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The Rain Barrel Baby

By (author): Alison Preston

When his neighbour discovers a dead baby in her rain barrel, Inspector Frank Foote is drawn into an investigation that leads him unwillingly back into his own past. And it looks like the sins of the father will be visited upon his children.

AUTHOR

Alison Preston

Alison Preston was born and raised in Winnipeg. After trying on a number of other Canadian cities, she returned to Winnipeg, where she lives in the Norwood Flats area. All of her mysteries are set in the Norwood Flats, including The Rain Barrel Baby, The Geranium Girls, Cherry Bites, and Sunny Dreams. A graduate of the University of Winnipeg, and a letter carrier for 22 years, Alison has been twice nominated for the John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer, following the publications of The Rain Barrel Baby (Signature Editions) and her first novel A Blue and Golden Year (Turnstone Press). She was also shortlisted for the Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award and the McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award for Cherry Bites.


Reviews

Alison Preston’s novel The Rain Barrel Baby isn’t a who-done-it kind of mystery. It doesn’t keep you on the edge of your comfy reading chair. When you’re home alone, you don’t look up from the page, thinking you’ve heard someone creeping down the hallway. Instead, the novel captures the everyday mysteries of character, relationships and families. It explores the world of secrets and the impact of harbouring those secrets. Nevertheless, The Rain Barrel Baby is a compelling read. The storytelling is well-paced for a thriller and Preston deftly knits together several meandering storylines. Beginning with a search for the baby’s identity, this novel explores the identity of each character and gives us a glimpse into the world of secrets that is all around us.


Awards

  • 2001, Winner
  • Excerpts & Samples ×

    Inspector Frank Foote’s quiet Winnipeg neighbourhood is greening into summer when a dead baby is discovered in his neighbour’s rain barrel. The tiny body has evidently been in the rain barrel for some time, and there are no obvious leads in the case. Frank is a cop, and he’s seen a lot of crime scenes, but this one is a little too close to home. Meanwhile, Gus Olsen, who made the gruesome discovery, is a little worried about a mysterious woman who is cruising their quiet neighbourhood in her Lincoln Town Car. He’s been meaning to talk to Frank about her, but somehow there never seems to be an opportune moment. Gus doesn’t want to bother Frank, who already has his hands full trying to take care of his household and his three children while their mother dries out in an addiction treatment centre. Frank is a good father, he tries to be a good husband, and he hopes he is a good cop. But, like all of us, Frank has a few old secrets that he is ashamed of. And when Ivy Grace suddenly resurfaces after a long absence, one thing is certain: before this summer ends, Frank will have to confront his past.

    Reader Reviews

    Details

    Dimensions:

    192 Pages

    Published:

    December 15, 2011

    Publisher:

    Signature Editions

    ISBN:

    9781897109755

    Featured In:

    Hello, Detective

    Language:

    eng

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