The Storm

By: Rachel Hawkins

Narrators: Alex Knox; Cathi Colas; Dan Bittner; Jane Oppenheimer; Patti Murin; Petrea Burchard; Stephanie Németh-Parker

Macmillan Audio

ISBN: 9781250429759

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: 01/06/2026

Format: Other

My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC) (ALC)

JAN 2026 MUST-READ BOOKS

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins is back with a thrilling new gothic suspense set in a Gulf Coast beach motel where 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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My Review

Rachel Hawkins' THE STORM (her best yet), follows struggling inn owner Geneva Corliss in St. Medard's Bay, Alabama, as a true-crime writer, August Fletcher, arrives with the infamous Lo Bailey to investigate the 1984 murder of politician's son Landon Fitzroy during a hurricane, dredging up old secrets and putting everyone in danger as another storm looms, revealing complex female relationships, generational trauma, and shocking truths behind the decades-old crime, all layered with dual timelines and atmospheric tension.

About...

~Setting: The story unfolds in the fictional, hurricane-prone town of St. Medard's Bay, Alabama, centered around the historic Rosalie Inn, run by Geneva Corliss.

~Dual Timelines: The narrative weaves between the present (around 2025) and 1984, focusing on a murder that occurred during Hurricane Marie.

~The Past (1984): During Hurricane Marie, Landon Fitzroy, the son of Alabama's governor, is found dead. The local girl and his secret teenage mistress, Lo Bailey, is accused of his murder, though she is eventually acquitted in a mistrial for lack of evidence.

~The Present Day: Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the struggling Rosalie Inn (a century-old hotel that survived all the storms), is desperate to save the family business and cares for her mother, who has Alzheimer's.

~The Return: True-crime writer August Fletcher contacts Geneva to book a long-term stay at the inn to research a book about the infamous 1984 murder. To Geneva's surprise, August arrives with none other than the now-60-year-old Lo Bailey, who claims she wants to finally clear her name.

~Unraveling Secrets: As Lo and August dig into the past, the story unfolds through multiple viewpoints and timelines (including Geneva's mother's past and the perspective of Lo's two best friends, "The Witches of St. Medard's Bay").

~Intertwined Lives: Geneva begins to suspect her own family's history and her mother's past friendship with Lo, and her friends may be connected to the murder.

~Rising Tensions: As the summer heats up, a new, powerful hurricane begins to twist its way toward St. Medard's Bay, mirroring the rising tensions and the dangerous secrets coming to light.

~The Climax: The impending storm acts as a catalyst, forcing the characters to confront the hidden truths, leading to shocking revelations about what really happened to Landon Fitzroy during the 1984 hurricane and the secrets Lo has been keeping.

~Resolution: The truth of the murder is exposed, revealing that some people can be as destructive and deadly as any natural disaster, and Geneva's understanding of her life and family history is permanently altered

My thoughts...

I was captivated by THE STORM! Having spent my entire life living in North Carolina, Atlanta, and (the last 25 years in Florida, from north to south in the Keys. I've weathered more hurricanes than I can remember.

Atmospheric and haunting, THE STORM delves into themes of female resilience, the weight of generational secrets, and the intricate dance of loyalty and betrayal. It poignantly illustrates the devastating power of both literal and metaphorical storms.

At the heart of this gripping tale is the Rosalie Inn, a remarkable structure that embodies the novel’s deepest mysteries. Serving as both a physical anchor and a metaphorical heart, the Inn stands as a silent witness to the town's tumultuous history, where the echoes of the past intermingle with the present in a riveting collision of revelations.

The inn's primary significance lies in its unique resilience to the frequent and deadly hurricanes in St. Medard's Bay. While other, seemingly sturdier buildings are often flattened, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old structure, always remains standing, though sometimes damaged. This makes it an almost legendary landmark in the town, a symbol of endurance that has survived every disaster except the scandal that defined it.

The inn's eerie, tense atmosphere, "weathered by decades of hurricanes," provides the perfect southern gothic setting for a story full of long-buried secrets, lies, and betrayals.

The story is told through multiple points of view and dual timelines, alternating between the present day and past events during various hurricanes. It also incorporates creative "mixed media" elements such as manuscript excerpts, emails, and newspaper articles to add depth to the mystery.

The novel explores themes of family secrets, the destructive nature of human behavior, small-town gossip, and how the past never truly stays buried, with the hurricanes acting almost as characters themselves.

Hawkins enhances the dual-timeline structure by incorporating various narrative devices, which add depth and multiple perspectives to the story:

~Multiple Points of View (POVs): The story is told from the perspective of multiple characters, with the audiobook featuring a full cast of narrators to help distinguish between these voices and timelines.

~Mixed Media Elements: Interspersed throughout the main narrative are excerpts from manuscripts, old newspaper articles, emails, and possibly journal entries or letters. These elements provide additional context and clues, reinforcing the mystery and adding a unique texture to the storytelling.

~Hurricanes as a Framing Device: The townspeople of St. Medard's Bay remember time not by the year, but by the name of the hurricane that hit, and each section of the book is tied to a specific storm.

The looming threat of the present-day hurricane creates a "ticking-clock" mechanism, mirroring the rising tension as the past events are revealed and the truth finally comes to light. This effectively intertwines environmental dread with the personal secrets and betrayals of the characters.

This structure allows the author to slowly reveal the truth, creating a dynamic that builds tension and keeps the reader guessing until the end.

Takeaway...

The central takeaway of THE STORM is that human nature can be as destructive and unpredictable as the deadliest natural disasters. The novel emphasizes that secrets and past choices eventually surface, often with the same force as a hurricane.

While the town measures time by environmental catastrophes, the real devastation often comes from personal betrayals and long-held family secrets. The narrative explores how choices and history "ripple through time". The return of Lo Bailey after 40 years illustrates that the past is never truly buried; it only waits for the right conditions—represented by a brewing storm—to resurface and settle old scores.

The story focuses on the "ties that connect women" even when society is stacked against them. It examines the lives of "fierce women" whose survival at the Rosalie Inn mirrors the inn's own physical endurance through decades of storms.

Throughout my years as a consultant for hotels, resorts, and charming inns, I have been fortunate to embark on a myriad of exciting adventures. My experience as an on-site innkeeper has allowed me to immerse myself in the unique atmosphere and history that each establishment holds. I have developed a deep appreciation for narratives that revolve around inns, where the quaint architecture and rich stories of the past intertwine, creating a tapestry of memories and experiences that captivate the imagination.

With a colorful cast of characters, the story focuses on Geneva (the innkeeper), the vivacious but mysterious Lo Bailey, the writer August, and Geneva's mother, Ellen, a pivotal background character whose past life holds the key to the central mystery, even as her present condition prevents her from explicitly sharing the truth.

I have read all Rachel's books and THE STORM is my absolute favorite! There is plenty of mystery, intrigue, and suspense as their lives are intertwined, and the town's history connects; combined with the atmospheric setting, this is a must-read/listen for 2026.

The audiobook...

I recently had the delightful opportunity to delve into the book, accompanied by its captivating audiobook version. Narrated by an impressive multi-cast ensemble of talented voices—including Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Petrea Burchard, and Stephanie Németh-Parker (favorites)—each performer brought a unique flair to the narrative, enhancing the overall experience. Their distinct interpretations infused life into the characters and the storyline, crafting a richly immersive listening adventure that drew me in completely. I wholeheartedly recommend this audiobook for anyone seeking a vibrant and engaging storytelling experience.

Recs...

Readers who enjoyed THE STORM will likely appreciate other gothic suspense novels with dual timelines, Southern coastal settings, and deep-seated family secrets.

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

The Only One Left by Riley Sager

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

The Weight of Lies by Emily Carpenter

The Hideaway: A Southern Story of Family, Secrets, and Second Chances by Lauren K. Denton

The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for sharing advanced reading and listening copies in exchange for my honest thoughts. #CoverLove

@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks

My Rating: 5 Stars

Pub Date: Jan 06, 2026

Jan Newsletter

Praise

"A beachy gothic...[and] a dare-we-say suspensefully breezy read."

―BookPage

"Sexy and full of surprises, The Storm is an ideal curl-up-by-the-fire read."

―Real Simple

"A sleek suspense novel...Hawkins shrewdly orchestrates the plot twists in each story line....When the pieces finally click into place, readers will be more than satisfied."

―Publishers Weekly

"The story is gripping from beginning to end. A sharp read for literary sleuths."

―Kirkus

"Hawkins uses her mastery of multiple timelines and characters to great effect in this quick and enjoyable read, and the pulpy nature of the story will appeal to fans of Sally Hepworth and Laura Dave."

―Booklist

About the Author

Born in Virginia and raised in Alabama, Rachel Hawkins has been writing since Kindergarten when her first book, a tense thriller involving a unicorn, a witch, and a princess, was called, “very imaginative!” by her teacher and “a searing work of genius” by her mother.

Since then, Rachel has written over a dozen books for children and adults (sadly all unicorn-free thus far), and been published in more than twenty countries. As Rachel Hawkins, she wrote the New York Times bestselling THE WIFE UPSTAIRS, a Southern Gothic twist on JANE EYRE that the Southern Review of Books called, “a thrill ride,” and Entertainment Weekly dubbed, “a gothic thriller laced with arsenic.” Her latest thriller, RECKLESS GIRLS, also debuted on the New York Times list with Kirkus calling it, “a soapy, claustrophobic page-turner.”

When not writing modern Gothic thrillers as Rachel Hawkins, she also pens paranormal romantic comedies under the name Erin Sterling. Her debut romance, THE EX HEX, was a Book of the Month pick as well as a New York Times and USA Today Bestseller.

Rachel currently lives in Auburn, Alabama, with her husband, son, and five cats. (Yes, five. She knows. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and picking up an assortment of creative hobbies she will give up on after a week or two. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram. WEBSITE