Dark Moon Walking

Dan Connor mystery #1

by R.J. McMillen

It’s been more than eight years since ex-cop Dan Connor put a troubled criminal named Walker behind bars, and a year since he handed in his badge. The remote islands off the Pacific Northwest coast seem like the perfect destination for his retirement. That is until increasingly sinister events disrupt his peace. When a mysterious boat drives Connor from his anchorage and a marine biologist working in the area goes missing, Connor is forced to team up with his former nemesis, Walker. They have little in common and are from very different cultures, but when a life hangs in the balance and a terrorist plot comes into play, their distinct knowledge and skills are the perfect mix.

With an eclectic cast of characters and a riveting plot, the first Dan Connor Mystery, Dark Moon Walking , is a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller that will keep you turning the pages until its explosive conclusion.

Genres: Mystery, Canada, Mystery Thriller

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Dan Connor mystery series.

Dan is moping around, sailing the west coast of Canada, when he gets a call from Walker. There's something strange going on up North. There's a strange black boat making the rounds, manned by a mysterious crew. For some reason, they try to kill Claire, and are currently searching everywhere for her.

Dan and Walker get to the bottom of things.

A good beginning that gets the principles of the series established.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the book because it was set in Coastal BC., made it relevant and real. Quick fast paced story also a plus.

[Stan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed the evocation of the far west Canadian experience: the remoteness, the types of personalities who live there, the sea-centered lifestyle. But I found the writing pedestrian and the characters stereotypical. For instance, there is an "Indian", who doesn't talk much and has amazing skills of stealth and trail-reading. Then there is the indomitable but vulnerable female who needs to be taken care of. And finally the emotionally injured white ex-cop trying to be in charge of things. Not to mention the supporting cast of hardened law enforcement professionals and the collection of cardboard "bad guys" -- author's words, not mine -- planning to pull off a terrorist plot. Even though the bond and affection between the Indian and the girl is far more convincing and believable, in the crowning blow it is of course the white guy who ends up romantically involved with the girl.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3.5 stars. I love the idea of a mystery series based right here in BC. This first volume was a great start. The author is obviously well-acquainted with the coastal waters of the Inside Passage, and her vivid descriptions of the natural landscape were enthralling. The plot was good, if a little simplistic, but the overall atmosphere of the novel was excellent. I like the main character, Dan, and love the respect the author shows for the aboriginal characters and their relationship to the landscape. That made for an excellent plot device as well. I look forward to the next book eagerly.

[Douglas Drummond · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written mystery/thriller set on the British Columbia central coast. There is a middle-aged police officer who has taken early retirement after a personal tragedy, boating around the coast while getting his head together. There is an ex-con indigenous man who has reconnected with his culture and community. And there is a young woman scientist doing research work alone on an island. The three will come together to face up to a well-equipped, ill-intentioned group of terrorist types. Little assistance is forthcoming from the official police because of the remote geography. I found the prose to be above average for a thriller. Indigenous culture is presented in a favorable light.

[Kathleen Hempstock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treasure from a talented Canadian author. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of the BC coast. The nature and culture intertwined with a great plot line and characters. I can hardly wait to read the rest of this series.

[BJ Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

RJ McMillen does it well! A good read of a mystery. Fast paced yet describes the scenery well so it places you there. Would recommend to anyone!

[Vontel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent 2014 book by Canadian author, taking place on BC's west coast, including more remote areas up the coast from Vancouver. International conference, terrorism, politics, thriller, mystery. Mix of the human stories of a policeman-Dan Connor- who recently resigned following the murder of his wife, and has gone North up the coast in a renovated working boat to restore his sense of peace. Walker is an aboriginal person from the area whom Connor arrested when he was trying to rob a bank in Vancouver, and returned home to learn more of his cultural traditions. Claire is a young woman, and marine biologist researcher, on her father's fish boat, conducting research up the coast for the summer. Well written and captivating. This is the first book in the series, and I have requested the next one (2015) from the library.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspenseful thriller, I enjoyed it a lot. A former police officer, recuperating on his boat in northern BC, gets caught up in an elaborate assassination attempt. His sidekick is an Indian whom he arrested 8 years ago, but who has now returned to the “old ways”. There is a love interest, a marine biologist also living on a boat, who is doing research.

[Kali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very engaging mystery that is hard to put down. Great use of suspense and tension while also keeping the story moving very smoothly. I loved the beautiful imagery that this author uses. All the main characters are very likeable, but my favourite character is Walker. I look forward to reading more books in this series!

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent well-written mystery novel set in the coastal islands of British Columbia. The story brings together real modern day threats with believable characters and modern day First Nations circumstance and lore.

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read, combining Pacific NW locations, native understanding of the land and intruders with unknown agendas. Quick read, well written