Four Kinds of Rain

by: Robert Ward

Published by: St. Martin's

Review by Kathy Perschmann, Chanhassen (MN) Librarian

Ward is also a television writer and producer (Hill Street Blues and Miami Vice), and that is evident in his fast-paced writing, plot twists, and explosive violence.

Over-the-hill Baltimore psychologist Bob Wells is living an empty life when he meets Jesse Reardon, younger, also divorced. They begin singing together with a rock band for fun at various clubs.

Jesse does not want to get involved with a loser who is broke, and she puts him off. At this point Bob becomes tempted by a patient's strange fantasies about a Babylonian mask he owns. The patient claims it is worth millions, and that it is coveted by a mad collector who is stalking him.

A little research proves to Bob that all this is true, and he contacts some shady friends, and a heist is hatched. The rest of the book is a series of exploding bodies (from both a bomb and bullets) from which Bob manages to escape relatively unscathed. The plot twists will keep you guessing to the very, very dark ending.

Armchair Interviews says: This reviewer was put off by "too much violence"--so be forewarned.