The Rivers Run Dry

Sibella Giorello’s newest novel, The Rivers Run Dry, probably best belongs in the suspense and mystery genre. I mean, it’s the FBI and a case involving a missing hiker. However, Giorello tells the story of Special Agent Raleigh Harmon, a forensic geologist (who knew there was such a thing?) with the kind of beautiful language and compelling characterization that places it outside the cookie cutter clichés of many suspense stories.

From the publisher’s description:

Special Agent Raleigh Harmon is good at her job, but not as good at bureau politics. As one of the few females on the team, she finds herself in a strange land when she’s transferred from Richmond to drought-stricken Seattle. When a hiker suddenly goes missing and a ransom note arrives, Raleigh realizes there’s no time for transitions. Vowing to find the missing college girl, she must rely on her forensic geology skills to uncover the truth, leaving no stone unturned.

Gritty and poetic, with an evocative sense of place, a quirky cast of characters, a fast-twisting plot, and a compelling, complicated heroine, this superbly crafted mystery will keep you reading compulsively as hope runs short, the clock runs down, and the rivers run dry.

I liked Raleigh. A lot. I liked that we rarely saw her as a perfectly coiffed, perfectly dressed, perfectly able-to-handle-it-all heroine. Her imperfection makes her a believable, albeit complicated, protagonist. I liked the diversity of the cast of characters surrounding Raleigh and I liked that the plot contained enough twists and turns to keep me guessing right up to the end. I like mysteries that are well crafted and well written, and The Rivers Run Dry more than fits the bill. In fact, I enjoyed the novel so much that I’ve placed Giorello’s first Raleigh Harmon novel, The Stones Cry Out, on my amazon wishlist!

Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….