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CLEA'S MOON
by Edward Wright
Orion, February 2003
282 pages
10.99 GBP
ISBN: 075285290

US book cover

CLEA'S MOON is Edward Wright's first novel. John Ray Horn was a famous B western movie star, but all of that faded when he went to jail. Upon release he found himself blacklisted by all of the studios and divorced from his wife. In order to make ends meet he collects overdue debts for his former co-star Joseph Mad Cow who now runs a casino. Out of the blue, Horn is contacted by an old friend Scotty (or Scot Bullard Jr.). Scotty's father recently passed away and as Scotty was cleaning out his desk, he found pornographic pictures that might concern Horn. Bullard Sr. was into child pornography and had pictures of Clea, Horn's stepdaughter. There were a total of four men in the pictures, one of whom was Bullard Sr., engaged in sexual acts. Horn wants to talk to Clea simply to see if she remembers any of this experience and to see if she is in any way traumatized. Unfortunately, Clea ran away and no one has been able to find her. She disappeared shortly after Bullard's funeral; hence, Horn is worried that she might remember the past. Her boyfriend, or rather the man she was seen with the most, has rather bloodthirsty habits and will not allow anyone to find her. Horn must determine who the men in the photos are, find Clea and take revenge on those who hurt her.

CLEA'S MOON is incredibly dark. There are older men who enjoy watching and or having sex with children (a practice that they have not stopped), a procurer of said children, lies and deception as well as the hero with a troubled pasted. There is a chance of hope and redemption for the characters; however it is more for the younger ones, for those like Clea who have had a terrible past. For those such as Horn, they must keep secrets to help prevent the truth from hurting the innocent. At the heart of this paradox, is the idea that the only way there is hope is when the truth is not known. Ideas such as this merely demonstrate the grittiness of this book.

CLEA'S MOON is a fascinating book. The plot moves quickly without sacrificing character development and other important details. Even though the book deals with a difficult topic for many ? child abuse ? the book does not give details just for shock value or commercialism; all of the references are necessary for the plot.

If CLEA'S MOON is an example of what to expect from Edward Wright, this is an author that will become an important contributor to the mystery genre. It is rare to find a first novel that stays with you long after the book is finished.

Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, July 2003

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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