Raven Rain

A Johnny Delarosa Thriller

Fiction - Crime
297 Pages
Reviewed on 08/27/2020
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

David Stever is a novelist, screenwriter, and film producer. He writes the Johnny Delarosa mystery-thriller series, debuting with, AUBURN RIDE, paying homage to the great detective fiction of the past. The series has been called "noir for the 21st Century." Fans of hard-boiled, crime thriller books, complete with sexy femme fatales, will love the Delarosa series.

He is a member of the Private Eye Writers of America, the International Thriller Writers, and the Maryland Writers Association. Originally from Tyrone, Pennsylvania, he lives in Columbia, Maryland with his wife and family. Please visit www.davidstever.com and be sure to sign the mailing list for news and updates!

    Book Review

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In Raven Rain by David Stever, when Johnny Delarosa is hired to save the reputation of an ex-football player, Stan Shelton, little does he realize his past will come back to haunt him. Shelton's dark secret of being a regular customer of an escort agency is about to be exposed when a stranger begins to blackmail him. With his notoriety and honor at stake, Shelton hires Delarosa to remove the problem. Delarosa soon finds himself in the middle of a murder case as a young girl is killed outside Shelton's apartment block, followed by the death of the investigating detective. As Delarosa's investigation deepens, he finds himself entangled in the criminal activity of human trafficking and in search of the owner of the escort agency, an elusive raven-haired beauty with a mysterious past. Is Shelton capable of murder to save his own skin? When Delarosa finally finds the raven-haired beauty, he is forced to relive a painful memory from his past.

Raven Rain by David Stever is an incredibly captivating plot from page one. The author will take you on an amazing journey of twists and turns and shocking revelations as little by little the intriguing layers of the story are uncovered. Delarosa was such a likable character, fearless, intelligent and someone you definitely want batting in your corner. Katie was my favorite character; her courageous actions and sharp wit made me gasp and even laugh out loud at times, especially the nail gun scene. Every detail of this novel has been created with consideration and care, from the exciting plot to the amazing characters. The author handles the subject of human trafficking and childhood neglect with the utmost sensitivity and realism. This is an exceptional story with so many subplots that enhance the main investigation perfectly. The twist at the end is extremely powerful. A must-read for anyone who appreciates a great suspense novel.

K.C. Finn

Raven Rain: A Johnny Delarosa Thriller is a work of fiction in the crime, urban fiction and thriller sub-genres, and was penned by author David Stever. In this suspenseful and high octane work, we find ourselves in the dark world of the titular character Johnny Delarosa as his past comes calling to creep up on him. Murder, blackmail, and the threat of a media exposé all land on the doorstep of former pro football star Stan Shelton, and Johnny is brought in to try to put a stop to it. What follows is a highly engrossing plot that gets deeper and more complex with every step our protagonist takes. This is the third installment in these adventures but can be read as a standalone.

Author David Stever has crafted a brilliant work of crime mystery and thrilling suspense, one in which it’s genuinely hard to predict what will happen next. I enjoyed the attitude of the central protagonist and his connection to his clients, which gives him a unique motivation for getting so closely involved with the case at hand. In this adventure, there are plenty of exciting twists to keep readers on edge, and I particularly enjoyed how the dialogue was utilized to offer us interesting clues as well as strong characterization. Talia is a standout character who steals every page that she appears on, and the whole plot will leave you satisfied, but also hungry for Johnny’s next case. Overall, I would highly recommend Raven Rain to crime readers everywhere.

Gobi Jane

Raven Rain: A Johnny Delarosa Thriller by David Stever is the third book in a suspenseful thriller series. Stan Shelton is a former professional football player who is now dealing in cars. But his life is about to be torn apart when the body of a young woman is found in front of his building. Blackmail, rumors, and allegations of his involvement with Telia Thorne’s escort service are about to put him into the spotlight. Only one man can clear his name: Johnny Delarosa. As Johnny works the case, another death occurs — a detective — and this time, the stakes are high. Johnny finds himself in a complex web of scheming, lies, and death. Can he clear his client’s name?

This is a well-spun thriller with interesting characters. I enjoyed the suspense and how the author builds mystery around the characters. The woman with long raven hair is as mysterious as she appears to be ruthless and the author uses her to enhance the plot and deepen the suspense. This is a story filled with surprises. Many times readers will find themselves looking at the wrong people and thinking they are guilty. I enjoyed the impeccable prose, the world building, and David Stever’s gift for character. The plot is cunningly written and the author makes sure that the reader keeps on turning the pages. Raven Rain: A Johnny Delarosa Thriller will appeal to fans of sleuth, crime, and mystery novels. It is a fast-paced story with short chapters filled with drama and written to make the reader turn to the next one.