Coffin moon A novel

Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Rosson, who put a fresh spin on the zombie apocalypse trope in the Fever House duology, is equally creative with vampires in this brilliant horror novel set in 1970s Oregon. After returning from the Vietnam War, Duane Minor takes a job at a bar owned by his in-laws. He and his wife, Heidi, adjust to their new roles caring for Duane's emotionally scarred niece, Julia, who witnessed her now incarcerated mother murder Julia's abusive stepfather. When Duane, who's just as troubled by all the death he witnessed and caused in battle, learns that his mother-in-law is allowing enigmatic drug dealer John Varley to operate out of the bar, he fears he and his family will end up in trouble with the law. Duane promptly kicks out Varley and his crew, but Varley won't go down without a fight. In retaliation, Varley kills Heidi, one of a string of brutal murders that leave Duane and Julia devastated--and hungry for revenge. Over the course of the ensuing game of cat and mouse, it becomes clear that Varley is something more than human. Rosson expertly balances action and character development to craft an edge of the seat thrill ride. Readers will be hooked. (Sept.)

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Review by Library Journal Review

Rosson's (The Devil by Name) latest is a blood-soaked and bittersweet masterpiece. The novel is a brutal revenge tale that follows Duane Minor and his niece Julia as they hunt for the powerful vampire Varley, who hideously wronged them. Mixing 1970s cop drama, survivor's guilt, heartbreaking loss, and sometimes-dysfunctional found family, Rosson creates an awesome amalgam that succeeds admirably in weaving all of these threads and influences into a cohesive whole. The remarkably well-written book convinces readers to invest emotionally in all the characters, while also giving horror readers the gruesome gore they crave. It is exciting to see Rosson fit his broad and arching narrative into a single volume after his fantastic "Fever House" duology. VERDICT An excellent addition to collections that will have broad appeal to all horror readers. The novel has a wide focus and will be a delight for anyone who has even the inkling of interest in a fantastically told vampire revenge tale. Recommend to readers who enjoyed The Gathering by C.J. Tudor, Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby, and The Suicide Motor Club by Christopher Buehlman.--Jeremiah Paddock

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

The unlikeliest of monster hunters teams up with her uncle, a burned-out Vietnam vet, seeking revenge. Feeling his oats after the knockout twofer ofFever House (2023) and its sequel,The Devil by Name (2024), Rosson returns with an even grungier throwback, dressed up as a vampire-infested road novel. In December 1975, just outside Portland, Oregon, roughneck bartender Duane Minor knows he's on thin ice. His wife, Heidi, a college student who dreams of becoming a writer, is none too pleased with his PTSD and burgeoning drinking problem. Duane is managing to just hold down his in-laws' bar, the Last Call Tavern, but he knows something funny is going on with the business. Meanwhile, Heidi and Duane are both trying to connect with Heidi's 13-year-old niece, Julia, who was reluctantly sent to them after her mother murdered her stepfather. It's a rough scene made worse when Duane has a bad run-in at the bar one night with a bunch of bikers led by one John Varley. After the century-old Varley viciously dismembers both Heidi and her parents, Duane and Julia hit the road seeking vengeance. For horror fans, this is closer to crime fiction than loftier vampire fare--think Richard Lange's terrific outlierRovers (2021) orFrom Dusk Till Dawn in lieu of tortured immortals in velvet capes. Julia's character takes a dramatic turn after they encounter a sanctuary dubbed the Children's Museum, led by an ancient, lonely creature called Adeline. Even as he and Julia navigate this bizarre subculture, Duane's defining characteristic remains the conflict between his inner demons and his outer ones. "You want that man to come forward, that killer I was, but I'll drown if I do it. I'll die," he swears. Meanwhile, John Varley and his psychotic "thrall" leave a bloody trail across the country, chased by one broken man and a little girl with nothing but half a dozen silver bullets to their names. A pulpy, entertaining throwback about bad men and real monsters. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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