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Bane County #2

Returning Moon

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For nearly two decades, life in the small rural town of Silver Canyon had been peaceful and serene. People went about their daily lives as usual, completely oblivious to the inescapable horror that loomed on the horizon.

All but a select few of Bane County’s residents had forgotten the macabre occurrences of the past. It was hard to believe that twenty-one people, missing or dead, in only three months’ time had been so easily dismissed.

Bryce McNeel and Jackson Campbell had been at the heart of those horrific events, and the tragic memories of that long, bloody season still weighed heavily on them, especially since they knew it wasn’t over.

The time was quickly approaching when a long-slumbering evil would reawaken, and the horrors of the past would revisit the people of Bane County. Somewhere within the dark cavernous depths of the wildlife refuge, something ravenous awaited, longing for its time to rise.

As Bryce and Jackson prepared themselves, they were unaware that an even deadlier adversary would come for them, and once again, they would find themselves in a battle for their lives.

Audiobook

First published August 30, 2017

166 people are currently reading
99 people want to read

About the author

J.R. Rice

9 books182 followers
J R RICE is the Author of Bane County: a Horror / Suspense / Thriller Series.

Bane County is an Epic Saga consisting of:
Five full-length novels, and A Short Story:

Bane County: Forgotten Moon (Book 1)
Bane County: Returning Moon (Book 2)
Bane County: First Moon (Book 3)
Bane County: A Short Story (Book 3.5)
Bane County: Hungry Moon (Book 4)
Bane County: Last Moon (Book 5)

The New Bane County Spin-off Series, entitled: DARK TIMBER: A Jackson Campbell Thriller (Book 1) is Available Now.

Book 2 of the New Series, entitled: DARK FLYERS: A Jackson Campbell Thriller (Book 2) is available now.

Book 3 - Return to Bane County will be out next year.

An Active Member of the Horror Writers Association, J R RICE lives on a large island, near the edge of a dark forest, with his beautiful wife, unruly children, dogs that he loves and cats that he tolerates, and one very nasty monster who lives under his bed and never shuts up.

He enjoys interacting with readers, so please feel free to join him at:

Facebook.com/JRRiceAuthor

Twitter.com/JRRiceAuthor

Goodreads.com/JRRICE

Instagram.com/JRRiceAuthor

https://www.youtube.com/c/JRRiceAuthor

https://www.tiktok.com/@jrriceauthor

https://www.reddit.com/user/JRRICEauthor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrriceauthor

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5 stars
504 (72%)
4 stars
150 (21%)
3 stars
39 (5%)
2 stars
5 (<1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
Profile Image for CJ Andes.
31 reviews1 follower
August 16, 2025
Review

The book is well written. Kept my interest. Ending a bit confusing but may clear up in the next book. I would recommend the book to others.
Profile Image for Laura Thomas.
1,552 reviews107 followers
November 21, 2019
I loved the first book and couldn’t wait to see where this would take me. It’s been almost twenty years since the horrific events and Bryce and Jackson have grown up and settled into their lives. But, they’ve not forgotten what happened and are getting ready for what’s to come.

The author did such a great job with these characters. Bryce and Jackson feel like the adult’s they’ve become, haunted by the past and fearing the future. Once again I worried about their survival. The beast was awakening and they must again do battle against a deadly, almost unstoppable foe.

This was even crazier than the first book. There was more than one evil the guys had to deal with and the action scenes were bloody mayhem. I really liked how things from the past were explained. It made me love the good guys even more and I hoped for a bad ending for the evil participants in this story.

Many side characters again made appearances and several played key roles in the battles. Sure made things interesting and ramped up the excitement and suspense.

I couldn’t have asked for more in this continuation in the series and already have the next book lined up.
Profile Image for David.
42 reviews5 followers
January 17, 2019
Wish I could give more than a five star rating. This is an awesome story a real page Turner. Can't wait to read the third book in the series
Profile Image for shereads_theworld.
402 reviews8 followers
September 1, 2022
Ohhh my gosh.

That's it. I'm invested. Obsessed. I MUST KNOW what happens next!
Profile Image for The Talented Miss Ripley.
338 reviews
April 3, 2018
Bloody Good!!

For those of you who have no idea what with this book is about you should so below will be synopsis and then I’ll give my review because I got so excited I’m telling tha WORLD!

***MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS LATER IN REVIEW...Jk it contains spoilers***

For nearly two decades, life in the small rural town of Silver Canyon had been peaceful and serene. People went about their daily lives as usual, completely oblivious to the inescapable horror that loomed on the horizon.

All but a select few of Bane County’s residents had forgotten the macabre occurrences of the past. It was hard to believe that twenty-one people, missing or dead, in only three months’ time had been so easily dismissed.

Bryce McNeel and Jackson Campbell had been at the heart of those horrific events, and the tragic memories of that long, bloody season still weighed heavily on them, especially since they knew it wasn’t over.

The time was quickly approaching when a long-slumbering evil would reawaken, and the horrors of the past would revisit the people of Bane County. Somewhere within the dark cavernous depths of the wildlife refuge, something ravenous awaited, longing for its time to rise.

As Bryce and Jackson prepared themselves, they were unaware that an even deadlier adversary would come for them, and once again, they would find themselves in a battle for their lives.

**OK STOP! SERIOUSLY...I’M ABOUT TO TELL SOME STUFF...***

Ok, so my review...First I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the cover. I think I fell in love with Jackson a little more in this book. I knew I would since I love the bad boy type characters so I was glad we saw a little more of him in this book. Swoon Worthy Jackson ladies!

***MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS...Jk it contains spoilers***

The thing about this book was that it was more of a fast paced book compared to the first book. I was reading so fast that towards the end I was trying to slow down reading. I loved the idea of the development of the werewolf. I also like that there were numerous villains in this book, it made the book for me have more depth. Every time I feel like I know where the story is going it blasts me out the water with something new. Intense, heart pounding, and fist clenching is what comes to my mind when I read book 2. I can’t wait to continue to be immersed into this world further, So much so I am going to reread books 1&2 the week prior to book 3 coming out!! I’m so excited I need book 3 now!

I recommend this series to anyone would loves wolves and love having their minds blown! Cause this will definitely do it.
Profile Image for Annalee Adams.
Author 38 books86 followers
September 16, 2018
Book two of the Bane County series is just as gripping as the first one. This book starts nineteen years later when Jackson and Bryce meet up again for an onslaught of action from their furry friends. The characters have aged well, their jobs and lifestyles similar to what I'd imagined them to be doing after book one's horrific slaughter.
Book two brings in new characters including loved ones giving both Bryce and Jackson something to lose. The added storyline of the university and the discovery of what really happened to Bryce's parents brings a whole new perspective to the lives of those that live in Bane County.
A fantastic read, recommended!
45 reviews1 follower
September 11, 2023
Oh damn

Read this within 24 hrs. (After reading book 1). I truly wish I could have savored it more. But I knew there'd be a book #3. So here we go. Let's see if Mr. Rice can keep the magic going!! What an original "werewolf" tale........
4 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2020
Loved Returning Moon.

Heart racing, oh no moments and can't wait to see what happens next... Very well written and obviously well researched. JR Rice has a flare for mystery, suspense and keeps the reader well informed. I am ready for the third book. I an hooked on Bane County.
Profile Image for George.
34 reviews
January 8, 2021
Excelente continuation of the first book

I read the book in 3 days! I couldn’t stop. We are back to characters firm the first book, and introducing new ones. Absolutely a page turner.
Profile Image for Ronald Searl.
12 reviews
January 19, 2021
Excellent!

Fast paced captivating story! I highly recommend it. Can’t wait to get the next book in the series. The first one was great as well!
105 reviews4 followers
September 30, 2021
Great Read

I enjoyed this book, I'm a Werewolf Junkie and J.R. Rice gave me my fix. I'm going straight to the next book after this review. The details of the book I could just see as I read it, talking to the characters...
88 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2022
Book 2

Pretty good book really fast read, a neck of a lot of action! The book picks up 18 yrs later, it was good to see the maturation of the teen characters. I can't wait for the next book in the series, highly recommend!!
Profile Image for Anthony Johnson .
1 review1 follower
December 22, 2024
I love it

I was surprised by this book. From my experience most second book are lacking, not this one. I love the epilogue.
1 review1 follower
August 8, 2021
Best Werewolf Stories I've ever read

Not only are the Bane County books (I've read book 1 as well) very well written, but they are about traditional werewolves as they were meant to be. Not the kind who have societies, conversations, or play softball. The kind that are 100% deadly monster who do nothing but kill. There are enough choices out there if I wanted to read drama or romance, this is true horror at its finest. When I read horror, I want it to scare me. These wolves do that.
Profile Image for Denna Reynolds.
11 reviews
July 28, 2021
A Great Second Book in the Series!

The first book was awesome and this continuation doesn’t disappoint. From the first my attention was captured and held. I loved the wound formation description at the end. Very cleverly thought out and described.
10 reviews
February 15, 2023
Wow

Great read from first page to the last, can't wait to read the rest, to see how the story unfolds.
V
Profile Image for Serenity.
742 reviews31 followers
January 2, 2019
Loving this series!

This has been a great series so far! I've already been recommending it to others. Jackson is awesome! His character brings so much fun to the book. The gore aspect is great also. I'm looking forward to reading book 3!!
Profile Image for Marilyn Blue.
16 reviews2 followers
January 3, 2019
Gripping ,Lived it !

The 1st book had me, the 2nd was even more intense! I am really looking forward to reading what the books characters are in for on the 3rd book !!!
841 reviews4 followers
February 27, 2019
5 Stars

It's been years since 17 year old Bryce McNeel and his Cousin Jackson Campbell faced the evil werewolves of Bane County. Now after hibernating for 19 years their back and very hungry. Good old fashioned werewolf horror story. 5 🌟's.
Profile Image for Adam Everhart.
18 reviews
January 6, 2022
Excellent

Actually enjoyed this book more than the first, the tie-ins to the first book were great. More action in this book than the first, the first had more mystery/drama. In keeping with the main characters background and age difference between books its very well done. Plus the extra side plots were very interesting. Cant wait to read the next book in the series.
294 reviews7 followers
August 21, 2025
enjoyable read

This was a fun book not as fun as the first but sequels aren’t usually. I will read the next book in the series because it’s a nice distraction and fun for Halloween. I enjoy the author.
176 reviews9 followers
November 16, 2017
If you have read my last couple of posts (on Google+) then you are already aware that I have been reading Bane County 2: Returning Moon. Well, I have finished it and here is my review:

This is the sequel to Bane County: Forgotten Moon. You do not have to read the first book, but I highly suggest that you do, if you have not yet done so (primarily for the background of the characters). If you have not already read my review of Forgotten Moon, I gave that one a five-skull-rating as well. With that said, Returning Moon is even better!!

Like I said in my review of the first book, this book too has excellent mass-market appeal. It is not just for fans of horror or werewolves. It is for fans of really any genre, but especially those who love great action or an intriguing mystery.

The book starts off with an incredible discovery which took place before the first book. The story then jumps ahead, approximately 19 years after the end of the first book. There are returning characters as well as new ones (specifically Iggy, Bryce's best friend, and Fate, Jackson's dog - a possible Rottweiler/Bull Mastif mix.) What I most love about Iggy is his "instant belief" when Bryce first tells him of the beast who hunts within Bane County's Refuge, and Fate is just awesome!

J R Rice is a Master at not only interweaving his different subplots, but also of superb character development. (both for the protagonists as well as the antagonists) You easily become emotionally invested with the characters and become angry when there is wrong-doing against them!

Not only is this a terrific book with a rapid-fire plot, it ends with you craving more, and the good news is that Book 3 [First Moon] is already underway! (and I have a sneaky suspicion that there are going to be several forthcoming surprises)

Make this book (or the first one) your next read. You will not be disappointed!
Profile Image for Wayne Murphy.
87 reviews7 followers
May 1, 2020
Another solid 5

I downloaded this yesterday and I have maybe 10 minutes left till the end I won't be giving away any spoilers just hints and lots of praise. The way the book starts it's pure suspense I mean it starts about 3 to four pages in. This story the way it started in the prologue deserves a prequel. The author has opened up so many possibilities with this universe. I also just enjoy the idea of these Werewolves being cryptids just creatures who don't transform who are and have always been just there. Hiding waiting for chance to eat us. Ok that was a spoiler from the first book ha ha. I also just absolutely love the supernatural aspect that the author subtly added to the story that was really good it added so much to the atmosphere that was already tense enough. I also like that the author doesn't waste time on unneeded sex scenes and the swearing is in the PG13 area but the gore and violence ha ha oh my bad good job is all I got to say lol. Very descriptive without being over the top but good enough to not make you want to think about it to much lol. Good balance. Thanks to the author who did honestly bring the M back in Monster. Gary Bradner did the same back in the day so did Rick Hautala and other greats this author is in there league and deserves to be paid attention too.
Profile Image for Jeff.
7 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2017
This is a Damn Good Yarn !

This may well be the holy grail of werewolf tales. The first Bane County colored me truly impressed, however, Returning Moon kept me enthralled cover to cover.

We get a great look at a burgeoning Silver Canyon in the 1890s as it experiences misfortunes and calamity helping establish the lore of the blighted region. These threads tie in nicely with the first book as well as hinting at far more possibilities to come.

19 years have passed sdince the first book, and we find the cousins older and far wiser, and one of them far more dangerous. An odd twist of fate has brought them face to face with their old nemesis of the preserve, and blood will reign. This isn't your modern brooding urban chic werewolves, this is an in your face and evicerating feast of the senses, and you're the main course.

Thank you Mr. Rice for keeping the true werewolf genre alive and blood flowing.
Profile Image for Richard Tabaka.
Author 9 books25 followers
August 4, 2018
J.R. Rice picks up the trail of the werewolf once again in Returning Moon. An exciting follow up to the fantastic Forgotten Moon ( My personal all time favorite Werewolf novel). The gang is back as Bryce McNeil and his cousin/ best friend Jackson Campbell reunite in another adventure nineteen years after the first. Rice brings the town of Silver Canyon to life and creates a National Wildlife Refuge I wish I could visit. Compelling characters and plenty of villians are woven into an edge of your seat thrill ride with a satisfying ending. What are you waiting for, buy this book, you will not be disappointed.
3 reviews
September 26, 2017
Great horror novel.....can’t wait for book 3

This was the book I had been waiting for after reading Bane County Forgotten Moon last year. This didn’t disappoint. Now I’m going to be waiting for the book 3. This is the perfect classic mystery/thriller book that keeps adding to the plot and keeps you hanging on wanting to know what happens to these characters that you feel as if you have grown up with - Jackson and Bryce. If you want a page turner thriller ....so much more than just a werewolf novel please check this book out.
Profile Image for Tobyann Aparisi.
52 reviews20 followers
May 26, 2020
This second installment to this series was even more blood packed than the first and I loved every word!! These books are very well written with character rich stories and absolute gruesomeness. I love our main characters and the way they are written you can easily imagine them and the situations in which they are facing. The story unfolds beautifully and true horror. This series would make for a great movie or tv series these books are written that well! I truly wish they were in hc or paperback form as I would love to collect this series for future reading.
Profile Image for Amanda.
173 reviews2 followers
June 10, 2020
The second book in the Bane County series is definitely as good as the first book. I would recommend reading the series in order to get the full character development. The second book picks up 19 years later and the characters are grown up and mature. While the first book focuses on Bryce as the main character, I feel that the second book focuses more on Jackson as the main character. The author also introduces some nasty villains and adds some unexpected twists to the story. This story is another page turner that I couldn't put down.
36 reviews1 follower
May 20, 2023
PART TWO WAS AS PROMISED .

THIS SERIES GETS MORE EXCITING WITH EACH PAGE I TURN. J R RICE HAS THE ABILITY TO MAKE YOU FEEL THE EMOTIONS, FEAR,AND LOVE OF ALL HIS CHARACTERS.. ONE SECOND I AM IN MY READING CHAIR ,THEN I AM IN BAIN COUNTY,THE REFUGE,JACKSON'S CABIN, AND VISUALIZING EVERY DETAIL HE HAS WRITTEN. NINETEEN YEARS LATER THEY ARE BACK HOME FACING MORE DANGEROUS MONSTERS . A MILLIONAIRE BIG GAME POACHER,HIS DAUGHTER ,ALL HIS MERCENARIES. I GOT TO GO !!!,STARTING BOOK THREE. CONGRATULATIONS J R ITS ANOTHER BEST SELLER🌹
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews

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