Review: Moon Lake draws the reader into its frightening depth with finesse.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 15, 2013
Moving as an adolescent can be a traumatic experience. Leaving freinds, school and the familiar behind while trying to fit in and embrase the new can try the soul of even the most adventerous teenager. But for 15 year old Angie, not yet able to work through the death of her beloved mother, nothing could be worse. Leaving the mid-west behind and arriving in the deep south at a time of transistion in the 60's, Angie finds she is not accepted, nor does she fit in with the small town ambiance of her new home on the shores of Moon Lake.It's bad enough trying to fit in with other youth who see Angie as an outsider, but in a place where even the teachers consider her to be a "Yankee" and unwelcomed, she doesn't stand much of a chance. Of course, things might have been easier for Angie if she hadn't made an enemy from the start. It probably wasn't the best move to turn the most powerful boy in school down for a date. But how was she to know he was also the most vindictive student in the school? Shouldn't each school come with a personal handbook? Who to stay away from and which student, under no circumstance, should you offend. A section labled "who is mad as a hatter" would also be of assistance.As Angie struggles to make a new life for herself she begins to believe she is being set-up and stalked by a  classmate. One she doesn't understand and is incapable of fending off. Her life turns into a nightmare from which she is unable to escape. As the madman stalking her falls further into the abyss, she falls further into dispare. Deciding to take matters into her own hands she turns to the only ally she has, only to become more confused by things far beyond her control. Death seems to follow her no matter where she goes.But Moon Lake holds more secrets than just who is in and who is out in the High School social strata. The dark broody water wraps the remains of more than just the occasional fish in its weedy depths. The undulations along it's muddy bottom are more than the natural movement of the tide. Something lurks among the flora and fauna of the lake bed. Something not natural. Something with its own agenda.This dark tale, while having a 15 year old High School student as its main protagonist, is not what I would normally call Young Adult. It is an adult story with young characters. But would be suitable for ages 14+ through adult. Well written and crafted with excellent flow, this was a book I was not able to put down. I found myself immediatly captivated by the rich characterization of the protagonists and the soft delta feel of the enviornment which contrasted with the storyline so well. A really well done horror story that keeps the reader thinking.Karen Bryant Doering,Parents' Little Black BookMistBlueEeyore@gmail.com