Moonset on Desert Sands

Murder, Tea, and Crystals, #2

by

Sherri L. Dodd

I was invested from start to finish!

Moonset on Desert Sands is the second book in author Sherri L. Dodd’s mystical and mysterious series, Murder, Tea, and Crystals, and I was invested in the story from its shocking opening scene to its close, wanting to know everything about these characters, their lives, and how they got to this point. After escaping a serial killer the year before, Arista is living quietly in Sedona, Arizona, but, nonetheless, finds herself the target of her Uncle Fergus. This story continues the plot from the series debut. For the best understanding and enjoyment, the books should be read in order of publication. 

I really like the character, Arista, and enjoyed learning about the shop in Sedona, crystal lore, her use of teas, and right off the bat, her interest and growing skill in seeing and understanding auras. These topics are totally outside my wheelhouse, other than what I’ve encountered in other books featuring witches, so it was an interesting and fresh underlying theme for me. After the events of the previous book, Arista has healed quite a bit but is still dealing with her feelings and heartache. She is surrounded by other well-developed and diverse characters, who help create a vivid sense of her community and leave very strong impressions, both good and bad, depending upon their role. I easily became invested in their stories despite being at a disadvantage, having not read the first book. 

The story grabbed my attention from the start with an exciting and shocking opening. The author’s descriptions put me smack in the middle of the action with all its accompanying foreboding and terror; I was hooked for the long run. The author weaves in references to the past throughout the current story, but I really had to tease these bits out to understand the current developments. However, with its non-stop action, robust descriptions, and engaging characters, I soon couldn’t put this book down, and, with its conclusion of possibilities, I plan on backing up and reading book one in order to be ready for the next.

I recommend MOONSET ON DESERT SANDS to mystery readers who enjoy stories with paranormal elements. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.