“Interesting twists that will keep readers guessing. If you’re looking for a fun mystery, this book is for you!” -READERS’ FAVORITEMadeline Mona Moon is not your typical young lady. She is a cartographer by trade, explorer by nature, and adventurer by heart. She has inherited a fortune from her uncle and is one of the richest women during the Depression. But there’s a problem. Miss Mona is bored. … there’s a problem. Miss Mona is bored. So she underwrites an expedition to find lost Native American silver mines in Eastern Kentucky. As a condition of underwriting the search, Mona gets to tag along, but soon discovers the expedition has a nefarious purpose.
Mona finds herself lost in the Appalachian Mountains with only her wits to save her, but like the panthers roaming the mountain ridges, she is swift, silent, and deadly.
That’s how Mona does things in 1933.
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This cozy, historical mystery is a read that simply entertains.
Author Abigail Keam’s own mother was Appalachian and the author herself continues to live along the Kentucky River, so it is unsurprising the seamless transition the author makes in dropping the reader successfully into this region of Kentucky as we follow Mona Moon’s recent adventure. Set in the 1930s against the backdrop of the depression, readers are given several Easter eggs of familiar events of these times, such as the uprising of Hitler, hopes for a highway system, the Lindbergh baby and more.
This series gives readers a strong female character that doesn’t let the remarks about her regal white poodle deter her, a fact that immediately drew me to this book as my own poodle rests nearby. Despite Mona’s riches her goodness and caring spirit remain at the core of her values, a combination of traits that shine throughout this book. However, if you are one that judges a book by its cover you may be led astray because while the cover seems to portray a simplistic pink and fur coated woman, it fails to capture the lighthearted, but no less entertaining, and at times funny, murder mystery taking place in the wilderness of Kentucky within.
This short, quick, lighthearted read does not lack in thrills, excitement and, as previously mentioned, humor. But, what really caught my attention was that at a time when readers are being bombarded with books surrounding the Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky and the Fugate “blue” families, books such as “The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes and “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson, Keam’s “Murder Under A Silver Moon” seems almost at home with these noteworthy novels, albeit in a more buoyant, carefree and upbeat way.
Mona and her majestic poodle, Chloe, provide a short but entertaining escape to Kentucky in the 1930s. Sprinkled with several distinguished, real life events it is easy for the reader to quickly feel at ease in the environment set for them as they gallop alongside Mona and crew through the Kentucky wilderness in search of silver.
Another great book by Abigail Keam
Murder Under the Silver Moon earns 5+/5 Silver Mines…Engaging Page-Turner!
Miss Fisher’s Adventurism with Southern Charm! Abigail Keam has added another entertaining adventure to a personal favorite series, Mona Moon Mystery. It’s deep into the Depression, and Madeline Mona Moon has been part of the Lexington, Kentucky, community for a year, however, a wealthy lifestyle has her feeling imprisoned by all the restrictions and security protocols. Fortunes have made targets of the like of Charles Lindbergh and Mary McElroy; even her friend Lady Alice has disturbing tale to tell. At the weekly Mona gets to know residents of Lexington and them her or to put the bite on by requesting funds for their pet projects. Along with tea and cakes, conversation was an intriguing tale of local legends of James Harrod and the lore of John Swift’s hidden silver mine. Mona’s insatiable desire for adventure has been sparked! She agrees to fund and join Dr. Hunt, assistant history professor, on his expedition into Kentucky hills along, of course, with Robert Farley (who invited himself to ensure Mona’s safety), geologist Chester Combs, and nurse Miss Althea and along with questionable resources, moonshiners, a sense of being followed, whispers, secrets, and panthers, there’s murder.
I was swept up immediately with how Abigail Keam intertwined fascinating history with her fiction. This book seems more akin to a historical fiction with cozy overtones. It took longer than I’m used to for the murder mystery that was more incidental than driving the drama. Although I wasn’t impatient, some readers might be. Suspicions kept me guessing as I questioned the truth of the legend and whether everyone is who they say. I was absorbed in the historical references, descriptions of the sights, sounds, and the various people, and dialogue that did well to make me worried, excited, anxious, and relieved, giving me an understanding of the various personalities. Mona is still a delightfully strong character who does well to challenge the status quo for women, yet she is trying to channel her softer side with Lord Farley. After all is said and done, revelations made, motives exposed, and justice impending…brilliant! Don’t miss it! There is a “Glossary” in the back which includes background and historical information about terms, events, and persons mentioned in the story.