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MOON & MULDOON has a cinematic feel to it that makes this book a fast, fun read. The dust jacket, which calls this novel "a harrowing tale of suspense," is mildly misleading; the book has enough laugh-out-loud moments to make it more of a comedy. The two heroes of the title couldn't be more dissimilar. Max Muldoon is the charmer; he's the guy everybody likes, despite the fact that he doesn't always know what he's doing, especially when it comes to flying. Casey Moon might as well have "loser" tattooed on his forehead. Although he is a shrewd man and a dynamite pilot, his personal characteristics do not garner him much affection or regard. Together they run a business that specializes in retrieving stolen and misappropriated planes. A gorgeous woman walks into their lives with a story that Brigid O'Shaughnessy herself might have spun. Diana tells them that her ex-husband took a plane that rightfully belongs to her. She wants it recovered, and she's willing to pay a substantial sum in cash for them to take on the job. When that doesn't convince them, she claims that it isn't just the plane; her ex has kidnapped her son. Casey, who is fooled only by his wife, knows very well that the story is unlikely to be true. Max falls for her, a retooled version of her story, and bound and determined to help, steals one of Casey's planes. Naturally she's lying. It turns out that Max is not the only one prone to errors of judgment. Fooled by appearances, Diana thinks Max must be the crackerjack pilot that she needs. Max finds himself in a dicey situation involving tricky flying, hired killers, drugs, money laundering, and a psychopathic hairdresser turned mafioso. In the midst of the danger, Max and Diana fall in love. The only thing that can save him and Diana is Casey, who wants his plane back and Max's head on a platter -- not necessarily in that order. Anyone who likes Carl Hiaasen or Elmore Leonard will find MOON & MULDOON appealing. Buchanan knows how to write punchy dialogue and the situations in which he places his characters are strong. That said, the blend of comedy and tragedy does not always mix well; this is a particular problem with the ending, which doesn't quite gel. Overall though, MOON & MULDOON is a more than readable thriller.
Reviewed by Michelle L. Zafron, February 2004
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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