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Claire Malloy #7
Death by the Light of the Moon
"Outstanding...A fun-to-read mixture of homicide and humor."
THE PITTSBURGH PRESS
In this, the seventh adventure in the Claire Malloy series, Claire discovers a lot about her late, unlamented husband. The viperish family matriarch, Miss Justicia, gives a preview of her latest will at the decaying family estate in Louisiana. From snobbish Cousin Maxie and timid, tippling Pauline to beautiful Ellie and her porky dad, the Malloys appear a poisonous lot--and appeareances in this case are not deceiving. When Miss Jusiticia and her wheelchair end up in the bayou, Claire is certain that one of them assisted the old lady to her death. And snakes, snipers, and tapeworms notwithstanding, she's prepared to prove it.
THE PITTSBURGH PRESS
In this, the seventh adventure in the Claire Malloy series, Claire discovers a lot about her late, unlamented husband. The viperish family matriarch, Miss Justicia, gives a preview of her latest will at the decaying family estate in Louisiana. From snobbish Cousin Maxie and timid, tippling Pauline to beautiful Ellie and her porky dad, the Malloys appear a poisonous lot--and appeareances in this case are not deceiving. When Miss Jusiticia and her wheelchair end up in the bayou, Claire is certain that one of them assisted the old lady to her death. And snakes, snipers, and tapeworms notwithstanding, she's prepared to prove it.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
4 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Joan Hess
115 books337 followersJoan Hess was the author of both the Claire Malloy and the Maggody mystery series. Hess was a winner of the American Mystery Award, a member of Sisters in Crime, and a former president of the American Crime Writers League. She lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Joan Hess also wrote a mystery series under the pseudonym of Joan Hadley.
Series contributed to:
. Crosswinds
. The Year's 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories
. Malice Domestic
. Deadly Allies
. Sisters in Crime
Joan Hess also wrote a mystery series under the pseudonym of Joan Hadley.
Series contributed to:
. Crosswinds
. The Year's 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories
. Malice Domestic
. Deadly Allies
. Sisters in Crime
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 31, 2021
Death by the Light of the Moon
by Joan Hess is a cozy mystery featuring bookstore owner, amateur sleuth, and widow, Claire Malloy. She and her fifteen-year-old daughter Caron are invited to Caron’s paternal grandmother’s birthday celebration at Malloy Manor in Louisiana’s bayou country. Unbeknownst to them, but known to the other attendees, Miss Justicia plans to share her latest will contents with her relatives. But the night before the dinner, the matriarch is dead. Was it murder or an accident?
From greedy relatives to a run-down mansion and incompetent police, this story has very few surprises. While there are a few red herrings, it was relatively easy to solve the main case as well as the other crimes that were uncovered.
Overall, it is an easy, light read with some humor intermixed. The atmosphere of the bayou was well-done. Unfortunately, there is a racist element exhibited by several of the characters within the book as well.
This novel didn’t work for me. However, there are many readers who have thoroughly enjoyed it. If you think you might want to read it, check out some of those reviews.
Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
From greedy relatives to a run-down mansion and incompetent police, this story has very few surprises. While there are a few red herrings, it was relatively easy to solve the main case as well as the other crimes that were uncovered.
Overall, it is an easy, light read with some humor intermixed. The atmosphere of the bayou was well-done. Unfortunately, there is a racist element exhibited by several of the characters within the book as well.
This novel didn’t work for me. However, there are many readers who have thoroughly enjoyed it. If you think you might want to read it, check out some of those reviews.
Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
November 5, 2018
Claire Malloy, bookstore owner amateur sleuth, and her 15 year old daughter Caron have been summoned to her deceased husband’s home in Louisiana. They have not been there for over 10 years, but this is her former mother-in-law’s 80th birthday. Miss Justica, the matriarch runs the family with an iron hand and a nasty tongue. She is confined to a wheelchair – but it is a state-of-the art motorized machine with plenty of power. She has ordered all family members to come and for “entertainment” she is going to tell people what is in her will as she celebrates her birthday. Anyone not present will be removed from the inheritance list. Miss Justica drinks too much the night before her birthday and is seen wheeling around the yard. The next morning she and the wheelchair are found in the bayou…. Did she have an accident or was it murder??? ---I didn’t care much for this book. None of the characters were likeable – Even Claire wasn’t very sympathetic.
September 17, 2017
What a wacky story complete with a fading mansion and all the people wanting a piece of this pie. The old home place rests in Louisiana with all the clichés of that area. The relatives meet to celebrate the birthday of Miss Justicia, only Miss Justicia drowns the night before her birthday and before revealing her new will to all her gathered relatives. Joan Hess does create a sense of foreboding and mystery, but the plot verves too off the path. The description of the setting sets the mood, but the characters flatly inhabit the pages. This series does not call me to continue reading.
April 30, 2023
I’ve never been disappointed by any book I’ve read in this series. I admit dipping in and out of it randomly, but the books are so written that you can do that without losing much. It’s an excellent series, and Hess’s humor is perfect. This is far better than the other series she wrote about a small Arkansas town.
Malloy owns a bookshop in a small Arkansas town, and she is a single mom to 15-year-old Karen. Karen is all too often everything a teenage girl can be it her almost worst. She is boy crazy, she can be shrill, and every event with which she doesn’t agree is destined to ruin her life. But Hess writes Karen such that she is lovable despite her teenage angst and shallowness. You sense that underneath the obnoxious girl is a young woman who will be a competent adult with a love for reading.
In this book, Karen gets a special invitation from her paternal Grandma Justicia Malloy. The old woman is turning 80, and she’s going to unveil her new will and testament. Only those heirs who are present will benefit from the will. Claire figures Karen could benefit from learning about her late father’s side of the family, so off to Louisiana they go. I have to say the humor in this is wonderful, but I doubt many chambers of commerce in rural Louisiana will prominently display this book as an example of how rural Louisianans behave.
The characters are eclectic by every measure, and you’ll doubtless chuckle several times as you read this. Poor Karen is worried about the pool party she’s missing back home, and she’s sure she’s going to pick up a tapeworm just by breathing air in Louisiana. Before this ends, someone drowns Grandma Justicia, and since the local cops aren’t competent enough to solve this, it’s up to Claire to figure out who killed the old woman and why.
This was a short Saturday-night read for me, and I enjoyed every page.
Malloy owns a bookshop in a small Arkansas town, and she is a single mom to 15-year-old Karen. Karen is all too often everything a teenage girl can be it her almost worst. She is boy crazy, she can be shrill, and every event with which she doesn’t agree is destined to ruin her life. But Hess writes Karen such that she is lovable despite her teenage angst and shallowness. You sense that underneath the obnoxious girl is a young woman who will be a competent adult with a love for reading.
In this book, Karen gets a special invitation from her paternal Grandma Justicia Malloy. The old woman is turning 80, and she’s going to unveil her new will and testament. Only those heirs who are present will benefit from the will. Claire figures Karen could benefit from learning about her late father’s side of the family, so off to Louisiana they go. I have to say the humor in this is wonderful, but I doubt many chambers of commerce in rural Louisiana will prominently display this book as an example of how rural Louisianans behave.
The characters are eclectic by every measure, and you’ll doubtless chuckle several times as you read this. Poor Karen is worried about the pool party she’s missing back home, and she’s sure she’s going to pick up a tapeworm just by breathing air in Louisiana. Before this ends, someone drowns Grandma Justicia, and since the local cops aren’t competent enough to solve this, it’s up to Claire to figure out who killed the old woman and why.
This was a short Saturday-night read for me, and I enjoyed every page.
June 17, 2019
I am a big fan of this series. I love Joan Hess's subtle humor in her writing. This time Claire Malloy, bookstore owner, and her daughter Caron are invited to Malloy Manor in the Louisiana bayou. Expecting to have a nice reunion with her late husbands family, she finds instead a group of greedy relatives waiting for the matriarch, who drives a high powered wheelchair, to die so they can benefit from her will. When the matriarch is found dead in the bayou, the local police determines it an accident, but Claire is not so sure it was an accident since everyone has a motive for wanting her dead.
March 23, 2019
I enjoyed this book. Hess is a solid author, you can depend on her works to be engaging and to make sense. This book was no different. I wanted to know what happened and tried to see if I could figure out the crime before Claire Malloy did.
In this book Claire and her daughter Caron travel to Louisiana to visit the family matriarch on her 80th birthday. Sadly, the old lady is done in right before her birthday.
In this book Claire and her daughter Caron travel to Louisiana to visit the family matriarch on her 80th birthday. Sadly, the old lady is done in right before her birthday.
May 16, 2018
I have read other books by Hess and enjoyed her Maggody series books frequently laughing out loud while reading but did not have the same reaction on this one. Did not find it funny and not too impressed with the plot. Not convinced there was enough information for the reader to come to the same conclusion.
January 10, 2021
When Claire finds an invitation to her late husband's mothers 80th birthday in her daughters trash, she decides they need to go. Getting there was an eye opener, the house is decaying estate with relatives that are just as bad. Fighting over who inherits what and snobby to boot. But when Miss Justicia (the grandmother) is found dead in the bayou the search for the will is on.
April 29, 2024
Joan Hess is one of my favorite authors. This book is part of the Claire Malloy mystery series, and it has Claire and her daughter visiting distant (and ridiculously quirky) relatives in the Louisiana bayou. As usual, murder follows. It’s a light, funny entry in the series.
Hess’s Maggody series will always be the absolute best, in my opinion, but this series is also fun!
Hess’s Maggody series will always be the absolute best, in my opinion, but this series is also fun!
August 5, 2018
Fun read
Easy fun read. I read it in two sittings. Love the teenage Caron and her drama. Joan Hess is always a fun read.
Easy fun read. I read it in two sittings. Love the teenage Caron and her drama. Joan Hess is always a fun read.
July 13, 2019
A decent mystery. I didn't guess who it was. Some of the characters are a bit bland, but the grandmother is a hoot and the daughter is Just Right.
September 11, 2019
This is a great series. I enjoy the character interactions and the plot. This one set in Louisiana. Will continue to read this series.
February 18, 2020
This book was very enjoyable. I haven’t read a Claire Malloy mystery in awhile and I enjoyed this very much.
February 20, 2020
Just a random cozy read pick - the start of the story seemed slow for me, but I kept with it and it improved. Simple, easy read.
June 28, 2020
I read this book three times. I love it. Laugh out loud funny. Sometimes you just need to laugh
November 12, 2020
Not up to Hess's usual standard. Disappointed
August 8, 2022
Classic gathering of the heirs in this one. It was an interesting read and I enjoyed it.
July 12, 2025
hard on the nose if one has that type of imagination
October 19, 2025
If someone was giving out prices for the most obnoxious fictive teenager, this series should win 😁.
The series is entertaining, it would be even better without the teenagers!
The series is entertaining, it would be even better without the teenagers!
April 14, 2016
SUMMARY: Things that go bump in the Bayou...
For bookseller and amateur sleuth Claire Malloy getting a root canal beats going to a Malloy family reunion. But it is time her fifteen-year-old daughter Caron visits her deceased father's relatives. Now Claire and Caron have arrived at Malloy Manor, a run-down mansion in Louisiana's bayou country...where the mosquitoes are big enough to barbecue, the swamp is crawling with alligators, the butler looks like he stepped out of a teen slasher movie, and the wheelchair-bound matriarch, Miss Justicia, races around the grounds cackling like a loon.
It's the perfect setting-for a murder. Before a night has passed, Miss Justicia is sleeping with the fishes. The police call it a "tragic accident." Caron is all for calling a cab. But Claire wants to have a closer look at her "loving" relatives since she has a hunch leaving Malloy Manor isn't going to be all that easy...and neither is staying alive.
REVIEW: This was one of the better books in this series. Put together an old mansion, a family full of quirky characters, down-home Louisiana bayous, and the death of the grandam and you have a rib-tickling, hilarious cozy mystery. This one definitely reminded me of something you might see on Murder She Wrote, had so many twists and turns, lots of surprises that I never did figure out who did what before it was all over. This one was definitely entertaining with lots of zany moments.
For bookseller and amateur sleuth Claire Malloy getting a root canal beats going to a Malloy family reunion. But it is time her fifteen-year-old daughter Caron visits her deceased father's relatives. Now Claire and Caron have arrived at Malloy Manor, a run-down mansion in Louisiana's bayou country...where the mosquitoes are big enough to barbecue, the swamp is crawling with alligators, the butler looks like he stepped out of a teen slasher movie, and the wheelchair-bound matriarch, Miss Justicia, races around the grounds cackling like a loon.
It's the perfect setting-for a murder. Before a night has passed, Miss Justicia is sleeping with the fishes. The police call it a "tragic accident." Caron is all for calling a cab. But Claire wants to have a closer look at her "loving" relatives since she has a hunch leaving Malloy Manor isn't going to be all that easy...and neither is staying alive.
REVIEW: This was one of the better books in this series. Put together an old mansion, a family full of quirky characters, down-home Louisiana bayous, and the death of the grandam and you have a rib-tickling, hilarious cozy mystery. This one definitely reminded me of something you might see on Murder She Wrote, had so many twists and turns, lots of surprises that I never did figure out who did what before it was all over. This one was definitely entertaining with lots of zany moments.
July 25, 2016
The Claire Malloy series is a step above a Cozy, mainly because you actually LIKE the characters. Claire is the single mother of Caron, a teenaged daughter who's at the age of speaking in ALL CAPS. Claire is also the proprietor of a bookstore (which she doesn't seem to spend much time in, on account of solving murders and trying to calm Caron down to at least italics). Peter is Claire's detective boyfriend whom she's lucky to have, otherwise she'd spend the majority of her time in a holding cell for interfering with crime scenes.
If you're looking for a mystery series where you actually LIKE the characters (I love Christie, but spent much of my extracurricular time plotting the death of the sanctimonious bitch Ms. Marple), start on the Claire Malloy series. Likewise, if you're wondering whether to have children, pay close attention to Caron. I work with kids and can assure you that all teen girls go through the "I HATE YOU--I NEED A RIDE TO THE MALL" phase. Unless you're saving for boarding school, pay attention.
If you're looking for a mystery series where you actually LIKE the characters (I love Christie, but spent much of my extracurricular time plotting the death of the sanctimonious bitch Ms. Marple), start on the Claire Malloy series. Likewise, if you're wondering whether to have children, pay close attention to Caron. I work with kids and can assure you that all teen girls go through the "I HATE YOU--I NEED A RIDE TO THE MALL" phase. Unless you're saving for boarding school, pay attention.
August 13, 2025
I don't generally like cozy-ish mystery series (was asked to read this), but I did not rate this low because of genre bias. The twisty tactics of the plot driven by an ensemble cast are sufficiently interesting, and that's the key to any good story. However, the characters are portrayed with oddly distracting and uneven (authorial) tone and voice. Is it a goofy farce? Is it posh disdain/ social commentary, but written with only intermittent poise and clarity? Is the main character seriously this disconnected from her daughter? To what end? And what is distinctive about each in the small muddle of spinsters? Are the cops, bad guy(s), and other 2nd tier characters supposed to be funny, fraught, fearsome? They can be all of those things, but the scene/decisions have to fit the mood or communication style. There is a redeeming thread of at least some of the family's past wrongs being righted. But mostly, it's a cloudy ride to that semi-sunny conclusion.
January 14, 2009
This was my first adventure with Claire, but I found myself enjoying the dialogue, the mindset, and the whimsical nature of this novel. Claire, an amatuer sleuth, and her daughter, go to visit her dead husband's family and quickly find themselves in a scene that is not-far-removed from the Addams family. One cousin is a long-haired pot smoker that never removes his sunglassess or ipod headphones, another is a cackling old grandmother who runs her motorized wheelchair like it belonged in a NASCAR race. Every wacky character has a major foible in this novel which reminded me of the old mystery movies like Charlie Chan, etc. DOWN to the last meeting where Claire reveals the identity of the murderer, how it was done, and how she eliminated the others. This was a really good book and very enjoyable. I don't even know where I got this one.. but it was good!
January 11, 2013
Bookseller/amateur sleuth Claire Malloy and her daughter Caron travel to a dilapidated mansion on the Louisiana bayou for a sort of Malloy family reunion. Her late ex-husband's mother, Miss Justicia, is celebrating her eightieth birthday, and wants her would-be heirs present so she can reveal the latest change in her will.
An amusing collection of characters - from Miss Justicia, who cackles maniacally while racing around the ground of Malloy Manor in her wheelchair, to the overly affectionate brother-in-law, to the weird taxi driver. Claire Malloy isn't always the most likable amateur sleuth in the cozy world, and she is a bit insufferable here. Also, the ending was also not quite fathomable - at least, not in my opinion. Joan Hess has done better work with Claire Malloy, but this is still an enjoyable read.
An amusing collection of characters - from Miss Justicia, who cackles maniacally while racing around the ground of Malloy Manor in her wheelchair, to the overly affectionate brother-in-law, to the weird taxi driver. Claire Malloy isn't always the most likable amateur sleuth in the cozy world, and she is a bit insufferable here. Also, the ending was also not quite fathomable - at least, not in my opinion. Joan Hess has done better work with Claire Malloy, but this is still an enjoyable read.
February 20, 2016
This mystery about a bookstore owner, Claire, and her teen daughter, Caron, traveling on invitation to meet and celebrate with the ancient mother-in-law of the widowed Claire. Claire wants her daughter to meet the family of her deceased husband, not realizing he had not so much left, as escaped, his childhood and the family he grew up around.
One of the things I particularly enjoyed about this story, as opposed to some of the later ones, is that Claire took no potshots at her deceased mate, although she made no effort to build him up for their daughter. The family was despicable, and it was interesting seeing how they cavorted around trying to find the old woman's will, her money, and her blessing. I truly enjoyed the surprise of the ending, although I would have liked to have a few of the peripheral characters built up a little more, particularly the cook.
One of the things I particularly enjoyed about this story, as opposed to some of the later ones, is that Claire took no potshots at her deceased mate, although she made no effort to build him up for their daughter. The family was despicable, and it was interesting seeing how they cavorted around trying to find the old woman's will, her money, and her blessing. I truly enjoyed the surprise of the ending, although I would have liked to have a few of the peripheral characters built up a little more, particularly the cook.
July 5, 2016
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
June 6, 2015
I have read quite a few (around a dozen or so) of the Malloy mysteries, and this is the first one I just couldn't seem to get into. I stopped about halfway through when I realized that I couldn't even tell all of Claire's relatives apart, and that I moreover didn't really care who was who. The death in this case seemed to be a mere accident, as everyone except Claire is happy to point out, and I wasn't captured by the dialogue as much as I usually am. In this book, it didn't seem witty - it seemed worn and forced.
Oh well, I already have the next Malloy mystery lined up and I am sure it will be better. All the others were, anyway. :)
Oh well, I already have the next Malloy mystery lined up and I am sure it will be better. All the others were, anyway. :)
March 25, 2015
Light, somewhat funny (if you're not inclined to be upset about portrayals of all Southerners as racist hicks, criminals, and/or crazy) story in the continuing drama of Claire and her daughter Caron. I still often want to smack Claire for going off on trails by herself and not telling anyone. And Caron ... well, let's just say she drives me nuts and leave it at that. Although, she wasn't as bad as usual in this one.
June 6, 2007
Joan Hess has skill, but I guess I'm just not in the mood for a mystery. Mostly, I like her characterization and humor, but the solution really seemed a quantum leap. More answers/results than "proofs".
Found myself forcing the last 40 pages. Maybe it's me.
Found myself forcing the last 40 pages. Maybe it's me.
January 12, 2009
Hess has a bit of the voice of Barbara Michaels/Peters. That's the type of cozy I like, so I'm enjoying this one so far. It's not as riveting as some I've read, but it's better than many. I like the gothic feel to it and the good description and dialogue.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews