An investigative reporter gives up her job when her young twins are killed in a fire, but when she stumbles across the body of a missing teenager, she’s thrust into a chilling investigation that will leave no one unscathed…
– Crow Moon
[ About Crow Moon ]
When the crow moon rises, the darkness is unleashed…
Martha Strangeways is struggling to find purpose in her life, after giving up her career as an investigative reporter when her young twins died in a house fire.
Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, her life changes when she stumbles across the body of a missing teenager – a tragedy that turns even more sinister when a poem about crows is discovered inked onto his back…
When another teenager goes missing in the remote landscape, Martha is drawn into the investigation, teaming up with DI Derek Summers, as malevolent rumours begin to spread and paranoia grows.
As darkness descends on the village of Strathbran, it soon becomes clear that no one is safe, including Martha…
[ My Review ]
Crow Moon by Suzy Aspley published March 14th with Orenda Books and is described as ‘a nerve-shattering, enthralling and atmospheric thriller and a moving tale of grief and psychological damage…a staggeringly accomplished debut and the start of an addictive, unforgettable series.’
Set in a rural village in Scotland, Crow Moon, has a bleak and unforgiving undertone, that will leave any reader unsettled and fidgety. Martha Strangeways is a woman suffering a great pain. Following the tragic death of her toddler twins in a house fire, her relationship broke up and she stepped away from her career as a journalist. The memory of that awful day is forever imprinted on her mind and each day brings its own new challenge as she struggles to keep going. Her eldest boy Dougie lives with her and he is her only reason to live. Martha has pretty much kept to herself, no longer attending the local church or mixing too much with the locals. Walking her dogs is something she enjoys and she has never feared these walks in the wooded area near her home.
One particular evening, Martha leaves it a little late to go out with the dogs and in her hurry home, she slips and finds herself face-to-face with the body of a young teenager who had been reported missing. This young boy, Fraser, was one of Dougie’s friends but the shock of discovering his body quickly switches to investigative mode when the words of a local old poem are found inked on his back.
Martha and the community are spooked but, with her skills as a reporter, she soon becomes a sort of confidante with the local detective on the case, DI Derek Summers when a second teenager goes missing. Christie is a young girl, a school friend of Dougie and, as the story unfolds, it soon becomes apparent to Martha that there is some connection between these disappearances. She fears for Dougie’s safety, watching his every move. She has lost two children and she will not lose another.
Strathbran is portrayed as quite an isolated and desolate place. The coldness and darkness is palpable as the search continues. Suspicions are raised as evidence begins to gather, yet with no obvious lead in the case, frustrations are mounting. As the press start to descend on Strathbran, the community is very much put in the spotlight. Is there a serial killer at large? Why are teenagers being targeted?
Martha has an itch she can’t scratch and senses that there is something much more malevolent at play. Disconcerting incidents set her mind racing and her investigative thinking takes over. With the clock ticking, Martha must use all her skills to get to the bottom of these sinister events before another teenager dies. But can she uncover the truth in time?
Crow Moon is a debut novel, and the first book in a new series, featuring Martha Strangeways. A mystery in its own right, it also establishes Martha’s character, providing the background to her personal life and career. Martha is determined in her search for the truth. She is quite fearless for her own safety and has a gut instinct that stands her in good stead. There is a strong gothic edge to this novel. Add in a bit of Scottish folklore and mysticism and it all adds up to quite a spooky thriller. Crow Moon is a very atmospheric debut, an intriguing launch to a new series. It will be interesting to see what happens to Martha Strangeways in the future!
[ Bio ]
Originally from the north east of England, former journalist Suzy Aspley has lived in Scotland for almost 30 years. She writes crime and short stories often inspired by the strange things she sees in the landscape around her. She won Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect in 2019 with the original idea for her debut novel and was shortlisted in the London Capital crime festival’s new voices award. In 2020, she was mentored by Jo Dickinson as part of the Hachette future bookshelf initiative.
Her novel Crow Moon was also long listed this year for the Caledonia Novel Award. She’s currently working on the second book in the series featuring journalist Martha Strangeways. When she’s not writing, she’s either got her nose buried in a book, or is outside with her dogs dreaming up more dark stories.
X ~ @writer_suzy
Website ~ suzyaspleywriter.com
