Kanner Lake, a small mountain town in Idaho, is still recovering from the shock of the murder of one of its residents the previous year. Then Leslie Brymes, an ambitious reporter for the local newspaper, finds a corpse in her car. The elderly Vesta Johnson, dearly loved by the entire community, was an encouraging influence for Leslie. Leslie’s friend and roommate, Paige Williams, had found the body in the previous murder. Both women wonder why this body was placed near them. The chief suspect seems to be the dead woman’s husband — who died over a year ago! A group of teens become involved with séances and a spiritual battle is engaged. Several people sense an evil presence.  Ghosts? Demons? Leslie’s pastor doesn’t have all the answers, but he explains the activity of evil spirits and the need for spiritual warfare succinctly and biblically. 

I love Brandilyn Collins’ writing and always eagerly await her newest thriller. I have only one complaint about CORAL MOON. The revelation of the identity of the murderer came as a complete surprise to me. My first thought was “Who is this person?” Although Collins allows the reader into the antagonist’s mind, the perpetrator was not developed enough for me to suspect him. Part of the interest in mysteries is trying to figure out “whodunit” and the reader deserves a fair chance to do this. Surprise twists and red herrings are part of the package, but I would have liked the chance to wonder if this person was guilty or not before being told. 

Collins' characters are varied and well developed. Readers will identify with them. I enjoyed VIOLET DAWN, the first book in the Kanner Lake Series, and look forward to reading the third, CRIMSON EVE.

December 31, 2007