing flowed well and the author had a style that was easy to connect too. It was almost like watching a movie unfold before my eyes. The author was able to keep the story from getting confusing and blended the different perspectives well.
Only negative to me; it really needs a better title.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.
October 31, 2022
I am admittedly someone who judges books by their covers. The cover of this book drew me in instantly, and more or less, it lived up to the intrigue presented.
Starting with a letter dated February 1946, 'After the Blue, Blue Rain' follows Kit and Henry's search for a missing veteran whose last known whereabouts was on a train coming into L.A. They never expect their search to lead them to something far greater than a missing person case.
The story is extremely fast-paced and it works for the plot, though I wouldn't have minded it being a bit slower. We don't get to interact with the characters deeply and there is enough potential here for a longer book. I feel like I finished it too quickly.
While there was a lot I liked, it ultimately fell a bit flat for me in terms of impact. It was enjoyable enough, though, and I liked how dialogue-heavy it was. Worth the read.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free copy to read and review.
Starting with a letter dated February 1946, 'After the Blue, Blue Rain' follows Kit and Henry's search for a missing veteran whose last known whereabouts was on a train coming into L.A. They never expect their search to lead them to something far greater than a missing person case.
The story is extremely fast-paced and it works for the plot, though I wouldn't have minded it being a bit slower. We don't get to interact with the characters deeply and there is enough potential here for a longer book. I feel like I finished it too quickly.
While there was a lot I liked, it ultimately fell a bit flat for me in terms of impact. It was enjoyable enough, though, and I liked how dialogue-heavy it was. Worth the read.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free copy to read and review.
November 7, 2022
I received a digital ARC of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.
The Good: This was a book I got into instantly. The characters and story are immediately interesting and likeable and I found myself not wanting to put the book down starting with the first chapter. It was easy to read and I feel it did a good job of immersing me in the era and events that took place.
The Bad: I felt the book ended very flat and abrupt. It wasn't necessarily a bad ending but almost like there could have been more to it. I read the last page and assumed there was another chapter because it felt like the story still had more left.
Overall: This was a very entertaining read and anyone interested in the post WWII era should definitely check it out. The end could have been handled a bit better in my opinion but I still enjoyed reading the book, found myself not wanting to put it down and would definitely read another by this author in the future.
The Good: This was a book I got into instantly. The characters and story are immediately interesting and likeable and I found myself not wanting to put the book down starting with the first chapter. It was easy to read and I feel it did a good job of immersing me in the era and events that took place.
The Bad: I felt the book ended very flat and abrupt. It wasn't necessarily a bad ending but almost like there could have been more to it. I read the last page and assumed there was another chapter because it felt like the story still had more left.
Overall: This was a very entertaining read and anyone interested in the post WWII era should definitely check it out. The end could have been handled a bit better in my opinion but I still enjoyed reading the book, found myself not wanting to put it down and would definitely read another by this author in the future.
March 30, 2023
A great atmospheric, noir genre, immersive detective story. Interesting world building with the locale and the characters in 1946 Los Angeles. I love reading mysteries, and knew I'd enjoy the story, but AD Price took me by surprise — her writing really transported me to the era.
Kit was written as an unconventional, independent, and intelligent woman working in a man's world, and succeeding, by running her own detective agency — even with her penchant for buying hats. :)
The multiple POVs were a great way to reveal clues as they came up, and I always love reading the villain's side of things. It also made the side characters more entertaining as individual entities and personalities with their own quirks and worries.
Elizabeth Schmidt did well with the narration, and I enjoyed her performance of the story.
I hope there are more stories planned. I'd love to read more about these characters.
Kit was written as an unconventional, independent, and intelligent woman working in a man's world, and succeeding, by running her own detective agency — even with her penchant for buying hats. :)
The multiple POVs were a great way to reveal clues as they came up, and I always love reading the villain's side of things. It also made the side characters more entertaining as individual entities and personalities with their own quirks and worries.
Elizabeth Schmidt did well with the narration, and I enjoyed her performance of the story.
I hope there are more stories planned. I'd love to read more about these characters.
September 4, 2024
This book was narrated by Elizabeth Schmidt who was very good, consistent through out and managed to change voice texture and tone for the 5 main characters effortlessly and effectively. I didn't like the German accent but the narrator did her best. All in all the narrator made it enjoyable listening to the story which had a good storyline.
The one downside was having the chapter numbers read out at the beginning of each chapter, it broke up the story and didn't flow smoothly, but that might have been the author's instruction.
I enjoyed the story and the author's attention to detail. It was an interesting story set at the end of the Second Word War in America. A private detective, Kit and her mentor Henry who are the main characters and who get involved with dangerous Nazi sympathisers, a lost army medical doctor and the police. A nice light read with plenty of dangerous activity, some romance and dodging bullets.
The one downside was having the chapter numbers read out at the beginning of each chapter, it broke up the story and didn't flow smoothly, but that might have been the author's instruction.
I enjoyed the story and the author's attention to detail. It was an interesting story set at the end of the Second Word War in America. A private detective, Kit and her mentor Henry who are the main characters and who get involved with dangerous Nazi sympathisers, a lost army medical doctor and the police. A nice light read with plenty of dangerous activity, some romance and dodging bullets.
June 8, 2023
A superb tale with all the elements of a suspenseful film noir. The plot concentrates around a search for a missing veteran in the US after World War II, and it touches on topics like the persistence of Nazi ideas even after they lost the war as well as the psychological trauma many veterans experienced. The idea of a female private detective appealed to me greatly because it juxtaposed a clever and tough lady with a very feminine element, such as a hat fetish. The narrative was so well-structured that even though the story was recounted from various points of view, it was still simple to follow. And I'm pleased I listened to the audiobook version since the narrator did an excellent job of distinguishing between the characters' voices and telling the story in a lively and engaging manner. It comes highly recommended by me.
November 30, 2023
After the Blue, Blue Rain
Comfort & Company #1
by A. D. Price
Pub Date 07 Sep 2022
Glore House Books,Bowker Industries
General Fiction \(Adult\)| Historical Fiction| Mystery & Thrillers
Glore House Books and Netgalley sent me a copy of After the Blue, Blue Rain for review:
It's 1946 in Los Angeles. Kit Comfort and Henry Richman, the LAPD's most infamous ex-cop, are eager to help a young transcriptionist find her lover, a veteran who's gone missing from an L.A.-bound train. After their hunt leads them to an underground network of enemy sympathizers, what appears to be a routine missing person case takes a dangerous turn.
They're soon battling both a deadly cabal and dodgy government agents in a devastating conspiracy between good and evil.
I give After the Blue, Blue Rain five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
November 1, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. There are several interesting characters - some with intriguing pasts that appear to be affecting the future. The author does a wonderful job of weaving together the horrors of war with the lasting impacts felt by those involved, whether directly or through family members and/or friends. I appreciated the chapter headings identifying the characters. I felt the ending was very touching, and it sure left me wanting more so I look forward to the next book in this series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 28, 2023
Audiobook: This was my first experience with A.D. Price's work, and I enjoyed it. The story was set after WWII, and the author explored some of the difficulties that were faced by people during that time in history. I liked the complex characters. I appreciated the thought-provoking themes. The noir ambiance intrigued me. I will be looking for more stories from this author. Elizabeth Schmidt's narration was good and kept my attention. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
March 29, 2023
I enjoyed this book but not for the reasons I had expected after reading other reviews. I did not find it a fast paced thriller at all, in fact I felt it went at a very slow pace, which was not to its detriment. It was well written and really gave you a sense of the era, from the attitudes of the people and their sense of place in society right through to the fashions of the day and Kits love of hats. The story itself felt a little tame for what I tend to enjoy reading but it was well rounded and the ending was not too rushed as so often can happen in books.
June 1, 2023
Lost and found
After the Blue, Blue Rain is not a fast paced mystery as suggested but a melancholic mystery of a past error with well balanced characters - Kit a ‘modern’ woman in a world of men, Henry a returned veteran dancing life on the eggshells of memories, beautifully crafted full of real emotions, plausible mystery with the conclusion happening in ‘real’ time not rushed which is often the case when finishing the story. Don’t be swayed by the ‘fast paced’ it is a memorable read of challenges and changing in a post war world.
After the Blue, Blue Rain is not a fast paced mystery as suggested but a melancholic mystery of a past error with well balanced characters - Kit a ‘modern’ woman in a world of men, Henry a returned veteran dancing life on the eggshells of memories, beautifully crafted full of real emotions, plausible mystery with the conclusion happening in ‘real’ time not rushed which is often the case when finishing the story. Don’t be swayed by the ‘fast paced’ it is a memorable read of challenges and changing in a post war world.
June 16, 2024
I won this book in a 15 book giveaway. They were all mysteries and I am just beginning to read them. Thanks A.D. Price for sending me this one and the second book in the Comfort Series also. Thank you for signing them too! I always keep signed books!
Really enjoyed the writing and loved, loved, loved the short chapters!
I visit LA a lot because my daughter lives there and I can just imagine that city during this era!
All the characters had interesting backgrounds and liked how they meshed to tell a series of stories!
I look forward to reading the second one in the series.
Really enjoyed the writing and loved, loved, loved the short chapters!
I visit LA a lot because my daughter lives there and I can just imagine that city during this era!
All the characters had interesting backgrounds and liked how they meshed to tell a series of stories!
I look forward to reading the second one in the series.
June 24, 2024
This 1940s noir mystery started off strong, with lots of atmosphere and potential. Although it lagged a bit toward the middle, I was intrigued enough to look forward to reading the next entry in what promises to be a great series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 16, 2022
3.5 upped to 4
I think there's a lot of potential as the characters and the atmosphere are well done and the plot flows.
I think it worked but the solution was a bit rushed and anticlimax.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
I think there's a lot of potential as the characters and the atmosphere are well done and the plot flows.
I think it worked but the solution was a bit rushed and anticlimax.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
February 21, 2023
Characters are well done and relatable, the pace is mostly fast paced and the plot is sound with several interesting twists. The publisher's blurb is a good hook. The only downside is an unresolved ending.
I won a print copy in a LibraryThing Giveaway!
I won a print copy in a LibraryThing Giveaway!
May 26, 2023
1946. It all starts when P.I. firm Comfort and Company have a new client. Dina Harris wants Kit to find her missing boyfriend. His train arrived but he didn’t. In the mix is an escaped war prisoner and her brother Stanley has lost part of his memory about the war.
An entertaining mystery.
An entertaining mystery.
January 8, 2024
Wonderful read
Great book. What could have been a depressing book was instead inspiring and interesting. There was intrigue, murder, a look into the US right after WWII and just enough humor and romance to make for a book I read in just over a day.
Great book. What could have been a depressing book was instead inspiring and interesting. There was intrigue, murder, a look into the US right after WWII and just enough humor and romance to make for a book I read in just over a day.
January 11, 2024
There is nothing routine about this “ hard to put down but don’t want it to end” book. Heartwarming characters and situations. I believe that this would especially be enjoyed by veterans and their families and those who suffer from “shell shock” and physical reminders of their service.
May 18, 2023
Enjoyed this yarn. Especially the post war period. Characters seemed real. Dialogue is realistic.
May 30, 2024
Satisfied a craving for a good new compelling gumshoe read with good character development, realistic dialogue, and a far-away time and place.
June 23, 2024
Rounded up from 2.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley I was able to listen to the audio version of the book. It's a middle of the road post WWII novel.
September 27, 2025
Received this book from the author through Book Funnel.
A well done story, weaving multiple people's experiences into a real page turner.
I enjoyed this one.
A well done story, weaving multiple people's experiences into a real page turner.
I enjoyed this one.
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