Silver Moon Rising by A. M. Potter

A ferry crossing, the murder of the son of a prominent family, and socio-political activism set the ball rolling in this gritty whodunit. With plenty of suspects and more than one motive, Silver Moon Rising keeps you guessing to the end. From the discovery of a body in the water to the revelation of the killer, A. M. Potter’s procedural mystery follows Detective Bourque as she unearths the reason and method for the murder of an environmentalist.

The victim, Dan Fitzgerald, a vocal spokesperson for whale rights has accumulated many enemies. On board a ferry in the Vineyard Sound, he is knifed to death and his body thrown overboard. An intricate plot is well executed with several potential guilty parties. During the investigation, more people connected to Dan are murdered. Step-by-step, the author leads the readers along with Bourque as she follows protocol (not always to the letter) to solve the crime. Forensic detail plays a big role in her unravelling of the truth.

Labelled ‘North Noir’, A. M. Potter’s detective series is set in Cape Code. Beautiful coastal scenery and a peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by human vices, and Bourque is steadfast in bringing the person responsible for Dan’s death to justice. The glimpses into her personal relationship with boyfriend Marty lend a softer touch to the dark reality of her job. The interaction with her fellow law enforcers also adds interest to the quest for a killer.

For fans of noir procedurals with a police detective, Silver Moon Rising checks all the boxes. A female investigator with a dogged drive to find a killer, a slice of domesticity and its trials, the raw but stunning geography, all add to the social and political issues underlying Dan’s death. An informative and enjoyable read!