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Kat Campbell #2
Bad Moon
On the same night that Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon, ten-year-old Charlie Olmstead jumped on his bike to see if there was some way he could get a better look. It was the last anyone ever saw of him. After Perry Hollow Police Chief Jim Campbell found Charlie’s bike caught in the water above Sunset Falls, he assumed the worst. Everyone did—except Charlie’s mother.
Years later, Eric Olmstead—now a famous author and Charlie’s younger brother—has come back to Perry Hollow to bury his mother and fulfill her last Find Charlie. To do so, he goes to the current police chief, his former sweetheart, Kat Campbell, who happens to be Jim Campbell’s daughter. Together they soon discover that Eric’s mother was convinced Charlie was kidnapped, and that finding him—whether he was dead or alive—was her secret obsession. While she never succeeded, she did uncover clues that suggested he wasn’t the only boy across Pennsylvania to vanish into thin air during that time.
The haunting story of a boy missing for forty years, and of a small town that found lies easier to believe than the truth, explodes into the present in Bad Moon , Todd Ritter’s excellent follow-up to his acclaimed debut.
Years later, Eric Olmstead—now a famous author and Charlie’s younger brother—has come back to Perry Hollow to bury his mother and fulfill her last Find Charlie. To do so, he goes to the current police chief, his former sweetheart, Kat Campbell, who happens to be Jim Campbell’s daughter. Together they soon discover that Eric’s mother was convinced Charlie was kidnapped, and that finding him—whether he was dead or alive—was her secret obsession. While she never succeeded, she did uncover clues that suggested he wasn’t the only boy across Pennsylvania to vanish into thin air during that time.
The haunting story of a boy missing for forty years, and of a small town that found lies easier to believe than the truth, explodes into the present in Bad Moon , Todd Ritter’s excellent follow-up to his acclaimed debut.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2011
13 people are currently reading
779 people want to read
About the author
Todd Ritter
4 books302 followersAka Alan Finn
also see Riley Sager
Todd Ritter was born in rural Pennsylvania to a bank teller mother and a father who dabbled in taxidermy. He grew up among "Bambi"-esque forests and wide-open fields straight out of the cropduster scene from "North by Northwest." Appropriately, his two biggest influences are Walt Disney and Alfred Hitchcock. He lives in suburban New Jersey.
also see Riley Sager
Todd Ritter was born in rural Pennsylvania to a bank teller mother and a father who dabbled in taxidermy. He grew up among "Bambi"-esque forests and wide-open fields straight out of the cropduster scene from "North by Northwest." Appropriately, his two biggest influences are Walt Disney and Alfred Hitchcock. He lives in suburban New Jersey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
April 25, 2015
A special thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins, Maze for the honor of reading a free e-galley copy of this book for an honest review.
My first impression of this book was of the cover. The green color is gorgeous. The waterfall and the bicycle has a vibrant yet eerie pictorial vision that captured my curiosity. The title fitting.
Set in a fictional small town of Perry Hollow, Pennsylvania the year being 1969, I was immediately thrown into the mystery of a missing child, Charlie Olmstead. It is said he was watching Neil Armstrong’s first landing on the moon so excited he had to get a better look. He was never seen again. As I envisioned the beauty in the landscape of the cul-de-sac in which these families lived, I also felt the rising panic when Charlie’s mother rushed outside to obtain the help of her neighbors, with Charlie’s baby brother, Eric, in her arms. Strange to say the least as each neighbor was unavailable to her for some reason or another. My own desperation launched the need to read more. A path at the end of the cul-de-sac leads to the falls, a large waterfall that plummets over jagged boulders and rocks. Charlie’s bicycle is found there and Charlie is believed to be dead.
Forty years later - Eric, a novelist, comes home to bury his mother, and finds out her last dying wish is for Eric to find his brother. She believes he was kidnapped. Eric hires a philanthropist and he in turn, enlists the help of Eric’s high school sweetheart, Kat. Kat, having followed in her father’s footsteps is now Perry Hollow’s Chief of Police. She is also a single mother of a child with Down Syndrome. As the three of them begin to investigate, Eric finds old evidence of his mother’s search for Charlie, a map, articles of 5 other missing boys and a pattern of landings on the moon.
Each chapter I read, the story and dialogue became increasingly and remarkably creative. While it may seem like a cookie cutter ‘cold case’ mystery, the evidence, the clues, the leads, the pattern and the neighbors struck me as uniquely dissimilar to other books I've read and not in any way complicated or crowded with forensics. There was enough suspense to keep me entertained and I enjoyed the uniqueness in every single character devised in this book. I was so awed with each page I turned, I read this book within 24 hours and I absolutely did not see the end coming! I’m in trouble now Mr. Ritter, you've managed to write such a great story that I am shoving cereal boxes, milk, donuts and orange juice on my own table for my kids so I can go to bed. A big WOW from me Mr. Ritter, I couldn't be more pleased.
Then I asked myself, why is this author slipping through the cracks? He has written more books? This is a series? Holy cow! I’m not only recommending this book, I’m picking up the next installment.
My first impression of this book was of the cover. The green color is gorgeous. The waterfall and the bicycle has a vibrant yet eerie pictorial vision that captured my curiosity. The title fitting.
Set in a fictional small town of Perry Hollow, Pennsylvania the year being 1969, I was immediately thrown into the mystery of a missing child, Charlie Olmstead. It is said he was watching Neil Armstrong’s first landing on the moon so excited he had to get a better look. He was never seen again. As I envisioned the beauty in the landscape of the cul-de-sac in which these families lived, I also felt the rising panic when Charlie’s mother rushed outside to obtain the help of her neighbors, with Charlie’s baby brother, Eric, in her arms. Strange to say the least as each neighbor was unavailable to her for some reason or another. My own desperation launched the need to read more. A path at the end of the cul-de-sac leads to the falls, a large waterfall that plummets over jagged boulders and rocks. Charlie’s bicycle is found there and Charlie is believed to be dead.
Forty years later - Eric, a novelist, comes home to bury his mother, and finds out her last dying wish is for Eric to find his brother. She believes he was kidnapped. Eric hires a philanthropist and he in turn, enlists the help of Eric’s high school sweetheart, Kat. Kat, having followed in her father’s footsteps is now Perry Hollow’s Chief of Police. She is also a single mother of a child with Down Syndrome. As the three of them begin to investigate, Eric finds old evidence of his mother’s search for Charlie, a map, articles of 5 other missing boys and a pattern of landings on the moon.
Each chapter I read, the story and dialogue became increasingly and remarkably creative. While it may seem like a cookie cutter ‘cold case’ mystery, the evidence, the clues, the leads, the pattern and the neighbors struck me as uniquely dissimilar to other books I've read and not in any way complicated or crowded with forensics. There was enough suspense to keep me entertained and I enjoyed the uniqueness in every single character devised in this book. I was so awed with each page I turned, I read this book within 24 hours and I absolutely did not see the end coming! I’m in trouble now Mr. Ritter, you've managed to write such a great story that I am shoving cereal boxes, milk, donuts and orange juice on my own table for my kids so I can go to bed. A big WOW from me Mr. Ritter, I couldn't be more pleased.
Then I asked myself, why is this author slipping through the cracks? He has written more books? This is a series? Holy cow! I’m not only recommending this book, I’m picking up the next installment.
April 24, 2015
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. Much appreciated.
“Death Falls” by Todd Ritter is an intense crime novel, set in a small rural town, Perry Hollow in Pennsylvania, with an abundance of plot twists and suspense, to satisfy any” thriller” reader. I have never read anything by this author, but will definitely be checking further.
“On the night of July 20, 1969, Charlie left the house and never returned. The only trace of him was his bicycle, which his mother, Kat’s father, and a deputy saw drift over Sunset Falls. The bike was found the next morning, smashed against the rocks at the base of the falls. His brother was never seen again.”
But his mother, Maggie never believed that nine year old Charlie was swept away with the current. On the night Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, Charlie had gone off on his bicycle to see more. But Maggie believed her son had been kidnapped! But she never confided her beliefs to her youngest son, Eric, now a famous author, who was a baby at the time. Now forty years since his brother’s disappearance, his mother’s death wish, revealed in her will was to have the truth revealed.
Eric accepts his mother’s last request to find his brother, and approaches the Police Chief Kat Campbell, his former high school sweetheart, to help him with the search.
My heart went out to Charlie’s mom, Maggie, who was determined to find her son, and the pain and suffering she went through. And then more victims who also disappeared on the same dates as the Apollo Moon landings.
I found myself all wrapped up with the characters…the story…the clues…the lies…the list of suspects, trying to figure out what happened.
If you enjoy a good mystery/adventure, and fans of Gregg Hurwitz, I would highly recommend you pick up Death Falls. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
“Death Falls” by Todd Ritter is an intense crime novel, set in a small rural town, Perry Hollow in Pennsylvania, with an abundance of plot twists and suspense, to satisfy any” thriller” reader. I have never read anything by this author, but will definitely be checking further.
“On the night of July 20, 1969, Charlie left the house and never returned. The only trace of him was his bicycle, which his mother, Kat’s father, and a deputy saw drift over Sunset Falls. The bike was found the next morning, smashed against the rocks at the base of the falls. His brother was never seen again.”
But his mother, Maggie never believed that nine year old Charlie was swept away with the current. On the night Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, Charlie had gone off on his bicycle to see more. But Maggie believed her son had been kidnapped! But she never confided her beliefs to her youngest son, Eric, now a famous author, who was a baby at the time. Now forty years since his brother’s disappearance, his mother’s death wish, revealed in her will was to have the truth revealed.
Eric accepts his mother’s last request to find his brother, and approaches the Police Chief Kat Campbell, his former high school sweetheart, to help him with the search.
My heart went out to Charlie’s mom, Maggie, who was determined to find her son, and the pain and suffering she went through. And then more victims who also disappeared on the same dates as the Apollo Moon landings.
I found myself all wrapped up with the characters…the story…the clues…the lies…the list of suspects, trying to figure out what happened.
If you enjoy a good mystery/adventure, and fans of Gregg Hurwitz, I would highly recommend you pick up Death Falls. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
December 13, 2015
Thank you to HarperCollins, Maze, NetGalley and author Todd Ritter for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
On the same night that Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, nine-year-old Charlie Olmstead disappeared.
When Charlies bike is found by the falls, everyone assumes the worst.
But Charlies mother doesn't believe he has drowned and becomes obsessed with finding her missing son. She discovers evidence that he isn't the only child to have gone missing, and that there is a pattern to the disappearances.
When she dies her other son, Charlies brother and famous author Eric Olmstead, returns to Perry Hollow to bury her and to honor her final request : find Charlie.
I loved 90% of this book, it was an engrossing read with plenty of action and well developed characters.
Then I got to the last 10% and I went "really?". I found the action in this last section to be totally unrealistic and unbelievable. It was almost as though someone else had written the ending.
On the same night that Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, nine-year-old Charlie Olmstead disappeared.
When Charlies bike is found by the falls, everyone assumes the worst.
But Charlies mother doesn't believe he has drowned and becomes obsessed with finding her missing son. She discovers evidence that he isn't the only child to have gone missing, and that there is a pattern to the disappearances.
When she dies her other son, Charlies brother and famous author Eric Olmstead, returns to Perry Hollow to bury her and to honor her final request : find Charlie.
I loved 90% of this book, it was an engrossing read with plenty of action and well developed characters.
Then I got to the last 10% and I went "really?". I found the action in this last section to be totally unrealistic and unbelievable. It was almost as though someone else had written the ending.
August 23, 2017
On July 20, 1969, the first man walks on the moon and Charlie, a ten year old disappears.When he goes outside to take a look at the moon to see what he can see, he vanishes. His mother, Maggie, never stopped looking for him and on her deathbed, asked her youngest son Eric to try and find out what happened to Charlie. Enter Kat Bannion, a single mom of a 10-year-old and the Chief of Police. Eric calls on the and asks the Chief for some help and direction. When he finds a project that his mother was working on that showed 5 other young boys all went missing around the same time, the search is on.
The plot is good and pulls you in. the characters are well written with both friends and neighbors who have kept secrets for many years. There was enough suspense to keep me entertained and I enjoyed the uniqueness in every single character devised in this book. There is an unexpected conclusion with a lot happening to keep you interested. A good read. I did not realize this was a series, but will see if I can find the previous book.
The plot is good and pulls you in. the characters are well written with both friends and neighbors who have kept secrets for many years. There was enough suspense to keep me entertained and I enjoyed the uniqueness in every single character devised in this book. There is an unexpected conclusion with a lot happening to keep you interested. A good read. I did not realize this was a series, but will see if I can find the previous book.
April 1, 2015
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with free access to this book. Death Falls was the PERFECT weekend read. In fact, I read more than half of the book in a single sitting. There was no boring beginning with gassy character introductions or endless explanations of back story from previous books in this series; just a stunning mystery that captivated me from the first page. Thankfully, it made no difference that I hadn't yet had the pleasure of reading the previous books in the Kat Campbell series. Death Falls has a little bit of everything: rural Pennsylvania atmosphere, a disappearance of a young boy on the night men first walked on the moon, strange neighbors who harbor deep secrets, the uncovering of details concerning other possibly-related crimes, and a puzzling thrill ride. Highly recommended for mystery/suspense fans!
March 28, 2017
I am so behind getting to this one. It rigged down my kindle and I've just come across it from netfally, the publishers are Harper Collins Maxe. Thank you.
This book had my attention right from the start, it's written with such feeling, such emotion that you can't break yourself away from it. So I didn't. I did nothing except read.
Imagine yourself a Mother of a child that has gone, yes gone. All that's left is his bycycle. It's by water so looks likely that her son got washed away.
Let's jump a few years now. Her other son who is now an adult is asked to carry out his Moms last wish. Find him. Find my son.
What would you do?
I know I would have to try.
My heart broke for this mother.
Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, and her child along with other cases went missing.
You just need to stay with this. It's an easy 5 stars for me as it's one that kept me hooked.
This book had my attention right from the start, it's written with such feeling, such emotion that you can't break yourself away from it. So I didn't. I did nothing except read.
Imagine yourself a Mother of a child that has gone, yes gone. All that's left is his bycycle. It's by water so looks likely that her son got washed away.
Let's jump a few years now. Her other son who is now an adult is asked to carry out his Moms last wish. Find him. Find my son.
What would you do?
I know I would have to try.
My heart broke for this mother.
Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, and her child along with other cases went missing.
You just need to stay with this. It's an easy 5 stars for me as it's one that kept me hooked.
August 2, 2020
Brilliant
March 4, 2015
July 20, 1969. The first man is walking on the moon. Charlie, a ten year old disappears that night. His mother, Maggie, never stopped looking for him.
40 years later ..... Maggie has died, her last request heard by her younger son, Eric .... find out what happened to Charlie.
Kat Bannion is a single mom of a 10-year-old and is the Chief of Police. Eric calls on the Chief for some help, for some direction. Now that he's back living in his parents home, he finds a project that Maggie had been working on.
Seems like 5 other young boys all went missing in the same time frame and were never seen or heard from again. So begins the search for all the missing boys.
Terrific storyline .... great characters... friends and neighbors who have kept secrets for many years...lead to an unforeseen finish line. Lots of excitement. Kept me reading..and reading...and reading.
5 star reading for me!
digital ebook furnished from NetGalley for an honest review
40 years later ..... Maggie has died, her last request heard by her younger son, Eric .... find out what happened to Charlie.
Kat Bannion is a single mom of a 10-year-old and is the Chief of Police. Eric calls on the Chief for some help, for some direction. Now that he's back living in his parents home, he finds a project that Maggie had been working on.
Seems like 5 other young boys all went missing in the same time frame and were never seen or heard from again. So begins the search for all the missing boys.
Terrific storyline .... great characters... friends and neighbors who have kept secrets for many years...lead to an unforeseen finish line. Lots of excitement. Kept me reading..and reading...and reading.
5 star reading for me!
digital ebook furnished from NetGalley for an honest review
March 30, 2025
Loved the story but took one star away for pacing. It felt steady until the last couple of chapters, and then consistently get like I was getting slapped in the face with twists every other page. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, it just seemed like everything happened at once and compared to the rest of the novel, it left me reeling.
February 10, 2024
BOOK REVIEW ✨
📖: 𝙱𝚊𝚍 𝙼𝚘𝚘𝚗 𝚋𝚢 𝚃𝚘𝚍𝚍 𝚁𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛
October 11, 2011 • mystery, thriller, crime
In 1969, 10 year old Charlie Olmstead goes missing the night of the moon landing. His bike is found in the water above Sunset Falls and everyone assumes he met a tragic end. Police Chief Jim Campbell quickly assumes that Charlie, who wanted get a better look at the moon landing, went over the falls and drowned. However, Charlie's mother doesn't believe the case is that simple and that her son is still out there. For years, she compiles evidence in secret, convinced that Charlie's case is connected to disappearances of other boys in Pennsylvania. When she dies, her younger son, Eric, comes back home to Perry Hollow to fulfill his mothers last request: find Charlie. It's up to Eric, current Police Chief Kat Campbell, and former State Police Investigator Nick Donnelly to uncover the 40 year old mysterious disappearance of Charlie Olmstead. ••• Without giving too much away, I loved the historical connection between the 'race to space' and the cryptic disappearance of Charlie. I also loved the now and then storytelling with the suspicion on the characters who were around in Perry Hollow both in 1969 and present day. I would rate this as a 5/5 and recommend to anyone who likes mysterious disappearances and way more to the story than initially appears.
🌙
#bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookreview #alexsbookrecs #alexsbookrecommendations #badmoond #toddritter #rileysager #mystery #thriller #crime
📖: 𝙱𝚊𝚍 𝙼𝚘𝚘𝚗 𝚋𝚢 𝚃𝚘𝚍𝚍 𝚁𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛
October 11, 2011 • mystery, thriller, crime
In 1969, 10 year old Charlie Olmstead goes missing the night of the moon landing. His bike is found in the water above Sunset Falls and everyone assumes he met a tragic end. Police Chief Jim Campbell quickly assumes that Charlie, who wanted get a better look at the moon landing, went over the falls and drowned. However, Charlie's mother doesn't believe the case is that simple and that her son is still out there. For years, she compiles evidence in secret, convinced that Charlie's case is connected to disappearances of other boys in Pennsylvania. When she dies, her younger son, Eric, comes back home to Perry Hollow to fulfill his mothers last request: find Charlie. It's up to Eric, current Police Chief Kat Campbell, and former State Police Investigator Nick Donnelly to uncover the 40 year old mysterious disappearance of Charlie Olmstead. ••• Without giving too much away, I loved the historical connection between the 'race to space' and the cryptic disappearance of Charlie. I also loved the now and then storytelling with the suspicion on the characters who were around in Perry Hollow both in 1969 and present day. I would rate this as a 5/5 and recommend to anyone who likes mysterious disappearances and way more to the story than initially appears.
🌙
#bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookreview #alexsbookrecs #alexsbookrecommendations #badmoond #toddritter #rileysager #mystery #thriller #crime
December 18, 2011
This is more like 3.5 stars, but I generally round up.
A little boy named Charlie Olmstead disappears from the small town of Perry Hollow on the night Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. Everyone just assumes that he fell into a nearby stream, was carried over a waterfall, and killed. Everyone except his mother, who on her deathbed 40 years later asks her other son (a baby at the time of the disappearance) to find the truth of what happened that night. With the help of a state cop turned cold case detective and the sheriff of Perry Hollow – his old flame, Kat Campbell – Eric Olmstead attempts to do just that.
First of all, let me say that I wish I had been smart enough to look and see that this is the SECOND BOOK IN A FREAKING SERIES. I can’t believe I missed it. I’m usually all business about reading series in order (I’m similarly neurotic about watching episodes of tv shows in order). I started to suspect early on into the book because the characters were “remembering” previous events, so I looked it up and BAM. #2 in a series. That said, it can totally stand on its own and it is unnecessary to read the first book in order to follow along with this one. I only point it out in case you’re fanatical about reading series in order like I am.
Anyway, once I got past my irritation with myself I got hooked in right away. The mystery was really interesting and twisty, and the pacing was very quick. It kind of reminded me of the good aspects of a James Patterson novel in the sense that once things got going they rarely slowed down (and unlike Patterson novels, the chapters are more than two pages long). The writing was a plain, straightforward style, and I mean that as a compliment. There isn’t a ton of fluff here so there aren’t parts that lag. There also isn’t a ton of character development, but again, that can most likely be chalked up to the fact that the two primary protagonists have already been introduced in a previous book. And I feel like I’m saying this a lot lately, but I didn’t even come close to guessing the ending. Either I’m slipping or I’m reading a lot of really well written mysteries. I’m thinking it’s the latter.
One bonus thing that I did really like was that there is a special needs character, specifically the female protagonist’s young son has Down Syndrome. Characters with disabilities seem few and far between in books, at least in my experience.
As an aside, most of the places in the book are fictional but one real place – Centralia, PA – is mentioned frequently. If you’re not familiar, look it up when you have a moment. It’s a town sitting on top of a coal mine that has literally been on fire for the past 50 years. It’s a modern-day ghost town and a seriously, seriously creepy place.
I’ll be adding the first book in the series, Death Notice, to my to-read list. Recommended.
A little boy named Charlie Olmstead disappears from the small town of Perry Hollow on the night Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. Everyone just assumes that he fell into a nearby stream, was carried over a waterfall, and killed. Everyone except his mother, who on her deathbed 40 years later asks her other son (a baby at the time of the disappearance) to find the truth of what happened that night. With the help of a state cop turned cold case detective and the sheriff of Perry Hollow – his old flame, Kat Campbell – Eric Olmstead attempts to do just that.
First of all, let me say that I wish I had been smart enough to look and see that this is the SECOND BOOK IN A FREAKING SERIES. I can’t believe I missed it. I’m usually all business about reading series in order (I’m similarly neurotic about watching episodes of tv shows in order). I started to suspect early on into the book because the characters were “remembering” previous events, so I looked it up and BAM. #2 in a series. That said, it can totally stand on its own and it is unnecessary to read the first book in order to follow along with this one. I only point it out in case you’re fanatical about reading series in order like I am.
Anyway, once I got past my irritation with myself I got hooked in right away. The mystery was really interesting and twisty, and the pacing was very quick. It kind of reminded me of the good aspects of a James Patterson novel in the sense that once things got going they rarely slowed down (and unlike Patterson novels, the chapters are more than two pages long). The writing was a plain, straightforward style, and I mean that as a compliment. There isn’t a ton of fluff here so there aren’t parts that lag. There also isn’t a ton of character development, but again, that can most likely be chalked up to the fact that the two primary protagonists have already been introduced in a previous book. And I feel like I’m saying this a lot lately, but I didn’t even come close to guessing the ending. Either I’m slipping or I’m reading a lot of really well written mysteries. I’m thinking it’s the latter.
One bonus thing that I did really like was that there is a special needs character, specifically the female protagonist’s young son has Down Syndrome. Characters with disabilities seem few and far between in books, at least in my experience.
As an aside, most of the places in the book are fictional but one real place – Centralia, PA – is mentioned frequently. If you’re not familiar, look it up when you have a moment. It’s a town sitting on top of a coal mine that has literally been on fire for the past 50 years. It’s a modern-day ghost town and a seriously, seriously creepy place.
I’ll be adding the first book in the series, Death Notice, to my to-read list. Recommended.
March 4, 2018
Ritter creates a compelling story that hurtles along, setting the hook into the reader quickly and drawing us into a twisting tale of secrets kept and found. Originally published as BAD MOON in 2011, DEATH FALLS marks the second appearance of Perry Hollow Police Chief Kat Campbell, who is an interesting character caught between upholding her father's legacy and uncovering whether mistakes were made in the initial investigation. Could something have been done to save Charlie? Was the obvious incorrect?
Small-town Pennsylvania is brought to life well by Ritter - the peaceful ordinariness that can be a facade for plenty of secrets and lies going on behind closed doors. As the trio scratch at long-forgotten history more and more comes to light. Little lies became part of an accepted truth - but Eric is determined to follow his mother's last wish and find out what really happened to Charlie. I found myself completely absorbed in the tale Ritter was telling, curious about what had happened, and would happen. I cared about what would happen to Eric, Kat and the others, and enjoyed trying to work through various red herrings and clues, pondering what was true and what was not. And why were the moon landings so important?
The story spirals on itself but is smoothly told. You can tell you're in the hands of a fine storyteller. Even when twists are expected, they're delivered in fun and original ways that still surprise.
After reading DEATH FALLS, I would definitely read more of Todd Ritter.
This review is a shorter version of a review written for Crime Watch
Small-town Pennsylvania is brought to life well by Ritter - the peaceful ordinariness that can be a facade for plenty of secrets and lies going on behind closed doors. As the trio scratch at long-forgotten history more and more comes to light. Little lies became part of an accepted truth - but Eric is determined to follow his mother's last wish and find out what really happened to Charlie. I found myself completely absorbed in the tale Ritter was telling, curious about what had happened, and would happen. I cared about what would happen to Eric, Kat and the others, and enjoyed trying to work through various red herrings and clues, pondering what was true and what was not. And why were the moon landings so important?
The story spirals on itself but is smoothly told. You can tell you're in the hands of a fine storyteller. Even when twists are expected, they're delivered in fun and original ways that still surprise.
After reading DEATH FALLS, I would definitely read more of Todd Ritter.
This review is a shorter version of a review written for Crime Watch
September 3, 2012
On the night of Neil Armstrong's historic walk on the moon, July 20, 1969, 10-year-old Charlie Olmstead, of Perry Hollow, Pennsylvania, goes missing and is presumed drowned in a nearby waterfall. More than 40 years later, it's discovered that five other Pennsylvania boys vanished not long after that, and that the dates of these disappearances all have something in common (I won't say what; you'll have to read the book to find out!).
This stunningly thrilling novel, fast-paced and suspenseful, with beautifully portrayed characters, grabbed my attention from the beginning and didn't let go until the shocking conclusion. This extremely twisty mystery is certainly one of the best I've read this year. Highly recommended.
This stunningly thrilling novel, fast-paced and suspenseful, with beautifully portrayed characters, grabbed my attention from the beginning and didn't let go until the shocking conclusion. This extremely twisty mystery is certainly one of the best I've read this year. Highly recommended.
March 30, 2014
Police chief in a small Pennsylvania town works with a fired State Police detective to solve a forty-year old crime. In spite of the fact that most of the story is highly implausible, this second investigation by the duo is very entertaining. Agatha Christie said that you shouldn't cheat the reader by not providing real clues as the story progresses. The solution for this one comes way out of left field and the motive is pretty weak. Up until that point the detective work and the characters are very likable.
February 16, 2015
A lot of secrets and a lot of suspects are happening in this fast paced mystery. Chasing a mystery 40 years old? That's a feat all in itself and then to find its connected to the lunar landings and more than one boy missing. There is absolutely nothing normal or cookie cutter in this story. I loved the writing and the characters, well except for the bad guy, of course.
I definitely recommend this book. Thanks HarperCollins, Maze and Net Galley for providing me a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
I definitely recommend this book. Thanks HarperCollins, Maze and Net Galley for providing me a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2015
I love 40+ years old mysteries where key witnesses are no longer around.
I didn't see the end of this book coming. I liked it very much and couldn't wait to find out what had happened to Charlie.
The story is not something out of this world; it might even be something you have read before, but it was written just right. Well done Ritter.
I didn't see the end of this book coming. I liked it very much and couldn't wait to find out what had happened to Charlie.
The story is not something out of this world; it might even be something you have read before, but it was written just right. Well done Ritter.
May 17, 2012
Good book - lots of twists and turns and red herrings. Numerous times I went, "Oooo, did not see that coming." He does have a previous novel with the same main character/same town. I recommend reading that first.
January 3, 2018
Really enjoyed this! A hugely entertaining mystery packed full of twists, none of which I saw coming.
January 22, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed all the books in this trilogy. "Todd Ritter" aka Riley Sager is an amazing author.
June 28, 2023
The mystery was compelling for sure-read it in one sitting!
The main characters were interesting. I liked Kat, the police chief. I liked that she had a son with Downs, but that character didn’t ring true. Ive been around quite a few kids this age both with and without Downs Syndrome and this didn’t work for me.
The story totally surprised me at least once. Lots of red herrings kept me guessing.
This would be a great beach read-lots of action they keeps you interested and it’s an easy read. Enjoy!
It’s hard to talk about the story without spoilers!
The main characters were interesting. I liked Kat, the police chief. I liked that she had a son with Downs, but that character didn’t ring true. Ive been around quite a few kids this age both with and without Downs Syndrome and this didn’t work for me.
The story totally surprised me at least once. Lots of red herrings kept me guessing.
This would be a great beach read-lots of action they keeps you interested and it’s an easy read. Enjoy!
It’s hard to talk about the story without spoilers!
December 22, 2019
3.5 stars for this underestimated gem!
By far this is my second favourite (or equally so) to "Last time I lied" which I consider the author's best work.
Based on reviews, this is the best Kat Campbel series' book and I decided to start with it. I highly recommend this approach, as the book has little in common with the first book, but the first and the third books are tightly interwined. Also, if you decide not to check the others, "Death falls" aka "Bad moon" is a perfectly fine standalone read.
I got the book at a ridiculously low price and it makes me sad the book didn't get its much deserved attention. The author's new thriller books are more popular, because, you know, they thrill. However, as they might be just a notch over the top, this one is perfect. It combines his thrilling writing with a bit less unsettling context.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book and, although I know the author is now set on a new path, I hope he is not done with writing mystery books.
By far this is my second favourite (or equally so) to "Last time I lied" which I consider the author's best work.
Based on reviews, this is the best Kat Campbel series' book and I decided to start with it. I highly recommend this approach, as the book has little in common with the first book, but the first and the third books are tightly interwined. Also, if you decide not to check the others, "Death falls" aka "Bad moon" is a perfectly fine standalone read.
I got the book at a ridiculously low price and it makes me sad the book didn't get its much deserved attention. The author's new thriller books are more popular, because, you know, they thrill. However, as they might be just a notch over the top, this one is perfect. It combines his thrilling writing with a bit less unsettling context.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book and, although I know the author is now set on a new path, I hope he is not done with writing mystery books.
June 23, 2020
Welcome to Perry Hollow, Pennsylvania, a quiet community some distance from Philadelphia, a town where not much happens--if you don't count a serial killer. Thankfully that's over with. Now a former native son has returned. Bestselling author Eric Olmstead is back to bury his mother, and honor her deathbed plea to "find Charlie," his older brother, missing since age ten. Police Chief Kat Campbell and a former State Police detective get involved, uncovering a series of homicides of young boys and a terrifying Denouement.
December 7, 2020
Really good mystery! I love Ritter's writing style, and the story gripped me to the end! I felt a little whiplash with the number of plot twists in a short amount of time, but the ending was great and I loved the biggest plot twist. Onto the third book in the series!!
Content - there's some strong language scattered throughout the book, and I think a couple other objectional topics/moments. Much less gory than the first book in the series though
Content - there's some strong language scattered throughout the book, and I think a couple other objectional topics/moments. Much less gory than the first book in the series though
December 19, 2023
Another great book from Todd Ritter! A second book in the three book series & just like before I’m hooked! Love how the book went back & forth between the characters. Had me guessing the whole time. I like how it’s a continuous story from the first book. Kept me guessing the whole time & was wondering what happened next. Love the storyline between the characters too & how it revealed a little bit more of the character from the previous book.
November 8, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! This story held my interest all the way through and I found it hard to put down. Who wants to work when you can read a good book? The intensity of the drama and suspense really got my mind conjuring up theories as to what truly happened. Lots of twists and turns in this story! I was engaged and entertained and look forward to reading the 3rd Kat Campbell mystery!
July 18, 2021
I think it was a really good book I’d rate it 4.5/5 stars. The story had many twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The ending was decently satisfying it worked well with the storyline. The story displays mystery and truth and secrets and asks the questions how far will you go to hide your past or to move on from it. Overall it was an amazing story and I recommend it.
April 20, 2025
The first 3/4 of the book was fair, though clumsy and amateurish. But the last quarter was awful - a dozen "surprise twists" made a joke out of the whole book
I will not be reading any more of his books
I will not be reading any more of his books
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2018
I broded this book from mt son in law really enjoyed it kept you guessing till the end
September 29, 2019
3.5 stars
November 19, 2019
A great set-up of a mystery for me.
The pay-off/solution was a bit of a letdown.
But still an enjoyable read.
The pay-off/solution was a bit of a letdown.
But still an enjoyable read.
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