Rising Moon - Lori Handeland

Rising Moon
A Nightcreature Novel, Book 6
Lori Handeland
St. Martin’s

Paranormal Romance

Anne Lockheart’s normal life ended three years ago, when her sister, Katie, vanished without a trace. Anne, a private investigator, would have thought that, in this day of constant surveillance and computers, that kind of disappearance would be impossible. Opening her mail one morning, she discovers an anonymously sent photo of her sister, alive and vibrant, standing in front of the Rising Moon. It takes no time at all for Anne to locate the Rising Moon, and she’s in New Orleans’ French Quarter the very next day to start her search. Strangely, no one at the Rising Moon will admit to having seen her sister.

When she visits the police, Detective Sullivan informs her that Katie is not the only young woman who went missing in the area. Several of the missing women worked at the Rising Moon, a jazz club. It’s Mardi Gras time, and extra help is needed, so Anne has little problem gaining employment, and a room, at the club. She’s almost immediately drawn to owner John Rodolfo, but he seems uninterested. Appearances can be deceiving, though, as John is just as drawn to Anne. Even as their relationship escalates, Anne’s suspicions of John grow stronger. Could she possibly be falling for the man who caused her sister’s disappearance? Or is this all part of his game?

New readers will have no trouble jumping into the series here. While there are some recurring characters among the books, most recently MIDNIGHT MOON and CRESCENT MOON, the plot works very well as a standalone. I have to admit that I didn’t completely buy into the relationship between Anne and John, if only because I thought that a private investigator would be more circumspect. But, in the end, suspending my disbelief wasn’t too difficult. This installment takes full advantage of the New Orleans setting, and makes great use of the various cultures and beliefs. This series is a winner for fans of paranormal romances.

Rating: 7 ½
January 2007
ISBN# 978-0-312-93850-5 (paperback)