Hummingbird Moonrise by Sherri L. Dodd is a haunting and heartfelt continuation of Arista Kelly’s story, a darker, more introspective chapter that deepens the mystery and emotion introduced in MurderUnder Redwood Moon.
About the Book: Hummingbird Moonrise
The past two years have tested Arista Kelly’s spirit. Once an eternal optimist, she’s learning to live with loss and rebuild her sense of peace. But when Iris, an old friend of her Great Aunt Bethie, vanishes under strange circumstances, Arista is drawn into a search that unearths long-buried family secrets. The discovery of a decades-old curse, rooted in the 1940s and linked to a mysterious Ouija table, sets off a chain of events that threatens to unravel everything she thought she understood about her family, and herself.
BookHookup Review: Hummingbird Moonrise
Where the first book allowed the paranormal to creep in gradually, Hummingbird Moonrise begins with it pulsing through every page. The story leans more heavily into the supernatural, yet remains deeply human. Dodd’s writing captures the eerie beauty of the redwoods and the unsettling sense that the past is never truly gone.
Arista continues to shine as a relatable, grounded heroine, while Great Aunt Bethie brings both humor and heart to the unfolding drama. Dodd’s willingness to let her older characters take center stage makes this sequel stand out. Bethie and her contemporaries aren’t side notes; they’re catalysts, with histories and choices that ripple through generations.
And Iris? She’s the perfect foil, enigmatic, unsettling, and a reminder that sometimes those closest to us can harbor the deepest shadows.
Although Hummingbird Moonrise is the third book in the series (following Murder Under RedwoodMoon and Moonset on Desert Sands), it can be read as a standalone. Still, I recommend reading the series in order to fully experience Arista’s evolution and the layered mystery connecting each installment.
Rich with atmosphere and emotion, Hummingbird Moonrise expands the world of the first book while carving its own distinct identity. It’s a darker, bolder, elegant blend of cozy mystery and paranormal suspense long after the last page.
BookHookup Note: I focus on YA and clean fiction. Hummingbird Moonrise is clean in language and tone but includes mild sexual content and witchcraft themes integral to the story’s mystery. Recommended for mature teen and adult readers.
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As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from Black Coffee Tours and have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.
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I focus on clean fiction across genres—historical romance, suspense, crime, children’s, and more. When books include content that may not be suitable for all readers, I provide clear disclaimers so you can choose wisely.
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