The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard being made into a movie

I can't vouch for the innards but this book title is just glorious, isn't it: The Scent of Rain and Lightning. Can't you just smell it? The book by Nancy Pickard is on its way to film land and since I've been having a tough time with James Joyce's Ulysses, maybe something like this, a simple narrative, is just what the doctor ordered.

One beautiful summer afternoon, Jody Linder receives shocking news: The man convicted of murdering her father is being released from prison and returning to the small town of Rose, Kansas. It has been twenty-three years since that stormy night when her father was shot and killed and her mother disappeared, presumed dead. Neither the protective embrace of Jody’s three uncles nor the safe haven of her grandparents’ ranch could erase the pain caused by Billy Crosby on that catastrophic night. 

Now Billy Crosby is free, thanks to the efforts of his son, Collin, a lawyer who has spent most of his life trying to prove his father’s innocence. Despite their long history of carefully avoiding each other in such an insular community, Jody and Collin find that they share an exclusive sense of loss.  

As Jody revisits old wounds, startling truths emerge about her family’s tragic past. But even through struggle and hardship, she still dares to hope for a better future—and maybe even love.

The leads have just been cast with Maggie Grace (Lost) likely cast as Jody, Brad Carter (True Detective) as Collin. That's my hunch anyway. Maika Monroe, a young actress I actually do remember from Labor Day has also been cast but not at all sure in what part. The daughter of Jody or Collin? Jody in a flashback? The film is being directed by Blake Robbins, and starts filming in Oklahoma this fall. This is definitely an indie film with no major stars behind it. Whatcha think? Should I read the book?