Rain Fall

Rain Fall
Written by Ella West
Contemporary, Mystery, Romance, #LoveNZYA
218 Pages
Published January 2nd 2018
Thank you to Allen and Unwin Australia
Recommended Retail $16.99
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★★★☆

I'm not running late like I usually am. Maybe that's why I look in the river, maybe that's why I stop when I see it. A dark coloured raincoat, the arms spread wide, floating, hood first down the river.

And then it starts to rain.

Fifteen year old Annie needs to get to her basketball match, but the police have cordoned off her road. Is her neighbour, who she grew up with, still alive? What has he done to have the police after him?

A murder investigation brings new people to Annie's wild West Coast town, including a dark-haired boy riding the most amazing horse she has ever seen. But Annie is wary of strangers, especially as her world is beginning to crumble around her. In setting out to discover the truth Annie uncovers secrets that could rip the small community apart.

In the rural pastures New Zealand, the rain continues to dampen the town. Up on the sodden hill, fifteen year old Annie lives with her parents, her mother a teacher and her father employed by the local coal manufacturing industry, transporting carriages of goal along the New Zealand coastline. The atmospheric radiance of the rural New Zealand is enchanting, the soft pastoral landscape a contrast to the dry, arid southern Australian environment and a wonderful aspect of Rain Fall.

Annie is a demure young woman, she appreciates the isolation of the small town community, content to wander the flourishing landscape upon her chestnut gelding. Jack Robertson is a professional rodeo competitor temporarily relocating with his father, a metropolitan detective investigating a homicide. Upon meeting, Annie and Jack covertly rendezvous at the beach each day and although Annie believes Jack is in a relationship, is romantically involved with the seventeen year old. Their companionship will appeal to early adolescent and mature, middle grade readers but unfortunately, the homicidal mystery surrounding Annie's neighbour is unnecessary and to the detriment of character development.

The town of Westport relies upon the coal industry to create employment and with the introduction of clean, renewable energy, retrenchment seems inevitable for the hundreds of families across the region. Including Annie's father. Environmental impact is an issue rarely broached in young adult literature but an incredibly important narrative. Although personally I believe governments should invest in clean, renewable energy sources, I understand the devastating socioeconomic ramifications on families employed by the industry.

Small town chronicles in themselves are wonderful narratives. The characters, the atmosphere and adolescents discovering their environment. Unfortunately the narrative to Rain Fall although enjoyable, is overambitious. Never underestimate the quiet, small town story.