Johnson finds himself in a perplexing situation. Confused and disoriented, he searches for familiar names in his wallet and comes across a card with Katy's name, likely his significant other. He also finds information about a friend named McBroom. Despite being riddled with fear of turning into a different person once his memory came back, Johnson remains resolute about his quest to remember. Will Kate help him find answers or will her memory of him prevent her? How will this new situation impact Kate?

Angel of the Storm is an incredibly well-written book. It takes a very laid-back approach to narration with abundant use of imagery to paint a mental picture. It also peppers dialogue generously throughout the prose which puts the reader right in that moment watching the scene unfold. The author jumps from period to period, almost like watching a timepiece. The book starts with the main character’s current situation and then frequently jumps to periods of the characters’ lives that are relevant to the story. This works very well, both in providing background and in character development. The characters are very well fleshed out. In fact, the book is divided into sections which highlight specific characters and explain how they became who they were. This is done so perfectly that not once does the reader feel like they have detached from the book. Even Johnson who does not remember who he is has some traits that are clearly his true self. One has to wonder if Katy is finally seeing the man he always under the mean drunk she remembers. Of note is the sleight of hand the author executes, starting the book with a focus on one character and then finishing with him having faded into the background as the story shifts to another character. Also, his covert explanation of the book title.

Author Larry Higdon offers a realistic look into different home setups where children are emotionally and physically abused. His portrayal of how children handle emotionally manipulative parents is accurate. This particular aspect of the book is a conversation starter about nurture and how the home environment in childhood shapes who people are. Either one will try everything to be like their parents or one will try everything to avoid mimicking their parents, one way or another home situation will determine who a person grows into. Like Katy deciding to “help” children.

This is not the kind of book one reads quickly on a train bound to wherever. It is not the kind of book they peruse through to pass the time in the banking hall. It is the kind of book one curls up with by the window with a blanket over their legs and a view of the sky they never look up to except when the story becomes a little too overwhelming. It does not leave the reader with questions. For being a master of his craft, Larry Higdon deserves a notable achievement for this literary piece.