Dark Moon Crossing by Sylvia Nobel is a
pretty good read. The author builds the story on a timely issue and manages to
create an imaginative, exciting mystery.
Kendall O’Dell is the intrepid reporter
that is at the center of the complex tale. She’s about to take a weeklong
vacation with her beau Tally, but her plans are interrupted by an impassioned
plea of employee Lupe Alvarez. Lupe’s brother and uncle have disappeared after
trying to sneak across the U.S./Mexican border. As if this isn’t enough, a new
employee on the paper alleges UFO sightings in that area. So did Lupe’s
relatives meet with foul play? Or were they space napped? What’s a reporter to
do? Rush headlong into danger and try to help her friend and do a favor? No! Kendall
does it for the best reason of all—for an adrenalin rush! Yup! Seems she’s
adventure deprived! Yeah, let’s all get out the tissues for her!
While there’s a lot to love about
Kendall, there’s a whole lot more to hate. I think the biggest problem that I
consistently see with the way protagonists are written is that after an author makes
them an expert/professional, they then have them act like stupid idiots.
Professionals and experts take calculated risks! They do not jump off cliffs hoping
someone will be passing by to catch them. Kendall seemed to have missed this
part in the primer she was supposed to read, but why should she? She’s thinks
she knows everything already! Ditto her interpersonal skills. Self-centered,
arrogant and conceited, the only two things she has going for her are: (1) Red
hair. Who doesn’t love that? And (2) People in love are stupid and overlook
flaws. This latter reason is why, even in the beginning of this book, I was
screaming at Tally to run in the other direction. Did he listen? Without giving
away any spoilers, I’ll again assert, “People in love are stupid!” Got it, get
it, good!
In spite of my wanting to slap the crap
out of this crazy adrenalin junkie (yes, Kendall, the world was created only to get
you out of trouble that you’re incapable of handling yourself! Besides, other
lives are so unimportant compared to yours), I read on. I do feel that some of
the internal dialogue could have been edited down a bit. Other than that, I
don’t have any other problems with the way the story was written. The cadence
and flow is good and the plotting is intricate. It’s a solid suspense thriller
and the characters are developed and fleshed out. There are no holes in the
plot (only in Kendall’s head), and the conclusion is satisfying and unexpected.
I definitely would recommend and do
recommend Dark Moon Crossing. Lots
of action and twists and turns. The only reason the rating isn’t higher is
because of the series of bone-headed moves made by a certain imbecilic reporter who shall
remain nameless.
RATING: 4.0
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