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Rating:  Summary: A mostly successful experiment. Review: "Moon Music" offers a welcome change of pace for Faye Kellerman, with an interesting (if sparsely drawn) cast of characters. Although the killer's identity becomes fairly clear not long into the story (notwithstanding some red herrings along the way), it's an entertaining read--right up to the ending, when it morphs into an episode of the X-Files. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's a jarring transition out of the otherwise straightforward murder mystery format. And it leaves you wondering just how much influence TV might have had on the plot development--the autopsying coroner recalls the Scully character and the misfit detective rings a little of Mulder. No doubt that resemblence is a coincidence, but one that wouldn't have come to mind at all if the book hadn't so sharply turned to the supernatural, with no answers given to the puzzles raised by the ending.
Rating:  Summary: Bad news for Kellerman fans Review: At times there are books or films the offend. Not because of language or content but because they are an insult to the reader's intelligence. This is one of them. The book starts off interestingly enough with a complex cop character and his widowed Indian lady friend who find a mutilated corpse in the dessert. As with most police procedurals the cop's troubled private life is interwoven into the story. One could argue that Poe's conflict with his brother, his gambling, his addiction for prostitutes, his relationship with his mad ex girlfriend, his mother's cancer and the state of affairs with his much older lady friend are a bit too much for one book but it keeps the story up. The Whodunit itself is so simple that the readers must think it can't be that easy and there must be some twist in the tale at the end. There isn't. You know right from the start who the killer is and that the second murder was commited by someone else. And even in that case it's obvious. But when in the end, after about 450 pages of a very realistic thriller the murderer transforms herself into a hawk and a wolf I frankly felt taken the mickey out of. This twist in the tale defies belief because nothing prepares the reader for a horror thriller with supernatural elements. Apart from that it is completely unnecessary because it doesn't really add anything to the plot. I got the impression that the author manouvered herself into a position where she couldn't find any plausible solution for her book and just invented a deus ex machina. This was easily one of the worst books I have ever read and I am mad at the author for stealing my precious time. She should have asked her husband's advice on this one!
Rating:  Summary: Poe, not Decker Review: Fans of the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series take note! Amazon lists it as one of these novels but it's not. Faye Kellerman has taken a bold departure from her regular characters here and I'm not surprised to see mixed reviews from readers. Here's a glimpse of a sordid, violent side of Las Vegas you don't see as a tourist, presented in a compelling story that veers off into the supernatural.
That said - I loved the book. I found it a gripping page turner and the ambiguous ending only raised hopes that there will be more of this tale. If you like Stephen King you probably will like Moon Music.
Rating:  Summary: One Heckuva Lot Better Than I Was Led To Believe Review: I am reading "Moon Music" right now and greatly enjoying Ms. Kellerman's change of pace. Don't get me wrong -- I like her Pete Decker/Rina Lazarus series very much also, but moving in a different direction now and then keeps a writer fresh. I already know who the villain is, largely because someone else who reviewed this book mentioned it (really, Amazon.com, you should watch out for things like that), but I don't care. "Moon Music" is full of interesting new characters, and the most interesting of all is Las Vegas itself. As for the "weirdness" others have complained about -- Las Vegas by night is strange; Las Vegas by day is even stranger; but if you've ever been out in the desert surrounding Las Vegas, at night, all alone, then you really know what weird is. I highly recommend "Moon Music" for Faye Kellerman readers who are open-minded enough to allow for -- and enjoy -- a change of pace.
Rating:  Summary: A Disappointing Book Review: I have always enjoyed Faye Kellerman's books up until this one. I admire her writing, and her plots stay at least within the realm of possibility (probably not all happening to one couple as in Decker/Lazarus, though). But Moon Music strays too far into the metaphysical. If I want sci-fi I'll buy a book in that genre. I don't want it in my detective novels.
Rating:  Summary: A Different Spin Review: I have read several of Faye Kellerman's books, and eagerly await each new title. This one was a bit disappointing. While it did have the characteristic suspense of her other novels, the style was a bit annoying. I was particularly put off by the continuous interjection of "a beat" to indicate a pause in conversation. This was severely overdone. The characters lacked the warmth and likability of Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus. The fantasy ending seemed to come completely out of nowhere. There was no preparation early in the story for such an event, and it seemed contrived. The psychological analysis of characters seemed more consistent with her husband's style than her own, and I found myself wondering if he had a hand in the writing of this book. If this were my first Faye Kellerman book, I doubt I would read another.
Rating:  Summary: Moon Music Review: I loved this book. It combined the detective novel/murder mystery genre with two of my other favorites, Science Fiction and mysticism.
It was so good that I'm re-reading it after less than a year. I wish Faye Kellerman would write another Romulus Poe novel. I look forward to it.
Rating:  Summary: No Redeeming Value Review: I wonder if Ms. Kellerman was hoping to make up for lack of a plot through the use of very foul language, poor taste and strange characters with no redeeming value? Come on, now, girlfriends who encourage their lovers to go get satisfaction from prostitutes and manage to keep smiling while doing his dirty laundry? I thought this was a detective novel, not science fiction! This was my first experience reading a Faye Kellerman novel. Unfortunately, it will probably be my last. Very disappointing. : (
Rating:  Summary: A Disappointing Book Review: No, it is not what I expected, and that is a good thing. If you are looking for to be throughly entertained by another's imagination this is the book for you. And what an imagination she has. Totally unpredictible ride from cover to cover. I liked the characters with all their little "twitches", I liked the brothers' dealings with the mother. These characters have flaws a mile wide and still remain human and likable. The sci-fi twist was different, and I loved it. I probably would not have picked it up if I had known about the s/f aspect so I an grateful that I didn't. I felt the voice of Poe was right on target. Las Vegas will never be the same for me. Brava! Waiting for the sequel.
Rating:  Summary: Sorry, but I'm feeling let down! Review: This is one of the worst books I've read recently. After reading some as poetic & complex as the Blind Assassin and something light and smooth like Memoirs of a Geisha, I could only describe the Moon Music as an "eyesore". The introduction and first few chapters of the novel was promising & I thought I'd be offered a breath-taking detective story. Sadly, very soon the identity of the murderer was revealed & the story all of a sudden became too dull and simple for detective story fans. Worse still, it later became a total sci-fic thing--which I hate. I never expected to find any sci-fic element in a dective story. This book is as boring as the author's husband's "The Clinic". I shall never read anything by the Kellermans again.
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