Under a Blood Moon: A chilling mystery thriller with a supernatural twist

CJ O'Hara #2

by John Deal

What if the only way to stop a crime is to see it before it happens?

Detective CJ O’Hara has barely had time to catch her breath after closing the Lowcountry Killer case. With a serial rapist terrorizing the city, CJ is already stretched to her limit when a young woman is butchered in her sleep — and the killer takes a gruesome souvenir.

Pulling apart bizarre clues, CJ believes the evidence may point to hoodoo rituals connected to the full moon. But finding the truth may require the help of a Gullah woman with the gift of sight. A gift she is reluctant to share…

With a cold case snapping at her heels and the next full moon fast approaching, an unexpected tragedy blows CJ’s life — and her sanity — apart. But when the next life on the line is someone close to her, it will take more than police instincts to stop a killer.

And there are hours left before the moon turns dark red.

Under A Blood Moon is the suspenseful second book in the CJ O’Hara Crime Thrillers Series. Following the troubled detective as she unravels a web of simultaneous crimes, this fast-paced mystery novel blends classic deceptions with a supernatural twist.

429 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2022

About the author

John is an author of crime and mystery thrillers and a reader of many genres. His debut novel, All the Natural Beauties, introduces Detective CJ O’Hara, and he continues to follow her and other relatable characters in the CJ O’Hara Crime Thrillers series.

John grew up near Nashville, Tennessee, and now lives in the California Bay Area. His love for the South Carolina Lowcountry stems from the time he spent living in a beach house outside Charleston. This portion of his life inspires his writing and many of his characters. Besides books, he loves spending time with his family, especially his two grandkids, and going to the mountains, the beach, and fishing in Alaska.

You’ll enjoy John’s books if you like thrillers filled with mystery and suspense. His fast-paced plots twist and turn, and he’ll surprise you . . . his antagonists will make you keep your lights on as you wander through the beautiful and historic Lowcountry.

Reviews

[Mandy K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under a Blood Moon (audio: Book 2 of series)4⭐️

I’m such a CJ fan! Series in general can be hit or miss for me, but I’m very excited for books 3 and 4. Under a Blood Moon has a slight supernatural element, but not to the extent of being unbelievable.

Thank you to author John Deal for gifting me with the first 3 audiobooks of the CJ O’Hara series! Narrator Brittany Goodwin is AMAZING!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under a Blood Moon.

A great story about catching the criminal(s). One very good investigator is out to catch a serial rapist. She needs to follow the clues to figure out who the responsible party is. Along the way she finds more trouble that she needs to fix. Using unusual methods she keeps working towards a solution.

#GoodreadsGiveaways

[Reggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

queue x-files theme music…

Another great story in the series! This one is a bit creepy and involves the use of the rituals of hoodoo…practiced by the Gullah ppl. Lots of suspense w a little romance. Enjoyable book

[Dana Duplantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective CJ O'Hara has her work cut out for her. A young woman is murdered and butchered in her sleep. The killed takes a gruesome souvenir . CJ figured out the murders are happening during a full moon. When someone close to CJ is take she does anything to save her friend especially when the full moon turns a dark red. A very good book and can't wait to read the next one.

[Patricia Mccammon · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great book in this series. Really enjoyed it

[Lisa Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild and crazy ride! So love when a series really continues to grow and build the main characters. CJ O’Hara remains the same fierce detective but is also a loyal, compassionate, trusted, sensitive friend and partner. She shows her humanity when she succumbs to her own personal weakness but is strong enough (and with some help from her friends) to pull herself up and continue on. Everything you could ever want from a strong female lead character.

Book two of this series closes the case begun in book one by making a quick pit stop in Alaska of all places. When she returns to South Carolina she finds herself delving in an area that’s strange and unfamiliar to her. Besides that, she’s not even quite sure it exists – hoodooism. She also becomes involved in local history when she finds herself relying on Grannie who is of Gullah descent. Her current case brings her face to face with this practice and while she’s skeptical, she knows must follow her instincts to bring a killer to justice.

Mr. Deal once again creates tense, nail-biting scenes that you just can’t walk away from. Every time I had to put the book down, I was counting the seconds to get back to it. So enjoyable to follow a family of characters through their adventures and learn about history and culture while doing it. Well done, Mr. Deal. Book three gets delivered tomorrow and I can’t wait!

[C.A. Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must start by saying I am absolutely loving this series! I haven't read a series lately that has captivated me quite like this one!

Detective CJ O’Hara just wrapped up the Lowcountry Killer case when a young woman gets mųrdêręd in her sleep in this super creepy mystery thriller. The kǐllěr leaves a unique souvenir behind, and CJ starts putting together some strange clues. She thinks it might be connected to hoodoo rituals and the full moon, so she asks a Gullah lady known as Grannie with a special sight for help. But solving the case won’t be a piece of cake, especially with an old case still hanging over her head and the next full moon just around the corner.

I have to say, I absolutely love CJ she is such a likable character! John really nailed it with her. I enjoyed the other characters too, but CJ just makes you want to cheer for her! CJ O’Hara is a detective who is spirited and sharp, making her a super interesting lead. And I can't forget about Grannie—such a mysterious character whose wisdom and guarded gift add depth to the story.

John Deal weaves a web of classic deceptions with a few twists, serving up a thrilling mystery that’ll keep you on your toes. John has exceeded my expectations with this series!! I hope it never ends! Lol.

[Donald Ledoux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Sequel!!

Could not wait to find out who was watching CJ from afar at the end of the first awesome Novel All the Natural Beauties! Under a Blood Moon is very enjoyable and fast read! The story line keeps you engaged with your mind racing as to who dun it, how do they get caught, and who doesn’t make it out alive.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good book! Pulls you in from page one and keeps you there until the end. Hard to put down. The people in the story are like able and I love the location. Can’t wait until the next book in this series.

[Ronald G Stagliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Read

If you like to be entertained, I strongly recommend this book. Terrific characters and a fine plotline make this a very enjoyable book. John Deal's second installment in this series matches the first. Looking forward to the next one.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

CJ O'Hara is as charmingly chaotic as ever!

This book was so good! I fell in love with CJ's grit in book one, and book two did not disappoint. The author kept her wit, intelligence, badassness, and humanity intact for this second round. The pacing is good, the descriptions of South Carolina are always beautiful and add a touch of Southern sunsets and humidity to the story.
I couldn't give it five stars, even though I really wanted to, because there is such a glaring plot hole. I understand why it exists, and I am not sure the author could have gotten the end to unfold the same way if it didn't exist, but it had me yelling at the book. There was one other thing that was disappointing, but I can't say what without spoiling things. Overall, despite two things that confused me, it was well written and is a great story. I surely hope there is a book three in the works!

[Bobbie Barker Ulmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book...it kept me reading through the night...I highly recommend this series.

[Kristal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the continuation of CJ's story and look forward to reading the next book.

[Robert Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping! Couldn't put it down!

John Deal does it again! Book two of the CJ O'Hara series is a fantastic read; fast paced and leaves you guessing and wanting more with every turn of the page. Can't wait to start book 3 and see what CJ does next!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Awesome Book

I loved this book, as well as the other two by John Deal. His writing style makes you feel like you are there, among the characters. CJ is an awesome detective and so believable. I read the books out of order, but once you get to know CJ, Ben and Sam, it didn't matter what order they were in. I read all three of the books in under a week, I couldn't stop they had all my attention. I plan on reading anything John Deal writes for here on in, I'm now a fan of his. Now, I'm off to read the last book. Well, it's actually the second book, but my last one in the series.

[Denise Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star read! This is my second book by John Deal, and I love how he grabbed my attention right from the beginning. I enjoyed reading more about the main character, CJ O’Hara, and how determined she was to solve the rape and murder cases she was investigating. This is a gripping read, I definitely recommend! Can’t wait to read the next one by John!

[Darin Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still reeling from the fallout of her first big case in Charleston, Detective CJ O’Hara is under intense pressure to resolve her next caseload in order to prove her worth to her new boss, Chief Walter Williams. There’s a serial rapist on the loose, and he’s escalating, but even more disturbing is a murderer who is removing the hearts of his victims for use in some sort of hoodoo ritual—to what end, CJ can only imagine. Her assistance has also been requested by the FBI field office in Juneau, Alaska for a matter that has striking similarities to the serial killer case she’s only just solved. To say that she’s a little stressed out may be the understatement of the century.

Stretched to her limits and hobbled by inexplicable panic attacks, CJ struggles to stay afloat in a new city where her only real support comes from her Uncle Harry, a former detective for the Boston PD who is currently enjoying retirement in Chucktown. With expectations high but results few and far between, CJ’s inner demons are more than willing to provide cold comfort. With a vengeful reporter out to sully CJ’s reputation before she can really even establish one, it’s beginning to feel like moving to Charleston was a big mistake.

As questions pile up, one thing seems perfectly clear: the ritualistic murders are tied to the cycles of the moon, and CJ and her team are quickly running out of time before the killer is likely to strike again.

With his sophomore effort, Deal delves into the flawed side of CJ and the ill-advised coping mechanisms she falls back on when the days get to be a little much. It’s uncomfortable at times but only serves to flesh CJ out as she struggles to get her priorities in order. The narrative is steeped in Southern charm, and with vivid descriptions of the region’s locales (although perhaps a tad heavy on its culinary delights), you’ll feel like you’re riding right along with CJ as she navigates a case that’s both personal and more challenging than she ever anticipated. A few of the tertiary characters were somewhat predictable, but what wasn’t was Police Chief Williams inexplicable change in demeanor from the first book in which he was eager to bring CJ aboard and welcomed her with open arms. Here, he’s suffering some sort of buyer’s remorse that feels a little unwarranted, considering all that CJ has accomplished in her short time with his department. But then again, people in real life are subjected to this type of inconsistent leadership all the time, so maybe that’s just more authenticity—and maybe I’m just growing a little too fond of CJ and feeling a bit overprotective.

That isn’t a bad thing, is it?

One thing’s for sure: I’m already on board for #3.

[Renee Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connection or Coincidence? Detective CJ O’Hara thought she was through with the case of the Lowcountry killer case when new evidence suggests otherwise. Along with a serial rapist and a bizzarre murder case, she is drowning in work. Following leads and doing research, she is made aware of certain hoodoo rituals used by the Gullah people. A gift, or a curse depending on how it is used. When it becomes personal and the blood moon is approaching, she knows time is running out. This thriller is exactly that! A thriller that is full of mystery, intrigue and action from the beginning to end. I definitely recommend this book and it gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and then some!

[Catrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective CJ O’Hara has a new bizarre murder case on the heels of her last case. Plus 4 rape cases which really takes away from the main storyline. Once that case is out of the way John Deal finally able to focus on the main storyline. Is the bizarre murder part of hoodoo. CJ O’Hara has an unexpected tragedy in her life. Can she over come the tragedy in time to stop the next murder. Even though this book had a slow and confusing start the suspense and mystery saves the book. I gave it a 4 star for that reason. Little secret the third book in series starts off with suspense and mystery so don’t throw in the towel on John Deal.

[Carol Nauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting book by John Deal. If you read All the Natural Beauties and loved it, you won't be disappointed with the second book in the CJ O'Hara series. A strong female character, the low country of North Carolina setting and a touch of hoodoo all contribute to the intense plot. This is a thriller you won't want to put down until you read the heart racing conclusion!

[Carol Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book was great, but this one I loved!! Strong characters, great plotline. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Kayla Vitas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9