4.5 stars! I really liked this book! The writing style was comfortable, the characters were (mostly) likeable, the storyline a little on the sad side, but handled so well that tears were not a worry.
Joey, 46 years old, returns to visit with his parents in light of the dementia (Lewy Body Dementia) getting worse for his dad which is wearing down his mom. She and the neighbors conspire to have Joey meet the daughter next door and they really hit it off.
Joey's dad cannot be left alone as he will wander and has no short term memory. He loves to fish so he and Joey and Bubba, captain of the local charter, spend time out on the water, reminiscing about the good old days of his dad. Stories that come out tie in to incidents that are happening now and Joey has the same concern as the police that his dad may be involved.
The rest of the story brings all the aspects together in a way that keeps you guessing until the end. Great story. Want to read more by this author.

Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for providing an ARC.

From the title, to the book cover, to the blurb, I couldn’t wait to disappear into the pages of this novel. I was so engrossed, I read 68% in one sitting, then finished it the next day, frustrated sleep had intervened.
Joey Green visits his parents in the small South Carolina town where his father grew up, focused on spending time with his dad, Marshall, a beloved local physician who is sinking into dementia. When Marshall starts talking about the past, holding conversations with people who aren’t there, Joey and his mother chalk his behavior up to a deteriorating mind. But it soon becomes apparent there are secrets hidden in his reminiscing, puzzle pieces that bind the past to the present. When one of the town’s most influential citizens is murdered, suspicions fall on Marshall, but Joey knows his father is innocent. Finding out who is responsible opens a door on an old tragedy and unresolved circumstances.

While I found the mystery from the past to be the more intriguing of the two, I was completely surprised by the identity of the killer in the present. Although this is more of a quiet story, it moves at a pace that makes it impossible to set the book down. The descriptions are phenomenal, the richly detailed setting easily transporting the reader to a place of salt marshes, shrimp boats, and antebellum homes.

Main and secondary characters are equally well-developed, and no one gets short shrift (I developed such a soft spot for Bubba). There is a subplot with a low-key romance, but it enhances rather than detracts from the overall tale. Beautifully written, this is a story that touches on relationships, sacrifice, heartache, and love. I thought the ending was perfect, and would recommend this to anyone who likes an intelligent and compelling mystery with memorable characters.

family, family-dynamics, secrets, lies, dementia, murder, misconduct****

First reaction? I wanted Nils Shapiro!
Next reaction? This is a good novel, and it brings back the kind of issues that we used to have to deal with when I worked memory care and Alzheimer's units (sometimes acute care as well), and now I'm seeing in old friends and their families. Nothing as conflicting as possible current murder like in this novel, but there have been devastating things that happened.
This novel has solid characters, flawless world building, and thorough plot development. It is a good read for most, but a chilling one for some.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Forge Books via NetGalley. Thank you.

I got hooked on this book - especially Joey Green, the main character, in the first chapter and my love of this character never diminished. This book has it all - family dealing with an aging parent, love, a bit of sex and a mystery that gets deeper as the book goes on and ends with a surprise ending. The other plus for me were the beautiful descriptions of Beaufort, South Carolina, one of my favorite cities to visit.

Joey is a 45 year old divorced man with two children. He's come to visit from Chicago to help his mother take care of his father who has advanced Alzheimer's. As his father's short term memory disappears, his long term memory comes alive. Most days, he can't remember eating right after he finishes a meal but he can tell long and involved stories about his childhood. At first it seems like a blessing to have his long term memory become so vivid. But when he starts talking to old friends that aren't there, secrets from his youth come to light. Even though his hallucinations are from years earlier, the truth could cause damage to many people in town. Joey starts investigating when an enemy of his father gets shot and his father's gun is missing. As Joey talks to long-term residents of Beaufort, the mystery slowly unravels but it needs to be better understood so that the wrong people don't get blamed for what happened.

This story really touched my heart and, yes, caused a few tears. From what Joey said, his father used to be a strong dedicated doctor who took care of the poor. To see what was happening to him due to his disease was difficult and I felt the love that Joey had for him and the despair that he was feeling about his disease. Joey believed that he was not an empathetic person but he was wrong, The empathy that he showed his parents at this dark time in their lives was wonderful.

Matt Goldman is a new author for me and this book impressed me so much that I plan to read his earlier books soon.

Thanks to Bookish Firsts for a copy of this book to read and review.

Joey Green is visiting his parents in Beaufort, South Carolina, while his kids and ex-wife are on a trip. A vacation this is not, as Joey helps his mother with his father, Marshall, who has Lewy body dementia. This awful disease has stripped Marshall of almost all of his short term memory, forcing Joey’s mother to have to lock every door with a deadbolt from the inside to keep him safe. Although his short term memory causes repeated disruptions to their daily lives, Marshall’s long term memory is sharper than ever.

When a prominent businessman turns up dead, and Marshall becomes a suspect, Joey springs into action to prove his father’s innocence. While he looks to find a way to prove his father is incapable of murder he stumbles upon a cold case linked to the current murder. His father begins hallucinating and talking to people from the past, and in doing so, Joey learns just want kind of man is father really is.

Carolina Moonset meanders at a slow and steady pace, much like small town life. Even a murder doesn’t rush the plot. There are so many layers to this books, it’s worth a second read. The weather often reflects the mood of the characters, the author takes on racism in the south, and even Marshall’s diagnosis becomes pivotal in manipulating the plot line.

My only hang up is relationship that happens between Joey and Leela. I like her character, and I like Joey’s, but the speed and intensity with which they become a couple is a little far-fetched in my opinion. Perhaps it’s just me?

Thank you to NetGalley, Forge Books, and of course Matt Goldman for the advanced copy. Carolina Moonset comes out on May 31st. All opinions are my own.

I have to say I was disappointed in this book. It started off great and really held my interest. The main character seemed interesting and the descriptions of the South Carolina Low Country completely drew me in. But about 1/4 of the way in the book thins kind of started to feel strange, and I just couldn't get back into the story.
Joey is visiting Beaufort, SC, to visit his retired parents. Joey's dad, Marshall, grew up in Beaufort and after having decided to return there found out he has been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. The disease is affecting his short-term memory and is also causing long ago memories to stand out vividly. Joey soon learns of a long-standing hate between his father and the well-to-do Hammond family, as well as mysterious events from his father's past that seem all-too real to Joey's father. When someone in the Hammond family is found murdered, Joey worries that his father might become a suspect and tries to find a way to protect him while still trying to discover how the past is now affecting the present.
As I stated earlier, I really was enjoying this book until about the 25% mark. The descriptions of Beaufort and the surrounding areas were great. But then about the time that Joey began his relationship with Leela, the pacing began to feel extremely off.
Pacing problem 1: Once the murder occurred, Joey became convinced that his dad could have been responsible based on things mentioned in passing in conversations he's just had with people he hadn't seen in years. It began to feel like an episode Murder, She Wrote. It was like Joey was saying, "Well, So-and-so said that this guy didn't like my dad's best friend, so when he disappeared he MUST have been MURDERED!" or, "This guy apparently liked this girl because So-and-so mentioned it, so he MUST have KILLED HER!" There was just A LOT of jumping to conclusions with very little evidence. More time should have been spent following up leads, researching the past, or trying to figure out exactly what happened before Joey and his "sidekick" Leela started playing detective and taking things that very well could have been rumors or coincidences and treating them like hard facts (and she felt like some kind of weird sidekick, and not a partner or a fleshed-out character).
Pacing problem 2: Then to make matters worse things that did not have to be repeated were oftentimes reexplained for no good reason, while other things were described in redundant and excruciatingly unnecessary detail.
Pacing problem 3: (This might be a spoiler) Huge components to the mystery were left to Joey and Leela to "deduce" (and by that I mean jump to conclusions based on little to no evidence and then take them as hard facts...see above), and so when facts were finally confirmed by Marshall, they lost all their emotional impact on the story. This man who has been struggling with his memory is finally able to talk to his son and reveal important events from his past, but Joey (and the reader) is just sitting there like, "Yeah, we already knew that, Dad...and...?" And THEN, where there is a pretty huge reveal that no one saw coming, instead of playing out the scene in real time, the author decides to relate the scene as a recording. So instead of narrating things like tone of voice, body language, and other immediate feelings, everything is completely robbed of emotion. That was a very strange choice, to me.
Pacing problem 4: (Again, trying to to give away too many spoilers) When the killer was finally revealed, this person and their "relationship" to Joey just came off as completely bizarre and out of the blue. I was just sitting there reading like, "Huh?!" It really felt like the author just needed to wrap up everything and found the most convenient scape-goat.
I will say that this was a very fast read. So if you are looking for something to read on vacation or at the beach (preferably somewhere between Cherry Grove and Hilton Head!), and reading a book that comes across as an episode of Matlock doesn't bother you, then give this book a try. If you are looking for something more hard-hitting, well-plotted, and gripping, then I'd skip this one.

Very sweet story set in Beaufort, SC. The descriptions of Beaufort brought back wonderful memories of visiting relatives there in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

The first half of the book is taken up with descriptions of the locale, of the family and of Lewy Body Dementia so the plot takes a while to develop. By the second half, the plot is beginning to get interesting and mostly wraps up satisfactorily at the end.

This is an excellent read for when you want something light.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Forge Books, in exchange for an honest review.

Set in one of my favorite places, Beaufort, South Carolina, this well written murder mystery captivated me from the start. Early middle-aged and divorced with kids, Joey travels to Beaufort to visit his parents; his father has dementia. While his father’s short term memory dims, his early memories become richer albeit they are dark and mysterious at times. Joey falls for the neighbor’s visiting daughter, also divorced with kids, and an improbable fast romance ensues. Then a prominent local man with ties to Joey’s family is killed and the police start to suspect his father of the murder. Well written with good character development.

Joey Green has returned to Beaufort, South Carolina to help his mother take care of dad Marshall Green who is suffering from dementia. Dad has no short term memory but is remembering clearly things that happened years ago including a murder.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this story ~Awww turned out better than I thought.

Want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Tor/Forge Forge Books for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 31, 2022

Joey Green returns to Beaufort, South Carolina, to care for his father who suffers from a form of dementia and to give his mom a much needed break. While his mom travels to Florida with friends, Joey spends time with his dad fishing and meeting up with neighbors. Joey's dad has little short term memory left but remembers the past more and more vividly. He has short outbursts with invisible foes and is agitated when he reminisces about childhood activities. These outburst reveals some mysteries and as Joey tries to get to the bottom of them, the police come to the door.

Carolina Moonset is by well known writer Matt Goldman. He paints great and believable characters and even throws in a love interest to root for. Moonset is tense and burning but also emotional as Joey is forced to deal with secrets from the past. If. you like slow burns, South Carolina settings or just a family secret based mystery, #CarolinaMoonset is for you! #Macmillan #macmillanTor #tor

I requested this book because I live in South Carolina. Little did I know that in the first chapter I would meet a character originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s that switched to a diagnosis of Lewy Body dementia. And the sad truth is that just happened to my husband. My heart beat and tears overwhelmed. This was a book for me.

Embedded in a mystery and a “meet and fall in love story” that also capture and intrigue, I found a character with Lewy body treated with respect, compassion and honor. And wrapped in a family with friends and a town that support and love. It’s funny how memories can be distorted, reinterpreted and salvaged and how people can love and care even when in the midst of murder and intrigue. This distinctly South Carolina setting sways with palms and waves, boats and beauty, and intrigue because of love between races, unrequited love, new love, and old love. Thank you for a story that touched my heart in so many ways. For the readers, if you know someone with dementia, have ever loved someone, or just simply love the south and/or a good mystery—you should read this book.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher (MacMillan-Tor/Forge books) for an advance copy of this book.

A witty, fast paced murder mystery with well-constructed characters. I enjoyed the flow of the story and the descriptive passages. A deeply felt story of life, family, and memories.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Matt Goldman for the electronic ARC.
Expected publish date: May 31st 2022
#NetGalley #CarolinaMoonset

As someone who lost both my mother and mother-in-law to Alzheimer's, I could relate to the Green family's suffering in this novel when their patriarch, Marshall Green, is stricken with Lewy body dementia. Marshall has been a pillar of the community and a dedicated provider for his family; fate has dealt him a cruel blow.
Goldman's portrayal of Marshall is spot-on, and his descriptions of the Beaufort, South Carolina, setting are beautifully written.
Although Marshall can no longer remember whether he ate lunch, he can recall in vivid detail events that took place over fifty years earlier. He begins talking to people long dead and recounting stories his family has never heard before--some of which involve unsolved murders.
The protagonist, Joey Green, persuades his mother to take a break from her caregiving role to play in a pickleball tournament in Florida with her girlfriends. Joey promises to watch his father while she's away. But he accidentally leaves Marshall unattended for a few hours the night a prominent businessman is shot to death. Marshall has long held a grudge against the man's family, and he keeps an ancient gun in his toolbox of the same caliber as the one used to commit the murder.
Evidence points to Marshall, who can't even remember the man was killed, much less whether he pulled the trigger. To convince the police of his father's innocence, Joey must do some sleuthing and set a trap for the real killer.
There is also a bit of sweet romance woven in. Joey's parents conspire with their neighbors to set him up with the girl next door, and sparks fly. Despite the fact that they both have careers, children, and exes in different cities, they fall harder for each other than expected.
The pacing in this story was just right, and the characters engaging. Highly recommended!

First, thank you to NetGalley and publisher Forge Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I can honestly say that it was fantastic.

The book starts with character Joey Green returning home for a visit to see his parents. Joey’s father, Marshall, has advanced Lewy Body Syndrome – a form of dementia that not only has obliterated his short term memory; but it causes him to hallucinate – and see people that aren’t there. He has full on conversations with these people who are invisible to all others. Joey’s mother needs a break and while he visits, his mother takes a long needed trip to Florida with a best friend to compete in a pickle ball tournament. Joey is left in charge of taking care of dad.

Returning to life in the small town of Beaufort, South Carolina, Joey experiences the emotional impact of seeing his father’s deterioration, as well as trying to understand the memories Marshall has from long ago that surface and are disturbing to Marshall and to perplexing to Joey as the past becomes his father’s present.

Author Matt Goldman’s story depicts the heartbreak of the present with his father’s deterioration; combined with old mysteries and missing people that surface in concert with a present day murder of a prominent local citizen, Thomas Hammond. A family of local prominence is in the middle of the events; as well as Marshall Green, who despised the two brothers from that family due to their behavior from long ago. As the events unfold, and the police are at the door suspecting Marshall Green in the murder. Aside from the fact that Marshall seems incapable of such a crime, there is compelling evidence for them to question him. When he and Joey talk, his father tells him stories of long ago and the relationships he had with the Hammonds, and

Mixed in with the family dynamics, the murder and the author chose to weave in a heartfelt romance between Joey Green and the daughter of his parent’s next door neighbors, Leela. Their chemistry is strong and they become close quickly and bond over Joey’s efforts to help his father and mother.

Compelling narrative, great characters and a mystery I didn’t figure out. Loved it.

Carolina Moonset takes place in Beaufort, SC. Joey Green is returning home to help care for his father, Matthew, who is suffering with dementia. Joey watches as his father, deals with little to no short-term memory, hallucinations and changing moods. Matthew’s long term memories are resurfacing, bringing back some joy and also some long hidden secrets. When a prominent member of society is murdered, the police focus on Matthew as their primary suspect to the disbelief of Joey and his family.

I could identify with the characters, as I have an ailing step-father who is also suffering with dementia. The author did an excellent job of describing the ups and downs of dealing with dementia. I felt compassion and heartache for the family members and also the character of Matthew. The budding relationship between Joey and the next door neighbor, Leela was sweet and added some delightful moments between the characters.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The storyline was well written, the characters had depth, the murder mystery was thought through and had a conclusion that was not obvious. The author described the loveliness and humidity of Beaufort, which made me want to visit it and watch the palm trees sway.

Deeply moving. Beautifully written. Heartbreaking. I loved the sensitivity with which Matt Goldman write his story, and the pitch perfect sense of place.

I absolutely loved this book. It's part mystery as to who killed three people in the book, but mostly it's about family pulling together to save their father who is suffering from dementia.

Joey Green. is visiting his parents in South Carolina, where they moved after retirement. His parents live in the house his father grew up in, so it and the town of Beaufort are full of memories for all of them. Joey’s dad, Marshall, is suffering from Lewy Body Dementia, so his memories are mostly long-term. But can they be believed? Joey ends up finding out the truth about a long-buried secret, while getting to know his father in a way he never had. Intensely moving novel about family, relationships and secrets. I’ll be looking to see what other novels Matt Goldman has written. This one felt like a gift.

This is a good fast read. I love the setting and the character and plot development were perfect. Thanks NetGalley and Matt Goldman for the opportunity to read and review. I look forward to more by this author.

Joey’s father, Marshall, has a rare form of dementia which wipes out his short term memory, leaving his old memories intact. While Joey is visiting his parents he’s set up with the next door neighbors daughter Leela, and they fall in love. Joey’s with Leela, leaving his dad alone, when prominent citizen Hammond is shot and killed right down the street from their house, and Joey can’t find his fathers gun or vouch for his whereabouts. Not to mention his father has a lifelong hatred of the family and the many secrets the two families share together. Now Joey must prove his fathers Innocence and uncover his dads secrets.
Mystery, suspense, and love story all in one, I loved this book. I loved the southern setting, the characters, and the plot. I found it marred only by the scene where Joey is coaxing a confession from the real killer, which seemed implausible, given the ruthlessness of the true killer.