The Storm
A Novel
by Rachel Hawkins
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Pub Date Jan 06 2026 | Archive Date Jan 20 2026
Description
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…
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781250341884 |
| PRICE | $29.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 304 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Bonnie S, Reviewer
Read in one day, practically in one sitting, THE STORM is one of the most engrossing and atmospheric reads in some time for me.
Something about this story just creeps under your skin, and the only comparison I have is reading MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL when I was 15ish, and being blown away by the outlandish, hot southern night of novel. In fact, when that book is actually mentioned in this, I got goosebumps all over... KISMET I TELL YOU.
When Landon Fitzroy, the Governor's son dies in the hurricane of '84, it should have been left as a tragic accident. But, Landon was shacking up with Lo Bailey, the prettiest girl in St Medard's bay. She was also barely legal, and NOT his former Miss Alabama wife...
And so the dueling timelines begin. Flashbacks to many nights in St Medard's bay and current timelines in The Rosalie, the inn that famously withstands all the hurricane.
We meet Geneva the current innkeeper and daughter of Lo's best friend as finds herself smack dab in current affairs as Lo Bailey re-enters St. Medard's community with her ghostwriter in tow.
Seriously, every little way the plot unfolded in letters and articles and testimonials was PERFECTO. I would give this 10 stars if I could.
Beth S, Reviewer
I love Rachel Hawkins’ thrillers and I knew I would love The Storm too - her new one out in January. Well of course I couldn’t wait and skipped a ton of TBR books for this gem. I’m not sorry. Hawkins’ twists get me every time and The Storm was no different.
I love a good hurricane storyline as I’m located in Florida and can def relate. Geneva’s family has owned and operated the Rosalie (hotel) located on the Alabama coastline for years, and it continues to stand strong (through the years and many storms). Now it’s Geneva’s turn to run the place and another storm is coming right for them.
Enter Lo - an infamous murder suspect from 40+ years ago and she wants to tell her side of the story with a blockbuster memoir and choses the Rosalie to stay with her co-author at. After all it’s here that the well known son of a senator died during yet another hurricane in the 80s. It’s complicated. Very. And I loved it all.
This one hits the mark for me and I loved to hate Lo and loved her story too. Let’s go. Get this on your radar now. You won’t be sorry. So glad I got an early copy of this one. It made my weekend!
Cecily A, Reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I just finished reading @ladyhawkins latest, The Storm and it was such a good time! I loved the way the story was written: multiple POVS, flashbacks, book/newspaper clippings. Swipe for the synopsis.
The story pulled me in from the first chapter and easily held my interest. There were a few surprises plot wise that I didn’t see coming, and others that I did. Regardless, I knocked this one out in two days and definitely recommend you adding it to your TBR! The chapters are quite long so be prepared to spend some quality reading time with this one.
Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the e galley in exchange for my honest review. Pub date is 01.06.26 enjoy!
McKenzie B, Reviewer
4.5 Stars!
This was such a great story with an intriguing premise!
I was hooked from the very beginning and flew through this within a day! It had really great pacing.
I enjoyed the different POVs and flashbacks to the previous time periods based on the previous hurricanes. And I loved the use of mixed media throughout too with the different articles as well as the unpublished transcript of the book.
This is only the second book of this author that I’ve read, but I have now really enjoyed both and cannot wait to read her others.
Recommend checking this one out when it releases January 6th!
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