My name is Amira Cooper. It’s nice to meet you. I’m on the bus on the way to Social Theory class. So please excuse me if my thoughts are a little disconnected when I write this. That’s actually very funny because I’m incredibly organized. People call me the Extreme Planner. Having things out of place affects me in the most extreme ways. I suppose there’s a reason for that. Regardless, I like things in order, everything. But when it comes to putting my thoughts on a page, that’s a whole different story. Well, back to the story of my life. Or a day in it, right?

First, I’m a student at Briarwood College in Clover City. My hometown isn’t well-known for anything. We do have the Bubblegum Festival each year. But you know, it’s just your typical midwestern town. Student life has been a struggle, to be honest. This is my senior year, which is a good thing. Then it’s onto what’s next and I haven’t figured that part out yet.

My day starts with breakfast, not for me. I make it for my older sister, Jasmine, if she’s in a good mood. We live together in our family home in the Brookside neighborhood. It’s a big old creaky Victorian house, like the ones you see in those DIY home improvement shows that need restoration. We like to dress it up for each holiday and invite our neighbors in for brunch. My cousin Rafael caters them, and his food is out of this world. Anyway, homemade breakfast for Jasmine and coffee with a muffin for me from Buzzed Beans on campus. Next, it’s my hardest class this semester, Palliative Care. It’s a requirement for my Gerontology degree. After lunch, I hit up Professor Delgado because I’m trying not to flunk Research in Aging and Society, and meetup with my study team on the commons, if the weather’s nice. Lately it’s been crazy hot and stormy but that’s how it is in this part of the country. Oops, I’ll pick up on the second part of my day later. I’m at my stop by Letzner Hall, gotta go.

Okay, I’m at my job at Gladstone Nursing Home taking a quick break. I start my routine here with check-ins and pulling down the dirty linens to the laundry service pickup van. After dinner, I get to sit outside with the residents. As a health aide, most of my time is spent keeping an eye on everybody, making sure they take their medications on time and in the correct doses. Sometimes there’s an activity. So, it’s not all hygiene and housekeeping. I must admit, I have my favorites around here. And that’s how things get tricky. With favors I mean. Miss Teresa and I ate fried chicken together in the landscaper’s shed that I snuck inside. Hector, the janitor gave me the key. He knows all the little hiding places for a quick nap, or whatever. Miss Charlene asked me to bring some canned food for her stuffed cat, Barnaby. The best part is how unpredictable the residents can be. That doesn’t make sense, I know. And, I love hearing their stories, especially from Miss Claire. There’s just something special about it. Her life was amazing and so beautiful until her husband died. It was the worst thing ever and it gives me nightmares. She’s such a sweet soul and I’d do anything to help her. That reminds me, I promised to run an errand for her. I’ve got to go now. I hope I get to talk to you again soon. Bye!

The Taste of Rain, A Clover City Files Mystery Book #1
Genre: Traditional
Release: June 2023
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

In “The Taste of Rain”, we follow the story of Amira, a college student who works part-time as a health aide at a local nursing home. One day, she meets an elderly resident, Claire Stewart, who confides in her that her husband was killed years ago, but nobody believed her.

Amira is hesitant to believe Claire at first, but as she gets to know her better, she realizes that there might be some truth to her story. Amira decides to investigate the case and help Claire find the killer.

She must navigate through the complexities of the past and present to find the truth and bring justice for Claire.

Along the way, Amira faces challenges both personally and professionally. She must balance her college studies with her part-time job and her investigation. She also learns to confront her own biases and assumptions about aging and the elderly.

“The Taste of Rain” is a mystery that explores the themes of trust, aging, and justice. It is a heartwarming tale of the unlikely friendship between a young college student and an elderly resident, as they work together to uncover the truth. and solve a decades-old murder.

About the author
Barbara Howard is an author of mystery stories featuring a female amateur sleuth, diverse characters, and a dash of romance. She is a first-generation tech geek turned master gardener. She returned to her Midwestern hometown after an extensive career as a Department of Defense Project Manager at the Pentagon and spends most of her time treasure hunting, spoiling her fur-babies, growing veggies, and plotting whodunits. She has also published a collection of books on food-related topics, food safety, and heirloom recipe cookbooks under the pen name, Arlene Lee. Memberships/Affiliations: Mystery Writers of America (MWA), Sisters in Crime (SinC), Great Lakes Fiction Writers (GLFW), Crime Writers of Color (CWoC), Gamma Xi Phi (GXP).

All comments are welcomed.