Book Review: Dark of the Moon

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Dark of the Moon     Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
Tess Pendergrass
Class/Genre:   Romance   Mystery   Romantic Suspense
Series: Destiny Millbrook and Daniel Parks # 2
Five Star, Dec 2004, $26.95, 332 pp.

Two years ago southwest water colors artist Alain Caine left his girlfriend librarian Destiny Millbrook without a second look to pursue his “real” destiny. Now with Jasper County California Arts and Crafts Fair to occur, Alain calls Destiny expecting her to house him for ten days. Destiny tells him to reside elsewhere. Besides deserting her, she has moved on and has a new boyfriend Detective Daniel Parks.

Not long afterward someone kills Alain in an alley. Daniel is the prime suspect as he seems to have a motive in terms of running scared of the competition for the heart of Destiny. Destiny plans to prove her significant other is innocent. However, she fails to understand the danger she places herself in from a sociopath who has already killed a former congressman’s daughter as well as Alain.

Though there is a police investigation into the homicides, DARK OF THE MOON is a fun amateur sleuth tale starring a delightful protagonist. The story line uses humor to defuse tension, but never loses sight of the professional and subsequently amateur investigations. Readers will appreciate the support cast, especially the chutzpah of Alain and the “fear” of Daniel that he might lose his beloved. Still this is Destiny’s novel as was DANGEROUS MOONLIGHT, her previous appearance.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner