Overall, what do you think of Carolina Moonset? (no spoilers in this topic, please)

What do you think of Carolina Moonset?

I enjoyed this book very much. The atmosphere made me feel as if I were vacationing in S.C and the mystery offered numerous twists and turns. The characters were interesting and I was easily pulled into the story. It was a quick read and a fun way to spend an afternoon.

I loved the book and had never read anything by Matt Goldman. It was a surprise as I thought it would be a somewhat mono-theme book dealing with dementia but I especially enjoyed the romance and mystery/thriller plot as well. I had been in a bit of a meh reading slump and Carolina Moonset was just what I needed!

I thought it was written in a way to maintain my interest, with chapter endings clearly meant to want to know what happens next.

June 2, 2022

I honestly enjoyed this book: good writing, good characterizations, good plot, good setting. Lots of twists and turns — my favorite genre and very engaging!
Having personal experience with a family members’ Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), I did have to work hard to compartmentalize my feelings about the most important character in order to appreciate this book. The author certainly has solid knowledge about LBD, yet the character with LBD was, in my humble opinion, much too easy-going and tractable. In my caregiving, LBD was like Alzheimer’s PLUS Parkinson’s — both very difficult conditions and made exponentially worse when cognitive disorders coexist with movement disorders.

I wonder if the author…
1. Has personally experienced caring for a loved one with LBD?
or …
2. If he just stumbled on the perfect (LBD) traits for the main character?
Cognitive - Visual hallucinations, unpredictable changes in concentration/attention/alertness/wakefulness, severe loss of thinking abilities that may include poor judgment, confusion about time and place, difficulty with language and numbers, not to mention apathy/anxiety/agitation/delusions. Movement - mentioned, but not as important to the plot.

It’s my hope that it’s the former (1.) which would honor the author’s loved one. And it would greatly help me to recommend this book!

Jun 12, 2022
* IMPORTANT UPDATE *

I absolutely LOVE BookBrowse! Davina reached out to Matt Goldman and my hope was fulfilled — see their posts below mine. Out of all the many online sites about books, BookBrowse is the ONLY one that goes to these lengths to answer an individual readers’ questions!!!

I’m SO glad to learn that Mr. Goldman has personal experience with LBD and didn’t just use it as a “plot device”. I sincerely thank him for raising dementia awareness in the context of a page turner. Not to add to anyone’s news overload, but in the US there are believed to be at least 5 million individuals with age-related dementias. Maybe just put the Boomers’ longevity and associated medical problems in your “good to know” file. Now my hope that none of us ever “need to know”.

I highly recommend Carolina Moonset — it’s a 5+ star book!

I really enjoyed both the story and the writing. The characters were interesting, likeable, strong and well developed, the setting was relaxing, and the mystery was a nice change from so many serial killer/torture storylines that seem to prevail these days.

The way the author handled the LBD was extraordinary. I did not know much about this illness and I feel I learned so much. the tone was sympathetic without being maudlin.

What l enjoyed the most was the descriptive writing. The author made me feel as if I was walking the streets and motoring through the water with him. I will definitely seek out more of his work!

NCjeanne--I contacted Matt Goldman to ask him your question. This is his reply:

Hi Davina,

My father suffered from LBD and though the story is fiction, I wrote my experience with my father's disease. I never lived with him while he was suffering--I just visited. So I didn't see the full spectrum of his symptoms. I made a choice to write what I experienced, and there are a few scenes in the book that are based on actual events.

Best,

Matt

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It had a lot of emotions and told a good story about family, memories, love and secrets. It really kept my attention.

I enjoyed the book as a light read. My husband suffered from Alzheimer's for 11 years before passing, so I could relate to many of the situations.

I really enjoyed this book and the characterization of LBD. I don't have direct experience with that, but did care for my mother who had vascular dementia after a stroke. I also thought it was a good read, and will be picking up some of the author's back list over the summer.

I loved the 2nd half of this book. It was a quick read, and I enjoyed the twists and turns that happened toward the ending. I thought the characters were well developed, and I also think the setting was well described as I easily could picture these characters in Beaufort, South Carolina.

However, I felt that parts of the first half of the book were "forced" to make the story work. As an example, Joey asking lots of questions about his father's hallucination conversation with Trip Patterson (in chapter 3). Joey didn't know many details of what his dad's diagnosis meant, nor did he seem to be actively involved with his parent's daily lives (I know he didn't live nearby...but still didn't seem in-tune with many details) which is why his many questions about a few sentences felt a little "forced" to me. I thought there were a few other similar "this isn't flowing great" situations toward the start of the story.

First of all, I love books set anywhere around Charleston, Savannah, etc. I had the opportunity to visit Beaufort, and this book pegged it perfectly. I felt like I was back visiting again and I recognized some of the descriptions. I like Matt's writing and , while it wasn't as "experienced" as, for example, Pat Conroy, I think he shows great promise. All in all, I liked it and found it a real "page turner."

Overall I liked the book and the characters, and of course the many twists and turns as we find out the truth. There were a few times I would have liked the story to move a little faster but it did hold my interest.

I loved the vibe of the book - my daughter lives too far from Beaufort and I always love visiting in the area because it so different from living in the north. The food is different, the pace of life is different, the stores are different and the people are different. This book made me feel the same way , plus the characters were well done and between the love story and the mystery woven through out, it was a very enjoyable read.

The hook near the beginning of the book grabbed my attention. The characters and the setting were described in such a way that I felt like I knew the town and people of Beaufort. The story line with the LBD felt genuine to me. I found some of the plot twists to be forced and implausible, but overall, I enjoyed this book.

I requested this book because it was set in Beaufort. I currently live in South Carolina and know the area. I thought he did it justice.
I didn't know that a clever main plot point would center around a character diagnosed with LBD. My mother suffered from Lewy Body and a lot of the description was familiar, but I agree with an earlier post by "skaleba" that some of the dialogue around that seemed forced. I did appreciate hearing that Mr. Goldman was drawing on some direct experience.
Generally, I had the sense as I was reading that there was a conscious intent to address maybe too many social issues, and I want to avoid spoilers, so I'll just say that for me it detracted from the story somewhat.
The book did hold my interest though and the writing is good. I would likely recommend it to our patrons as a good beach read.

I really enjoyed the book! I was drawn in from the beginning when Joey was being picked up at the airport and the dialogue that ensued. It was clear from the start that Marshall had dementia. The story unfolded at a good pace, never rushed, but as each chapter ended I wanted more. The many twists and turns were great. Not a real spoiler but I worried that Marshall really was responsible for the murder. A credit to the author to continue feeding my doubt. The twist and turns were doled out at an even pace. No adrenaline rushes but enough to keep wanting more. I was surprised at the end. Did not guess!
I thought the characters were very well developed. I felt as if I knew them. Also agree that the setting was perfectly described and felt as if I was part of the town.
I also liked the addition of an adult romance. Mature, realistic and meaningful. It fed my romantic sole!

I too enjoyed the book, especially the descriptions of Beaufort. I thought the scenes with Joey coming to terms with his father's condition were realistic. The unfolding of past--especially as the truth comes out about Delphi held my interest. I thought the
romance was a bit contrived and couldn't believe Joey's ploy to get the confession worked!

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book because I’ve never heard of this author before. I think the author is a very good writer and he kept this suspense up throughout the book.
There was one small part where it strained credulity a bit but the author made you care very much about the protagonist and the fact that it got into the topic of a parent with dementia was very timely. I’m a senior living in a senior community and I see what effect it has on the whole family. I would definitely recommend this book.

This was truly a loving story about protecting those you love and not wanting to let go, as well as finding gratitude in the small moments in life. I found myself revisiting in my mind the people and places that made up my childhood.
The author does a wonderful job of describing the challenges of aging adults, specifically those who struggle with dementia, and the demanding role of families and caretakers.
I loved this book and I'm going to recommend it for my next Book Club selection.

As soon as I started to read the book, I could not put it down. The description of the town and the surroundings made one feel like you were right there. I loved all the relationships and also the secrets that came out. The book keep me guessing about who done it! I am going to suggest this book for my book club. Looking forward the Matt Goldman's next book.

Like a previous reader, I enjoyed the book as a light read.

The minute I read "Beaufort, South Carolina" I felt doomed to be disappointed. Try as I might, I simply could not get Pat Conroy out of my head. By choosing to locate his book in Beaufort the author is inviting comparisons that are impossible to live up to. The LBD was heartbreakngly portrayed, but felt inauthentic. Argh, I hate being critical but unfortunately this book was not for me.

I really enjoyed Carolina Moonset. One of the few books in a long time that I really couldn’t put down. The portrayal of the parents loving relationship and father’s illness Was particularly poignant and I thought very realistic. The author set the physical space very well, I could imagine myself there. Would definitely recommend!

Overall, I found the book very interesting and engaging. The city if Beaufort is one I have been to in the past and the book really provoked a strong desire to revisit the place and enjoy the unique flavor of the town. I felt the ending was very contrived and implausible when the murderer freely admits to the crime and the motivation. This individual was very intelligent and the admission of guilt seemed silly and not compatible with his/her character.

I also enjoyed this book. It had many elements that kept my interest in the story. The inclusion of dementia intrigued me as I live with someone who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. The portrayal of Marshall’s lack of short term memory rang true to me. I look foreword to reading more from this author as he describes the surroundings of a place you would like to visit.

I enjoyed this book very much, I was traveling & I still made sure I found time to read the book each day. Loved the setting of Beaufort, and I really liked most of the characters. The Alzheimer's really rang true with me as I took care of my grandmother for several years.

I thoroughly enjoyed Carolina Moonset! It was a fast read with a beautiful description of Beaufort, South Carolina. The storyline was a mystery within a mystery, present day and in the past. I enjoyed the main character's narrative of the story. Joey Green had a dry sense of humor, wisdom and interesting perception of things. I found myself laughing out loud a couple of times. On a personal note, I was shocked to read the accurate description of the mobile stroke unit. I read that part of the book the day after my hospital discharge from a stroke. The mobile stroke unit saved my life, before my stroke I never even knew it existed.
The next thing I know I'm reading about it in a book!

I thought this was a wonderfully compelling book that was both suspenseful and moving. I loved the dynamic between the son and his aging father who is suffering from Lewy Body Dementia. It was enjoyable reading about the South Carolina locale, a place I've had many happy times visiting.

I liked the book with its twists and turns, but I found the romance a bit contrived as was Joey's relationship with the killer. And although it tied up a bit too neatly, I liked the ending as I'm a sucker for a good romance.

This book only partially reached me. The beginning was meandering, and I set the book aside for a while. The story picked up steam in the middle. The ending—no spoilers here, but it was a Big No for me. The romance fell flat. The humor, where it was, didn’t land. I believe the novel had potential, and there are some interesting characters, such as the asexual Virginia. Mr. Goldman is a fine writer and has a comedy background. The novel could’ve been funnier, but I might’ve recommended that different characters take on that task, because the protagonist’s occasional sarcasm didn’t serve his character. Uncle David might have been a comic foil. I hinted earlier his character should’ve been reworked into a droll, confident man who was the real master of southern comfort Beaufort. The interloping “Yankees,” the Chicagoan Joey and the Bostonian Leela, might have been more out of sorts in their temporary southern environment, before triumphing, like in My Cousin Vinny, which somehow comes to mind. Anyway, I suppose this story was not meant to be comic, but a revisitation of a dark past in the south, with subthemes of a class divide, anti-Semitism, and racism. Kudos to Mr. Goldman for illuminating phenomena such as the Lewy Body Dementia that afflicts Marshall (Joey’s father) and asexuality, as revealed through the beauteous Virginia.

First book I’ve read by Matt Goldman. Really liked his writing style and the complex characters were well portrayed. Very suspenseful story. Left me wondering how the incident early in his life may have changed his fierce dedication to his patients. Was his life serving others really doing penance? His family life suffered as a result and certainly affected Joey growing up