Chuck Hogan, The Killing Moon

The Killing Moon

Chuck Hogan

Scribner, January 2007, $25.00

ISBN: 0743289641

Don Maddox left Black Falls, Massachusetts on a community scholarship, with the promise of returning to provide five years of service. He finally did come home fifteen years later to attend the funeral of his mother. Everyone assumed he would leave again, as a town without an ATM cannot keep its young any longer.

However, Don fools the townsfolk when he decides to stay, which leads to speculation. Though with no law enforcement experience, he joins the police force renowned for their corruption and abuse; most locals conclude he must be dishonest too, perhaps with drugs. However, his traffic patrol during the graveyard shift runs ugly when a murder occurs. Soon the Massachusetts State Police arrive to investigate the homicide and more, at the same time the former police chief Pinty is trying to persuade them to look at his department and no one can figure out where the loose cannon Don fits, not even Tracey Mithers who is falling in love with him.

The small town cast make for a strong gripping and sinister thriller, as readers learn who the bad guys are and what Don's secret agenda is. The ending is expected from the moment the readers follow Don's first shift driving the blue lights, but no one will care, as fans will be hooked from that onset to learn what is going on in Black Falls under THE KILLING MOON.