Review of Murder Under Redwood Moon
Posted: 17 May 2024, 11:49
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Murder Under Redwood Moon" by Sherri Lynn Dodd.]
Murder Under Redwood Moon by Sherri Lynn Dodd is a gripping murder mystery thriller beautifully blended with dark horror and witchcraft that will make you gasp with anticipation at every turn of the page. This book offers an array of elements: love, friendship, romance, sacrifice, violence, murder, suspense, witchcraft, black magic, and more. The plot gradually builds up as you read, with rising suspense. You will witness torment and gruesome torture, the sick mind of a serial killer, and bone-chilling instances of black magic, alongside the unconditional bonds of love, friendship, and family. Readers will then experience a fully action-packed climax with a creepy touch, which is sure to satisfy any mystery and thriller lover.
The book begins with Ian having foresight in his dream about his brother-in-law, Fergus, cruelly hurting his precious eight-year-old daughter Arista using black magic. Trembling with rage and fear, he and his wife, Kiera, immediately rushed to their daughter's room to check on her, only to find her peacefully sleeping. Relieved, he asked Arista some questions to confirm nothing was wrong, but his suspicions became reality when he discovered a dried scar on her belly. He knew immediately that it was Fergus's doing. This situation sets the basis of the plot.
We then see Arista, now twenty-three, living in her inherited mountain cottage at Redwood, with her aunt living a block away. She works in a crystal store and leads a happy and peaceful life surrounded by friends, family, and nature.
Arista's family is gifted with powers—they are witches who perform only white magic to protect themselves and sometimes their community. Arista was born with unique powers, which is why her evil uncle Fergus wanted to use black magic to steal them when she was eight. Her parents, deeply bonded with their powers, decided to leave Arista with her aunt Bethie to protect her from Fergus.
Now grown, Arista has learned all the good witchy rituals and chants from her aunt. One day, she briefly encounters her middle school friend Michelle, who later goes missing and is found brutally murdered. The town initially thinks it’s an isolated incident, but when another girl named Lilith is found dead in the same river, they realize a serial killer is at large. As more girls disappear, the town is terrorized, and the authorities are desperate to find the killer. Will they be able to save the latest victim, Tiffany? Could Arista be the next target? Is there a connection to Fergus? Prepare for a tale of chilling horror, inhuman brutality, dark black magic, and the divine power of white witchcraft that will blur the line between reality and the supernatural.
What I truly admired about the book was the author's ability to maintain suspense until the climax. The author skillfully reveals just enough to keep readers from feeling lost, yet preserves the suspense to maintain interest. It's commendable how well he balances this. Additionally, the blend of serial-killing thrillers and spooky witchcraft was unique. I don't think I've ever read a book with such concepts, which made it twice as interesting and appealing to me. The author's engaging writing style is worth mentioning. As you move from one chapter to another, you may initially be unsure of which character's perspective you're reading, but it all connects perfectly. Each chapter, written from different characters' perspectives, is beautifully interconnected, ensuring you don't feel lost or disconnected. Furthermore, the author's attention to detail is spot-on. The vivid descriptions of surroundings, characters' features, and especially nature, weather, and environment create a clear, serene image in my mind. This level of detail is highly commendable.
On a lighter note, I learned many tea recipes from the book. As a tea lover, I was amused by the variety. Another noteworthy point is the strong message about the effects of neglected or overly strict parental behavior on children’s mental health. The genuine bonds of relationships portrayed were heartwarming. The romance between Arista and her boyfriend Shane was super cute and steamy, making me blush at times. The climax is the book’s most thrilling part, with action, spookiness, and unpredictability making it super enthralling. The author ends the book on a cliffhanger, hinting at a potential sequel, which I am very much looking forward to, as there are still questions left unanswered.
There's nothing to dislike about the book. It was a very fulfilling experience for me. I should mention that it contains curse words and descriptions of violent brutality, which may be sensitive for some readers. I found very few errors, and overall, it’s well-edited. These elements didn’t affect my reading experience, so I rate this book a well-deserved 5 out of 5. I recommend it to mystery, thriller, horror, and witchcraft enthusiasts. The book exceeded my expectations.
******
Murder Under Redwood Moon
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Murder Under Redwood Moon by Sherri Lynn Dodd is a gripping murder mystery thriller beautifully blended with dark horror and witchcraft that will make you gasp with anticipation at every turn of the page. This book offers an array of elements: love, friendship, romance, sacrifice, violence, murder, suspense, witchcraft, black magic, and more. The plot gradually builds up as you read, with rising suspense. You will witness torment and gruesome torture, the sick mind of a serial killer, and bone-chilling instances of black magic, alongside the unconditional bonds of love, friendship, and family. Readers will then experience a fully action-packed climax with a creepy touch, which is sure to satisfy any mystery and thriller lover.
The book begins with Ian having foresight in his dream about his brother-in-law, Fergus, cruelly hurting his precious eight-year-old daughter Arista using black magic. Trembling with rage and fear, he and his wife, Kiera, immediately rushed to their daughter's room to check on her, only to find her peacefully sleeping. Relieved, he asked Arista some questions to confirm nothing was wrong, but his suspicions became reality when he discovered a dried scar on her belly. He knew immediately that it was Fergus's doing. This situation sets the basis of the plot.
We then see Arista, now twenty-three, living in her inherited mountain cottage at Redwood, with her aunt living a block away. She works in a crystal store and leads a happy and peaceful life surrounded by friends, family, and nature.
Arista's family is gifted with powers—they are witches who perform only white magic to protect themselves and sometimes their community. Arista was born with unique powers, which is why her evil uncle Fergus wanted to use black magic to steal them when she was eight. Her parents, deeply bonded with their powers, decided to leave Arista with her aunt Bethie to protect her from Fergus.
Now grown, Arista has learned all the good witchy rituals and chants from her aunt. One day, she briefly encounters her middle school friend Michelle, who later goes missing and is found brutally murdered. The town initially thinks it’s an isolated incident, but when another girl named Lilith is found dead in the same river, they realize a serial killer is at large. As more girls disappear, the town is terrorized, and the authorities are desperate to find the killer. Will they be able to save the latest victim, Tiffany? Could Arista be the next target? Is there a connection to Fergus? Prepare for a tale of chilling horror, inhuman brutality, dark black magic, and the divine power of white witchcraft that will blur the line between reality and the supernatural.
What I truly admired about the book was the author's ability to maintain suspense until the climax. The author skillfully reveals just enough to keep readers from feeling lost, yet preserves the suspense to maintain interest. It's commendable how well he balances this. Additionally, the blend of serial-killing thrillers and spooky witchcraft was unique. I don't think I've ever read a book with such concepts, which made it twice as interesting and appealing to me. The author's engaging writing style is worth mentioning. As you move from one chapter to another, you may initially be unsure of which character's perspective you're reading, but it all connects perfectly. Each chapter, written from different characters' perspectives, is beautifully interconnected, ensuring you don't feel lost or disconnected. Furthermore, the author's attention to detail is spot-on. The vivid descriptions of surroundings, characters' features, and especially nature, weather, and environment create a clear, serene image in my mind. This level of detail is highly commendable.
On a lighter note, I learned many tea recipes from the book. As a tea lover, I was amused by the variety. Another noteworthy point is the strong message about the effects of neglected or overly strict parental behavior on children’s mental health. The genuine bonds of relationships portrayed were heartwarming. The romance between Arista and her boyfriend Shane was super cute and steamy, making me blush at times. The climax is the book’s most thrilling part, with action, spookiness, and unpredictability making it super enthralling. The author ends the book on a cliffhanger, hinting at a potential sequel, which I am very much looking forward to, as there are still questions left unanswered.
There's nothing to dislike about the book. It was a very fulfilling experience for me. I should mention that it contains curse words and descriptions of violent brutality, which may be sensitive for some readers. I found very few errors, and overall, it’s well-edited. These elements didn’t affect my reading experience, so I rate this book a well-deserved 5 out of 5. I recommend it to mystery, thriller, horror, and witchcraft enthusiasts. The book exceeded my expectations.
******
Murder Under Redwood Moon
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon