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The Rain-Soaked Bride (book 2) by Guy Adams (book review).

‘The Rain-Soaked Bride’ is Guy Adams’ second novel to feature Section 37, also known as the Clown Service. While the first book, ‘The Clown Service’, might have been a little slow to get going, this second instalment, ‘The Rain-Soaked Bride’, certainly hits the ground running.

RainSoakedBride

Toby Greene and his boss, August Shining, have been brought in by the more traditional security services to provide protection from supernatural elements at a forthcoming trade meeting with South Korea. Several people associated with this important event have died in unusual and very wet circumstances and when invisible assassins are a possibility, there really is nobody else to call but Section 37. In an isolated country house with the highest levels of protection, surely the delegates will be safe, unless the assassin can walk through walls…

The moment you pick up ‘The Rain-Soaked Bride’ you’ll already be smiling at the striking comicbook style cover that brings to mind not only the over the top B-movies of the 1950s and 60s, but also more modern films like the Japanese horror film ‘The Ring’. Even if you have never heard of Guy Adams before, this cover is sure to make you stop and pick up the book to take a look, so well done to the folks at Head Design for creating it.

Once you stop staring in delight at the bold cover and start reading the actual book, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I found ‘The Clown Service’ to be a bit lacking, but now all the introductions and background settings are in place, ‘The Rain-Soaked Bride’ is able to dive straight in to the action and more than makes up for any earlier flaws.

This book is pure pleasure reading form beginning to end and had me laughing out loud at times. Toby Greene’s dry sense of humour really shines through in this story and the boisterous April Shining, sister of Toby’s boss August, also has some standout moments. It was just such fun to read.

That’s not to say this is a total farce, the supernatural bits can get really quite dark at times and Adams doesn’t shy away from a few gory scenes and surprise shockers. It reminded me at times of the film ‘Final Destination’ with its scenes where you can play along at identifying all the hazards and guessing just how a character will meet his or her tragic end. The balance of fun and creepy was brilliantly executed and combined, it makes for a fun read that still keeps you on the edge of your seat.

This is a great example of why you should stick with a series for at least two books. The first book always has to spend time setting everything up but the second book can really show you what an author is capable of (although it can go the other way, too, of course). I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Rain-Soaked Bride’ and hope there are many more books to come in this series.

Vinca Russell

January 2015

(pub: Del Rey UK/Ebury. 323 page small hardback. Price: £12.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-0-091953-16-4

pub: Del Rey UK/Ebury. 323 page small enlarged paperback. Price: £ 8.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-0-091953-17-1)

check out website: www.delreyuk.com

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