Dark Moon [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Alton L. Gansky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2003

Woven from the twin strands of faith and science . . . a spellbinding novel of heavenly portents, earthly realities, and the best and worst of the human heart.

At first Marcus Stiller thought his telescope was playing tricks on him. It wasn’t. And now, two of the nation’s top astronomers have confirmed his discovery before the national media. A dark red spot has appeared on the lunar surface—a spot no one can explain. And it’s growing.

Julie Waal’s screams will only earn her another injection of sedative. But she can’t help screaming. And she can’t fight the terrifying visions that come, unbidden, when the Moon shines through the window of her locked room.

As tensions build in a world transfixed by Stiller’s Enigma—the blood-red blemish slowly tainting the Moon’s silver face, inspiring both political and prophetic speculation—a private drama unfolds that will sweep Stiller, his wife, Lucy, and Julie together into a horrifying encounter in which sanity and life itself are the prize.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Gansky's latest inspirational thriller, which explores the relationship between science and faith, the world watches in horror as "Stiller's Enigma" a crimson splotch on the moon spreads across the lunar surface. When scientists and spiritual leaders fail to explain the phenomenon, chaos ensues: nations accuse one another of military buildup, and cult groups commit mass suicide. The U.S. president calls in astronomer Marcus Stiller, who discovered the spot, to advise him. Meanwhile, Julie Waal, an unwilling resident of a mental institution, watches the moon through her window and suffers terrifying visions of blood. Gansky's thriller is an uneven read, with moments of high suspense interspersed with too many pages of dialogue between Marcus and his father about faith. Overlong descriptions of the father's funeral and Julie's escape from the mental hospital distract the reader, causing the plot to lose steam. Gansky often overwrites ("Not even the dull ache that hovered just over his kidneys, the result of several hours of stooping, could take the luster off the evening") and offers his own enigma in the form of a disappointingly contrived, unsatisfying ending. However, he deserves kudos for the subtle, matter-of-fact treatment of Marcus, who is perhaps the first African-American protagonist in a CBA thriller whose race is not the subject of excessive and unnecessary commentary. The most delightful aspect of the tale is the appealing relationship between Marcus and his wife, Lucy, an attractive, savvy senior medical resident. There are also some refreshing moments of humor, a welcome touch in CBA fiction.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

"The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come" (Joel 2:31). When Marcus Stiller first notes the red discoloration on the moon, soon dubbed "Stiller's Enigma" by the media, he doesn't even consider a biblical explanation; instead, he works with top researchers to find a scientific reason for this ever-growing phenomenon. At the same time, Julie Waal, a senator's wife locked away in a psychiatric facility, begins to see blood dripping from the moon and knows that she has to escape to find answers. When Stiller and Julie meet, many questions are answered, but the lunar stigmata may always remain an enigma to the scientific community and a warning to Christian believers. Gansky (A Ship Possessed) is well known for his disturbing, thought-provoking thrillers and remains a staple for Christian fiction collections.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 541 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786255374
• ISBN-13: 978-0786255375
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,123,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alton Gansky (www.altongansky.com) has written a number of other novels, including Zero-G, Finder's Fee, Director's Cut, Before Another Dies, The Prodigy, and the J. D. Stanton mystery series. He also writes nonfiction books that explore the mysteries of faith, the Bible, and God. He and his wife, Becky, have three adult children and live in Southern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The 'Gansky Enigma', August 6, 2002

By 

Shane Hendrickson (Greenwood, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Moon (Paperback)

Marcus Stiller has stepped into the global spotlight. During a routine observation, the astronomer finds a dark red blemish on the lundar surface, and it's growing. Soon, Stiller and his 'Stiller Enigma' are the most popular topic on the planet - stirring up both political and religious debate.
Even more disturbing than the 'Stiller Enigma' is what I call the 'Gansky Enigma'. That is, how can an accomplished author actually publish something like this? Far too much time is spent on meaningless conversation and monologue. Overabundant detail is dedicated to a plot that goes absolutely nowhere. As the plot (what there is of one) reaches its' ridiculous 'conclusion' in the EPILOGUE, one can't help but wonder if this book did in 20 chapters what could have been done in 3.
If you're new to Gansky, do NOT read this book! He is (usually) an incredible writer. Go read one of his others.
If you're a Gansky fan...you MIGHT be able to stomach this book.
I wouldn't suggest it though...I suffered for you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is Gansky's Style That Saves Makes This A Great Read, February 19, 2004

By 

Dan Blankenship "Author of THE RUNNING GIRL" (Lowell, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Moon (Paperback)

Marcus Stiller, along with two of his students, finds a growing, red spot on the moon. As the world wonders what the cause might be, Stiller struggles with the truth of science and faith - two worlds he thought stood alone, but now is not so sure.

We are introduced to Julie Waal, a character surrounded by deception, and the reader is taken on a journey through mental illness and horrors involved. Add a three-named-professor-stalking-nutcase and you have some serious plots to intertwine. Not an easy task.

I think Gansky's only flaw with this novel is creating a story so big, no ending would suffice. I would have liked another hundred pages or so...

I give the novel five stars, because even though I felt the ending was a little drab, ninety-percent of the book was awesome.

I look forward to my next Alton Gansky novel.

www.therunninggirl.com

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Unanswered Questions, January 9, 2003

By 

T. Tennard (NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Moon (Paperback)

I would recommend this book, however I must say that I was a bit dissappointed. 'Dark Moon' was an enjoyable read, however after reading the awesome book 'The Prodigy' I was expecting this book to be just as good. In many ways that was a mistake on my part. Often times we are dissapointed when we are expecting the same quality product every time.

That being said 'Dark Moon' is a story that kept me interested throughout most of the book, however there were a few unanswered questions. The resolution was not as satifying as I wanted. I was quite interested in the story's main characters, however as the book went on there seemed to be too many other lesser characters and subplots introduced that took away from what should have been the main focus of the story. Perhaps Gansky should have made the book longer so that all of the themes and issues of science, faith and family could have explored more fully. It seemed as if most of the book was spent setting up the big climax that never really seemed to happen.

I do not want to reveal to much of the book's plot. I will say that despite some of Gansky's failings with this book, I still enjoyed it. He has created characters that I was able to identify with and care about. That in many ways is so much important than the plot of a book. I could have read more and this is not a short book at 352 pages. I would not have minded if it were 500 or more pages. Gansky is a skilled writer who I will continue to read in the future.