In the Midnight Rain

A Novel

By: Barbara O'Neal

Narrated by: Kristen Ariza

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Two converging mysteries compel a woman’s search for the truth in a captivating novel about loss, love, family, and healing by the USA Today bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids.

Biographer Ellie Connor is in Gideon, Texas, to research blues singer Mabel Beauvais who, on the verge of fame, mysteriously disappeared more than forty years ago. Gideon holds another mystery for Ellie. It’s the truth about her parents—a restless mother who died young and a father she never knew. They are an unsettled piece of Ellie’s own past. Somewhere in this town is the answer to both of her quests.

No one is more accommodating than charismatic Laurence “Blue” Reynard, a local with deep roots in Gideon. Sexy and charming, he’s also getting under Ellie’s skin like a smooth jazz rhythm. Yet beneath his seductive facade is a soul damaged by loss. Tragic, wanting, and beautiful. So wrong for a woman just passing through town. If only his passion and vulnerability weren’t so irresistible.

As Ellie pieces together Mabel’s puzzling life and that of her father, Blue takes the surprising journey with her. What then for Ellie? Follow her instincts and say goodbye, or follow her heart?

Revised edition: This edition of In the Midnight Rain includes editorial revisions.

©2000, 2010, 2013, 2024 by Barbara Samuel. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"A beautifully told story that explores the importance of family and the healing power of love." (Kristin Hannah)

"A magnificent story as warm and rich as a Southern night." (Deborah Smith)

A wonderful story

I had the book in my kindle for years and decided it was time to start reading the stuff I had. I started listening by Audible during work days few days ago. It took me 3 days to fully complete. I really enjoyed this book. Within a few chapters I got sucked into the story and the characters. I enjoyed the plot - from the mystery to steamy romance. I will be definitely recommending story to others to listen to.

Going home to the south.

The voices carried me back to my time in the South; The fragrance of gardenias, the night noises, and the taste of hometown cooking. Remembering how young love over powers the mind and body. Like going back home.

A dark beauty of a story...

A dark beauty of a surprise and a dark stormy beauty of a story. Great storytelling!!!

Fun love story.

I enjoyed listening to this light love story. Character development is good and I cared about how the story would end.

Another Winner

Ms. O’ Neal has done it again! Another beautifully written novel filled with broken men and women, secrets, passion and all kinds of love. The only bone I have to pick with Ms. O’Neal is that Southern women do not fry chicken in bacon grease. I say this with some degree of authority since I am one and no one I ever knew ever cooked chicken that way.

Was intriguing!

Not one of my favorites from Barbara, but another good romantic novel., with an Unexpected surprise at the ending.

A stunning story!

I loved this beautiful saga filled with history and love. The narrator did a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life. I especially enjoyed Blue 's sexy drawl. This author never disappoints!

Good story

I'm always so glad when the book I'm. reading turns into a good story!

A great listen!

There are lots of “mysteries” wrapped into one story - very suspenseful! It’s hard to stop listening to this story! It was interesting to learn more about the different cultures in the past and the continued differences in the present - the segregation expectations and continued unspoken “rules” that are still prevalent. Additionally, there isn’t any girl out there that wouldn’t be envious of Ellie and her dreamy romance with Blue! The narrator did a nice job, but her portrayal of the voice of Blue is awkward - just doesn’t quite match the authors description of him.

Two masterful artists create a compelling tale

This was a wonderful, sweet story, performed brilliantly by Kristin Ariza. Her ability to create distinctly recognizable cross-racial voices — male and female! — was masterful, and her nuanced male character portrayals never required her to drop into a lower register. And if I’m not mistaken, this is the first Barbara O’Neal story equally divided between male and female primary characters. In most of her books, the somewhat exotic love interest is simply adjunct to the compelling mystery that drives the story. But Blue’s fully fleshed out character was more than Ellie’s reluctant suitor. He was a
tour guide through intricate family histories reaching back to the segregated South, and of decades-long grief caused by the senseless loss of young men — black and white — to the Vietnam war.

I loved the surprising twist at the end. But then right after I finished this book, I happened to listen to another of her books with the same plot twist. So I know saw that one coming a mile away.