In 1968, Daniel Russel was only 13-years old when his father drove them off a bridge in a murder-suicide attempt. Luckily, Ronnie Candles and her father were nearby and he was rescued and taken into their home. At night though Russel is haunted by visits from his father in his dreams.
Ten years later when his father’s car is found, Russel returns home to examine the remains. Only, there is one more set of bones in the trunk of the car.
Moon Lake is initially a moving study of Russel as a young boy, the warmth and love of his rescue family, and the managed expectations of the Aunt he goes to live with. Lansdale is a true story teller and his perception of family and love are well characterized.
Of course, that’s not all in this East Texas noir. As Russel goes back to his home town, he sees clearly the small town politics and corrupted souls underneath the veneer of civility. The deeper he investigates the deeper the baseness. Mind you, Lansdale will also have you laughing out loud.
Certainly Joe R. Lansdale is not in the realm of the debut to mid-list author that I normally feature. But when a book is this good, such a rewarding read, I don’t think we should hold his success against him 🙂
~ June Lorraine Roberts
Murder in Common is a Feedspot Top 100 Crime Novel Website
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