Book Review: ‘The Rainy Day Killer’ by Michael J. McCann

When a common courtesy sets the stage for a deadly menace, trust becomes a fleeting passage of feeling that makes your skin crawl. Who do you trust, or must you look at every gallantry as a snare?

In The Rainy Day Killer by Michael J. McCann, when Homicide Lieutenant Hank Donaghue is assigned the most recent homicide, he teams up with Detective Karen Stainer and FBI profiler Ed Griffin to find and stop this menace before he kills again. The rain seems to be what draws the killer, and he makes his choices accordingly.

For Karen Stainer, this is the worst time to be trying to find a killer. She is in the preparations for her wedding and tries to keep the distractions at a minimum. For her though that is difficult. Nothing about weddings belong in her comfort zone. The eye of the killer seems to zero in on her as a possible victim, yet she has no worries. He has no idea of what she is capable of. Can she stave off the killer and hold her fiancé’s family at bay at the same time?

With an intriguing crime fighting duo that mix well, the procedural nightmares keep you guessing. Trying to keep the politics of the office from intruding on their case, and second guessing a psychopath from moving forward with another kill, they are racing against the clock to second guess his plans. McCann does a great job of taking you into the heart of the procedural nightmares that occur within precincts when people are trying to make a name for themselves. Sometimes just the slightest mistake can create a backlash that affects all in its path. The tension is tight and seamless.

Both Karen Stainer and Hank Donaghue are interesting and exciting characters. Hank is methodical and thinks things through, while Karen is bold and ballsy. They play off each other quite well, even with the event of the wedding throwing them off kilter.

If you enjoy mystery and thrillers, you will enjoy this work. If you are looking for a great crime team, than you have come to the right place. The interaction and the lead up to the finding of a killer keep you on the edge of your seat. The red herrings that litter the place keep you guessing up to the end.

This would be a great find for a reading group and a strong addition to your crime library. McCann scores well on this work. I look forward to following his crime duo in future stories.