I generally love Sandra Brown’s stories but this one was just meh at best , it was too much cookie cutter and felt too predictable most of the time

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review

Listen, if you're showing up to a Sandra Brown novel expecting Pulitzer-level writing or deeply introspective character arcs… I genuinely don't know what to tell you. But if you're here for a good time, then "Blood Moon" is exactly the ride you want.

The story takes place in Louisiana, where Detective Bowie (no relation to David, unfortunately) is on the edge of losing his job. He's jaded and probably overdue for a vacation, when Beth, a TV producer from a true crime show that sounds a lot like Dateline or 48 Hours, shows up. She's revisiting a disappearance that took place during—you guessed it—a blood moon. The cold case just so happens to be Bowie's.

Now, let's be honest: the characters aren't exactly well-rounded. But it works. You don't read Sandra Brown because you're emotionally invested in someone's backstory; you read her because she knows how to keep the momentum going. And in Blood Moon, the pacing is practically caffeinated. I told myself I'd read a chapter or two just to get a feel for it—cut to me finishing the book in one night.

This is the kind of book that asks very little of you and, in return, gives you a lot: murder, mystery, steamy moments, wild twists, and the kind of energy that makes it feel like a summer blockbuster in paperback form. If you're in the mood for something fun and fast, "Blood Moon" delivers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I was a fan of Beth from the very beginning. John took a bit of getting used to, but eventually, I was swayed. There are several characters whose fates you can’t wait to see unfold. The suspense was palpable, the plot was intriguing, and the story progressed at a brisk pace.

This review is entirely voluntary and reflects my personal opinions.

A fast-paced thriller, I was quickly immersed into the story. The characters are well-written and just what I would expect from Sandra Brown.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a fan of Sandra Brown, but this book just didn't do it for me. I only made it about 30% and just couldn't take anymore. I love stories with alpha males, but this was just icky toxic masculinity.

I have read and loved all of Sandra Brown’s books and this one was beyond amazing. You have John who is cop who has been tortured for three years about an unsolved case. Things get moving on the case when Beth comes to town to meet with John about the a theory she has dealing with the case. This story had a curveball I never saw coming and kept me readying until I finished. This is one of the best books I have read this year! I was given a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have been reading Sandra Brown for more years than I want to admit. Her books never disappoint. This captivating romantic suspense novel is fast-paced, thrilling, and highly entertaining. Featuring a smart, likable female protagonist and a strong, capable male lead, the story is filled with murder, mystery, intrigue, and unexpected twists. The sizzling chemistry between the characters adds to the excitement, culminating in a deeply satisfying conclusion. Thank you to NetGalley, and Sandra Brown for the advanced copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this new book by Sandra Brown. It was an engaging story, as both a mystery and a love story!
Beth Collins arrives in a small Louisiana town, on assignment for the Crisis Point TV documentary. Beth is researching the mysterious disappearance of a local young woman, and needs more details from John Bowie, the detective on the case.
Beth is convinced that the phenomenon of the periodic “ blood moon” is key to the disappearances of several young women in recent years. As Beth and John work together, the inevitable attraction leads to romance.
I highly recommend this fast reading, smartly written book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.
4 stars

Years ago, I would read every Sandra Brown book that came out. As I've gotten older, I like a bit less romance in my thrillers and haven't read her in a long time. Well, now I wonder why I ever stopped! This was a really good story! And I am always a sucker for the true crime show aspect. Beth is a producer for a true crime TV how. She is investigating an unsolved case of a missing girl, Crissy. John is a detective who is still haunted by an unsolved case of his own and does not want to help Beth. Beth is convinced that this case could have connections to some of his. John is too busy feeling guilty and drinking too much at first to be much help, but as they progress, he is sold on the theory. And of course we get a little romance thrown in, but the story is so twisty and turny that I couldn't stop turning pages! Also, the characters are extremely likeable, and I was totally pulling for them! I am a rekindled Sandra Brown fan!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sandra Brown and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Another Classic Sandra Brown- Queen of Romantic Thrillers! I read this in one sitting! I could not put it down. It was refreshing to get back to a Sandra Brown thriller. The brooding but full of depth Male Main Character, the strong, intelligent Female Main Character, the over-the-top villains, the against all odds plot, the tension building romance and thrilling action. I can’t get enough.

This story follows a true crime TV show producer as she tries to dig deeper into a missing girl case with the detective that handled it. This detective was already torn down by this case and is reluctant to get back into it. He starts out a bit unlikable but unfolds his layers like an onion. The female main character is determined to get to the answers quickly since stakes are high. She is persistent and likable.

The balanced pacing kept me reading it instead of putting it down to read later. I wanted to know what happens to these characters and was invested in the mystery. The constant danger and unraveling clues are placed perfectly. The twists along the way keep it interesting, while the romance is a well-placed sub-plot (but with plenty of spicey scenes).

I highly recommend this thriller as well as this author’s backlist of romantic thrillers. They are addicting and refreshing.

This book is a little bit of a thriller, a little bit mystery, and some romantic suspense all rolled into one. Detective John Bowie is a real mess. He one screw up away from being fired. He is divorced and drinking too much and is haunted by an unsolved case. Beth Collins is a true crime TV Producer who has a theory about the missing girl…could this case be connected to others?

Overall I enjoyed this story - I didn’t realize there was romance in this book, so that was a happy surprise for me. Beth and John had this connection that surprised me. John is grumpy and brooding…but there is something about him that speaks to Beth.

I enjoyed the mystery, sense of suspense and how the blood moon was woven into the story. There are some good twists along the way and I will say the ending was a surprise for me!

Blood Moon by Sandra Brown is a thrilling ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. As an avid reader of Brown's work, I found this novel to be a standout with its intricate plot and unexpected twists and turns.

The story follows Detective John Bowie and journalist Beth Collins as they team up to solve the mystery of a series of disappearances linked to the blood moon. Set in the atmospheric backdrop of coastal Louisiana, the novel blends elements of police procedural, Southern Gothic, and romantic suspense.

John Bowie, a detective haunted by a past case, and Beth Collins, a determined TV crime series producer, make a compelling duo. Their chemistry adds an extra layer of tension to the already gripping narrative. The plot is fast-paced, with plenty of action and suspense, and the twists are genuinely surprising, keeping you guessing until the very end.

Brown's writing is as engaging as ever, with well-developed characters and a richly detailed setting. The way she delves into the minds of both the protagonists and the villain adds depth to the story, making it a truly immersive experience.

Overall, Blood Moon is a must-read for fans of Sandra Brown and anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a touch of romance. The twists and turns will keep you hooked, and the characters will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Sandra Brown’s Blood Moon is a suspense thriller where a TV producer and a police detective must fight their growing attraction while racing against the clock to stop another woman from disappearing. Beth Collins has travelled to Louisiana to meet with Detective John Bowie to convince him that a case he worked on three years ago was not an isolated incident as well that the perpetrator would strike again. John is reluctant to assist as the prior unsolved case has troubled him and has gone past the breaking point. Bowie knew the case was not handled properly and the guilt had been eating away and causing negative impacts within his career and personal life. As Beth continues to be persistent, Bowie’s sense of loyalty and morality will not let him rest and he agrees to delve back into the case.

Mrs. Brown did a great job with character development and the storyline. The story flowed and the cast of characters were strategically placed in the storyline at the appropriate time. Readers will take instant liking to some and will immediately dislike several characters throughout this story. Beth’s ambition is evident but, readers also see the compassion and admiration she displays. Readers learn more about Bowie’s characteristics and actions and will rejoice during several scenes as his emotions are evident. Mrs. Brown also does a great job with the storyline, the flow and the research and tie in of lunar eclipse and some of the craziness that can occur. Overall, I enjoyed this read

Sandy M’s review of Blood Moon by Sandra Brown
Romantic Suspense published by Grand Central Publishing 4 Mar 25

What I love about Sandra Brown’s books is, of course, the unexpected romance between characters who would otherwise never come together, but the next best thing in her stories? The unexpected endings, something the reader would never guess and be surprised ten-fold when all is finally revealed. Blood Moon is no exception when all is said and done, so don’t even try to figure it all out as you read. You’ll never come close to guessing what actually takes place.

So instead let’s talk about those characters who would be unlikely to meet in any other circumstances. Beth Collins works for a true-crime television series, and she’s not totally convinced they have all the information necessary for their next broadcast concerning the unsolved case of a missing young woman, Crissy Mellin. She decides to talk to the detective who worked on the case years before, despite the fact the man has been told to keep his mouth shut by his higher-ups.

Which is a good way to get John Bowie to do the opposite. He’s always had his doubts about how that case was handled and has carried guilt with him ever since. Due to his near belligerent behavior and his capacity for drink, John isn’t having any of the “woo-woo” Beth tries to deliver. But when things finally come together to convince him maybe she’s not that far off the mark, they join forces to figure out what truly happened in the Mellin investigation, along with several others that now seem to be connected.

It’s a terrific buildup throughout the story as John and Beth collect more and more information to drive them toward that unexpected ending. Their romantic buildup is just as terrific, driving them toward an unexpected and steamy beginning together. I always love Ms. Brown’s heroes, flawed and somewhat unattainable, until that strong and independent heroine gets under their skin. In this case, John Bowie almost misses what hits him, but getting the girl and solving his case is what keeps Ms. Brown’s fans coming back for more year after year.

Grade: A

This is the kind of book I have come to expect fe Sandra Brown, and the reliability is nice. This particular story focuses on some abductions/murders that have occurred during the last several blood moons and remained unsolved. With a new blood moon nearing, John and Beth have limited time to figure out what happened and prevent the next killing. The writing is good and the storyline is interesting enough to keep you coming back. This is a solid mystery/suspense from a famous name. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this title.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Blood Moon by Sandra Brown is standard unrealistic romance fare, with an unfathomable mystery added. The romance is very heavy handed on the sexually focused older man aspect.

Despite an age difference of almost a decade (and of course it is the male character that is older, true standard romance book style) between the two main characters, Beth and John, are immediately physically attracted to each other, therefore, they quickly end up together, without a bump on their emotional landscape. This is despite the fact that Beth, in her 30's grew up in a loveless dysfunctional home and has only ever been in one relationship of any merit - and John is fresh from a divorce from a marriage rife with infidelity. on both sides. Traditional meet cute frought with heavy teenage boy lusty overtones.

I had not recalled that Brown books are basically romance novels with a mystery added, or I would have skipped this one. The mystery itself, murders that occur during a blood moon, becomes almost annoying in the seemingly impossible to solve aspect, until suddenly everything falls into place like the last 60 seconds of solving a Rubik's cube... Rather than having twists it is more a mystery you don't have a chance of figuring out, as you do not have all the pieces.

Character development needed work - no one grows up without parental love, with absolutely no role models of a positive relationship and then suddenly in their mid thirties springs forth fully formed and well balanced.

Additionally, other than in make fantasies, your basic attractive and successful woman would have seen John as he presented on first meeting, as an almost alcoholic, washed up and worn-out cop who had sacrificed his moral code, rather than as a romantic interest. Especially when he spent their first meeting almost drooling over her like a horny teenager. Not too many adult women would have viewed this as a positive experience or first meeting.

This review focuses on the instant add water "romance" in this review, rather than the mystery because this is a book that is 80% unrealistic romance novel and 20% mystery., for those that have not read this author before.

Although I thought this book got off to a slow start, it soon grabbed my interest, and I became fully involved in the storyline. It's a great story about a TV producer who has worked on a story about girls that have disappeared that is unsolved. She travels to the scene of the last abduction with a new twist on the case. She shares it with the former lead detective. He thinks it's weak but thinks it might be worth investigating. Interestingly, it deals with a blood moon, which is about to happen imminently in the book, as well as in my real world.

Unfortunately, his boss has taken him off the case and is actively involved in bringing the detective down. The boss also has an enforcer who seems quite evil and scary.

Well written story that has incredible pacing. I was debating finishing it last night, but I didn't have enough night left. I reluctantly put the book down and I was so excited to pick it back up today. I was not disappointed.

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

There are certain authors that I pick up a book and know I am going to enjoy it, and Sandra Brown is one of them, and I definitely enjoyed John, Beth and Mutt.

As has been the case with this author's titles for a while, this one is more story forward, with the romance in the background, but as I was interested and engaged in the story, it kept this one moving quickly. The story line was interesting, the characters engaging, and I really wanted to know what happened to Chrissy.

And the gotcha moment...well, it got me. As usual. But for some reason, even though you know there will be that moment in this author's books, this particular gotcha I never once considered...so it was a lot of fun.

I enjoyed and recommend this title.

This was a “romance” heavy (aka lusty, spicy heavy) mystery that was engaging and easy to read. There’s a fun premise to get the meet-cute, and I enjoyed how both Crissy and Bowie approached the issues. They complemented each other well and had different points of view but ultimately were able to get to common ground. A fast and enjoyable read! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

Blood Moon by Sandra Brown takes readers on a suspenseful journey. The addition of a romance between the main characters completes a great book.