Blame it on the Moon: A Haunted House Mystery

by Lou Pugliese

“BLAME IT ON THE MOON” is a haunted house mystery of 83.000 words.
Richard Eugene Craft lives alone in a house built by his great grand uncle, Dr. Richard Eugene Craft, in the mid-1800s. The house, in Arlington Virginia, has a rich history and a seemingly haunted past, having been a field hospital during the Civil War. Many people died in this house, including Richard’s wife and son. As unexplainable happenings occur, Richard researches them and acquires interested parties along the way from a dog, to a potential love interest, to Civil War historians and anthropologists who will assist in digging up the past, figuratively and literally.

An editorial by Kristine Eckart of INDEPENDENT BOOK REVIEW describes it
“A mysterious haunted house story with plenty of heart
This is not your typical haunted house story. Blame It On The Moon by Lou Pugliese is a ghost story, murder mystery, steamy romance, and Indiana Jones archeology mission all rolled into one. These little twists are pleasant surprises that add a lot of nuance (& fun!) to the reading experience. . . . My favorite part of this book is an unexpected the recurring theme of finding friends in unexpected places. . . . And just as in real life, the connections expand and develop from there. Our world is experiencing a loneliness pandemic; I truly appreciated seeing this book address that situation for Richard, reflecting how it could be possible in our own lives—minus the haunted house part (I hope).
Looking for a haunting tale incorporating the past and the present with a great cast of characters? You’ve found your next read in Blame It On the Moon.”

Genres: Mystery

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2024

About the author

Lou Pugliese writes contemporary fiction that explores the spaces between certainty and mystery, focusing on the emotional consequences of extraordinary events in ordinary lives. His work often draws on real places and relationships, weaving subtle paranormal elements into character-driven stories rooted in realism.

Author, Lou Pugliese is retired from two careers: a senior manager at Toyota Motors with national (US) and international experience, and a business professor at a small, liberal arts college in Shenandoah Valley Virginia.

Lou and his wife Kathy (and their dog Mitch) are now settled in Green Cove Springs Florida. His writing influence comes from both careers, extensive travel, and a passion for obscure research.

Outside of his mystery and historical fiction writing, he published his doctoral dissertation on the roots of prejudice, and has had poetry published through voxpoetica. Lou belongs to the Mystery Writers of America and the Florida Writers Association (FWA), hosting the monthly FWA chapter for Clay County Florida.

Reviews

[Shannon The Co-Captain · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m so behind on reviews so I will keep this short. I really didn’t care for this book….at all. It’s not my genre so I gave it an extra star because I kinda liked the characters. I will say the author didn’t do a lot of research in some areas. The only one coming to mind was the dog he got from the shelter. They are not going to make sure you build a fence before they officially let you adopt. I don’t remember what the second point was but there was another one I remember when I was listening thinking ‘there’s another area you didn’t do any research in’. Not for me. Moving on.

[Melanie May · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the most unimaginative book! Unfortunately I chose this book for our book club, I had looked at the number ratings on Goodreads and not how many reviews were actually written. It had very simplistic writing and a desperately weak story. I struggled to finish this book, but I forced myself!

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the most fun I’ve ever had while being completely freaked out!

Blame It On The Moon by Lou Pugliese is an entertaining contemporary ghost story, modern-day mystery, and cold-case murder investigation, combined with a delightful romance, puns, witty banter, and dad jokes. With a great cast of characters trying to reveal the secrets of an old, haunted house, I was completely absorbed by the story and entertained from start to finish.

The main character is Richard Eugene Craft. In his 60s and the last of the Craft family line, he owns the family home, a pre-Civil War farmhouse in Arlington, Virginia, with a reputation for strange goings on. Since the death of this wife and only child, Richard has struggled to begin writing a planned novel and dealing with the odd occurrences of possibly paranormal phenomena at the house. He meets Audrey when he signs up for her paranormal research class at the local community college. I loved Richard’s awkward charm and quick wit, complete with puns and dad jokes at the ready. Audrey, though, is a kindred spirit, and their banter is lively and clever. The author’s ability to insert pop cultural references into their quips at just the right time had me laughing out loud. The dialogue sparkled.

The plot follows Richard’s and Audrey’s efforts to discover what is causing the weird happenings in the house: lights turning on and off, the sound of a basketball pinging off the rim or backboard of a hoop, disappearing food, and the apparition of Tom, a former freed slave who lived at the house at the time of the Civil War. However, while they successfully reach ‘the other side,’ they uncover more mysteries than answers. The history of the house and the original builder of the home, Dr. Richard Eugene Craft, is mesmerizing, and the experts the current Richard consults are interesting and well-developed secondary characters that really complement the cold case and historical investigatory aspects of the story. I was completely freaked out by Audrey’s late-night encounter on her first night in the house, and it still gives me the willies when I remember that part of the story. Who exactly was the visitor? However, I was well satisfied with the findings and resolution of the rest of the book’s mysteries.

I recommend BLAME IT ON THE MOON to mystery and thriller readers, especially those who enjoy paranormal themes and ghost stories.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.

[Deep Choudhary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blame it on the Moon: A Haunted House Mystery by Lou Pugliese is a refreshingly unique blend of ghost story, mystery, and humor that kept me engaged from start to finish. At its core, it follows Richard Eugene Craft, a man living in an old Virginia house with a deep and tragic history. What begins as strange, unexplainable occurrences soon turns into a full-blown investigation into the home’s past, drawing in an eclectic cast of characters—from historians and anthropologists to a sharp-witted love interest and even a faithful dog. As Richard digs deeper, he unravels long-buried secrets that tie the present to the Civil War era, all while navigating his own grief and the possibility of moving forward.

One of the things I loved most about this book is how effortlessly it balances eerie supernatural elements with humor and warmth. The haunted house atmosphere is genuinely unsettling at times, yet never so heavy that it overshadows the engaging character dynamics and witty dialogue. Pugliese does an excellent job blending historical intrigue with a modern mystery, making the past feel alive and relevant to the story’s unfolding events. The way Richard interacts with his growing circle of allies—especially his developing romance—adds a layer of charm that keeps the book from feeling like a typical ghost story.

The pacing is excellent, with enough twists and revelations to keep things interesting without feeling rushed. The historical research woven into the narrative gives the story an authentic depth, making the house and its past feel as much a character as the people investigating it. I also appreciated the balance between lighthearted moments and more emotional ones—Richard’s personal losses add weight to the story, making his journey feel meaningful beyond just solving a mystery. Overall, Blame it on the Moon is a fantastic read for anyone who enjoys haunted house tales with a mix of humor, history, and mystery. Pugliese crafts an engaging and entertaining story that offers genuine chills alongside clever dialogue and compelling character relationships. It’s the kind of book that keeps you turning the pages, eager to uncover the next clue while also enjoying the banter and depth of its characters. I can’t wait to see where the rest of the trilogy goes!

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads Giveaway for the copy of this book;

While the premise of the book sounded interesting and fun the actual work presented was a disappointment. It felt like the second draft of a book presented in a writing class before the author went back & zhuzhed it up.
The plot was mapped out, the characters were established, the setting was believable, the conclusion was plausible. But there was minimal conflict for the main character, no real “meat”. The whole book lacked real suspense or struggle. Everything fell into place too easily to really create the excitement or anticipation that a ghost story or any book needs to be captivating.
This might also seem picky, but the author needed to choose a wider variety of beginning letters for the names for his characters. It seemed like he had a name book – started at the A’s and then had names for all his characters by the G’s. (Abbey, Amy, Audrey, Betty, Bob, Buck, Cody, Darrel, Don, Dorothy, Eli, Ethan, Fred, George, Gwen) It would have been less confusing & more interesting to have all the characters start with different letter.
One interesting bit – I did learn how a search and dig is conducted to recover remains

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blame It on the Moon by Lou Pugliese is one of the most entertaining and delightfully unsettling haunted house mysteries I’ve read. Equal parts ghost story, cold-case mystery, and heartfelt romance, the novel delivers suspense, humor, and emotional depth in perfect balance.

The story’s haunted Civil War–era house is richly imagined, with eerie paranormal elements woven seamlessly into a compelling modern investigation. Richard Eugene Craft is a wonderfully human protagonis witty, awkward, grieving, and endearing while the dialogue sparkles with clever banter, pop-culture references, and well-timed humor that never undercuts the tension.

What truly sets this book apart is its layered storytelling: historical intrigue, paranormal mystery, and character-driven warmth coexist beautifully. For readers who enjoy ghost stories with heart, mystery with substance, and a touch of romance, Blame It on the Moon is a must-read.

[Jennifer Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

kept me turning the pages

I really enjoyed Blame it on the Moon. I was hooked originally by it being a haunted house story but it is written so differently than many of that genre and I enjoyed that difference. I wasn’t as much afraid to read the haunting parts as I was excited to because they felt intellectual as opposed to creepy. I enjoyed that the story was multifaceted being not only a ghost story but a love story and a mystery. All this things kept me interested and turning pages. If I had one constructive criticism it would be that in a couple of places there seemed to be a tense skip. If I had another it would be, I knew the solve to the mystery too soon, but I tend to do that so I am curious how others felt about that. And because of that, I intend to reach out and see if the author has interest in being a FFA bookclub pick.

[Cj McP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thriller,spookiness,and laughter all rolled up into one novel. So much research must have been done to describe all the finite details on the character of Dr Craft. The Civil War references brought back memories of re-enactments I witnessed in the small town of Califon,New Jersey. I put the book down at night so my mind would not have nightmares over the Ouija board seances! The "Dad" jokes came in handy during times of spooky chills.
The author Lou Pugliese gives no indication that this is his first novel. Wonderful job Lou! Can't wait for the next book. I see this becoming a series and possibly a future movie!

[Sharon Sell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. It has everything you could ask for. It has ghosts, horror and super scary moments but inbetween, there's laughter, "dad jokes" & lots of love. It keeps you guessing until the very end. I'd gladly give this book 10 stars if possible. I read this in a day because I couldn't put it down. I just downloaded he 2nd of the books in this series & I can hardly wait until March 16th for the 3rd one!

[Alex Hunnicutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this started very slow and it took me a while to be full engrossed. I was tired by the seeming slow pace. However, I did very much like the characters and the general direction of the story, so I stayed with it. By the time I had reached the halfway point, I was glad of the slower speed and was wanting it to last longer. Although I did figure out the "whodunit" component, it was still engaging. I am ready to read another in this series.

[Elizabeth J. Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Combination Love Story/Murder Mystery

Lou’s first novel has me wanting more! His quick wit and plot twists kept me wanting to read on. I can’t wait for the Prequel I hear he’s already penning. Thanks for the entertainment, and references to the Northern Virginia area. Truly a delight!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blame It On The Moon

Good story. Fast paced but still with enough information to come up with an idea of what is/was going on. I love the characters and would love to read about them again in another book. It would be fun. Good storyline that was easy to follow.

[faye borquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

I read a lot of cozy mysteries. They are all pretty much the same. This book however, was a pleasant surprise. The detail on the locations and archaeology brought the story to life. I couldn't put it down.

[Suzi Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

This author is great, so is her editor. Nice to read a book without typos and no spelling errors. Enjoy!

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good solid ghost story

I really enjoyed the storyline. The friend s made and relationships built were just enough. I loved the spooky whodunit. Pinkpinkpink

[Robert Eberling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining Read

Learned a lot about historical digs and happenings. Great twist ending. Will look for more of Lou's books to read.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

💕💕💕💕💕

[Lynnette Loud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. Great read.

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 1 out of 5]

exceptionally sexually crude

Ok, so the headline might attract some people, but I did not finish this ‘book’? If that’s what you could call it.
It’s just over the top rubbish.

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting story. I loved the concept of the haunted house and how the facts of who the spirits were came about. Great book.

[Ellen Kuntz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story and the characters. It involves paranormal activities that I don't discount, and that makes it interesting. It's set in Pennsylvania where I live, so that's nice as I recognize places that are mentioned. The author uses a lot of puns, which I could do without, but it doesn't hinder the story. A good read.