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The Moon Is Missing
A daughter who cries Who am I?
A mother who can't tell her…
A hurricane called Katrina…
A family secret exposed…
An island at the bottom of the world.
From the author of award-winning A Drop in the Ocean comes a gripping tale of family secrets and mother–daughter conflict set in London, New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, and on a remote island off the coast of New Zealand.
Georgia Grayson has perfected the art of being two a neurosurgeon on track to becoming the first female Director of Neurosurgery at a large London hospital, and a wife and mother. Home is her haven where, with husband Adam's support, she copes with her occasional anxiety attacks. That is until her daughter, 15-year-old Lara, demands to know more about Danny, her mysterious biological father from New Orleans who died before she was born. "Who was he? Why did he die? WHO AM I?" Trouble is, Georgia can't tell her.
As escalating panic attacks prevent her from operating, and therapy fails to bring back the memories she has repressed, fractures rip through her once happy family. Georgia sees only one way forward; to return to New Orleans where Danny first sang his way into her heart, and then to the rugged island where he fell to his death. Somehow she must uncover the truth Lara deserves, whatever the cost.
A mother who can't tell her…
A hurricane called Katrina…
A family secret exposed…
An island at the bottom of the world.
From the author of award-winning A Drop in the Ocean comes a gripping tale of family secrets and mother–daughter conflict set in London, New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, and on a remote island off the coast of New Zealand.
Georgia Grayson has perfected the art of being two a neurosurgeon on track to becoming the first female Director of Neurosurgery at a large London hospital, and a wife and mother. Home is her haven where, with husband Adam's support, she copes with her occasional anxiety attacks. That is until her daughter, 15-year-old Lara, demands to know more about Danny, her mysterious biological father from New Orleans who died before she was born. "Who was he? Why did he die? WHO AM I?" Trouble is, Georgia can't tell her.
As escalating panic attacks prevent her from operating, and therapy fails to bring back the memories she has repressed, fractures rip through her once happy family. Georgia sees only one way forward; to return to New Orleans where Danny first sang his way into her heart, and then to the rugged island where he fell to his death. Somehow she must uncover the truth Lara deserves, whatever the cost.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2020
92 people are currently reading
2873 people want to read
About the author
Jenni Ogden
6 books320 followersReading and writing fiction is my passion, along with walking, swimming, reading and sleeping on beaches. Husband John and I live off-grid on spectacular Great Barrier Island, 100 kms off the coast of New Zealand, a perfect place to write, and we often spend time in Australia, preferably close to a coral reef. My latest novel, 'Dancing with Dragons' the winner of the 2024 GOLD Independent Publisher Book Awards for Fiction, Australia/New Zealand-Aotearoa/Pacific Rim, was published in July, 2024.. 'Call My Name' , a great read for bookclubs, set mainly in Queensland, Australia, is the story of two women, bound together by contrasting personalities, friendship, love and home—until motherhood rips them apart. My debut novel, 'A Drop in the Ocean', won multiple awards and has sold over 85,000 copies. 'The Moon is Missing', is a domestic suspense/family drama set partly in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Before I wrote fiction, I was a clinical neuropsychologist, which I also loved (but we move through different stages in our lives; the important thing is always to have a passion) and became well-known for my books featuring my amazing patients’ moving stories: 'Fractured Minds: A Case-Study Approach to Clinical Neuropsychology', and 'Trouble In Mind: Stories from a Neuropsychologist’s Casebook'. (The same sort of tales that the late and great Oliver Sacks was known for.)
I'd love to send you my very occasional e-newsletter so I can share my off-grid tales and favorite books with you! To sign up, go to https://tinyurl.com/2u736m6c. On the way you’ll come across my author page (www.jenniogdenauthor.com). And do follow me on Goodreads, and indeed, friend and follow me wherever you hang out!
I'd love to send you my very occasional e-newsletter so I can share my off-grid tales and favorite books with you! To sign up, go to https://tinyurl.com/2u736m6c. On the way you’ll come across my author page (www.jenniogdenauthor.com). And do follow me on Goodreads, and indeed, friend and follow me wherever you hang out!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
September 10, 2020
This domestic suspense/domestic drama is centered on Georgia Grayson who is a neurosurgeon in London on track to becoming the first female director, a mother to Lara and Finbar and wife to Adam.
A school assignment leads her 15yo daughter Lara to ask about her deceased biological father Danny a musician whom Georgia met in New Orleans. A medical conference leads mother and daughter to New Orleans only to face hurricane Katrina head on.
The book in essence is about family, communication and love while also addressing mental health issues such as anxiety and panic attacks. The characters were written so well that is amazingly relatable for the relationships and interactions between spouse and children.
Full of family secrets, forgiveness and lessons learned - this book had it all. Pick this up for the amazing characters, great story locations and the hurricane scenes in New Orleans!
Wonderful read! I highly recommend!!
A school assignment leads her 15yo daughter Lara to ask about her deceased biological father Danny a musician whom Georgia met in New Orleans. A medical conference leads mother and daughter to New Orleans only to face hurricane Katrina head on.
The book in essence is about family, communication and love while also addressing mental health issues such as anxiety and panic attacks. The characters were written so well that is amazingly relatable for the relationships and interactions between spouse and children.
Full of family secrets, forgiveness and lessons learned - this book had it all. Pick this up for the amazing characters, great story locations and the hurricane scenes in New Orleans!
Wonderful read! I highly recommend!!
December 19, 2021
This was an enjoyable read. The characters were interesting and sufficiently complex to support the drama and mystery as it unfolded. The story covered a period of time and effectively used flashbacks to heighten the mystery.
The main character Georgia was a neurosurgeon and the author described her work and character in a way that really allowed the reader to get to know her, flaws and all. Georgia struggled with her past to such an extent that it affected her relationships with her family members and with her work colleagues.
Her daughter Lara was a typical teenager, sometime loving and sometime rebellious. The story looked at family secrets, character flaws, anxiety disorders, forgiveness and personal challenges.
The writing was very descriptive. The story starts in London England, then to New Orleans just as Hurricane Katrina sweeps in, then to New Zealand with the hopes of finding closure. Descriptions of everything from surgical procedures, to smoky bars, to fallout from a hurricane, to beautiful beaches were brought to life. Particularly when in New Zealand, the many references to all things kiwi from historical sites, to native birds, to natural habitats made the story giving it a feeling of “being there”. Clearly the author did some research on Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath in order to bring some reality to that part of the novel as well.
The story moved quickly but covered lots of topics effectively. The dynamics of the various relationships were front and centre but were well developed again adding to the reality factor.
Just a real enjoyable read. I’ll have to go back now and read the author’s debut award winning novel “A Drop in the Ocean”.
The main character Georgia was a neurosurgeon and the author described her work and character in a way that really allowed the reader to get to know her, flaws and all. Georgia struggled with her past to such an extent that it affected her relationships with her family members and with her work colleagues.
Her daughter Lara was a typical teenager, sometime loving and sometime rebellious. The story looked at family secrets, character flaws, anxiety disorders, forgiveness and personal challenges.
The writing was very descriptive. The story starts in London England, then to New Orleans just as Hurricane Katrina sweeps in, then to New Zealand with the hopes of finding closure. Descriptions of everything from surgical procedures, to smoky bars, to fallout from a hurricane, to beautiful beaches were brought to life. Particularly when in New Zealand, the many references to all things kiwi from historical sites, to native birds, to natural habitats made the story giving it a feeling of “being there”. Clearly the author did some research on Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath in order to bring some reality to that part of the novel as well.
The story moved quickly but covered lots of topics effectively. The dynamics of the various relationships were front and centre but were well developed again adding to the reality factor.
Just a real enjoyable read. I’ll have to go back now and read the author’s debut award winning novel “A Drop in the Ocean”.
August 25, 2020
Rating: 4 hurricane whipped stars
This is Jenni Odgen’s second novel, and it is a doozy of domestic suspense. Georgia Grayson and her husband live in London with two children. Georgia is the Director or Neurosurgery in a large hospital. However, she was on a leave of absence from actually operating. Increasingly she’s been unable to control her panic attacks. She is required to seek counseling before her privileges will be be reinstated. Georgia’s 15-year-old daughter, Lara, is escalating her demands to know who her father is. Danny, a musician from New Orleans was an early love of Georgia’s. He died after having a huge fight with Georgia, and there are some gaps in Georgia’s memory about the time surrounding those events. This is apparently the source of her psychological issues.
With scenes in London, New Orleans, and New Zealand the plot moves along showing how easily a family can start to disintegrate. While this is set in several locations, the section set in New Orleans was most riveting. Lara convinces her Mom to let her accompany her to a medical conference in New Orleans in the hope of finding out more about Danny. What they ran smack dab into was the full force of hurricane Katrina. This is where Odgen’s writing skills really flourished in this book. The sights, the smells, the personal peril of enduring this natural disaster were viscerally depicted. The immediacy of these scenes pulled me into the middle of the chaos.
Everyone in this book had issues. In the final analysis, this is a family drama. Ms. Odgen skillfully writes about psychological issues. She shows how a trained psychologist can help unravel some deep-seated problems. I enjoyed the scenes between Georgia and her therapist Sarah. In some ways, Hurricane Katrina was a metaphor for the storm raging within and amongst these family members. It was action packed, and heartfelt.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy an engaging family drama that has intelligent characters and believable scenes. The drama isn’t over the top, and the various locations in the book add to the enjoyment of the story. Oh that hurricane!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Sea Dragon Press via NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.
This is Jenni Odgen’s second novel, and it is a doozy of domestic suspense. Georgia Grayson and her husband live in London with two children. Georgia is the Director or Neurosurgery in a large hospital. However, she was on a leave of absence from actually operating. Increasingly she’s been unable to control her panic attacks. She is required to seek counseling before her privileges will be be reinstated. Georgia’s 15-year-old daughter, Lara, is escalating her demands to know who her father is. Danny, a musician from New Orleans was an early love of Georgia’s. He died after having a huge fight with Georgia, and there are some gaps in Georgia’s memory about the time surrounding those events. This is apparently the source of her psychological issues.
With scenes in London, New Orleans, and New Zealand the plot moves along showing how easily a family can start to disintegrate. While this is set in several locations, the section set in New Orleans was most riveting. Lara convinces her Mom to let her accompany her to a medical conference in New Orleans in the hope of finding out more about Danny. What they ran smack dab into was the full force of hurricane Katrina. This is where Odgen’s writing skills really flourished in this book. The sights, the smells, the personal peril of enduring this natural disaster were viscerally depicted. The immediacy of these scenes pulled me into the middle of the chaos.
Everyone in this book had issues. In the final analysis, this is a family drama. Ms. Odgen skillfully writes about psychological issues. She shows how a trained psychologist can help unravel some deep-seated problems. I enjoyed the scenes between Georgia and her therapist Sarah. In some ways, Hurricane Katrina was a metaphor for the storm raging within and amongst these family members. It was action packed, and heartfelt.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy an engaging family drama that has intelligent characters and believable scenes. The drama isn’t over the top, and the various locations in the book add to the enjoyment of the story. Oh that hurricane!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Sea Dragon Press via NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.
November 27, 2020
Well what can I say? I wrote it! I am in love with Georgia, Adam, Lara and Finbar, and of course gravelly-voiced jazz and blues singer, Danny. And the settings; well I love them too: London, New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina (drama, drama) and spectacular Great Barrier Island (where in fact I, Jenni, live). Go on, give it a try. I think it is pretty OK.
August 25, 2020
3.5*
Jenni's first title, A Drop in the Ocean, was a book I very much enjoyed reading and therefore, was looking forward to her next story. Once again Jenni has written an engaging tale, this time revolving around a range of themes such as family, with some mysterious past secrets, to create that curiosity factor. However, at its heart this is a tale of love and forgiveness, from moving on and lessons learned.
‘... sometimes toxic memories are best kept firmly in a box ...’
In many ways this reads like three separate tales and I am still undecided if it all gelled together sufficiently. Part 1 sets the scene obviously in terms of Georgia’s past secret and really delves into family dynamics and the fallout of a debilitating anxiety disorder. Part 2 finds Georgia and her daughter in New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina. Whilst I appreciate the significance of this event to the characters journey, to me, it reads like a separate novel with tenable links to the overall mystery. That aside, the writing is incredible in the descriptions of what living through such an event must feel like, sound like - you were there when the waters were rising and could feel the palpable angst. The final Part 3, then transfers to both New Zealand and Australian’s Great Barrier Reef. In some ways, it's like Jenni wanted all these locales to fit her story. Here we return to Georgia’s specific crisis and steps taken to bring about her healing through confrontation and resolution.
“Nothing will ever sink New Orleans. She’ll come through this horror and be even stronger than before.” Even as the placatory words come out of my mouth, I knew I was talking bullshit. It was hard to see how any city could recover from this - especially one built in such a crazy place.’
The writing is well researched and it is clear how much Jenni has called upon her experience from her time involving psychology. She provides a twist on the traditional reading group discussion questions at the conclusion of the novel - preferring instead for her readers to contemplate reflection on the book’s overall themes of work-family balance, anxiety disorders, mother-teenager relationships and family secrets.
‘I suddenly wanted to be home, right now, with my normal healthy family. At least a day at the office put our trivial problems into perspective.’
The Moon is Missing is a book about the many types of relationships, from spousal, family and professional to the relationship one has with oneself. The themes are relevant and real, providing good social commentary - with the added mysterious twist to engage readers.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
Jenni's first title, A Drop in the Ocean, was a book I very much enjoyed reading and therefore, was looking forward to her next story. Once again Jenni has written an engaging tale, this time revolving around a range of themes such as family, with some mysterious past secrets, to create that curiosity factor. However, at its heart this is a tale of love and forgiveness, from moving on and lessons learned.
‘... sometimes toxic memories are best kept firmly in a box ...’
In many ways this reads like three separate tales and I am still undecided if it all gelled together sufficiently. Part 1 sets the scene obviously in terms of Georgia’s past secret and really delves into family dynamics and the fallout of a debilitating anxiety disorder. Part 2 finds Georgia and her daughter in New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina. Whilst I appreciate the significance of this event to the characters journey, to me, it reads like a separate novel with tenable links to the overall mystery. That aside, the writing is incredible in the descriptions of what living through such an event must feel like, sound like - you were there when the waters were rising and could feel the palpable angst. The final Part 3, then transfers to both New Zealand and Australian’s Great Barrier Reef. In some ways, it's like Jenni wanted all these locales to fit her story. Here we return to Georgia’s specific crisis and steps taken to bring about her healing through confrontation and resolution.
“Nothing will ever sink New Orleans. She’ll come through this horror and be even stronger than before.” Even as the placatory words come out of my mouth, I knew I was talking bullshit. It was hard to see how any city could recover from this - especially one built in such a crazy place.’
The writing is well researched and it is clear how much Jenni has called upon her experience from her time involving psychology. She provides a twist on the traditional reading group discussion questions at the conclusion of the novel - preferring instead for her readers to contemplate reflection on the book’s overall themes of work-family balance, anxiety disorders, mother-teenager relationships and family secrets.
‘I suddenly wanted to be home, right now, with my normal healthy family. At least a day at the office put our trivial problems into perspective.’
The Moon is Missing is a book about the many types of relationships, from spousal, family and professional to the relationship one has with oneself. The themes are relevant and real, providing good social commentary - with the added mysterious twist to engage readers.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
August 15, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest opinion.
I chose this book because I really liked the cover but I also ended up really liking the story. There are two parts to this book, really. We have the part from the past about Georgia and who she thinks is the love of her life, Danny. They plan on marrying when one day he comes to say that he isn't ready and can't go through with the wedding. They had a horrible fight, he stormed out, and he lost his life that day...but Georgia has no memories of WHY or HOW. Did she do it? Was she that angry? She happened to be pregnant at the time and that is where Lara comes in. Georgia has moved on and created a new family, which is where Adam and Finbar come in. One day Lara gets an assignment at school about family history and wants to know all about her Dad and who she really is...well, you can't get blood from a stone and there isn't a whole lot to tell. They argue about it and Georgia goes on to work, where she meets someone who looks just like Danny. Pretty soon, she is getting anxiety attacks and can no longer function as a neurosurgeon. But she does go on a trip to New Orleans(Lara talks her way into going with her) for business and that is when all Hell breaks loose. No, seriously...Katrina storms on in and takes over for awhile. That is where I will stop but so many things happen because of this trip that the reader's interest never wanes from that point on. There is a lot of personal growth in the story and that is a big thing with me right now. I would completely recommend it to lovers of family drama and personal growth. On the plus side, I was constantly looking up the locations the author describes which is also a good thing in my opinion.
I chose this book because I really liked the cover but I also ended up really liking the story. There are two parts to this book, really. We have the part from the past about Georgia and who she thinks is the love of her life, Danny. They plan on marrying when one day he comes to say that he isn't ready and can't go through with the wedding. They had a horrible fight, he stormed out, and he lost his life that day...but Georgia has no memories of WHY or HOW. Did she do it? Was she that angry? She happened to be pregnant at the time and that is where Lara comes in. Georgia has moved on and created a new family, which is where Adam and Finbar come in. One day Lara gets an assignment at school about family history and wants to know all about her Dad and who she really is...well, you can't get blood from a stone and there isn't a whole lot to tell. They argue about it and Georgia goes on to work, where she meets someone who looks just like Danny. Pretty soon, she is getting anxiety attacks and can no longer function as a neurosurgeon. But she does go on a trip to New Orleans(Lara talks her way into going with her) for business and that is when all Hell breaks loose. No, seriously...Katrina storms on in and takes over for awhile. That is where I will stop but so many things happen because of this trip that the reader's interest never wanes from that point on. There is a lot of personal growth in the story and that is a big thing with me right now. I would completely recommend it to lovers of family drama and personal growth. On the plus side, I was constantly looking up the locations the author describes which is also a good thing in my opinion.
December 30, 2020
This story covers lots of territory, both in land area, and in it's emotional horizons. The story begins in England, where Georgia Grayson is a neuro-surgeon, and lives with her husband and two children. But Georgia is suffering possibly from a form of PTSD, and the death of a patient upends her both professionally and personally. At the same time, Georgia's marriage seems to floundering, and she and her teenage daughter are constantly at odds.
The opportunity arises for Georgia to give an address at a conference with other doctors in her field, which is being held in New Orleans in the U.S. Georgia has ties to the city, ties which happen to be entertwined with her PTSD, and with her relationship with her daughter. When her daughter accompanies Georgia on her trip to New Orleans, they are surprisingly caught in Hurricane Katrina, which adds more action and drama to this story, and brought back some very realistic scenes from that time.
To end their continent jumping, both Georgia and her daughter end up on the Great Barrier Island in New Zealand. Of the three settings, this landscape was my favorite. The author has wonderful descriptions of the landscape, the ocean and shore, and the rock formations that surround them.
All in all this was a very satisfying read, with an absorbing story and engaging characters.
The opportunity arises for Georgia to give an address at a conference with other doctors in her field, which is being held in New Orleans in the U.S. Georgia has ties to the city, ties which happen to be entertwined with her PTSD, and with her relationship with her daughter. When her daughter accompanies Georgia on her trip to New Orleans, they are surprisingly caught in Hurricane Katrina, which adds more action and drama to this story, and brought back some very realistic scenes from that time.
To end their continent jumping, both Georgia and her daughter end up on the Great Barrier Island in New Zealand. Of the three settings, this landscape was my favorite. The author has wonderful descriptions of the landscape, the ocean and shore, and the rock formations that surround them.
All in all this was a very satisfying read, with an absorbing story and engaging characters.
September 16, 2020
Georgia Grayson is a neurosurgeon, wife and mother. She suffers from panic attacks and the past has alot to do with it. When her fifteen-year-old daughter, Lara wants to know more about her biological father. Who was he? What happened to him? Georgia's panic attacks start kicking in full force and she can't perform surgery. She sees a therapist to try and find the cause of it and to dig deep into her memories. Memories of Danny, a musician in New Orleans. When Georgia has a medical conference, she and Lara head to New Orleans but run right into Hurricane Katrina. This was a very vivid story. Especially the parts in New Orleans. A deeply moving story about family, the past and secrets. This was my first time reading this author. I'll definitely be reading more of her books.
Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
August 29, 2020
This cover is beautiful and I just had to read it, the blurb makes it even more interesting.
Georgia works as a neurosurgeon in a London hospital but hails from New Zealand. Georgia suffers from the occasional panic attack, When she has one mid surgery she covers it up and goes into therapy. The panic attacks have gotten worse now that her daughter Lara wants to know more about her biological father. Georgia has never really processed his death. When Georgia goes to a conference in New Orleans she has Lara tag along so she can discover her dad’s stomping grounds and maybe meet her great grandmother. When in New Orleans Katrina hits, is devastating, but they find a way to help others and themselves. While there Georgia discovers some secrets and sets of to New Zealand to confront her parents. In New Zealand all can finally be out to rest, if only everyone is willing to do so.
This book tells an interesting tale of family secrets, love and loss and devastation. Part 1 plays out in London and it’s my least favourite, I had a very hard time getting into it. I was reading on hoping it get better when Part 2 in New Orleans would come around, luckily it get a lot better. Part 2 was the best for me, 3 was ok but felt a little forced. There’s a lot of talk about anxiety and panic attacks in this book and although the main found her coping mechanism and triggers I am not entirely sure how I feel about how this is being dealt with. The description of New Orleans during Katrina and Great Barrier Island are very well done, I could picture all the details, that is the best of the writing. The story in part 2 is interesting, but the overal story is a bit flat for me. Georgia was bit too self absorbed for my liking of a character, even when she acknowledged this it did nothing to warm me to her. When a story like this is written from first person I think it’s important to like the main character, and I didn’t. The writing itself is good, but the book is just missing something for me.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Georgia works as a neurosurgeon in a London hospital but hails from New Zealand. Georgia suffers from the occasional panic attack, When she has one mid surgery she covers it up and goes into therapy. The panic attacks have gotten worse now that her daughter Lara wants to know more about her biological father. Georgia has never really processed his death. When Georgia goes to a conference in New Orleans she has Lara tag along so she can discover her dad’s stomping grounds and maybe meet her great grandmother. When in New Orleans Katrina hits, is devastating, but they find a way to help others and themselves. While there Georgia discovers some secrets and sets of to New Zealand to confront her parents. In New Zealand all can finally be out to rest, if only everyone is willing to do so.
This book tells an interesting tale of family secrets, love and loss and devastation. Part 1 plays out in London and it’s my least favourite, I had a very hard time getting into it. I was reading on hoping it get better when Part 2 in New Orleans would come around, luckily it get a lot better. Part 2 was the best for me, 3 was ok but felt a little forced. There’s a lot of talk about anxiety and panic attacks in this book and although the main found her coping mechanism and triggers I am not entirely sure how I feel about how this is being dealt with. The description of New Orleans during Katrina and Great Barrier Island are very well done, I could picture all the details, that is the best of the writing. The story in part 2 is interesting, but the overal story is a bit flat for me. Georgia was bit too self absorbed for my liking of a character, even when she acknowledged this it did nothing to warm me to her. When a story like this is written from first person I think it’s important to like the main character, and I didn’t. The writing itself is good, but the book is just missing something for me.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
September 22, 2020
The Moon Is Missing, is a powerful and beautifully written mother-daughter story.
The story starts in London where we get to know Georgia. Georgia Grayson is on leave from performing operations because of her recent panic attacks. She is a neurosurgeon and is a director in a large hospital. She is married to Adam and is mother to Lara and Finbar.
Lara, her 15-year-old daughter’s Social Studies assignment leads her to ask Georgia about her biological father. Danny was a musician from New Orleans who died before she was born.
Georgia has to attend a conference in New Orleans and take Lara with her hoping to find answers to Lara’s question, not knowing that 4 days later hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans.
It was a profoundly touching story about family, life tragedies, hope, and secrets. I found the story mostly focusing on relationships. Lara and Georgia relationship that suffers because of past secrets. As well as Adam and Georgia’s affected by her panic attacks.
The change of location (London, New Orleans, and New Zeland) was remarkably interesting for me. The author’s ability to describe the details is admirable, especially the vivid description of New Orleans.
I liked the characters and how they developed throughout the story. They were are relatable. I also enjoyed the writing style and how the storyline was penned.
I would recommend this book to those enjoying the family drama
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The story starts in London where we get to know Georgia. Georgia Grayson is on leave from performing operations because of her recent panic attacks. She is a neurosurgeon and is a director in a large hospital. She is married to Adam and is mother to Lara and Finbar.
Lara, her 15-year-old daughter’s Social Studies assignment leads her to ask Georgia about her biological father. Danny was a musician from New Orleans who died before she was born.
Georgia has to attend a conference in New Orleans and take Lara with her hoping to find answers to Lara’s question, not knowing that 4 days later hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans.
It was a profoundly touching story about family, life tragedies, hope, and secrets. I found the story mostly focusing on relationships. Lara and Georgia relationship that suffers because of past secrets. As well as Adam and Georgia’s affected by her panic attacks.
The change of location (London, New Orleans, and New Zeland) was remarkably interesting for me. The author’s ability to describe the details is admirable, especially the vivid description of New Orleans.
I liked the characters and how they developed throughout the story. They were are relatable. I also enjoyed the writing style and how the storyline was penned.
I would recommend this book to those enjoying the family drama
Blog
Amazon
September 25, 2020
Jenni Ogden is a new to me author and one I’m glad I had the chance to learn about. Her writing style is unique, and her characters are chiseled perfectly. I went into this story, not knowing what to expect but what I got??? Was so worth the read!
This novel absolutely sucked me in, twisted me up inside, and kept me hooked until I reached the last page. It has the perfect amount of suspense, trying to figure out what happened to Georgia’s past love, the perfect amount of drama filled family matters, and Hurricane Katrina mixed with the very real reality of mental health issues. Those things all wrapped up into one amazing novel made for the perfect escape.
I devoured this story in 24 hours. As someone who suffers from severe anxiety attacks, I related to Georgia so much and I could not put it down. Ogden has a true talent for writing an absolutely captivating and heart wrenching story. From start to finish, I fell in love with the travels of Georgia and Lara, the emotions they shared, the story line. It is definitely a story I will be turning to again and again for that needed escape! Well done, Ogden! Well done!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Author/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
This novel absolutely sucked me in, twisted me up inside, and kept me hooked until I reached the last page. It has the perfect amount of suspense, trying to figure out what happened to Georgia’s past love, the perfect amount of drama filled family matters, and Hurricane Katrina mixed with the very real reality of mental health issues. Those things all wrapped up into one amazing novel made for the perfect escape.
I devoured this story in 24 hours. As someone who suffers from severe anxiety attacks, I related to Georgia so much and I could not put it down. Ogden has a true talent for writing an absolutely captivating and heart wrenching story. From start to finish, I fell in love with the travels of Georgia and Lara, the emotions they shared, the story line. It is definitely a story I will be turning to again and again for that needed escape! Well done, Ogden! Well done!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Author/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
December 25, 2023
This was such a good book! I highly recommend it. Ii read this book a second time. I just love it! think this is my favorite book this year. The story is about a woman neurosurgeon Georgia Grayson who is the mother of two teenage children and happily married to her husband, who is a college professor. But years ago before her first child was bor,n she was engaged to be married to a great musician Danny when one night he broke off their engagement. That same night he was found dead. But Georgia can't remember what happened causing his death or whether she was there with him when he died. Now years later, her daughter has a project to do for school tracing her heritage when she learns her father is not her biological father. Danny was her father. So Georgia goes with her daughter to find out more about Danny in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hits. This is a touching story of romance, mystery, drama, and I loved the ending. Check it out for a great read!
September 1, 2020
Secrets and Lies
I enjoyed Ogden’s A Drop in the Ocean and was excited to pick up this novel featuring a neurosurgeon in London forced to take a leave from her practice thanks to panic attacks related to events from her past. Her teenage daughter Lara wants to know about her birth father Danny, a blues singer from New Orleans who died before she was born. When Georgia is offered the chance to attend a neurosurgery conference in New Orleans she decides to take Lara with her hoping they might find some answers for Lara and some memories of her relationship with Danny. They arrive four days before Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans.
The opening chapters of this novel are interesting and necessary but I found them to be the most challenging to read. Georgia and her husband Adam, kids Lara and Finbar are leading busy lives in London. Georgia is struggling between her desire to take over as head of Neurosurgery and being present with her family. Her husband has been picking up the slack on her long days at the office and their relationship is straining. There is a lot of navel gazing and I found I was getting frustrated with Georgia and her issues which seems to be in a continuous loop of anxiety, uncertainty and regret.
Jump to their visit to New Orleans and the story springs to life. I’ve not read many stories featuring characters involved in such a devastating event as Hurricane Katrina and the author had me turning pages and fully engaged.. Hooray for authors who do their research. Georgia’s search for memories of what happened when Danny died eventually sends her back to a remote island off the coast of New Zealand. I was engaged and entertained wanting to understand all that Georgia had gone through as badly as she did.
This was an interesting look at the challenges faced by professional women everywhere, that fine balance between work and homelife. It also deals with family secrets and traumas which can affect even the strongest of men and women. Ogden writes with confidence and her books make for entertaining reads.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
I enjoyed Ogden’s A Drop in the Ocean and was excited to pick up this novel featuring a neurosurgeon in London forced to take a leave from her practice thanks to panic attacks related to events from her past. Her teenage daughter Lara wants to know about her birth father Danny, a blues singer from New Orleans who died before she was born. When Georgia is offered the chance to attend a neurosurgery conference in New Orleans she decides to take Lara with her hoping they might find some answers for Lara and some memories of her relationship with Danny. They arrive four days before Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans.
The opening chapters of this novel are interesting and necessary but I found them to be the most challenging to read. Georgia and her husband Adam, kids Lara and Finbar are leading busy lives in London. Georgia is struggling between her desire to take over as head of Neurosurgery and being present with her family. Her husband has been picking up the slack on her long days at the office and their relationship is straining. There is a lot of navel gazing and I found I was getting frustrated with Georgia and her issues which seems to be in a continuous loop of anxiety, uncertainty and regret.
Jump to their visit to New Orleans and the story springs to life. I’ve not read many stories featuring characters involved in such a devastating event as Hurricane Katrina and the author had me turning pages and fully engaged.. Hooray for authors who do their research. Georgia’s search for memories of what happened when Danny died eventually sends her back to a remote island off the coast of New Zealand. I was engaged and entertained wanting to understand all that Georgia had gone through as badly as she did.
This was an interesting look at the challenges faced by professional women everywhere, that fine balance between work and homelife. It also deals with family secrets and traumas which can affect even the strongest of men and women. Ogden writes with confidence and her books make for entertaining reads.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
August 8, 2020
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Sea Dragon Press for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
Ogden's first title, A Drop in the Ocean, was lovely and I knew I would want to read other works Jenni Ogden published. I was not disappointed with this story. Ogden is not a one-hit-wonder, she's got lasting power with her stories and characters.
In this story, Georgia, a talented neurosurgeon, is being confronted with parts of her past she can't remember and frankly doesn't want to. Her 15-year-old daughter, Lara, is asking the questions Georgia has been dreading since the day she found out Lara had been conceived. "Who am I? Who bloody am I?" Lara has always known Adam wasn't her bio dad, but he's always been her Dad. A school assignment is dredging all this up and Georgia knows she and Adam are going to have some hard conversations with each other and Lara. She can't predict the outcome.
After a scare in the theater during a somewhat routine surgery, Georgia is put on leave from surgical procedures and made to see a psychologist. She fears what will be scraped up during the sessions and try as she might to keep everything present day, her therapist Sarah won't let that happen. As Georgia works with Sarah to remember the night and circumstances surrounding Danny's (Lara's bio dad) death things at home unravel. She and Adam aren't speaking and when they do it's fighting. Lara is bitter and angry and making everyone miserable when she's home and Finbar, Georgia and Adam's son, is perplexed and attempting to smooth things over for everyone. Several months into this unsettled state Georgia and Lara go to New Orleans for a conference. It just so happens Hurrican Katrina is visiting New Orleans the same weekend they are.
The storm that rages in and upends the city of New Orleans turns out to be the same storm that whips everything back together for Georgia and her family. As the days post-Katrina play out and Georgia and Lara try to get out of New Orleans and back to London perspective comes back to Georgia. And post-Katrina she takes the hard steps to set everything right.
There was a lot about this title I really liked. Ogden broke the story up into three parts and part 2 is where Georgia and Lara are in New Orleans. I have read just one other book about New Orleans and Hurrican Katrina, a true story titled Zeitoun that I highly recommend, and I could not tell the difference between Ogden's description of the hurricane and its aftermath in New Orleans and the true account from Zeitoun. I don't know how she was able to so vividly get the reader there and immersed, no pun intended, in the event but she did. She must have researched her socks off or had a personal connection to someone who lived through it. I felt like I could smell, hear, feel all of what was happening as she described it. It was gripping.
In part 1 I loved Georgia's therapist, I wanted to contact her for some sessions myself. Because Ogden was a clinical neuropsychologist in her first life she can expertly pen a character like Sarah. I really took to her...too bad she isn't a real person and closer to me than London. *grin* I liked Georgia and Adam's relationship until I didn't. My dislike of it was only contained to about 1/3 of the story but it really set me on edge. The speed at which Adam got fed up with Georgia and her struggles in the OR and at home regarding Lara's push to know about Danny really frustrated me. And this is not the only story I have read in which solid couples unravel quickly at the first sign of one of them in real emotional distress. Ugh. The impatience and whining about physical intimacy really rubs me wrong, I think because I know people are actually like that and I would like to think people aren't so selfish, even though I know better. Anyway, big picture Georgia and Adam are a great couple.
Part 3 is where Georgia is taking all the hard but necessary steps to make it all right again or actually right for the first time. The hurricane gave her the mental and emotional breakthroughs and perspective she needed and now she's setting it all straight. It's a great read on the steps of healing and bringing resolution to situations.
This was a really lovely title. I enjoyed it just as much as I did Ogden's first title a few years back. I would consider myself a fan of her characters and stories for sure.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sea Dragon Press for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
Ogden's first title, A Drop in the Ocean, was lovely and I knew I would want to read other works Jenni Ogden published. I was not disappointed with this story. Ogden is not a one-hit-wonder, she's got lasting power with her stories and characters.
In this story, Georgia, a talented neurosurgeon, is being confronted with parts of her past she can't remember and frankly doesn't want to. Her 15-year-old daughter, Lara, is asking the questions Georgia has been dreading since the day she found out Lara had been conceived. "Who am I? Who bloody am I?" Lara has always known Adam wasn't her bio dad, but he's always been her Dad. A school assignment is dredging all this up and Georgia knows she and Adam are going to have some hard conversations with each other and Lara. She can't predict the outcome.
After a scare in the theater during a somewhat routine surgery, Georgia is put on leave from surgical procedures and made to see a psychologist. She fears what will be scraped up during the sessions and try as she might to keep everything present day, her therapist Sarah won't let that happen. As Georgia works with Sarah to remember the night and circumstances surrounding Danny's (Lara's bio dad) death things at home unravel. She and Adam aren't speaking and when they do it's fighting. Lara is bitter and angry and making everyone miserable when she's home and Finbar, Georgia and Adam's son, is perplexed and attempting to smooth things over for everyone. Several months into this unsettled state Georgia and Lara go to New Orleans for a conference. It just so happens Hurrican Katrina is visiting New Orleans the same weekend they are.
The storm that rages in and upends the city of New Orleans turns out to be the same storm that whips everything back together for Georgia and her family. As the days post-Katrina play out and Georgia and Lara try to get out of New Orleans and back to London perspective comes back to Georgia. And post-Katrina she takes the hard steps to set everything right.
There was a lot about this title I really liked. Ogden broke the story up into three parts and part 2 is where Georgia and Lara are in New Orleans. I have read just one other book about New Orleans and Hurrican Katrina, a true story titled Zeitoun that I highly recommend, and I could not tell the difference between Ogden's description of the hurricane and its aftermath in New Orleans and the true account from Zeitoun. I don't know how she was able to so vividly get the reader there and immersed, no pun intended, in the event but she did. She must have researched her socks off or had a personal connection to someone who lived through it. I felt like I could smell, hear, feel all of what was happening as she described it. It was gripping.
In part 1 I loved Georgia's therapist, I wanted to contact her for some sessions myself. Because Ogden was a clinical neuropsychologist in her first life she can expertly pen a character like Sarah. I really took to her...too bad she isn't a real person and closer to me than London. *grin* I liked Georgia and Adam's relationship until I didn't. My dislike of it was only contained to about 1/3 of the story but it really set me on edge. The speed at which Adam got fed up with Georgia and her struggles in the OR and at home regarding Lara's push to know about Danny really frustrated me. And this is not the only story I have read in which solid couples unravel quickly at the first sign of one of them in real emotional distress. Ugh. The impatience and whining about physical intimacy really rubs me wrong, I think because I know people are actually like that and I would like to think people aren't so selfish, even though I know better. Anyway, big picture Georgia and Adam are a great couple.
Part 3 is where Georgia is taking all the hard but necessary steps to make it all right again or actually right for the first time. The hurricane gave her the mental and emotional breakthroughs and perspective she needed and now she's setting it all straight. It's a great read on the steps of healing and bringing resolution to situations.
This was a really lovely title. I enjoyed it just as much as I did Ogden's first title a few years back. I would consider myself a fan of her characters and stories for sure.
August 7, 2020
Georgia is a neurosurgeon living in London with her family. When she loses a patient during surgery, a patient who looks like a past love, Danny who died tragically, she begins to have anxiety and panic attacks. Her daughter, Lara, pushing her to reveal more about her father only adds to the stress.
Georgia is ordered to seek psychiatric help and cannot perform surgeries until she is given the all clear. While she is trying to make sense of her past and her anxiety, her family is falling apart. Her husband, Adam, might be on the verge of having an affair and her daughter is mixed up with the wrong crowd.
The opportunity to return to New Orleans for a conference where her past with Danny, a jazz singer, all began she takes it! And she brings her daughter with her. Within a few days of their arrival hurricane Katrina hits like no other storm before it. Georgia helps out at the nearest hospital and rediscovers what she loves about being a doctor. When she can she sends her daughter home but Georgia goes home to New Zealand to confront her past once and for all.
I did enjoy reading this book. It started off strong but there were some moments when I felt like not enough backstory was made clear. In chapter 22 especially, I had to reread the part where Georgia learns about why Danny wanted to postpone the wedding because names were flying like crazy. Fiona, John, Seamus, Leroy- and I was like "wait, who?" It felt rushed.
Thank you Netgalley, Sea Dragon Press and Jenni Ogden for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Georgia is ordered to seek psychiatric help and cannot perform surgeries until she is given the all clear. While she is trying to make sense of her past and her anxiety, her family is falling apart. Her husband, Adam, might be on the verge of having an affair and her daughter is mixed up with the wrong crowd.
The opportunity to return to New Orleans for a conference where her past with Danny, a jazz singer, all began she takes it! And she brings her daughter with her. Within a few days of their arrival hurricane Katrina hits like no other storm before it. Georgia helps out at the nearest hospital and rediscovers what she loves about being a doctor. When she can she sends her daughter home but Georgia goes home to New Zealand to confront her past once and for all.
I did enjoy reading this book. It started off strong but there were some moments when I felt like not enough backstory was made clear. In chapter 22 especially, I had to reread the part where Georgia learns about why Danny wanted to postpone the wedding because names were flying like crazy. Fiona, John, Seamus, Leroy- and I was like "wait, who?" It felt rushed.
Thank you Netgalley, Sea Dragon Press and Jenni Ogden for the opportunity to read this ARC.
August 30, 2020
This book is about a neurosurgeon, Georgia who is a prominent dr but has things from her past she has to deal with. She goes to New Orleans where she gets stuck during hurricane Katrina. I enjoyed the book overall. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
September 30, 2020
Good Read.
This was a well written and enjoyable book. However, I would not describe this as particularly suspenseful as others reviews did. It was really about 3 families and how their secrets connect them. I was disappointed that the ending did not include more details about Adam and Georgia’s relationship and it’s repair.
This was a well written and enjoyable book. However, I would not describe this as particularly suspenseful as others reviews did. It was really about 3 families and how their secrets connect them. I was disappointed that the ending did not include more details about Adam and Georgia’s relationship and it’s repair.
September 15, 2020
I enjoyed the story and the peripheral characters but found the protagonist a little two dimensional. Her inexplicable recovery from being too anxious to perform brain surgery in the middle of an epic crisis didn't ring true with me.
September 12, 2020
“I lay, unmoving, long after the haunting notes of ‘Georgia On My Mind’ had floated out the window to be swallowed by the sea. In the late morning I found myself on the beach walking aimlessly through the dunes, possessed by bittersweet memories—the joy of that magical Cape Cod weekend and the pain that our brief happiness was destined to bring to me, to Adam, to Fiona and Leroy, and now to Lara. So many people who loved Danny and who missed him when he never returned.“
This was a good family drama book, filled with deep family secrets, desperate to come to the surface.
The story centers around Georgia who is a surgeon and lives in London with her husband Adam and 2 kids, Lara and Finbar. Georgia has just been released from work on a leave of absence and is struggling with extreme anxiety and panic attacks. She is told that she needs to seek help and get her anxiety under control before she can come back to work. Her daughter Lara is now 15 and asking a lot of questions about bio father, who was not Adam. Her bio dads name was Danny. Georgia and Danny had had a whirlwind love affair that ended in tragedy with Danny’s untimely death. As Lara is pressing for information, Georgia finds she has gaps in her memories, especially surrounding the night of his death. She’s almost afraid to confront the memories head on and truly remember the circumstances of that night.
As the story unfolds, so do the family secrets. Sometimes the quest for the truth can lead to pain. But sometimes reaching the pain, can lead to forgiveness and redemption.
This is my first novel by this author. I found it to be slow during the middle and I had to intentionally press on at times, but I’m so glad I did. The wrap up and conclusion of the story were wonderful.
I would like to thank NetGalley & Sea Dragon Press for the ARC of this book.
“And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me, And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be, For you will bend and tell me that you love me, And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.”
#TheMoonIsMissing
This was a good family drama book, filled with deep family secrets, desperate to come to the surface.
The story centers around Georgia who is a surgeon and lives in London with her husband Adam and 2 kids, Lara and Finbar. Georgia has just been released from work on a leave of absence and is struggling with extreme anxiety and panic attacks. She is told that she needs to seek help and get her anxiety under control before she can come back to work. Her daughter Lara is now 15 and asking a lot of questions about bio father, who was not Adam. Her bio dads name was Danny. Georgia and Danny had had a whirlwind love affair that ended in tragedy with Danny’s untimely death. As Lara is pressing for information, Georgia finds she has gaps in her memories, especially surrounding the night of his death. She’s almost afraid to confront the memories head on and truly remember the circumstances of that night.
As the story unfolds, so do the family secrets. Sometimes the quest for the truth can lead to pain. But sometimes reaching the pain, can lead to forgiveness and redemption.
This is my first novel by this author. I found it to be slow during the middle and I had to intentionally press on at times, but I’m so glad I did. The wrap up and conclusion of the story were wonderful.
I would like to thank NetGalley & Sea Dragon Press for the ARC of this book.
“And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me, And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be, For you will bend and tell me that you love me, And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.”
#TheMoonIsMissing
August 24, 2020
This book threatened to rip my heart out so many times, but I couldn't put it down. The story centers on Georgia, a neurosurgeon, wife and mom. When something in her present triggers unwanted memories of the past she suffers a panic attack while performing a surgery. She ends up having to take a break from her work to mend herself. Georgia has to grapple with her anxiety and watch how it affects her family, especially her relationship with her daughter. The book is split in three parts each taking place in a different location, London, New Orleans (during Hurricane Katrina) and New Zealand. I also liked that each part of the book focused on something different. London was her downfall, New Orleans and Katrina her healing, and New Zealand her forgiveness and acceptance.
As a panic attack sufferer as well, this was something about the book that hit home, and as is mentioned multiple times in the book "you can't die from a panic attack," but it sure feels like it. I can relate to Georgia in her interactions with her family. Panic attacks aren't something that can just be stopped, there's a process and also medication, and you never know when one will hit. It's something I've had to explain to my family multiple times and I was glad to see how Georgia was able to find a way to cope with the anxiety and bring her family to a point of understanding.
I also really enjoyed the part of the book on Hurricane Katrina. As an avid reader of books on Hurricane Katrina, I thought Jenni Ogden did a great job capturing what was going on, especially at Memorial Hospital. I'd just read "Five Days at Memorial" by Sheri Fink earlier in the year and thought Jenni did a good job capturing several key facts of what went on for patients and doctors at Memorial during Hurricane Katrina.
Overall, a really great book and I highly recommend!
As a panic attack sufferer as well, this was something about the book that hit home, and as is mentioned multiple times in the book "you can't die from a panic attack," but it sure feels like it. I can relate to Georgia in her interactions with her family. Panic attacks aren't something that can just be stopped, there's a process and also medication, and you never know when one will hit. It's something I've had to explain to my family multiple times and I was glad to see how Georgia was able to find a way to cope with the anxiety and bring her family to a point of understanding.
I also really enjoyed the part of the book on Hurricane Katrina. As an avid reader of books on Hurricane Katrina, I thought Jenni Ogden did a great job capturing what was going on, especially at Memorial Hospital. I'd just read "Five Days at Memorial" by Sheri Fink earlier in the year and thought Jenni did a good job capturing several key facts of what went on for patients and doctors at Memorial during Hurricane Katrina.
Overall, a really great book and I highly recommend!
August 24, 2020
A beautiful story about family, tragedy, mystery and hope.
Georgia Grayson is a successful neurosurgeon with a husband and two children when her world is turned upside down. Her daughter, Lara, wants to know more about the death of her real father, Danny, and his side of the family. This triggers painful memories for Georgia and brings back the panic, anxiety and misery that she felt when she first lost Danny. In order to feel like herself again, and to be able to provide Lara with the answers she deserves, Georgia will return to New Orleans where she first met Danny, and to New Zealand where he died. Will she finally remember what happened the night he died?
This story had so many interesting facets to it - the mystery of what happened to Danny was just the part that tied everything else together. I loved the focus on relationships here; both the husband/wife relationship between Georgia and Adam, and how her panic attacks affect them, and the mother/daughter relationship which suffers as a result of the secrets and uncertainty around Danny’s death. Ogden has a background in psychology and this was evident in the way she so accurately writes about mental health and relationships - spot on.
I also absolutely loved the changes of location throughout the story, which kept things feeling fresh and exciting - didn’t hurt that New Orleans and New Zealand are two places I’d love to explore more! The descriptions were so vivid that I could almost feel the atmosphere and vibrancy of New Orleans, and the peace and spirituality of New Zealand.
Thoroughly enjoyed this and will definitely pick up more of Ogden’s books!
August 22, 2020
Gripping sequences in Katrina-buffeted New Orleans made this a page-turner😲
The Moon is Missing grabbed me, but not for the reason I was expecting. With its changing setting, moving between London, New Orleans, Cape Cod and several scenic spots in New Zealand, I thought I would most enjoy the globetrotting aspect and the tragic love story between singer Danny and neurosurgeon-in-training Georgia. That part of the story was good, emotional and poignant and Georgia's strengthening relationship with their daughter Lara also made it a moving story.
But what really got me stuck to the pages of this book was the sequence that played out in New Orleans in August 2005 when Georgia and Lara visit New Orleans and inadvertently get caught up in the full drama and tragedy when Hurricane Katrina came calling. Putting her characters in a true life event of this magnitude really brought their story to a higher level. By highlighting the plight of secondary characters trapped in the city with them, including doctors, nurses, a very ill new mother and an elderly patient unknowingly connected to Lara through her dead father, author Jenni Ogden made the human dimension of Katrina's destruction come to life.
Georgia's anxiety and prolonged inability to reconcile herself with Danny's death may be the main theme of the plot, but it will probably be the Katrina segment that will stay with me the longest.
Thanks to publishers Sea Dragon Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
The Moon is Missing grabbed me, but not for the reason I was expecting. With its changing setting, moving between London, New Orleans, Cape Cod and several scenic spots in New Zealand, I thought I would most enjoy the globetrotting aspect and the tragic love story between singer Danny and neurosurgeon-in-training Georgia. That part of the story was good, emotional and poignant and Georgia's strengthening relationship with their daughter Lara also made it a moving story.
But what really got me stuck to the pages of this book was the sequence that played out in New Orleans in August 2005 when Georgia and Lara visit New Orleans and inadvertently get caught up in the full drama and tragedy when Hurricane Katrina came calling. Putting her characters in a true life event of this magnitude really brought their story to a higher level. By highlighting the plight of secondary characters trapped in the city with them, including doctors, nurses, a very ill new mother and an elderly patient unknowingly connected to Lara through her dead father, author Jenni Ogden made the human dimension of Katrina's destruction come to life.
Georgia's anxiety and prolonged inability to reconcile herself with Danny's death may be the main theme of the plot, but it will probably be the Katrina segment that will stay with me the longest.
Thanks to publishers Sea Dragon Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
August 22, 2020
Gripping sequences in Katrina-buffeted New Orleans made this a page-turner😲
The Moon is Missing grabbed me, but not for the reason I was expecting. With its changing setting, moving between London, New Orleans, Cape Cod and several scenic spots in New Zealand, I thought I would most enjoy the globetrotting aspect and the tragic love story between singer Danny and neurosurgeon-in-training Georgia. That part of the story was good, emotional and poignant and Georgia's strengthening relationship with their daughter Lara also made it a moving story.
But what really got me stuck to the pages of this book was the sequence that played out in New Orleans in August 2005 when Georgia and Lara visit New Orleans and inadvertently get caught up in the full drama and tragedy when Hurricane Katrina came calling. Putting her characters in a true life event of this magnitude really brought their story to a higher level. By highlighting the plight of secondary characters trapped in the city with them, including doctors, nurses, a very ill new mother and an elderly patient unknowingly connected to Lara through her dead father, author Jenni Ogden made the human dimension of Katrina's destruction come to life.
Georgia's anxiety and prolonged inability to reconcile herself with Danny's death may be the main theme of the plot, but it will probably be the Katrina segment that will stay with me the longest.
Thanks to publishers Sea Dragon Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
The Moon is Missing grabbed me, but not for the reason I was expecting. With its changing setting, moving between London, New Orleans, Cape Cod and several scenic spots in New Zealand, I thought I would most enjoy the globetrotting aspect and the tragic love story between singer Danny and neurosurgeon-in-training Georgia. That part of the story was good, emotional and poignant and Georgia's strengthening relationship with their daughter Lara also made it a moving story.
But what really got me stuck to the pages of this book was the sequence that played out in New Orleans in August 2005 when Georgia and Lara visit New Orleans and inadvertently get caught up in the full drama and tragedy when Hurricane Katrina came calling. Putting her characters in a true life event of this magnitude really brought their story to a higher level. By highlighting the plight of secondary characters trapped in the city with them, including doctors, nurses, a very ill new mother and an elderly patient unknowingly connected to Lara through her dead father, author Jenni Ogden made the human dimension of Katrina's destruction come to life.
Georgia's anxiety and prolonged inability to reconcile herself with Danny's death may be the main theme of the plot, but it will probably be the Katrina segment that will stay with me the longest.
Thanks to publishers Sea Dragon Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
August 23, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed Jenni Odgen’s debut novel A Drop in the Ocean which clearly demonstrated the author’s ability to write beautifully and create an unusual story with excellent character development.
Jenni Ogden’s new novel The Moon is Missing is also an incredible story that, while very complex, still holds the reader’s attention. The story moves to many locations - from London (around the London bombings in July 2005 -where I was at the time!) to New Orleans during the Katrina Hurricane in August 2005 to New Zealand (mainly Great Barrier island where the author lives). The dramatic events surrounding these locations are also reflected in the many personal and family dramas the characters go through.
Not only was this beautifully written, there are so many issues to continue to reflect upon and discuss with friends and family. I loved the letter to the reader at the end where Jenni shares with us her views of the importance of reading novels and raises some of the issues this novel raises - Work/Family Balance, Anxiety Issues, Mother-teenager relationships especially with daughters, and Family Secrets. Through the main character Georgia and her relationships with her family, friends and colleagues these issues are brought to life and explored.
Highly recommended read.
A special thank you for the email from Caitlin Hamilton Summie from Caitlin Hamilton Marketing, for providing pre-approval for me to obtain a copy, via Netgalley, of Jenni Ogden’s forthcoming book, The Moon is Missing, to read and review. Also thanks as usual to Netgalley and to the publisher Sea Dragon Press.
Jenni Ogden’s new novel The Moon is Missing is also an incredible story that, while very complex, still holds the reader’s attention. The story moves to many locations - from London (around the London bombings in July 2005 -where I was at the time!) to New Orleans during the Katrina Hurricane in August 2005 to New Zealand (mainly Great Barrier island where the author lives). The dramatic events surrounding these locations are also reflected in the many personal and family dramas the characters go through.
Not only was this beautifully written, there are so many issues to continue to reflect upon and discuss with friends and family. I loved the letter to the reader at the end where Jenni shares with us her views of the importance of reading novels and raises some of the issues this novel raises - Work/Family Balance, Anxiety Issues, Mother-teenager relationships especially with daughters, and Family Secrets. Through the main character Georgia and her relationships with her family, friends and colleagues these issues are brought to life and explored.
Highly recommended read.
A special thank you for the email from Caitlin Hamilton Summie from Caitlin Hamilton Marketing, for providing pre-approval for me to obtain a copy, via Netgalley, of Jenni Ogden’s forthcoming book, The Moon is Missing, to read and review. Also thanks as usual to Netgalley and to the publisher Sea Dragon Press.
September 27, 2020
The Moon Is Missing By Jenni Ogden
Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars
Publication Date: 8/25/2020
** Thank you to Netgalley, Sea Dragon Press, and of course, Jenni Ogden, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start this review off by saying - I LOVED A Drop In The Ocean. Jenni Ogden has a way with words to draw me into her writing and stories. I am a huge fan. When I got the chance to review The Moon Is Missing, I jumped on it!
Moon focuses on Georgia Grayson, a neurosurgeon in London who is expected to become the first female director of her office. She is the mother of Lara and Finbar with her husband, Adam. Lara comes home with a school assignment which leads to questions about her biological father. Danny is a musician from New Orleans, Louisiana who has died. With the opportunity of a medical conference, Lara and Georgia head to New Orleans, only to be welcomed with the force of Hurricane Katrina.
The core theme of Moon is family, however, the novel also focuses on mental health issues - specifically anxiety and the transition to panic attacks. We see Lara and Georgia at their worst. Their characters are written PERFECTLY. I found them all so relatable, along with all of the characters.
Being able to read about Katrina from a first-person perspective truly fascinated me. It made me feel connected to those who dealt with the tragedy.
This book is highly recommended by me. I honestly believe it to be one of my favorites from 2020!
Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars
Publication Date: 8/25/2020
** Thank you to Netgalley, Sea Dragon Press, and of course, Jenni Ogden, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start this review off by saying - I LOVED A Drop In The Ocean. Jenni Ogden has a way with words to draw me into her writing and stories. I am a huge fan. When I got the chance to review The Moon Is Missing, I jumped on it!
Moon focuses on Georgia Grayson, a neurosurgeon in London who is expected to become the first female director of her office. She is the mother of Lara and Finbar with her husband, Adam. Lara comes home with a school assignment which leads to questions about her biological father. Danny is a musician from New Orleans, Louisiana who has died. With the opportunity of a medical conference, Lara and Georgia head to New Orleans, only to be welcomed with the force of Hurricane Katrina.
The core theme of Moon is family, however, the novel also focuses on mental health issues - specifically anxiety and the transition to panic attacks. We see Lara and Georgia at their worst. Their characters are written PERFECTLY. I found them all so relatable, along with all of the characters.
Being able to read about Katrina from a first-person perspective truly fascinated me. It made me feel connected to those who dealt with the tragedy.
This book is highly recommended by me. I honestly believe it to be one of my favorites from 2020!
August 12, 2020
"The Moon is Missing" is a book about relationships, personal, spousal, family and professional and most importantly the one the protagonist has with herself. The story is written from the point of view of Georgia, a mother, wife and neurosurgeon, who we discover has suffered from anxiety in the past. The story opens with a bit of family strife which sets the scene for an underlying theme, secrets, that evolves throughout the book. We meet Georgia's family, each an interesting character in their own right. Georgia has a triggering experience and her anxiety suddenly becomes a bigger issue. She is a strong independent woman who would love to be able to heal herself or at least keep her anxiety at bay and initially resists treatment even though getting help is critical to the profession about which she is passionate. As Georgia deals with family and professional drama we watch her gradually begin to embrace psychological support.
Ms Ogden's writing deftly draws you into the story so that you experience everything with Georgia.
As the story unfolds I felt irritation, satisfaction, sympathy, surprise, tension and relief. There are a multitude of life issues to ponder during and post reading this story. For me that's the mark of a good read! Ms Ogden is a psychologist and I love how she so succinctly weaves psychological and medical detail into the story making it vividly real and her depiction of Katrina which plays a pivotal part in the book is outstanding. She is skilled at eloquently synopsising drama. Her characters also show how with a few words from a loved one your emotions can be elevated or devastated. The book beautifully incorporates family, nature, place, psychology, medicine, surprise and secrets. The author captures the essence of the multiple locations visited throughout the story.
I loved every nuance and surprise along the way as Ogden took me in hand and led me on an enjoyable thought provoking adventure so I won't say more. I enjoyed Ms Ogdens previous novel, "A Drop in the Ocean," but I loved the complexity of this completely different story even more.
I definitely recommend this book. Thanks to Sea Dragon Press and the author for an advanced reader's copy
Ms Ogden's writing deftly draws you into the story so that you experience everything with Georgia.
As the story unfolds I felt irritation, satisfaction, sympathy, surprise, tension and relief. There are a multitude of life issues to ponder during and post reading this story. For me that's the mark of a good read! Ms Ogden is a psychologist and I love how she so succinctly weaves psychological and medical detail into the story making it vividly real and her depiction of Katrina which plays a pivotal part in the book is outstanding. She is skilled at eloquently synopsising drama. Her characters also show how with a few words from a loved one your emotions can be elevated or devastated. The book beautifully incorporates family, nature, place, psychology, medicine, surprise and secrets. The author captures the essence of the multiple locations visited throughout the story.
I loved every nuance and surprise along the way as Ogden took me in hand and led me on an enjoyable thought provoking adventure so I won't say more. I enjoyed Ms Ogdens previous novel, "A Drop in the Ocean," but I loved the complexity of this completely different story even more.
I definitely recommend this book. Thanks to Sea Dragon Press and the author for an advanced reader's copy
February 16, 2023
The Moon is Missing by Jenni Ogden is a book I purchased and listened to on Chirp.
This is the story of Georgia Grayson, a wife, mother and successful neurosurgeon in London. She also suffers from anxiety attacks that her husband, Adam, helps her navigate. However, the attacks come to a head when her 15 year old daughter, Laura wants to know more about her father, a singer from New Orleans who died before she was born.
After a severe panic attack that prevents Georgia from performing a successful operation and lands her in therapy…she tries to find out the blocked memories of what exactly happened when Danny (Laura’s father) died.
The book follows Georgia as she pieces together the tragic loss of Danny. It takes her and Laura on a quest to New Orleans in the wake of Katrina and then back home to New Zealand, where the death of Laura’s father occurred. Family secrets are revealed and old wounds exposed.
A suspenseful domestic drama with a lot to unpack. It was an enjoyable read that had me putting my earbuds in at every opportunity!
4 stars from me!!
QOTD: Have you ever had memories blocked due to trauma? Did you remember on your own or with help?
(Don’t answer if it's too personal…just curious about repressed memories. I feel like I remember all my childhood trauma. Face it HEAD ON! That’s me.)
This is the story of Georgia Grayson, a wife, mother and successful neurosurgeon in London. She also suffers from anxiety attacks that her husband, Adam, helps her navigate. However, the attacks come to a head when her 15 year old daughter, Laura wants to know more about her father, a singer from New Orleans who died before she was born.
After a severe panic attack that prevents Georgia from performing a successful operation and lands her in therapy…she tries to find out the blocked memories of what exactly happened when Danny (Laura’s father) died.
The book follows Georgia as she pieces together the tragic loss of Danny. It takes her and Laura on a quest to New Orleans in the wake of Katrina and then back home to New Zealand, where the death of Laura’s father occurred. Family secrets are revealed and old wounds exposed.
A suspenseful domestic drama with a lot to unpack. It was an enjoyable read that had me putting my earbuds in at every opportunity!
4 stars from me!!
QOTD: Have you ever had memories blocked due to trauma? Did you remember on your own or with help?
(Don’t answer if it's too personal…just curious about repressed memories. I feel like I remember all my childhood trauma. Face it HEAD ON! That’s me.)
August 24, 2020
This novel tells a tale within a tale. For the most part it’s a mystery involving the death of a young blues singer (Danny), the possible involvement of his girlfriend (Georgia) who is now a successful Neurosurgeon, wife, and mother of two who is searching for answers of her memory’s missing past. Now, the tale within the tale, takes place in New Orleans during Katrina and the experiences she has there with her daughter, Lara. Georgia takes us on a journey to restore her memories through London, New Zealand, and New Orleans. Jenni Ogden is a marvelous writer, keen on capturing emotion as well as environment. Thanks so much to Sea Dragon Press & Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.
August 24, 2020
An absolute triumph for Jenni Ogden. A beautifully written book that I didn’t put down until the end. A family drama that takes you to a remote New Zealand Island ,(her descriptions were so vivid I felt as if I could literally see it) also to New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. The story follows Georgia Grayson, a neurosurgeon, who’s past comes back to haunt her when her daughter demands to know who she is, A tightly woven family drama.:A must read, Superb.....
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