The Breathtaker by Alice Blanchard

This book is in good condition, although the cover shows signs of wear.

About the book:

In this suspense thriller, police Chief Charlie Grover, a widower scarred by a childhood fire that killed his mother and sister, investigates three mutilated bodies found in a farmhouse after a devastating F-3 tornado. Initially, the deaths appear to be storm-related, but gruesome evidencesuch as foreign teeth planted in the victims mouthsreveals a serial killer, dubbed the Debris Killer, who uses tornadoes to mask brutal murders. With the help of meteorologist Dr. Willa Bellman, a storm-chasing expert, Charlie delves into the world of storm chasers to track the killer. The stakes escalate when Charlies rebellious 16-year-old daughter, enchanted by a teenage storm chaser, disappears, leaving a note about chasing storms. The narrative builds to a climactic storm chase, blending human and natural chaos.

The novel is set in Tornado Alley, vividly depicting the destructive power of tornadoes and the subculture of storm chasers. It explores themes of grief (Charlies loss of his wife to cancer), trauma (his childhood scars), and the collision of human violence with natures fury. The killers use of storms as cover adds a unique twist to the serial killer trope.

Critical Praise: 

A heart-pounding, highly literary novel of stunning art and science. Chicago Tribune

Brilliant. New York Daily News

Blanchard delivers a knockout blow. San Jose Mercury News

Library Journal called it a breathtaking vortex of a story about love, death, murder, and ordinary people well-paced, well-plotted, and beautifully written.

Publishers Weekly noted its keen characterizations and fine atmospherics, though some felt the storm descriptions didnt fully translate to print.