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Richard "Dick" Moonlight #1
Moonlight Falls
In MOONLIGHT FALLS, novelist and photo journalist Vincent Zandri asks the question "If you knew your life could end at any moment, how far would you go to prove you murdered your lover? " Albany, New York, is the setting of Zandri's paranoid thriller (in the Hitchcock tradition) about Richard "Dick" Moonlight, former APD detective turned private investigator/massage therapist, who believes he killed Scarlet Montana - his illicit lover and wife of his ex-boss, Chief of Detectives Jake Montana. The problem is ... Moonlight doesn't remember what happened!
388 pages, Paperback
First published November 20, 2009
251 people are currently reading
1071 people want to read
About the author
Vincent Zandri
224 books576 followers"Vincent Zandri is one of the most acclaimed thriller writers working today!" --Publishers Weekly
“Zandri (is) a veteran wordsmith who executes quality and quantity at superlative levels.” --Book Reporter
"The story of Vincent Zandri is the story of our times."
--Business Insider
"Vincent Zandri hails from the future."
--The New York Times
“Sensational . . . masterful . . . brilliant.”
--New York Post
"...big time author..."
--Digital Journal
Considered one of the most prolific writers of his generation, Vincent Zandri is the winner of the 2015 PWA Shamus Award and the 2015 ITW Thriller Award, both for MOONLIGHT WEEPS in the Best Original Paperback category. He is also the NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and AMAZON KINDLE OVERALL NO.1 bestselling author of hundreds of novels, novellas, and stories, including THE REMAINS, MOONLIGHT WEEPS, THE EMBALMER, THE SHROUD KEY and QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT. His list of domestic publishers includes Delacorte, Dell, Down & Out Books, Thomas & Mercer, Blackstone Audio, Tantor Media, and more. He is also the CEO of Bear Media. An MFA in Writing graduate of Vermont College, his work is translated in the Dutch, Russian, French, Italian, and Japanese. Having sold over 1 million editions of his books, Zandri has been the subject of major features by the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Business Insider. He has also made appearances on Bloomberg TV and the FOX News network. In December 2014, Suspense Magazine named Zandri's, THE SHROUD KEY, as one of the "Best Books of 2014." Suspense Magazine selected WHEN SHADOWS COME as one of the "Best Books of 2016". He was also a finalist for the 2019 Derringer Award for Best Novelette. A freelance photojournalist, freelance writer, and the host of the popular YouTube Podcast, "The Writer's Life," Zandri has written for Strategy Magazine, RT, Living Ready Magazine, New York Newsday, Hudson Valley Magazine, The Times Union (Albany), Game & Fish Magazine, CrimeReads, Altcoin Magazine, The Jerusalem Post (ghost), Market Business News (ghost), Duke University (ghost), Colgate University (ghost), New York University (ghost), The Rice University Gazette (ghost), Yale University (ghost), Digital Journal (ghost), and many more. An Active Member of ITW, he lives in New York and Florence, Italy. For more go to WWW.VINZANDRI.COM
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
February 22, 2010
From the Cajun Book Lady Review Blog (http://thecajunbooklady.blogspot.com/...
My Review:
Let me start off by saying I'm now a fan of Vincent!
I loved this book for so many reasons but I'll start with the main character Moonlight. He was such a well built character that no matter what dastardly deed he did in the story, I found myself still rooting for him.
Now "Moonlight Falls" is categorized as a thriller but I definitely think it can fit into other genres too.
There were so many plot twists and turns that Vincent Zandri keeps you on your toes! Murder, dirty cops, affairs, you name it and this book has it.
Now this was a great thing for me...most of the time I can figure out the killer about halfway through the book but this one kept me guessing till the end...you wouldn't believe who started it all!
I'll give it five stars and say that thriller and suspense fans should check it out!
My Review:
Let me start off by saying I'm now a fan of Vincent!
I loved this book for so many reasons but I'll start with the main character Moonlight. He was such a well built character that no matter what dastardly deed he did in the story, I found myself still rooting for him.
Now "Moonlight Falls" is categorized as a thriller but I definitely think it can fit into other genres too.
There were so many plot twists and turns that Vincent Zandri keeps you on your toes! Murder, dirty cops, affairs, you name it and this book has it.
Now this was a great thing for me...most of the time I can figure out the killer about halfway through the book but this one kept me guessing till the end...you wouldn't believe who started it all!
I'll give it five stars and say that thriller and suspense fans should check it out!
December 10, 2019
Moonlight Falls is book one in the Dick Moonlight PI series by Vincent Zandri. Dick Moonlight lover Scarlet Montana was found dead in her home. Scarlet Montana was the wife of Chief of Detectives Jake Montana, and Dick Moonlight became the prime suspect. However, Dick Moonlight did not remember what happened, and he needed answers, so he starts an investigation into Scarlet death. The readers of Moonlight Falls will continue to follow the twists and turns in Dick Moonlight investigation into finding out who killed Scarlet and why.
Moonlight Falls was the first book I have read of Vincent Zandri, and I liked it. However, it did not engage me with the plot or the description of the settings. However, I did finish reading this book. I did love the portrayal of the characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout Moonlight Falls book. Moonlight Falls is well written and researched by Vincent Zandri.
The readers of Moonlight Falls will start to understand the devastating consequences of hatred on a person and everyone around them. Also, the readers of Moonlight Falls will learn about the role of Private Investigator in a law enforcement investigation.
I recommend this book.
Moonlight Falls was the first book I have read of Vincent Zandri, and I liked it. However, it did not engage me with the plot or the description of the settings. However, I did finish reading this book. I did love the portrayal of the characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout Moonlight Falls book. Moonlight Falls is well written and researched by Vincent Zandri.
The readers of Moonlight Falls will start to understand the devastating consequences of hatred on a person and everyone around them. Also, the readers of Moonlight Falls will learn about the role of Private Investigator in a law enforcement investigation.
I recommend this book.
April 23, 2010
I'm torn. I enjoyed reading the book. It is engaging, entertaining, and has so much going on that it is easy to get caught up in the suspense and the action. It is a quick read and the language is easily accessible, although I would argue it is too accessible that it read like an elementary school reader with swear words. Author Vincent Zandri weaved the elements of good suspense fiction together to create a solid and plausible story. I could easily see Zandri's novel translate well to the big screen should a film company decide to purchase the movie rights.
The book follows Richard Moonlight, part-time cop/part-time massage therapist with a piece of a bullet lodged in his brain after a botched suicide attempt, as he discovers his mistress, Scarlett Montana, has been murdered, even though her husband Jake says it is a suicide. He is called in and paid off the books to push through the paperwork saying it is a suicide. The plot thickens and Moonlight finds himself the prime suspect in her murder. The rest of the story unfolds as Moonlight works to determine Scarlett's real cause of death and clear his name.
Sounds like a good read, right? It should have been, but there are two aspects of the book that bothered me so much that they overshadowed my enjoyment for the story itself:
1. The writing. Zandri's writing style is incredibly simplistic. The story often read like an elementary school story, but with lots of swear words, murders, and sexual acts. In an effort to bulk up the writing, Zandri repeats himself, constantly 'info dumping' the same information over and over and over again. Yes, I get it. Richard's ex-partner married his ex-wife. Richard drives his father's old hearse. Those are just two examples. He did it in paragraphs of descriptions and even had the characters repeat these details over and over and over again. Annoying, to put it mildly.
2. The location of the story. I am from the Albany, NY area. If an author is going to use a real place to set his/her story, either go all or nothing. All geographical and cultural references must be correct or all completely made up with just a real city's name attached to them. It irks me to no end to read a story set in my area that is only partially geographically and culturally correct, especially when the author himself has roots in the area. There is no Albany Civic Center. Albany County Correctional is by the airport, not across the river because then it would be in another county. And this area does not have Stop and Shops and 711's.
If that type of writing style appeals to you and you couldn't care less about the geographic and cultural accuracy of the setting, this is an excellent suspense thriller to read. The story will keep you reading until there are no more pages left to read.
The book follows Richard Moonlight, part-time cop/part-time massage therapist with a piece of a bullet lodged in his brain after a botched suicide attempt, as he discovers his mistress, Scarlett Montana, has been murdered, even though her husband Jake says it is a suicide. He is called in and paid off the books to push through the paperwork saying it is a suicide. The plot thickens and Moonlight finds himself the prime suspect in her murder. The rest of the story unfolds as Moonlight works to determine Scarlett's real cause of death and clear his name.
Sounds like a good read, right? It should have been, but there are two aspects of the book that bothered me so much that they overshadowed my enjoyment for the story itself:
1. The writing. Zandri's writing style is incredibly simplistic. The story often read like an elementary school story, but with lots of swear words, murders, and sexual acts. In an effort to bulk up the writing, Zandri repeats himself, constantly 'info dumping' the same information over and over and over again. Yes, I get it. Richard's ex-partner married his ex-wife. Richard drives his father's old hearse. Those are just two examples. He did it in paragraphs of descriptions and even had the characters repeat these details over and over and over again. Annoying, to put it mildly.
2. The location of the story. I am from the Albany, NY area. If an author is going to use a real place to set his/her story, either go all or nothing. All geographical and cultural references must be correct or all completely made up with just a real city's name attached to them. It irks me to no end to read a story set in my area that is only partially geographically and culturally correct, especially when the author himself has roots in the area. There is no Albany Civic Center. Albany County Correctional is by the airport, not across the river because then it would be in another county. And this area does not have Stop and Shops and 711's.
If that type of writing style appeals to you and you couldn't care less about the geographic and cultural accuracy of the setting, this is an excellent suspense thriller to read. The story will keep you reading until there are no more pages left to read.
February 16, 2010
Directly from my blog:[return][return]Moonlight Falls is a masterfully written mystery novel filled with plenty of twists, turns, and double crosses to keep any mystery and thriller buff satisfied. Four years prior, Moonlight attempted to kill himself, which resulted in a fragment of a bullet left lodged in his brain, seizures and blackouts. He is called in to consult with the police on the suicide of the police chief's wife. A few problems immediately present themselves to Moonlight. He was with Scarlet prior to her alleged suicide and he has absolutely no recollection of how he received abrasions and blood on his hands. As he is taken to the crime scene, Moonlight is merely there to casually look around and sign off Scarlet's death as a suicide. However, Moonlight cannot and will not rule her death a suicide and orders an autopsy of the police chief's wife. Suddenly Moonlight finds himself being set up, not only for Scarlet's murder, but also for arson and homicide. What has frightened the police, especially Moonlight's old partner, to make them go to extraordinary lengths to tie him to the death of Scarlet? Moonlight finds that amidst his interrogations by the FBI, the whole ordeal is generating more questions than answers on the question of why he is suddenly the focus of the homicide investigation. Moonlight Falls is an excellently written novel that will keep the reader engaged from beginning to end trying to fit all the pieces together.
November 5, 2012
The first thing I need to say in defense of this book.... is that I am not a fan of the thriller/suspense genre.
Albany, New York, is the setting of this paranoid thriller about Richard "Dick" Moonlight, former Albany Police Detective turned private investigator and massage therapist. One of his clients, Scarlet Montana, who is also his illicit lover and wife of his ex-boss, Chief of Detectives Jake Montana, is found murdered. The problem is ... Moonlight doesn't remember what happened because he’s got a small fragment of a .22 hollow point round buried inside his brain, lodge directly up against his cerebral cortex. (of which got very tiresome being reminded of it over and over and over all the way throughout the story) It's the result of a botched suicide attempt four years prior to the novel’s start, and an operation to remove the bullet fragment would be too dangerous.
But the bullet causes Moonlight lots of problems, the least of which are the occasional memory loss and his rational ability to tell right from wrong...which I must say again, that memory thing got tiresome being reminded of that over and over again and again throughout the story. Where were the editors of this book, were they asleep on the job? Or did they have memory loss also?
I think it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, I did not enjoy this book I thought it would never end! But finally I cried "Yippee, The End!!! Not a favorite read of mine, therefore, I awarded it 2**
Albany, New York, is the setting of this paranoid thriller about Richard "Dick" Moonlight, former Albany Police Detective turned private investigator and massage therapist. One of his clients, Scarlet Montana, who is also his illicit lover and wife of his ex-boss, Chief of Detectives Jake Montana, is found murdered. The problem is ... Moonlight doesn't remember what happened because he’s got a small fragment of a .22 hollow point round buried inside his brain, lodge directly up against his cerebral cortex. (of which got very tiresome being reminded of it over and over and over all the way throughout the story) It's the result of a botched suicide attempt four years prior to the novel’s start, and an operation to remove the bullet fragment would be too dangerous.
But the bullet causes Moonlight lots of problems, the least of which are the occasional memory loss and his rational ability to tell right from wrong...which I must say again, that memory thing got tiresome being reminded of that over and over again and again throughout the story. Where were the editors of this book, were they asleep on the job? Or did they have memory loss also?
I think it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, I did not enjoy this book I thought it would never end! But finally I cried "Yippee, The End!!! Not a favorite read of mine, therefore, I awarded it 2**
May 29, 2010
Moonlight Falls (Vincent Zandri)
Thrilling suspense novel. Richard "Dick" Moonlight is an ex-cop now private detective/massage therapist. He gets involved with his ex-boss, Chief of Detectives Jake Montana's wife. He barely makes it out the window of Scarlet Montana's bedroom when she ends up dead. Police are calling it a suicide, but some think homicide and Moonlight is the number one suspect, but did he do it? He questions himself.
What happened four years before affects Moonlights thinking, he is literally a time-bomb and can die at any time, especially if stressed. He goes on a mission with the aide of his late fathers friends George, a coroner and try to solve this murder. Richard, not new to dead bodies, since his fathers business was a funeral parlor, starts to find more bodies turning up in the morgue. He may be the next one in a body bag.
Fast paced, page turner. A definite all night read.
Thrilling suspense novel. Richard "Dick" Moonlight is an ex-cop now private detective/massage therapist. He gets involved with his ex-boss, Chief of Detectives Jake Montana's wife. He barely makes it out the window of Scarlet Montana's bedroom when she ends up dead. Police are calling it a suicide, but some think homicide and Moonlight is the number one suspect, but did he do it? He questions himself.
What happened four years before affects Moonlights thinking, he is literally a time-bomb and can die at any time, especially if stressed. He goes on a mission with the aide of his late fathers friends George, a coroner and try to solve this murder. Richard, not new to dead bodies, since his fathers business was a funeral parlor, starts to find more bodies turning up in the morgue. He may be the next one in a body bag.
Fast paced, page turner. A definite all night read.
March 4, 2010
Let me start off by saying I'm now a fan of Vincent!
I loved this book for so many reasons but I'll start with the main character Moonlight. He was such a well built character that no matter what dastardly deed he did in the story, I found myself still rooting for him.
Now "Moonlight Falls" is categorized as a thriller but I definitely think it can fit into other genres too.
There were so many plot twists and turns that Vincent Zandri keeps you on your toes! Murder, dirty cops, affairs, you name it and this book has it.
Now this was a great thing for me...most of the time I can figure out the killer about halfway through the book but this one kept me guessing till the end...you wouldn't believe who started it all!
I'll give it five stars and say that thriller and suspense fans should check it out!
I loved this book for so many reasons but I'll start with the main character Moonlight. He was such a well built character that no matter what dastardly deed he did in the story, I found myself still rooting for him.
Now "Moonlight Falls" is categorized as a thriller but I definitely think it can fit into other genres too.
There were so many plot twists and turns that Vincent Zandri keeps you on your toes! Murder, dirty cops, affairs, you name it and this book has it.
Now this was a great thing for me...most of the time I can figure out the killer about halfway through the book but this one kept me guessing till the end...you wouldn't believe who started it all!
I'll give it five stars and say that thriller and suspense fans should check it out!
May 8, 2010
I knew I was in for a wild ride when I saw that there was a character named "Scarlet Montana."
Is that not a crazy name?
The book took me a little bit to get into it's rythym; while it takes place in modern times it has a very 40ies noir feel. But once I did, I loved it. It just made you feel like you were in the company of Wrigleys chewing gumshoes and well dressed dames. Short chapters, very staccato.
Dick Moonlight is a private, off the books investigator for the Albany Police Department. He used to BE an officer but that was before a failed suicide attempt that left him with a fragment of a bullet in his brain that could shift at any time and kill him. It leaves him with seizures and memory blackouts.
Scarlet Montana is the wife of Moonlight's ex-boss, the Chief of Detectives, Jake Montana (another great name). Moonlight and Scarlet are having an affair. Further interpersonal relations within the Albany Police Department have Moonlight's ex-wife married to his ex-partner, . It seemed a very incestuous police department!
When Scarlet shows up dead - as a suicide - he is called in as an investigator to rubber stamp that determination. But he decided to REALLY investigate. This is when his world starts to spin out of his control. You see, she dies the same night Moonlight had been over for a visit. The same night her husband came home unexpectedly early and Moonlight had to leave out a window. The same night he had a seizure and he doesn't remember all that went on. Nor does he know why Jake and his ex partner are so insistent on his doing the investigation.
So what DID happen that night?
What does Moonlight learn?
Did Scarlet kill herself?
What is Jake Montana up to?
I'm not going to tell.
I'm just going to tell you that it was a great read full of interesting and well developed characters. The style is different, yet engrossing.
Is that not a crazy name?
The book took me a little bit to get into it's rythym; while it takes place in modern times it has a very 40ies noir feel. But once I did, I loved it. It just made you feel like you were in the company of Wrigleys chewing gumshoes and well dressed dames. Short chapters, very staccato.
Dick Moonlight is a private, off the books investigator for the Albany Police Department. He used to BE an officer but that was before a failed suicide attempt that left him with a fragment of a bullet in his brain that could shift at any time and kill him. It leaves him with seizures and memory blackouts.
Scarlet Montana is the wife of Moonlight's ex-boss, the Chief of Detectives, Jake Montana (another great name). Moonlight and Scarlet are having an affair. Further interpersonal relations within the Albany Police Department have Moonlight's ex-wife married to his ex-partner, . It seemed a very incestuous police department!
When Scarlet shows up dead - as a suicide - he is called in as an investigator to rubber stamp that determination. But he decided to REALLY investigate. This is when his world starts to spin out of his control. You see, she dies the same night Moonlight had been over for a visit. The same night her husband came home unexpectedly early and Moonlight had to leave out a window. The same night he had a seizure and he doesn't remember all that went on. Nor does he know why Jake and his ex partner are so insistent on his doing the investigation.
So what DID happen that night?
What does Moonlight learn?
Did Scarlet kill herself?
What is Jake Montana up to?
I'm not going to tell.
I'm just going to tell you that it was a great read full of interesting and well developed characters. The style is different, yet engrossing.
June 12, 2012
Bad decisions: they're the crux of countless great noirs. In Richard Moonlight, author Vincent Zandri gives us a protagonist who almost can't help but make bad decisions. After all, the guy has a bullet lodged in his brain (the result of a botched suicide attempt) that affects his judgment, messes with his memory, and causes him to have occasional black-outs.
Enter the woman, the one who Moonlight's been sleeping with, and who winds up butchered in her bed. Moonlight, a part-time cop and a full-time masseuse, is naturally the prime suspect. He is forced to go on the run, trying desperately to find the real killer and clear his own name... but he's not entirely sure of his own innocence...
Along the way, Moonlight uncovers a conspiracy amongst his fellow police officers, tangles with a creepy albino drug dealer, and learns who he can trust and who he can't.
Zandri has a good bag of tricks that he brings to the table. He knows how to milk the suspense to just the right degree, he makes you really like Moonlight (despite his unlikely name!) and the surprises keep coming up until, literally, the very last page.
Moonlight Falls has more in common with old-school noir, the original paperback writers of the `50's, like Gil Brewer or Charles Williams or Day Keene. Moonlight is a moral guy, but the ambiguity of the other characters--no one is really good or evil--is refreshing. I find myself hoping we haven't seen the last of Moonlight, but then again, maybe he isn't the sort of character who could support a series; part of the suspense of Moonlight Falls is in wondering if Moonlight actually did do the dirty deed, and just doesn't know it. A sequel might make that angle inconsequential.
But if Zandri does bring back our brain-damaged hero, I'm sure he'll find another angle to keep us on the edge of our seats.
Enter the woman, the one who Moonlight's been sleeping with, and who winds up butchered in her bed. Moonlight, a part-time cop and a full-time masseuse, is naturally the prime suspect. He is forced to go on the run, trying desperately to find the real killer and clear his own name... but he's not entirely sure of his own innocence...
Along the way, Moonlight uncovers a conspiracy amongst his fellow police officers, tangles with a creepy albino drug dealer, and learns who he can trust and who he can't.
Zandri has a good bag of tricks that he brings to the table. He knows how to milk the suspense to just the right degree, he makes you really like Moonlight (despite his unlikely name!) and the surprises keep coming up until, literally, the very last page.
Moonlight Falls has more in common with old-school noir, the original paperback writers of the `50's, like Gil Brewer or Charles Williams or Day Keene. Moonlight is a moral guy, but the ambiguity of the other characters--no one is really good or evil--is refreshing. I find myself hoping we haven't seen the last of Moonlight, but then again, maybe he isn't the sort of character who could support a series; part of the suspense of Moonlight Falls is in wondering if Moonlight actually did do the dirty deed, and just doesn't know it. A sequel might make that angle inconsequential.
But if Zandri does bring back our brain-damaged hero, I'm sure he'll find another angle to keep us on the edge of our seats.
April 29, 2010
Dick Moonlight is a washed-up ex-police officer who blames memory lapses and bad decisions on a chunk of bullet in his brain. Divorced and broke, he is an almost-licensed massage therapist who moonlights as an investigator for the police department that he used to work for. He rubber-stamps whatever his former boss asks him to investigate without looking at anything too closely, all for a little under-the-table money. Bad Dick, can't you see that's going to come back to bite you sometime, somehow? Continuing in the bad decision area, he was having an affair with a lovely, troubled woman who is married to...yep, you've got it. And his ex-wife is now married to his ex-partner. So guess who ends up dead and guess who did it. The problem is Moonlight can't be sure that he didn't commit murder – that pesky little chunk of metal in his brain again – and there are lots of people out to prove he's the bad guy. Maybe they're right. Halfway through the book, there is another creepy little discovery. Hmmm, I didn't see that coming. And worms, worms keep cropping up.
This book kept me entertained to the end, and had enough twists and misdirections to keep me on my toes. It could have used a little bit more editing, and there were too many references to that chunk of bullet. Overall, it was a very enjoyable mystery and I'm certainly going to read more by this author. Thank you to Mr. Zandri for providing a copy of the book.
This book kept me entertained to the end, and had enough twists and misdirections to keep me on my toes. It could have used a little bit more editing, and there were too many references to that chunk of bullet. Overall, it was a very enjoyable mystery and I'm certainly going to read more by this author. Thank you to Mr. Zandri for providing a copy of the book.
May 22, 2010
I appreciated the opportunity to read this book, thanks to the author, Vincent Zandri donating several copies for a Group Read; thanks Vince!!!
I grew to like the main character in this book more and more as the story progressed, and he seemed to be growing in complexity. By the end I was really rooting for him, and the story held my interest. This is definitely a fast-paced action book, and I liked the structure used, with very short chapters, which lends itself to this kind of action, moving quickly from one adventure/misadventure to another. But even with the many escapades that befall Richard Moonlight, some of his own making and some not, there is little sense of anticipation or foreboding developed by the author. It is kind of like a mad roller coaster ride, but without any stomach dropping, fun bursts of fear. What is also lacking for me, and this is just my own personal preference in the books I read, is more refelction and insight by the characters. I think the process of looking at things in a little less superficial way was starting for Richard Moonlight near the end, and made the book more engaging for me. Thanks, again, Vince, I think you have great potential as an author, best of luck on this and future books.
I grew to like the main character in this book more and more as the story progressed, and he seemed to be growing in complexity. By the end I was really rooting for him, and the story held my interest. This is definitely a fast-paced action book, and I liked the structure used, with very short chapters, which lends itself to this kind of action, moving quickly from one adventure/misadventure to another. But even with the many escapades that befall Richard Moonlight, some of his own making and some not, there is little sense of anticipation or foreboding developed by the author. It is kind of like a mad roller coaster ride, but without any stomach dropping, fun bursts of fear. What is also lacking for me, and this is just my own personal preference in the books I read, is more refelction and insight by the characters. I think the process of looking at things in a little less superficial way was starting for Richard Moonlight near the end, and made the book more engaging for me. Thanks, again, Vince, I think you have great potential as an author, best of luck on this and future books.
May 12, 2010
When any book boasts that it is written in the Hitchcock tradition, it automatically causes me to put some large demands on the story, even before I open the book. "Moonlight Falls" met those expectations and then some! What a brilliant and masterfully written novel.
I thoroughly enjoyed Detective Moonlight's quirkiness. With a bullet lodged in the brain, I was never really sure if he had a total grasp of things. He was not perfect, and that made him a character I could really like, but could also made me second guess myself in my conclusions about him.
The storyline was fantastic and had me guessing all the way through. Yes, I did figure some of it out, but not all. The twists and turns were exciting, and then ending - well I never saw it coming!
Bravo to Mr. Zandri! His novel kept me on the edge of my seat and made it almost impossible to put down. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Detective Moonlight and hope that a series will be be on the horizon for this character. Mr. Zandri is definitely an author that I will be keeping on my watch list. He's fresh, exciting, and downright captivating!
Parental note: Some offensive language, sexual content, violence
I thoroughly enjoyed Detective Moonlight's quirkiness. With a bullet lodged in the brain, I was never really sure if he had a total grasp of things. He was not perfect, and that made him a character I could really like, but could also made me second guess myself in my conclusions about him.
The storyline was fantastic and had me guessing all the way through. Yes, I did figure some of it out, but not all. The twists and turns were exciting, and then ending - well I never saw it coming!
Bravo to Mr. Zandri! His novel kept me on the edge of my seat and made it almost impossible to put down. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Detective Moonlight and hope that a series will be be on the horizon for this character. Mr. Zandri is definitely an author that I will be keeping on my watch list. He's fresh, exciting, and downright captivating!
Parental note: Some offensive language, sexual content, violence
February 1, 2010
Vince Zandri has written a cinematic, well paced, and engrossing crime noir forensic mystery, set in the dreary early spring environ of Albany, NY. The book unfolds like a screenplay, as we follow former police detective Richard Moonlight’s pursuit of the truth behind the unexpected death of gorgeous and moody femme fatale, Scarlett Montana.
Perhaps a suicide, quite possibly homicide, she has ensnared lovers, friends, and acquaintances into a compromising, dangerous, and deadly situation. As other characters and subplots are introduced – each engaged in their own way with her death – they unveil a conspiracy that only her dead body can untangle.
Moonlight’s insistence in following police procedure on the case – if only to discover that he himself may have murdered his lover – starts a chain of events that aren’t resolved until the stunning last pages.
Perhaps a suicide, quite possibly homicide, she has ensnared lovers, friends, and acquaintances into a compromising, dangerous, and deadly situation. As other characters and subplots are introduced – each engaged in their own way with her death – they unveil a conspiracy that only her dead body can untangle.
Moonlight’s insistence in following police procedure on the case – if only to discover that he himself may have murdered his lover – starts a chain of events that aren’t resolved until the stunning last pages.
June 6, 2010
This book is Insane! With each chapter, it's always a surprise. The book is entertaining, but I'm going to be honest - the writing style/story was a struggle for me. There is some crazy stuff going on such as: an albino man stalker and stolen corpses - so much that it's not really a believable tale, but I thought it wrapped up nicely. I know there is a sequel planned tentatively titled "Moonlight Rises".
Moonlight Falls was featured as a May 2010 group read in the Stephen White-Alan Gregory group (a group I proudly moderate :-) I'm grateful to the author for giving our group copies of his book to read. Vincent Zandri is an active goodreads author and his newest book is The Ramains.
Moonlight Falls was featured as a May 2010 group read in the Stephen White-Alan Gregory group (a group I proudly moderate :-) I'm grateful to the author for giving our group copies of his book to read. Vincent Zandri is an active goodreads author and his newest book is The Ramains.
May 14, 2010
Richard Moonlight is the kind of character that you know is going to find trouble. So when he wakes up and his hands are covered in blood and his lover, Scarlet Montana, is dead, he knows that he is having not an ordinary day. His life hasn't been quite the same since he tried to kill himself and the bullet left in his brain wreaks havoc on his memory and his behavior. Vincent Zandri does an excellent job of creating a crazy cast of characters to go along with this thrilling whodunit detective story. The novel is full of surprises and plot twists that keep the pages turning.
May 8, 2010
I really liked this book although I never ever really knew what was going on throughout it. Det. Dick Moonlight never ever seemed to know either. Due to a head injury he was never sure whether something had really taken place the way he thought or not. He is a sympathetic protagonist most of the time but I always felt very sad for him and hoped somehow he would find happiness in the end. This was a good read in the mystery noir genre.
April 29, 2010
I'm reading this for a group monthly read. The author graciously sent this book to me free! Can't wait to start it.
Great mystery/thriller with 1,001 twists. If you can guess 'who done it' then you must have peeked at the last page.
Looking forward to discussing this with the group.
Great mystery/thriller with 1,001 twists. If you can guess 'who done it' then you must have peeked at the last page.
Looking forward to discussing this with the group.
January 28, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a copy for free through the Goodreads Giveaways program.
Sadly, I couldn't get into this at all. The writing style didn't work for me and it could have used another go-through from a copy editor.
Sadly, I couldn't get into this at all. The writing style didn't work for me and it could have used another go-through from a copy editor.
May 11, 2010
I just couldn't get into this. So I am giving up the ghost.
Sometimes a writing style just puts you off. And that's what happened here.
Sorry.
Sometimes a writing style just puts you off. And that's what happened here.
Sorry.
April 6, 2018
Moonlight Falls - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Misbehaving Dick Moonlight is not totally surprised when his ex wants a divorce after finding him cheating with a 'massage client', although he regrets not seeing his
son as often as he'd like, especially when it turns out she's married a crooked cop he used to call his best friend, Mitchell Cain. Worse, Scarlett Montana just happens to be Dick's Chief of Police and worst of all, she turns up brutally dead, shortly after her last session with Dick, when her husband came home early, forcing Dick to make an 'emergency exit' via her first-floor bedroom window!
What is the connection between the Montanas and Cain? Who is taking advantage of the men's evil scheme? How does Cain's wife feel about his double life?
Why is Dick Moonlight accused of Scarlett's supposed murder? What actions does he take to refute this falsehood?
What is George Phillips' job and how does he help Dick? What discoveries does he make that will support Dick in proving his innocence?
Where does the albino follow Dick to - and why? How is Dick able to prevent this? Who really killed Scarlett and what is the final outcome of the case?
Vincent Zandri has a number one hit on his hands with his likable rogue Dick Moonlight, PI,who's always hot-to-trot with the ladies, yet a loyal and trusty friend to
the underdog and those who will help him no matter what the financial or physical cost. The plot is tautly-written and fairly races along so engaging is it for fans (like myself) who enjoy a good murder mystery-thriller with believable, well rounded characters and much much more. Get your copy today - and then tell all your friends!
Misbehaving Dick Moonlight is not totally surprised when his ex wants a divorce after finding him cheating with a 'massage client', although he regrets not seeing his
son as often as he'd like, especially when it turns out she's married a crooked cop he used to call his best friend, Mitchell Cain. Worse, Scarlett Montana just happens to be Dick's Chief of Police and worst of all, she turns up brutally dead, shortly after her last session with Dick, when her husband came home early, forcing Dick to make an 'emergency exit' via her first-floor bedroom window!
What is the connection between the Montanas and Cain? Who is taking advantage of the men's evil scheme? How does Cain's wife feel about his double life?
Why is Dick Moonlight accused of Scarlett's supposed murder? What actions does he take to refute this falsehood?
What is George Phillips' job and how does he help Dick? What discoveries does he make that will support Dick in proving his innocence?
Where does the albino follow Dick to - and why? How is Dick able to prevent this? Who really killed Scarlett and what is the final outcome of the case?
Vincent Zandri has a number one hit on his hands with his likable rogue Dick Moonlight, PI,who's always hot-to-trot with the ladies, yet a loyal and trusty friend to
the underdog and those who will help him no matter what the financial or physical cost. The plot is tautly-written and fairly races along so engaging is it for fans (like myself) who enjoy a good murder mystery-thriller with believable, well rounded characters and much much more. Get your copy today - and then tell all your friends!
June 6, 2020
Moonlight Falls begins with a bungled suicide when a depressed police detective, Dick Moonlight, shoots himself in the head. He shot himself in the head with a..22 revolver loaded with hollow points, which should have killed him, but didn’t because he was distracted just as the hammer dropped by a bird at the window and the bullet struck his brain at an angle. He survived with some serious brain damage. With that opening, Vincent Zandri had me hooked. What set the hook was the fact that he set his story where I was born and had grown up, Albany, New York. I knew all the places he wrote about in this novel.
I have never read a book where the past, present and future are all used in such proximity to one another as they are in Moonlight Falls but Vincent handles it and the story is easy to follow and, with the death of Moonlight’s lover, who is his ex police supervisor’s wife, build momentum like a runaway freight train. They call Dick in to help the cops write her death off as a suicide when it’s a case of murder.
When Moonlight, who does part-time work for the APD develops a conscience and refuses to sign off on her death as being a suicide, the chief of detectives and the lead detective, Moonlight’s old police partner, set out to frame him for her murder. As the plot thickens and the body count rises, the situations looks hopeless for Moonlight but he perseveres and… well, the way this story ends will blow your mind and I will not will not say anymore about that. Read the book! I know hat I will read it again, many times… it’s that good a read. I’m ordering the remaining books in the series as soon as I post this review.
I have never read a book where the past, present and future are all used in such proximity to one another as they are in Moonlight Falls but Vincent handles it and the story is easy to follow and, with the death of Moonlight’s lover, who is his ex police supervisor’s wife, build momentum like a runaway freight train. They call Dick in to help the cops write her death off as a suicide when it’s a case of murder.
When Moonlight, who does part-time work for the APD develops a conscience and refuses to sign off on her death as being a suicide, the chief of detectives and the lead detective, Moonlight’s old police partner, set out to frame him for her murder. As the plot thickens and the body count rises, the situations looks hopeless for Moonlight but he perseveres and… well, the way this story ends will blow your mind and I will not will not say anymore about that. Read the book! I know hat I will read it again, many times… it’s that good a read. I’m ordering the remaining books in the series as soon as I post this review.
May 24, 2024
Action-packed introduction to the Dick Moonlight series.
Moonlight Falls Editor’s Cut Editions is one heck of an entertaining tale that introduces Dick Moonlight and starts the Dick Moonlight PI series. While I can’t compare the version that hasn’t been lengthened, I’m betting it was probably close to being the same. I must admit to reading a few other books in the series prior to listening to Moonlight Falls so this wasn’t my initial introduction to Dick Moonlight. Now so many references in the other books make perfect sense, so if you are thinking of reading any of the Dick Moonlight series, do yourself a huge favor, read or listen to Moonlight Falls first. Recently I listened to Mind Pieces – one of Vin Zandri’s non-fiction books. I have to say I believe that book provided context to some of the characters and some of the situations Dick finds himself in in this story. Honestly, I believe what’s found in Mind Pieces provides inspiration in several of his works.
If you enjoy PI stories, or stories with lots of action, dialogue that borders on irreverent or flat out snarky and characters who have serious defects – character and physical – you owe it to yourself to experience Moonlight Falls. If you really want to experience Moonlight Falls, get a copy of the audiobook narrated by Andrew B Wehrien. Andrew’s narration skills take an awesome story and kicks it up a couple of notches with his character voices and excellent pacing and variation in delivery.
Moonlight Falls Editor’s Cut Editions is one heck of an entertaining tale that introduces Dick Moonlight and starts the Dick Moonlight PI series. While I can’t compare the version that hasn’t been lengthened, I’m betting it was probably close to being the same. I must admit to reading a few other books in the series prior to listening to Moonlight Falls so this wasn’t my initial introduction to Dick Moonlight. Now so many references in the other books make perfect sense, so if you are thinking of reading any of the Dick Moonlight series, do yourself a huge favor, read or listen to Moonlight Falls first. Recently I listened to Mind Pieces – one of Vin Zandri’s non-fiction books. I have to say I believe that book provided context to some of the characters and some of the situations Dick finds himself in in this story. Honestly, I believe what’s found in Mind Pieces provides inspiration in several of his works.
If you enjoy PI stories, or stories with lots of action, dialogue that borders on irreverent or flat out snarky and characters who have serious defects – character and physical – you owe it to yourself to experience Moonlight Falls. If you really want to experience Moonlight Falls, get a copy of the audiobook narrated by Andrew B Wehrien. Andrew’s narration skills take an awesome story and kicks it up a couple of notches with his character voices and excellent pacing and variation in delivery.
March 23, 2020
The habitual bed-hopping by our intrepid investigator Dick Moonlight may have reached its pinnacle. In this revised and reissued volume, Moonlight finds himself embroiled in the murder of his most recent bed partner. Said bed partner was the wife of Albany’s Chief of Investigators and the investigation is headed for a through white-washing. With Moonlight’s bullet-impaired thought process, he secretly wonders if he had anything to do with her murder. The obvious suspect is the husband and the current white-washing seems to support that theory. Although the husband’s recollection of that night is also impaired, only with alcohol. So what did happen to our victim Scarlett? Suicide seems to be a ridiculous notion but that’s the easiest motive to invent. There are hints and whispers of Russian mob involvement, so the plot thickens. I was touched and saddened by the love Moonlight realized he felt for Scarlett, and perhaps in return from her. Sort of an unrequited love affair. Moonlight is ironically hired as an independent investigator and charged with corroborating the cover-up. What Moonlight finds is more disturbing than anyone could have imagined and may yet blow-up in his face. Dick Moonlight; part-time collaborator, big-time patsy, full-time head case. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
November 8, 2017
Although Vincent Zandri is not a "new" author, he is a new author to me. And I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed this "first novel" of the Dick Moonlight PI Series. This starts with a rather interesting premise of a failed suicide attempt by an ex-police officer that left the individual alive, but with memory lapses, some bad behavior, occasional blackouts. He has become a PI working on various "projects" for the local PD. After starting, this book was very hard to put down. However, it was my bedside reading, so I read an hour every evening for a couple weeks. From the very beginning it is very hard to tell the "good guys" from the "bad guys." And once started, the plot moves very fast with lots of twists. It is most certainly suspenseful. I agree with other reviewers that this author is the closest to the noir stories of a generation ago. Agree that if you like Jack Reacher, you will probably like Dick Moonlight. Strong work. Moving on to another book in the series.
August 23, 2018
Wow! This story surprised me time and time again! You'll have to read it to understand why it's an infinity loop!
This is one incredible, unbelievable story that continues in an infinity loop forever! In it there are heroes, bad guys, good guys, heroes that are bad guys, and bad guys that are good. Confused yet? Yeah, it took a while for it to sink in for me, too! Even though a main character dies in the beginning of the book, the more I read, the more times she and the repercussions of her life and death popped up. She's never quite finished telling her story, even after her death. It's probably one of the most intriguing mysteries that I've ever had the pleasure of reading. If you love a really fantastic mystery that will knock you off your feet over and over again, just when you think that you've put all of the pieces together...think again! Thanks Vincent Zandri, for writing such an amazing mystery! I loved it! And I think that all other mystery lovers will love it once they've read it, too! Kudos on a brilliant tale well-spun!
This is one incredible, unbelievable story that continues in an infinity loop forever! In it there are heroes, bad guys, good guys, heroes that are bad guys, and bad guys that are good. Confused yet? Yeah, it took a while for it to sink in for me, too! Even though a main character dies in the beginning of the book, the more I read, the more times she and the repercussions of her life and death popped up. She's never quite finished telling her story, even after her death. It's probably one of the most intriguing mysteries that I've ever had the pleasure of reading. If you love a really fantastic mystery that will knock you off your feet over and over again, just when you think that you've put all of the pieces together...think again! Thanks Vincent Zandri, for writing such an amazing mystery! I loved it! And I think that all other mystery lovers will love it once they've read it, too! Kudos on a brilliant tale well-spun!
January 1, 2019
I've had this on my wish list for quite some time and thanks to a kindle deal I have finally got around to reading it, and damn I wish I had done so earlier! When I started reading I really wasn't all that convinced as Dick Moonlight seemed a bit of an idiot, intent on making his life harder and harder by making one bad decision after another. But then I found myself not just rooting for him but cheering him on and taking pleasure in his little victories. The story itself is complex and has many twists and turns, not to mention a serious amount of backstabbing and double crossing but it is all surprisingly easy to keep track of as Zandri's writing keeps things easy to follow and flowing well. I would say that Moonlight is probably not for everyone and is certainly not your typical 'hero', in fact he is basically a dictionary definition of an anti-hero but he is a superb character none-the-less. I am definitely going to carry on with this series, and in a more timely fashion that it took for me to get started on it.
January 9, 2025
I realized I hadn't reviewed this when I first read it, so I reread it. It is one of the most complicated plots I have read, and when you think it's getting close to resolving, you find you are only half way thru the book. I commend Vincent for excellent plotting, for very interesting support characters, a wry look at many things, and covering a large swath of what adults today face in their lives.
I don't want to spoil the ending, so I will leave it as something that will keep you going until the very end, and it's certainly not going to be what you expect or reasonably think it might be.
I highly recommend reading it when you have LOTS of spare time, because you won't want to put it down to carry on with life.
I don't want to spoil the ending, so I will leave it as something that will keep you going until the very end, and it's certainly not going to be what you expect or reasonably think it might be.
I highly recommend reading it when you have LOTS of spare time, because you won't want to put it down to carry on with life.
June 7, 2021
Like a roller coaster ride, starts out slow, but then hold on to your hat!
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2021
A bit of a slow start, but then pow, action all over the place. Murders galore, black market organ dealing, corpses being snatched and exhumed. But in the very midst of all this mess is Richard Moonlight with a bullet fragment stuck in his brain from a botched suicide attempt. Because of this Moonlight often has trouble distinguishing reality from hallucinations. Will the truth finally be found? Will justice prevail? Will a broken man find a way to be whole again? Guess you will have to read the book. A real un-put-downer!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2021
A bit of a slow start, but then pow, action all over the place. Murders galore, black market organ dealing, corpses being snatched and exhumed. But in the very midst of all this mess is Richard Moonlight with a bullet fragment stuck in his brain from a botched suicide attempt. Because of this Moonlight often has trouble distinguishing reality from hallucinations. Will the truth finally be found? Will justice prevail? Will a broken man find a way to be whole again? Guess you will have to read the book. A real un-put-downer!!
February 25, 2017
Richard Moonlight is no stranger to death, having grown up in funeral home. He is a wounded soul as depicted in this story. All of the characters are described in depth, and the interactions between them make this a fascinating book. The death of Moonlight's lover kicks off a frantic search for knowledge of what happened and why. Even at the end, when you think everything is solved, a new twist throws the story into a different dimension. If you read only one of the Moonlight books, this should be the one.
September 27, 2024
An excellent twisted crime story. Betrayals, corruption, backstabbing, greed, and jealousy. When I got to the end I was immobilized. I had so much to still think
about and process, and I still can't believe it all. Twist upon twist. So many dirty hands. What I did like was Richard had integrity and I thought he deserved better than he got. I believe he ended up with someone who would love and cherish however many days he had left. Despite his indiscretion he was a good man. It seemed everyone was bedhopping . I voluntarily read a free copy of this book and am giving an honest opinion .
about and process, and I still can't believe it all. Twist upon twist. So many dirty hands. What I did like was Richard had integrity and I thought he deserved better than he got. I believe he ended up with someone who would love and cherish however many days he had left. Despite his indiscretion he was a good man. It seemed everyone was bedhopping . I voluntarily read a free copy of this book and am giving an honest opinion .
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