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The Black Veil Files #1
Gone Before the Moon
'Gone Before The Moon' is a mystery thriller about Duncan, a boy whose world shatters when his best friend Kade disappears without a trace. As Duncan digs deeper, he uncovers more questions than answers, and secrets no one wants to talk about.
Each clue leads him further into a tangled web of lies, fear, and something darker hiding beneath the surface.
People with unnatural abilities. A secret organisation lurking in the shadows. How far would you go to find someone who vanished without explanation?
Each clue leads him further into a tangled web of lies, fear, and something darker hiding beneath the surface.
People with unnatural abilities. A secret organisation lurking in the shadows. How far would you go to find someone who vanished without explanation?
252 pages, Paperback
Published June 6, 2025
8 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 11, 2025
wow what can I say supernatural isn't usually a genre I stray into, glad I did with this one
tensions run high your always looking for what's next. clues to the outcome are littered throughout like a puzzle that you just feel you have to solve, but don't truly know if you're right.
I can say it enought this book kept me gripped and enslaved as I read every time I thought ok this is starting to flag it switches it up and bam the speed takes to the stratosphere pulling you back in.
tensions run high your always looking for what's next. clues to the outcome are littered throughout like a puzzle that you just feel you have to solve, but don't truly know if you're right.
I can say it enought this book kept me gripped and enslaved as I read every time I thought ok this is starting to flag it switches it up and bam the speed takes to the stratosphere pulling you back in.
September 16, 2025
Gone before the moon was a fantastic book normally read romance books but couldn't put it down.finished it in two days had me in tears the last chapter can't wait to read the 2nd book well done will for your hard work
January 11, 2026
Wow this is unlike anything I have read before, full of questions, doubt, fear , hero's and death. What would you do for a friend?
Without giving away spoilers I just want to say I loved it. Congratulations William.
Without giving away spoilers I just want to say I loved it. Congratulations William.
October 12, 2025
Gone Before the Moon is a fantastic debut - a dark, supernatural thriller that blends mystery, action, and emotional depth with great effect. The story follows Duncan as he searches for his missing friend Kade, uncovering a web of secret societies, supernatural abilities, and hidden truths that reshape everything he thought he knew.
The novel is richly descriptive and fast-paced, with moments of real intensity and poignancy. The inclusion of letters and excerpts adds intrigue and a clever layer of foreshadowing.
As an English teacher, I think this could be a brilliant gateway book to get teen and YA boys into reading. Its mix of suspense, supernatural elements, and emotional stakes makes it an engaging, cinematic read, and the ending promises an exciting continuation of the series.
The novel is richly descriptive and fast-paced, with moments of real intensity and poignancy. The inclusion of letters and excerpts adds intrigue and a clever layer of foreshadowing.
As an English teacher, I think this could be a brilliant gateway book to get teen and YA boys into reading. Its mix of suspense, supernatural elements, and emotional stakes makes it an engaging, cinematic read, and the ending promises an exciting continuation of the series.
September 23, 2025
Amazing debut novel by William Lee! It grabbed my attention from the Prologue. Fast-paced supernatural thriller, great writing and engaging characters. Loved Duncan!
I do feel this book is definitely a YA, but as a 40+ year old woman I'm still glad I read this, I loved it and devoured it in 2 days. Can’t wait for the next book and the future of the series.
I do feel this book is definitely a YA, but as a 40+ year old woman I'm still glad I read this, I loved it and devoured it in 2 days. Can’t wait for the next book and the future of the series.
August 9, 2025
Overall, it was great as the author's first book. A lot of effort was clearly put into detailing and scene setting. There was a lot of 'tell' instead of 'show' with regards to storytelling, but again, as a first book, this is forgivable. Some aspects of where the story was leading to were pretty obvious and of course the underlying concepts aren't new, but I think William has a nice writing style, I enjoyed the different points of view, and hopefully future books will feel a little less rushed through towards the end. I will definitely read future books and see how they develop :)
December 9, 2025
Wow just wow what an amazing book to read I need more !!!! I was actually so close to crying at some points this book is one of my favourites so far !!
September 18, 2025
‘The truth is buried, only the bold dare to dig.’
Paranormal/supernatural, mystery/crime based thriller. Sci-fi vibes with the experimentation.
There are some letters, excerpts, etc at the beginning of some of the chapters which give a loose insight or foreshadowing. They’re very interesting snippets of information & I think it’s a very clever way to add into the story.
I loved how this book is written. It’s extremely descriptive which gives a clear picture of the story.
Intense, dark & haunting. It grabs your attention throughout every chapter with all the twists & turns.
There are some parts of this book that are really sad but the way the story panned out, I definitely feel like this isn’t the end.
The first epilogue gives me superhero/vigilante vibes & I’m loving that. I can’t wait to see where the story goes in the next book.
Paranormal/supernatural, mystery/crime based thriller. Sci-fi vibes with the experimentation.
There are some letters, excerpts, etc at the beginning of some of the chapters which give a loose insight or foreshadowing. They’re very interesting snippets of information & I think it’s a very clever way to add into the story.
I loved how this book is written. It’s extremely descriptive which gives a clear picture of the story.
Intense, dark & haunting. It grabs your attention throughout every chapter with all the twists & turns.
There are some parts of this book that are really sad but the way the story panned out, I definitely feel like this isn’t the end.
The first epilogue gives me superhero/vigilante vibes & I’m loving that. I can’t wait to see where the story goes in the next book.
June 14, 2025
Such a good book written by a friend!! So well written and for a first book, it’s amazing! The storyline is gripping and leaves you hooked and wanting to read on to find out more. If you are a fan of mystery/thriller, definitely give this a go!
March 23, 2026
I think this is a great story and a good introduction to the series.
William Lee writes short sharp chapters the late keep the story moving in at a quick pace and the action flows .
I’m looking forward to reading more of his work and finding out what is next.
The Author is not afraid to kill off characters and no one is safe.
5 star
William Lee writes short sharp chapters the late keep the story moving in at a quick pace and the action flows .
I’m looking forward to reading more of his work and finding out what is next.
The Author is not afraid to kill off characters and no one is safe.
5 star
August 5, 2025
For better or worse, reading this novel felt like wandering into my high school library and plucking a YA paperback straight from the shelf.
Gone Before the Moon follows two friends, Duncan and Kade. When Kade disappears, Duncan alongside a set of other protagonists set out to investigate, uncovering a string of other vanishings, people with supernatural abilities, and a secret organization.
Gone Before the Moon has an intriguing premise, but the first-person narrative feels meandering, with overly used descriptions throughout that become distracting. Inconsistencies, like a character described with two different skin tones and plot conveniences, such as classified reports found through a simple search, weaken the story’s credibility. At times, characters seem to know things they were never told, which pulls you out of the story, most notably during the climax, where it undermines the events entirely. The inclusion of historical excerpts and diary entries could have been a strong plot device, but their random placement and the fact that only the reader, not the characters, sees them creates an unnecessary distance between reader and protagonist. The narrative also leans heavily on familiar tropes, almost like ticking them off a list; I found myself wishing the author had taken a more creative approach to these elements, something that is absolutely necessary in such an oversaturated genre.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in the sections centred on the rampaging supernatural creatures and the death and destruction they unleashed. These moments were the most engaging, not only because they were unnerving, but also because some scenes tugged at the heartstrings, adding emotional depth amid the chaos.
I absolutely hate being so critical of an indie author, but I don’t feel it would be constructive to say anything other than my honest thoughts. Speaking as a thirty year old man, I’m certain this book would appeal more to younger readers. As I’ve said, there’s something nostalgic about it. It reminds me of something I’d have found in my high school library, and I’m sure I would have enjoyed it back then. At this point in my life, though, it’s just not a story for me. That said, I’m confident it will find an audience among YA readers looking for a supernatural mystery.
Gone Before the Moon follows two friends, Duncan and Kade. When Kade disappears, Duncan alongside a set of other protagonists set out to investigate, uncovering a string of other vanishings, people with supernatural abilities, and a secret organization.
Gone Before the Moon has an intriguing premise, but the first-person narrative feels meandering, with overly used descriptions throughout that become distracting. Inconsistencies, like a character described with two different skin tones and plot conveniences, such as classified reports found through a simple search, weaken the story’s credibility. At times, characters seem to know things they were never told, which pulls you out of the story, most notably during the climax, where it undermines the events entirely. The inclusion of historical excerpts and diary entries could have been a strong plot device, but their random placement and the fact that only the reader, not the characters, sees them creates an unnecessary distance between reader and protagonist. The narrative also leans heavily on familiar tropes, almost like ticking them off a list; I found myself wishing the author had taken a more creative approach to these elements, something that is absolutely necessary in such an oversaturated genre.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in the sections centred on the rampaging supernatural creatures and the death and destruction they unleashed. These moments were the most engaging, not only because they were unnerving, but also because some scenes tugged at the heartstrings, adding emotional depth amid the chaos.
I absolutely hate being so critical of an indie author, but I don’t feel it would be constructive to say anything other than my honest thoughts. Speaking as a thirty year old man, I’m certain this book would appeal more to younger readers. As I’ve said, there’s something nostalgic about it. It reminds me of something I’d have found in my high school library, and I’m sure I would have enjoyed it back then. At this point in my life, though, it’s just not a story for me. That said, I’m confident it will find an audience among YA readers looking for a supernatural mystery.
October 11, 2025
A really good book for fantasy and crime, a little repetitive in description, but otherwise amazing storyline!
July 7, 2025
This was a fantastic debut novel, a supernatural thriller that is well paced with engaging characters and a great take on supernatural abilities and creatures. The story follows Duncan as he searches for his missing friend Kade, as he falls further in the hole of dark truths, secret societies and mystery a whole new world opens up and for him and those around him nothing will ever be the same.
I actually loved every second, you can tell the author wrote this book from a place of "I would love to read this exact story" and that drips of the page. Set up for further story, with characters your introduced to, some the main focus and some side characters with only a small part. I'm so excited to continue in this world.
Easy recommendation for me, give it a crack I don't think you will regret it.
I actually loved every second, you can tell the author wrote this book from a place of "I would love to read this exact story" and that drips of the page. Set up for further story, with characters your introduced to, some the main focus and some side characters with only a small part. I'm so excited to continue in this world.
Easy recommendation for me, give it a crack I don't think you will regret it.
August 21, 2025
i weirdly really enjoyed this!!
at no point did i have any clue where this book was going & it’s not something i would normally read but i was invested the whole time.
I really liked Marlon & Duncan’s characters, i found this story fascinating & i definitely want to read more about this series!
This was definitely a thriller with a supernatural twist & i thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was fast paced, yet easy to follow and i finished it in a day.
Definitely looking forward to seeing where William goes with this !
at no point did i have any clue where this book was going & it’s not something i would normally read but i was invested the whole time.
I really liked Marlon & Duncan’s characters, i found this story fascinating & i definitely want to read more about this series!
This was definitely a thriller with a supernatural twist & i thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was fast paced, yet easy to follow and i finished it in a day.
Definitely looking forward to seeing where William goes with this !
January 4, 2026
This book was such a refreshing and genuinely enjoyable read. It felt completely different from any thriller I’ve read before, and that difference worked entirely in its favour. From the very beginning, I was hooked, and I ended up devouring it in a single sitting.
Plot-wise, this is part of a wider series with an overarching storyline, meaning not everything is neatly resolved in this first instalment. I actually loved that. It made the reading experience feel interactive, almost like I was a detective myself, piecing together fragments of information and trying to solve the mystery alongside the characters. I’ve never really had that feeling when reading a thriller before, and it was such a pleasant surprise.
The prologue immediately pulls you in, and from there the pace barely lets up. There is so much action that at times I almost didn’t know where to focus, in the best possible way. It constantly kept me engaged and on edge, and there wasn’t a single moment where I felt bored.
The emotional writing really stood out to me. The characters’ feelings were portrayed so well that I could genuinely feel what they were going through. The whole story reads almost like a documentary-style drama you’d watch on television, which made it incredibly immersive and easy to visualise.
I’m usually quite good at predicting twists, but I was genuinely surprised here. I only managed to guess one, and even that was right before it happened. Honestly, I was happy not to see everything coming. It’s left me full of anticipation for the next book because I truly have no idea where the story is going to go next.
The writing itself is very easy to read and follow, which made this a perfect break between some of the heavier, longer books on my TBR. I was also really intrigued by the supernatural element woven into the thriller. You don’t see that often, and as a fantasy reader, I loved the crossover between genres.
Overall, the plot felt well crafted and thoughtfully executed. I didn’t trust a single character, which only added to the tension, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I’m genuinely excited to see how this series develops next.
Plot-wise, this is part of a wider series with an overarching storyline, meaning not everything is neatly resolved in this first instalment. I actually loved that. It made the reading experience feel interactive, almost like I was a detective myself, piecing together fragments of information and trying to solve the mystery alongside the characters. I’ve never really had that feeling when reading a thriller before, and it was such a pleasant surprise.
The prologue immediately pulls you in, and from there the pace barely lets up. There is so much action that at times I almost didn’t know where to focus, in the best possible way. It constantly kept me engaged and on edge, and there wasn’t a single moment where I felt bored.
The emotional writing really stood out to me. The characters’ feelings were portrayed so well that I could genuinely feel what they were going through. The whole story reads almost like a documentary-style drama you’d watch on television, which made it incredibly immersive and easy to visualise.
I’m usually quite good at predicting twists, but I was genuinely surprised here. I only managed to guess one, and even that was right before it happened. Honestly, I was happy not to see everything coming. It’s left me full of anticipation for the next book because I truly have no idea where the story is going to go next.
The writing itself is very easy to read and follow, which made this a perfect break between some of the heavier, longer books on my TBR. I was also really intrigued by the supernatural element woven into the thriller. You don’t see that often, and as a fantasy reader, I loved the crossover between genres.
Overall, the plot felt well crafted and thoughtfully executed. I didn’t trust a single character, which only added to the tension, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I’m genuinely excited to see how this series develops next.
August 30, 2025
this book was amazing!! literally read it in one day!! couldn't put it down! mystery thriller.. with fantastic plots, details that some times you wish weren't in there 😱 very gruesome but vital in the story ( I loved it!) fast paced story but not lacking anything, the characters are so relatable and u just need to know if they find Kade! you feel like your right there with Duncan looking, researching! THIS NEEDS TO BE ON YOUR TBR!!! i didn't expect to like this... its not my normal read when I realised what it was about, but I loved it! hence me staying up till 3.20am to finish it!
March 27, 2026
Thank you to the author for my copy.
This is a solid start to a new supernatural series, filled with conspiracies, cover ups and secret experiments. It's fast paced with POV chapters, they give you enough to tantalise without knowing the full story from any of the characters. It has twists and turns and mystery in spadefuls!
I was touched by how much Duncan was driven to delve into the mystery of Kade’s disappearance and his determination drew others in to help him along the way.
The ending was tense and I have immediately picked up book two as I want to know more on this story.
This is a solid start to a new supernatural series, filled with conspiracies, cover ups and secret experiments. It's fast paced with POV chapters, they give you enough to tantalise without knowing the full story from any of the characters. It has twists and turns and mystery in spadefuls!
I was touched by how much Duncan was driven to delve into the mystery of Kade’s disappearance and his determination drew others in to help him along the way.
The ending was tense and I have immediately picked up book two as I want to know more on this story.
January 5, 2026
This is an amazing book. My first read of 2026 and what a read it was! The author had me hooked from the epilogue all the way through to the prologue.
March 27, 2026
Truly excellent and this isn’t usually something I would read so I think that speaks volumes. I can wait to start the next book and look forward to more being released. Highly recommend this exciting/ gripping book
March 23, 2026
perfect for YA
I had so much from reading this book. It follows two friends Kade and Duncan.
Kade is in an accident and wakes up in some sort of laboratory. Duncan wants to find him.
Multiple POV and little extracts that keep you on your toes.
This book is a completely page turner, and I love the mystery vibes that get you guessing and completely involved in the mystery.
This book is beautifully written and perfect for YA who want a read that is cinematic and fast paced.
I had so much from reading this book. It follows two friends Kade and Duncan.
Kade is in an accident and wakes up in some sort of laboratory. Duncan wants to find him.
Multiple POV and little extracts that keep you on your toes.
This book is a completely page turner, and I love the mystery vibes that get you guessing and completely involved in the mystery.
This book is beautifully written and perfect for YA who want a read that is cinematic and fast paced.
March 23, 2026
Loved this book, great way to start the series!
Instantly hooked into the story, and it felt like the stakes kept getting higher & higher. Great characters, very stranger things vibes & I’m really excited to see how the rest of this series goes!
(Also justice for Duncan 😢)
Instantly hooked into the story, and it felt like the stakes kept getting higher & higher. Great characters, very stranger things vibes & I’m really excited to see how the rest of this series goes!
(Also justice for Duncan 😢)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2025
Enjoyed this book from it's slow burn mysterious start to it's fast paced climatic end. Great debut novel from William Lee and very much looking forward to future entries into the Black Veil Files series.
March 20, 2026
loved every moment of this book. easy to get into and kept me wanting to read more.
thank you for the lovely read. highly recommend if you are into thrillers and supernatural.
thank you for the lovely read. highly recommend if you are into thrillers and supernatural.
November 12, 2025
Gone before the moon is an enthralling supernatural thriller that’s play out more like a tv show than that of a book. With vibes pretty similar to that of stranger things you follow the story of 3 characters, Kade, Duncan and Marlon.
You are put into their perspectives seeing each chapter through their eyes and their own thoughts, scanning the world around you trying to uncover the mysteries that are surrounding the disappearances that you are investigating.
The story follows the supernatural of man made origin and you can’t help but be glued to the page almost like binge watching a tv show that just draws you in ever so quickly.
At only 240 pages you can’t help but continue to read, feeling like you are there with these characters trying to uncover what’s is truly happening.
If you like supernatural thrillers this is one for you.
I will be honest the first person narrative threw me off for the first couple of chapters but as the story continued I quickly was absorbed into this world.
I hope you give this book a chance and I look forward to the next “season” when it releases.
A job well done for a debut novel by William Lee.
You are put into their perspectives seeing each chapter through their eyes and their own thoughts, scanning the world around you trying to uncover the mysteries that are surrounding the disappearances that you are investigating.
The story follows the supernatural of man made origin and you can’t help but be glued to the page almost like binge watching a tv show that just draws you in ever so quickly.
At only 240 pages you can’t help but continue to read, feeling like you are there with these characters trying to uncover what’s is truly happening.
If you like supernatural thrillers this is one for you.
I will be honest the first person narrative threw me off for the first couple of chapters but as the story continued I quickly was absorbed into this world.
I hope you give this book a chance and I look forward to the next “season” when it releases.
A job well done for a debut novel by William Lee.
March 8, 2026
Incredible debut novel! I don’t normally read supernatural novels but thought it sounded interesting and I’m so glad I gave it a go, I couldn’t put it down. It’s fast paced story which is full of questions, worry for the characters, fear and overall human nature about what friendship means and asks what are you willing to do for yours. Can’t wait to read the next one! Congratulations William on an amazing book!
March 9, 2026
This book had me hooked, there is a mixture of thriller with a supernatural twist. I was hooked from the beginning.
March 5, 2026
Really loved this book the story was amazing looking forward to book 2
March 3, 2026
absolutely amazing read. I cant wait for this series to continue. full of mystery, suspense and shifters. really enjoyed this one and couldnt put it down.
January 24, 2026
Gone before the moon follows the story of Kade and Duncan during a time whilst strange disappearances are happening in their small community. The story focuses on emotional healing, relationships, and the impact of loss in a small community.
This story completely gripped me. Every chapter made me want to keep reading because I never knew what was going to happen next. I really felt for the characters, and the author’s writing was so emotional and powerful, it stayed with me even after I finished. It gave me major Stranger Things vibes, creepy experiments, mystery, and that constant what is happening feeling.
🌙 Processing loss
🌙 Small town with secrets
🌙 Slow burn mystery
🌙 Atmospheric read
🌙 Mad scientist
🌙 Transformation
🌙 Duel POV
Great work William Lee I can't wait to read more of your work.
This story completely gripped me. Every chapter made me want to keep reading because I never knew what was going to happen next. I really felt for the characters, and the author’s writing was so emotional and powerful, it stayed with me even after I finished. It gave me major Stranger Things vibes, creepy experiments, mystery, and that constant what is happening feeling.
🌙 Processing loss
🌙 Small town with secrets
🌙 Slow burn mystery
🌙 Atmospheric read
🌙 Mad scientist
🌙 Transformation
🌙 Duel POV
Great work William Lee I can't wait to read more of your work.
February 10, 2026
Maybe 2.5?
Really not sure what to think of this. Some spots were ok, kept me engrossed while others seemed boring and had me rolling my eyes. Writing seems simple at times, very repetitive. Plot was meh, no real surprises or “wow” moments.
I’m actually laughing a bit as I write this, it’s certainly not going to help anyone deciding whether to read this book…and I’m not really sure what I would tell the reader in any case.
I’m not sure about the sequels, maybe?
Sorry haha
Really not sure what to think of this. Some spots were ok, kept me engrossed while others seemed boring and had me rolling my eyes. Writing seems simple at times, very repetitive. Plot was meh, no real surprises or “wow” moments.
I’m actually laughing a bit as I write this, it’s certainly not going to help anyone deciding whether to read this book…and I’m not really sure what I would tell the reader in any case.
I’m not sure about the sequels, maybe?
Sorry haha
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews