Rain Dance

Skye Kathleen Moody's first novel in the Venus Diamond, Fish and Wildlife agent, is exciting and suspenseful. Venus, recovering from malaria, is recalled from Bangkok in order to investigate the murder of Madge Leroux in Ozone Beach, a Puget Sound resort town. Venus is an intelligent, dynamic, humorous detective who quickly discovers a connection between the black market activities she had been investigation in Bangkok and Leroux's murder. The power of this novel resides in Moody's combination of action with interesting, believable characters. Her research into the issues surrounding poaching, endangered species, and the black market provides a depth to the novel, making it more than merely a terrific mystery.

It's been a long time since I have picked up a book to read for fun but ended up learning so much. Skye Moody delivers all of this in a very humorous mystery that made me laugh so much I couldn't put it down. The main character of Rain Dance, Venus Diamond, reminds herself of Peter Pan and children think she is possibly a freak. Her family is enough to drive anyone insane and she has to deal with malaria. These aspects just make her a stronger and more outgoing person that everyone will grow to love. The Pacific Northwest is always a favorite backdrop for mysterious happenings but Moody is unique for picking the coast. This is a must-read for mystery lovers.

Skye Moody has assembled a cast of quirky and offbeat characters - the type you never believe really exist until you actually meet them - in a mystery that holds your attention from beginning to end. The twists and turns were delightful, and basing the story on the real-life issues of an endangered species added a real timeliness to the plot. I am not a "tree-hugger," but the threat to bears became very real to me. The main character, Venus Diamond, is wonderful. She is full of all the insecurities and self-doubt that most of us suffer, but is still driven to achieve her own goals on her own terms, regardless of the differing opinions of her movie star mother. She is dynamic, sardonic and combative - in other words, totally intriguing to me and I'd love to meet her. I very much look forward to finding out more about her in succeeding books.