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Raleigh Harmon Mysteries #3
The Clouds Roll Away
Raleigh Harmon's life seems as impossible to solve as the high-profile case she's pursuing.
Closing her assignment with the FBI's Seattle office, forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon returns to her hometown of Richmond, Virginia, expecting a warm welcome. Instead she finds herself investigating an ugly cross burning at a celebrity's mansion and standing in the crosshairs of her boss at the Bureau. And the deeper Raleigh digs into the case, the murkier the water becomes . . . until she's left wondering who the real victims might be.
To make matters worse, Raleigh's personal life offers almost zero clarity. Her former confidant is suddenly remote while her former boyfriend keeps popping up wherever she goes. And then there's her mother. Raleigh's move home was supposed to improve Nadine's fragile sanity, but instead seems to be making things worse.
As the threads of the case begin crossing and double-crossing, Raleigh is forced to rely on her forensic skills, her faith, and the fervent hope that a breakthrough will come, bringing with it that singular moment when the clouds roll away and everything finally makes sense.
Closing her assignment with the FBI's Seattle office, forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon returns to her hometown of Richmond, Virginia, expecting a warm welcome. Instead she finds herself investigating an ugly cross burning at a celebrity's mansion and standing in the crosshairs of her boss at the Bureau. And the deeper Raleigh digs into the case, the murkier the water becomes . . . until she's left wondering who the real victims might be.
To make matters worse, Raleigh's personal life offers almost zero clarity. Her former confidant is suddenly remote while her former boyfriend keeps popping up wherever she goes. And then there's her mother. Raleigh's move home was supposed to improve Nadine's fragile sanity, but instead seems to be making things worse.
As the threads of the case begin crossing and double-crossing, Raleigh is forced to rely on her forensic skills, her faith, and the fervent hope that a breakthrough will come, bringing with it that singular moment when the clouds roll away and everything finally makes sense.
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2010
27 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
About the author
Sibella Giorello
24 books243 followersSibella Giorello writes the award-winning and bestselling mystery series starring forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon. The first book in the series, "The Stones Cry Out," won a Christy Award for excellence. Since then, many more Raleigh Harmon mysteries have followed, including a bestselling YA series in which the 15-year-old budding geologist uses mineralogy to solve crimes in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. A former newspaper reporter, Sibella's journalism was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Find out more by visiting her website, www.sibellawrites.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
October 8, 2024
What Sibella Giorello did well in her previous novels, she continues to excel at here. The intensity, drama, and Christian faith that made her other books--or, at least, the one I read yesterday; it's been years since I read the others--enjoyable shines in this volume. I'm glad I have another book in this series on hand.
January 15, 2016
This book was a solid 3 stars all the way through. I did the audio and it started off with an interview with the author. Those are usually at the end of an audiobook and therefore, easy to skip. But this one was at the beginning. Before I could hit the fast forward button, it was mentioned that she was from Alaska....which caught my attention because I'm from Alaska. I was impressed with how the author presented herself. She said she wanted to write a book she would want to read. She mixed mystery with a little tiny bit of Christian fiction. And I think that is something I appreciated in the story.
I like the MC. She seems real and does her own thing. I've read one other book in this series already and I said the same thing about the MC. I liked this book. The story rolled right along. There were some slow downs along the way, but it wasn't boring. I had a hard time with the MC's female boss. I had a hard time believing that someone who dismisses others so easily could rise to such a high position in the FBI. Just sayin'.
I like the MC. She seems real and does her own thing. I've read one other book in this series already and I said the same thing about the MC. I liked this book. The story rolled right along. There were some slow downs along the way, but it wasn't boring. I had a hard time with the MC's female boss. I had a hard time believing that someone who dismisses others so easily could rise to such a high position in the FBI. Just sayin'.
July 3, 2015
The book was pretty good but I did not know it was Christian fiction until I was pretty far into it. It's tough to buy an FBI agent who is such a goody goody and a scientist who doesn't believe in evolution. I'm suppose to believe she can go undercover into an armed crack house but that she can't make eye contact with a man she is interested in? It felt like a 1960's censored TV show where the couples all sleep in twin beds, and we are supposed to pretend the world is different than it really is. The main character seemed infantilized. There was too much proselytizing for my taste.
January 27, 2015
I've now read this novel twice, and it's just as good the second time around as the first. Love Giorello's writing.
December 29, 2010
For me this was more like 3.5 stars but closer to three than four, so that's why I gave it three. Interestingly enough, I read through chapter 7 of The Stones Cry Out and never had the desire to pick it up again, so I didn't. But then I'd read some positive things about this author's work and saw some nominations for awards and thought maybe I missed something. So I agreed to do a blog tour for this book.
I did finish The Clouds Roll Away because I agreed to post a review for the tour, or I probably wouldn't have finished this book. The writing style seemed kind of choppy to me and sometimes spiritual reflection seemed to come out of the sky. It was nice that I read it around Christmas since that was the time period for the majority of the story, but at the same time the continual references to phrases in well-known Christmas songs and hymns annoyed me. Why not just say mom was listening to Silent Night? Or O Holy Night? Most people know the lyrics anyway, so quoting partial phrases didn't make sense to me. Even non-Christians know those songs.
Anyway, I did find some aspects of the FBI theme compelling and it was kinda cool how various seemingly unrelated elements pulled together toward the end. At the same time, I found some of the details a bit gruesome (like people's faces being blown off and then described further than that) and so I got some unpleasant visuals of bloated dead bodies and such. I was scared for her when she kept dealing with the crack house. But other than that, I would have to say if I never read another book by Sibella I wouldn't be sad about it. She just doesn't write the type of stories I enjoy reading. If she had gotten a little deeper into her relationship with her mother or with Demott, then I would have enjoyed the story more. It just seemed too superficial to me and other than worrying about Raleigh on occasion, I didn't connect much with the characters in the story.
On the positive end, I did feel like I knew Raleigh better by book's end, so that was good, but if I hadn't been doing the tour I probably would've stopped reading it about halfway through when the part about finding the dead guys in the water came up, because it grossed me out so much. At that point I still felt like I barely knew Raleigh. It could be one of those situations where reading prior novels in the series would have given me an entirely different perspective.
I did find it interesting that a white author had written so many negative things into this storyline that were racial stereotypes for both white and black folks, and the author hasn't been criticized. Then again, this story was set in the old south, so racial tension has pretty much been a deep thread in Virginia history for centuries, so it fit the storyline. Did this book inspire me? Not really. But it might inspire someone else. The author definitely knows how to weave a compelling, if not a bit gruesome and complex suspense/crime mystery. That was well done.
I did finish The Clouds Roll Away because I agreed to post a review for the tour, or I probably wouldn't have finished this book. The writing style seemed kind of choppy to me and sometimes spiritual reflection seemed to come out of the sky. It was nice that I read it around Christmas since that was the time period for the majority of the story, but at the same time the continual references to phrases in well-known Christmas songs and hymns annoyed me. Why not just say mom was listening to Silent Night? Or O Holy Night? Most people know the lyrics anyway, so quoting partial phrases didn't make sense to me. Even non-Christians know those songs.
Anyway, I did find some aspects of the FBI theme compelling and it was kinda cool how various seemingly unrelated elements pulled together toward the end. At the same time, I found some of the details a bit gruesome (like people's faces being blown off and then described further than that) and so I got some unpleasant visuals of bloated dead bodies and such. I was scared for her when she kept dealing with the crack house. But other than that, I would have to say if I never read another book by Sibella I wouldn't be sad about it. She just doesn't write the type of stories I enjoy reading. If she had gotten a little deeper into her relationship with her mother or with Demott, then I would have enjoyed the story more. It just seemed too superficial to me and other than worrying about Raleigh on occasion, I didn't connect much with the characters in the story.
On the positive end, I did feel like I knew Raleigh better by book's end, so that was good, but if I hadn't been doing the tour I probably would've stopped reading it about halfway through when the part about finding the dead guys in the water came up, because it grossed me out so much. At that point I still felt like I barely knew Raleigh. It could be one of those situations where reading prior novels in the series would have given me an entirely different perspective.
I did find it interesting that a white author had written so many negative things into this storyline that were racial stereotypes for both white and black folks, and the author hasn't been criticized. Then again, this story was set in the old south, so racial tension has pretty much been a deep thread in Virginia history for centuries, so it fit the storyline. Did this book inspire me? Not really. But it might inspire someone else. The author definitely knows how to weave a compelling, if not a bit gruesome and complex suspense/crime mystery. That was well done.
February 3, 2014
How do you come back from being stuck in the boonies on a disciplinary assignment with a modicum of self-respect? When she comes home, FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon has to run that gauntlet and face Victoria Phaup, her supervisor who hates her.
She’s back in her beloved Richmond, Virginia, assigned to a case and trying to keep her nose clean. Unfortunately that’s not going as well as she’d hoped. Phaup opens another investigation of her professional actions, which could send her back out to a tiny field office in nowhereland.
Raleigh is assigned to investigate a hate crime when someone burns a cross on the lawn in front of “Rapland,” an African American music mogul’s mansion. Is a snooty, blue-blooded champion of preserving the history of the old south responsible? When the initials KKK pop up, it seems this bigoted organization is rising from a poor neighborhoods where ignorant white supremists concoct their nefarious plots.
The case is given to Raleigh because it seemed like a no-brainer. Which Phaup feels is exactly what fits Raleigh’s capabilities. Raleigh finds evidence that all is not as it seems. Her supervisor is not interested in Raleigh’s assessment of the case and gives no credence whatsoever to Raleigh’s gut instincts. She saddles Raleigh’s with another low profile case involving gangbangers. When the two cases begin to intersect, Phaup thinks Raleigh may be forcing the issue. Needless to say, she’s is not a happy camper and now hopes to get Raleigh discharged from the FBI.
Raleigh is also traversing a difficult relationship with her “absolutely perfect sister” and her mother Nadine who has some psychological issues rooted in deep grief over the unsolved murder of her husband, Raleigh’s father. The beauty of the author’s prose takes the reader and Nadine through a very trying Christmas. By coming home, Raleigh had hoped to give Nadine a needed emotional lift, but she seems to increase her mother’s fragility. To add more confusion to the house, Wally, a struggling young photographer moves in as a tenant.
There’s a hint of romance. With Raleigh’s ex-boyfriend DeMott seemingly shadowing her, trying to get her to give him another chance, you have some complex plot twists. The novel is written in first person, which gets us deep into Raleigh’s head. I thoroughly believed the scene where her mind wanders to solving the case during a Christmas sermon in her church.
This is my kind of Christmas story, but the reader must be aware it’s pretty gritty and in parts reads like a CSI episode. There’s blood and guts all over the place in a few scenes. The author spins an incredible tale and ties together disparate storylines into an ending that comes as a complete surprise.
She’s back in her beloved Richmond, Virginia, assigned to a case and trying to keep her nose clean. Unfortunately that’s not going as well as she’d hoped. Phaup opens another investigation of her professional actions, which could send her back out to a tiny field office in nowhereland.
Raleigh is assigned to investigate a hate crime when someone burns a cross on the lawn in front of “Rapland,” an African American music mogul’s mansion. Is a snooty, blue-blooded champion of preserving the history of the old south responsible? When the initials KKK pop up, it seems this bigoted organization is rising from a poor neighborhoods where ignorant white supremists concoct their nefarious plots.
The case is given to Raleigh because it seemed like a no-brainer. Which Phaup feels is exactly what fits Raleigh’s capabilities. Raleigh finds evidence that all is not as it seems. Her supervisor is not interested in Raleigh’s assessment of the case and gives no credence whatsoever to Raleigh’s gut instincts. She saddles Raleigh’s with another low profile case involving gangbangers. When the two cases begin to intersect, Phaup thinks Raleigh may be forcing the issue. Needless to say, she’s is not a happy camper and now hopes to get Raleigh discharged from the FBI.
Raleigh is also traversing a difficult relationship with her “absolutely perfect sister” and her mother Nadine who has some psychological issues rooted in deep grief over the unsolved murder of her husband, Raleigh’s father. The beauty of the author’s prose takes the reader and Nadine through a very trying Christmas. By coming home, Raleigh had hoped to give Nadine a needed emotional lift, but she seems to increase her mother’s fragility. To add more confusion to the house, Wally, a struggling young photographer moves in as a tenant.
There’s a hint of romance. With Raleigh’s ex-boyfriend DeMott seemingly shadowing her, trying to get her to give him another chance, you have some complex plot twists. The novel is written in first person, which gets us deep into Raleigh’s head. I thoroughly believed the scene where her mind wanders to solving the case during a Christmas sermon in her church.
This is my kind of Christmas story, but the reader must be aware it’s pretty gritty and in parts reads like a CSI episode. There’s blood and guts all over the place in a few scenes. The author spins an incredible tale and ties together disparate storylines into an ending that comes as a complete surprise.
April 1, 2010
While mystery/thriller-type books are not my usual read, I haven't had the best luck lately with my usual historical/romantic-type fiction, and there was something intriguing about this one, so when Phenix & Phenix Publicists offered me a complimentary review copy, I accepted. First of all, the author, Sibella Giorello can write, and write beautifully. I'm a rapid reader, I read for ideas, not details, as a general rule. I devour books, I don't generally savor them. Language is usually the medium, not something I appreciate on its own behalf; but this book is different. Yes, it was a good story, but there were times when I stopped my breakneck reading speed and read paragraphs out loud just to hear the language.
The book is Christian fiction, but that doesn't mean it is sappy sweet and full of all sorts of preaching. What it does mean is that the language is clean, despite the fact that main characters are rappers and gang members. It means that the characters go to church. It means that when Raleigh questions a dying KKK member, she asks him if he has thought about the hereafter. Raleigh has a strong faith and believes that grace, not fate, has kept her alive. I'll be the first to tell you that much Christian fiction isn't worth reading if you aren't into religion, but I really think this book could have a much larger audience.
This is the third book in the series. While there was reference to some back story, primarily the fact that Raleigh was newly back in her hometown of Richmond VA, after having been banished to Washington State. She has a romantic interest who is from her past as well. While this story came to a satisfying end, there were threads left open, presumably for another book.
The book is Christian fiction, but that doesn't mean it is sappy sweet and full of all sorts of preaching. What it does mean is that the language is clean, despite the fact that main characters are rappers and gang members. It means that the characters go to church. It means that when Raleigh questions a dying KKK member, she asks him if he has thought about the hereafter. Raleigh has a strong faith and believes that grace, not fate, has kept her alive. I'll be the first to tell you that much Christian fiction isn't worth reading if you aren't into religion, but I really think this book could have a much larger audience.
This is the third book in the series. While there was reference to some back story, primarily the fact that Raleigh was newly back in her hometown of Richmond VA, after having been banished to Washington State. She has a romantic interest who is from her past as well. While this story came to a satisfying end, there were threads left open, presumably for another book.
September 16, 2024
Richmond, Virginia is surrounded by plantations. Proud plantations, many of which allow the public to tour. One of these plantations was purchased by a famous rapper and neighboring estates were up in arms about the obnoxious music blaring at all hours, changing to their pre-revolutionary war historic era into something unrecognizable. Nothing illegal was going on until a cross was burnt in the rapper's front yard. Then this became a hate crime, and Raleigh Harmon was called into investigate.
This turned deadly when a car bomb in their front yard killed a young man.
Another investigation of a drug ring kept Raleigh busy and in danger most of the way through the book.
Oh, there was so much more to this book, but it really needs to be read without spoilers to appreciate it. So good.
The author is a believer, and although it’s not in-your-face, she has subtle ways of showing you the truth of that faith. Her thoughts on evolution:
A magazine article Raleigh was reading claimed our DNA was a product of chance…
"Quite an assumption. It was like saying blueprints could write themselves. Not just any blueprints. Our DNA contained 3 billion complex sequences for each living creature. The statistical probability of this happening by random selection was laughable. It was like saying tornadoes can rip through junkyards and build jumbo jets. Never mind that the second law of thermodynamics proved that over millions of years we grew closer to entropy than order, the opposite of what evolution claimed.
Scientifically, speaking, evolution was whacked
But trying to tell that to the smart people – the people who believed fish scales turned into feathers and sludge somehow squeezed out higher life forms. Try explaining the degrees of planning and order and creative genius necessary for just 100 working sequences let alone 3 billion.
Try it. They’ll call YOU delusional. Go figure."
Ms. Giorello’s similes and descriptions always made me smile. Describing her boss as someone who adjusted her undergarments even in public…
”The woman tugged, pulled and shifted things like a third base coach at the bottom of the eighth.”
”Suddenly she stopped, cocking her head again, like a dog hearing a silent whistle”
”…boys jogged in hooded sweatshirts around the fenced yard, looking like defeated monks in search of lost prayers”
” I closed my eyes, silently praying for a gracious attitude toward whatever landed on my plate. Pancakes, in my mother‘s kitchen, consist of wheat germ and honey monstrosities, dense discs that tasted like chemistry textbooks,.”
Ms Giorello researches her books so thoroughly that nearly every page is impressive. Intelligent and witty at times, these books have turned this author into one of my favorites
This is the third book of the series and I’m so looking forward to the next one.
This turned deadly when a car bomb in their front yard killed a young man.
Another investigation of a drug ring kept Raleigh busy and in danger most of the way through the book.
Oh, there was so much more to this book, but it really needs to be read without spoilers to appreciate it. So good.
The author is a believer, and although it’s not in-your-face, she has subtle ways of showing you the truth of that faith. Her thoughts on evolution:
A magazine article Raleigh was reading claimed our DNA was a product of chance…
"Quite an assumption. It was like saying blueprints could write themselves. Not just any blueprints. Our DNA contained 3 billion complex sequences for each living creature. The statistical probability of this happening by random selection was laughable. It was like saying tornadoes can rip through junkyards and build jumbo jets. Never mind that the second law of thermodynamics proved that over millions of years we grew closer to entropy than order, the opposite of what evolution claimed.
Scientifically, speaking, evolution was whacked
But trying to tell that to the smart people – the people who believed fish scales turned into feathers and sludge somehow squeezed out higher life forms. Try explaining the degrees of planning and order and creative genius necessary for just 100 working sequences let alone 3 billion.
Try it. They’ll call YOU delusional. Go figure."
Ms. Giorello’s similes and descriptions always made me smile. Describing her boss as someone who adjusted her undergarments even in public…
”The woman tugged, pulled and shifted things like a third base coach at the bottom of the eighth.”
”Suddenly she stopped, cocking her head again, like a dog hearing a silent whistle”
”…boys jogged in hooded sweatshirts around the fenced yard, looking like defeated monks in search of lost prayers”
” I closed my eyes, silently praying for a gracious attitude toward whatever landed on my plate. Pancakes, in my mother‘s kitchen, consist of wheat germ and honey monstrosities, dense discs that tasted like chemistry textbooks,.”
Ms Giorello researches her books so thoroughly that nearly every page is impressive. Intelligent and witty at times, these books have turned this author into one of my favorites
This is the third book of the series and I’m so looking forward to the next one.
May 22, 2018
This book did not go where I was expecting it too. I liked it.
December 15, 2010
The Clouds Roll Away is the third book in Sibella Giorello’s Raleigh Harmon series. FBI Special agent Raleigh is back in Richmond after a disciplinary transfer to Seattle for a year. She is happy to be home again, but before she can really settle in and get back to normal, a cross burning in front of the plantation house that a well-known black rapper has recently moved into, starts racial tensions soaring and brings unwelcome media attention to bear on how the case is handled. Her supervisor wants it solved and solved quickly, but Raleigh’s resolve to get to the truth rather than just tie things up in a neat bow could mean the death of her career.
Raleigh Harmon is still dealing with the unsolved murder of her father, a mother who is teetering on the brink of an emotional breakdown, and feelings for an old high school boyfriend whom she can’t quite get over. In the midst of that are dead bodies with KKK tattoos, crack houses, and gangbangers.
The Clouds Roll Away is not just a novel about race issues, but about heart issues. Without God’s redemption we are all lost in our depravity. Raleigh witnesses the sickness of sin in the rich as well as the poor, black and white, male and female. During the hap-happiest time of the year—Christmas—Richmond is seething with violence and hatred. I was profoundly moved by a scene in a crack house where two young children and their addict mother sit watching A Charlie Brown Christmas while a man is beaten and crack is being cooked on the stove in the next room. The children listen to Linus reciting the story of the Lord’s birth while their father plans murders and makes drug deals.
As an FBI agent, Raleigh witnesses horrors no one should have to see, while trying to maintain a calm, professional exterior. Her faith in God, and hope that someday she will solve her father’s murder seem to be what keeps her going. Raleigh doesn’t believe in luck. She knows who’s in control. And every once in a while the clouds roll away...
(I received this book in exchange for a review)
Raleigh Harmon is still dealing with the unsolved murder of her father, a mother who is teetering on the brink of an emotional breakdown, and feelings for an old high school boyfriend whom she can’t quite get over. In the midst of that are dead bodies with KKK tattoos, crack houses, and gangbangers.
The Clouds Roll Away is not just a novel about race issues, but about heart issues. Without God’s redemption we are all lost in our depravity. Raleigh witnesses the sickness of sin in the rich as well as the poor, black and white, male and female. During the hap-happiest time of the year—Christmas—Richmond is seething with violence and hatred. I was profoundly moved by a scene in a crack house where two young children and their addict mother sit watching A Charlie Brown Christmas while a man is beaten and crack is being cooked on the stove in the next room. The children listen to Linus reciting the story of the Lord’s birth while their father plans murders and makes drug deals.
As an FBI agent, Raleigh witnesses horrors no one should have to see, while trying to maintain a calm, professional exterior. Her faith in God, and hope that someday she will solve her father’s murder seem to be what keeps her going. Raleigh doesn’t believe in luck. She knows who’s in control. And every once in a while the clouds roll away...
(I received this book in exchange for a review)
March 18, 2010
Raleigh Harmon is finally back home in Richmond, Virginia, after being sent to Seattle, Washington in disciplinary action. But she is hardly getting a warm welcome. Instead, her new supervisor seems to have it in for her, putting her on phone calls for a task force, and yet expecting her to devote full attention to a cross burning at a local celebrity’s mansion.
Raleigh is having trouble getting to the bottom of the case too. The deeper she digs, the murkier the waters become, making her wonder who is behind it—the historical society who hates the renovations the celebrity made, or a local sheriff, or someone else?
To make matters worse, Raleigh’s personal life seems to be fraying with issues with an exboyfriend and her mother’s sanity. Raleigh is soon forced to depend on her forensic skills, her faith, and prayers that a breakthrough will come.
THE CLOUDS ROLL AWAY is the second book in Ms. Giorello’s A Raleigh Harmon novel series, but it easily stands alone. Ms. Giorello writes with a strong descriptive manner, making the setting come very alive to the reader. The voice of the character is more clipped; a more masculine manner of speaking than feminine, but it fits an FBI agent.
I read book one and was looking forward to reading THE CLOUDS ROLL AWAY and I was not disappointed. Ms. Giorello keeps me guessing, and I had to keep the pages turning to see what happens next. I am looking forward to reading the third book in the series, The Mountains Bow Down, coming in the fall of this year. An interview with the author is included.
Raleigh is having trouble getting to the bottom of the case too. The deeper she digs, the murkier the waters become, making her wonder who is behind it—the historical society who hates the renovations the celebrity made, or a local sheriff, or someone else?
To make matters worse, Raleigh’s personal life seems to be fraying with issues with an exboyfriend and her mother’s sanity. Raleigh is soon forced to depend on her forensic skills, her faith, and prayers that a breakthrough will come.
THE CLOUDS ROLL AWAY is the second book in Ms. Giorello’s A Raleigh Harmon novel series, but it easily stands alone. Ms. Giorello writes with a strong descriptive manner, making the setting come very alive to the reader. The voice of the character is more clipped; a more masculine manner of speaking than feminine, but it fits an FBI agent.
I read book one and was looking forward to reading THE CLOUDS ROLL AWAY and I was not disappointed. Ms. Giorello keeps me guessing, and I had to keep the pages turning to see what happens next. I am looking forward to reading the third book in the series, The Mountains Bow Down, coming in the fall of this year. An interview with the author is included.
August 28, 2015
I have really enjoyed this author. This is the third in the series though I have yet to read the first one. For some reason Scribd does not have the first in the series but has the rest. I'm not sure why but I haven't felt like there is a big hole in the story because of it but I would like to read the first one. I may have to break down and get it at the library. ( I prefer ebooks) . She writes from a Christian worldview without being preachy.
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December 23, 2010
Sibella is a new to me author. WOW! This story was so true to life without any of the gore. I was pulled in from the very first page and kept on the edge of my seat the entire time. I like how she handled the racial issues, they weren't overdrawn out. I had no idea this book was part of a series prior to being asked to review it, or while I was reading it, this could easily stand alone. I am interested in getting the other books in the series to read as I really enjoyed this one. I would highly recommend this book!
May 12, 2015
4.75 stars
August 19, 2015
This was Ms. Giorello's best yet!!! I couldn't put it down.
September 8, 2016
Powerful & exciting Christian mystery. Looking forward to next in series. Well narrated. Highly recommended‼️
September 3, 2023
Another heart-wrenching look into the heart of crime. We struggle with heroine Raleigh Harmon as she seeks to find balance amidst an FBI boss determined to remove her (or simply get her killed), a mentally ill mom who is terrified of government investigators, and her desire to serve God with integrity. This book addresses racism in the South, from an FBI point of view.
I love the way Sibella Giorello explores issues of faith, despair, greed, and addiction through the eyes of Raleigh. This is my third time reading the series, and I love it as much as I did the first time. The agent’s insights into the motives and thinking of criminals, her patience with intolerance, bigotry and wickedness, her humor and love of greasy fried food, and her kindness bring her alive.
At one point she ponders, “I wondered about people’s attitudes, whether half the world’s agony would evaporate if each person discovered the talent God gave them instead of squandering days painting by numbers laid out according to someone else’s preferences.” Raleigh believes in people long after they stop believing in themselves.
If you like crime mysteries, faith challenges and clean stories, you’ll love this series. Of course, there’s always a bit of romance to warm your heart.
I love the way Sibella Giorello explores issues of faith, despair, greed, and addiction through the eyes of Raleigh. This is my third time reading the series, and I love it as much as I did the first time. The agent’s insights into the motives and thinking of criminals, her patience with intolerance, bigotry and wickedness, her humor and love of greasy fried food, and her kindness bring her alive.
At one point she ponders, “I wondered about people’s attitudes, whether half the world’s agony would evaporate if each person discovered the talent God gave them instead of squandering days painting by numbers laid out according to someone else’s preferences.” Raleigh believes in people long after they stop believing in themselves.
If you like crime mysteries, faith challenges and clean stories, you’ll love this series. Of course, there’s always a bit of romance to warm your heart.
Read
August 10, 2024The Clouds Roll Away did contain very interesting and intriguing descriptions and characters. I enjoyed the story line and the twists and turns of it. I especially enjoyed how it delved into deep serious issues like the problems and heartache that Christmas brings to many and the problems with racism. I thought that it was interesting that the churches that were mentioned were Catholic though I was left a little confused as to whether the main character was Catholic or not. I’m not used to that in Christian book so that left me with some questions. As this is the second book in the series and I didn’t read the first I feel that contributed to my questions-. There were other aspects of the story I felt didn’t get fully resolved–but since it’s a book in a series that makes sense and makes me want to read the following stories.
It was an interesting, easy to read story and would make a good cozy read for anyone who loves a good mystery!
It was an interesting, easy to read story and would make a good cozy read for anyone who loves a good mystery!
April 19, 2022
I started reading this one and noticed I read #1 and gave it a 2 star. Was surprised as I was enjoying #3- interesting character, interesting story, interesting backstory (mom, dad, community..)
Eventually realized why a 2 star. It proceeds to an odd point - her high school boyfriend, who she broke up with 10 years ago..shows up, invites her to a party, sits by her in church, gives her a ride...gives her a ring, and happily ever after? They never even talked about what they were each up to and why they should get back together? The criminal of the story tries to avoid suspicion by faking a hate crime and calling in the support of the FBI? huh? Raleigh, who knows weapons and crime, doesn't realize her renter is a crack-head?
huh? huh? huh? too many huh?s for me.
Eventually realized why a 2 star. It proceeds to an odd point - her high school boyfriend, who she broke up with 10 years ago..shows up, invites her to a party, sits by her in church, gives her a ride...gives her a ring, and happily ever after? They never even talked about what they were each up to and why they should get back together? The criminal of the story tries to avoid suspicion by faking a hate crime and calling in the support of the FBI? huh? Raleigh, who knows weapons and crime, doesn't realize her renter is a crack-head?
huh? huh? huh? too many huh?s for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2020
Four years ago a rapper RPM took over Laurel plantation with family, in laws and body guards, etc. A cross was laid out in the grass and set fire to.
The lab testing showed how lethal it was. Was it part of the KKK.
A school friend Flynn, of Harmon close by runs a B&B upsetting the guest with the party boats and music, wishing they were gone, also.
Harmon back in Virginia doing grunt work and reporting each and everything to her old boss that had her suspended.
A story that deal with the prejudices of the south. Woven in was greed, drugs, weapons, money laundering. I got lost in all of the different stories
The lab testing showed how lethal it was. Was it part of the KKK.
A school friend Flynn, of Harmon close by runs a B&B upsetting the guest with the party boats and music, wishing they were gone, also.
Harmon back in Virginia doing grunt work and reporting each and everything to her old boss that had her suspended.
A story that deal with the prejudices of the south. Woven in was greed, drugs, weapons, money laundering. I got lost in all of the different stories
February 22, 2022
I have enjoyed all of the books in the Raleigh Harmon Mysteries. I like the way the author uses her titles as themes running throughout her books. In this novel, Raleigh is back in North Carolina trying to work with a supervisor who makes her job difficult. Trying to determine if a dead police detective was a bad cop or not, Raleigh has problems with people in high political and social positions. An old boyfriend also returns into her life wanting a permanent commitment from her. Once again Raleigh must draw on her religious and spiritual strength in order to complete the task to which she has been assigned.
January 2, 2018
I really liked this book. One reason: the solution to a one of the mysteries in the book is not at all what one might have expected. The characters are interesting. Also, this is can be classified as Christian fiction, but it doesn't have characters quoting scripture in situations where most of us wouldn't think to do that even if we had them memorized. Christian pastors are not main characters. In other words, it's not especially noticeable except in the best ways, that is no explicit sex or pervasive foul language. There is a bit of gory detail about a murder.
May 23, 2018
Excellent clean read with high caliber writing
I liked the pace as well as the personality of main character. I didn't feel like I was connecting with the character at first but then decided I loved her (it was her Nighthawks comparison).
The writing style was quite different and it grew on me. I will likely read all in this series now that the character is such a good friend.
I liked the pace as well as the personality of main character. I didn't feel like I was connecting with the character at first but then decided I loved her (it was her Nighthawks comparison).
The writing style was quite different and it grew on me. I will likely read all in this series now that the character is such a good friend.
December 2, 2020
This Raleigh Harmon book is a winner in my opinion. She can get in more trouble than I’m sure the average FBI Agent could ever dream of. Trying to solve a crime and having to watch every step so her boss, who definitely has it In for her, won’t fire her or transfer her to some place almost unknown to man, is a spine tingling combination. Raleigh is one sharp lady and this author is one very smart person. I love her books which are completely filled with very intense action.
July 9, 2022
The book is entertaining, with lots of professional and family issues. Raleigh Harmon is an FBI agent trying to come back after disgrace, but her superior is determined to make Raleigh suffer. The writing is clean, no profanity, obscenities or sexual situations. There is gore, however it is as tasteful as such a thing can be. Raleigh is devoted to her faith and that sustains her in a profession that only cares for results. I really liked this book.
August 11, 2019
For the fabulous writing I give this book at 5. However, it was a bit too scary for me. lol That is not the writer's fault. I read before I sleep--and this one had to be finished in daylight. I would love an environmental mystery without the creepy characters. :-) I'm already half way through the next one, and it's much better as far as that goes.
dnf
January 12, 2022Ok, I was sold a false bill of goods here. I found this book on a romance novel list and it is not that. It is the 5th in a mystery series. It is also Christian fiction in a way that felt first a little weird and then very weird. I would maybe go back and try the first one and come back to this in order but right now, this is not working for me.
June 30, 2017
Great story, great writing!
I was hooked on this book by reading the sample. I love the authors style of writing and the story was compelling. I had a hard time putting this book down!
I was hooked on this book by reading the sample. I love the authors style of writing and the story was compelling. I had a hard time putting this book down!
December 2, 2017
I've read the 3 prequels and now the first 4 of the series. There were such small hints at Christianity that I wondered why this was classified as Christian Fiction. This book answered why. It was beautiful. I am really enjoying this series. I highly recommend it.
November 1, 2018
The Klan is back or is it?
Raleigh is always in hot water especially with with that boss Flop spelled Phuap. She wanted to stay an FBI agent so she took what was dished out and Raleigh came out on top anyway.
Raleigh is always in hot water especially with with that boss Flop spelled Phuap. She wanted to stay an FBI agent so she took what was dished out and Raleigh came out on top anyway.
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