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Rain Music
From Australia's favourite storyteller with new novel Arcadia out now."Rain Music is utterly compelling." West Australian"Morrissey's beautifully crafted story celebrates history and nature." Australian Women's WeeklyRain Music is inspired by Di Morrissey's adventures in Far North Queensland - its characters, its forgotten history, its modern dilemmas.Brother and sister Ned and Bella Chisholm are struggling with a family tragedy that has set them on opposite paths. After taking off to pursue his musical dreams in Far North Queensland, Ned disappears.When Bella goes in search of him, she finds herself in remote Cooktown, the isolated, little-known gem of the far north of Australia, and a place where both Ned and Bella's lives will be dramatically changed forever.One story through two sets of eyes.
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2015
81 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Di Morrissey
77 books381 followersDi Morrissey (born 18 March 1943 in Wingham, New South Wales) is one of Australia's most popular female novelists. She grew up in the remote surrounds of Pittwater, north of Sydney, Australia.
Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to California to live with family.
In her later years, Di went on to become a journalist on London's Fleet Street, and worked for CBS in Honolulu, where she lived with her husband who was in the foreign service, and even had a small role in the series Hawaii Five-0, a guest role in season three, episode seven, 1970 starring as 'Alicia Anderson'.
After moving back to Australia, Di published her first book 'Heart of the Dreaming' which instantly became a bestseller. Since then Di has published another 17 bestsellers, her latest being 'The Silent Country'.
Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to California to live with family.
In her later years, Di went on to become a journalist on London's Fleet Street, and worked for CBS in Honolulu, where she lived with her husband who was in the foreign service, and even had a small role in the series Hawaii Five-0, a guest role in season three, episode seven, 1970 starring as 'Alicia Anderson'.
After moving back to Australia, Di published her first book 'Heart of the Dreaming' which instantly became a bestseller. Since then Di has published another 17 bestsellers, her latest being 'The Silent Country'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 24, 2017
Again, I’ve chosen a dodgy audio cd to listen to. This novel was lacking storyline, interesting characters, any type of excitement and any type of reason to want to keep on reading. I did not enjoy it. This prolific author seems to write in an older generational tone, i.e. She writes not in the voice of youngsters. ‘Marvellous’ for instance, amongst so many others, the dialogue just doesn’t ring true. I’m not sure how she gets away with it, I don’t know how everyone isn’t noticing these things. The dialogue was stilted and unappealing. One portion of the storyline were some old letters being found, and these letters did not at all fit into the groove of the storyline. In fact, some of the sub plots just were not at all interesting, it was like it just didn’t fit together. I was not interested in the characters, they were boring and I was not invested in their lives whatsoever. This was mundane, boring and predictable. I don’t want to read this author anymore. I’m at a loss right now.
Oh, and of course, the narration was terrible. The change over from male to female was hard to listn to, even male to male, he was just trying to differentiate every character. At one stage I was trying to guess what was happening from male to female. He sounded like he was yawning! Yuck.
Oh, and of course, the narration was terrible. The change over from male to female was hard to listn to, even male to male, he was just trying to differentiate every character. At one stage I was trying to guess what was happening from male to female. He sounded like he was yawning! Yuck.
January 27, 2016
I picked this book up because I kept coming across it in bookstores, and the reason why is - it's written by an Australian author, about Australian history.
From the beginning I got this feeling - the writing style feels like high school creative writing. Everything feels too structured, too... following the rules. I really like authors that break the 'rules' of writing and what not, and write freely. But this book felt like it was going to be graded by an english teacher for the way the sentences are phrased. So, because of that, I couldn't get into the story. I couldn't take it too seriously, the characters are in their mid 30s but felt immature to me, like they're teenagers.
The other main problem is the predictability. Very predictable. Of course, it's not a psychological mystery but still. The fact that it was so predictable made it feel more like a young adult. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't reading fiction, because the things that were being written about were so mundane and well, unnecessary.
The good thing about this book is the historical aspect. It was obviously much more interesting to read about Queensland back when the British settled in Australia than to read about what the siblings are going to do after lunch. Whether it's going to the library or the museum or argue.
Overall, I do not recommend, especially to young adults, as there are many more books out there that will amaze you with their imaginative worlds and characters. I think only people who have had similar experiences to the family in this book will really relate to the characters, and end up enjoying it.
From the beginning I got this feeling - the writing style feels like high school creative writing. Everything feels too structured, too... following the rules. I really like authors that break the 'rules' of writing and what not, and write freely. But this book felt like it was going to be graded by an english teacher for the way the sentences are phrased. So, because of that, I couldn't get into the story. I couldn't take it too seriously, the characters are in their mid 30s but felt immature to me, like they're teenagers.
The other main problem is the predictability. Very predictable. Of course, it's not a psychological mystery but still. The fact that it was so predictable made it feel more like a young adult. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't reading fiction, because the things that were being written about were so mundane and well, unnecessary.
The good thing about this book is the historical aspect. It was obviously much more interesting to read about Queensland back when the British settled in Australia than to read about what the siblings are going to do after lunch. Whether it's going to the library or the museum or argue.
Overall, I do not recommend, especially to young adults, as there are many more books out there that will amaze you with their imaginative worlds and characters. I think only people who have had similar experiences to the family in this book will really relate to the characters, and end up enjoying it.
December 15, 2015
Di Morrissey writes wonderful stories. Set in Australia's North Queensland 'Rain Music' is a terrific story with great characters and an incredible location which is beautifully portrayed. Such an enjoyable novel - couldn't put it down!
March 14, 2018
I’m a huge fan of Di Morrissey’s work, her wonderful stories and the unique places they are set in are always intriguing and engrossing. I have a real love for any books set in and around Australia but Far North Queensland tops my list of places to read about whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. Rain Music is one of those books I knew I would love the moment I read the blurb as the gorgeous locations for this story is set in Cairns, Daintree and Cooktown. Anyone who knows me knows that this tropical paradise is my happy holiday place, I can’t help but have a constant smile pasted on my face when visiting these regions.
Rain Music is a book filled with beautiful and vivid descriptions of tropical Nth Qld, the author also does an amazing job of creating relatable characters. The pacing in the beginning is a little slow but half way through it picks up speed on account of a bit of suspense, crime and drama thrown into the mix combined with Ned and Bella’s tiffs and their sibling love for each other kept me glued to the pages until the end.
I have a penchant for white book covers featuring only a small amount of artwork on the white cover - love that sort of design therefore this cover is awesome!
Rain Music is a book filled with beautiful and vivid descriptions of tropical Nth Qld, the author also does an amazing job of creating relatable characters. The pacing in the beginning is a little slow but half way through it picks up speed on account of a bit of suspense, crime and drama thrown into the mix combined with Ned and Bella’s tiffs and their sibling love for each other kept me glued to the pages until the end.
I have a penchant for white book covers featuring only a small amount of artwork on the white cover - love that sort of design therefore this cover is awesome!
October 3, 2016
This is my second Di Morrissey and I’ve really enjoyed both books. I’ve never been to Far North Queensland, but almost feel as though I have, after reading this. The descriptions were vivid, the story was great and I’m keen to continue my reading journey with this author. 4.5★
May 6, 2016
Who am I to criticize this great author? Usually love all of Di Morrisey's books, but sadly did not enjoy this book as much as other recent novels. I did read on and on hoping it would get better. I did not like Bella or Ned at all. Loved Jack. It finally did get a bit more interesting towards the end. Don't want to spoil the story for others who may enjoy it, but when you find out the reason for all the agro and cancelling a wedding I thought it was a bit of a lame excuse. Perhaps I am old and unshockable.
Sorry dear Di, but I will look forward to the next book...if I didn't know better I would have thought this book was written by "someone else".
Sorry dear Di, but I will look forward to the next book...if I didn't know better I would have thought this book was written by "someone else".
January 23, 2016
Rain Music by Di Morrissey is an adventure and brilliant read from start to finish. Rain Music is set in Far North Queensland mostly around Cooktown. It's a real Australian read. One story through two sets of eyes. Poinciana trees as found in Queensland with music and the rainy season coming, museums and history are all part of this exciting new novel and adventure by Di Morrissey. I loved Rain Music.
June 25, 2017
This author comes up with some really good ideas, set in Australia and with interesting backgrounds. However, the writing is at times cringe-worthy and the actions of the main characters, too contrived. I'd like to edit her books before they go to print, mark out sentences and words and say "find another way to say this!".
April 12, 2018
Quite enjoyed this book. Nice easy reading :) definitely recommend for a wet Sunday afternoon :)
September 22, 2016
I liked this book and didn't like it. I would give it 2.5 stars - did not like the characters and there some lame reasons for why things happened but there were parts of the book I really enjoyed. This is my 1st Di Morrissey book and I would give another one a go as I believe this is one of her weakest books.
July 24, 2016
Really did not enjoy this, I persisted in reading to the end, but kind of wish I didn't bother.
Real shame, I usually enjoy this author's books.
Characters aren't nice, Bella I found to be a selfish little cow, Ned to be a waste of space, the way he acted with the news of the baby was terrible.
I think that Bella's boyfriend that she strung along for so long should be with the girl that Ned was with (forget if name was Toni or Tori - and I only finished reading the book a few hours ago.
You get to the end of the book and there is no ending, no nice little endings to the various little stories intermingled with the big story.
One of the biggest turn offs for me was the self righteous preachy tone of the writing, hsven't found thst in her books before, but there was lots of White Policy in this one, sorry but I read a novel as escapism not to be preached to or to be made to feel guilty forbthings that had happened in the early years of this country.
Yes overall extremely disappointed in this book, and as an additional comment, her books usually have the nicest covers, having been to Cairns, Port Douglas and Mosman , the cover could have been so much more enticing.
Big fail...actually changing my rating from 2 to 1, as I really did not enjoy.
Real shame, I usually enjoy this author's books.
Characters aren't nice, Bella I found to be a selfish little cow, Ned to be a waste of space, the way he acted with the news of the baby was terrible.
I think that Bella's boyfriend that she strung along for so long should be with the girl that Ned was with (forget if name was Toni or Tori - and I only finished reading the book a few hours ago.
You get to the end of the book and there is no ending, no nice little endings to the various little stories intermingled with the big story.
One of the biggest turn offs for me was the self righteous preachy tone of the writing, hsven't found thst in her books before, but there was lots of White Policy in this one, sorry but I read a novel as escapism not to be preached to or to be made to feel guilty forbthings that had happened in the early years of this country.
Yes overall extremely disappointed in this book, and as an additional comment, her books usually have the nicest covers, having been to Cairns, Port Douglas and Mosman , the cover could have been so much more enticing.
Big fail...actually changing my rating from 2 to 1, as I really did not enjoy.
April 12, 2025
I haven’t picked up a book by this author in quite a while and I’ve had this book sitting on my bookshelf for many years. Aussie Author Di Morrissey writes beautiful stories and her descriptions are so well written this book was a pure joy to read. Recommended.
October 6, 2017
Normally love a Di Morrissey story, but just could not get into this one. Started off okay but just didn't develop or I lost interest before it did. Did not finish. Life is short moved onto another book.
April 14, 2016
A stunningly beautiful story about love, family and secrets uncovered.
June 28, 2016
Interesting story but I did not enjoy this book as much as I have others written by this author.
August 11, 2023
I have only read one other of Di Morrisey’s books which I loved. While travelling in FNQ and staying in Cooktown I found Rain Music in the Cooktown museum and had to buy it. While reading I was delighted that Di Morrissey described so carefully most of the places I had visited during my stay, even describing, uncannily, a photo in the museum that I myself took an interest in! Mind blowing!! She is a beautiful writer, however, I didn’t love the story all that much. I found Bella a bit frustrating and meddling!
I have another book of Di Morrisey’s to read so I will give her another shot :)
I have another book of Di Morrisey’s to read so I will give her another shot :)
June 18, 2024
Morrissey’s biography in Rain Music states that her “[f]ascination with different countries - their cultural, political and environmental issues - has been the catalyst for her novels which are all inspired by a particular landscape”, and this perfectly encapsulates all the novels that I have read of hers so far. Having stumbled upon Morrissey in my bid to read more Australian novels this year, I’ve found Morrissey’s description of Queensland very interesting, definitely even more interesting than the actual plot and characters. The landscape is then perhaps Morrissey’s strongest suit.
December 1, 2017
4 star read. I am really enjoying discovering Di Morrissey's terrific novels about life in Australia. This time, she is in the Far North Queensland area and we meet Ned, a musician who has come to an isolated area to write music and expand his horizons. His sister Bella comes to find him and urge him to come home. But their experiences there before the Big Wet arrives, change both of them and family secrets are shared and lives changed forever. A really good read.
December 20, 2017
Rain Music is a family-related story of a musician, Ned, who travels to Cooktown to find some time to create new music. Along the way, he meets Toni, a psychotherapist. Ned's sister from Tennyson visits Ned to try and convince him to attend an event for his father. The story has a lot of historical aspects of Cooktown and surrounds in the book and is very descriptive of how life may be like in far north Queensland.
October 19, 2019
In thewilds of Australia so many cultures mingle and the place is told in this narrative in the description of alternative lifestylers that come and make their homes here, there is a generosity in people and also others who are on the wild side of life, it is so remote that conjures up all sorts of thought.
What great life it is for the musician and that he finally wants the truth to come out and to be honest, and that others learn from him how free up themselves.
What great life it is for the musician and that he finally wants the truth to come out and to be honest, and that others learn from him how free up themselves.
October 30, 2022
Meh. Highly average. I felt like it had great potential but the story was a bit jumbled for me. I tried to figure out how the title matched with the story, and how the story of Sister Evangeline letters matched with Ant and the abduction of Bella. Then, the story just ended at the airport. With no follow through of what happened with the father's ceremony or with Toni & Ned. Like I said, a bit jumbled and disjointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2017
Given to me as a present... I wish I didn't waste the few days reading this book. Very basic, plot and character development is very lineal. The language used for the younger characters in their 30s was more suitable to the voice of a 60 year old... very frustrating to read.
Don't waste your time.
Don't waste your time.
May 13, 2021
This is my first Di Morissey read and probably my last. A weak and boring plot. The language used by Bella and Ned was like that from a bygone era, not a musician and a modern career woman. As a Cairns local, I was frustrated by the mention of surfboards ( no surf in FNQ) and the Atherton plateau. ( actually called Atherton tablelands)
Don't bother.
Don't bother.
July 27, 2025
Very easy and enjoyable read. Di has fabulous description of places and does a lot of research on the history of a place. Great insight into early days of the gold fields, Chinese involvement and miners from
all walks of life. Her descriptions of North Queensland and especially Cooktown brought back many memories for me. This of course was background to modern day and family and love.
all walks of life. Her descriptions of North Queensland and especially Cooktown brought back many memories for me. This of course was background to modern day and family and love.
February 21, 2019
Enjoyed her book as she always gives insight into Australian history and her love of our country comes through her books. I like the way that this story shows two view points. LIked her book however for me the best ones
November 29, 2017
4.5 stars
January 23, 2018
Great story some intrigue & a lot about OZ
January 24, 2019
No depth in character. Weak story line. Had to push myself to finish it. Would not recommend.
December 5, 2019
I did enjoy this book which is set in North Queensland.
July 1, 2020
Absolutely loved it! Another fabulous book by Di Morrissey.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews