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Kanner Lake #2
Coral Moon
The figure remained still as stone. Leslie couldn’t even detect a breath.Spider fingers teased the back of her neck. Leslie’s feet rooted to the pavement. She dropped her gaze to the driveway, seeking … what? Spatters of blood? Footprints? She saw nothing. Honed through her recent coverage of crime scene evidence, the testimony at last month’s trial, the reporter in Leslie spewed warnings: Notice everything, touch nothing. Leslie Williams hurries out to her car on a typical workday morning—and discovers a dead body inside. Why was the corpse left for her to find? And what is the meaning of the message pinned to its chest? In Coral Moon, the senseless murder of a beloved Kanner Lake citizen spirals the small Idaho town into a terrifying glimpse of spiritual forces beyond our world. What appears true seems impossible. Or is it?
319 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2007
33 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
About the author
Brandilyn Collins
62 books632 followersBrandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®--fast-paced, character-driven suspense with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith.
Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is a sought-after teacher and speaker at writers' conferences.
Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is a sought-after teacher and speaker at writers' conferences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 2, 2012
Did somebody say page turner? From past experience reading Bradilyn's books, I knew this would be a great read, but PHEW! I don't scare easily from reading a book, but this one had me feeling a little twitchy when I had to walk down the dark hallway at night.
Coral Moon is the second book in the Kanner Lake series, and I could be wrong, but I think it even managed to eclipse Book One. Mix together an insane killer on the loose and a particularly nasty couple of demonic spirits and you've got the foundation for this novel. If you loved Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness, then you are going to love Coral Moon.
All the old, familiar characters from the first book return, without needing much introduction. There's enough information for new readers to get the idea, but not too much back story to slow down the returning reader. However, I would recommend new readers start with Book One, Violet Dawn.
There is absolutely no question that this author has the concept of page turner down to perfection. Short chapters, each changing from character to character, and all progressing the story along in a way that leaves the reader just having to know what happens next.
I was absolutely certain I knew who the killer was ... at least three times. When I was positive I had it nailed toward the end, Brandilyn threw in a final twist.
Fantastic book, but anyone who is easily frightened when it comes to the supernatural - even if from a Christian angle - would probably find this a little too scary. However, for everyone else, this is a terrific (and sometimes terrifying) read.
Coral Moon is the second book in the Kanner Lake series, and I could be wrong, but I think it even managed to eclipse Book One. Mix together an insane killer on the loose and a particularly nasty couple of demonic spirits and you've got the foundation for this novel. If you loved Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness, then you are going to love Coral Moon.
All the old, familiar characters from the first book return, without needing much introduction. There's enough information for new readers to get the idea, but not too much back story to slow down the returning reader. However, I would recommend new readers start with Book One, Violet Dawn.
There is absolutely no question that this author has the concept of page turner down to perfection. Short chapters, each changing from character to character, and all progressing the story along in a way that leaves the reader just having to know what happens next.
I was absolutely certain I knew who the killer was ... at least three times. When I was positive I had it nailed toward the end, Brandilyn threw in a final twist.
Fantastic book, but anyone who is easily frightened when it comes to the supernatural - even if from a Christian angle - would probably find this a little too scary. However, for everyone else, this is a terrific (and sometimes terrifying) read.
October 6, 2017
This book is not for sensitive readers. The book deals with demonic, so is definitely not for every reader. Having read Frank Peretti's books, I'm not blind to the good versus evil in the spiritual. The section though about the killer's past was a bit too dark for me and I skipped some of the darker bits.
The part about the murders etc was suspenseful and kept me guessing and reading. Even with the darker bits, I kept on reading because I wanted to know who the killer is. The author did a great job at the end to give hints to who it might be and kept me guessing.
I enjoyed the characters and would continue the series. Hopefully the next 2 installments is back to suspense and not this darker theme.
So, yes, this is a great suspense book but should not be read by sensitive or younger readers.
The part about the murders etc was suspenseful and kept me guessing and reading. Even with the darker bits, I kept on reading because I wanted to know who the killer is. The author did a great job at the end to give hints to who it might be and kept me guessing.
I enjoyed the characters and would continue the series. Hopefully the next 2 installments is back to suspense and not this darker theme.
So, yes, this is a great suspense book but should not be read by sensitive or younger readers.
October 8, 2017
Brandilyn Collins does it again, but this time with a LOT more creepy suspense. I definitely had to put this book down a few times to allow myself to breathe and process what I was reading.
The creepiness aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Kanner Lake Series and look forward to reading book number three.
The creepiness aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Kanner Lake Series and look forward to reading book number three.
October 18, 2007
Coral Moon is the second book in the Kanner Lake series. Months after the murder of Edna San, the normally quiet town is still reeling from the media circus that descended upon them as a result of the high profile murder. With a major lead on a breaking news story, the town’s ambitious reporter Leslie Brymes has benefited from the publicity more than anyone else. Unfortunately, Leslie’s boosted career move may have made her a target.
Leaving for work one morning, Leslie finds the body of a beloved Kanner Lake citizen in her car. As Chief Edwards, his officers and forensics work to find out whose behind the murder, the race to find a killer becomes more urgent — because it soon becomes apparent Kanner Lake has a serial killer in their midst. At the center, Leslie seems to be the main attraction.
I’m never disappointed with a Brandilyn Collins’ novel. Using short chapters and tight writing, the plot thickens and twists in all the right places. Coral Moon supports the author’s trademark "Seatbelt Suspense" head on and at times will send a chill down the reader’s back. Some parts of this novel can definitely be described as creepy. The faith message is not overt, but you also can’t miss the spiritual warfare element either.
Brandilyn tackled spiritual warfare in her Hidden Series books concentrating on the power of prayer. With the Kanner Lake series, she explores how clueless humans can open the door for demonic activity, not realizing the destruction that follows.
For readers who read book one, several of the characters are familiar from the Java Joint coffee shop. If the reader is picking up the second book first, it can be easily read as a stand alone. Look out for my review on Crimson Eve, book three in this series.
Leaving for work one morning, Leslie finds the body of a beloved Kanner Lake citizen in her car. As Chief Edwards, his officers and forensics work to find out whose behind the murder, the race to find a killer becomes more urgent — because it soon becomes apparent Kanner Lake has a serial killer in their midst. At the center, Leslie seems to be the main attraction.
I’m never disappointed with a Brandilyn Collins’ novel. Using short chapters and tight writing, the plot thickens and twists in all the right places. Coral Moon supports the author’s trademark "Seatbelt Suspense" head on and at times will send a chill down the reader’s back. Some parts of this novel can definitely be described as creepy. The faith message is not overt, but you also can’t miss the spiritual warfare element either.
Brandilyn tackled spiritual warfare in her Hidden Series books concentrating on the power of prayer. With the Kanner Lake series, she explores how clueless humans can open the door for demonic activity, not realizing the destruction that follows.
For readers who read book one, several of the characters are familiar from the Java Joint coffee shop. If the reader is picking up the second book first, it can be easily read as a stand alone. Look out for my review on Crimson Eve, book three in this series.
September 2, 2020
Scary story about murders and demon possession. This is one of my favorites by this author as it is so creepy.
August 25, 2018
Clean suspense. Hooray
June 11, 2014
Ok. I read this book a while back (last year, I think), and gave it 2 stars. I am resubmitting a rating of five stars. From the moment I picked up this book (uh, metaphor for my Kindle), I hated it; I mean REALLY HATED IT! Yet I read the whole book - every word. Why? I am a Christian; actually quite a conservative Christian. I want no part of the evils in this world. And yet, evil exists - EVERYWHERE! So to read about the evil Brandilyn Collins writes in this story about a small, unassuming town in Idaho, it really hit me hard. Because it is true. There are a lot of people who live in small towns, or even out in the middle of nowhere, to "escape" the evils of big cities, and yet they are SO WRONG!!! There is no where you can go, no place you can hide, that Satan is not present, EXCEPT for in the presence of God. The very real sense of evil in this book made me want to get as far away from it as possible. The fact is, there ARE people who do seances, who "call up" people from the graves, and so forth. And yes, it is real and it does happen. Even the Bible talks about it when King Saul went to a witch and "called up" Samuel from the dead. I grew up in a conservative Christian home and have only become more conservative as I get older. But let me tell you, NOT ONE SINGLE TIME have I ever heard a sermon from the pulpit on this subject of seances, demons, witches, and so forth. Why? Because people, especially Christians, don't want to hear it. They want to stay in their nice, cuddly little Christian world where the devil can't get them. But I'll tell you, not only can Satan get to ANY Christian but he does - all the time. Maybe not in the "big League" way shown in this book, but in little ways every day. Don't think that just because you're a Christian, you're not susceptible to evil. It's exactly the opposite. Satan goes after Christians more than other people, and the stronger a person's faith is, the closer to God they are, the harder Satan will try to win you over to his side. This book that Brandilyn Collins wrote has bothered me ever since I read it, but the more I think about it, the more I have to truly applaud this author for tackling a subject most people consider taboo; off limits. When the pastor spoke to the main character regarding good vrs evil and so forth, Collins laid a good, basic foundation of truth regarding this subject not just for non-Christians, but especially for Christians. Know what you're up again. Understand the power that Satan holds over so many people, Christians or not. And know with a certainty the our only weapon against this Evil is found in the power of God, our faith in Him, and CONSTANT communication with Him. That is the only way to overcome Evil. So while this book was hard for me to read, I have utmost respect for author Brandilyn Collins who had the tenacity to write about a subject most people like to pretend doesn't exist. Thank you, Brandilyn!
September 20, 2019
Wow. Not since reading Rachel Dylan’s Windy Ridge series have I felt a little unease over a book being about the horrors of, even unwittingly, calling Satan’s minions into one’s life through seances and other such means. I applaud Collins for tackling this difficult subject as people - teens in particular - need to be warned about it.
About the story itself. I was riveted and drawn into the story, yet I was afraid of what I might read next. I do NOT like horror movies nor books, and this was close enough for me, thank you very much. However, I felt that Collins was remiss in not building more of a prayer network up instead of it being a snippet here, a snippet there. This is a story where I think more open and definitive prayer needed to be written in. Yes: call on Jesus’s name; but do it so the actual POINT is made! But that’s my opinion. Obviously, it’s a great book; just be aware of the Edge-of-your-seat ride.
Lastly, please...PLEASE fix the formatting errors that were also prominent in the first book. They so pull me away from my reading enjoyment.
About the story itself. I was riveted and drawn into the story, yet I was afraid of what I might read next. I do NOT like horror movies nor books, and this was close enough for me, thank you very much. However, I felt that Collins was remiss in not building more of a prayer network up instead of it being a snippet here, a snippet there. This is a story where I think more open and definitive prayer needed to be written in. Yes: call on Jesus’s name; but do it so the actual POINT is made! But that’s my opinion. Obviously, it’s a great book; just be aware of the Edge-of-your-seat ride.
Lastly, please...PLEASE fix the formatting errors that were also prominent in the first book. They so pull me away from my reading enjoyment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2020
A true murder mystery but the exploration of demonic activity was an additional element.
January 13, 2021
Demonic powers at play, three people in the small town of Kanner Lake sensed an evil presence without explanation.
Town rhe residents were fearful of a possible serial killer after the sweetest, most God loving woman was bludgeoned, then placed in a reporter's car with the number "One" pinned to her chest. Clues pointed to an impossible suspect.
Not a book for young folks. Violence, seances, murder and a curse would certainly give me nightmares in my youth. But there were wise words, a great faith message and a pastor explaining the dangers of dabbling in the spirit world.
A bit creepy, a tad unrealistic, this book nevertheless kept my interest trying to figure out who the murderer was.
Town rhe residents were fearful of a possible serial killer after the sweetest, most God loving woman was bludgeoned, then placed in a reporter's car with the number "One" pinned to her chest. Clues pointed to an impossible suspect.
Not a book for young folks. Violence, seances, murder and a curse would certainly give me nightmares in my youth. But there were wise words, a great faith message and a pastor explaining the dangers of dabbling in the spirit world.
A bit creepy, a tad unrealistic, this book nevertheless kept my interest trying to figure out who the murderer was.
June 28, 2019
I do so wish I had a few more of Ms Collins books on my “to read soon” pile. Been awhile since I read any of her books. I should’ve read this one long ago. Anyway, as she always has done for me, it was a great read! I love how she makes me feel I can’t turn the pages fast enough and then still surprises me with her endings. With this book now finished, I believe I have read all of hers. But just in case, I think it’s time for an internet search to see if maybe, just maybe, there will be another one or two I’m not aware of. If not? I anxiously await her next one!😉
March 5, 2020
This book is extremely tense. It deals with spirital warfare as well as murder and mental illness, among other things. I was drawn in by the small town and the characters, whom I met in book one of this series. The demonic part of the plot was hard for me to read, so although I enjoyed this book, I liked the first one a little better. If you like thrillers, especially Christian ones, then you will love this novel.
April 30, 2020
This was a book I just had to finish! The book makes you think about who the killer might be, But then surprises you with who the killer turns out to be. This book makes you think hard about where you are in your relationship with God. It was a book that made you think about how blessed you are to have God on your side to protect you against the realm of the evil one!
October 18, 2020
Chief of Police looking out the window in Kanner Lake that things had finally returned to normal. Then the phone call from Paige, a body was found in Rachel’s car. They had just moved into a two bedroom house.
Rachel as a reporter, would dig in and use this as a shield to get her thru it.
Dealing with the spiritual world versus the demonic world will have readers captivated in this story.
Rachel as a reporter, would dig in and use this as a shield to get her thru it.
Dealing with the spiritual world versus the demonic world will have readers captivated in this story.
October 21, 2021
Book manages to take an interesting story approach and find the most boring ways to make it progress. There's no real tension. Each situation comes across as dry and clinical. I was approaching the final stretch and I found I couldn't even care enough to remember what character was which. First book was alright but this one lost me.
October 20, 2018
OH!MY!GOODNESS! You know the book is going to be good when the author issues a warning in her introduction! I was drawn into the story from the beginning. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages. I'm excited to read the next book in this series!
January 4, 2019
Now that I've read two books in the series, I will NOT be reading any more from this author. The way the author resolves the conflict, the way she finishes the stories are just too rushed and makes me feel that I wasted my time reading up to that point.
February 6, 2019
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved that the supernatural was included as well, and the more prominent place Pastor Hank had as well. It was also great to see Leslie's spiritual growth in this book. Will be moving on to the third book directly.
May 9, 2024
If you are a fan of Frank Peretti's "This Present Darkness" you will probably enjoy "Coral Moon." It isn't as detailed in spiritual warfare and you don't have the perspective of the spiritual realm, but it does highlight the connection of the spiritual and the physical.
August 4, 2017
A hard and sad book! It was creepy and hard for me to get through, but it's good.
December 7, 2017
This one was pretty spooky. I'm going on to number three, but I didn't like the plot of this one as well as number one.
January 2, 2018
More great fun from Ms. Collins. This book also had a crazy supernatural twist which was fun. I'll probably start the third in the series tonight...............when it's dark and scary!
February 8, 2018
Not enough interesting Idaho info to make it into a 3 star book. The mystery has too many ghosts and too much prayer in it for me.
February 11, 2018
Really creepy suspense
March 8, 2018
Bizarre!
May 17, 2018
Good story.
May 24, 2021
Good series
June 18, 2022
Really creepy! It will definitely keep you reading.
December 26, 2023
Loved it! Even felt the chills! I just ordered the rest in this series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews