In 1929 Rainwater, Oklahoma, Jill Jones is caring for her sick Aunt Justine, and running her aunt's hotel.  Rainwater is a thriving oil town where the men outnumber the women 4 to 1.  Thad Taylor, a hometown family friend, is sent to town by Jill's brother to keep an eye on her until he arrives.  Jill has had a crush on Thad for years.   Thad has his hands full watching over Jill as her forthright manner gets her into trouble, and as two of the richest men in town show an interest in her. 

One of the men is Lloyd Madison, Aunt Justine's nemesis, intent on making trouble for the dying woman and getting his hands on her hotel.  Madison is somehow connected to Aunt Justine's past; a past that Jill knows nothing about. Just when Jill and Thad begin to realize that what they feel for each other is more than fond friendship, a woman's horribly mutilated body is discovered.  The search for the murderer commences before he or she can strike again.  Thad now feels he must stick even closer to Jill as the search for the killer escalates. 

A PLACE CALLED RAINWATER is a dark, gritty, earthy historical romance that keeps you turning the pages. The characters, both main and secondary, are rich and well-drawn and truly memorable.  They will stay with you long after you've finished reading. 

Ms. Garlock knows her psychology and has created a thoroughly nasty villain who'll have you biting your nails in trepidation of what's to come.  Ms. Garlock's practice of including a real historical figure is continued in this novel with sharp-shooting lawman, Jelly Bryce.