The Killing Moon

I've had the pleasure of reading all four of Chuck Hogan's novels, and I've found each one to be more fast-paced and riveting than the next. "The Killing Moon" reads like a movie that I can't wait to see. The characters are dynamic and well-executed, and the isolated setting of Black Falls is downright eerie, and I found the story pacing just as fluid as the swift, icy current of the Cold River. I disagree with the Booklist comment that found the narration to be bumpy. The point-of-view is clearly stated with chapter titles. Mr. Hogan has a gift of writing powerful, visual stories that keep you hanging on his every word, your eyes glued to the pages. I gladly stayed up way past my bedtime to read this one, even though I was twisting in my seat at times! I recommend "The Killing Moon" to `Type A' readers who like to feel their pulse quicken while reading. You're sure to get a jolt from this suspenseful read. I can't wait for the next thrill ride! Keep `em coming.

Chuck Hogan's latest novel, a classic suspense thriller, crafts an amazingly insightful profile of a small New England town with nowhere to go but down. Sounds depressing but actually it's not. I'm a fan of Hogan's work and with The Killing Moon, he has treated readers to one of his finest yarns yet. With the Killing Moon, Hogan has crafted a classic page turner (or is it page-turner?) filled with uncomplicated nuance and character. Hogan artfully builds the story, drawing the reader into a hidden sub-culture of drug-fueled depravity, sketching good guys and bad guys with such complelling humanity and depth, it's hard to know who the good guy really is until the very end. Which, for me, defines a classic suspense novel. Kudos to Chuck Hogan. Please keep writing.

I realy enjoyed this book, it is a must read for the crime fiction reader. The book is suspensful and informative at the same time. The mystery is gripping and makes it a real page turner. I would recommend this book to anyone connected with law enforcement

The Killing Moon is a phenomenally written, fast paced novel that you won't be able to put down until you are done. From the keep-you-guessing plot to the thoroughly engaging (some times creepy) characters this book will capture you from the moment you open the front cover. I highly recommend this terrifically suspenseful novel. You will be left eagerly awaiting in anticipation the next novel by Chuck Hogan!

The story takes place in the small town of Black Falls, Mass. Population 1,758. Since the closing of the paper mill, the town's economy is slowly dying. No supermarket, no ATM, no traffic lights and no cable or cell phone service. The police force has been cut from twenty men to two full-time and a few part-time officers. The Sergeant and highest ranking member of the force is Bucky Pail. Bucky has held this position since the death of his father three years before. Since Bucky came into power, the Department is corrupt. He and his employees terrorize the townspeople to the point that they are afraid to report any problems or complaints. Only one member of the Police Department, Don Maddox, a part-time officer who works the graveyard shift three night a week, is ligit. With the help of the town's elder statesman, Stavros Pintopolumanos, otherwise known as Pinty, Maddox is embedded into the police force of Black Falls to bust this corrupt organization. Maddox is an undercover state policeman. When a brutal murder stuns the town and a registered sex-offender goes missing, the state police homicide detectives arrive in town and take over the police station which of course does not sit well with Bucky. Bucky has enough problems, especially with his new employee, Maddox. Tension is high between the two men because Maddox will not play Bucky's game. Maddox upholds his undercover status and at times appears suspicious to Trooper Leo Hess, the state police detective in charge. As the mystery unravels, Hess is convinced that the sex-offender, Dillon Sinclair, is the murderer. Maddox is not convinced since Sinclair is his informant. This is my first Chuck Hogan thriller and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is very well-written, pacing is good and the climax is explosive. The murder scenes are a bit gory but do not take away from a most satisfying read.