(Reviewed by JD Jung)
Set against the backdrop of 1950s America, California Rain delivers a gripping noir thriller that blends the intrigue of political scandal, the fight for justice, along with the glamour of old Hollywood. With an evocative sense of time and place, this novel keeps readers hooked from the very first page.
At its core, California Rain is a story about loyalty and truth. Investigative reporter, Mike Foyle of the New York bureau of the Los Angeles Beacon, learns that his friend, Bernie Crusher, who saved his life while in combat during WWII, died of an apparent suicide in Los Angeles. Crusher was covering a House subcommittee hearing on Communist influence in Hollywood.
Foyle asks to go to Los Angeles to cover Bernie’s assignment, but what he really wants is to find out if his death was a suicide. Based on the minimal information he has, his doubts are high. Though he attends the subcommittee hearings, he investigates his true purpose on the side. Of course, his superiors at the newspaper aren’t happy with his deviation from the original assignment. They are also suspicious of his alliance with a young female entertainment reporter, who wants to break the gender rules, and report on serious news stories. That’s not to say that his attendance at the hearings is a waste; he learns that there’s more going on in that subcommittee hearing; and it may affect an upcoming congressional race.
One of the novel’s strongest elements is its rich cast of characters. Foyle is a classic noir protagonist—cynical but righteous. Each supporting character adds to the story, and their motivations make sense.
The setting itself is as much a character as anyone else, with the novel immersing us in a Los Angeles steeped in danger and allure. From the charged atmosphere of the subcommittee hearings to the smoky newsroom and local bars, every location feels alive.
California Rain takes us on an exciting ride through corrupt politics, old Hollywood, and murder. Don’t worry, no spoilers here. However, the ending will surprise you.
