During a rally in the searing heat of a Virginia summer, two men plummet from a building into the crowd below. The victims are a white police officer and a young black man with a troubled past. And though hundreds of people stood at the scene, nobody saw what happened. Or are they just not talking? FBI agent Raleigh Harmon, one of Richmond’s own, has to solve the case—fast.
The Bureau wants a quick verdict, with or without the truth. But with tight-lipped witnesses, Raleigh must rely on her instincts and her training in forensic geology to uncover the facts. Working her connections with the city’s powerful families and its seedy underbelly, Raleigh is determined to see justice prevail. Will she solve the case before the growing racial unrest rages out of control? Or will her choices ultimately bring down everyone involved—including Raleigh herself?
Sibella Giorello is the fourth generation of her family to grow up in Alaska. After riding a motorcycle across the country, she wrote feature stories for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her stories won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. She now lives in Washington state with her husband, sons, a large dog, a sweet parakeet, and a Russian tortoise that could’ve worked for the KGB.
My Impressions:
The Stones Cry Out is the first book in Sibella Giorello’s Raleigh Harmon series. I started this series with book 3, so I was really interested to get back to the beginning — of great writing and a great character. Giorello is one of my favorite suspense writers. If you haven’t read any of her books or if you started in the middle like me, check out The Stones Cry Out.
Things are hot in Richmond in the summer. But the heat is not the only thing getting tempers hot. A civil rights investigation by the FBI into the deaths of a white policeman and a black businessman has the city on edge. And while the two plummeted to their deaths in the midst of a demonstration, there are no witnesses to the incident. Raleigh Harmon, geologist turned agent, is charged with the investigation and getting the case closed quickly. No one seems interested in finding out just what happened. But Raleigh, who is haunted by her own unsolved case, won’t give up.
Raleigh Harmon is a great character. She has lots of baggage — a father murdered in a mugging, a sister that thinks the FBI is no better than the Gestapo, and a mother who struggles with mental stabilbity. Raleigh also has a strong sense of right and wrong. Her faith keeps her going despite the obstacles thrown in her way — a vindictive boss, hostile citizens and uncooperative police. Raleigh is a complex character with plenty of flaws and lots to love. The story is also a great twisting mystery. The forensic investigation is just as important as the hunches Raleigh follows. The Stones Cry Out is great for those who like CSI or Bones.
I loved this book and look forward to #2 in the series, The Rivers Run Dry.
Recommended.
Great For Book Clubs
(I purchased this book for my Kindle. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)
To purchase a copy of The Stones Cry Out, click on the image below.
Beckie, I’m not a big suspense fan, but I love this series. I remember reading The Stones Cry Out and would like to read it again so I can post a review. Glad you prodded my memory with your post!
I need to read book 2 to be up to date on the series. I hear a new book is due out soon.
You perfectly summarized the essence of Raleigh Harmon: “a complex character with plenty of flaws and lots to love.” Thank you.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I love Raleigh’s character. I hear a new book will be coming out soon. Cannot wait!