The fifth book in the Rose Gardner Investigations series, Come Rain or Shine is an emotional, high-stakes installment that significantly raises the bar. For those who have been following Rose’s journey, this book serves as a pivotal turning point that will leave you reeling.
Rose finds herself in a precarious position: she has been summoned to testify before a grand jury investigating corruption in the Sweet Branch Police Department. As a woman who knows almost everyone’s secrets in Fenton County, her testimony has the local criminal underworld on edge, and Rose is forced to navigate their desperate attempts to keep their names out of her mouth.
Simultaneously, Rose’s personal life is in turmoil as she cares for her sister, Violet. When Violet’s doctor vanishes amidst allegations of prescription fraud, Rose suspects local drug kingpin Denny Carmichael is involved. Despite her best efforts to focus on her family and avoid trouble, she is inevitably pulled into another dangerous investigation. Just as the tension reaches a breaking point, Rose receives life-altering news that threatens her relationship with the man she loves, forcing her to choose between the safety she craves and the fight she never wanted.
I really love this series and this installment is no exception. This book is Definity the most emotionally taxing in the series. It moves beyond the mystery, to explore the personal stakes that Rose is up against.
The author expertly balances the slow-burn dread of the grand jury investigation with the chaos of Rose’s personal life, Rose has evolved from a sheltered woman and amateur detective into someone forced to make agonizing decisions about trust and loyalty.
In this installment, emotional drama definitely takes center stage, but the mystery of the missing doctor and police corruption are expertly woven into the plot. There is enough mystery and intrigue to keep the story grounded in its roots as a crime series while setting the stage for future installments.
Fair warning: this book might change your mind about your favorite characters! I started out rooting for one couple, but James’s actions left me completely disillusioned. His response to a difficult situation with Rose was, in my opinion, inexcusable. Conversely, I am now fully on Team Joe. He has truly stepped up in the friend department. His loyalty and friendship have proven to be the real highlights of this story, and I’m finding myself hoping for a much different path for Rose moving forward.
Final Thoughts: I loved this installment, even though I found myself wanting to yell at a certain character at times. This is a “must-read” for fans of the series—a bold, heartbreaking, and adrenaline-fueled chapter that proves just how far Rose has come and how much she still has to lose. Prepare yourself for an emotional rollercoaster as Rose embarks on her next chapter and discovers where it will take her.
If you have read this book, please share your thoughts in the comments.
Chapters & Lattes 