Customer Reviews

Under a Raging Moon

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's the fall of 1994 as this novel set in the city of River City, Washington opens. A gunman is robbing convenience stores all over the city. Nicknamed "Scarface" for the obvious scar down the left side of his face, he has just struck again.

Fourteen year veteran officer Thomas Chisolm who is also the current field training officer for rookie Maurice Payne is near the scene. They respond as do other units while the suspect flees through a dark construction yard. Ultimately, the suspect gets away but not before managing to wound Payne. As Chisolm notes, "He couldn't stop wondering how much worse it was going to get." (Page 13)

For the men and woman of the River City Police Department it is going to get a lot worse. In addition, to what goes on in their personal lives, things on the job are going to get worse. As the days and shifts pass, "Scarface" continues a rampage that quickly draws increasing media scrutiny. Add in internal political pressures and the everyday stress of the job, it isn't surprising that while some thrive, others collapse under the weight.

The result is a riveting 299 page read from start to finish. Author Frank Zafiro paints a broad canvas depicting a number of character lives both in terms of the police and the criminals. In so doing, it becomes clear early on that the author's personal knowledge is clear and relevant to his novel and not gained from watching television. By using so many characters and their stories, which are so intertwined in most cases, the author is able to depict not just life on the job but the toll it takes the personal life of the characters

That added character development does not hamper the story line. While the main story line is the hunt for the notorious "Scarface" numerous secondary storylines are created and not all are completed in this novel. A sequel is clearly planned, not only by way of the novel itself but by inclusion of the first chapter of the sequel at the end of this book.

This is a fast paced riveting novel and one that tries to bring the complexity of police life home to the reader. With rich complex characters, a powerful plot line, numerous secondary storylines and strong writing, the book succeeds on all levels. The result is a good read and the sequel can't come out soon enough.

Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2006

In Under a Raging Moon, Frank Zafiro paints a picture of police work and life as it is. The reader can practically smell the gunpowder and fear and can feel the adrenaline pumping. He's breathed life into his characters. Instead of cardboard figures, they are real, his heroes are flesh and blood people that you care about, that you pull for, and that, when the shift is over and the bad guys are put away, you want to meet up with and hang out with. I literally could not put it down, and read it in one sitting. I recommend Mr. Zafiro's works to anyone who loves police drama.

It is a good read I don't mind the money I spent on this as it wasn't a total waste of time.There is just that special bit of magic missing to stretched and lost in speed towards the end.

A friend recommended this book to me. After I finally bought a copy, I meant to put it on my to-be-read pile but ended up reading about 100 pages before I took a break. The characters are memorable. The tension builds...you know something bad is going to happen, you just don't know when it's going to happen or who will be caught in the crossfire when it happens. Which, I imagine, is what it's like to be a cop. A very good read.

No need for the treadmill, "Under a Raging Moon" gets your heart racing from page one. Characters are brilliantly drawn, taking the reader through a full gamut of their emotions and struggles both personal and professional. Far from the standard fare, this book goes deep, exploring both aspects of good and evil. Highly recommend.

Being an avid Sci-Fi/Fantasy reader, I seldom venture into other genres, but Under A Raging Moon was a very pleasant surprise. Since it is loosely based on my home town of Spokane I was more curious than anything at first. I then found myself having trouble putting the book down. Frank Zafiro writes beautifully and sucked me in from the beginning. I highly recommend this book (and any other Frank Zafiro novel) whether or not you are a police drama fan.

"Under a Raging" paints a picture of the headlines while revealing the rest of the story. Daily, the River City police officers face challenges from armed robberies to domestic violence incidents to neighborhood bullies. In every situation they are asked to respond according to the rules. While Scarface is terrorizing the city, the reader is exposed to the humanity of the police officers who keep our streets safe in daylight and the darkness of the night. The plot carries you along while you flip pages to capture the next breath of the action. Zafiro sums it up in a sentence, in the words of a police officer, "I do this job to make a difference."

Frank Zafiro paints an incredible portrait of the lives of those who 'serve and protect.' In his books Frank is able to draw the reader in and have the reader actively engage in the storyline. Additionally, the reader will have the ability to develop an emotional connection with the characters and develop with their development. The having experienced this lifestyle Frank writes about I believe it to be very realistic and factually based. I have known officers and situations found in this book. It is a quick and easy read. If able I strongly suggest reading the River City Novels.

What a page turner! I couldn't put the book down. Since I live in Spokane WA a very similar place to River City, I was so caught up in the memories of past cases and could see the inner workings of the police department. While at times, I would be so afraid of what was going to happen next, I was so excited by what was going to happen next I couldn't stop reading. It takes you into the inner workings of the police department and the people who work in the department. How they don't leave their work at their desk at the end of the day. Scarface is terrorizing River City and spinning out of control. Who will be the next victim? Who will stop him? Awesome read!!!

Under a Raging Moon held me spell bound. Frank truly captures the heart of Police work in both the stories and the characters with their unique personalities. If you want insight into the psyche of cops, our lifetime bond and desire to "make a difference", while dealing with the human condition ... this read will change the way you think and feel about the women/men who serve and protect.

Joseph Wambaugh's works are comparable, but Frank's style is more akin to Dan Brown's ... interweaving story lines and characters into an amazing tapestry that is only fully revealed at the end. You will experience a roller coaster of emotions as you enjoy this novel ... for this reader, it included a long cleansing cry.

I highly commend this book to your reading.