Bad Moon Rising

This is the third book in John Galligan’s Bad Axe County series. After getting into it a bit, Bad Moon Rising speeds headlong at breakneck speed as we follow County Sheriff Heidi Kick who confronts evil in remote Axe County, Wisconsin.

Early on, we observe the murder of a homeless man, which quickly spirals into a glimpse of behind-the-scenes evil in the most isolated portion of the County. And on top of this evil is the additional adversary: the swelteringly hot weather.

Galligan’s book is divided into sections, which divide the action. These sections are not made up the time of day, or the days of the week, but rather the temperature ranges during the period. Every day the temperature is between 94 and 100+ and it drives action and plot forward.

Not only have multiple murders occurred, but Sheriff Kick deals with her own family. Throw in a bitter election campaign, sex slaves, crazed environmentalists/back to the earth people who live in caves, and a host of other unique characters and you will be reading at speed to reach the conclusion.

This may not be a book that everyone enjoys, but nonetheless is a book that makes us confront many of the issues of our day, and how such evil exists within our society. Fast-paced and well written, Bad Moon Rising leaves Galligan’s fans anxiously awaiting the next volume in his Bad Axe County series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.