I have never read anything from Keith Rosson before despite seeing Fever House duology everywhere, and I am really glad I got the oppertunity to read an ARC of Coffin Moon because boy it was a RIDE!

Rosson brought everything I wanted to this book that I've wanted in true vampire novels, and I really liked reading this book because it felt so real with the emotional reactions of the characters and the emotional journeys that both Minor and Julia go through in the duration of this book.

I do wish that there was more historical concepts/information during the novel because it's being billed as a 'historical horror' so I wanted just a bit more of the 1970s aesthetic throughout the novel.

I will forever recommend this over any other true vamp horror novel, and Rosson is definitely one of my top authors to keep an eye on now.

(3.5 rounded up) This book felt very Stephen King-coded to me and then I saw that King blurbed one of Keith Rosson’s earlier books. Makes sense! This is a horror book about vengeful vampires, filled with a lot of family drama and sadness. I really liked the villain in this, John Varley, a vampire with no compassion, who commits atrocity after atrocity. This is a dark book, with the protagonists Duane and his wife’s niece Julia, on the hunt for Varley after he brutally murders Duane’s wife and Julia’s aunt. Even though this is horror, it is very heavy on the character development which does not do a disservice to this plot. The building of the characters really adds to the emotionality and the tone of this. The slowness feels necessary to fully build this story. And that’s not to say this doesn’t have gore and violence because this absolutely has gore and violence. I liked this! Even though vampire stories are reaching an over saturation point (imo), this puts an interesting spin on the traditional story.

I’m a relatively new but fervent fan of Keith Rosson. I loved the Fever House duology, especially the first book. I have a tendency to set high expectations for writers after reading a book of theirs that I love, and I’m frequently disappointed by a followup. Not this time. Coffin Moon has wildly exceeded what I hoped this book would be.

Duane Minor is a Vietnam vet, recently home from war. He’s also newly sober, fighting both his addiction and his unrelenting rage. He and his wife Heidi are raising their niece Julia in their apartment over the bar where he works for his in-laws. Just when his life has finally settled into a more normal rhythm, two men walk into Duane’s bar bringing violence and a “man” named John Varley who literally rips Duane’s life apart, sending him a mission of vengeance no matter the cost. His young niece, Julia, is also set in revenge and she’s willing to pay any price to bring down Varley.

I loved this book. It was very atmospheric, immersing you in mid-1970’s Portland, Oregon (and other areas traveled). Each character was flawed and complicated, and the story zigs just when you think it’s going to zag. It was filled with so many horrors yet was beautifully written. Rosson is a visual writer and you easily fall into the story. I can’t recommend this book enough.

This is definitely one of my favorite horror books of the year and likely the best vampire novel I've read (Sorry, Salem's Lot). Because this book isn't just about blood suckers. It's heart and humanity oozes through the narrative even as the terrifying and gory story unfolds.

Duane Minor returns from Vietnam a different man. But with his wife, her parents, and a step niece, he's satisfied with his life even through his nightmare and other issues.

One night he kicks some drug dealers out of the bar his in laws own, against his mother in law's wishes, and this will be the catalyst for the absolutely brutal, bloody,heart wrenching, and unforgettable story which follows.

The antagonist is a bone chilling vampire who kills not only to eat but because he enjoys it. He was a bit of a violent psychopath before he turned and now with vampiric powers, even more so. He's a ruthless and efficient killing machine basically.

After Duane's wife and in laws are literally torn apart horrifically, Duane and his step niece sacrifice everything to track this creature down to exact revenge. And sacrifice they will. This road trip from hell takes place across the United States and packs a thrilling action packed narrative.

But it's the characters who seal the deal. They're all flawed. They've all suffered trauma and they're far from perfect. Even the antagonist has hints of humanity at times. They're imperfect, unprepared for what they want to do, and have no special abilities to deal with this. It makes the tension turn up significantly as the book goes on.

This is a brilliant vampire novel and I highly recommend it.

This is one of those books that pulls you in, scares you, sets the vibe, keeps you going, throws you around for a loop, gives you want you want, then delivers gore, sci fi and fantasy elements, that keeps you guessing and thinking. The second you begin to get frustrated with the lack of hand holding, an explanation is given, and you almost regret getting it.

From the writing style to the cover to the execution, this book is phenomenal. I went into this one completely blind as I received an invite via email to read this book. I am glad I picked it up!

Please know this book takes place in the 70’s so some of the languages and references are dated to that time point! Given the overall plot of the book and the contents, I really enjoyed this story and thought the author did a phenomenal job at balancing really dark, horrifying elements into a piece of art. Plus, the cover is so cool. I know I mentioned that earlier but this is a really cool cover and sometimes I buy a book based on the cover alone. Regarding the actual artistic style and execution of the plot, I have zero criticisms.

Thank you for allowing me to read this eARC for free. I received a free eARC and I am leaving honest feedback voluntarily.
I plan to update links soon!

Review of Advance Reader’s Copy

Duane Minor is struggling to find some peace after the horrors of his Vietnam tour of duty. Working at the Last Call Tavern, he knows he needs to keep both his anger and his drinking in check.

But right now, his problem is his thirteen-year-old niece, Julia. In trouble at school for fighting [again], she’s trying to deal with a mother in prison, a stepfather dead, and a separation from a stepbrother. Duane and his wife, Heidi, are doing their best to make the three of them into a family.

And then horror intrudes in the form of John Varley, leaving Duane and Julia bound by grief and seeking revenge.
Who will survive?

=========

Tragedy, grief, anger, and vengeance weave a tapestry of gritty horror in this vicious tale of vampires. Strong characters are a plus in the telling of this tale; readers are sure to find themselves rooting for Duane and Julia as the unfolding narrative reveals the dark horror that has been unleashed.

The writing is atmospheric; often mesmerizing, but the overuse of a particularly objectionable expletive is off-putting and lowers the rating for the book.

Recommended for fans of the horror and vampire genres.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House Publishing Group – Random House / Random House and NetGalley
#CoffinMoon #NetGalley

Desperate, hollowed out by grief, and driven by revenge, Duane and his niece Julia pursue the vampire that slaughtered their family in 1970s Portland, OR. Hard decisions are made as they follow and leave trails of the dead in this gritty, blood-soaked crime-horror hybrid.

Propulsive and gripping, I was entombed in this novel for two white-knuckle days. The characters and city of Portland are vivid and fully realized, the prose cinematic and lyrical. I highly recommend checking out Coffin Moon when it releases this September.

Many thanks to Random House for providing an early review copy.

The year is 1975, and our protagonist is a newly sober Vietnam vet with a deep love for his wife, a burgeoning paternal tenderness for the niece they've become guardians of, and a ribcage full of leftover rage. He spends his evenings working in his in-laws' bar and his nights fighting his personal demons in nightmares that make sleep a torment.

When his path crosses with our villain, all the nightmares become a gory reality, one that leaves him grieving and slipping back into dark patterns. Ultimately, he and the 13-year old charge he's now solely responsible for set off on a quest of sorts, one that doesn't promise redemption, but rather, revenge.

This was a dark, bloody, depressing read at times. But it was also one that showed the lengths people will go to for the ones they love. Not hopeful, necessarily, but certainly hope-adjacent. The writing was contemplative and often beautiful, even if the subject matter was anything but.

So much speculative fiction sounds like a ridiculous patchwork of over-the-top scenarios, to the point where you can’t recruit readers new to the scene by telling them what happens in a book. The real test is what it’s about underneath and, arguably more important, the style and tine in which the story is told. Coffin Moon is no different. To those who read the genres, I can tell you this story involves a Vietnam veteran seeks revenge on the vampire that killed his wife.

To those who think this sounds cheesy (and so what if it is?): Rosson captures daily life and grief beautifully, with introspection that isn’t pure navel-gazing, and does it with prose so gritty and poetic, somewhere between hardboiled and Western, in a work that is unequivocally Americana.

Warning: never underestimate a teenage girl.

This book is really something special.

I don't want to say too much about the plot because I think it's best to skip the blurb and go in blind. All I would say is it is a bleak and brutal but also beautiful story about revenge and grief with vampires.

Rossen has a way of writing characters that are deeply flawed but you still understand them even if you don't agree with their decisions, and sometimes even truly evil characters that you hate but you still want to see what they'll do next. At the end it's the relationships between all the characters is what makes it really special. Even the characters we meet for a chapter or less made the world feel so vivid and made me want to know more (one of my favorites was an interaction with a cowboy vampire that I couldn't not picture as Sam Elliot).

Thank you to Netgalley and Black Crows Books for the ARC

I could not put this book down once I began, I was hooked from the beginning. The story begins by pulling you into a family dynamic that you immediately invest in, and then their (and by default, your world), is turned upside down. The story takes you on a journey that you don't expect, and the horror and suspense are at once gripping, terrifying and absorbing.

This was a brutal story, many points where I could not stop reading because I needed to see what happened next. Julia does the unthinkable and Duane takes steps he’d had never resulted to without her decisions. A fresh take on a vampire story with unique lore and relatable characters driving the story!

The characters have depth that give you a reason to care. I love the way the story builds up the characters with a bit of mystery that unravels as the story gets deeper. The quest of vengeance includes some of the most brutal acts as the story reaches its end.

I really like Keith’s writing so there is probably a bit of bias here but the only complaint I have is that it would’ve been nice to see more of what Julia and Duane went through went Julia first made the leap and perhaps more of their chase. The resolution is satisfying but I crave more. Feels like there could be more story here, but would be a good ending if there isn’t another book cooking.

Having pre ordered a copy and audiobook, I can’t wait to relive this story again when it releases!

Thanks to Netgalley and Black Crow books for the ARC

Simply incredible, Rosson has a grasp on making complex characters and knows when to lock them in the pressure cooker. My elevator pitch for this would be "No Country For Old Men" meets "Let The Right One In" and can stand toe to toe with both books.
The world and mythos were well crafted and did a great job of making the book so hard to put down. To me the hallmark of a truly special book is if I am not able to stop thinking about it when I'm not reading and this book definitely delivers

This was the first time I read a book by this author, so I cannot compare this book to his previous ones.
What I can say is that even though this is a 'classic' vampire horror story, the author brings something different to the lore.
It starts out very dramatic and slow, but it is necessary for character's development. And the 3 main characters are very well written, realistic and even relatable.
There is drama, romance, grief, revenge, action, gore and a conclusion that can feel bittersweet for most readers. I personally loved it.
If you like vampire stories and appreciate characters' development, you should consider picking this book up.

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Random House, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

absolutely different from any horror story i've ever read!

the initial tone and premise of coffin moon sound like a very fun slasher horror movie, but what the reader actually gets is a dark, raw and honestly pretty emotional story of family and trauma, and what darkness lurks in our world both in a supernatural and non way. the writing is direct and very descriptive, and kept me really engaged, even if the story itself lends itself to a fast, breakneck read just to see what is lurking behind the corner; i had to take breaks just for my emotional sake cause i was getting all misty eyed. for a horror!! the first big death - and scary scene - got me like a punch to the gut even though i knew it was coming cause it's in the blurb.

overall a very enjoyable read that plays on tropes but subverts all at the same time, and shows us how scary the world is beyond the classic horror. i wasn't a huge fan of some story beats, so it's not a full five star, but definitely worth the read!

thank you to netgalley and random house publishing for the arc!

I have enjoyed all of Keith Rosson’s previous novels and had been anxious to sink my teeth into this one, so I was delighted when presented with the opportunity to get my mitts on an advance copy. It’s always fun trying to adequately describe to someone what any given Rosson book is about (Unicorns! Reincarnated Joan of Arc! An evil severed hand!), but COFFIN MOON is essentially straightforward: a Vietnam War vet and his niece are on a mission of vengeance against a powerful vampire in 1970’s America.

Whereas the premise is straightforward, in Rosson’s hands what we get is a luxurious modern literary horror. Textured and complex characters propel the story ever-forward. They are richly detailed, tortured souls whose thoughts and actions strike no false notes. You believe in these people. And detailed as they are, it is skillfully done without needless bloat; it is taut and sharp.

The world they inhabit is equally vivid. When I heard it was a vampire-hunting story that takes place in the mid-Seventies, it evoked a very specific aesthetic in my mind. The book did not disappoint. Rosson has created an immersive, grungy world that is grounded and real. The settings effectively paint a picture, and cranking up the sense of dread.

A book such as this with excellent characterizations, pacing and tone could still very easily not hit its mark if it were saddled with inauthentic dialogue. It is hard for me to pick just one facet of this book that I find the strongest, but the way Rosson writes dialogue is a pure pleasure. Great dialogue is deceptively difficult to get right. Having characters speak in a way that is genuine and real is a massive skill that Rosson deploys sublimely.

The result of all this is results into one hell of an exceedingly entertaining, locomotive tale. I raced through this book, compelled to keep finding out what happens next. I referred to the book earlier as “literary horror” and I feel that is apt because of Rosson’s beautiful writing. The word choices. The structure of his sentences. The style is like a sumptuous stew of pulp and high-art, and it is very satisfying. Oh, and it gets bloody, too. Violently so. You would naturally expect a vampire tale to be bloody, but there are some set pieces here that...well, you’ll see.

I highly recommend this book.I had already pre-ordered the hardcover version before I received this advance copy and I look forward to reading again when it is released this Fall.

Not your usual vampire book! The gore and scares are there, but there’s also an emotional story that will stick with you. Strong characters, great and suspenseful plot, as well as exceptional writing made this an easy five star for me and an incredible addition to the vampire subgenre. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read!

Dark, dangerous, and surprisingly moving and emotional, Keith Rosson's "Coffin Moon" delivers a solid, well-executed tale of supernatural revenge that follows a Vietnam War vet and his adopted daughter as they roam the U.S. in search of the vampire that killed their wife and mother.

The strained relationship between this father and daughter is central to the story, and its evolution through the novel is at times heartbreaking and triumphant, tender, and sinister.

The book also follows the antagonist, a vampire who, when introduced, is tearing through the criminal underworld for his own gains. Like any good villain, John Varley is layered and imperfect and fascinating to follow and learn the history behind his turning from human to vampire in the early 1900s.

The portrayal of vampires relies on many well-established tropes, but the idea that vampires are a lurking subspecies hidden just below the surface of humanity with a disjointed community is interesting, and Keith Rosson throws in enough new abilities and surprises to keep things mostly fresh.

This novel is very much recommended for vampire lovers, horror heads, and revenge enthusiasts. Solid characters and heavy emotions anchor a tragic and touching story of the things we do for the ones we love, even if those things ultimately cause greater suffering.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the advanced review copy!

This was an easy 5 stars.

Duane does his best to settle back into life after the Vietnam War with his wife, her parents and their niece who has come to live with them after experiencing her own traumas.

This story will pull at your heartstrings and hit you with shock and gore all at once. A vampire story so unlike any other vampire story I’ve ever read. This book gripped me from the start and I couldn’t put it down!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC for review!

Coffin Moon is the story of a war vet trying to make a comfortable life for himself and his family when things get upturned by a vampire. It's a story of trauma and love and revenge.

You already know I love a Keith Rosson novel but he still managed to completely crush it with Coffin Moon in new and unexpected ways. I knew early on this was going to be a five-star read for me but decided to reserve full judgement until I got to the end of the novel and now I can tell you without reservation that this is a front to back five-star read. There were no parts of it that ever deviated from getting this rating.

Right off the bat, I loved the characters that Rosson created. No matter how small the role the character played in the story, it was obvious that he put a lot of thought and effort into creating three-dimensional and well-rounded characters. He made it easy to care about them, to hate them, to be scared for them.

A book with great characters can still be a highly rated book for me even if the plot wasn't the best, but that wasn't a problem with this novel, either. The story felt perfectly paced and well thought out. Sometimes when a story jumps back and forth in points of view or in time it can be disorienting or disappointing, especially when I want to keep following the character from the previous chapters. But each piece of this story was so compelling and so interesting that I was never disappointed when we jumped timelines or jumped points of view. From the first pages to the last I never wanted to put this book down.

And a final note on the subject of this book - Rosson is also just a damn good writer. There were a few turns of phrase in this book that had me pausing to reflect on just how good he is at stringing together a beautiful or powerful sentence. It almost made me mad how good it was.

All that to say, just read this book. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks to Keith Rosson for writing this, to Random House for publishing it, and as always to NetGalley for being the vehicle with which I received this ARC.