I’m so excited to be part of the TBR & Beyond tour for this book. Find the full tour schedule here.
About the book
Blood and Moonlight by Erin Beaty
Genre: Historical Mystery and Thriller
Publishing Date: June 28, 2022
Synopsis:
In Erin Beaty’s fantasy mystery-thriller, Blood and Moonlight, an orphan with a secret, magical sight gets caught between a mysterious genius and the serial killer he’s hunting.
Rising above the city of Collis is the holy Sanctum. And watching over its spires is Catrin, an orphan girl with unique skills—for she alone can spot the building’s flaws in construction before they turn deadly.
But when Catrin witnesses a murderer escaping the scene of his crime, she’s pulled into a dangerous chain of events where the only certainty is that the killer will strike again. Assigned to investigate is the mysterious and brilliant Simon, whose insights into the mind of a predator are frighteningly accurate.
As the grisly crimes continue, Catrin finds herself caught between killer and detective while hiding her own secret—a supernatural sight granted by the moon, destined to make her an outcast, and the only thing that might save her and those she loves from becoming the next victims…
Book Review
A page-turning tale of obsession, murder and intrigue set in a magical medieval world.
Catrin’s an orphan who’s carved out a home for herself at a cathedral called the Sanctum. But when evidence indicates her beloved master architect may be involved in a grisly, Jack the Ripper-style series of murders, she joins the investigation to make sure the investigator considers others suspects. Catrin soon finds herself drawn to the mysterious investigator, Simon, even as Simon’s wealthier cousin and Cat’s childhood friend also show an interest in her.
This book pits two religions against each other – the followers of the sun and the followers of the moon, who can tap into magic in the moonlight. Cat was raised in a nunnery by followers of the light, but she begins to have experiences she cannot explain. When followers of the moon begin trailing her, she begins to question everything she thought she knew.
Determined her friends are innocent, Catrin uses her extra-sharp senses to find evidence that the killer is someone else. But the killer begins toying with Simon and Cat, leaving trophies and evidence to taunt them. But Cat’s keeping secrets, too. In the moments before their death, she’s heard the victims calling to her in her head. As the killer’s victims get more personal, Cat has to decide who she can trust.
Filled with potential suspects, this book kept me guessing until the very last page. The magic system was well-done, and the descriptions of Cat discovering her powers were beautiful. This was a well-done, unique fantasy.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and TBR & Beyond Tours for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
About the author
Erin Beaty was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, which means she can’t drive a tractor but won’t eat veggies that come from a can.
She graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2000 with a BS in Aerospace Engineering (Astronautics) and German, then served in the fleet as a weapons officer on a combat destroyer and later as an instructor the Center for Naval Leadership.
After a few years as a stay-at-home mother and navy wife with a casual family blog, Erin upped her game and started writing her first novel in the spring of 2014. She is now the author of the Traitor’s Circle Trilogy published by Imprint, Macmillan and in several foreign languages.
She and her husband have five children, two cats, and a vegetable garden and live wherever the navy tells them to go.
Erin has taught classes at The Muse Writers Center in Norfolk and has also served on the advisory board of Hampton Roads Writers.
Need more to read? Find all of my fantasy recommendations here.
