Book ~ "The Scent of Rain and Lightning" (2011) - Nancy Pickard

From Amazon ~ One beautiful summer afternoon, Jody Linder receives shocking news: The man convicted of murdering her father is being released from prison and returning to the small town of Rose, Kansas. It has been twenty-three years since that stormy night when her father was shot and killed and her mother disappeared, presumed dead. Neither the protective embrace of Jody’s three uncles nor the safe haven of her grandparents’ ranch could erase the pain caused by Billy Crosby on that catastrophic night.

Now Billy Crosby is free, thanks to the efforts of his son, Collin, a lawyer who has spent most of his life trying to prove his father’s innocence. Despite their long history of carefully avoiding each other in such an insular community, Jody and Collin find that they share an exclusive sense of loss.

As Jody revisits old wounds, startling truths emerge about her family’s tragic past. But even through struggle and hardship, she still dares to hope for a better future—and maybe even love.

I had a hard time getting into this book and, despite the fact that I did manage to get through it, I didn't enjoy it and wouldn't recommend it.

It starts out in present day with word that Billy Crosby was released from prison. Then it bounced back to 1989 so you can live through what led up to the day of Hugh-Jay's death. Then it bounced back to present day as Jody questions whether Billy actually did it. Then back again to 1989 so we can find out who dunnit. Then back to present day to wrap up the loose ends.

I didn't mind the back and forth as it was clear what year we were in and it should have added to the tension. The problem was that I didn't like any of the characters (even the victims) and so didn't really care what happened to them.

I found the writing boring and draggy and couldn't wait to finish so I could see who had dunnit.