(formerly entitled HEALEY’S CAVE: A SAM MOORE MYSTERY)
2012 EPIC Book Awards WINNER Best Paranormal
2011 Eric Hoffer Book Award, WINNER Best Book in Commercial Fiction
Fifty years ago, Sam Moore’s little brother Billy vanished without a trace—leaving Sam with guilt that haunts him to this day.
Fifty years with no body, no leads, and no answers. Until now.
When Sam unearths a mysterious green … now.
When Sam unearths a mysterious green marble buried in his garden, he’s shocked to find himself transported back in time—to Billy. Whisked between past and present with no warning, and receiving only glimpses of their childhood, he struggles to unlock the secret of his brother’s fate.
But the marble isn’t the only secret the ground holds. Further digging uncovers human remains—the legacy of a serial killer who’s been targeting one boy every five years since Billy vanished. The next five-year mark is coming up fast. And now, Sam’s grandson may be in the killer’s sights.
Can Sam tie the past with the present and unravel the mystery of his brother’s disappearance—before the killer strikes again?
Formerly entitled HEALEY’S CAVE
• 2012 EPIC Book Awards WINNER Best Paranormal
• 2011 Eric Hoffer Book Award, WINNER Best Book in Commercial Fiction
• 2011 Finalist for Allbooks Review Editor’s Choice
• 2011 Winner of Carolyn Howard Johnson’s 9th Annual Noble (not Nobel!) Prize for Literature
• 2011 Finalists for Global EBook Awards
Green Marble Mysteries (aka Moore Mysteries)
1) The Disappearance of Billy Moore (formerly Healey’s Cave)
2) Terror Comes Knocking
3) For Keeps
more
Having just retired, Sam looks forward to spending time in his garden, helping his wife, enjoying his grandchildren, and reflecting on his memories. The disappearance of his kid brother 50 years ago is particularly haunting to him. Will unearthing a skeleton in his garden bring closure to the past? Will it help unravel the mystery, just in time before the serial killer sets his sights on his next victim, which may well be Sam’s grandchild?
The emphasis on gardening not only leads to uncovering clues that have been buried in the dirt of a long time but also assist in character development, especially for Sam. It highlights his patience, his love to care. “Another object flashed from the dirt. Sam backed up the tiller and dug until his fingers closed around a small marble. He picked it up, rubbed it on his jeans, and held it to the light.” The supernatural element gave the story a special twist. “The transport to the past was swift this time, whisking Sam back to his childhood the instant his hand closed around the marble.”
Unlike other books I’ve read by Aaron Paul Lazar, this one is written not only from the point of view of the protagonist but also from that of the murderer. This adds contrast to the yarn, as we enter a dark mind, proud of his so-called accomplishments and wanting the one he’s preparing for now the ultimate kill. “The next one will be special. Probably my last.”
Higly recommended. Five stars.
This is a tragic story but very interesting because Sam feels guilty about his brother, Billy that disappeared 50 years ago and finds a green marble that looks like Billy’s marble. When Same holds it he is transported back in time. I listened to this a lot the last 4 days and wanted to find out what happened but there is a surprise you will not expect towards the end.
A Unique Mystery
For the past fifty years, Sam Moore has been haunted by the disappearance of his younger brother, Billy. It happened on Billy’s birthday. He took off to ride the fancy bike he’d been given to show it off without Sam by his side. Since Sam had told Billy he’d join him, he’s lived a lifetime of guilt for abandoning his brother when he received a phone call from a special girl. Now, Sam is retired and dwells more and more on his brother’s fate.
Working the ground, Sam discovers a green marble cat’s eye. This isn’t an ordinary marble. It has magical powers and occasionally transports Sam’s mind back to the past when Billy was alive. He senses Billy is trying to send him clues of what happened to him.
In upstate New York, a serial killer strikes every five year, each time killing an eleven-year-old boy. Sam believes Billy was one of his victims. The killer is cunning and has managed to escape detection. Through a series of events, Sam has been able to determine the serial killer is someone he knows and suspects it might be one of his childhood friends. Some have remained in the small town. One has just returned and plans to restore an old mansion. The time frame for the killer to strike again is approaching. Sam’s grandson, Evan, is turning eleven. Will Sam be able to unveil the killer before another boy perishes?
In “The Disappearance of Billy Moore,” the author has expertly woven the life of a loving family into a suspenseful, intriguing mystery. The author, Aaron Lazar, again, has done an exceptional job in describing the scenes and making the characters believable. The story is so well-plotted that I had a hard time guessing who the killer might be. This is an engaging read!
love the series