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The Rain Maker
What if you could end poverty?
Bring food and water to a nation dying of hunger and thirst?
Could you handle the pressure of a million starving eyes?
Could you cope with the fame that followed?
Would you recognize the person you became?
Jacqueline Caldwell "JC" Macy has won the prestigious Sir Griffith Bascome Lawrence engineering competition. Her design could become the most game-changing project Africa has ever seen -- or a huge fundraising scam.
Wary from the start, JC's adoring bestie and personal assistant, Mary Josephine "MJ" Byrne sees a confederacy of lawyers, bankers, politicians, and celebrities, lined up to enrich themselves on the backs of the world's poor.
An American expat who left a promising career and fled an abusive father, MJ takes on the forces of hypocrisy -- "white saviors," the "Humanitarian-Industrial Complex," faux environmentalism, family dysfunction -- that are pushing her friend to the brink.
Despite JC’s astonishing gifts, MJ may be the only person who truly cares about her.
A lovable yet volatile genius with a mile-wide rebellious streak and a growing love for the white powder that makes escape seem easy, JC -- and her once-in-a-century project -- are on a collision course with self destruction.
If not for one loyal, loving, honest friend.
But is honesty enough? Is loyalty? What about love?
_________________________________________________
ARC Reader Reviews
"The dynamic between the two main characters greatly reminded me of Needy and Jennifer's complicated dynamic in Jennifer's Body . There were definitely some heavy topics in The Rain Maker though, so I would advise taking into account trigger warnings for child abuse and suicide before deciding whether to read it." -- Vanessa R, NetGalley Reviewer
"I loved everything about this book. It offers romance, mystery and adventure all of which plays out inside a gorgeous world. I especially enjoyed the connection the characters had to the land and the living palace. Great read!" -- NetGalley Reviewer
"I found the premise of The Rainmaker fascinating. A young woman, brilliant in a field that's non-traditional for women, designs a project that will provide water, irrigation and food for the starving poor of a (fictional) African country.
"For me the novel revolved around two themes - female friendship and the idea that Western technology can 'save' the third world from itself - but there are also strong themes of family dysfunction and, as the description says, the use and misuse of brilliant youth.
"You follow the two protagonists from an initial mood of hope and optimism through to a darkening tangle of obstacles and real politik; you want them to succeed and you worry that they won't.
"I was really pulled in by the characters and the struggles of MJ and her aptly named (because of the messianic overtones) friend JC who heads up the great new fix-all project.
"I found the skulduggery and ulterior motives of the various players - local African politicians, international donors, etc - extremely believable. As always, Michael Martin's writing style is engaging, his scenarios well researched and convincing, and the issues he addresses are thought=provoking and meaningful." -- Jane T., NetGalley Reviewer
"Interesting idea for a book and fairly well written. An invention that should solve many problems in the world, turns into something else. Decent characters and story. Some romance, action, mystery in the story. Overall not a bad read." -- Linda W., NetGalley Reviewer
"Interesting plot and characters, and I enjoyed the writing. I look forward to the author's future work." -- Paul V., NetGalley Reviewer
Bring food and water to a nation dying of hunger and thirst?
Could you handle the pressure of a million starving eyes?
Could you cope with the fame that followed?
Would you recognize the person you became?
Jacqueline Caldwell "JC" Macy has won the prestigious Sir Griffith Bascome Lawrence engineering competition. Her design could become the most game-changing project Africa has ever seen -- or a huge fundraising scam.
Wary from the start, JC's adoring bestie and personal assistant, Mary Josephine "MJ" Byrne sees a confederacy of lawyers, bankers, politicians, and celebrities, lined up to enrich themselves on the backs of the world's poor.
An American expat who left a promising career and fled an abusive father, MJ takes on the forces of hypocrisy -- "white saviors," the "Humanitarian-Industrial Complex," faux environmentalism, family dysfunction -- that are pushing her friend to the brink.
Despite JC’s astonishing gifts, MJ may be the only person who truly cares about her.
A lovable yet volatile genius with a mile-wide rebellious streak and a growing love for the white powder that makes escape seem easy, JC -- and her once-in-a-century project -- are on a collision course with self destruction.
If not for one loyal, loving, honest friend.
But is honesty enough? Is loyalty? What about love?
_________________________________________________
ARC Reader Reviews
"The dynamic between the two main characters greatly reminded me of Needy and Jennifer's complicated dynamic in Jennifer's Body . There were definitely some heavy topics in The Rain Maker though, so I would advise taking into account trigger warnings for child abuse and suicide before deciding whether to read it." -- Vanessa R, NetGalley Reviewer
"I loved everything about this book. It offers romance, mystery and adventure all of which plays out inside a gorgeous world. I especially enjoyed the connection the characters had to the land and the living palace. Great read!" -- NetGalley Reviewer
"I found the premise of The Rainmaker fascinating. A young woman, brilliant in a field that's non-traditional for women, designs a project that will provide water, irrigation and food for the starving poor of a (fictional) African country.
"For me the novel revolved around two themes - female friendship and the idea that Western technology can 'save' the third world from itself - but there are also strong themes of family dysfunction and, as the description says, the use and misuse of brilliant youth.
"You follow the two protagonists from an initial mood of hope and optimism through to a darkening tangle of obstacles and real politik; you want them to succeed and you worry that they won't.
"I was really pulled in by the characters and the struggles of MJ and her aptly named (because of the messianic overtones) friend JC who heads up the great new fix-all project.
"I found the skulduggery and ulterior motives of the various players - local African politicians, international donors, etc - extremely believable. As always, Michael Martin's writing style is engaging, his scenarios well researched and convincing, and the issues he addresses are thought=provoking and meaningful." -- Jane T., NetGalley Reviewer
"Interesting idea for a book and fairly well written. An invention that should solve many problems in the world, turns into something else. Decent characters and story. Some romance, action, mystery in the story. Overall not a bad read." -- Linda W., NetGalley Reviewer
"Interesting plot and characters, and I enjoyed the writing. I look forward to the author's future work." -- Paul V., NetGalley Reviewer
- GenresEbooks
228 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2024
About the author
Michael Martin
7 books29 followersI'm a journalist turned novelist who loves stories about anti-establishment rebels that defy the conventional wisdom in search of greater truth.
I have been a member of the National Press Club, the National Association of Science Writers, and am currently a Local Independent Online News association member and longtime local news publisher.
I have been a member of the National Press Club, the National Association of Science Writers, and am currently a Local Independent Online News association member and longtime local news publisher.
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