The Power of Rain: A Digger Doyle Mystery

The Power of Rain: A Digger Doyle Mystery

National Federation of Press Women Award Winner. Book one in the Digger Doyle Mystery Series One reporter. One protest. One storm that will change everything. In the sun-scorched city of Las Vistas, New Mexico, the promise of progress comes at a steep price. Elizabeth “Digger” Doyle, a young reporter at a struggling newspaper, has made a career out of uncovering local corruption. But when a controversial road project threatens a centuries-old Spanish chapel, Digger finds herself torn between duty and desire. The protest’s passionate leader, artist-activist Maria Ortiz, awakens something in Digger that blurs the line between journalistic objectivity and personal conviction. As a powerful developer pushes to expand his luxury subdivision and summer storms unleash floods that mirror the turmoil inside her, Digger must decide which truths are worth telling—and what she’s willing to sacrifice to tell them. Set against the dramatic beauty of the New Mexico high desert, The Power of Rain weaves political intrigue, environmental tension, and forbidden love into a story about loss, courage, and the relentless pursuit of truth. Filled with intrigue and suspense, mystery fans will love The Power of Rain - Michael Rothrock, The Book Commentary The dry desert town of Las Vistas, New Mexico is growing in population and sprawl. Its problems are growing too. Torrential rain causes massive flooding and property damage, which could have been avoided had the developer not cut corners. In covering the story of the flood, journalist Elizabeth "Digger'' Doyle discovers that the developer, Johnny Raposa, has a habit of cutting corners with his developments. While investigating Raposa, Digger is approached by a local activist named Maria who is bent on stopping a road project Raposa is behind that would endanger a historical chapel. Digger quickly develops feelings for Maria, but their budding relationship is complicated by a tug-of-war between love and Digger's journalistic integrity. While Digger navigates her complicated relationship with Maria and follows mysterious leads into Raposa's past, the developer uses his money and influence to back a new candidate for mayor to ensure the project he desperately needs in order to remain financially solvent comes through. Rosalie Rayburn's The Power of Rain contains expertly crafted prose that pulls off the seemingly impossible by making small-town politics a page-turning subject matter. The protagonist is well-developed and leads a life filled with enough turmoil and intrigue to keep the reader on the edge of their seat as she navigates a complicated relationship, a journalistic mystery, and uncertainty regarding her employment. Raposa is an antagonist equally well-developed that the reader will love to hate for his hidden motives and arrogance. Filled with intrigue and suspense, mystery fans will love The Power of Rain . The strong female lead and queer representation ensure that lovers of diverse characters will also appreciate and enjoy this unique story. I was literally absorbed, thanks to the richly drawn characters and the cleverly written plot.     Digger Doyle's World and Mine The Power of Rain is my first book featuring my tenacious young reporter Elizabeth "Digger" Doyle. I was inspired to write it because of my concern for the environment in the fragile high desert landscape of New Mexico. I drew on my experience as a reporter in New Mexico, where I lived for 22 years. New Mexico is a magical place with stunning landscapes and a unique blend of Anglo, Hispanic and Native American cultures. I love it dearly. The characters in the book are all fictional, but the situations and dilemmas they face are true to life. I spent many years reporting on local politics where I came to understand the conflicting loyalties and the lies and half-truths that politicians and public relations people repeat.  For several of my years as a reporter, I attended endless public meetings. A lot of people would say 'that must have been so boring!' For me, it became like watching a form of live theater. Over time, you get to know the characters, both the elected officials and the residents who speak at public meetings. You see all the petty prejudices. This fascinated me. Although the setting for The Power of Rain is fictional, the clash of cultures between newcomers to Las Vistas and the old Hispanic families was modeled on what I witnessed over many years.  Another theme running through my three Digger Doyle books is the love of New Mexican cuisine. I have used the character of Abuela,  Maria Ortiz's grandmother, as a way to introduce wonderful dishes like posole, (a kind of thick soup with hominy and red chile), enchiladas, calabacitas (a dish with squash and other vegetables), and of course, Digger's favorite Breakfast Burritos! I also wanted to provide an insight into the lesbian world in New Mexico in a way that was down to earth. Readers have said they appreciate the realisti