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Blood Moon
When the motive is revenge, murder is not enough
Disgraced journalist Xander McAuslan and his Vietnam veteran and erstwhile cave-dwelling survivalist mate Lorenzo are in grave danger – a situation exacerbated by the fact that they have no idea their recent past is about to catch up with them.
A few months ago, in the sleepy Tasmanian village of Mole Creek, Xander and Lorenzo accidentally thwarted a murderous attempt to cover up the existence of a Russian ‘sleeper’ agent who was ready to be activated to devastating effect. And now, in retribution, a ruthless assassin has been sent to kill them as slowly and painfully as possible.
But before the killer can strike, Lorenzo is lured to Vung Tau in Vietnam where another veteran thinks his life is in danger because he is investigating a war crime from 60 years ago.
Meanwhile Xander is offered bribes and threatened with violence as he researches a true crime book about the disappearance of a phenomenally successful artist. The art world, he discovers, has a layer of greed, corruption, jealousy and vicious rivalry that would put organised crime to shame.
Add into the mix an ambitious and sexy true crime podcaster and the savvy and sassy teenage daughter of the Vietnam veteran, and the story swings from Mole Creek to Sydney, Saigon and back to Tasmania as it hurtles toward its deadly conclusion.
Xander and Lorenzo must draw on all their street smarts and survival skills to get to the truth of both investigations, all the time unaware that no one, young or old, is safe as the assassin homes in on her unsuspecting quarry.
Disgraced journalist Xander McAuslan and his Vietnam veteran and erstwhile cave-dwelling survivalist mate Lorenzo are in grave danger – a situation exacerbated by the fact that they have no idea their recent past is about to catch up with them.
A few months ago, in the sleepy Tasmanian village of Mole Creek, Xander and Lorenzo accidentally thwarted a murderous attempt to cover up the existence of a Russian ‘sleeper’ agent who was ready to be activated to devastating effect. And now, in retribution, a ruthless assassin has been sent to kill them as slowly and painfully as possible.
But before the killer can strike, Lorenzo is lured to Vung Tau in Vietnam where another veteran thinks his life is in danger because he is investigating a war crime from 60 years ago.
Meanwhile Xander is offered bribes and threatened with violence as he researches a true crime book about the disappearance of a phenomenally successful artist. The art world, he discovers, has a layer of greed, corruption, jealousy and vicious rivalry that would put organised crime to shame.
Add into the mix an ambitious and sexy true crime podcaster and the savvy and sassy teenage daughter of the Vietnam veteran, and the story swings from Mole Creek to Sydney, Saigon and back to Tasmania as it hurtles toward its deadly conclusion.
Xander and Lorenzo must draw on all their street smarts and survival skills to get to the truth of both investigations, all the time unaware that no one, young or old, is safe as the assassin homes in on her unsuspecting quarry.
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 15, 2026
A missing artist, a journalist trying to find a future, Vietnam vet reunion gone wrong, an assassin on the hunt.
A gripping story set between Australia and Vietnam, heaped in mystery, secrets, revenge and fast-paced thrills.
As Xander is about to fly to Vietnam with his buddy for a reunion, he receives an offer he can’t refuse, especially if he wants to salvage a career. So he stays in Australia to delve into the circumstances that led to an artist going overboard. Lorenzo flies to Vietnam to help out a friend in danger, but what they don’t realise is they are being hunted.
The mysteries deepen, the cat and mouse game continues while the action ramps up, creating a captivating and entertaining read.
The events that occurred in Mole Creek, James’s previous book, seem to form a major part of the storyline and are mentioned throughout this story, and although much of the backstory is explained, I feel that readers should start with Mole Creek first and have the full picture.
Blood Moon is in its own right a stand-a-lone story, however I believe reading both Mole Creek and Blood Moon as a series would have increased my enjoyment.
Thank you Good Reading Magazine and Echo Publishing for my fabulous copy for review.
#bloodmoon
#jamesdunbar
#dontlettruthgetintheway
#goodreadingmagazine
#echopublishing
A gripping story set between Australia and Vietnam, heaped in mystery, secrets, revenge and fast-paced thrills.
As Xander is about to fly to Vietnam with his buddy for a reunion, he receives an offer he can’t refuse, especially if he wants to salvage a career. So he stays in Australia to delve into the circumstances that led to an artist going overboard. Lorenzo flies to Vietnam to help out a friend in danger, but what they don’t realise is they are being hunted.
The mysteries deepen, the cat and mouse game continues while the action ramps up, creating a captivating and entertaining read.
The events that occurred in Mole Creek, James’s previous book, seem to form a major part of the storyline and are mentioned throughout this story, and although much of the backstory is explained, I feel that readers should start with Mole Creek first and have the full picture.
Blood Moon is in its own right a stand-a-lone story, however I believe reading both Mole Creek and Blood Moon as a series would have increased my enjoyment.
Thank you Good Reading Magazine and Echo Publishing for my fabulous copy for review.
#bloodmoon
#jamesdunbar
#dontlettruthgetintheway
#goodreadingmagazine
#echopublishing
September 7, 2026
James Dunbar introduced the characters of journalist Xander McCauslan and the ageing Vietnam-vet Lorenzo in his book Mole Creek. In that book Xander inherited a remote Tasmanian cabin from his grandfather who has apparently committed suicide. In solving that case, Xander connects with Lorenzo and gets involved in some local police corruption and international espionage shenanigans. In Blood Moon the pair are back, although they end up on slightly different trajectories that are loosely tied together by the events of Mole Creek.
When Blood Moon opens, Xander and Lorenzo are being watched by a Russian assassin, sent to get revenge for some of the things they got up to in Mole Creek. Before she can make her move they decide to go to Vietnam to help out an old war buddy of Lorenzo’s called Bill. But just as they get to Sydney, Xander is given an offer to write a book about the disappearance of a local artist and decides that it is worth his while to take the contract. Once they split up, the assassin follows Lorenzo to Vietnam with a view to taking him out there.
There are essentially three completely unrelated stories going on in Blood Moon. Bill’s story, which goes back to an event that happened during the war (and which is sadly based on a true story); Xander’s investigation of the apparent suicide of the artist which turns out to have an organised crime element; and, swirling in the mix, the Russian assassin. Dunbar swirls these three plots around each other complicating things as the assassin gets tangled in the other two stories without either Lorenzo or Xander knowing that she is there.
While Anastasia the Russian assassin is fairly clichéd, Xander and Lorenzo are fun characters to spend time with and there are other interesting side characters including Bill’s feisty daughter Anh and true crime podcaster Heather Lambton. Which is needed because the two main stories, particularly the artist’s disappearance thread, are slight and their resolution is fairly predictable. Dunbar still manages to provide some surprises when he brings all of the characters and plot threads together towards the end of the book.
When Blood Moon opens, Xander and Lorenzo are being watched by a Russian assassin, sent to get revenge for some of the things they got up to in Mole Creek. Before she can make her move they decide to go to Vietnam to help out an old war buddy of Lorenzo’s called Bill. But just as they get to Sydney, Xander is given an offer to write a book about the disappearance of a local artist and decides that it is worth his while to take the contract. Once they split up, the assassin follows Lorenzo to Vietnam with a view to taking him out there.
There are essentially three completely unrelated stories going on in Blood Moon. Bill’s story, which goes back to an event that happened during the war (and which is sadly based on a true story); Xander’s investigation of the apparent suicide of the artist which turns out to have an organised crime element; and, swirling in the mix, the Russian assassin. Dunbar swirls these three plots around each other complicating things as the assassin gets tangled in the other two stories without either Lorenzo or Xander knowing that she is there.
While Anastasia the Russian assassin is fairly clichéd, Xander and Lorenzo are fun characters to spend time with and there are other interesting side characters including Bill’s feisty daughter Anh and true crime podcaster Heather Lambton. Which is needed because the two main stories, particularly the artist’s disappearance thread, are slight and their resolution is fairly predictable. Dunbar still manages to provide some surprises when he brings all of the characters and plot threads together towards the end of the book.
October 28, 2026
There is nothing better than a book that starts as it means to finish- you dive right in and
keep on swimming until the end. This novel was no exception.
I really enjoyed this tale of intrigue and revenge. Although I had not read the prequel, I was
still able to just go on this ride and catch myself up later. For me, that’s the perfect storm-
scene set, and I didn’t really need the details to still be involved and enjoy myself.
The main protagonists, Xander and Lorenzo, are an interesting duo who are quite funny and
pragmatic in their approach to life. Armed with good intentions and street smarts, they set
out on one mission, only to both get side tracked by competing adventures in which they
both have a stake. At one point I was trying to sort out who/when/where/why, but what fun it
was untangling all these red herrings and furphys!
Throw in a Russian assassin -who clearly needed her own holiday by the end - and the
stage is set for some hilarious hijinks, near misses and death-defying martial arts moves
from our heroes. Add to the mix some romance and an interesting female distraction for
Xander as he tried to maintain his integrity and not get anyone killed, and you have all the
ingredients for a snappy, fast paced thriller.
I loved this book, and would happily recommend it and join these guys on any further
adventures they may have, wherever in the world their tales take them.
Thank you so much to the Good Reading Team for introducing me to this series by way of a
free preview.
keep on swimming until the end. This novel was no exception.
I really enjoyed this tale of intrigue and revenge. Although I had not read the prequel, I was
still able to just go on this ride and catch myself up later. For me, that’s the perfect storm-
scene set, and I didn’t really need the details to still be involved and enjoy myself.
The main protagonists, Xander and Lorenzo, are an interesting duo who are quite funny and
pragmatic in their approach to life. Armed with good intentions and street smarts, they set
out on one mission, only to both get side tracked by competing adventures in which they
both have a stake. At one point I was trying to sort out who/when/where/why, but what fun it
was untangling all these red herrings and furphys!
Throw in a Russian assassin -who clearly needed her own holiday by the end - and the
stage is set for some hilarious hijinks, near misses and death-defying martial arts moves
from our heroes. Add to the mix some romance and an interesting female distraction for
Xander as he tried to maintain his integrity and not get anyone killed, and you have all the
ingredients for a snappy, fast paced thriller.
I loved this book, and would happily recommend it and join these guys on any further
adventures they may have, wherever in the world their tales take them.
Thank you so much to the Good Reading Team for introducing me to this series by way of a
free preview.
September 3, 2026
At first glance, it’s hard to see how this book fits together.
And honestly, it doesn’t exactly. But that’s what makes it a great read.
We have two men being hunted from Tasmania to Vietnam by a Russian assassin. A drunken Vietnam War veteran trying to seek revenge on something that happened 60 years ago. A podcaster who won’t let a story go even with the warnings. And the daughter of the veteran who doesn’t want to leave home, no matter the danger.
This works because of the multiple storyline’s, each interweaving thought the book as we get closer to the climax. There’s definitely callbacks to an earlier book which I haven’t read, but it doesn’t take away from the story.
The action ebbs and flows, mostly driven by the actions of the Russian assassin, who is entertaining in her own right. The addition of Anh and her reluctance to leave Vietnam, only to play a key role in saving her father is also a fun character. The other refreshing characters set is Xander and Lorenzo, neither are the young, muscly action heroes you see often. Both are older (Lorenzo being mid-70s) but still have that characteristic of a great action character.
This is definitely a page turner, and I’m already adding the other book to my TBR 😅
And honestly, it doesn’t exactly. But that’s what makes it a great read.
We have two men being hunted from Tasmania to Vietnam by a Russian assassin. A drunken Vietnam War veteran trying to seek revenge on something that happened 60 years ago. A podcaster who won’t let a story go even with the warnings. And the daughter of the veteran who doesn’t want to leave home, no matter the danger.
This works because of the multiple storyline’s, each interweaving thought the book as we get closer to the climax. There’s definitely callbacks to an earlier book which I haven’t read, but it doesn’t take away from the story.
The action ebbs and flows, mostly driven by the actions of the Russian assassin, who is entertaining in her own right. The addition of Anh and her reluctance to leave Vietnam, only to play a key role in saving her father is also a fun character. The other refreshing characters set is Xander and Lorenzo, neither are the young, muscly action heroes you see often. Both are older (Lorenzo being mid-70s) but still have that characteristic of a great action character.
This is definitely a page turner, and I’m already adding the other book to my TBR 😅
October 18, 2026
Blood Moon by James Dunbar is a compelling story of mystery, revenge, secrets and intrigue that is set between Australia and Vietnam.
This is the sort of book that shouldn’t work, but somehow does. We have a missing artist. Historic war crimes and a drunk Vietnam veteran wanting accountability. A podcaster who won’t take no for an answer and a Russian assassin hunting the two men.
Dunbar’s writing style keeps the tension high with multiple character perspectives in each chapter, while also weaving humour throughout to keep things light. It starts slow and builds into a tense thriller.
While it can be read as a standalone, I do recommend starting with Mole Creek first if you want Xander and Lorenzo’s backstory and no spoilers. I hope we see more from these two characters.
Thank you to Echo Publishing for a copy to review.
This is the sort of book that shouldn’t work, but somehow does. We have a missing artist. Historic war crimes and a drunk Vietnam veteran wanting accountability. A podcaster who won’t take no for an answer and a Russian assassin hunting the two men.
Dunbar’s writing style keeps the tension high with multiple character perspectives in each chapter, while also weaving humour throughout to keep things light. It starts slow and builds into a tense thriller.
While it can be read as a standalone, I do recommend starting with Mole Creek first if you want Xander and Lorenzo’s backstory and no spoilers. I hope we see more from these two characters.
Thank you to Echo Publishing for a copy to review.
October 1, 2026
Haven't read James Dunbar before. This is a kind of spy thriller / crime fiction combo. A story that crosses Tasmania and Vietnam, but also involves Russian spies.
We have journalist Xander McAuslan and his pal Lorenzo. They're being hunted down by a Russian agent, as revenge for (I'm guessing) events in an earlier Dunbar novel.
Meanwhile, Xander is enticed to look into an apparent suicide by a renowned artist, with a view to hopefully uncovering it wasn't a suicide, and developing the story into a book for publication.
Lots happening in this fast paced thriller
We have journalist Xander McAuslan and his pal Lorenzo. They're being hunted down by a Russian agent, as revenge for (I'm guessing) events in an earlier Dunbar novel.
Meanwhile, Xander is enticed to look into an apparent suicide by a renowned artist, with a view to hopefully uncovering it wasn't a suicide, and developing the story into a book for publication.
Lots happening in this fast paced thriller
September 20, 2026
Really good book and great sequel to Mole Creek
Both are good reads by James Dunbar
😊😊
Both are good reads by James Dunbar
😊😊
October 11, 2026
This is a read in one sitting type of book- mystery, intrigue, secrets and lies. Fast paced with a sprinkling of wit and humour, totally not the dry spy novel I was expecting.
October 12, 2026
Not too bad. Plenty of action involved with various characters interwoven with each other. Ending a bit unsatisfying though. .
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews