“It was a dark and stormy night, the rain fell in torrents-except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it was in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops and fiercely agitating the scantly flame of the lamps that struggled against  the darkness.” To my ear that is poetry. This awe inspiring excerpt is the opening sentence of Edward Bulwer-Lytton's 1830 novel “Paul Clifford.” The protagonist leads a double life both as a criminal and an upscale gentleman. The phrase “It was a dark and stormy night” has been used as a cliché and a line often used by some authors to set a sinister mood for a mystery or thriller.  

Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) was born in London. He was a first Baron, a well known politician, poet, playwright, and successful novelist. He was the creator of several other phrases such as “the great unwashed,”  “pursuit of the almighty dollar” and, “the pen is mightier than the sword.”  He is best known for his 1830 novel “The Last Days of Pompeii.”

Here is a suggested short list of  titles by authors who have used a storm as a base for their story:

“Shutter Island” by Dennis Lahane. U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniel has come to Shutter Island to find an escaped criminally insane patient, a murderess Rachael Solando, as a hurricane bears down on them.

“Girl of his Dreams” by Donna Leon is #17 in her detective Commissario Guido Brunetti series. A 10-year-old girl is found floating in Venice's  Grand Canal. Brunetti's investigation takes him deep into a gypsy encampment.

“I Let You Go” by Claire Macintosh. Protagonist Jenna Gray moves to a remote island trying to escape the memory of the car accident. The memory won't leave her as she struggles to heal from the loss of her child and painful past.                                                                                                                                                                                            

“Killing Storm” is #3 in a series by Kathryn Casey. Four-year-old Joey disappears from his sandbox. Texas Ranger Sarah Armstrong must act quickly to find the kidnapped boy before a hurricane heading for Huston hits the city.

“Storm Rising” by Douglas Schofield. It's been a rough five years for Lucy Hendricks. Her husband Jack, a devoted and upstanding Bayonne, New Jersey cop was murdered while on an investigation.

“London Rain” by Nicola Upton is #6 in the Amateur Sleuth Josphine Tey series. If you like Agatha Christie's “Poriot” and Jaqueline Winspear's “Maisie Dobbs” then you will like this series.  

Happy reading mystery lovers!

Mark your calendar: Thursday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m. via Zoom: Join us on Zoom for an author talk with USA Today bestselling novelist Jenny Milchman who released a new psychological thriller set off the coast of Maine, entitled “The Second Mother.”