Narrators were AMAZING! I liked having male and female narrators and appreciate that it was produced to sound like actors vs simple narration.

Johnny and Percy have been friends since they were kids. Percy lived with Johnny’s wealthy family. He was always a bit of an outsider on the inside. Now adults, Percy joins Johnny to his family’s home to celebrate Johnny’s parents’ anniversary. It’s a several day affair with all the guests staying in the family mansion. Relationships are tested in this wealthy family drama with some spiritual/paranormal aspects (mostly related to one deceased family member). Many secrets are exposed over this stay.

I’ll admit, the fact that this is a 17 hour audiobook was a major mind block initially. I started it and immediately switched to a shorter audiobook (no fault of the book). Now that I’ve finished, I can say I really enjoyed it. Percy and Johnny’s friendship was endearing. Every character was well written. I was intrigued to see how everything came together.

Thank you NetGalley and Smith-Obolensky Media for this audio ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.

After 20 years, two childhood friends (Johnny and Percy) meet up to investigate the mysterious death of Johnny's Aunt Alice who mysteriously died while reading the Egyptian Book of the Dead. This story is engaging and very Lovecraftian in a modern way. I will be reading the next two books in this series! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC/audiobook which drew me into this mystery series.

Eye of the Moon by Ivan Obolensky, is a compelling, atmospheric, gothic mystery story.

This intriguing story is largely exploring the mysterious happenings at the opulent Rhinebeck Estate, with some paranormal themes and a story filled with family secrets.

I enjoyed the audio performances by Vanessa Richardson and Carter Roy. It was particularly enjoyable as it was produced like a play or audio production, rather than the usual narration style.

The series continues in book 2 – Shadow of the Son and book 3 – Dark of the Earth.

Many thanks to Smith-Obolensky Media and NetGalley for this audio review copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Listen time: 17hours 46 minutes

Ivan Obolensky's "Eye of the Moon" is a captivating gothic mystery that has transitioned seamlessly into the audiobook realm, offering listeners an immersive experience. The narrators deliver a performance that elevates the storytelling, bringing each character to life with distinct voices and emotions.

The novel itself is a rich tapestry of family secrets, intrigue, and the supernatural, set against the opulent backdrop of Rhinebeck, the Dodge family's estate in upstate New York. The plot centers on childhood friends Percy and Johnny, who reunite to unravel the mysterious death of Johnny's Aunt Alice, who died under enigmatic circumstances involving the Egyptian Book of the Dead. As they delve deeper, they uncover hidden artifacts, letters, and journals, leading to revelations that challenge their understanding of the past.

Obolensky's character development is both intricate and engaging. Each character is well-crafted, contributing to a story that is gripping and filled with unexpected twists and turns. The dynamic between Percy and Johnny is particularly endearing, showcasing a friendship that adds emotional depth to the unfolding mystery.

Overall, "Eye of the Moon" is a masterfully crafted tale that combines elements of gothic mystery, psychological thriller, and family drama. The audiobook version, with its exceptional narration, offers a compelling listening experience that keeps audiences engaged from start to finish. 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Smith-Obolensky Media for the free audio book in exchange for my honest opinion.

First off I have to say that I love the cover of this book, I know you aren't supposed to judge a book by it's covers and all, but that's what drew me in. "EYE of the Moon" is such a long book, but I can honestly say that it did not feel like 17 + hours . The story telling is so beautiful, it just draws you in. The narrator was a great choice, I think he read the book perfectly. All of the characters were developed really well, it felt like you were in the middle of the story getting to know everyone and their secrets.

Murder mystery with a hint of occult! Full of twists and turns, Eye of the Moon has you guessing at everything.

Nothing is as it seems at Rhinebeck. When Percy is approached by his estranged best friend Johnny to join him at the Dodge family estate for a family reunion, he feels obliged to comply. Little does he know that his world is about to be utterly shattered. What starts as an innocent weekend celebration quickly turns into a murder mystery that leads Percy down a rabbit hole with the most unexpected conclusion. The Dodge family is layered with plots and secrets so deep, who can Percy really trust? Other than Johnny and Robert the Bruce, of course.

Rife with red herrings, the truth can only be found by peeling away the layer of intrigue. But with each answer comes more questions.

Ivan Obolensky created a captivating ambiance at Rhinebeck. We're offered a peek into the lavish lives of the "average" old-money American family.

**Minor spoilers ahead**

What I loved:
Plot layers: Percy's connection to Rhinebeck and its guests goes beyond what you'd expect. So much has been kept secret from him and the revelations are jaw-dropping.
Narration: Carter Roy and Vanessa Richardson did a wonderful job of bringing each character to life! I'm obsessed with Elsa, what a cheeky baroness.

What I didn't love:
Dialogue-driven story: When first listening to the audiobook, I struggled to connect to the story as it was both dialogue rich and detail heavy which caught me off-guard. The story was intriguing enough to keep me hooked, and I'm happy I did! In the end, the style worked well in audiobook format.

Overall, a solid story with a strong duo of narrators.

If you're a fan of American Gothic and who-dun-it, Eye of the Moon is right for you! The plot treads beyond the typical murder mystery by spicing it up with additional family drama.

Book details:
Main character: Percy
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Style: First-person, single POV
Format: Audiobook (NetGalley)

Trigger warnings (incomplete):
SA (off-page, historical)

I am a normal romance and fantasy reader, but when I read the description of this I had to read it. It’s definitely a commitment read, but worth the time. Set in 1977 it follows Percy and Johnny as they go back to Johnny’s family estate, Rhinebeck, for a long weekend. Members of the family and some friends also arrive for this weekend. We learn the estate once belonged to Johnny’s aunt Alice who died some 20 yrs prior. She was very into the occult and shrouded in a lot of mystery. Both Percy and Johnny go into the weekend trying to find some answers. Only to uncover more secrets and betrayals they could have dreamed. This book was well written and as far as I know believable to how the upper class would have lived back then. I just don’t understand how one could smoke or drink that much?! Now to clear my schedule for book 2.

If you like Dark Shadows or Passions, you'll like Eye of the Moon.

Some people would consider comparison to a soap opera to be an insult. I consider those people to be uneducated as to the skill it takes to create a large number of concurrently running storylines that weave in and out of each other. That's exactly what Ivan Obolensky has done in Eye of the Moon. At one point I joked that I needed a flow chart to keep everything straight. (No fooling, the reader may wish to keep some kind of notes.)

What a story it is! It's hard to categorize Eye of the Moon, speculative fiction for sure. There is a strong supernatural element, but one that doesn't overtake the overall drama. The story drew me in from the beginning and kept my attention all the way through to the end. My only quibble is with the descriptions. From the exact wines served with each course of a meal to the designers of particular dresses, it really did become a distraction. I'm not sure why it was all needed-- I understood from the get-go that we were discussing the ultra-wealthy. The most extreme example of this was stating the exact color and clarity of the protagonist's favorite diamonds. (As a side note, duh, who wouldn't prefer a better stone, money being no object?)

I especially enjoyed this audiobook. I love a recording with multiple cast members! Carter Roy did most of the heavy lifting, and wasn't too bad at giving all of the male characters distinct voices. I thought the Baron's was a little on the comical side, but the character kind of was (castle with dungeon and torture chamber, duels), so it played. Vanessa Richardson really shone. It was a shame there wasn't more for her to do, her work with all the distinct personalities was outstanding.

I really, really hope that Ivan Obolensky gives Shadow of the Son and Dark of the Earth the same audio treatment. I not only want to know what happens next, I want to hear it, too.

I would like to thank Smith-Obolensky Media for allowing me to experience this NetGalley audiobook.

I enjoyed the audio book version of this novel. The narrators were well chosen, and they did an excellent job! The book was a little bit of a slow starter. Once I got into it, I loved it. The plot was well planned, characters well written, and the details were great. Overall, this was a good book. The audio was long, but I enjoyed every minute of it. It is a gothic murder mystery with some paranormal elements. I thought it was well planned and executed. I will definitely be recommending this book to others.

Thank you Net Galley ARC!

I was so invested in the characters in this book. I thought about them when I wasn’t listening to the audiobook. This book had that old academia vibe which I love and the narrators were great. It was The Ninth House , Succession and Clue all wrapped up in one. I can’t wait to read book two!

Two childhood best friends get together at the old home of where they grew up after a few years of seeing each other. They find out that the aunt who looked after them as a child has passed away. Reliving the memories of their youth they decide to go through Aunt Alice’s old books and trinkets to learn more about her. Her Egyptian artifacts along with the book of the dead get them sleuthing to find out who really was this woman who played hide and seek with them. With the help of the butler they unfold so much more than they ever imagined including family secrets that will change their lives forever!