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Stoner McTavish Mysteries #7
Shaman's Moon
There were dark forces afoot in the sleepy little New Age town of Shelburne Falls, hungry ghosts who had chosen Aunt Hermione as their prey. Stoner McTavish, lesbian travel agent and reluctant detective, her lover Gwen, and her best friend and business partner Marylou, must stop them before it's too late. But who are they? What do they want, and why? And how do you stop an enemy you can't even find? Stoner embarks on a journey that forces her to face her worst fears. And they just might come true.
219 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1998
2 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Dreher
13 books23 followersBorn March 26, 1937, in Hanover, Pa., Sarah Dreher attended Wellesley College and went on to earn her doctorate in clinical psychology from Purdue University. She moved in 1965 to Amherst, MA where she established her private practice. She was the co-founder of Sunrise-Amanecer Inc., a nonprofit organization, serving as president and clinical director for seven years. She was a member of the Welsh Society of Western New England and an activist during the women's movement.
Dreher was the author of the Stoner McTavish lesbian detective series. The seventh in the series, Shaman's Moon, won the Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Mystery for 1998. Dreher was also the author of several plays and a romance novel Solitaire and Brahms. She was the recipient of the 2005 Alice B. Readers' Award.
Dreher was the author of the Stoner McTavish lesbian detective series. The seventh in the series, Shaman's Moon, won the Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Mystery for 1998. Dreher was also the author of several plays and a romance novel Solitaire and Brahms. She was the recipient of the 2005 Alice B. Readers' Award.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 4, 2021
After a few fails I needed a win - and so I reached out for my feel good series Stoner McTavish. This is infact the last book published and I had been hanging onto it because I didn't want it to end. There was meant to be an 8th, but it never came to fruition. Sadly the author has now passed away, but her work lives on. RIP Sarah Dreher.
This installment was published in 1998. Stoner and her lover Gwen, her Aunt Hermione and Best Friend MaryLou have all moved together to a more regional area, instead of staying in city Boston. They are enjoying the less busy lifestyle. Stoner and MaryLou are still working at their own travel agency business. Gwen is teaching full time. And Aunt Hermione is still doing her Wiccan/Coven thing while holding tarot and psychic readings as well as other metaphysical shenanigans.
However something strange is going on with dear old Aunt H. She finds herself getting lost in her thoughts, being forgetful, feeling tired and listless. Some think it's just aging. But MaryLou's latest beau suggests a far more sinister reason. Ghosts are trying to steal Aunt H's soul!
There's always been a metaphysical element to Stoner's adventures, and this one really leans into those spiritual elements. It also really delves into the psyche's of both Stoner and Aunt Hermione.
Again I love that Stoner is a neurotic type. She's a worrier. I am the same. I like seeing someone of difference like that, but who still carries on as best they can, knowing their faults and trying to neutralize them yet still being human and putting her foot in it at times. At the same time Stoner is truly brave in that she would do anything for the ones she loves. She is deeply loyal and protective. Again something I relate to.
Stoner goes on a journey to the spirit world and also delves deeply into her own subconscious mind. It's very paranormal and confronting too. Stoner has to come to terms with her childhood and her parents, and the parts of herself that she doesn't like and also parts she is afraid of. It could very much be seen as psychoanalyzing in a lot of ways, too. Despite the shamanic elements. But I enjoyed it.
It's a pity we didn't get to see Stoner move on with her powers in more installments, but at the same time it also feels right to end it here. Where Stoner has come a long way from book 1, and has accepted her gifts and strengths, weaknesses and anxieties. Pulling herself together as a whole, not cutting parts of herself off, and is in a good place of acknowledging the past, present and future. All with Gwen her lover by her side, as well as her Best Friend MaryLou and of course Dear Aunt Hermione who has been more mother to her than her own folks.
It really was a touching end to a series that has affected me deeply.
This installment was published in 1998. Stoner and her lover Gwen, her Aunt Hermione and Best Friend MaryLou have all moved together to a more regional area, instead of staying in city Boston. They are enjoying the less busy lifestyle. Stoner and MaryLou are still working at their own travel agency business. Gwen is teaching full time. And Aunt Hermione is still doing her Wiccan/Coven thing while holding tarot and psychic readings as well as other metaphysical shenanigans.
However something strange is going on with dear old Aunt H. She finds herself getting lost in her thoughts, being forgetful, feeling tired and listless. Some think it's just aging. But MaryLou's latest beau suggests a far more sinister reason. Ghosts are trying to steal Aunt H's soul!
There's always been a metaphysical element to Stoner's adventures, and this one really leans into those spiritual elements. It also really delves into the psyche's of both Stoner and Aunt Hermione.
Again I love that Stoner is a neurotic type. She's a worrier. I am the same. I like seeing someone of difference like that, but who still carries on as best they can, knowing their faults and trying to neutralize them yet still being human and putting her foot in it at times. At the same time Stoner is truly brave in that she would do anything for the ones she loves. She is deeply loyal and protective. Again something I relate to.
Stoner goes on a journey to the spirit world and also delves deeply into her own subconscious mind. It's very paranormal and confronting too. Stoner has to come to terms with her childhood and her parents, and the parts of herself that she doesn't like and also parts she is afraid of. It could very much be seen as psychoanalyzing in a lot of ways, too. Despite the shamanic elements. But I enjoyed it.
It's a pity we didn't get to see Stoner move on with her powers in more installments, but at the same time it also feels right to end it here. Where Stoner has come a long way from book 1, and has accepted her gifts and strengths, weaknesses and anxieties. Pulling herself together as a whole, not cutting parts of herself off, and is in a good place of acknowledging the past, present and future. All with Gwen her lover by her side, as well as her Best Friend MaryLou and of course Dear Aunt Hermione who has been more mother to her than her own folks.
It really was a touching end to a series that has affected me deeply.
November 5, 2007
This is the latest and probably last book in the Stoner McTavish series. I'm guessing it's the final one because it was written ten years ago and there haven't been signs of any others.
In all the other books, Stoner travels to some other place, Wyoming, Maine, Arizona, etc. to solve someone else's problem. This one takes place at home or at least it's her new home. McTavish and crew have moved from Boston to Shelbourne Falls, MA and the story is set in an around that area. Well, most of it is. The rest is set in non-ordinary reality and just exactly where that is on a map is up for serious debate.
Stoner's Aunt Hermione is sick. She's tired and forgetful and just not herself and the doctor's can't find anything wrong with her. But, Aunt Hermione's psychic friends say that Stoner is the only one that can solve the problem. Yes, this Stoner McTavish book heads straight for the supernatural and doesn't look back.
In the process we learn a lot more about Aunt Hermione than we have in the other books and she's an interesting and engaging character. The other regular supporting characters are also there and just as quirky and interesting as normal.
While I enjoyed the book, I did have one fairly big issue with it. I can't really reveal that problem without some spoilers so be warned. It seems like Aunt Hermione uses herself as bait to force Stoner to confront repressed childhood trauma and the supposed antagonist is set up. We never learn what motivated the antagonist and it seems odd that Aunt Hermione would allow someone to be used like that even to do good for someone else. It felt awkward and contrived and out of character. Maybe I missed a step along the way. That's always a danger when reading before going to sleep, but I don't think I did.
Even so, Stoner is (mostly) lovably neurotic and the cast of characters is endearing. Everyone should have an extended family of people like that in their lives.
If you've made it through all the other Stoner McTavish books, by all means, read this one. If you've been indifferent to them, you can miss this one. It's an interesting read but not my favorite of the series.
In all the other books, Stoner travels to some other place, Wyoming, Maine, Arizona, etc. to solve someone else's problem. This one takes place at home or at least it's her new home. McTavish and crew have moved from Boston to Shelbourne Falls, MA and the story is set in an around that area. Well, most of it is. The rest is set in non-ordinary reality and just exactly where that is on a map is up for serious debate.
Stoner's Aunt Hermione is sick. She's tired and forgetful and just not herself and the doctor's can't find anything wrong with her. But, Aunt Hermione's psychic friends say that Stoner is the only one that can solve the problem. Yes, this Stoner McTavish book heads straight for the supernatural and doesn't look back.
In the process we learn a lot more about Aunt Hermione than we have in the other books and she's an interesting and engaging character. The other regular supporting characters are also there and just as quirky and interesting as normal.
While I enjoyed the book, I did have one fairly big issue with it. I can't really reveal that problem without some spoilers so be warned. It seems like Aunt Hermione uses herself as bait to force Stoner to confront repressed childhood trauma and the supposed antagonist is set up. We never learn what motivated the antagonist and it seems odd that Aunt Hermione would allow someone to be used like that even to do good for someone else. It felt awkward and contrived and out of character. Maybe I missed a step along the way. That's always a danger when reading before going to sleep, but I don't think I did.
Even so, Stoner is (mostly) lovably neurotic and the cast of characters is endearing. Everyone should have an extended family of people like that in their lives.
If you've made it through all the other Stoner McTavish books, by all means, read this one. If you've been indifferent to them, you can miss this one. It's an interesting read but not my favorite of the series.
June 2, 2011
the series all came together. love this series. They are keepers and I re-read them every couple of years.
October 19, 2021
Stoner's most personal and challenging mystery
A sister from Aunt Hermione's coven might be putting a dangerous curse on her. Stoner reaches out to her aunt's metaphysical resources to uncover the source, only to find that her own past is the key to everything. Facing it is the only way that she can save Hermione.
This is the final book in the series. I don't know if that was Dreher's intention, if there were other plans, nor have I ever looked into any of it. The roots of Stoner's personal issues and intuitive gifts are discovered, and it could end with that, but there's so much potential for the series to take a different direction. Since Sarah Dreher has passed away, this is all we'll get.
This book resonated with me the most because my life became focused on a spiritual path about 20 years ago. Over the past few years, I've strayed from that, and Stoner manages to challenge and succeed where I have dropped the ball. The series starts out with mysteries, and the paranormal/metaphysical aspect grows incrementally with each book.
The Stoner McTavish Mysteries are for wlw mystery, paranormal mystery, metaphysical, and light thriller fans. Stoner is one of my all-time favorite characters, and this is one of my favorite series. I hope others will enjoy the series as much as I have.
A sister from Aunt Hermione's coven might be putting a dangerous curse on her. Stoner reaches out to her aunt's metaphysical resources to uncover the source, only to find that her own past is the key to everything. Facing it is the only way that she can save Hermione.
This is the final book in the series. I don't know if that was Dreher's intention, if there were other plans, nor have I ever looked into any of it. The roots of Stoner's personal issues and intuitive gifts are discovered, and it could end with that, but there's so much potential for the series to take a different direction. Since Sarah Dreher has passed away, this is all we'll get.
This book resonated with me the most because my life became focused on a spiritual path about 20 years ago. Over the past few years, I've strayed from that, and Stoner manages to challenge and succeed where I have dropped the ball. The series starts out with mysteries, and the paranormal/metaphysical aspect grows incrementally with each book.
The Stoner McTavish Mysteries are for wlw mystery, paranormal mystery, metaphysical, and light thriller fans. Stoner is one of my all-time favorite characters, and this is one of my favorite series. I hope others will enjoy the series as much as I have.
October 18, 2020
I'm really divided on this book.
The technical aspects of it make me give it a 2 out 5. First, I don't like when the culprit is revealed too early and there is little to no digging in the criminal's psyche to justify this choice. Second, some elements are a mess. Inconsistency with previous novels in the series, sudden appearances of symbols and themes that are not foreshadowed and make little sense. Third, the mystery plot is abandoned halfway through. It's actually a psychological novel, and even in this aspect some elements are so sudden they come off as weird.
From an emotional payoff point of view, I give this book 5 out of 5. It is incredibly deep, the level of angst is maintained very high throughout. This is an unusual choice for the author, who usually balances the angst with humour and wit. Not in this novel, this is a heavy reading. The ending blew my mind, especially because information about the protagonist are revealed that have not been even hinted at before, shedding new light on her.
One thing: this novel is much much heavier on the shamanism, spiritualism, Wiccan stuff than any other novel in lesbian detective fiction. I really liked all the references.
Kudos to Dreher for being so innovative, may she rest in peace.
The technical aspects of it make me give it a 2 out 5. First, I don't like when the culprit is revealed too early and there is little to no digging in the criminal's psyche to justify this choice. Second, some elements are a mess. Inconsistency with previous novels in the series, sudden appearances of symbols and themes that are not foreshadowed and make little sense. Third, the mystery plot is abandoned halfway through. It's actually a psychological novel, and even in this aspect some elements are so sudden they come off as weird.
From an emotional payoff point of view, I give this book 5 out of 5. It is incredibly deep, the level of angst is maintained very high throughout. This is an unusual choice for the author, who usually balances the angst with humour and wit. Not in this novel, this is a heavy reading. The ending blew my mind, especially because information about the protagonist are revealed that have not been even hinted at before, shedding new light on her.
One thing: this novel is much much heavier on the shamanism, spiritualism, Wiccan stuff than any other novel in lesbian detective fiction. I really liked all the references.
Kudos to Dreher for being so innovative, may she rest in peace.
July 9, 2023
As per the last word of the book, "Yeah."
The unpackaging of the disjointed soul by the damage done was very well crafted.
I must admit I didn't 'get' this series at the start, but it's tied so well together that the end has made a fan of me.
The unpackaging of the disjointed soul by the damage done was very well crafted.
I must admit I didn't 'get' this series at the start, but it's tied so well together that the end has made a fan of me.
August 30, 2023
Picked it up on a whim, without having read the previous books--the dialogue in particular is what kept me hooked. Really interesting, and I loved the characters' insights!
March 21, 2014
In this seventh instalment of Stoner's (and friends') adventures, Stoner and her business partner Marylou have moved their travel agency from Boston to Shelburne Falls. This small New Age town is perfect for Aunt Hermione's psychic activities and a new start for teacher Gwen, Stoner's life partner. But is seventy-five-year-old Hermione eventually getting old, or is her forgetfulness caused by hungry ghosts trying to steal her soul? It is up to reluctant believer Stoner to take a shamanic journey and save her aunt.
While previously her adventures mostly involved down-to-earth detective work on the side, Stoner is no stranger to shamanic journeying ('Grey Magic') and has even experienced time travel ('Captive in Time'). However she'd rather have a normal day-to-day life even if she feels like something is missing, despite Gwen's devoted love.
'Shaman's Moon' carries the trademark humour and feminist ideas of the Stoner McTavish series, even if no one is perfect. This volume, first published in 1998, is infused with light touches of philosophy and a dose of Native-American spirituality. It is captivating and colourful, and I guess would be pivotal in the series if Sarah Dreher had written more. I believe there is an 8th volume ('Love Murders'), but it is out of print or unavailable.
Sadly the author died in spring 2012. I'll be forever grateful to Sarah Dreher for creating one of my favourite fictional characters: the neurotic –but lovable, and forever hypothesizing too much, Stoner McTavish, a womon weary of cats, devoted to her aunt Hermione, passionately in love with her partner Gwen, and generally understanding of her best friend Marylou.
January 22, 2015
(From my Amazon review)
All of the Stoner McTavish books are a delight to read and re-read. I ony wish Love Murders was available as I would love to have new Stoner books. Shaman's Moon is extremely well written and you can get totally lost in the plot. Stoner has to develop her inner senses and skills in order to overcome a dark threatening presence. Previous [Amazon] reviews have mentioned religious sensitivities; this book is total escapism and the shamanism and shapeshifting is central to the story. Personally I don't see how this would denigrate anyone's belief or religion. Enjoy this book for what it is - a blooming good read!
All of the Stoner McTavish books are a delight to read and re-read. I ony wish Love Murders was available as I would love to have new Stoner books. Shaman's Moon is extremely well written and you can get totally lost in the plot. Stoner has to develop her inner senses and skills in order to overcome a dark threatening presence. Previous [Amazon] reviews have mentioned religious sensitivities; this book is total escapism and the shamanism and shapeshifting is central to the story. Personally I don't see how this would denigrate anyone's belief or religion. Enjoy this book for what it is - a blooming good read!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews