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Raleigh Harmon PI Mysteries #2
The Moon Stands Still
On a scenic riverbank outside Seattle, forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon accidentally digs up evidence linked to the local FBI's most famous unsolved mystery—D. B. Cooper's airplane hijacking and sudden disappearance.
But when the Bureau hires Raleigh to help solve its legendary cold case, her life starts to fall apart. The state crime lab's already asked her to identify geology linked to a young girl's murder—a murder that could send an innocent man to death row.
Juggling two urgent cases, Raleigh digs deeper into both and triggers a dangerous series of events. She also fractures her fresh romance with agent Jack Stephanson.
What's worse, Jack doesn’t seem to care.
In The Moon Stands Still, Raleigh Harmon confronts her worst fears of failure and abandonment, while fighting to deliver justice and uncover the truth.
But that truth is going to change her life forever…
314 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2017
141 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Sibella Giorello
24 books243 followersSibella Giorello writes the award-winning and bestselling mystery series starring forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon. The first book in the series, "The Stones Cry Out," won a Christy Award for excellence. Since then, many more Raleigh Harmon mysteries have followed, including a bestselling YA series in which the 15-year-old budding geologist uses mineralogy to solve crimes in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. A former newspaper reporter, Sibella's journalism was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Find out more by visiting her website, www.sibellawrites.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 20, 2017
Just one more chapter...well, two...no, make it three...and once again the adventures of Raleigh Harmon have me staying up later than planned. Watch your schedule as you read another treat from author Sibella Giorello. Better yet, you should make sure to plan enough time to read this in one sitting.
December 3, 2018
Here is the good stuff:
The writing is exquisite, see my public quotes. The stories are so well researched and flow effortlessly. Every novel in this series is an education; it's like a science lesson without the boring professor. I love that Raleigh's old boss Mr. Malaprop is back 😂
I like Raleigh's new venture of solving cold cases, this hopefully means that the series will continue.
Here is the less than 5 star stuff:
As some others have pointed out, I too feel like Raleigh's character needs to grow, it is becoming tiresome. I feel like this book was a placeholder.
Her unwillingness to talk to Jack and insane assumptions (like the whole platonic thing) is annoying. Of course she can keep her quirks but she needs to believe that Jack loves her.
This whole "I need to bring the dog to the asylum" is weird. I understand from a therapy perspective but why does Raleigh need to be the one to drop off Madame if her mother refuses to see her.
Which brings me to a point that has bothered since book one. When will Raleigh's father be knocked off his pedestal? By that I mean, when will she deal with the fact that her father's decision to let her be rejected by her mother may be the root of all of Raleigh's dysfunction? His compassion towards his wife came at Raleigh's expense.
The pattern of cases being connected is ruining the mystery, plus I figured out who the "bad guy" was on page 197.
Lastly, I wish we could have witnessed Raleigh meeting up with suspect #1 related to the cold case. The daughter of said suspect was so endearing and I would have happily read an extra page of Raleigh sharing a meal with her.
The writing is exquisite, see my public quotes. The stories are so well researched and flow effortlessly. Every novel in this series is an education; it's like a science lesson without the boring professor. I love that Raleigh's old boss Mr. Malaprop is back 😂
I like Raleigh's new venture of solving cold cases, this hopefully means that the series will continue.
Here is the less than 5 star stuff:
As some others have pointed out, I too feel like Raleigh's character needs to grow, it is becoming tiresome. I feel like this book was a placeholder.
Her unwillingness to talk to Jack and insane assumptions (like the whole platonic thing) is annoying. Of course she can keep her quirks but she needs to believe that Jack loves her.
This whole "I need to bring the dog to the asylum" is weird. I understand from a therapy perspective but why does Raleigh need to be the one to drop off Madame if her mother refuses to see her.
Which brings me to a point that has bothered since book one. When will Raleigh's father be knocked off his pedestal? By that I mean, when will she deal with the fact that her father's decision to let her be rejected by her mother may be the root of all of Raleigh's dysfunction? His compassion towards his wife came at Raleigh's expense.
The pattern of cases being connected is ruining the mystery, plus I figured out who the "bad guy" was on page 197.
Lastly, I wish we could have witnessed Raleigh meeting up with suspect #1 related to the cold case. The daughter of said suspect was so endearing and I would have happily read an extra page of Raleigh sharing a meal with her.
June 2, 2017
I'm always so excited when a new book written by Sibella Giorello hits the shelves (virtual or not.) The Moon Stands Still is a welcome addition to the Raleigh Harmon series, and everything we like about Raleigh is here in spades--smarts, toughs, and vulnerability. Much more of that, actually, than in her other stories. Because Raleigh is not only juggling two cases (a murder and a decades old heist), but she's trying to figure out her feelings for a certain handsome FBI agent. This adds a romantic thread to this series not seen in the other books. Fans of romantic suspense tales will find delight in it. At times it seems Raleigh got a little blinded by it, but love is complicated, as she soon finds out. Great entry in a fantastic series! Can't wait to see where it goes next.
February 7, 2019
This series just continues to get better and better. This is book two in the Raleigh Harmon PI series but it is really book seven overall because the series just continues Raleigh's story from the first series. This is a must read for any suspense lover . . . treat yourself and start from the beginning. It's worth it.
May 21, 2017
I love Sibella's writing! She is obviously well-read, as there are several literary and theatrical references. Raleigh Harmon struggles with justice versus law, as well as love versus pain. The character Eleanor adds so much color to Raleigh's life - everyone needs an Eleanor in their life :)
July 19, 2017
I have mixed feelings about this book and the series overall.
On the positive side, the book is well-written, entertaining, and keeps you on your toes. The characters are likable as well. Good suspense and the mysteries are wrapped up in a way that makes sense. So for those reasons, I liked this book and the series overall.
I don't feel that they should be categorized as Christian fiction. A.) the language was not clean, B.) the author makes references to "holy rollers" and makes church sound suitable for only the crazies, and C.) Raleigh's relationship with God is minimal if barely alive.
Lastly, I get that Raleigh Harmon is driven, plagued by issues, and complex. But no man I know would fall in love with a woman who can't communicate at all. Some softness is needed for this character to make her realistic. So I would have liked to have seen more of an arc to her storyline as it just got old by book five.
On the positive side, the book is well-written, entertaining, and keeps you on your toes. The characters are likable as well. Good suspense and the mysteries are wrapped up in a way that makes sense. So for those reasons, I liked this book and the series overall.
I don't feel that they should be categorized as Christian fiction. A.) the language was not clean, B.) the author makes references to "holy rollers" and makes church sound suitable for only the crazies, and C.) Raleigh's relationship with God is minimal if barely alive.
Lastly, I get that Raleigh Harmon is driven, plagued by issues, and complex. But no man I know would fall in love with a woman who can't communicate at all. Some softness is needed for this character to make her realistic. So I would have liked to have seen more of an arc to her storyline as it just got old by book five.
July 5, 2017
Wow - this is now my favorite adult Raleigh Harmon book. Funny, I’ve said this before about each book in this series as they came out. Sibella Giorello’s writing just keeps getting better and better. Excellent work. So descriptive. I love learning how geology can help solve crimes, and I also love rocks, so her knowledge of geology catches my attention too.
In this book Raleigh and Jack are at it again. Romance too? Maybe, Maybe Not, but they are again working together. Raleigh was working on a case and then gets roped into working on the old D. B. Cooper case with Jack. I haven’t thought about D. B. Cooper in years, so it was fun to once again hear about it. And once again the whole “family” is in the book. Sibella’s ability to enhance her characters is amazing.
In this book Raleigh and Jack are at it again. Romance too? Maybe, Maybe Not, but they are again working together. Raleigh was working on a case and then gets roped into working on the old D. B. Cooper case with Jack. I haven’t thought about D. B. Cooper in years, so it was fun to once again hear about it. And once again the whole “family” is in the book. Sibella’s ability to enhance her characters is amazing.
May 26, 2017
I can't believe the book ended. "You're killin' me, Smalls!"
June 13, 2018
Raleigh Harmon is a former FBI agent who left in unclear circumstances and is now a forensic geologist for a small company. She is digging for fossils on a riverbank with her archaeologist best friend, rather than going out for a date with Jack, and discovers a lot of old money. She believes it is linked to the famous case of D. B. Cooper, the famous criminal who disappeared from a hijacked plane, with a couple of parachutes, in the middle of a big storm and is never seen again.
She gets called into a murder case by her current employers, to use her skills regarding a rock use to kill a teenage girl on a deserted beach. It’s a special fossilised rock called a pegmatite, which only collectors would have. It’s not a rock found anywhere near the murder scene. After finding the money, she has what she classes as a date in a posh restaurant with Jack, a former FBI colleague, but it ends in the ‘friend’ zone and not romance as she expected!
She then gets asked into the FBI to help solve the D.B. Cooper case, before the lead agent, who has worked the case for decades on and off, has to retire at the mandatory FBI age. He wants it solves in a matter of weeks but Raleigh finds him really difficult to get on with. She is also questioned by the boss of the local FBI office to confirm that she and Jack are NOT romantically involved, as this is against FBI regulations! So, firmly put into the friend zone.
The murder suspect may be an innocent man, getting railroaded for the crime, so Raleigh has to figure out who actually wanted the girl dead and keep out of trouble. The FBI case brings even more danger to her life. Add in the mother in a lunatic asylum, who she has to take her dog to visit her, but not herself, at a set time every day. Jobs with little pay and living with an elderly aunt, not quite where she expects her life to be by now.
An excellent, easy read with lots of surprises along the way. I’m disappointed that I’d never read any other books from this author before. I will definitely be looking out their work in the future and try to catch up on the books at the start of the series to see where Raleigh started off. I like books to be over 300 pages, so you can get right into the characters and have lots happening to keep your interest throughout.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
She gets called into a murder case by her current employers, to use her skills regarding a rock use to kill a teenage girl on a deserted beach. It’s a special fossilised rock called a pegmatite, which only collectors would have. It’s not a rock found anywhere near the murder scene. After finding the money, she has what she classes as a date in a posh restaurant with Jack, a former FBI colleague, but it ends in the ‘friend’ zone and not romance as she expected!
She then gets asked into the FBI to help solve the D.B. Cooper case, before the lead agent, who has worked the case for decades on and off, has to retire at the mandatory FBI age. He wants it solves in a matter of weeks but Raleigh finds him really difficult to get on with. She is also questioned by the boss of the local FBI office to confirm that she and Jack are NOT romantically involved, as this is against FBI regulations! So, firmly put into the friend zone.
The murder suspect may be an innocent man, getting railroaded for the crime, so Raleigh has to figure out who actually wanted the girl dead and keep out of trouble. The FBI case brings even more danger to her life. Add in the mother in a lunatic asylum, who she has to take her dog to visit her, but not herself, at a set time every day. Jobs with little pay and living with an elderly aunt, not quite where she expects her life to be by now.
An excellent, easy read with lots of surprises along the way. I’m disappointed that I’d never read any other books from this author before. I will definitely be looking out their work in the future and try to catch up on the books at the start of the series to see where Raleigh started off. I like books to be over 300 pages, so you can get right into the characters and have lots happening to keep your interest throughout.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
March 19, 2019
Raleigh Harmon takes on D.B.Cooper in this instalment. Raleigh takes on the tragic case of a young girl murdered on a beach during a lunar eclipse and is lured back to consult with the FBI after discovering buried money. She is being pulled in multiple directions by her mother's mental health concerns, her colourfully eccentric patroness and love interest, Jack. But despite her smarts, she still is a lone wolf who can't remember to take her gun with her.
While I enjoyed this book I also found portions of it seriously annoying. First, the relationship with Jack does not make sense. Raleigh is a commitment-phobe if ever there was one and she has some serious daddy issues. The asylum scenes are not believable and her putting aside work when she is broke to rush to bring a dog to the hospital when her mother won't see her is just ridiculous. The eccentric characters truly wear; transplanted Southern Gothic doesn't play well in the hipster Northwest. I am perplexed as to why this is described as a "Christain" novel. Not that I am complaining that the reader isn't beat over the head with religion. But Raleigh's faith seems dubious. While she shoots out petitions to the universe for help with the many sick and troubled people in her life they seem more desperate than anything else. I still like Raleigh as a character but would like to see her go back to being less the typical damsel in distress due to her own stupidity. Hooking up with the law enforcement hunk is cliched and unoriginal. Still, the book is engaging and interesting despite the flaws.
While I enjoyed this book I also found portions of it seriously annoying. First, the relationship with Jack does not make sense. Raleigh is a commitment-phobe if ever there was one and she has some serious daddy issues. The asylum scenes are not believable and her putting aside work when she is broke to rush to bring a dog to the hospital when her mother won't see her is just ridiculous. The eccentric characters truly wear; transplanted Southern Gothic doesn't play well in the hipster Northwest. I am perplexed as to why this is described as a "Christain" novel. Not that I am complaining that the reader isn't beat over the head with religion. But Raleigh's faith seems dubious. While she shoots out petitions to the universe for help with the many sick and troubled people in her life they seem more desperate than anything else. I still like Raleigh as a character but would like to see her go back to being less the typical damsel in distress due to her own stupidity. Hooking up with the law enforcement hunk is cliched and unoriginal. Still, the book is engaging and interesting despite the flaws.
January 12, 2018
Sibella Giorello is one of my favorite authors, and I love that we get to follow Raleigh through a series where she grows and changes and develops as she solves different cases. This installation of the series included her usual subtle witticisms and insightful commentary on the human condition, and I enjoyed discovering clues and solving the mystery alongside Raleigh.
That said, I really think this far into the series, we should see more development in Raleigh. Why has she still not let her guard down - even with Jack or Eleanor? She is still so broken in isolating herself, and it frustrates me, especially since Raleigh claims to be a Christian. Why do we not see Raleigh turning to God more, either in times of danger or in (her now frequent) depressive moods?
And Jack! With the limited in-depth, heart-to-heart interactions we see between the would-be couple, reading these seven books has felt like watching all seven season of Gilmore Girls, begging Luke and Lorelei to make it work!!! I would have LOVED a hearty, descriptive paragraph or two on some steamy kiss that I could read and re-read - a culmination of all the tension built up between Raleigh and Jack! Please, please, please, Sibella, give us a little more romance in the next one!!!
That said, I really think this far into the series, we should see more development in Raleigh. Why has she still not let her guard down - even with Jack or Eleanor? She is still so broken in isolating herself, and it frustrates me, especially since Raleigh claims to be a Christian. Why do we not see Raleigh turning to God more, either in times of danger or in (her now frequent) depressive moods?
And Jack! With the limited in-depth, heart-to-heart interactions we see between the would-be couple, reading these seven books has felt like watching all seven season of Gilmore Girls, begging Luke and Lorelei to make it work!!! I would have LOVED a hearty, descriptive paragraph or two on some steamy kiss that I could read and re-read - a culmination of all the tension built up between Raleigh and Jack! Please, please, please, Sibella, give us a little more romance in the next one!!!
May 10, 2018
Good; not the best one so far. As usual the plot was exciting, the end thrilling and gripping. As always, Raleigh is the sort of hero you want to keep reading more about.
It fails to achieve five stars for the following: McCleod’s malapropisms were extremely forced, as was the romantic misunderstanding. Worse than your average rom com.
But the worst part for me was the errors. At least two dozen misspellings, incorrect verb tenses, repeated words, and once McCleod used the right word when he was meant to use the wrong one based on later context. Perhaps this is only the case in the ebook and not the print version.
Also, do we as readers know anything about Jack’s faith? Is Raleigh at risk of being unequally yoked? lol.
Overall, a worthy read and enjoyable. I read it quickly because Giorello does a great job with pacing and piquing interest. And as always the science is fascinating.
It fails to achieve five stars for the following: McCleod’s malapropisms were extremely forced, as was the romantic misunderstanding. Worse than your average rom com.
But the worst part for me was the errors. At least two dozen misspellings, incorrect verb tenses, repeated words, and once McCleod used the right word when he was meant to use the wrong one based on later context. Perhaps this is only the case in the ebook and not the print version.
Also, do we as readers know anything about Jack’s faith? Is Raleigh at risk of being unequally yoked? lol.
Overall, a worthy read and enjoyable. I read it quickly because Giorello does a great job with pacing and piquing interest. And as always the science is fascinating.
January 24, 2021
The writing is good, and the author shares lots of really interesting information about geology. I love learning new things so that is a plus. Some of lines going back and forth also made me laugh--another plus. I read Christian fiction because it is clean and because it shares about the Lord. I find that there was not mentioned about the Lord, and in fact, there was few sections concerning Raleigh's Aunt Charlotte that introduced psychic babble and crystals. Instead of coming against this forcefully, it was allowed to stand without much being said. Also, there were various places where the language was not clean. I know we live in a fallen world, but I hear enough not-clean language in the world that I don't want to read it in my stories. The story was good otherwise and did keep me engaged.
June 9, 2018
Moon stands Still starts off a little slow but definitely makes up for it quickly. I really enjoyed the twists and turns of the book and how even though this is the 7th book in the series the characters are still developing. History is touched upon just enough to allow understanding and intrigue to read the other books to form. There is enough of Raleigh's personal life good and bad and her professional life, good and bad, to help make her real and keep you interested. I anticipated enough of what happened to make it interesting without making the whole story predictable. It was a fast read after about the first few chapters so that I finished it rather quickly. I am leaving this review voluntarily after receiving a free copy of the book.
June 14, 2018
This story has many things going on in it at one time! Forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon, digs up evidence on the FBI's most unsolved case....the hijacker B.D. Cooper. That's just the beginning of things that are going to bring Raleigh's world into turmoil. She is also investigating a murder case that may send an innocent man to prison at the same time. Then there is her love life. FBI Agent Jack Stephanson isn't happy at all with all the danger that is circling Raleigh, a doesn't seem to care at all. This brings some of Raleigh's worst fears to light.....failure and being alone. Can she right the ship and still do the job she is trained and hired to do? You will need to read this to find out what happens. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
February 6, 2019
This is another wild and crazy roller coaster ride with Raleigh Harmon! She's juggling two mysteries--the mysterious death of a young girl and the discovery of a major piece of evidence in the (real life) D.B. Cooper case. I was riveted, intrigued, and completely enraptured with the story. Raleigh is my favorite heroine in fiction, and her inner struggles, intuition, weaknesses, and strengths make her so relatable. This is a powerful book filled with colorful characters, mind-boggling plot twists, nail-biting scenes, laughter, agony, shock--all the irresistible ingredients that make for long nights with no sleep! This book is one of my very favorites!
October 23, 2020
Raleigh and Lani before dawn digging for clams, instead she finds bundles of Jackson bills. Raleigh grabs some evidence bags, telling Lani this is not the type of money one wants to keep.
Romantic dinner and dancing with Jack Raleigh tells him about the money.
Then she is requested to the office, first question before hiring her to investigate the soil the bills were found in, what was the relationship with Jack. Jack says platonic, that was after that dinner just last night.
Bank robbery by. Cooper, could she juggle one more case, and visits to her mother. Another good story and curious of what she will find out.
Romantic dinner and dancing with Jack Raleigh tells him about the money.
Then she is requested to the office, first question before hiring her to investigate the soil the bills were found in, what was the relationship with Jack. Jack says platonic, that was after that dinner just last night.
Bank robbery by. Cooper, could she juggle one more case, and visits to her mother. Another good story and curious of what she will find out.
September 10, 2017
The seventh book in the series did not disappoint. You have to love Raleigh! She keeps right on never giving up, no matter what. This book has Raleigh juggling two cases, one for the state, the other for the FBI, plus her relationship with Jack, and of course her mom. This book is a page turner. There are so many twists and turns, so many false trails that it is hard trying to figure out who the bad guys are. I must admit that one of the bad guys I failed to guess, which is a good thing! Predictable this book isn't. A fantastic voyage into forensics definitely.
June 15, 2017
LOVED this book! Makes me want to go back and re-read the entire series. You won't be disappointed. Sibella is an excellent writer and the story, characters, and mystery is as good as it gets in current writing. Might be the best of the series and that is saying a lot as they are hands down my favorite in contemporary literature. There is a reason she has won awards for her writing, she is quite gifted. Can't wait for the next one!
September 10, 2017
I have throughly enjoyed the Raleigh Harmon novels, and book 7 did not disappoint. It is an adventure just trying to keep up with Raleigh. In this book she is juggling two cases, one for the FBI and the other for the state. Plus dealing with her mom and of course, Jack. There are some twists and turns in here, and a lot of false trails as to who are the bad guys. One of which caught me completely off guard. Didn't see it coming, and that is a good thing! Absolutely a keeper book.
September 19, 2017
Being from the Pacific Northwest, I am very familiar with the D.B. Cooper case. So I was quite intrigued when I saw that this book was going to be 'solving' that case. I thought it was well written and I was surprised at how it ended.
I know Raleigh is a geologist, but sometimes the geology information and descriptions get a little boring, but it's easy enough to skim over.
Maybe not my favorite book in the Raleigh Harmon series, but overall a good read.
I know Raleigh is a geologist, but sometimes the geology information and descriptions get a little boring, but it's easy enough to skim over.
Maybe not my favorite book in the Raleigh Harmon series, but overall a good read.
April 24, 2020
Raleigh frustrates me with her lack of faith in Jack and her instant jumping to the wrong conclusion where he is concerned, but only because I can SO understand that feeling of disbelieving that anything good is for you. She simply has no frame of reference for security in love. She's learning. Like all of us, she is a work in progress. Loved the intersections in this book and the overall story. Already several chapters into book 3 (7?).
March 13, 2018
Raleigh Harmon
Like all the other Raleigh Harmon mysteries. This was a great story! I love this character! She is so tenacious. I love how these stories also show her very confusing personal life and how someone can be so good with her scientific and detective deduction, and so obtuse in relationship. All the characters in this series are so alive they a!most seem real.
Like all the other Raleigh Harmon mysteries. This was a great story! I love this character! She is so tenacious. I love how these stories also show her very confusing personal life and how someone can be so good with her scientific and detective deduction, and so obtuse in relationship. All the characters in this series are so alive they a!most seem real.
March 10, 2020
Great book, though by my own fault I was very confused while reading this because I didn’t know there were two different Raleigh Harmon series. I read The Stones Cry Out and thought this was the next book after. Nope, this is book 2 of the PI series, not the FBI series. So be careful when choosing books from this author, as the first series isn’t numbered. Plus there’s a prequel series too 😂
May 6, 2017
Sinply magnificent. Finished it in one sitting... Sibella Giorello just keeps on getting better. I was kept entranced as Raleigh juggled two mysteries (one murder and one disappearance) as well as her multi-faceted complex personal life.
Sensational!
Sensational!
October 13, 2017
Another good read! So compelling. Not 5 stars because I was so frustrated for Raleigh with the lack of communication with her & Jack and because of the many injuries that happened to her by bad people.
July 6, 2021
This book was great fun, great story line and an exciting read.
This is the first book I have read from this author.
Can't wait to read more.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
This is the first book I have read from this author.
Can't wait to read more.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
August 7, 2017
Love this series!
April 27, 2018
Love
I love these characters and have to warn you if you start the series you may not be able to put it down.
I love these characters and have to warn you if you start the series you may not be able to put it down.
May 29, 2019
I love this series. Great suspense and romance with humor mixed in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews