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Between The Sun and Rain
Not yet published
Expected 1 Apr 26246 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 1, 2026
5 people are currently reading
3536 people want to read
About the author
Leighton Kirby Richards
1 book19 followersLeighton grew up in a small town in southern Virginia. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Washington & Lee University and her law degree from Drake University Law School. After practicing law for several years in Virginia, she eventually traded the mountains for the Midwest and now lives in Des Moines, Iowa with her husband and three children.
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January 19, 2026Thank you, Köehler Books, for sending me this ARC. The premise sounds very interesting.
Pub Date Apr 01 2026
Pub Date Apr 01 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Köehler Books for the ARC.
August 1885, the 12-year-old Julia suddenly disappears during the birthday party of a classmate, no trace of her anywhere. As months go by and the town slowly loses interest in the search for her, strange things are starting to get discovered no one thought of before. May Julia still be alive?
On the search for Julia, the reader accompanies her best friend Dell, her father Tommy, and the mother of her classmate, Betsy. The book switches between these three point of views in exactly that order and it is especially great because that way the author is able to build tension, keep the reader wanting to read and makes them participate in solving the mystery because it feels almost like one gets those insights in real-time.
In the beginning, the book feels a lot more like a literary fiction and mystery mix than a thriller/mystery, which is why I have had my doubts about this being classified as a thriller on various reading-trackers. In the end, especially because of the built-up tension, I completely understood why it was classified that way though and I found myself actually quite liking the, in comparison, slow beginning.
Another thing the author did a great job at is having the characters act like themselves, it was very in-character and to me this also made the characters themselves feel more real. Unfortunately I found myself not really liking the characters and not being able to tell if it was supposed to be that way. If it was, props to the author. Generally speaking, the plot is both character- and plot-driven, switching between the two in the way of focusing on relations between the characters and exploring their minds and then suddenly moving on to the hunt for Julia again.
One last thing I have to mention is, the audience for this book is not people who need a set of lovable main characters, as well as people who already read a lot of thrillers. I would recommend this to new adults, who would like to get into reading mysteries and thrillers or are new to them. The right audience will absolutely devour this book, I loved it too, but for this reaction it definitely needs to be marketed to this audience and not the general mystery thriller audience. For a debut novel, this is a masterpiece.
August 1885, the 12-year-old Julia suddenly disappears during the birthday party of a classmate, no trace of her anywhere. As months go by and the town slowly loses interest in the search for her, strange things are starting to get discovered no one thought of before. May Julia still be alive?
On the search for Julia, the reader accompanies her best friend Dell, her father Tommy, and the mother of her classmate, Betsy. The book switches between these three point of views in exactly that order and it is especially great because that way the author is able to build tension, keep the reader wanting to read and makes them participate in solving the mystery because it feels almost like one gets those insights in real-time.
In the beginning, the book feels a lot more like a literary fiction and mystery mix than a thriller/mystery, which is why I have had my doubts about this being classified as a thriller on various reading-trackers. In the end, especially because of the built-up tension, I completely understood why it was classified that way though and I found myself actually quite liking the, in comparison, slow beginning.
Another thing the author did a great job at is having the characters act like themselves, it was very in-character and to me this also made the characters themselves feel more real. Unfortunately I found myself not really liking the characters and not being able to tell if it was supposed to be that way. If it was, props to the author. Generally speaking, the plot is both character- and plot-driven, switching between the two in the way of focusing on relations between the characters and exploring their minds and then suddenly moving on to the hunt for Julia again.
One last thing I have to mention is, the audience for this book is not people who need a set of lovable main characters, as well as people who already read a lot of thrillers. I would recommend this to new adults, who would like to get into reading mysteries and thrillers or are new to them. The right audience will absolutely devour this book, I loved it too, but for this reaction it definitely needs to be marketed to this audience and not the general mystery thriller audience. For a debut novel, this is a masterpiece.
March 18, 2026
I received an ARC copy of this book from Koehler Books. I am so glad I did, because it was such an enjoyable read.
It’s a multiple POV story, and the thing I loved most about it is that each character’s chapter was a different voice. The writing style across chapters varied significantly and it made the story very believable. It was wild reading this set in the 1980’s because I forgot that DNA evidence, internet/google, and other modern crime solving devices were just non-existent then, and it makes you feel extra stressed about solving the case.
There was a point in the book where I nearly forgot it was wholly about a missing girl, because the writer did such a good job sucking me into each character’s mind. My heart broke for Tommy and I felt his pain through the writing. I felt the total chaos and confusion in Betsy’s mind. I loathed Debbie based on Tommy and Betsy’s POV. I rooted for Dell to find answers. The writer painted such a vivid picture without dragging the story on.
My two complaints: first, I felt there were too many characters to keep track of. Switching between calling them Betsy/Roger and Mr/Mrs Glass had me a bit confused at first as to who was who. I also had trouble following Debbie, Mandy, and Betsy’s relationship to their husbands and who had previously loved who. I wish there was a little more clarity there. I found myself having to work to remember the relationships.
Finally, I felt it wrapped up a little too quickly. I would have loved to find out the process of Julia going missing. How did it happen? When did it happen? I feel that for all the character POV, the abductor (and maybe even Julia) should have also had a POV to follow.
I believe this is a debut story for this author and I will follow her because she can only grow from here and I feel like her stories will become better and better. I look forward to more from Leighton Kirby Richards.
It’s a multiple POV story, and the thing I loved most about it is that each character’s chapter was a different voice. The writing style across chapters varied significantly and it made the story very believable. It was wild reading this set in the 1980’s because I forgot that DNA evidence, internet/google, and other modern crime solving devices were just non-existent then, and it makes you feel extra stressed about solving the case.
There was a point in the book where I nearly forgot it was wholly about a missing girl, because the writer did such a good job sucking me into each character’s mind. My heart broke for Tommy and I felt his pain through the writing. I felt the total chaos and confusion in Betsy’s mind. I loathed Debbie based on Tommy and Betsy’s POV. I rooted for Dell to find answers. The writer painted such a vivid picture without dragging the story on.
My two complaints: first, I felt there were too many characters to keep track of. Switching between calling them Betsy/Roger and Mr/Mrs Glass had me a bit confused at first as to who was who. I also had trouble following Debbie, Mandy, and Betsy’s relationship to their husbands and who had previously loved who. I wish there was a little more clarity there. I found myself having to work to remember the relationships.
Finally, I felt it wrapped up a little too quickly. I would have loved to find out the process of Julia going missing. How did it happen? When did it happen? I feel that for all the character POV, the abductor (and maybe even Julia) should have also had a POV to follow.
I believe this is a debut story for this author and I will follow her because she can only grow from here and I feel like her stories will become better and better. I look forward to more from Leighton Kirby Richards.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5*
The Hook: The initial months following Julia’s disappearance are incredibly tense. The mystery surrounding Julia’s disappearance and the subsequent claustrophobia of the small-town setting kept me genuinely unsettled and invested. Richards does a fantastic job of casting suspicion across the cast, making you feel the same doubt and discomfort as the characters.
The Setting: The small-town atmosphere is a character in itself. It heightens the stakes perfectly.The Slump: The middle 50% shifts focus away from the mystery. While exploring the long-term ripple effects on the town was a strong concept, the execution felt mundane. The narrative shifted away from the central mystery into domestic details that felt unimportant compared to the initial hook and therefore made me disconnect from the characters.
The Resolution: The ending provided some answers, but they come too quickly. The ending felt a bit too tidy, leaving me wishing for more grit and perhaps a POV chapter from the suspects or even better from Julia herself to add that final emotional punch.
A solid read, but it lacked the stamina to maintain its initial brilliance.
Thank you NetGalley and Koehler Books for the arc.
The Hook: The initial months following Julia’s disappearance are incredibly tense. The mystery surrounding Julia’s disappearance and the subsequent claustrophobia of the small-town setting kept me genuinely unsettled and invested. Richards does a fantastic job of casting suspicion across the cast, making you feel the same doubt and discomfort as the characters.
The Setting: The small-town atmosphere is a character in itself. It heightens the stakes perfectly.The Slump: The middle 50% shifts focus away from the mystery. While exploring the long-term ripple effects on the town was a strong concept, the execution felt mundane. The narrative shifted away from the central mystery into domestic details that felt unimportant compared to the initial hook and therefore made me disconnect from the characters.
The Resolution: The ending provided some answers, but they come too quickly. The ending felt a bit too tidy, leaving me wishing for more grit and perhaps a POV chapter from the suspects or even better from Julia herself to add that final emotional punch.
A solid read, but it lacked the stamina to maintain its initial brilliance.
Thank you NetGalley and Koehler Books for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Between the Sun and Rain by Leighton Kirby Richards is the kind of book that lingers with you long after you've turned the last page. The 1985 small-town Southern setting felt completely immersive, atmospheric and nostalgic in the best way.
What really drew me in was the multi-POV storytelling. Following Dell, Tommy, and Betsy gave the mystery such incredible depth, and each perspective added a new layer to Julia's disappearance. The emotional weight of grief was handled so beautifully, Tommy's heartbreak in particular hit really hard.
The mystery itself kept me genuinely invested and unsettled throughout, and the small-town tension was palpable. The middle section does slow down a bit, and I had a feeling about where the twist was heading, but neither of those things took away from how much I enjoyed the overall experience.
For a debut novel, this is truly impressive. Highly recommend for readers who love character-driven mysteries with real emotional depth!
Pub Day: Apr 1, 2026
Categories: Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (Adult)
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Koehler Books for the ARC.
What really drew me in was the multi-POV storytelling. Following Dell, Tommy, and Betsy gave the mystery such incredible depth, and each perspective added a new layer to Julia's disappearance. The emotional weight of grief was handled so beautifully, Tommy's heartbreak in particular hit really hard.
The mystery itself kept me genuinely invested and unsettled throughout, and the small-town tension was palpable. The middle section does slow down a bit, and I had a feeling about where the twist was heading, but neither of those things took away from how much I enjoyed the overall experience.
For a debut novel, this is truly impressive. Highly recommend for readers who love character-driven mysteries with real emotional depth!
Pub Day: Apr 1, 2026
Categories: Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (Adult)
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Koehler Books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really loved this book. There was something special about it that just kept me turning the pages. There was a dual POV which offered great perspectives and helped to see the story in different views. The writing was phenomenal and made the story feel very real. It almost felt like I was watching a movie. I loved so many of these characters because of how real they felt and how relatable they were. The mystery surrounding Julia’s disappearance was solid because nothing stuck out where I could guess what had happened to her so this was really well done. Also it was interesting having parts of it actually in Columbia which is where I am. This is such a hidden gem and I hope more people discover it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book had me at the first sentence. It’s such a soulful book as it pulses with grief but then lets in the sun as well.
Twelve year old Julie Pemberton disappears from a party at a classmate, Alan Glass. Dell Jenkins, her best friend is devastated. Alan’s mother, Betsy, feels guilty that the disappearance occurred at her house and is crushed by this. But no one else except her father, Tommy, feels her absence more keenly. In the small Southern town of Chambers, Julie’s disappearance takes a life on its own. Time passes with no findings until DNA emerges and maybe there is a lead. Tommy’s sadness is palpable. Will he ever see his daughter again?
This is a slow burn thriller told from the perspective of three characters, Dell, Tommy, and Betsy. The author has done a fine job in creating a taut atmosphere in these three POVs. The pacing is pretty good - though I think the denouement may have occurred too quickly (but it’s a good as I don’t see it coming) - but it’s that tension of the unknown that makes this story so good.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Koehler Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC.
Twelve year old Julie Pemberton disappears from a party at a classmate, Alan Glass. Dell Jenkins, her best friend is devastated. Alan’s mother, Betsy, feels guilty that the disappearance occurred at her house and is crushed by this. But no one else except her father, Tommy, feels her absence more keenly. In the small Southern town of Chambers, Julie’s disappearance takes a life on its own. Time passes with no findings until DNA emerges and maybe there is a lead. Tommy’s sadness is palpable. Will he ever see his daughter again?
This is a slow burn thriller told from the perspective of three characters, Dell, Tommy, and Betsy. The author has done a fine job in creating a taut atmosphere in these three POVs. The pacing is pretty good - though I think the denouement may have occurred too quickly (but it’s a good as I don’t see it coming) - but it’s that tension of the unknown that makes this story so good.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Koehler Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Between the Sun and Rain was incredible. It was so well written, and I loved how each perspective added depth to the story. It was existentialism and nostalgia wrapped in one captivating mystery. The mid-80s setting gave it a very cinematic feel, and the depth of the community of characters came alive more and more with each chapter. This book felt like an ensemble cast of real people, with real thoughts and problems, all of whom intersect in pivotal ways. The epic suspense will drive you to keep reading until you figure out what happened to Julie Pemberton! I would especially recommend this to those who love mystery, small town gossip, and anyone who wants to remember the vibes of the 80s.
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February 20, 2026This book absolutely blew me away! Parts read like a thriller as far as there being a missing child but it really touched on the aftermath and how it affects the community impacted by this disappearance. We hear from the missing girls parents, best friend and the couple whose house she disappeared from throughout the chapters.
This was a short read that I couldn’t put down so I finished it in about a day. This is a very character driven story while still having the elements of a high stakes mystery. I found the ending very satisfying. I really loved everything about this book.
This was a short read that I couldn’t put down so I finished it in about a day. This is a very character driven story while still having the elements of a high stakes mystery. I found the ending very satisfying. I really loved everything about this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a different type of mystery, if you will. Not heart-pounding but emotional and very in depth. Told in multiple POVs, a story of a small town and a missing girl. Every character in this book gives their own perspective of living both before and after this tragedy. The story builds right up to the end. This was a good read. Thank you to NetGalley and koehlerbooks for an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the eARC.
On a summer's day in 1985 at a children's party, a young girl disappears. Despite the area being scoured for weeks, she's not found. Her best friend and the rest of the small town are bereft and we follow the thoughts, actions and feelings throughout the book until the shocking ending.
Definitely recommended!
On a summer's day in 1985 at a children's party, a young girl disappears. Despite the area being scoured for weeks, she's not found. Her best friend and the rest of the small town are bereft and we follow the thoughts, actions and feelings throughout the book until the shocking ending.
Definitely recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts and review:
This one started off quite strongly. Sadly, though, once I got to about chapter 5, it not only lost momentum but also became predictable about where the story was going.
This one started off quite strongly. Sadly, though, once I got to about chapter 5, it not only lost momentum but also became predictable about where the story was going.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I didn’t think this was much of a thriller, but more literary fiction. Told from multiple POV, it deals with the aftermath of a tragedy and how different members of the community deals with it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The entire book was very fascinating to read, and I was totally hooked! The plot twist was predictable though...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Koehler Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews