The Storm: A Novel

By Rachel Hawkins

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A January 2026 Indie Next Pick • "This gripping page-turner feels like it was ripped from the juiciest headlines." —People • "Sexy and full of surprises...an ideal curl-up-by-the-fire read." —Real Simple

Hurricane season can be murder...

St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that’s survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.

When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard’s Bay on the map, she’s less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn’s bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn’t come to St. Medard’s Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she’s returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.

As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard’s Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive—and as deadly—as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping…

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Published Jan 6, 2026

288 pages

Average rating: 7.82

65 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say Rachel Hawkins’ *The Storm* delivers a moody Southern Gothic atmosphere with vivid, unsettling storm imagery that feels like a character i...

Mellific
Jul 09, 2026
4/10 stars
You can skip this one. Honestly, the only exciting part happened at the very last 20 minutes. It took far too long to get there.
thesmokymountainsreader
Jul 06, 2026
8/10 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in under a day. There's mystery, scandal, intrigue, and a hurricane! It's all set on the Gulf in Alabama. I loved the depiction of the motel and the scenery. Even the weather is described so well that you get a sense of unease. I became invested in all the characters. I have to say, I did not see the twist coming in this one. Bravo to the author! Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Jcallaghan
Feb 17, 2026
8/10 stars
A Storm sure is a brewing down in Alabama! I’ve read The Villa and The Heiress and this one is by far my favorite! I was lucky to be gifted an ARC of this book and once I started the audio I didn’t stop.

This book opens with a young journalist's determination to investigate a death that happened years ago amidst one of the most severe storms ever to strike a small coastal town in Alabama. Where the story takes you it will almost feel like you’re in the eye of the hurricane yourself!

The journalist returns to the alleged scene of the crime to interview locals. One local, unknowingly is drawn into a web of lies, deception, and the buried secrets of a group of friends. In turn she is finding her world changed forever. Just when you thought the truth was shared it’s only the start of how much a Storm can hide!
Christine
Mar 23, 2026
6/10 stars
Rachel Hawkins perfectly nails the moody, Southern Gothic atmosphere in The Storm, making the setting feel as heavy as the humidity. However, the plot follows a very familiar path, and I found the "big" reveals to be highly predictable from early on. Just as I thought I had it all figured out, the ending took a hard turn into total "WTF" territory. This chaotic pivot was bold, though it felt slightly disconnected tension of the first half. It’s an addictive, fast-paced read, but the jarring tonal shift at the finish line left me conflicted. Overall, it’s a solid choice if you want a twisty, atmospheric thriller that doesn't require too much detective work.
Whitpg07
Mar 19, 2026
6/10 stars
I have read previous Rachel Hawkins books and I give this a solid 3 stars. I was intrigued with the premise of this book around a southern town and hurricanes as someone who lives in an area like the location of the book. This book was fast paced with a sprinkle of mystery/thriller.

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