In Ravenholt, the rain never cleanses the streets. It drowns them.
Detective Selene Rowan navigates the city with a badge on her belt and a migraine fuelled by the city's magical resonance. When a retired pit fighter is found dead with a shredded heart and veins black with "Scorch," the police dismiss it as an overdose. But Selene knows better. Standing over the body, she feels the cold, sharp static of an execution.
The dead man was a guardian to the only family he had—two brothers running out of shadows to hide in. Now, the crime lord Anthony Graves is coming for them.
With Dane—a wolf-shifter partner who treats police procedure as a suggestion—Selene must descend into the city’s gut to break Graves’s grip. But in a place built on blood and broken promises, saving the boys requires more than a badge. It requires stepping back into the shadows she knows too well.
Before the dusk falls, the copper rain will claim its due.
This standalone novella serves as an introduction to the world of Ravenholt and the official prequel to the upcoming novel, Brand of Dusk (2026).
The Copper Rain is a story that takes you into Ravenholt, a city where the rain never washes away the dirt. Instead, it feels like the rain just makes everything darker and heavier. The story follows Detective Selene Rowan as she tries to solve a strange murder. A man who used to be a fighter is found dead with a shredded heart and black veins. At first, the police think it’s just an overdose, but Selene knows there’s more to it. She senses something cold and sharp—like an execution.
What makes this story interesting is how real the city feels. Ravenholt is described in a way that makes it seem alive—the magic in the air, the shadows hiding secrets, and the feeling that danger is always close. The writing is simple but powerful, showing the city’s dark beauty without overdoing it. The story moves quickly, focusing on Selene’s investigation but also giving us little glimpses of her world and her struggles. It’s like walking through a city that’s full of secrets, waiting to be uncovered.
The main ideas here are about loyalty, survival, and how sometimes, things aren’t black and white. Selene is a detective, but she knows justice isn’t always clear in Ravenholt. The magic that causes her migraines is a symbol of the unseen forces that affect everyone—things they can’t see or control. She’s determined to do what’s right, even if it means walking into the shadows she knows all too well. The story shows that often, protecting loved ones means making tough choices and facing fears.
The tone of the story is kind and understanding. The author respects the city and its people, showing both the good and the bad. You can tell a lot of effort went into creating a believable world that feels real, full of history and pain but also hope. The characters feel genuine, and their struggles make sense because of how carefully they’re written.
What’s nice about this book is how it feels like talking to a friend who’s seen a lot and isn’t afraid to tell you the truth. The words are easy to understand, but they still make you feel the weight of the story. You get pulled into Ravenholt’s dark streets and complicated lives, and you start to care about what happens to Selene and the city.
This novella works well as an introduction to Ravenholt. It’s not about tying everything up in a neat bow, but about showing a place full of mystery and danger. Even when things look dark, there’s a sense that small acts of courage can make a difference. The story hints that in Ravenholt, sometimes the only way forward is to face the shadows and trust yourself.
In the end, The Copper Rain is more than just a murder mystery. It’s about facing the darkness inside us and around us, and finding strength even when everything seems lost. It reminds us that sometimes, the rain doesn’t wash away the dirt—it makes it stick. But even in that dirt, there’s hope.
This story leaves you with a feeling of quiet strength and curiosity. It makes you wonder what other secrets Ravenholt holds and shows that even in a city built on broken promises, there’s still a way to stand tall. It’s a story about resilience, shadows, and the courage to walk through the rain.
This novella is the perfect stepping stone for someone like me that has never read Urban Fantasy and I really enjoyed.
For a short story it has depth it is a faced paced easy read with just enough descriptive elements to keep it moving.
Set in Ravenholt you really do feel like you can identify with this place - whilst reading it was almost like i could hear the rain pouring and distant rumblings of industry
You become thirsty to learn more about Selene and Dane and the world and lives they lead. You become invested in their mission
I am excited to read the book this is a prequel too.
Thank you to the author for providing the eARC of this novella! 😊🖤
This novella opens up with a murder to solve and follows our FMC, Selene Rowan, a detective on the case with her partner, Dane, to solve who murdered Rook, the fighter. There are twists and turns, never would have guessed who the killer was. This novella was very well written and the pacing was excellent! The Copper Rain is a very intriguing story! I cannot wait to delve deeper into this world and learn more about Selene and Dane!
I love the author’s writing style—it truly feels like you're being transported into the world itself. There are times, however, that the amount of description in each action slows down the pace. Still, it didn't dampen the reading experience.
I don’t usually read urban fantasy or noir fiction, so this was a delightful, refreshing palate cleanser. I’m looking forward to reading more of the author’s books!
Fantastic short book, easy to read in one go. Nice word building, and interesting dialogues. Characters and story pulls you in and kept me intrigued. You can really feel connected to the characters. Highly recommended.
Its a good prequel. Gives a small look into Selenes personal life along with a case her and her partner Dane work on. Its has detectives, shifters, other supernatural people (dont want to give anything away). A good mystery and quick read. make you feel like you're there while reading it.
What a compelling start to a new debut series by AM Bennett🙌
Right off the cuff we are thrown into a world with magical abilities, shifters and other types of paranormals that live in a world alongside humans. Very interesting start and I’m looking forward to Brand of Dusk next☺️
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily leave my honest review🤩