Murder by Storm by Russell Little is the continuation of Marilyn and O.C.’s story from Murder For Me. With a hurricane brewing in the Gulf, a confrontation is brewing between these two characters as one is out for “revenge” for what they have lost due to the other. Who will come out on top and who will fall? Well, you’ll just have to read this suspense thriller to find out.
Murder by Storm draws the eye of readers with a cover set with a city-scape. A stormy scene is brewing as a nod to the hurricane brewing in the Gulf of Mexico working it’s way up the coastline. Lightning flashes down from the sky while a woman inside of an apartment building looks out the window watching it all. Dressed in a pant suit with long flowing brown hair, one can deduce that the woman watching the storm break is none other than the elusive Marilyn.
Murder by Storm by Russell Little begins in the heart of Houston with Marilyn. Author Little has Marilyn awakening from a nightmare that appears to be plaguing her. Is the nightmare warning of something in the future to come? Only time will tell. The story shifts to her visiting her family, where her son is staying. When you’re looking to stay off the radar of the local police, it helps to not draw more attention to yourself than necessary.
With the next chapter, the story shifts to O.C. where he’s having a drink at a bar. Here at this bar, O.C. meets Susan and her family. It’s an odd engagement that follows as Susan’s daughter, Emmy, approaches him and tries to give him a hug. This interaction draws the attention of Susan, Emmy’s mother, and there is a spark of interest that flares between O.C. and Susan.
The bar scene in Murder by Storm sets the stage for what happens next which is romantic sparks between O.C. and Susan. Of course, those sparks quickly flare into something more which works to put Susan and her family in the sights of danger.
Murder by Storm is told from the third person point of view. The majority of the story focuses on O.C. and Marilyn, but author Little tosses in a random character from time to time to help keep driving the story forward. These alternate characters will work to keep readers engaged in the storyline and give us a different perspective concerning both Marilyn and O.C.
The various side characters that author Little introduces readers to help to add color and depth to this book’s storyline. They give readers a deeper insight into who Marilyn and O.C. are. Timmy and Michael shine a light on the darkness that resides inside of Marilyn. This woman is dark and has no qualms tying up loose ends. Of course, she always does it in a way that usually can’t be tied back to her. Author Little tactfully displays Marilyn has manipulative and overall clever…until she makes a mistake.
O.C. is showcased as a character who walks the line of the law. He’s a “disgraced” detective. He continues the hunt for Marilyn Ramirez with the intent to bring her to justice and have the truth come to light. He bears the scars from his last encounter with her. Using his connections with old friends, and those still on the police force, he continues the investigation on his own.
It’s a dangerous game that O.C. is playing when it comes to Marilyn in Murder by Storm. They are both predators hunting each other, and with a hurricane brewing off the coast things are shifting to come to a head. The storyline of Murder by Storm is one that will draw readers in. The back and forth between Marilyn and O.C. is an interesting one.
Now, that’s not to say that these two characters frequently encounter each other and cross swords. Murder by Storm is more of a game of cat and mouse. Marilyn is working to stay more than a step or two ahead of O.C. with the intent to outwit and outsmart him. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to maintain her freedom.
The hurricane barreling up the coast towards Houston is a part of the backdrop for this story. Author Little has Marilyn plotting to utilize this incoming storm to help her. The plan? Use it to cover up the final time she plans on encountering O.C. If everything goes right, she’ll be free as a bird and will be able to stop looking over her shoulder.
Author Little does an excellent job describing the hurricane and impact that it has on the Houston area. Readers will get the sense that author Little has really done his homework. In Murder by Storm author Little exceptionally details to readers the flooding and the dangerous impact that a hurricane can have on and around the Houston area. Readers will easily be able to imagine the fall out, the flooding and the beginning processes of recovery.
The drama ebbs and flows throughout this story. It does an overall good job at keeping readers engaged in what is unfolding on the page. While Murder by Storm is the second book in O.C.’s and Marilyn’s story it can be read as a standalone novel. Readers will get the full picture if book one is read first, but it is possible to read this novel and be able to follow what is going on.
While this book has it’s highlights, it also has it’s low lights. The most prominent one is the romance angle. It moves extremely too fast between O.C. and Susan. We would have preferred that it be allowed to develop at a more natural pace. Then there is the “psychic” element with Susan and Emmy. It’s hinted at time and again, but never explained. Readers get vague hints, but you just know that there is something more going on.
Murder by Storm has a good amount of details and attention to the conversations that take place. However, there are a couple of places where they are neglected. A prime example of this is when Susan has a conversation with her daughter concerning an incident at school. However, there is no follow-up, and then when Emmy is caught “eavesdropping.” Susan takes her to her room to talk to her, but we’re not privy to that conversation. That conversation would have been more inline with the story than the previous one. So, it’s disappointing that it’s excluded from the story.
Murder by Storm is an interesting suspense thriller that does the job of drawing readers in. You get a variety of characters that help shape and mold the two main characters of this book. The dynamic relationships throughout show how one character is liked and cared for, while the other has more strained relationships. Plus, she’s more than willing to get rid of you once you cease to be useful.
As Murder by Storm draws to a close readers get prepared for an epic showdown. Unfortunately, that epic element never shows. The story comes to what one could classify as a soft conclusion. Does this mean that there will be a third book featuring Marilyn and O.C.? Well, only time will tell, but it will be interesting to see.
Readers who enjoy suspense thrillers with a hurricane as a threatening component of it all will not want to miss Murder by Storm. If you’ve read Murder for Me then you’re not going to want to miss out on the continuation of O.C.’s and Marilyn’s cat and mouse game.
Pros:
- Interesting storyline
- Can be read as a standalone novel
- Nice amount of drama and suspense
- Good attention to detail and research into the impact of a hurricane on the Houston area.
Cons:
- Romance is rushed
- Ending is lackluster
- Missed opportunities concerning Susan and Emmy to give readers an explanation concerning their uniqueness.
Scribble's Worth 