Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it.
Murder Under A Bitter Moon is book 15 in Abigail Keam’s historical cozy mystery series Mona Moon. I was happy to be back with Mona and especially at her home in Kentucky as she prepares for Derby celebrations. Readers new to the series can certainly jump in here and know that they have pages of fun awaiting them in the earlier series entries.
Mona is busy preparing to host both a ladies’ tea and a Derby breakfast. Several prominent citizens, politicians and celebrities are invited (readers will recognize several names from history, which makes this blend of fact and fiction such an entertaining read).
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| Image Source Worker Bee Press |
The festivities march forward, and Mona feels she’s taken many precautions. Unfortunately, the night before the Kentucky Derby race, when Mona is preparing to attend a famous Derby Ball she learns that Dr. Farris is missing.
This is such a clever cozy historical mystery. The Kentucky setting is vivid, and I felt like I was right there with Mona on Moon Manor. She is such a thoughtful, refreshing character and her relationship with her husband Lord Robert is endearing. I found myself caring for Mona even more in this entry as it is so clear how much she cares for her friends and employees.
The anticipation and festivities around the Derby added a layer of excitement to the story, and I loved that the many guests were actual historical figures. It is such a creative use of history in storytelling.
The mystery is unique here in that it is unlike other cozy mysteries when a murder happens within the first 15 percent of the book. Here, the story and anxiety builds as readers turn the pages, and that made me turn the pages quickly. Something was going to happen but what?!
Another successful entry into what is quickly becoming one of my top favorite historical cozy mystery series.
To enter to win an ebook copy of Murder Under A Bitter Moon, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "bitter moon,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen June 6, 2026. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors!
You can click here to purchase this book.
Sarah Erwin started her career as a children’s librarian, later becoming a public library director, and then a stay at home mom. Currently, she is working part-time in a local elementary school library and loving being back with kids and books. While her career might have changed, her love of reading has been a constant since 4th grade and she reads over 200 books a year. Read along with her on her blog Sarah Can’t Stop Reading or on Instagram. Sarah lives in St. Louis, MO with her two kids, her husband, two dogs and a cat. Read along with her on her blog Sarah Can’t Stop Reading or on Instagram. Sarah lives in St. Louis, MO with her two kids, her husband and a family dog and cat.
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.
I don't really know what a bitter moon is, but I know I don't like bitter melon!
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