The Heat of the Moon

by: Sandra Parshall

Published by: Poisoned Pen Press

Reviewed by Kim Reis

Veterinarian Rachel Goddard is comforting a young girl whose dog was injured by a car, when a vivid memory of comforting her own younger sister resurfaces. They were very young, alone and frightened in the rain. Where did this memory come from? Why had she never remembered it before?

Rachel's mother has always been unwilling to speak of Rachel's father who died when Rachel was about the age of her new memory. What is her mother afraid of? Why is there only one photo of him still in existence? Rachel wants to know what other memories she may have buried from that time yet she is afraid of what she might find. And she doesn't know who can be trusted to help her uncover the truth.

This is an exquisite psychological mystery. Parshall peels away the layers of the world as Rachel has always known it to uncover the truth she isn't certain she wants to know. The story drew me in and held me enthralled straight through to the end. It will haunt me for a long time.

I highly recommend it.

Armchair Interviews agrees.