It got shortlisted or long listed for some prestigious award, I don’t quite remember, but it’s a reasonably prestigious one. Probably suitable for children/ a children’s, as I read it in school between year 4 and 5.
It’s about an American colony affected by the steam-train and people trying to live there, I think they expanded because of/ relied on the train for supplies. A train serves as a large kind of symbol in it, and something to do with the plot. I believe the cover has a little girl walking in front of those steam engines
People move in by the train, I think, and there’s conflict with the natives. I most strongly remember the one plot-point with a lawyer, who told someone in the town that it was their fault they got scammed – the law says let the buyer beware – and it turned out that the lawyer was lying and was a betrayer and was actually trying to cover up the murder that happened sometime in the beggining of the book – something monetary was involved.
I think they were buying something from one of the people and it turned out the goods were faulty – probably some kind of foodstuffs for agriculture.
I know this is all super vague and unhelpful but if anyone even has an idea that would be amazing.
by HolyShitIAmBack1