S.J. Rozan has won the the Edgar, Nero, Macavity, Shamus and Anthony awards for Best Novel and the Edgar award for Best Short Story.She applied the Page 69 Test to her latest novel, In this Rain, and reported the following:
On page 69 of In this Rain there's an argument between two of the book's protagonists, Ann Montgomery and Joe Cole. She wants him to do something; he's refusing. The page is, in fact, representative of the book in two ways.Visit Rozan's website and read an excerpt from In this Rain.
First, one story in the book is Joe's story: how an ex-con filled with guilt, who wants only to retreat, finds his way back into the world. Ann, Joe's former partner, is investigating a crime and asks for his help. From the first moment, and repeatedly, he turns her down. But also from the first moment, he finds himself drawn in, prodded by loyalty and the chance for revenge -- but also intrigued by the questions she's raising.
Second, a lot of the book is about fluid relationships, alliances, people coming to terms with working with each other, separating, and finding new deals to make: some real, some phony. In this Rain takes place at the intersection of politics, real estate, and crime. It's a world of negotiation and compromise, from the mayor's office to the streets of Harlem. It's only when deals are made in bad faith, or can't be made at all, that violence solves the issue. For a time.
Check out the complete list of books in the Page 69 Test Series.
--Marshal Zeringue
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