kandicez's review
5.0
As always, her characters are so full, round and real to me!!!! I truly care about them.
rebekahology's review
3.0
Just ok. It was a quick light read and helped pass some time in a waiting room. :-)
silobirdie's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
emperorcupcake's review
5.0
4.5
This is such a beautiful book, I'm so glad I reread it. Totally holds up. One of those stories that's suspenseful and mysterious, but mostly about the characters. I love that kind of book, and I loved these characters. I'm gonna reread more of Billie Letts' books, I think I read them all back in the day.
This is such a beautiful book, I'm so glad I reread it. Totally holds up. One of those stories that's suspenseful and mysterious, but mostly about the characters. I love that kind of book, and I loved these characters. I'm gonna reread more of Billie Letts' books, I think I read them all back in the day.
sdibartola's review
2.0
I picked up “Shoot the Moon” by Billie Letts because the synopsis on the back cover of the book intrigued me and I was vaguely familiar with her novel, “Where the Heart is.” It’s a “whodunit” and a potent one that kept me reading until I finished the book in a couple of days – not my typical slow reading pace. The women in the novel like Teeve, Ivy, and the murdered girl Gaylene are very strongly drawn, appealing characters. The male characters are evil (O Boy Daniels, Arthur McFadden) or, in the case of Kyle Leander, a burned out relic of the hippy era. Even Mark Albright/Nicky Jack Harjo, the long lost son of Gaylene in search of his identity, comes off as insecure and stuck on himself. The gay lawyer Hap Duchamp and his ex-fireman culinary crazed partner Matthew are appealing exceptions. Letts’ technique of revealing the murdered girl’s personality through her diary entries of the late 1960’s was very effective. Having been a veterinarian for over 30 years, I have to say however that I was disappointed in the way Letts portrayed small animal practice. She apparently didn’t spend much time (if any) researching veterinary medicine. Even though Dr. Albright’s practice is in Beverly Hills, the types of cosmetic procedures he relates performing on rich clients' pets are simply ridiculous and not performed by any veterinarian I’ve ever known. For example, “scrotum tucks on aging dogs, breast reductions on cats that were allowed to deliver too many litters. I’ve performed a nose job on a poodle because the owner thought her precious ‘Pearl’ felt self-conscious about her appearance. I’ve done penile implants on animals more interested in sleep than breeding and eye jobs on Pekingese so they wouldn’t look so Asian.” Is this passage supposed to be a joke? Do veterinarians perform cosmetic procedures? Yes, things like tail docks and ear crops to satisfy breed standards are dubious procedures that are performed regularly, but none of the things Letts describes. Maybe I just over-reacted to what was meant to be a joke, but I found Letts’ portrayal of veterinary medicine offensive. Despite this minor irritation, the question of exactly what happened to Gaylene Harjo and her baby 30 years ago compels you to read page after page until you find out. It was a very enjoyable book that would keep anyone occupied on a long plane ride.
tomaind's review
5.0
Billie Letts is another one of my favorite authors. This book was a quick read with likable characters and twists and turns in the story that you won't be able to put the book down. This is the third book I have read by Letts and I have enjoyed all of them.
kim_oz's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thelexingtonbookie's review against another edition
4.0
Another Letts novel? Yes please! After Where the Heart Is, I knew I could go for another sweet but quirky small town setting filled with unforgettable characters. I also couldn't refuse a title like that, as my family are big card players, with Hearts being a favorite. My mother is particularly good at shooting the moon, and my dad often lets her get away with it because they're always partners, haha. Anyways, back to the book!
This time around, Letts introduces us to Mark Albright. He has recently learned that he was adopted, and although he had lived a charmed life in California, growing up with want for nothing, he still feels that he should learn about where he came from. After some initial investigation, he finds out that his mother, Gaylene Harjo, was murdered in DeClare, Oklahoma, and her son, Nicky Jack, went missing. Seeking that truth, he heads to DeClare and meets the locals who help him patch together his true identity and reveal the secrets of his past.
As usual, Letts has created a cast of characters that bring the fictional small town of DeClare to life. There's Teeve and Ivy Harjo, a mother/daughter combo that will make you laugh and cry. Then there's intimidating Ol' Boy Daniels, the local law enforcement officer who is determined that Mark will cause trouble in chasing the past. There's adorable Kippy Daniels and his mother Carrie, Ol' Boy's family and fast friends of Mark. Each of these characters have their own voices and personality quirks, as well as their own part in aiding Mark.
Between the characters, the dialogue, and the mystery behind Mark's past, Lett's novel moves at a rapid pace and keeps the reading involved in the suspense. I actually listened to the audiobook, and it was wonderful. At less than 7 hours of audio, it's a short time commitment, which was a perfect choice for a refreshing read between heavier, long books. The narration is perfect, but I'd wholly recommend Shoot The Moon to anybody in any format!
This time around, Letts introduces us to Mark Albright. He has recently learned that he was adopted, and although he had lived a charmed life in California, growing up with want for nothing, he still feels that he should learn about where he came from. After some initial investigation, he finds out that his mother, Gaylene Harjo, was murdered in DeClare, Oklahoma, and her son, Nicky Jack, went missing. Seeking that truth, he heads to DeClare and meets the locals who help him patch together his true identity and reveal the secrets of his past.
As usual, Letts has created a cast of characters that bring the fictional small town of DeClare to life. There's Teeve and Ivy Harjo, a mother/daughter combo that will make you laugh and cry. Then there's intimidating Ol' Boy Daniels, the local law enforcement officer who is determined that Mark will cause trouble in chasing the past. There's adorable Kippy Daniels and his mother Carrie, Ol' Boy's family and fast friends of Mark. Each of these characters have their own voices and personality quirks, as well as their own part in aiding Mark.
Between the characters, the dialogue, and the mystery behind Mark's past, Lett's novel moves at a rapid pace and keeps the reading involved in the suspense. I actually listened to the audiobook, and it was wonderful. At less than 7 hours of audio, it's a short time commitment, which was a perfect choice for a refreshing read between heavier, long books. The narration is perfect, but I'd wholly recommend Shoot The Moon to anybody in any format!