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Red Rain

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The best-kept secret of World War II? The Japanese fire balloons. In this novel, a Japanese-American woman goes undercover to destroy these delicate but deadly creations.

"In Red Rain, Tim Wendel takes a footnote to World War II and masterfully expands it into a novel of dynamic action and human dimension. From bombed-out Tokyo to the arid forests of Arizona, he takes us into the fire, and expert guide he is, never loses his bearings." (Colson Whitehead)

"This is a terrific story, jammed with secrets, cross-purposes and revelations, and Tim Wendel has made a fine novel of it." (Oakley Hall)

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First published September 1, 2008

16 people want to read

About the author

Tim Wendel

27 books69 followers
Tim Wendel is an award-winning novelist and journalist. He is the author of 16 books, including Rebel Falls: A Novel, Summer of '68: The Season When Baseball, and America, Changed Forever, and Castro's Curveball. His stories have appeared in Gargoyle and The Potomac Review, and his articles in The New York Times, Esquire, GQ, Washingtonian and USA Today. A longtime writer-in-residence at Johns Hopkins University, Tim teaches fiction and nonfiction writing. Tim has worked has worked on both coasts, covering everything from the Olympics to the America's Cup. More information and his blog can be found at www.timwendel.com."

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for E.J. Stevens.
Author 53 books1,662 followers
June 30, 2010
A passionate tale of military espionage, loyalty, and love.

Red Rain delves into the secrets of the fire balloons deployed by Japan towards the end of WWII, the news blackout that blanketed these events in secrecy, and the reality of internment camps where Japanese Americans were forced to live like criminals behind barbed wire. Red Rain is an intriguing, suspenseful read filled with engaging characters. Against the backdrop of war torn Japan, the US internment camps, and tinder-dry US countryside Tim Wendel weaves an intricate story of one woman, motivated by the love of her family, willing to go behind enemy lines to discover the secrets that may help her country win the war. But in the end, who is family, where is home, and who should she remain loyal to? A wonderful new work of historical fiction.


I would recommend Red Rain to readers who enjoy historical fiction, romance, and suspense thrillers. Due to some of the adult content I would not recommend this book to young readers.

** This review posted on my blog: www.FromTheShadows.info **

Tomorrow I will be hosting an international giveaway for Red Rain and interview with author Tim Wendel. Giveaway ends July 10th.


Profile Image for Beth Slucher.
221 reviews3 followers
January 27, 2016
who knew the Japanese had paper balloons with incendiary devices that floated to the US on the jetstream?
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews

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