Another coast-to-coast challenge for the Dickens Detective Agency.When Bruno Caravaggio confesses to a murder he didn’t commit, Damien returns to Atlantic City to find the killer and clear his friend’s name. His task is complicated by Bruno’s desire to protect his mother, and her equally strong instinct to defend her son.While Damien is away, Millie agrees to look into the claim of an eccentric … claim of an eccentric Carmel-by-the-Sea resident that her children are trying to poison her. Her investigation leads her to Rancho Luna Azul, which sells its meat at several farmers markets in the area.
As she explores the connection between Rancho Luna Azul and the poisoning claim of her client, Millie becomes enmeshed in the FBI’s probe of a drug distribution ring operating out of the same premises. Risking capture – and possible death – at the hands of the drug ring, Millie bluffs her way inside and collects the evidence the FBI needs to complete its case.
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Another great mystery from Phyllis Entis! Two seemingly separate stories intertwine, with Damien investigating one and Millie the other. There are some great new characters, as well as some old faces, along the way.
Funny at times, sad at others, it keeps you turning the pages as the story develops. A well written, well-thought out book. Highly recommend.
Damian Dickens, Millie, and Phyllis Entis, do it again! Readers meet old friends, as well as new foes, in this book, and the author takes us on a thrilling ride. The mystery and tension soon climbs, leading the reader on a merry chase. Drugs, murder, subterfuge, and lies keep the reader enthralled as the complex plot unfolds. The title comes from wonderfully-named Luna Azul, and the setting is painted so cinematically it makes a perfect backdrop for a the tale of double-dealing. The poignancy at the end is just perfectly captured. Another winner from Phyllis Entis. As a mystery-lover, I loved it. You will too.
A Superb Who-Done-It For Crime Mystery and Detective Novel Fans!
Overview: When Bruno confesses to a murder he didn’t commit, Detective Damien Dickens returns to Atlantic City to find the real killer and clear his young friend’s name. In the meantime, Damien’s wife and partner, Millie, remains at home, exploring a connection between Rancho Luna Azul and the poisoning claim of her new client—an eccentric Carmel-by-the-Sea resident who insists that she’s being poisoned. As Damien’s task is complicated by Bruno’s desire to protect his mother and her equally strong instinct to defend her son, Millie suddenly finds herself embroiled in her son’s involvement in an FBI probe of a drug distribution ring.
Readers love a writer who knows how to instantly captivate and immerse them in a compelling and engaging mystery/crime series that keeps them coming back for more—And, Author Phyllis Entis’ Damien Dickens Mystery Series certainly delivers just that. Through her main characters—Detective Damien Dickens and his fellow detective and wife, Millie—Entis creates a vivid portrait of their daily life, relationships, and family burdens while granting an overall historical perspective of the crime, criminals, drug trafficking, and expansion of criminal activities during the 1970s, centered around two major U.S. casino resorts—Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
In “The Blue Moon Caper”, Author Entis relocates Damien and Millie to sunny California, where Millie is soon enmeshed in family struggles with her brother—who has a tendency to attract trouble wherever he goes—his wife, and their new baby. Adding to Millie’s burden, and the development of an exciting new plotline specifically geared toward testing Millie’s burgeoning detective skills—let alone her fortitude and patience—is her new client; a flaky heiress whose senior years have brought her a strong sense of entitlement and paranoia over a supposed plot to kill her. Poor Millie’s already running ragged from family issues and detective work when she’s devastated by the fact that someone just tried to poison the Dickens’ beloved labradoodle, Hershey.
While Millie struggles to deal with multiple life-threatening issues at home, Dick is summoned back to Atlantic City to help solve a murder in which his dear friend, Bruno, is the prime suspect. Here, Dick is confronted with characters from his past as he’s swept up in a grand and revealing criminal investigation involving a romance gone sour, a blackmailing scheme, and dark family secrets.
“The Blue Moon Caper” is a captivating and heart-wrenching Who-Done-It for readers who love Crime Mystery and Detective novels. Although this particular novel is enjoyed best as part of the overall Damien Dickens Mystery Series, it can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone read. Taking this novel in the context of her series, Author Phyllis Entis weaves a wonderful set of plotlines together to create an unforgettable, suspenseful, and interwoven timeline. I highly recommend this read for anyone who enjoys Crime Fiction, Crime Noir novels, and characters with whom the heart will connect—Not to mention smart and lovable Labradoodles.
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If you enjoy a fresh approach, meticulous plotting, and well-developed characters, you’ll love this fifth book in the Damien Dickens mystery series. The author has skillfully intertwined two separate mystery plots that run simultaneously as Damien pursues a killer in Atlantic City, and Millie works to unmask a possible poisoner in Carmel, California.
Favorite characters from the previous books return, and new ones are introduced, with a special emphasis on family. I don’t want to give anything away, but this book contains one of the most poignant and achingly realistic scenes of loss I have ever read.
With its noir-ish, somewhat retro style and complex characters, this one will stay with you a long time.
This is absolutely my favorite of the Damien Dickens mysteries to date. Dick and Millie are forced to work separately two thousand miles apart. The bond of love between them has grown with every new book in the series, and the lives of their loved ones are threatened during The Blue Moon Caper as the stakes rise with every chapter. This is a mystery that tickles your sleuth-bone while also tugging your heartstrings, all of which makes for an entertaining and satisfying reading experience.
Book five but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone. The series keeps getting better. The characters are great together. Damien and Millie make a great duo. They are flawed but likable l. The mystery is fast passed well- developed and suspenseful. I listened to the audio version of the book. The narrator is a great storyteller and does a great job bringing the characters off the page.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.