Under the Cold Moon

by C. Jean Downer

Private investigator Sloane West knows that every murder begins with a lie. Vancouver Island harbors the darkest.

Under a cold moon, a brutal murder occurs, and a boy vanishes. The RCMP suspects the child is the killer, but in Old Denwick, things aren’t always what they seem.

A battle has begun. An ancient demon and a sinister order of magicals is threatening everything Sloane loves. To find the boy and protect her coven, Sloane must rely on both her investigative skills—and a few new spells.

Under the Cold Moon is the 2nd in the Sloan West Mystery Series. Don’t miss the first Lies are Forever.

Genres: Fantasy, Crime, Lesbian

280 pages, Paperback

Published November 19, 2024

About the author

C. Jean Downer is a critically acclaimed author of mystery and suspense thrillers. Her books have been Kirkus Reviews recommended, multi-award finalists, and Amazon best sellers. Her backlist includes Trailhead, a romantic suspense novel, and The Sloane West Mysteries, an urban-fantasy detective series.

Writing in the crime thriller genre has always been her passion, and her focus now is solely on domestic psychological thrillers. She is also an award-winning haiku poet. Her haiku appear in national and international print and online journals and anthologies.

C. Jean has dual citizenship in Canada and the United States and lives in the beautiful Canadian Pacific Northwest. You can follow her blog at https://www.cjeandowner.com/.

Reviews

[Diane (IF U'RE PRIVATE, PLEASE SKIP ME!!!) Wallace]

4.5 stars!
A very good, entertaining and intriguing book #2 in the ongoing paranormal fantasy/private investigator 'Sloane West Mystery' series.
Highly recommended book and series!

[Aleana]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.


Sloane has discover that she is a witch now she reside in a small town of Old Denwick on Vancouver Island with her newly found family and coven. As she dives more into the magical world she learning to master her powers while trying to figure out who after them I love that Sloane as private investigator can see both sides of magical world with non magical and how both aren’t so different there are some twists with both world. I love the slow burn romance that has its own problems. I won’t give more details but there are answers but more questions and can’t wait for the next book.

[Women Using Words]

I am generally not a big fan of stories that contain elements of the supernatural or witchcraft, but there is something about C. Jean Downer’s storytelling that I find immensely appealing. Her first book, Lies Are Forever, blew me away, and I immediately became a fan. The tone and cadence of the writing, the rise and fall of the plot, and the characters—especially the characters—they are all so well developed! Even in a supernatural setting, they’re very relatable. Readers easily invest in their journey and the world they inhabit. When I discovered she had a sequel out, I had to get my hands on it. I read it in two days, and when I finished, I was not disappointed!

Under the Cold Moon is the second book in the Sloane West Mystery series, and readers are once again immersed a fabulous story world. Downer designs it well, using specific details unique to the region where Sloane lives in Canada. She captures the geography, climate, architecture, and culture perfectly. The setting is atmospheric and it evokes a sense of mystery and enchantment. It feels rich and enveloping, yet at the same time it is dynamic and evolving. It makes the fantastical elements believable and engaging.

Perhaps one of the reasons someone like me, a person that doesn’t usually choose anything seeped in a supernatural story world, loves Downer’s tales is because she blends the familiar with the unfamiliar in a relatable, accessible way. It all feels approachable and believable. Even though my analytical brain knows parts of it are just fantasy, it still wants to go there. It can’t resist! The dark woods, historic buildings, and quaint and quirky village all contribute to a captivating ambiance that draws readers in and keeps them hooked. Furthermore, Downer takes care to paint the supernatural elements with an internal logic that feels consistent, helping to maintain the suspension of disbelief. Readers understand and accept the rules of Sloane’s world. Therefore, the story feels coherent, tangible, and balanced. Moreover, it feels emotionally resonant, a critical component of any good story.

And last but not least are the characters. Downer seems to be a master at creating characters readers can sink their teeth into and enjoy. Sloane, of course, remains the central figure in the tale, and she continues to be extremely likable, perhaps even more so in this second installment. Her vulnerability is always on full display, capturing readers’ empathy and hearts. Her flaws sharpen the storytelling and expose themes of struggle between good and evil. Sloane is a dynamic character, and her arc continues to highlight her growth, not only in magical abilities but morality as well. It adds a certain depth and complexity to the storytelling, giving readers something to appreciate.

The secondary characters continue to shine as well. Dorathea and Elvina once again make an appearance and continue to entertain. With the introduction of a new character, Jack, Sloane’s cousin, they work to elevate the storytelling, making it richer and more dynamic. With their strong backstories and unique voices, they indeed make for memorable figures. Though they are each distinct and have their own roles in the story, they still manage to provide support for the main character, driving the storytelling forward in illuminating ways. Their influence on Sloane’s character provides a sense of intrigue and introspection, making the overall storytelling effective as well as noteworthy.

Though Downer leans into the mystery and suspense of the story, there is a bit of romance in there, too. Rose is back, and the chemistry between her and Sloane is nearly palatable. The two must overcome a few obstacles, but it looks as if a chance at happiness is within grasp. Only time will tell, though, and maybe readers will find out in book three. Ahh, cliffhangers…the joy of a series.

Final remarks…

Seeped in fantastical elements and witchcraft, Downer gives readers a meticulously crafted tale of intrigue, mystery, and suspense. By defining a story world with logical, consistent pentameters, readers are taken on a compelling ride of suspended disbelief. Under the Cold Moon is immersive, entertaining and should not be missed.

Strengths…

Immersive story world
Strong, likable main character
Fantastic secondary characters
Well-crafted plot
Solid second book
Interesting, entertaining series

[This]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for this review.
It is Part 2 of the Sloane West Detective Series. I read a page and decided I should perhaps have read Book 1 first. So I bought it and read it. Loved it and moved on to Book 2.

The world that has been created as the stage for this series is fascinating. And very clever. There are various cross overs between our (Nogical) world and the world of the Magicals. It is seamlessly integrated it is just like magic.
There is a mystery to solve - which Sloane does. She works alongside the RCMP and her contacts there. She has already developed herself a little lesbian inner circle. In solving the mystery she deals with magical 'interference' and also the nasty Nogical crime.
Sloane 'lost' her chance with the woman she was interested in by leaving and spending time sorting out her affairs before she moved back to Vancouver Island. This develops in an interesting manner in this book but again perhaps it is not meant to be as nothing runs smoothly.

It seems I am perfectly ok with remembering the names of various creatures and what they can and can't do. However, name a car Pearl and I am forever trying to remember who she is!
I also have reached the conclusion that the number of books you can read without a mention of breast cancer diminishes upon diagnosis and thereafter you find it everywhere!

This book ends on an interesting cliff hanger hopefully ready to go straight into Book 3.
And poor Rose is left home alone again.

If you are going to read this, make sure to read the series as it will make much more sense and you will understand what is happening and who everybody is.
But I do think you should read them.

[Kaye]

Lies are Forever (December 2023) is the first book in this series and probably should be read before this one. In that one the reader meets Sloane West who used to be a NYC detective and now works as a private investigator. She finds that there is more to the world than she knew as she arrives in Denwick, a small Canadian village. Her family are part of the Magicals and she is still developing her skills. But she lives and works with the Nogicals (non magicals).

This story begins about six months after the previous book. Sloane finds herself drawn into two different mysteries. On the Nogical side she is hired to find an eleven year old boy who is missing from his family sheep farm. She works with her contacts in the RCMP as she tries to figure out if he has been taken or run away. On the magical side there are mysteries too. An entire flock of sheep are slaughtered. And there is a stranger who claims to be a hunter in town.

The author is great at interweaving the supernatural world into a mystery. I am a little frustrated at the very, very slow burn romance with Rose. And didn’t really understand the need for an interlude Sloane has. But maybe that will be part of the next book in the series. The side characters, Doreathea and Elvina, along with cousin Jack, bring some humor and resources to help Sloane. This book does tie up the main mysteries introduced in this story but there are smaller ones that are ongoing. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for the digital copy and I am leaving an honest review.

[Henriette]

Witches, magic, mystery on Vancouver Island
The Sloane West mysteries (this is part 2 of a series) excels at combining a mystery with a world which has an additional magical part kept secret from normal people (known as nogicals).
Sloane was hidden by her mother in NYC and didn‘t know that she is a witch until her early 30s. Now she lives in the small town of Od Denwick on Vancouver Island with her newly found family and coven. In „Lies are Forever“ we learned that their coven is under attack by „fallen“ magicals. This continues with some new and interesting insights into the magical world where not everything is at it seems.
I loved how Downer lets us participate in Sloane‘s own discovery of her powers and possibilities - not all is revealed yet! And Sloane as private investigator is again involved in the magical and nogical realm with interesting revelations and twists on both sides of the „curtain“. And nothing is easy because most things need to remain secret. There is a romantic subplot - a very slow, slow burn with a lot of pitfalls.
The writing is smooth and compelling, the (magical) world-building is well done.

PS: This is part 2 of the Sloane West-mystery series and I strongly suggest you read (or re-read) part 1 to have a better chance to understand what‘s happening.

I received an ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.

[AC]

Wow, it’s been a year since the first Sloane West book was introduced. I had forgotten quite a bit, so much I probably should have read Lies Are Forever again before this one. I would have benefited from the world building Downer created in the first book.

Which brings me to my first point—the author builds a wonderful and mysterious fantasy world. Familiar characters return and new characters are introduced. Downer maintains the consistency of the characters I loved initially as a new evil threatens their existence. I don’t do spoilers. The author gave me hours of escape into a world of imagination, and I loved it. That is the best a book can offer.

Just as with the first book, I couldn’t wait to finish the book but didn’t want it to end either. This is a fun read! I hope we don’t have to wait until next December for the next, just sayin’.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for providing this book for my review consideration—opinions here are mine and mine alone.

[Kimberly Wilson]

I enjoyed this plot-driven novel very much. Downer intricately develops this mystery with a deft hand, leaving you eager to keep reading to find out what happened to the missing child. Along the way, we learn more about the Magical world and some of the other beings that inhabit it. In addition to expanding this world, she adds in bits about the mystery of who Sloane's father is. There is dark humor as well, which I quite appreciate. The introduction of Cousin Jack to the misfit familial covenstand is another highlight. As always, I relished every scene featuring Dorathea and Elvina. I particularly loved that Downer transformed Elvina from a feline into a femme, whom I picture as a cross between Morticia Addams and Cousin Serena from Bewitched. The scene where Sloane wakes up curled up beside Elvina was hilarious. All of these moments built up to the cliffhanger ending, which has me eager to read the third book.

[Anne]

Sloane is a brilliant character and in this second book, she is ‘growing’ into her powers, although still struggling to control them. And to understand the different covens and cliques. The clever writing allows us to learn as Sloane does so it doesn’t feel like an ‘info dump.’.

A young boy goes missing at the same time as a major mutilation to his parent’s farm animals. Did the boy do it? Or did he see something?

Sloane knows the boy is innocent because she has sensed evil around the carcasses but she can’t figure out if there’s a connection and what it could be. With the help of her little gang and a few new friends - and the support of Rose - Sloane has to save a child while solving some brutal crimes.

I’m already looking forward to book three which was hinted at during the satisfying ending to this book. An excellent series.

I was given a copy of the book by NetGalley

[Sue Plant]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this 2nd book in a brilliant series

when the slaughter of the sheep is found and a young boy goes missing sloane knows that evil has arrived again....

at first the police think the boy is a suspect in the sheep mutilation but sloane knows differently and when the boys parents ask for help in looking for him sloane does what she does best....

but evil is abound and its coming for sloane....

a great second book with plenty of fighting and misdirection i love the the fact that sloane hasnt quite gotten to grips with her new wicca talent and those lessons are very amusing

cant wait for the next book in this series

[Shannon bagnall]

I enjoyed this book, I didn’t realise it was part of a series however it explained everything that needed to be known.

The plot was good, I did struggle with the first half as it was a little slow but the second half I enjoyed more but overall it was a great story.

My only issue was why was les calling Cathy mother when she’s his wife, it didn’t make sense to me and was just odd.

Trigger warning- does have mentions of child abuse and sexual exploitation

*full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*