Title: Crow Moon

Author: Suzy Aspley

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication Date: 14th March 2024

Rating: 4.5/5

Cover:

Summary:

When the crow moon rises, the darkness is unleashed…
 
Martha Strangeways is struggling to find purpose in her life, after giving up her career as an investigative reporter when her young twins died in a house fire.
 
Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, her life changes when she stumbles across the body of a missing teenager – a tragedy that turns even more sinister when a poem about crows is discovered inked onto his back…

When another teenager goes missing in the remote landscape, Martha is drawn into the investigation, teaming up with DI Derek Summers, as malevolent rumours begin to spread and paranoia grows. 

As darkness descends on the village of Strathbran, it soon becomes clear that no one is safe, including Martha…

Both a nerve-shattering, enthralling and atmospheric thriller and a moving tale of grief and psychological damage, Crow Moon is a staggeringly accomplished debut and the start of an addictive, unforgettable series.

Review:

One of the most important things to me whilst reading a book is atmosphere. I love it when a novel can create a powerful sense of setting and tone in a way that makes me feel something, especially when that something sends a shiver down my spine. Crow Moon achieves this beautifully – the small Scottish location, the strong sense of folklore and mysticism – and the fabulously eerie story make for a fantastic read. I was gripped from the very beginning with this stunningly evocative passage:

“A full moon glittered bright in the ink-black sky. A February moon that had slipped into the start of March, trailing winter’s frost-tipped fingers across dormant ground.”

Crow Moon is heavy with a sense of the supernatural without ever disappearing into the realm of impossibility. I always feel that here in Scotland there is a very powerful sense of folklore and history wherever you are, and Crow Moon utilises that power in a way that is both unsettling and compelling. I found the story intriguing and I liked main character Martha Strangeways (what a fantastic name) a lot, with her extremely sad recent loss, and her steely determination to uncover the truth of what is happening in Strathbran. I am very much looking forward to reading more from this talented author. Chilling, atmospheric and beautifully written – I would highly recommend Crow Moon.

★★★★.5

Thank you so much to Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours for inviting me on this tour and organising it. I kindly received a copy of the book from the publisher. My review is entirely my own honest opinion.

Buy the book:

Waterstones | Blackwell’s | Amazon