I really like Lincoln Child’s agent Pendergast series, so I thought I’d give this one a try. Now I’m hooked and will need to start this series from the beginning. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment of The Jeremy Logan series. As an enigmologist, Mr. Logan gets caught up in some pretty interesting and different situations. These stories tend to start off slow (in a good way), build suspense and then really end with a bang. This one did not disappoint!

ARC from Doubleday via Netgalley

Full Wolf Moon, written by Lincoln Child, is actually the third book (correct that, 5th, Child’s website is a little confusing) that follows Jeremy Logan as he attempts to retreat to a mountain resort to write and finish a study he has been working on for many reasons. While there, an old friend from college, a philosophical ranger, finds him and asks for his help with a series of murder/deaths that have been going on. Hikers are found torn apart on the full moon.

I enjoyed this novel, it wasn’t the best and was paced oddly, but the story was interested and kept my attention. I really liked how this story approached science and finding the truth. Also, Logan is an enigmologis, someone who supposedly studies creatures that may or may not exist. I do like that idea.

This novel does, in fact, follow the idea that there could be a werewolf of some sort doing the killing. Had to put that there. I can’t say anything else without giving too much of the story away, however.

Here is something for a reader: THERE IS NO ROMANCE! Okay, I know, that really isn’t a reason to like or dislike a book, but I just wanted to point that out. Because, if you get into this book, there appears to be a possibility for it and that does not turn out. And it makes me oh so very happy.

Don’t judge, his wife died a few years ago and he is loyal.

If you like a good mystery, if you enjoy investigative novels with some odd twists and a look at a bit more of a science take (thought I would definitely stand by that it is only a science take), this could be a good book for you. I do not regret reading/listening to this at all.

I wanted to like this book
It has a fun premise
Mutilated hikers
Remote wilderness
Spooky legends
It's tailor made
fro lots of spooky fun.
Buuuuut...
The characters are
two dimensional at best
and the prose is just lifeless.
Gonna have to pass.

Published by Doubleday on May 16, 2017

Fiction like the Jeremy Logan series demands (as do many horror stories) a willingness to suspend disbelief for the sake of being creeped out. Still, Lincoln Child never pushes the boundaries so much that an open-minded reader will become unwilling to accept the scenarios he creates. Child always makes events seem as if they could happen, even if they couldn’t.

Historian and paranormal investigator (“enigmalogist”) Jeremy Logan is asked to investigate the deaths of two hikers in the Adirondacks, where Logan happens to be staying. The unfortunate hikers were “savagely mauled to death” under a full moon at different times in roughly the same location. A killer who lives in the area after his release from a mental health commitment becomes a convenient suspect as new killings occur, but the reader knows that ordinary killers can’t tear people apart.

After a bit of investigation, Logan learns that the community considers the Blakeney clan, an inbred family of backwoods lunatics, to be a more likely culprit than a rogue bear. But are the Blakeneys just garden variety crazy, or are they werewolves? Rumors abound.

Of course, werewolves come out when there’s a full moon, and a scientist in Full Wolf Moon who happens to be studying the effect of the moon on small critters posits a reasonable theory as to why that could be true. At least it’s reasonable in the context of thrillers and horror fiction, which means it might be malarkey, but it sounds plausible. That’s really all the reader can ask in a story about a possible werewolf.

Child evokes some genuine emotion during the course of the story. Secondary characters have enough depth that the reader will care when they encounter misfortune. The book isn’t particularly frightening, but it creates a nice atmosphere of "things that go bump in the woods."

The story moves quickly and it’s entertaining, although the resolution is less surprising than Child must have intended. Full Wolf Moon is certainly better than most of the vampire stories, and nearly all of the zombie stories, that have flooded the market in recent years, making this werewolf story a good choice for horror readers who want to expand the range of monsters that keep them awake at night.

RECOMMENDED

Full Wolf Moon by Lincoln Child is book five in the Jeremy Logan series. Child is part of the very popular writing dou of Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston who gave us such horror/sci-fi classics as the Relic and the astute and unflappable FBI Special Agent Pendergast. But once in a while these writers step out on their own and deliver a novel of their own. Full Wolf Moon is Child's latest.

"...My opinion.' Albright put the bottle of beer on the floor beside his chair. 'I guess I can sum that up easily enough, too. Logan, I can understand your skepticism. I've heard some pretty outrageous tales myself in the twenty years since I've moved back. But I'll tell you something-something you may already know, given your particular line of work. Many times, legends-no matter how outlandish they sound-have a grounding in reality. And in a place as remote and old as the Adirondacks, it may well be that there are phenomena that cold, twenty-first-century rationality can't fully explain-or even comprehend..."

Jeremy Logan is an enigmologist, an investigator whose specialty is phenomena that has no obvious explanation. This has often led him into investigating the paranormal. This has brought Logan no shortage of notoriety, but his main work is that of a historian and he has decided to travel deep into the Adirondacks to a remote writer's retreat to put the world behind him for a time and work on his book. The place is called Cloudwater and calls itself an artist's colony.

But Logan's peace is quickly disturbed as an old friend of his, Randall Jessup comes looking for Logan at the Colony. Jessup is now a Ranger with New York's Division of Forest Protection and he has something he needs Logan to look at. A body, mauled by an animal, but unlike any Jessup has seen before.

"...Now the smell was back, worse than ever, and with it came a sound-a deep, guttural noise, half grunt, half snarl. It sounded angry-angry and hungry.
Without even pausing to think, Palmer began to run. He ran as fast as the heavy pack allowed, grunting with the effort, the flashlight beam stripping crazily ahead of him, panting, gasping, bounding over fallen trees and kettle holes, as the grunting and snuffling grew increasingly loud behind him.
And then his foot snagged on a protruding root; he crashed heavily to the ground; a heavy weight that had nothing to do with his pack pressed suddenly against his back-a horrible, rending pain like nothing he'd experienced in his life clawed across his face and neck as the reek washed over him like a wave, then another explosion of pain, then still another...and then everything faded, first to red, and then to black..."

As Logan begins to investigate, he quickly surmises that this is no ordinary killing. That this was something very different from a bear or any other animal attack. The viciousness and brutality almost made one think of mind of a man behind them. There is also no shortage suspects to be found in the mountains. A society, hidden deep in the woods, suspicious of strangers. Only socializing with themselves. A society rejecting the advances of the modern world, hiding themselves away. A respected female scientist whose brutal death of her father, has her continuing his work. Studying the effects of the full moon on mammals. Her experiments hidden and secretive.

What Logan realizes is that there is far more than what is believed, happening in the dark woods in the night. Under the full moon. A creature, hungry and violent, stalking those who would venture out. A creature of myth and legend. A creature of nightmares.

Lincoln Child has the innate ability to take the fantastic and make it reasonably factual. He does not use science to dispel or ridicule superstition, but to prove its endless possibilities. And in that way he brings our monsters into the world of actually being. Child not only will tell you that there is a monster under your bed, but he will prove to you using the scientific method, how it came to be under your bed. What it is doing under your bed. Why it is under your bed and oh yes, how no matter what you do, it is going to reach up and get you.

Full Wolf Moon does not disappoint. Another really good read!

A great tale, and a good introduction to a series. It may not be Jeremy Logan's first book, but not being thrown in the facet that fact by the author is refreshing in a series.

Doubleday Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Full Wolf Moon. This is my honest opinion of the book.

Desolation Mountain: although not high enough to be considered one of the pinnacle Adirondack peaks, its wild appearance and remote location make it one of the most desolate and difficult. Jeremy Logan, writer, scholar, and enigmalogist, becomes involved in an unusual situation during a retreat in a neighboring area. As an expert on analyzing unnatural phenomena that has no scientific explanation, Jeremy is contacted by an old college friend who is a New York Forest Ranger working the case. Is the fact that the attack occurred during a full moon just a coincidence, or is there something to the local rumors?

The author does a great job of setting the scene, as the area is well defined with very descriptive language. The story itself, however, is both rushed and lacks substance. The author could have fleshed out the concept more, giving readers more than just a cursory look into Jeremy Logan's world. Full Wolf Moon was a quick read, but not as good as I was expecting from veteran author Lincoln Child.

"Enigmalogist" , Jeremy Logan is trying to avoid the hype that has made him so recognizable by getting away to an artist's retreat in the Adirondacks to finish work on a historical monograph. His first night at Cloudwater, he finds an old friend from college on his doorstep. The friend works for the Park Service and wants to talk with Jeremy about a disturbing murder that happened in the Park. The murders are brutal and believed to be the work of a rogue animal but the ranger has his doubts. Against his better judgement, Jeremy agrees to investigate. His investigation leads him to a group of scientist in an old fire station deep in the forest after one of their interns is murdered in the forest. The plot thickens into a very suspenseful read with plenty of action and interesting science.
The book is an enjoyable read. I have enjoyed all of Mr. Child's solo efforts and really enjoy his series co-writing with author Douglas Preston. Both authors never disappoint!

Scrappymags 3-word review: A little freaky

Genre: Mystery/horror, suspense

Shortest summary ever: Something is attacking wayward hikers in the Adirondack Mountains. Guess what is might be? Jeremy Logan, an “enigmologist” (my new career – someone who studies the unexplainable) happens to be in the area where his old college buddy works and thus is dragged into the fray.

What’s good under the hood: I was adequately freaked out in places since I have hiked with my crazy-as-all-get-out hiker brother Don, so I could VIVIDLY bring some good gory scare in the woods to mind. Awesome. Between this and The Blair Witch I’ll never hike again. It’s also a pretty quick read, “fast thrills” as I call it which makes for an entertaining reading.

Light, breezy and thankfully not Twilight-cheesy.

Also must note I couldn’t get “Young Frankenstein out of my head”. I have an uncanny ability to remember lines from movies…

What’s bad or made me mad: I have to groan at the title. What exactly is a full wolf moon? How does one go “full wolf”? As in, “I’m gonna go full wolf on yo’ ass??” (Hmm… on second thought…)

I originally rolled my eyes (hardcore) at the whole werewolf angle (damn you Jacob) but wound up being surprised by the scientific look at the topic through the lens of Jeremy.

It might be a tad predictable, but still written with solid pacing and surprise that attention is maintained.

Recommend to:

fans of Child won’t be let down t
hose who like a good werewolf/mythical beast book
“sciency” people (and those who appreciate sciency things like me)
those looking for a fun semi-scary read in the genre.
Don’t recommend to: those looking for literary prose or Psychological thrills. This is down-and-dirty-monsters-type thrills.

Thanks to NetGalley, Doubleday Books and Mr. Child for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and for making me eye my beagles warily because you really never know…

What an interesting spin on things. Kept me guessing and held my attention throughout. I did not see that ending coming.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

3.5 Hearts This is the 5th in the Jeremy Logan series. Logan is one who studies odd phenomenon. So when he goes up to the mountains to work his friend from the area asks him to help investigate some problems that seem to happen when there is a full moon. Logan can also feel the feelings of others when he touches items. Be ready for a bit of paranormal/psychological storyline.

This is a quick read mainly because it has your interest from the first chapter. All stories from Lincoln Child are a bit out of the norm but that is what makes his books so interesting.

This can be a stand alone but I really feel like the reader would understand the story better if the others in the series have been read. Logan is not a normal character and having read his whole background.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The overall theme of the Jeremy Logan series is when the supernatural meets science or vice versa. Jeremy Logan’s main occupation is historian but moonlights as an ‘enigmologist’, one who investigates phenomena that has no logical explanation like ghosts, big foot, or as in the case of Full Wolf Moon, werewolves. Normally, I am not a fan on literature about werewolves, so I wasn’t too sure how I would like this particular addition to the series. But Child does have a way of taking a situation that is way out in left field as far as reality is concerned and make it seem reasonably scientific, which makes me like this series.

In Full Wolf Moon, Logan is taking a sabbatical in a remote area of the Adirondacks in Upstate New York to work on finishing up a manuscript that he has procrastinated on. To his dismay, a former college chum who is now a forest ranger seeks out Logan to get his advice on a couple of unusual murders that has occurred in the area. Logan reluctantly agrees to help only to get himself deeply involved in a case that piques his interest as an engimologist. Let’s just say that his peaceful retreat to the great outdoors is anything but peaceful.

The scientific element in Full Wolf Moon is the effect of moonlight on human beings, but does moonlight really have an effect on us? We have all heard of stories of emergency rooms being swamped on night when the moon is full or that people that tend to be a little on the crazy side become in even more crazy. There have been a number of scientific studies conducted that look at the correlation of the cycles of the moon and human behavior, but most have found no evidence of any correlation or are at least found it to be inconclusive. So Child’s use of science in Full Wolf Moon is quite a bit off base, though he does approach the concept in a very entertaining way.

Even though I am not a werewolf fan, I still give Full Wolf Moon a thumbs up. This novel can easily be read without having to read the rest of the series.

I would like to thank NetGalley for my Advanced Reader Copy of Full Wolf Moon.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

For those who didn't know, I'm a huge Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child fan. Their Pendergast series is one of my top favorites, an instant preorder, and one of the series I've reread most entries multiple times. Each of those authors also writes their own books on a solo basis, and while I've read many of those, my favorites of their solo works definitely goes to Lincoln Child's Jeremy Logan series. I've got some catching up to do - I haven't read the first two in the series, not realizing they were part of a series until The Third Gate, book three, was released and I had read it already. They work very well as standalones, and it wasn't clear that it was the third in a series.

Anywho, long story short, I've been keeping up with the new releases in the series about this intelligent, compassionate, enigmologist empath, and enjoying the hell out of them. I read this one in under 24 hours -- sneak reading at work because I couldn't put it down!

I subtracted a star just because by the end, it was obvious to me the path the book was going to take, and I had predicted it much earlier in the novel... but it didn't sap any of my enjoyment out of reading this excellent entry, as evidenced by my complete inability to put it down!

Take a chance on this series. I'm sure you'll be entertained. :)

Pub date: May 2017
A fast thriller with Jeremy Logan trying to complete a manuscript, but instead getting sucked into a murder investigation that might be human or wolf related. As thrillers go, it would be a fine beach read, but as with many of the Logan thrillers, it left me wanting.

I have been a fan of Lincoln Child since The Relic and thoroughly enjoy even his solo releases. This is a fantastic adventure with a hint of mystery, a dash of the supernatural and the trademark smart writing that Mr. Child is best at. Definitely recommend it.

Full Wolf Moon will have you looking over your shoulder and jumping at every little sound if you're reading it in the woods.. perhaps in a cabin! I always enjoy when an author I've read and followed for nearly two decades makes a foray into writing about something that is a bit out of their norm. Lincoln Child must have written this in a fevered writing spell. It's so dang fast paced.. that the reader cannot catch a breath before a whole new direction is taken!

I absolutely loved this story! It reminded me of the days of my youth.. while sitting around a campfire telling stories and yarns of what could be just hovering just outside your view of the forest, in the dark.. The story flows so durn smoothly!

The main character, Logan just wants to finish a paper and not be bothered while he's holed up in a small hotel in the middle of no where. One of his old buddies, just happens to live in the area.. and has been dealing with a ferocious killer. One that has been shredding the victims to barely recognizable, leftover carcasses. He hints that it seems to be the work of a werewolf. But.. everyone knows.. that's just a myth. Right?

You'll just have to read it yourself! A very fun read!!

****************
Separate review on Authors on the Air:

Full Wolf Moon: A Novel Hardcover
by Lincoln Child
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Doubleday (May 16, 2017)

Outlandish tall tales are always based upon a glimmer of truth. Jeremy Logan, an enigmalogist who researches phenomenons that make most scientists snicker and roll their eyes.

Logan has been wanting to write a historical formal paper for quite some time. He keeps getting interrupted and opts to go to a writer's retreat where he can be left in peace and write to his heart's content. When he arrives and gets all booked in.. an old college buddy has heard that Logan is in the area and cannot wait to speak to him.

He has a skeptical story about a possible werewolf or something like it.. that's been hunting down hikers in a desolate area.. As his buddy is a US Forest Ranger.. he can attest that the bodies are unlike anything he's ever seen or heard about.

I highly recommend, "Full Wolf Moon" by Lincoln Child. OMG this man ALWAYS delivers. ALWAYS! I love knowing that no matter how oddball the synopsis is.. I'm still going to love the book. Child delivers once again!! This novel will remind you of childhood camping trips where everyone sits around the campfire and there's always that one born storyteller sitting there.. spinning a yarn to scare the crap outta kids! This is one such tale! You will not settle down after hearing (or reading) this one! Leave the lights on.. cause you NEVER know what's gonna jump out of the dark forest.. and getcha! HA!

As with other books of Lincoln Child, I enjoyed the read. From the beginning, I was engaged and pulled in to the action. I did figure out "the bad guy" early in the book, but I still enjoyed Logan's piecing together the leads. Would I recommend the book? Yes, it's the perfect rainy day read.

Lincoln Child is a master of the techno thriller/horror genre, and he does not disappoint in Full Wolf Moon. This entry in the Jeremy Logan series is a page turner as the puzzle pieces fall into place, seemingly suggesting the impossible--that a series of gruesome murders, including that of Jeremy's friend, have been the work of lycanthropy. Is the reclusive clan feared by the locals responsible? Or the scientist ridiculed for his theories about the power of the moon to affect life forms on Earth? Or are other sinister forces at work? Entertaining, absorbing fun!

Full Disclosure--Net Gallery and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.