⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Part mystery, part drama, part romance, and part paranormal, The Last of the Moons Girls by Barbara Davis tells the story of Elzibeth Moon who stayed away from her family for eight years to escape from the murder controversy involving her grandmother, and from the path fashioned by her ancestors, the path of magick.
After her grandmother, Althea Moon, died, Lizzy went back to Salem Creek to expedite the selling of their family's Moon farm that was more than 200 years old. While she was there, she read the books written by her grandmother and other women in their family from different generations. The books, the farm, the house, and the shop made Lizzy remember her grandmother's love, kindness, and sacrifice. She realized that Althea deserved justice. With the help of her neighbor, Andrew Greyson, Lizzy was determined to clear her grandmother's name of the murder accusation. The process was arduous but Lizzy kept pushing on even though her safety was at stake.
The Last of the Moon Girls is engaging and satisfying as the multilayered plot goes on until the finale. After every few chapters, the author inserted one entry from the Book of Remembrances that shows Althea's love, sincerity, and loyalty to their family. I was gripped by her resolution to let Lizzy choose her own path even if it meant it was the end of the Moon legacy. The predestined life set by her ancestors needed not to be taken; Lizzy had a choice.
As for the mystery part, finding out who did the murder kept me turning the pages. The investigation was slow in the beginning but it picked up towards the end. I kept on guessing who killed the two teenagers who were found in the pond within the Moon farm but I ended up wrong. I also didn't expect the revelation of Lizzy's mother that got her connected to the murder.
For me, The Last of the Moon Girls is worth reading.
Discussion Questions
What is family for you?
Why did Lizzy choose to stay away from her family? If you were Lizzy, would you do the same?
What can you say about Althea’s reaction to Lizzy’s decision to live away from their family?
What do you think about magick?
Describe the town where the Moon women live.
What are the major events in the story?
What clues did the author provide about the people who are responsible for the murder of the two girls in Salem Creek?
How does the story make you feel?
What does this story make you wonder about?
Would you recommend this book to others? Why?
Further Information
Title: The Last of the Moon Girls
Author: Barbara Davis
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction, Women's Literary Fiction
Publisher : Lake Union Publishing (August 1, 2020)
Publication Date: August 1, 2020
Pages: 397
ASIN: B07XZ8DTGH
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