The Ancient Rain

by: Domenic Stansberry

Published by: St. Martin's Minotaur (April release)

Reviewed by Patricia E. Reid

The scene is San Francisco and the city is still reeling from 9/11. A prosecutor has ordered Bill Owens arrested for a crime committed years ago. The arrest takes place as Owens is driving his children to school. Owens”˜ wife, Jill, is an attorney who is out of town on business. Owens phones Dante Mancuso and begs him to pick up the children and care for them until Jill returns home.

Dante Mancuso is a PI and not a close friend of Owens but he does agree to care for the children and convinces his girlfriend Marilyn to help him.

Owens was accused of shooting a woman during a bank robbery years ago but it was never proven that he was even present at the bank. Elise Younger, the victim’s young daughter, was waiting outside the bank when her mother was killed. Elise has been crusading ever since to see Owens behind bars for the murder of her mother.

Dante Mancuso attempts to find out what really happened during the bank robbery but those with knowledge of that time have moved on and are not interested in delving into the past.

So many lives are touched tragically by this story. Elise has spent her entire adulthood seeking revenge. Dante’s investigation brings tragedy to one close to him. Sorrentino, a PI who has been assisting Elise, remembers the tragedy of his past and the death of his son.

The Ancient Rain is an excellent book but sadly reflects on lives that have been wasted seeking revenge. I have not read the previous Dante Mancuso novels but I intend to now.

Armchair Interviews says: A strong mystery—with a stronger message about revenge.

Author’s Web site: http://www.DomnicStansberry.com