Title: Dark of the Moon
Author: John Sandford
First published October 2, 2007
373 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780399154775 (ISBN10: 0399154779)
Rating: 3.99
Overview
In the standalone spin-off of VIP, Tempting Bad, meet Brooke, a woman who craves the thrill of living life on the edge. Despite being raised by privileged parents who taught her right from wrong, Brooke prefers to exist in the gray area where anything goes.
But when her family life crumbles and she is left to face a world of hate and violence, Brooke is forced to learn how to be a man and stand up for herself. However, no matter how far she runs, her past will always catch up to her, haunting her every move.
M. Robinson’s Tempting Bad is a gripping tale of love, loss, and the battle to overcome the demons of the past.
Warning: This book contains mature content and is intended for adult readers only.
About the Author
John Sandford, originally named John Roswell Camp, was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on February 23, 1944. He attended public schools in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Washington High School in 1962.
Afterward, he pursued higher education at the University of Iowa where he received his bachelor’s degree in American Studies in 1966. During his time at the university, he fell in love with Susan Lee Jones, a fellow student, and they married the same year.
From 1966 to 1968, he served in the U.S. Army before becoming a reporter for the Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian from 1968 to 1970. He then returned to the University of Iowa from 1970 to 1971 to earn his master’s degree in journalism.
Sandford worked for The Miami Herald from 1971 to 1978 and later for the St. Paul Pioneer-Press from 1978 to 1990. In 1980, he was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize and won the Pulitzer in 1986 for his series of stories about a farm crisis in the Midwest.
Sandford began writing thriller novels in 1990 and has since authored several books. Additionally, he has written two non-fiction books, one on plastic surgery and the other on art.
He is a major financial supporter of an archeological project in the Jordan Valley of Israel and is deeply interested in art and photography. In his free time, he enjoys hunting and fishing.
Sandford has two children, Roswell and Emily, and a grandson named Benjamin. Sadly, his wife, Susan, passed away from metastasized breast cancer in May 2007 and is greatly missed.
Editoral Review
Dark of the Moon by John Sandford is a thrilling crime novel that takes readers on a wild journey through the Minnesota countryside. Sandford is a prolific author who has written over thirty books in his Prey series, and this latest installment showcases his mastery of the genre.
Set in the small town of Bluestem, Dark of the Moon follows the investigation of a brutal murder that rocks the community. The victim, a young boy, is found tied to a tree and burned alive, and it quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary crime.
As the local sheriff, John Quinn, and his team delve deeper into the case, they uncover a web of dark secrets and hidden connections that threaten to tear the town apart. Sandford’s writing style is fast-paced and action-packed, with vivid descriptions that bring the Minnesota landscape to life.
He also has a talent for creating complex, multi-dimensional characters who feel real and authentic, even in the most extreme situations. Quinn is a particularly compelling protagonist, a veteran cop who is haunted by his past and struggling to keep his personal demons at bay.
One of the strengths of Dark of the Moon is its ability to tackle serious themes while still delivering a thrilling and suspenseful narrative. Sandford explores issues of power, corruption, and morality within the context of a small-town crime story, creating a layered and thought-provoking narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
While there are a few moments where the plot feels a bit convoluted or contrived, overall Dark of the Moon is a well-crafted and compelling novel that will appeal to fans of the crime genre. Sandford’s writing is skillful and engaging, and his ability to create suspense and tension is unparalleled.
For those looking for an exciting and thought-provoking read, Dark of the Moon is a definite must-read. Sandford is a master storyteller, and this latest installment in the Prey series is further proof of his talent.
Highly recommended.
