Firefly in the Rain is a beautifully written and compelling tale of an armed rebellion in the trans-Saharan land of Rivenia. The story is narrated by a retired history teacher, known as 'The Professor', as circumstances relentlessly drive him to enter the world of dangerous intrigue and mortal danger of the rebels, his very character being transformed in the process. His coincidently falling in love with the daughter, Aida, of a senior government official has unexpected consequences which add to an enthralling and tantalizing plot. Extracts from mediaeval Middle Eastern literature highlight the critical part that history and culture play in affecting the politics of the region, the past pointing the way to the future. The battle scenes and weaponry used are described with an eye to technical accuracy, and the characters have an emotional impact on the reader.