Black Rain

by Vincent Alexandria

Kansas City detective Joe Johnson is a passionate family man, and a lovinghusband and father. But on the streets,he can go toe-to-toe with the toughestgangsters. Joe is also fiercely loyal tohis fellow officers; so when FBI agentCheryl Chase makes a distressed late-night call, he's ready to respond withouthesitation. Cheryl's working undercover,trying to bring down a ring of dirty copswho've found murder a great way tohandle business. But Joe's partner andwife are strongly against him gettinginvolved—especially with a woman whonearly cost him his marriage before.

Now Joe's got to face his mostdangerous case yet, and it will takeevery skill he has to infiltrate, outwit andbring down the psychopathic ringleaderif he and Cheryl are to stay alive andmake it back home.

Genres: Fiction, Suspense

247 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[African Americans on the Move Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vincent Alexandria, author of Black Rain, describes his novel in three words - passion, murder and deceit. He made an accurate description because Black Rain is filled with all three, respectfully. Now, I have never been the one to pick up a novel about the world of police work, but this one may make me thing twice about it next time. Alexandria made police work, corruption, and sting operations interesting. With his vivid characters and precise description of each scene it allowed me to really get into the action. From chapter to chapter you learn more about each character and how they play a significant role in the storyline. The lies and deceit kept me reading even when some scenes got a little wordy. The anxiety to know what was going to happen next made me remain engaged in the story. The obstacles and moral dilemma were definitely realistic and believable allowing for a good read. Joe, the main character, had internal struggles with what he knew he had to do and what he knew was the right thing to do. Staying true to himself and the ones he loved allowed the storyline to progress smoothly. This made Black Rain a relatable novel. Even though I am not a police officer or know anyone personally who is, Alexandria made it easy for me to understand the life of an officer. Underneath the story of corruption there is a story of loyalty and love. Perfect for us hopeless romantics who love a great ending.



T. Nicole Robinson
AAMBC Book Reviewer

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read

[83_has no heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book i read is called Black Rain by vincent alexandria.
book is about a detective named joe johnson. the story takes place in kansas city, missouri. one night joe receives a message on his phone and its his FBI agent cheryl chase. she tells him that she needs help. joe doesn't know what's going on so he calls agent james. james tells joe to meet him at park. when they arrive at the park james tells joe everything. he says chase is working undercover on a case in Nebraska and needs ur help, do you exept. joe takes the mission and detective james explains further. shes working with a druglord named dread we sent her on the case a few weeks ago and we think shes dead.after that joe came back from the park to get ready for Nebraska but before that he had to see his mom and wife because his mom was dying.now joe is on his way to Nebraska and he takes two extra cops with him tiny and pretty.they arrive at a hotel and in there room dreads men who were cops were waiting for them.

joe enters the romm and the cops try to jump them but they get beat up and joe takes there badges. after the fight joe calls dread and tells him to meet him at the city plaza. on his way there dreads men try to kill them unfortunately it didnt work. soon they arrived at the plaza and dread tries to make a run for it. Joe grabs a motorcycle and follows him. during the pursuit dread tries to run joe of the road but he crashes and run into a statue. joe gets of the bike and walks up to him ti watch him die. after the incident joe sees chase and she takes off. joe follows her to a hotel and when he comes in she shoots him. she tells him that she took the money from dread and ask him if he wants to run away with her. joe pauses and looks ats her and says he cant come because he has a wife and kids. she starts to cry and runs off. later on when joe gets home he finds out that his mother died. at the funeral joe sees chase for the last time but walks away without saying a word.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Joe Johnson is a man with a heart of gold.

The author puts you into the life of Detective Joe that lives in Kansas City. He is a married man that loves his wife Sierra and kids. But when he gets that phone call from his use to be partner Chase asking for "Help!". He sacrifices everything to save Chase that he feel he is in debt to for saving his on different occassions.

Before Detective Johnson decides to go on this mission he is told that cops are beening killed "Burned to death!" But this didn't stop him from taking on the Black Rain and taking them down...

I enjoyed the book from beginning to end. My favorite character is Chase she is a bad B**CH! Especially at the end. Detective Joe and his partner Vernon will have you laughing all through the book.

[Laverne Bandalino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Black Rain deals with dirty cops, drug dealers, betrayal, inflated egos, and disloyalty. The story line is average at best, and not new to detective fiction but the author's writing style keeps it moving at a pretty moderate pace. The author's decision to alternate chapters using the first person and third person point of view is genius! The story has a some poignant moments for the detective to ponder the facts against the advice of the wife and sets up for the next novel.

[D.K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

My only real complaint was that the pacing of Black Rain, for me, was much too fast. Though I enjoyed the story, it was difficult for me to identify with Vincent Alexandria's protagonist, Detective Joe Johnson. The author, however, did a great job in getting into the heads of the antagonist and undercover Special Agent Cheryl Chase.

Black Rain is definitely worth reading.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Fast paced, suspenseful, colorful characters and humorous.

[Debra Odom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good book. The ending is surprising. I would read more of Vincent Alexandria's book.