Anna Rains
The author was one of three children born to an unorthodox British couple in 1942. Her mom’s parents were landed gentry, while her fathers were working class. Her parents shared an artistic and adventurous bent, though, and the family lived outside of many societal norms, such as in caravans, a circus, and farmhouses, among other places. When she grew up, Rains lived with her own family in Hong Kong, Scotland, California, and England. Organized around moves and composed of short narratives, the book is almost a linear plotline, digressing to give people’s backgrounds. The majority of the moves happen at the beginning, and the pace of the book here is the swiftest. Rains’ mother’s many projects, her bad cooking, and creative knitting add levity to these chapters. Letters from friends attest to the brightness the author brings to her communities and to the text.
In the Wake of Betrayal
It is the story of the kidnap of a child. There are three subplots that run in unison and the whole story takes place in less than a week. The subplots are – Mother and the police; the kidnapper and the child; the father of the child, who is involved, but living in France.
Until the kidnapper makes a mistake, the police have no clues as to who did the kidnapping or where they have taken the child. The ransom they are demanding is £3 million.
The plot unfolds over six days leaving the reader anxious to hear about the outcome of the kidnapper – and the child.
The London Book Fair Gallery 2025
The Senator's Mistress
The author, Anna Rains, began writing this novel in 2009 and completed it in 2024. In this book, Anna has taken a lot of her ideas from experiences of her time in Southern California, and working in banking while living there. She met some colourful people, not unlike the character RT, whom she describes in glorious detail. Once, when asked how she came up with her plots, she replied – I have lived in so many places and have done more and experienced more than most people do in three lifetimes and so it is easy to come up with a plot.
From A Bus to A Haunted Farmhouse: Life and Times of An Unconventional Family
Step into a world where aristocratic ancestors mingle with circus folk, ghosts haunt the upstairs bedroom, and dinner conversations often end in laughter or scandal.
In this delightfully candid memoir, Anna Rains introduces readers to her wildly eccentric British family-a cast of unforgettable characters spanning generations, continents, and class divides. From noble roots and military heroes to wartime performers, accidental gypsies, and spirited matriarchs, From A Bus to A Haunted Farmhouse is a true story brimming with warmth, wit, and unexpected twists.
An author who began writing late in life, whose imagination runs riot.
“A voice awakened in life’s golden hour, her pen spills wonder and wildness—each story a testament to the untamed landscapes of imagination and the beauty of a belated beginning.”
Reader's Favorite Review
Anna Rains offers readers an unforgettable and high-stakes mystery adventure. She leads us through a maelstrom of tension, dysfunctional family dynamics, and twisted agendas. The story kept me guessing from the start to the finish. I didn't think I would second-guess myself so much as I tried to determine Bernard's motive for abducting Hugo. Gradually, readers are cued in on the different types of family dynamics at play in Helen's life. The toxic familial relationships, in particular, add an exquisite sense of trepidation to the storyline. I was completely engrossed in Colin and the police's relentless search for Hugo. The author's writing is entirely absorbing, and I felt as if I was going through the entire ordeal with Helen and her family. I encourage anyone who likes a good whodunit mystery to read this book. I recommend In the Wake of Betrayal to fans of fast-paced psychological thrillers and character-driven crime dramas.
In the Wake of Betrayal by Anna Rains has three intertwining plots that lead to a fulfilling conclusion. The story was filled with thrilling action, and the suspense kept me captivated throughout. With its many surprising twists and turns, I was always unsure of what would come next. I found myself racing through the pages to see how Hugo was faring, hoping he was all right. The writing was engaging, and the chapters seamlessly transitioned from one to the next without losing coherence. The characters felt genuine and relatable. Each character's backstory enriched my understanding of them. This story was masterfully crafted and held my interest from beginning to end. This book far surpassed my expectations, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Running the plot on a multi-perspective timeline, Anna Rains introduced me to a diverse, dynamic cast. The vivid depictions brought the scenes to life. It felt like I was next to the cast, closely following them from Wiltshire all the way deep into France and Wales. The purposeful, character-driven conversations gave insight into the cast’s conflicts. Rains depicted the cast well, juxtaposing their complex emotions. This tale brings a sad truth about reality to light. Even the most genuine of souls cannot escape the cruelty in the world. But there is one consolation. Eventually, no injustice escapes a reckoning. There is betrayal, deceit, retribution, drama, suspense, plot twists, and more. Lovers of crime thrillers will find In the Wake of Betrayal an enthralling read.