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Shotgun Moon
Merry McCoy has served her time. Convicted of killing the man who raped her four years earlier, Merry returns to the family ranch in Hazel, Montana, where she plans to steer clear of the law. But when her cousin Lauri is accused of murdering a cheating boyfriend, Merry can't let her be railroaded the same way she was.
Setting out to prove Lauri's innocence, Merry gets close to her former flame, Officer Jamie Gutierrez, the one cop in town she can trust. With Jamie and a no-holds-barred parole officer backing her up, Merry discovers the town's good old boys--and girls--like to play rough. Still reeling from the violent events of her past, Merry may be too broken to survive the bloody shootout that erupts at her ranch.
Setting out to prove Lauri's innocence, Merry gets close to her former flame, Officer Jamie Gutierrez, the one cop in town she can trust. With Jamie and a no-holds-barred parole officer backing her up, Merry discovers the town's good old boys--and girls--like to play rough. Still reeling from the violent events of her past, Merry may be too broken to survive the bloody shootout that erupts at her ranch.
- GenresMystery
312 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 13, 2013
“Shotgun Moon” edges dark.
Merry McCoy is fresh off a stint in prison. She’s trailing a cloud but the details of what led to her four-year sentence are vague. Back in her Montana hometown, Merry is barely settling into once-familiar terrain when her cousin Lauri is accused of murdering an ex-boyfriend. The accusation stirs up every bit of foul residue from Merry’s own legal wrangling (again we aren’t told much).
Leaving prison isn’t a clean break, after all. She’s still dealing with parole officers and all the questioning glances from folks in town. She has her reasons to be distrustful of law enforcement types and the one guy in town who still generates a “kernel” of interest happens to her ex and her ex is a cop.
K.C. McRae populates the town of Hazel with a fine concoction of characters who give Merry plenty of fodder to ponder as she works to clear her cousin. “Shotgun Moon” calls for careful reading; clue-finding mystery readers will enjoy keeping track of the cast.
The writing is cool, understated, neat and crisp. Scents are everywhere. Merry relishes them and so do we. The smell of the country and horse barn carry meaning, “a plethora of memories mixed together in the still, dry air and deposited into her soul for consideration.”
McRae keeps the mood consistently taut. Merry may have a list of comfort foods and goodies she’s eager to devour now that she’s beyond prison chow, but patching up relationships and fixing emotions isn’t something she can check off a list, especially when the most difficult relationship to repair is the one she’s got with herself. Merry can’t keep a lid on her emotions forever and she finally gets a chance, shall we say, to reconnect, right there on the porch. A moment of pure release, slotted perfectly in the story.
McRae keeps Merry’s moments gritty, a perfect prelude to the action-packed finish. Cousin Lauri isn’t doing much to help herself. The clouds tighten. The world closes in. People lie, organizations front. If you’re seeking truth, deception might come in handy. The question for Merry is whether she can trust her instincts when the shotguns show up and the light chases the shadows away.
K.C. McRae might be the missing link between Craig Johnson (Wyoming) and William Kent Krueger (Minnesota). Long may Merry run. And I don’t mind at all if she stays a bit p.o.’d.
Full disclosure that K.C. McRae is a fellow Midnight Ink author. However, I stand by every word of this review.
Merry McCoy is fresh off a stint in prison. She’s trailing a cloud but the details of what led to her four-year sentence are vague. Back in her Montana hometown, Merry is barely settling into once-familiar terrain when her cousin Lauri is accused of murdering an ex-boyfriend. The accusation stirs up every bit of foul residue from Merry’s own legal wrangling (again we aren’t told much).
Leaving prison isn’t a clean break, after all. She’s still dealing with parole officers and all the questioning glances from folks in town. She has her reasons to be distrustful of law enforcement types and the one guy in town who still generates a “kernel” of interest happens to her ex and her ex is a cop.
K.C. McRae populates the town of Hazel with a fine concoction of characters who give Merry plenty of fodder to ponder as she works to clear her cousin. “Shotgun Moon” calls for careful reading; clue-finding mystery readers will enjoy keeping track of the cast.
The writing is cool, understated, neat and crisp. Scents are everywhere. Merry relishes them and so do we. The smell of the country and horse barn carry meaning, “a plethora of memories mixed together in the still, dry air and deposited into her soul for consideration.”
McRae keeps the mood consistently taut. Merry may have a list of comfort foods and goodies she’s eager to devour now that she’s beyond prison chow, but patching up relationships and fixing emotions isn’t something she can check off a list, especially when the most difficult relationship to repair is the one she’s got with herself. Merry can’t keep a lid on her emotions forever and she finally gets a chance, shall we say, to reconnect, right there on the porch. A moment of pure release, slotted perfectly in the story.
McRae keeps Merry’s moments gritty, a perfect prelude to the action-packed finish. Cousin Lauri isn’t doing much to help herself. The clouds tighten. The world closes in. People lie, organizations front. If you’re seeking truth, deception might come in handy. The question for Merry is whether she can trust her instincts when the shotguns show up and the light chases the shadows away.
K.C. McRae might be the missing link between Craig Johnson (Wyoming) and William Kent Krueger (Minnesota). Long may Merry run. And I don’t mind at all if she stays a bit p.o.’d.
Full disclosure that K.C. McRae is a fellow Midnight Ink author. However, I stand by every word of this review.
September 13, 2013
This was an okay read, but didn't enjoy it nearly as much as her Home-Crafting series, or the paranormal cozy myster series she writes as Bailey Cates. Probably actually a 2.5 star read, but going the extra 1/2 because I like her other stuff. I might read another in this series....might not. Didn't care for Merry, maybe it was mood after reading THE FUTURE IN OUR STARS, which just befuddled me like crazy.
October 23, 2013
This book is usually not the type of book I read. However I was quite surprised and impressed with the story! McRae wrote a very descriptive, suspenseful, fast-paced story with gritty, likable and unlikable characters. I will definitely recommend this book to our mystery book discussion group! They will definitely want to read this one!
October 4, 2013
As always, McRae's characters come alive on the page. It's fun getting to know them.
March 29, 2014
Excellent book!! I really enjoyed it!!
July 18, 2014
Perfect summer read, especially if you're also obsessed with the show Longmire and can't get those books because of crazy waitlists at your library.
December 3, 2013
This book draws you in with great characters and storylines. Well done
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews