Professor Colin Ayres has spent years researching the strange story of Galina, Arizona, a sleepy border town ripped apart by violence and paranoia after the outbreak of a mysterious illness in 1960. Colin is certain the Galina Incident was simply a case of mass hysteria. But when his partner, Alonzo, starts exhibiting strange symptoms, Colin is shocked to realize they are the same as those that … that emerged in Galina decades ago.
As Alonzo’s condition worsens, Colin scrambles to piece together what really happened during that terrible summer in the past. He uncovers a story of murder, corruption, and fanaticism. The deeper he digs, the more he becomes convinced that what happened in Galina wasn’t mass hysteria after all.
When others start to develop the same eerie symptoms, Colin must confront the possibility that someone—or something—is driving the plague. Guided by rumors of a person who found a way to stop the plague in the sixties, Colin races to find answers before the disease destroys Alonzo and everyone else it touches.
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A bit of a mystery combined with the supernatural.
The novel follows two timelines. In 1960, some of the residents of the Arizona town Galina, experience strange symptoms that can’t be explained. Then suddenly it stops.
Then suddenly 60 years later, the same symptoms start appearing in descendants of the town’s residents. Why did they stop? What is causing it?
This book was a slow read as we watched the progression of the symptoms in both timelines. There were interesting characters, including LBGTQ+ representation in both timelines. I found the ending interesting, but it seemed to be a slower burn to get there than needed. Worthwhile read if you enjoy a mystery with a bit of supernatural.
Thank you to the publisher, author and Booksirens for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Red Hail has an interesting theme for a storyline. The town of Galina, Arizona is well-known for a mysterious illness that took place there during the 1960’s. Eventually, the illness died out and people resumed their daily lives. Many years later, in the year of 2020, some individuals have begun to show symptoms again, with no clear cause or explanation. The story switches between the 1960’s and 2020, allowing us to view POV’s from multiple characters involved.
Unfortunately, this novel just didn’t live up to my expectations. While it had an interesting theme, I felt like I wasn’t hooked on the book, and had a hard time keeping interest through some parts. I felt like I couldn’t connect to any of the characters, and didn’t really know much about anyone. i felt as though the beginning of the book was building to a greater ending than what actually happened. Overall, an okayish read.
Good book. I enjoyed reading it.
The storytelling with dual timelines kept me turning pages long into the night. Unexpected twists and turns I didn’t see coming. First time reading this author.
My Rating: 1/4
Type: Standalone
Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery Thriller
Narration: Limited Third Person
This book has an interesting theme with gripping narration. it kept my interest until the end. I was disappointed by the way it ended yet this book was a delightful read.
This book starts and toggles in two parts of past and present. Sixty years ago, in 1960 an unexplained happened in the small town of Galina. Town was ripped apart after the outbreak of a mysterious illness. Over a period, many researchers have been sure that its “Mass Hysteria”. Now in 2020, grand children or the next generation post that, of the affected townsfolks are displaying the same symptoms.
As book toggles between past and present mystery builds gradually. Timelines and story between the two era’s go in parallel, making the readers curious on what would happen next. Some brave people from both generations come forward to solve this strange situation. As they start to rule out the possibilities and unearth the truth, they are in for big revelation.
I loved some characters from both era and absolutely loathed few. I liked how book went back and forth between the events from 1960 and 2020. Totally loved how people looked at the same situation from different angle in different era. The way racists and religious fanatics reacted and handled the situation vs Researchers, Professors and Scholars looked at it, different, yet intriguing.
I was glued almost till the last page. I was hoping for more action and more detailed explanation after such a big buildup, somehow it was disappointing for me at the end. Even though author has tied things well, it didn’t give clarity on some issues. Apart from skewed ending this book has it all. Plot moved in steady pace with slight up’s and downs. Narration style is wonderful. Mystery element of the book is written so well. Emotions of infected people are described well.
Overall, this book kept me rooted and on the edge of the seat until very last minute. It’s an engaging thriller mystery which creates healthy anxiety woven along with the concepts of science fiction. If you into this type of plot, don’t miss it and let me know your thoughts.
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4.5
Book source ~ Review copy. My review is voluntary and honest.
In 1960, Galina, Arizona was a typical border town until a strange atmospheric event led to an even weirder plague. As the town’s citizens developed unusual symptoms and it spread through nearly every family, the townspeople became paranoid and racism led to violence, ripping the town apart.
In 2020, Professor Colin Ayres has been doing years of research while writing a book about Galina. He believes the town experienced mass hysteria since there was no indication the mysterious symptoms or illness spread outside of town. In the course of interviewing survivors and their descendants he meets Alonzo, a grandson of one of the town’s citizens. When Alonzo starts experiencing the very same symptoms that showed up in Galina 60 years ago, Colin is dumbfounded. As he puts his research in high gear to help Alonzo, he finds more and more people are also experiencing the symptoms. The only connection these people have keep leading Colin back to Galina. What the hell is going on here and what the hell happened there in 1960? Colin needs answers and needs them now.
Holy shit. This is quite a ride! It has alternating POVs with Anza in 1960 and Colin, Alonzo, and a woman named Sonia, all in 2020.The underlying story is sci-fi, but what it really boils down to is a mystery. And suspense. I can’t emphasize enough how much of a mystery this book is. Reading it is an agonizing process. And I mean that in a good way. Because I was right there with the characters trying to figure out what the hell was going on and not only in the past. But now there’s the present, too! Just, what the hell?! The slow deterioration of Galina is so painful to watch. Not to mention the people who are infected. The disease is so incredibly weird, too. I was on the edge of my seat, just waiting for it all to be revealed. And what a revelation it is! The characters are great, the writing is smooth, and the mystery is a head scratching hellofa stumper. Don’t pass this up!
“Red Hail” is an intriguing and eerie novel. The plot teeters from the year of 1960 and 2020. In the small town of Galina in 1960 a storm brings a strange red hail. Is it the storm that causes strange things to happen: naming, statuing, dancing and memory? Only a few brave people of Galina were willing to search and try to solve this strange phenomena: Anza Kearney, Dove McNally and Father Santiago.
Now, in 2020 the phenomena of the so-called plague of Galina has come back.
Colin and Alonzo are just starting a new journey with their lives but it becomes filled with doubt when Alonzo is stricken with the strange occurrence of naming. Once again, a few people are willing to search out the phenomena: Colin, Alonzo and Sonia.
The phenomena brings them in touch with different generations, who were originally effected by the plagues and eventually the only thing to do is travel to Galina and find the truth.
Jamie Killen delivers a very solid, well written novel, that’s very edgy and suspenseful. Every step of the way the novel throws in a twist of mystery. As I continued to read, so many thoughts of just what can be causing the phenomena crossed my mind. From: curses, extraterrestrials, government testing, and inbreeding, until the true reason was discovered. “Red Hail” is very similar to what is actually going on in the world today. No matter what this red hail seems to be it brings: racism, panic, fear, religious fanaticism, murder and hate to the community of Galina. Some will use the strange phenomena to strengthen their hate and some will use it to hold power over the vulnerable.
Killen creates a wide range of characters that give a balanced perspective to the story. Colin, Alonzo, Sonia, Anza, Dove and Father Santiago: even though both trios are from different years they are determined and have a purpose to finding the truth.
Jamie Killen is a new author for me. I was totally entertained and immersed in “Red Hail” and it was very difficult to put down. “Red Hail” will be one of those stories that will be hard to forget!
I want to be careful in reviewing this so I don’t spoil anything for other readers. In the small town of Galina in 1960, it begins with a Red Hail. But then people start acting oddly, and it only gets worse. In a very religious town, it’s easy to blame the unknown as the work of the devil, but it’s obvious that isn’t what’s going on. The message of what happens when you let religion rule over science is a strong (and wonderful) message.
There isn’t Red Hail in the present. Yet some people are exhibiting the same symptoms as the residents of Galin 60 years ago. The only problem? These people don’t live in Galina. Fascinated with the affliction that has no answers, Colin is racing to figure out what is going on with his boyfriend Alonzo. As people start to come forward, he must find not only what ties them together, but what is causing this.
I enjoyed the dual timelines and found myself engaged with characters from each timeline. I also appreciated the inclusivity of the characters. Even the unlikeable characters are well written. It was fun watching each timeline try to figure out what was wrong with people. The reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is because the answer isn’t really my cup of tea. Even after I found out what was going on, Killen did a superb job sucking me back into the story because the writing is excellent. This was a fun read. There were some great supernatural elements at play, and I thought the author did a great job of balancing the history and the sci-fi elements. Nicely done!