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Louis Kincaid #6
A Killing Rain
A deep freeze is bearing down on the Florida Everglades, the kind of brutal storm the locals call a killing rain. For Detective Louis Kincaid, the coldest night of the year has brought a terrifying new chill- a grisly discovery that tightens his every nerve in warning........
The body proves this is no routine case. It's the start of a nightmare. & When the killer chooses his next victim, theres no doubt the detective is matching wits with a predator who is as ruthless as they come.
Now with time running out, Kincaid is on a desperate hunt of his own, tracking a twisted adversary one step away from committing the ultimate horror.......
The body proves this is no routine case. It's the start of a nightmare. & When the killer chooses his next victim, theres no doubt the detective is matching wits with a predator who is as ruthless as they come.
Now with time running out, Kincaid is on a desperate hunt of his own, tracking a twisted adversary one step away from committing the ultimate horror.......
383 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
75 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
P.J. Parrish
26 books270 followersP.J. Parrish is the New York Times bestselling author of ten Louis Kincaid and Joe Frye thrillers. The author is actually two sisters, Kristy Montee and Kelly Nichols. Their books have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today best seller lists. The series has garnered 11 major crime-fiction awards, and an Edgar® nomination. Parrish has won two Shamus awards, one Anthony and one International Thriller competition. Her books have been published throughout Europe and Asia.
Parrish's short stories have also appeared in many anthologies, including two published by Mystery Writers of America, edited by Harlan Coben and the late Stuart Kaminsky. Their stories have also appeared in Akashic Books acclaimed Detroit Noir, and in Ellery Queen Magazine. Most recently, they contributed an essay to a special edition of Edgar Allan Poe's works edited by Michael Connelly.
P.J. Parrish as children
Before turning to writing full time, Kristy Montee was a newspaper editor and dance critic for the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale. Nichols previously was a blackjack dealer and then a human resources specialist in the casino industry. Kris in Tallahassee FL and Traverse City MI and Kelly resides in Traverse City as well.
The sisters were writers as kids, albeit with different styles: Kelly's first attempt at fiction at age 11 was titled The Kill. Kristy's at 13 was The Cat Who Understood. Not much has changed: Kelly now tends to handle the gory stuff and Kristy the character development. But the collaboration is a smooth one, thanks to lots of ego suppression, good wine, and marathon phone calls via Skype.
The first eleven books in the series, in order, are: Dark of the Moon, Dead of Winter, Paint it Black, Thicker than Water, Island of Bones, A Killing Rain, An Unquiet Grave, A Thousand Bones, South of Hell, The Little Death and Heart of Ice. They also wrote three stand-alone thrillers: A Thousand Bones, The Killing Song and She's Not There.
Parrish's short stories have also appeared in many anthologies, including two published by Mystery Writers of America, edited by Harlan Coben and the late Stuart Kaminsky. Their stories have also appeared in Akashic Books acclaimed Detroit Noir, and in Ellery Queen Magazine. Most recently, they contributed an essay to a special edition of Edgar Allan Poe's works edited by Michael Connelly.
P.J. Parrish as children
Before turning to writing full time, Kristy Montee was a newspaper editor and dance critic for the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale. Nichols previously was a blackjack dealer and then a human resources specialist in the casino industry. Kris in Tallahassee FL and Traverse City MI and Kelly resides in Traverse City as well.
The sisters were writers as kids, albeit with different styles: Kelly's first attempt at fiction at age 11 was titled The Kill. Kristy's at 13 was The Cat Who Understood. Not much has changed: Kelly now tends to handle the gory stuff and Kristy the character development. But the collaboration is a smooth one, thanks to lots of ego suppression, good wine, and marathon phone calls via Skype.
The first eleven books in the series, in order, are: Dark of the Moon, Dead of Winter, Paint it Black, Thicker than Water, Island of Bones, A Killing Rain, An Unquiet Grave, A Thousand Bones, South of Hell, The Little Death and Heart of Ice. They also wrote three stand-alone thrillers: A Thousand Bones, The Killing Song and She's Not There.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 9, 2010
PJ Parrish is just good readin'...There has not been one of the sisters books that I have not given a minimum of 4 stars to I believe. The Louis Kincaid character is one that a reader can easily buddy up to and looks forward to getting to know more and more!
July 1, 2011
I know I'm reading these out of order, but they aren't easy to get my hands on. I was glad I read this one though. It explains where Joe comes from in the other one I read. And it explains more about Louis's aloofness, his loneliness. An excellent series.
April 28, 2020
3.5 stars. This book from 2005 is set in the Florida Everglades. Private investigator Louis Kincaid wants to date public defender Susan Outlaw. He really likes her 11 year old son Ben. Her ex-husband Austin shows up and Ben goes missing. Louis is determined to find him.
This book is #6 in the Louis Kincaid series. I've been reading these as I located them so I'm out of order. I read #8 but Louis was absent in most of that book so this was my first true introduction to him. Initially, I didn't care for Susan, Austin, or even Louis. He seemed wishy-washy but as the story progressed, I grew to like him. I met Joe Frye in the last book and I appreciated seeing her character get a good start in this one. I like her. If you like a story with human trafficking, you might like this one.
This book is #6 in the Louis Kincaid series. I've been reading these as I located them so I'm out of order. I read #8 but Louis was absent in most of that book so this was my first true introduction to him. Initially, I didn't care for Susan, Austin, or even Louis. He seemed wishy-washy but as the story progressed, I grew to like him. I met Joe Frye in the last book and I appreciated seeing her character get a good start in this one. I like her. If you like a story with human trafficking, you might like this one.
October 10, 2012
A KILLING RAIN was the first book I read by this duo author. It is the 6th installement in a series. Although I have not read any of the previous books, I was still able to get into the storyline very quickly! It was fast paced- action from beginning to end. I found Louis to be a very likeable character and I look forward to reading more of his story and his previous and next cases to come. Excellent read!!
October 17, 2017
This was the sixth book in the Louis Kincaid series and just didn't grab me like the others have. The mystery seemed a little drawn out, but finally picked up towards the end. Louis is still in Florida and appears to be getting involved with the attorney, Susan Outlaw until her ex-husband comes back into the picture and the mystery starts with him and her son. Louis ends up meeting a detective from Miami, Joelle Frye, that his dectective friend Mel Landetta refers him too for assistance on this case. He and Jo end up getting quite close as they work to solve the mystery and he heads back to Miami with her to start a new job there or maybe not.
March 17, 2017
Getting better and better. On to the next one.
April 6, 2010
Even though this one is classified as a mystery I think of it as a suspense or thriller. It was the usual great book written by Parrish.
February 2, 2011
The characters are all pretty stereotypical, and don't show much growth. And the plot isn't brilliant. But the pacing is very impressive. Tense, taut, tightly written.
November 30, 2011
Good character Louis Kincaid. Well drawn. Complicated and real.
December 2, 2018
It begins with a transaction gone bad in the Alligator Alley. A woman was killed.
Fast forward, Louis Kincaid was getting to know Susan a divorcee and her son Benjamin. As they were preparing for a simple dinner at her house, her long gone ex appears out of nowhere. Things just go down south quickly from there both for their new found relationship as well as the disappearance of Ben when some hoodlums was gunning for his father Austin Outlaw. As the search was on for Ben, a series of gruesome killing litters the landscape as a couple of killers are on the hunt for Austin. As he team up with a Miami PD detective Joette Frye to uncover the murders, a new romantic angle develops between them.
A Louis dwells deeper into the morass he found out that the case is more complex than first thought. From human trafficking to unusual cruelty of the rich against the poor. The final twist come on the starvation prairies. The final poignant moment in the last few chapters are a hallmark of the author. It gives the readers a glimpse of the future. I am anticipating for the next book.
Fast forward, Louis Kincaid was getting to know Susan a divorcee and her son Benjamin. As they were preparing for a simple dinner at her house, her long gone ex appears out of nowhere. Things just go down south quickly from there both for their new found relationship as well as the disappearance of Ben when some hoodlums was gunning for his father Austin Outlaw. As the search was on for Ben, a series of gruesome killing litters the landscape as a couple of killers are on the hunt for Austin. As he team up with a Miami PD detective Joette Frye to uncover the murders, a new romantic angle develops between them.
A Louis dwells deeper into the morass he found out that the case is more complex than first thought. From human trafficking to unusual cruelty of the rich against the poor. The final twist come on the starvation prairies. The final poignant moment in the last few chapters are a hallmark of the author. It gives the readers a glimpse of the future. I am anticipating for the next book.
December 13, 2020
PJ Parrish has a way of making her characters so real, even the villains and antagonists have complex personalities. Even when they do awful things, somehow you can still feel sorry for them. Uncle Leo, however, was one of the ugliest people I've read about in a while and I thoroughly enjoyed waiting to see what would happen to him. I loved Joe--the female detective Louis Kincaid worked with in this book. And the mother whose child was taken, whom Louis was interested in, and I WANTED to like, was a real mixed bag--which was intended. Parrish does a great job of creating characters you can't quite like but can't quite totally dislike either. Everything about her stories--the plot, the characters--is complicated. This book didn't hook me quite as much as Island of Bones, but it was sure good!
November 7, 2019
This was my first book by PJ Parrish. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I also found myself thinking half-way through the book that it would make a great tv movie but they no longer have "Movie of the Week". The character Louis Kincaid would even make a great PI series. It is a straight-forward book involving PI Kincaid and various police departments looking for a kidnapped boy and inept convicts are involved......but why was the boy kidnapped? Great story line.
February 15, 2018
Every time I read another book written by these two sisters I'm amazed at the story they tell... each time I think it can't get better than this one... once again Parrish does it again. A very satisfying read.
January 21, 2019
A PI struggle to find a little bit caught up in a human trading ring
Louis Kincaid is a PI trying to help a lady friend find her son who was kidnapped by two killers who are trying to kill the boy's father
Louis Kincaid is a PI trying to help a lady friend find her son who was kidnapped by two killers who are trying to kill the boy's father
June 14, 2019
Always a Top Notch Story Teller
I love the Louis Kincaid books! Everything I could possibly want in a series book! The background is as much a character as any of the people. Interesting concept. I haven't read one I didn't like and this did not disappoint.
I love the Louis Kincaid books! Everything I could possibly want in a series book! The background is as much a character as any of the people. Interesting concept. I haven't read one I didn't like and this did not disappoint.
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August 10, 2020When I started this book I thought I wasn't going to like it to much but was surprised as it did keep my interest. It's an easy read....and goes fast along. Not a book I'd buy, it was a loan and like I said, it did keep my interest.
April 20, 2019
More like 3 and a half stars. Good characters. Liked the ending. More gruesome than it needed to be. I will read more in the series.
January 5, 2020
Like this series - Louis Kincaid is a good man, smart & honorable.
May 11, 2020
This is the best book of the series so far. I find the intertwining of his social life and job make this book so good. On to the next one.
November 2, 2020
I've read all of the Louis Kincaid mysteries, but my favourites are the ones featuring Florida locations. Each offers a satisfying and pleasant reading experience.
October 5, 2021
4.5 Unlike Dead of Winter, Louis did less thrashing about and more getting on with solving the case. He's a stand-up kind of guy.
January 7, 2022
I truly, truly love this series and each book in it gets better and better!!! Without reservation, I highly recommend adding this book/series to your reading list.
December 8, 2023
All of the Louis Kincaid books are fantastic. Can't wait to read the next one.
November 4, 2025
Got this at a resale book shop and wasn’t super sure about it but loved it. Super suspenseful.
December 11, 2017
I think this series gets better with each book. I'm a fan.
September 13, 2014
Another great novel by the dynamic duo!
I love these Louis Kincaid mystery novels. Each book brings an enormous level of suspense without being unbelievable and the crime scenes that are investigated are done with professionalism without being over the top and sensationalized. The events that occur in these mysteries are developed carefully and the writing style is so cohesive I was surprised that they are written by two people. Between the crimes themselves and the characters involved are seamless transitions and this Louis Kincaid guy keeps getting smarter and more skilled with each novel that follows. I also love the fact that these are stand-alone novels and do not need to be read in order just to understand. However by doing so you will get the complete back story on Kincaid.
I love these Louis Kincaid mystery novels. Each book brings an enormous level of suspense without being unbelievable and the crime scenes that are investigated are done with professionalism without being over the top and sensationalized. The events that occur in these mysteries are developed carefully and the writing style is so cohesive I was surprised that they are written by two people. Between the crimes themselves and the characters involved are seamless transitions and this Louis Kincaid guy keeps getting smarter and more skilled with each novel that follows. I also love the fact that these are stand-alone novels and do not need to be read in order just to understand. However by doing so you will get the complete back story on Kincaid.
July 28, 2015
The Killing Rain by P.J. Parrish is the fifth book in the Detective Louis Kincaid series. Louis Kincaid is starting a relationship with the defense attorney Susan Outlaw and her son Ben. When the ex returns, the father takes his son out for ice cream and does not return. Susan talks Kincaid into helping her find her missing boy.
The search discovers ties with the recently found body in the Florida Everglades, human trafficking, the brutal murder of the ex's partner and their secretary, child abuse, and Satanism. A fast pace and a tight action-filled plot will thrill you. This is a good quick read that is bound to keep you wanting to find out what happens next.
October 15, 2013
I am going backwards on the Louis Kincaid series. The publisher sent me South of Hell and the Little Death to read. Loved them. Went to half priced books to find earlier books. Found this one. I enjoyed it but I definitely liked the later books better. I definitely need to get to book 1 & read onwards. I like this is when Joe Frye enters Louis' life. I would have liked a bit more Mel. Susan was a bit... hmmm, melodramatic and Wainsworth was a douche. The pace was nice and fast and the killers' story was interesting.
I'll add more later since I'm mobile right now.
I'll add more later since I'm mobile right now.
September 9, 2014
My penchant for mysteries in a series with women protagonists is "legendary," but I also have a penchant for ones with noir male protagonists of which this is one. It all began with Larry Block, Steven Greenleaf, and, of course, John D. MacDonald, among others, lo many years ago, but continues to this day with the likes of Archer Mayor, Steve Hamilton, Reed Farrell Coleman, Paul Doiran, Steve Ulfelder and now PJ Parrish. The definition of noir here is my own. Not all would necessarily agree...
September 8, 2014
I love P.J. Parrish's books. I realized that I had read this one quite awhile ago but it was good to be reacquainted with Louis and Joe's romance from the beginning. The author is good at painting a side of Florida that the average person never sees. I will admit that the dreariness of the weather in the background made me too depressed to keep reading a couple of nights ago. A good read for a wet and rainy spring.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews