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Brenda Telford

A thoroughly enjoyable debut!

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2016

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Rachel Goddard’s job as a veterinarian was one she loved – but the day the injured dog was brought in by its owners for treatment, Rachel’s life became a mix of confusion and terror. Suddenly fragments of memory flashed through her mind – her little sister Michelle terrified in a storm; Rachel trying to comfort her, not much older herself. But now, in her twenties, it didn’t make sense – because there was nothing else there…

Rachel and Michelle’s mother Judith was a well-known and respected psychologist and while both adult daughters still lived in the family home in Washington with their mother, they all lived comfortably with each other. That was until Rachel began asking questions about their father who had died in a terrible car crash when she was five years old. Rachel had no memories at all of her father and wanted to see photos; she needed to know more about him.

What would Rachel discover as she defied her mother in her search for the truth? And why wouldn’t her mother talk about her past? Could Rachel break through the control her mother had over her?

"Her show of affection for me was like the heat of the moon, an illusion, a glow that gave no warmth"

Excellent! The Heat of the Moon by Sandra Parshall is this author’s debut and also the first in the Rachel Goddard Mystery series. An intense and gripping psychological thriller I flew through the pages, thinking I knew the answers but nowhere near correct! I’ll be checking out the next in the series and have no hesitation in recommending The Heat of the Moon to fans of the genre.

D. Zendel

Rollercoaster thrill ride with compelling characters

Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2013

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I read this novel, the first in the series, after I’d read Nos. 2 and 3. In fact, I didn’t realize it was the series starter until I opened it up. All I can say is wow, what a ride.

The main character, Rachel Goddard, is a young veterinarian in a practice that’s just been sold to a new owner. She’s worried about keeping her job, pleasing her biotch of a mother and trying to maintain a decent relationship with her sister. (Frankly, I’d have cut them both off at the knees, but that would shorten the book by half, I guess.) The book opens with a basset hound suffering from a messy broken leg (unfortunate contest with a speeding vehicle) and the basset’s young person, who is devastated by the injury and the fact that her mother has left her alone in the office in her haste to get the dog treatment. The child’s cries cause Rachel to have a flashback about her own childhood and sets her off on a chase to find the truth about her own life.

I found the storyline riveting, and the characters fully-developed. I could feel Rachel’s bleakness and hunger for more as she and her sister and mother circled each other in that big, beautifully furnished, but empty house. I was carried along as she searched for answers about her early life while trying to live in the present, do her job well and please her mother. I was distressed when she was in peril, but pleased to see her take tentative steps to maturity throughout the book. And with a Mommie Dearest like she had, those tiny steps were a big deal.

This book gave a great backstory and answered questions I had about the characters. It made me like Rachel even more than I already did. And the ending was very satisfying. I do wish I would have started this series in order. I was already a fan of this author, but this book makes me want to go buy the other books I’m missing so I can keep up with Rachel and see how her life turns out.

Reads4fun

Excellent mystery

Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2016

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Sandra Parshall weaves a great mystery in "The Heat of the Moon." Rachel Goddard experiences a flashback while comforting a child at her veterinarian clinic. Startled at the vivid memory, she begins delving into her past. Her mother, Judith, who seems aloof and controlling, does little to answer her questions and her sister, Michelle, encourages her to stop questioning the past. Rachel is not one to give up easily as she continues having dreams that seem more real than imagined. Ms. Parshall is an excellent writer and I was glued to this book from beginning to end. I had my own suspicions, but was actually surprised to find the ending was not what I had expected. I would happily read more of Ms. Parshall's books.

Malena

Great psychological drama

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2012

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This book doesn't fall into any neat category. It's not really a psychological thriller, or a amateur sleuth mystery or a suspense novel, but it contains elements of all three.
I loved this book. After a point I could not put it down. The characters are so well developed and believable. The family dynamics are superbly written. What a roller coaster ride this author takes her characters on.
I cannot understand the previous reviewer who said the ending was a cop out. It was the perfect ending and leads me to want to read the next book in the series, which I bought (on my Kindle) the second I finished this one.
I also liked that the main character is a veterinarian. The animal stuff adds another dimension to the book and Rachel's character.
Off now to read Disturbing the Dead. Can't wait.

PandaV

Not really a mystery.

Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2018

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Just didn't do it for me. I didn't feel much mystery to this one, it fell flat and dragged in some areas, some parts are just too boring that I skipped over them.

Darla M. Sands

Howling (In a Good Way) Over "The Heat of the Moon"

Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2013

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I found this novel while casually looking for good deals on Kindle Fire reads. What a joy to have discovered it!

In seeking simple escapism, I found this plot succeeded brilliantly, pulling me out of myself as I experienced the highs and lows of joy, sorrow, and shock right alongside the characters. It saddened me when the story ended, however satisfying I found the conclusion.

The writing mechanics are spot on, with the story told through the perspective of Rachel and never wavering from her sometimes (understandably) muddled viewpoint. You'll just have to read to understand what I mean so there are no spoilers. Entranced by the Rachel's approachable and sympathetic portrayal, I've already downloaded the second book in the Rachel Goddard mystery series.

Mara H.

Most intriguing mystery

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2019

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This was a great book filled with suspense and after getting to the end I wanted to know what she if she told her sister. I could see a book two.