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Mr Moonlight
Close your eyes. He's waiting for you.There’s a darkness lurking under the surface of Julian Harris. Every night in his dreams, he becomes a different person, a monster capable of evil beyond comprehension. Sometimes he feels like something is trying to get inside him. Or maybe it’s already in him, just waiting for the chance to escape into the waking world.There’s a darkness lurking under the surface of Julian’s picture-postcard hometown too. Fifteen years ago, five girls disappeared from the streets of Godthorne. Now it’s happening again. A schoolgirl has gone missing, stirring up memories of that terrible time. But the man who abducted those other girls is long dead. Is there a copycat at work? Or is something much, much stranger going on?Drawn by the same sinister force that haunts his dreams, Julian returns to Godthorne for the first time in years. Finding himself mixed up in the mystery of the missing girl, he realises that to unearth the truth about the present he must confront the ghosts of his past.Somewhere amidst the sprawling tangle of trees that surrounds Godthorne are the answers he so desperately seeks. But the forest does not relinquish its secrets easily.What Amazon and Goodreads readers are saying about Ben Cheetham’s books'I love love loved this book! Had me gripped right from the start and just had to keep reading it!''A dark and twisting narrative that will keep you turning the pages. Ben Cheetham's characters, though sometimes tainted or, indeed, pure evil, are completely believable.''The only trouble with this book is that sleep and work got in the way.''I loved this book and continue to think about the characters after I finished.''Brilliantly written and had me totally captivated. Didn't want to stop reading as I felt myself getting pulled into the drama and wanting to find out what happened next.''Wow! I loved this book. The suspense kept me on the edge of my chair!'
- GenresHorror
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 11, 2019
835 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Ben Cheetham
44 books256 followersBen Cheetham is an award-winning writer and Pushcart Prize nominee. His writing spans the genres, from horror and sci-fi to literary fiction, but he has a passion for dark, gritty crime fiction. His short stories have been published in Swill Magazine, The Fiction Desk, Deadcore (Comet Press), The London Magazine, The Willisden Herald New Short Stories 3, The Grist Anthology of New Writing, Dream Catcher, Staple, Fast Forward: A Collection of Flash Fiction, Voice From The Planet (Harvard Square Editions), The Momaya Annual Review, Transmission, The Chaffey Review, and numerous other magazines.
Ben lives in Sheffield, UK, where - when he's not chasing around after his two-year old son - he spends most of his time locked away in his study racking his brain for the next paragraph, the next sentence, the next word.
Ben lives in Sheffield, UK, where - when he's not chasing around after his two-year old son - he spends most of his time locked away in his study racking his brain for the next paragraph, the next sentence, the next word.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
February 16, 2020
Was this a horror-thriller or thrilling horror? Either way it was freaking good so I rounded up to 5 stars. While I wouldn’t say it was scary, it was very atmospheric and you just know something pretty awful is going to happen and you are along for this train-wreck of a ride which will end in ... a very unexpected place. So full marks to the author for surprising me.
Julian is from a well-to-do family. At the age of 10 he and his mother visit his grandmother for whom the timing is lousy. You see, grandma is a medium and she is holding a seance that night. Julian and Christine (his mother) are ushered upstairs but Julian is curious. He see and overhears things that scare the shit out of him. Especially when grandma says that Mr Moonlight (the spirit the seance was trying to contact) is after Julian. Mr Moonlight is a (dead) serial killer whose last victim was never found. Since that night Julian is plagued by terrible nightmares.
He grows up, goes to university and gets a job in London, plodding along in a less than satisfying life. Then the dream changes. His therapist says he may need to face his fears so Julian decides to return home to Godthorne and do just that. Everything escalates, the dream keeps changing and another girl ends up dead. Julian becomes obsessed with the case. He meets the dead girl’s friend and becomes obsessed with her. They seem to connect on a visceral level. When that girl, Phoebe, goes missing Julian does not rest. He needs to find her. This quest leads him down a very dark path where he learns things about himself, his family and the village that he cannot unlearn and that seem to splinter his mind. The ending is unexpected, shocking and brutal. The whole book was a pretty wild ride.
Julian is from a well-to-do family. At the age of 10 he and his mother visit his grandmother for whom the timing is lousy. You see, grandma is a medium and she is holding a seance that night. Julian and Christine (his mother) are ushered upstairs but Julian is curious. He see and overhears things that scare the shit out of him. Especially when grandma says that Mr Moonlight (the spirit the seance was trying to contact) is after Julian. Mr Moonlight is a (dead) serial killer whose last victim was never found. Since that night Julian is plagued by terrible nightmares.
He grows up, goes to university and gets a job in London, plodding along in a less than satisfying life. Then the dream changes. His therapist says he may need to face his fears so Julian decides to return home to Godthorne and do just that. Everything escalates, the dream keeps changing and another girl ends up dead. Julian becomes obsessed with the case. He meets the dead girl’s friend and becomes obsessed with her. They seem to connect on a visceral level. When that girl, Phoebe, goes missing Julian does not rest. He needs to find her. This quest leads him down a very dark path where he learns things about himself, his family and the village that he cannot unlearn and that seem to splinter his mind. The ending is unexpected, shocking and brutal. The whole book was a pretty wild ride.
July 23, 2024
Torn between 2 and 3 stars. Maybe my expectations are skewing my rating but I thought this book was going to be more paranormal in nature. I was super intrigued in the beginning with the seance but then it started to fall flat for me. I didn’t care for any of the characters. I found them all decently unlikeable and wasn’t too attached to the plot line. I think again, this might have to do with me expecting the story to be more paranormal than it ended up being.
I enjoyed the writing and what I did appreciate a lot was the character development with Julian.
I enjoyed the writing and what I did appreciate a lot was the character development with Julian.
May 14, 2020
2.95⭐ if I am honest.
*SPOILERS *
Whilst I thought that the main character's development from seemingly quite average bloke to disturbed anti hero was interesting and a bit different, it was all quite unrelentlessly depressing. Maybe that didn't chime with me at this current time. I did like the book but felt certain aspects were underdeveloped - the Mr Moonlight connection to the main character for instance. The premise is great but there wasn't enough Mr Moonlight for me. The book doesn't quite have that horrific charm of say, Stephen King or the draw of character of James Brogden. The setting, the overall impression of the community and the majority of the characters in Mr Moonlight except Lily (who is just a secondary character) and Henry the dog, were just horrible and therefore difficult to connect or empathise with.
All in all the book was fine and held my attention and certain elements were interesting but we just didn't gel quite as well as I had anticipated.
*SPOILERS *
Whilst I thought that the main character's development from seemingly quite average bloke to disturbed anti hero was interesting and a bit different, it was all quite unrelentlessly depressing. Maybe that didn't chime with me at this current time. I did like the book but felt certain aspects were underdeveloped - the Mr Moonlight connection to the main character for instance. The premise is great but there wasn't enough Mr Moonlight for me. The book doesn't quite have that horrific charm of say, Stephen King or the draw of character of James Brogden. The setting, the overall impression of the community and the majority of the characters in Mr Moonlight except Lily (who is just a secondary character) and Henry the dog, were just horrible and therefore difficult to connect or empathise with.
All in all the book was fine and held my attention and certain elements were interesting but we just didn't gel quite as well as I had anticipated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2025
This was a surprisingly good read (it was an Amazon Prime book and they can be a bit hit and miss). However the writing was good and kept to a decent pace, the plot had just enough little twists here and there to really hold your interest, and Iiked the mix of real life drama and the supernatural element. The reveals when they came were a genuine surprise to me too which were well executed and I loved the ending.
This is a good drama, quite gritty but as I said with a fair whack of ghostly goings on and overall made for an interesting read and not a lot I can fault. A very decent 4 stars, almost 5!
This is a good drama, quite gritty but as I said with a fair whack of ghostly goings on and overall made for an interesting read and not a lot I can fault. A very decent 4 stars, almost 5!
April 28, 2021
I don't usually read thriller/horror stories - they give me bad dreams - but I lucked on to this one after reading "Don't Look Back". It wigged me out so bad that I wouldn't read it while I was home alone. It wasn't necessarily scary like Stephen King is scary but it was creepy.
As a young boy, Julian sneaks into a seancé being conducted by his grandmother on the behalf of parents seeking information about their murdered daughter. The grandmother rushes Julian from her house admonishing him to never return because Mr. Moonlight is looking for him.
Jump ahead many years and Julian is grown and still suffers from the recurring nightmares of murdered girls that haunted his childhood. He has returned home to face his fears as his therapist suggested.
There are twists and turns, another murdered girl, a severed finger, blackmail... And the ending... Oh. My. Word. I didn't see THAT coming.
As a young boy, Julian sneaks into a seancé being conducted by his grandmother on the behalf of parents seeking information about their murdered daughter. The grandmother rushes Julian from her house admonishing him to never return because Mr. Moonlight is looking for him.
Jump ahead many years and Julian is grown and still suffers from the recurring nightmares of murdered girls that haunted his childhood. He has returned home to face his fears as his therapist suggested.
There are twists and turns, another murdered girl, a severed finger, blackmail... And the ending... Oh. My. Word. I didn't see THAT coming.
June 17, 2022
Not the best...
This book wasn't horrible. It kept my attention by wanting answers. The story was okay. However, I wish it would have focused on one or two aspects alone. It felt less theilling and more quizzical and complicated. The ending left me kind of saying, "Uh well okay then," and more confused as what to what Cheetham's aim was for this book. It definitely didn't feed my supernatural fix as he is normally good at. The characters were decent. Though again... I'm not sure what the aim was for them (i.e., the supernatural grandma, the crooked cop, the loyal brother?). I felt like their stories were started but missing the target by the end. I've enjoyed all of Cheetham's other books I have read. Unfortunately, this one had potential but just missed the mark for me.
This book wasn't horrible. It kept my attention by wanting answers. The story was okay. However, I wish it would have focused on one or two aspects alone. It felt less theilling and more quizzical and complicated. The ending left me kind of saying, "Uh well okay then," and more confused as what to what Cheetham's aim was for this book. It definitely didn't feed my supernatural fix as he is normally good at. The characters were decent. Though again... I'm not sure what the aim was for them (i.e., the supernatural grandma, the crooked cop, the loyal brother?). I felt like their stories were started but missing the target by the end. I've enjoyed all of Cheetham's other books I have read. Unfortunately, this one had potential but just missed the mark for me.
January 4, 2024
Julian has a new life living in London and a job that he hates, his dreams are still terrorised by what happened when he was a little boy back in his grandmother’s house in his small hometown, a seance that went wrong, an evil spirit latched onto Julian forever staining his nightmares.
Julian thought he’d never return to his small hometown, until years after five girls were brutally murdered by the serial killer - known as Mr Moonlight, a young girl goes missing in the same town. Is this linked to the sinister force invading his dreams? Julian returns to his parents home, and he slowly uncovers the awful truth, secrets and lies that are twisted and sewn into his families lives and the town he called home.
Culminating in terrifying climax and twist that you’d never would have guessed. A very enjoyable read!
Julian thought he’d never return to his small hometown, until years after five girls were brutally murdered by the serial killer - known as Mr Moonlight, a young girl goes missing in the same town. Is this linked to the sinister force invading his dreams? Julian returns to his parents home, and he slowly uncovers the awful truth, secrets and lies that are twisted and sewn into his families lives and the town he called home.
Culminating in terrifying climax and twist that you’d never would have guessed. A very enjoyable read!
January 3, 2020
Holy Plot Twists!
Wow! What a story... This is probably the best story I've read in a long time. I have to say, I've been a thriller fan for the better part of the last 4 decades; to the extent where most authors of the genre are too predictable with their storylines. THIS book grabs you from the very first page then proceeds to twist and turn the reader's brain with the plot twists. All I can say is to those considering reading this book: Find yourself a comfortable spot, turn your phone off, and resign yourself to staying put until you finish this book...trust me when I say you will not be putting this book down.
Wow! What a story... This is probably the best story I've read in a long time. I have to say, I've been a thriller fan for the better part of the last 4 decades; to the extent where most authors of the genre are too predictable with their storylines. THIS book grabs you from the very first page then proceeds to twist and turn the reader's brain with the plot twists. All I can say is to those considering reading this book: Find yourself a comfortable spot, turn your phone off, and resign yourself to staying put until you finish this book...trust me when I say you will not be putting this book down.
January 19, 2020
Well what can I say, I have read a couple of books by ben cheetham before and really enjoyed them. This book kept me on my toes, with its twists and slow build up to the actual point of the story. I was so enthralled that I found it difficult to put the book down when I needed to sleep.
One minute I thought I had worked out what was happening, and what was happening to Julian the next minute it completely threw me and the story twisted off into another line of mystery.
Without giving anything a way I was so so surprised when it ended the way it did and by the revelations towards the end.
SO HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND THE END WILL BLOW YOUR MIND.
One minute I thought I had worked out what was happening, and what was happening to Julian the next minute it completely threw me and the story twisted off into another line of mystery.
Without giving anything a way I was so so surprised when it ended the way it did and by the revelations towards the end.
SO HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND THE END WILL BLOW YOUR MIND.
May 3, 2022
Disappointing is the best that I can say.
I nearly gave up reading this about half way through but decided to give it the benefit of doubt.
The storyline is so loose. Mr Moonlight doesn't really feature so why on earth make him the title character! The characters are so insipid and lacklustre, I couldn't feel any empathy for any of them. They all got what they deserved in my opinion. I also felt that some of the language used was unnecessary.
I've read other books by this author and enjoyed them but if this had been my first read I wouldn't have bothered with any more.
I nearly gave up reading this about half way through but decided to give it the benefit of doubt.
The storyline is so loose. Mr Moonlight doesn't really feature so why on earth make him the title character! The characters are so insipid and lacklustre, I couldn't feel any empathy for any of them. They all got what they deserved in my opinion. I also felt that some of the language used was unnecessary.
I've read other books by this author and enjoyed them but if this had been my first read I wouldn't have bothered with any more.
January 3, 2020
Gripping book with a fantastic twist
Once again Ben Cheetham has wrote a story that has you drawn in from the first few pages and has you so engrossed in the story that you can’t put the book down. Brilliant storyline that has lots of twists and turns that are completely unexpected and the ending has you shocked .
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you are like me and want to lose yourself in a good book or have just discovered the author as you will not be disappointed.
Once again Ben Cheetham has wrote a story that has you drawn in from the first few pages and has you so engrossed in the story that you can’t put the book down. Brilliant storyline that has lots of twists and turns that are completely unexpected and the ending has you shocked .
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you are like me and want to lose yourself in a good book or have just discovered the author as you will not be disappointed.
June 8, 2021
I've been on a bit of a hiatus from thrillers but could not resist a Ben Cheetham book. Having loved all of his books that I have read previously I thought i'd give it a go. Hiatus over, this book sucked me in, and hooked me. I couldn't put it down. I knew the ending was going to be a surprise, I could feel it the whole way through but I couldn't guess where it was going.
This book is really well paced, with just enough tidbits of information to keep you guessing and second guessing throughout. fantastic.
This book is really well paced, with just enough tidbits of information to keep you guessing and second guessing throughout. fantastic.
June 12, 2022
Thriller/horror with a mystery/supernatural element thrown in. The story itself was ok but was a little slow to get off the ground and seemed confused at times. The supernatural element wasn't explored fully and when things came together it felt unbelievable. For me it seemed like there were too many ideas going on at the same time which is a shame as a focus on one or two aspects would have been produced a more coherent story. Not my favourite from this author but have enjoyed other books so would pick up another.
January 2, 2020
Wow
While this was slightly different from bens other books I felt it no less enthralling.... Gripping from beginning to end I loved it and devoured it in a day..... I read at least 2 books a week as a 38 year old confessed bookworm and nothing fills me with more delight than when ben releases a book!!! Well done! I loved this, loved the curveball at the end and keep doing what your doing!!
While this was slightly different from bens other books I felt it no less enthralling.... Gripping from beginning to end I loved it and devoured it in a day..... I read at least 2 books a week as a 38 year old confessed bookworm and nothing fills me with more delight than when ben releases a book!!! Well done! I loved this, loved the curveball at the end and keep doing what your doing!!
January 22, 2020
This was my first book by Ben Cheetham. The story was a good one and there were many twists and turns. I enjoyed this enough to read another book by him entitled Don’t Look Back. I am writing this review after reading Don’t Look Back and, while I enjoyed Mr. Moonlight enough to go back for more from this author, I have to say I liked Don’t Look Back more. But don’t let that keep you from reading this book. It is a good read and I am sure you will enjoy it!
February 2, 2020
Mr. Moonlight
Can your dreams come true? He grows up, nightmares continue ever since his grandma held a seance. Fast paced, great character development, plot to keep you awake with your own set of nightmares. I've read a few of Ben Cheethams books, and am always surprised by his work. I think I've said it before, his mind must be a horrific place to visit, but I'm glad he puts those nightmares on paper for all to read. Well done, Sir!
Can your dreams come true? He grows up, nightmares continue ever since his grandma held a seance. Fast paced, great character development, plot to keep you awake with your own set of nightmares. I've read a few of Ben Cheethams books, and am always surprised by his work. I think I've said it before, his mind must be a horrific place to visit, but I'm glad he puts those nightmares on paper for all to read. Well done, Sir!
February 21, 2020
Quite unbelievable but totally fascinating!
A killer for a father, a mother who was a murderer, a grandmother who could raise vengeful ghosts and you have everything for an epic story. Oh, I forgot, a son possessed by a murderous entity. No, I'm not sure I understand it either. The twist at the end of the book was absolutely awesome. I read the entire story in one long session. Wow, that's all I can say.
A killer for a father, a mother who was a murderer, a grandmother who could raise vengeful ghosts and you have everything for an epic story. Oh, I forgot, a son possessed by a murderous entity. No, I'm not sure I understand it either. The twist at the end of the book was absolutely awesome. I read the entire story in one long session. Wow, that's all I can say.
January 20, 2020
One of the best books I've read ! Couldn't put it down!
This one grabbed me from the start and took me on a wild ride right up to the unbelievable ending! The plot and characters were so well written it was like watching a movie in my head while I read. And the ending absolutely blew me away! Well done Ben Cheetham, well done.
This one grabbed me from the start and took me on a wild ride right up to the unbelievable ending! The plot and characters were so well written it was like watching a movie in my head while I read. And the ending absolutely blew me away! Well done Ben Cheetham, well done.
January 21, 2020
Didn't like ending
Spoilerish
If you like happy endings or even somewhat happy endings, this book is not for you. Some characters that seem likable or questionably likable mostly turn out to be unlikable. Not only was ending disappointing, most of the very end didn't make sense. I gave it 3 stars because it was mostly a well written book that kept my interest.
Spoilerish
If you like happy endings or even somewhat happy endings, this book is not for you. Some characters that seem likable or questionably likable mostly turn out to be unlikable. Not only was ending disappointing, most of the very end didn't make sense. I gave it 3 stars because it was mostly a well written book that kept my interest.
February 4, 2020
Wow! What a creepy book! I was gripped from the first page and flew through it. Mr Cheethams books are always original and a good read. I love the language. The story is Dark, when you think it cant get darker it does...its deep and when you think it cant get deeper it does. Very different, very suspenseful. Gripping as all his books are. Really good...
February 15, 2020
A very good read
I really enjoyed this book,it was an unusual take on a supernatural story which also featured a lot of family dynamics and added more substance to this tale of a young man who returns to his home town and then gets caught up in a scary battle ,some of which involves his own dark nature and desires.
I really enjoyed this book,it was an unusual take on a supernatural story which also featured a lot of family dynamics and added more substance to this tale of a young man who returns to his home town and then gets caught up in a scary battle ,some of which involves his own dark nature and desires.
March 20, 2020
An absolute page turner
Brilliant story from start to finish! Completely got me as to the 'who dunnit' & didn't expect the ending at all! Fantastic author who I have been reading for many years now & looking forward to finding a book of Ben's I haven't read! Definitely worthy of 5 ***** !
Brilliant story from start to finish! Completely got me as to the 'who dunnit' & didn't expect the ending at all! Fantastic author who I have been reading for many years now & looking forward to finding a book of Ben's I haven't read! Definitely worthy of 5 ***** !
October 18, 2020
Loved the story, although I didn’t really like any of the characters. I was very curious to get to the end to get some kind of closure after all the revelations about the past of the family. But the ending took me absolutely by surprise and left me a bit meh... too bad because this was a 5* for me up to the last chapter.
December 29, 2019
WOW!
This book had me gripped from the start. Brilliant characters and any times I found myself getting so caught up in the story that I was actually reading faster so I could find out what happened next! I stayed up till 4am so I could finish the book. Well done Ben Cheetham.
This book had me gripped from the start. Brilliant characters and any times I found myself getting so caught up in the story that I was actually reading faster so I could find out what happened next! I stayed up till 4am so I could finish the book. Well done Ben Cheetham.
December 29, 2019
Good but not great
So I'd read the reviews for this and most were five it's a good little murder mystery with a slice if horror thrown in but it wasn't a spine-tingler as say the exorcist is so I say good but not great
So I'd read the reviews for this and most were five it's a good little murder mystery with a slice if horror thrown in but it wasn't a spine-tingler as say the exorcist is so I say good but not great
January 4, 2020
Good book
While not as gripping as his other books,I still enjoyed it. I was slightly let down by the ending. Been Cheathamis wonderful author, his other books are just so much better. I'm a big fan of his and look forward to his next book.
While not as gripping as his other books,I still enjoyed it. I was slightly let down by the ending. Been Cheathamis wonderful author, his other books are just so much better. I'm a big fan of his and look forward to his next book.
January 5, 2020
Unpredictable!!
I couldn't put it down and kept trying to predict what would happen next. This book has so many twists and turns, it is incredible. The writing evoked powerful feelings for the characters. I can't recommend it highly enough. I love it!
I couldn't put it down and kept trying to predict what would happen next. This book has so many twists and turns, it is incredible. The writing evoked powerful feelings for the characters. I can't recommend it highly enough. I love it!
January 16, 2020
A terribly creepy story
This book majorly creeped me out. A seance held by grandma, a thoroughly traumatized child/boy/man, brutally murdered women, and the underlying evil that pervades a family is just a hint of the tragedy and nastiness in this story.
This book majorly creeped me out. A seance held by grandma, a thoroughly traumatized child/boy/man, brutally murdered women, and the underlying evil that pervades a family is just a hint of the tragedy and nastiness in this story.
January 29, 2020
Good Read
I have this 4 stars only because of the typos and other errors. This book kept my interest throughout. The characters were nicely fleshed out and believable. All in all a great book.
I have this 4 stars only because of the typos and other errors. This book kept my interest throughout. The characters were nicely fleshed out and believable. All in all a great book.
January 31, 2020
Kept me on my toes throughout the book. Great storyline and characters. Was not expecting the ending! I was getting nervous reading in the evening so I put it down until morning wanting to keep my nightmares away! Haha Great job!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews