Book of Moons (Bast) [Mass Market Paperback]

Rosemary Edghill (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bast | Publication Date: November 15, 1996

Karen Hightower--better known as Bast, a modern-day witch and amateur detective--follows a series of puzzling thefts to a shocking murder whose origins lie in a very old, very special book that someone is willing to do anything to get his or her hands on. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

While known for her Regency romances, Edghill shifted genre with Speak Daggers to Her (LJ 4/1/94) and introduced Bast (a.k.a. Karen Hightower), a practicing witch and amateur sleuth. In her second adventure, Bast "discovers" Mary, Queen of Scots, and the possibility that Mary practiced witchcraft. Bast even meets the current pretender to the Scottish throne, then unwittingly hides a stolen antique spellbook attributed to Mary. Because she is suspicious of other such thefts, Bast looks for connections to the murder of an occult bookstore owner. Edghill portrays this New York subculture with humor and panache and provides a unique, if sometimes cynical, perspective. Recommended.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books (November 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812534395
• ISBN-13: 978-0812534399
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,638,742 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy this!, June 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Book of Moons: A Bast Mystery (Hardcover)

For less money, you can buy "Bell, Book, and Murder" instead, which is a compilation of all three Bast books (including this one). Wish someone had told me before I bought all four!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another "must read" by Rosemary Edghill, June 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Book of Moons (Bast) (Mass Market Paperback)

The second book in Rosemary Edghill's Bast series is another winner. The plot involves a mysterious book, The Book of Moons, which is alleged to have belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots. It raises all sorts of delicious questions about whether she was a witch and is this book her Book of Shadows. It's also a great mystery. What is the secret behind this book that is causing someone to kill for it. By the end of the book I was convinced that Mary, Queen of Scots did have a Book of Moons and it's out there somewhere. I can't wait for the third book in the Bast series

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still good, January 25, 2001

By 

Annette Hrisko-Allen (pdx,usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Book of Moons: A Bast Mystery (Hardcover)

While I still enjoyed reading about the further sleuthing adventures of Bast, I honestly thought the "moment of truth" took a whole lot longer than a moment. But, the denoument was a realistic and satisfying conclusion.

One thing that I wish Edghill would do is develop the backgrounds of her principal characters. There's no mention of what brought Bast to the decision of joining the Craft. What was she in her pre-Craft existence?

The villian was a bit contrived, as well. The motive for murder was fine, though typical. Edghill's fleshing out of the baddie was lacking, dare I say it, "human interest". Sure, the villian is a vehicle and foil for the hero's progression through the narrative; but, a villian should also be able to do something more than be mean and wave about a firearm.

What I found more interesting was the interplay between Bast and her fellow coven members. Edghill once again blows up the myth that all pagans and Witches are loving and chummy with one another. Bast has to make a decision whether or not to "leave the nest" because, even in the best of circumstances, people do grow apart.

A good book, but not as good as the first.