Book Review: Blame It on the Moon

Reviewed by Kristine Eckart

A mysterious haunted house story with plenty of heart

This is not your typical haunted house story. Blame It On The Moon by Lou Pugliese is a ghost story, murder mystery, steamy romance, and Indiana Jones archeology mission all rolled into one. These little twists are pleasant surprises that add a lot of nuance (& fun!) to the reading experience. 

Richard Craft, a widower in North Arlington, Virginia, moves into a spacious home passed down from generation to generation in his family. Still, his family is present in more ways than one. Mysterious sounds, appearances, and occurrences soon reveal the house is haunted—and Richard is determined to find out why. 

As Richard digs into the lives of the house’s previous residents, including his deceased wife and child, his brother Bob, and more dating back to the Civil War era, Richard starts to discover secrets that have remained hidden for years. With each new discovery, Richard is one step closer to putting all the puzzle pieces together, but he also may be in more danger. Will he be able to help the spirits of the house find peace before it’s too late?

My favorite part of this book is an unexpected detail: the recurring theme of finding friends in unexpected places. The protagonist begins this story ensconced in bachelorhood, but as he begins to unravel the mysteries of the house, he finds friendships in the classroom (Audrey), the police department (Darrell), the local occult shop (Vicki and Trey), and of course, the animal shelter (Lincoln). 

And just as in real life, the connections expand and develop from there. Our world is experiencing a loneliness pandemic; I truly appreciated seeing this book address that situation for Richard, reflecting how it could be possible in our own lives—minus the haunted house part (I hope). 

I also appreciated how suspicious of the supernatural some of these characters are. There’s a believable world in this novel with real-feeling characters who, like many readers, have reservations about believing in ghost stories, even if they enjoy them. From scientific equipment and experienced academic teams to Ouija boards and opal amulets, there’s a little something for every reader in this book. 

Looking for a haunting tale incorporating the past and the present with a great cast of characters? You’ve found your next read in Blame It On the Moon.

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