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Blue Moon Investigations #23

Modern Fairy Tale: Blue Moon Investigations Book 23

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Verity King has a problem with her husband. He’s been turned into a frog, and contrary to opinion, that’s not an improvement.

A cryptic message, a severed finger in her fridge, and no signs of forced entry make it clear to Tempest why he was called, but Mr King’s worrying transformation is just the first act.

Almost before he can add up the clues, a second victim confirms the theme and Tempest finds himself up against someone performing modern retellings of the Grimm Brothers’ Fairy Tales … with real live human characters.

Tempest also has a new partner and it’s not his old army buddy, Darius Kane, in the country to learn the ropes before he opens his own franchise. No, it’s the last person on Earth he wants to work with.

He needs to solve the case, possibly just so his life can go back to normal, but he’s going to get extra motivation whether he wants it or not when the Storyteller choses members of Tempest’s own family to become part of the grand finale.

Don’t believe in fairy tales? That won’t help you this time.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 22, 2024

264 people are currently reading
66 people want to read

About the author

Steve Higgs

573 books818 followers
Let's start this off with an invitation to get some FREE books. No, you didn't read that wrong, we are talking about multiple free books. I love giving away free books because once people delve into the fast-paced mystery thrills I write, they go on to buy lots more.

All I need from you is an email address to send them to. Here's the link you need - https://mailchi.mp/fd47a6eb4ae5/patri...

When I wrote my first novel, Paranormal Nonsense, I was a Captain in the British Army. I would love to pretend that I had one of those careers that has to be redacted and in general denied by the government and that I have had to change my name and continually move about because I am still on the watch list in several countries. In truth though, I started out as a mechanic. Not like Jason Statham, sneaking about as a contract killer, more like one of those greasy gits that charge you a fortune and keep your car for a week when all you went in for was a squeaky door hinge.

At school, I was mostly disinterested in every subject except creative writing, for which, at age ten, I won my first award. However, calling it my first award suggests that there have been more, which there have not. Accolades may come but, in the meantime, I am having a ball writing mystery stories and crime thrillers and will claim to have more than a hundred books forming an unruly queue in my head as they clamor to get out.

Now retired from the military, I live in the south-east corner of England with a pair of lazy sausage dogs. Surrounded by rolling hills, brooding castles, and vineyards, I doubt I will ever leave, the beer is just too good.

Links:
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Higgs/...
Website: https://stevehiggsbooks.wordpress.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stevehiggsau...

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5 stars
833 (75%)
4 stars
213 (19%)
3 stars
53 (4%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Jane litherland.
4,198 reviews74 followers
March 22, 2024
I am in awe of this great author, number 23 in the Bluemoon series. This time he has an army buddy staying with him. Darius Kane is in the country from his native home of Australia to learn the ropes and see what being a Bluemoon Franchise entails… with another friend expected to afternoon tea, he’s hitting the ground running with this mystery. Verity King calls upon his services when her husband is turned into a frog. A cryptic message and a finger ( wearing his ring) in the fridge. The frog also missing a digit. When a second victim confirms his suspicions that it’s Grimm Brothers related, he’s far from elated . He finds that a gruesome storyteller is using real life humans to tell dark stories. How to stop him before Tempest’s own family are targeted . This is one of the strangest , most dangerous foe. And working with Chief Inspector Quinn at the behest of the Chief Constable leaves him in woe, thinking oh no! Lots happening and to consider . Tempest is all charm but far from calm as he seeks to disarm the storyteller and save the kidnap victims to set the truth free. Brilliant writing , excellent descriptions and scene setting.I was forwarded this book and I’m leaving my review voluntarily in my own words
Profile Image for Candy Berg.
282 reviews4 followers
October 24, 2024
love these Blue Moon Investigations

I’ve enjoyed every one of these books. I’ve been partial to this series, the original Blue Moon series. There are always some strange surprises to be found. I love Tempests little dogs Bull and Dozer. When Tempests started the Blue Moon agency it was just him as he slowly built up his clients , he now has two additional members of his team plus a secretary to take care of their office. The other characters are very fun to read too. I’d really like to read that Big Ben finds a partner rather than sleeping with every woman he sees. That is getting old. I do appreciate the characters and all the fun they get in to. I also think it’s fun that all of Tempests friends are always ready to help with his cases. I’m looking forward to the next in this series, hopefully Tempest proposes to Amanda. I also am going to be wanting the next book ASAP as this one left a lot of loose ends of cases left undone.
Profile Image for Geraldine M.
254 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2024
A new Blue Moon Investigator from Australia arrives in England. Turns out he is an old army buddy of Tempest’s, Darius Kane who is starting to have second thoughts about starting up Blue Moon Investigations in Australia.

Under Tempest’s guidance, he gets in on the action and helps Tempest and Amanda and Jane as they have a difficult case of catching the “Storyteller”. Appears to be no “rhyme nor reason” to the bad guy and none of the victims seem to have any connections in common. Very baffling, but author, Steve Higgs, pulls it all together through all the twists and turns. I did have the who and why figured out early, but it was a fun read and I still enjoyed it. This story also brings in other characters we know and love to help out.
Profile Image for Claudete Takahashi.
2,673 reviews37 followers
March 16, 2024
I loved this story! Tempest is as charming as always and although the cases Blue Moon works are definitely strange there's no paranormal circumstances involved. This time he searches for a kidnapper who is trying to enact a modern version of the Grimm tales. He will fight against Chief Inspector Quinn and will count with the help of his team and that of Dairus Kane from Australia. The story is full of action, humor, and good detective work.
I thank Mr. Higgs for this ARC.
683 reviews13 followers
March 24, 2024
Fairy tales aren’t for the faint of heart.
Blue Moon Investigation stories are always great reads, but this exceeds all expectations. Such a fascinating use of the Grimm Brothers’ work in this tale of evil. The life of a paranormal investigator can be dangerous.
We are treated to a few guest appearances, and of course Tempest and Quinn butt heads. But to sum it up, this is an original and great story.
737 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2024
FANTASTIC!!!

Another fantastic book in this series! I love the way Tempest thinks and figures things in another way than others. His hunches and gut feelings usually prove to be correct and he builds off them. This series is great and would be a 5 star one if it wasn't for all the mistakes. They are bothersome and Steve, you need better proof readers. Anyway, I look forward to the next book. Keep them coming Mr Higgs, thanks for the entertainment.
69 reviews
May 30, 2024
This series should be a Television show!

Tempest and the crew are back in action although they are a man short. While Big Ben is out of action, Darius comes in to introduce the newest location of Blue Moon Investigations Down Under.

A story book themed series of abductions related to Grimm's Fairy Tales drives the story line as Tempest and the crew rush to find a mad man and save three children!
20 reviews
August 14, 2024
I have loved his writings…

I haven’t read any for a bit, and I don’t like to give discouraging recuews. Love the dogs, but who takes a pair of dogs on site to an investigation? And the parent thing? I want toget involved just like it’s real tk me… and say you tell your mama to stay out of your business and as a side note they d@m sure wouldn’t be sticking their noses in investigations either. Thats when I feel like the “realness” feeling kinda goes out the window.
11 reviews
March 23, 2024
Another win for Steve Higgs

I love Steve Biggs books, especially the ones he writes himself. Tempest Michaels is my favorite character although Patricia Fisher is a close second. Blue Moon investigations needs to continue forever as I personally cannot get enough of his unexpected twists and turns. Live long Steve Biggs and Tempest Michaels.
Profile Image for Releanna.
169 reviews10 followers
March 24, 2024
The story would have gotten 4 stars, if not for the careless editing - changing from 3rd person to 1st person in one chapter - and research concerning Russian names. Mrs. Rudokova's (this name was spelled differently several times) husband's name should be Rudokov.
I know that I'm appearing pedantic, but such things just annoy me.
126 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2024
needs better proof reading

If an author does not care enough about their work to have it thoroughly proofed why should I buy it? Lewd not lude and the word ‘buy’ is where the word ‘but’ should be. These errors halt the momentum of the story. This is good writing. If there were no proof reading error it would be more stars.
71 reviews
March 28, 2024
I’m really pleased that Steve has returned to the original Blue Moon Agency, and in such style as well.

This is a truly riveting read that has all the elements of the previous books and more. It’s good to meet some characters from his other series as well.

Really looking forwards to the book announced in the authors notes as well (the one about dinosaurs)

BZ Steve
Profile Image for Lisa Welch.
601 reviews6 followers
April 8, 2024
Excellent read

Tempest again has to face Ian Quinn during the investigation of the fairy tales, this time working together much to Quinn's disgust, he ensures he puts obstacles in his way, tempest with the stakes to high throws himself in harms. way again to save the children taken .. Such a good read
23 reviews
April 15, 2024
This was worth waiting for.

Tempest is back with a great "paranormal" mystery! The story keeps you guessing until the very end. All a of the characters are back with a crossover character from Blue Moon Australia, which is another great series. Can't wait for what's next, but I will!
Profile Image for Renee Minor-Ramage.
140 reviews
May 10, 2024
Blue Moon is back!

It’s been a little while since we’ve had the orig Blue Moon group and it was worth it! This was a crazy story that had you guessing to the end!! Even then didn’t see that last thing coming! It needed a comment to keep caffeine to a min since it was already crazy! Can’t wait for the next one!!
78 reviews
September 1, 2025
Awesome

Just like I commended on the last book, this author continues to get better and better. This story did go deeper. I love the like , the respect and then the hate relatio ship between Tempest & Sargent Quill. It adds so much depth to the stories. I recommend this series to everyone who loves a good mystery/thriller
Linda Orrs Utah USA
13 reviews
March 23, 2024
Ended way too soon!

I read it straight through. I couldn't stop reading. But COME ON! Why did it end like that? Please tell me another book is on its way. I love Tempest and how he shoves Quinn's face in his own mess. I want more!
29 reviews2 followers
March 27, 2024
Tempest for the win!

The readers are the real winners when a new Blue Moon book comes out. Poor Tempest having to work with Ian Quinn. They both need the education about the Brothers Grimm.
Profile Image for Ann.
486 reviews5 followers
April 1, 2024
Whether it's the Blue Moon guys/gals, Patricia, Albert or Felicity you can't go wrong. Steve's books are well written, gripping and full of fantastic characters. I recommend them all. This book gives a new spin on old fairytales, is a definite page turner and well worth reading.
43 reviews
April 6, 2024
No sleep

I didn't get any sleep until l read the ending of the book. I just had to see how it ended. The ending threw me for a loop. I would never have guessed who the mastermind was.
483 reviews15 followers
April 28, 2024
wow Book 23 is amazing!

The alternate reality of the Blue Moon world is so absolutely rich, that I have trouble putting it aside to deal with all of my here and now 2/3 of the way through… every single book is like that!
29 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2024
So much better

This Steve Highs Blue Moon Investigation story is so much better than the stories with his contemporaries. I've been reading the offshoots and though they are good stories I kept missing the original.
Thank you Steve and keep up the good work
Profile Image for Mary Baker.
632 reviews2 followers
May 7, 2024
A heart throbbing story

This book kept me awake and reading until all hours. Any one who recalls the Grim Brothers tales will see a relationship between them but so very different. Great read!!!
4 reviews
June 12, 2024
He keeps writing winners.

I loved the quirky characters. They are the kind of people who never disappoint us but always entertain us.
To top it off i enjoyed a pleasant tour of modern England.
92 reviews
January 17, 2025
The usual fun!

Between Sacramento, Appalachia, and Boston, I’ve missed Tempest Michaels, his family, friends, and coworkers. Great job pulling everyone back together. Highly recommend this one, looking forward to the next.
1,533 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2025
Modern Fairy Tale

This was an excellent outing with Tempest and crew! A good mystery and lots of action, although some of it was quite scary, and I’m glad everyone survived! It was also good to get the intro to the Australian office!
Profile Image for Angel Ballard.
771 reviews5 followers
March 23, 2024
Holy Guacamole!
Fantastic right from the start! It takes a great mind to conjure up such an intricate tale! The Brothers Grimm would be proud!
Profile Image for Joan Hill.
240 reviews
March 28, 2024
Easy reading

Will tempest and the gang solve the crimes, will inspector Quin beat Tempest to solve the crime , another good book by Steve Higgs
113 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2024
😮

This series is getting more and more intense, fascinating to read! And yet the part I enjoy the most is reading the authors words at the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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