Book Review: Moonset on Desert Sands

Reviewed by Chelsey Tucker

A slam dunk of a suspenseful sequel 

Sherri L. Dodd continues to captivate with this Murder, Teas & Crystals trilogy. Book 2, Moonset On Desert Sands, takes place after all the chaos and violence that went down in Arista’s cozy cottage. 

Arista then moves to Sedona with Aunt Bethie. With Aunt Bethie’s coven close by, Arista sees Sedona as the best place to grow her powers and get answers on how to handle the situation with her psychotic Uncle Fergus. As more information about her birth rite comes to light, Arista’s confidence begins to swell and she is ready to face Fergus head on.

Fergus has teamed up with Fallon, a woman here to help him rally support and essentially take over as High Priestess. “With you as leader, I’ll continue to contribute behind the scenes. Perhaps a wizened elder in my own right.” 

Even though Fergus places her in a position of power, Fallon starts to look down on Fergus as she implements changes, “She had grown tired of his doubt, and his jealousy of her rise in popularity had become problematic.” When a new lead breaks on Arista’s whereabouts, Fergus and Fallon address their differences head on. In pursuit of his ultimate goal (killing Arista), Fergus will stop at nothing.

For me, book twos usually come with some trepidation. Will this be a powerful novel all on its own, or will it just be a bridge to book three? Dodd destroys this fear page after page. Each new location, character, or magical aspect serve a purpose here. The bigger picture is slowly, tantalizingly revealed with some majorly jaw-dropping twists.

Dodd demonstrates a deep knowledge of the occult all throughout Moonset On Desert Sands. The witchy dictionary and the three pages of references and inspiration at the back of the book are wonderful touches and evidence to how in-depth the story goes. It’s one thing to experience the specifics of the occult; it’s another to learn about them. Dodd does both. The vocabulary used is mostly beginner level when it comes to crystals, candles, or yoga, but Dodd also uses her prose to enlighten the concepts. She does a wonderful job writing about yoga: “Fallon posed on all fours, taking time to straighten her legs, raising her butt toward the ceiling. With heels pressed down, she pulled her stomach tight and, with palms spread wide on the floor, exhaled a long, fluid breath.” Those who do yoga will recognize the pose as downward dog, while new readers visualize it clearly—all of them spending the page time with (some of) the calming effects of yoga. 

If you loved Murder Under Redwood Moon (like I did!), you’re going to love Moonset on Desert Sands. Dodd truly delivers here. Magic and witchy themes are grounded in the reality of modern day, bringing elements of fun & lightheartedness to the serious practice and belief.

This novel is a beautiful balance of both charming and darkness. Now we wait with bated breath for the final installment of this captivatingMurder, Teas & Crystals trilogy.

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