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MOTH
Social worker Max Hollingsworth is no stranger to the otherworldly. But when he's called upon to investigate a missing child, he stumbles upon a deeper mystery.
Children are vanishing and no one remembers them, not even their parents. Suspicion turns to Neo-Nazi vampires and humans running a child slavery ring, but that is only the beginning. For help, he turns to friends, old and new, but even they might not be enough. When new enemies turn deadly, old enemies become allies, including the least likely ally of all: an enemy whose cruelty and evil was almost his end, and haunts him still.
Children are vanishing and no one remembers them, not even their parents. Suspicion turns to Neo-Nazi vampires and humans running a child slavery ring, but that is only the beginning. For help, he turns to friends, old and new, but even they might not be enough. When new enemies turn deadly, old enemies become allies, including the least likely ally of all: an enemy whose cruelty and evil was almost his end, and haunts him still.
430 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2013
2 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Sean T. Poindexter
7 books113 followersThough born in Mesa, Arizona, he has spent most of his life in Missouri. He graduated high school in Lebanon, Missouri. His mother was a special education/reading teacher and his father was a police officer, and though they divorced when Sean was very young he remains close with both his parents. He has two brothers and no children, but he has a very large extended family in the Ozark region (Mountain View/West Plains Missouri region) and Southern Arizona (Eloy/Casa Grande area).
After high school, Sean attended college at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri for a time before dropping and going to work for a TV station in Springfield, Missouri. After a time, he returned to college and graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, minor in Philosophy. He holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg, Kansas) in 2005.
After college, Sean naturally gravitated towards social work and investigative work, eventually settling with a job investigating allegations of abuse and neglect of disabled adults and seniors for the Missouri Department of Heath and Senior Services. Sean began working on the first book in the series in November of 2008, while still working full time for the State of Missouri. Though Sean has been writing most of his life, he claimed (as per his blog) that he did not consider writing professionally until he was inspired to do so by a terrible vampire movie. During the film, Sean amused himself by imagining the vampires being attacked by a dragon. Sean has remarked on his blog that he often does this when bored or annoyed with a film--though sometimes he uses Vikings, zombies, or Cthulhu in place of dragons.
His literary influences include H.P. Lovecraft, Anne Rice, Charlaine Harris, George R.R. Martin, Robert E. Howard, and R.A. Salvatore, among others. In addition to writing, Sean enjoys watching and reading science fiction, fantasy, horror, and thrillers. His hobbies include playing Xbox, fantasy role playing games and collecting firearms. Sean's background in sociology, criminology, and philosophy are heavy influences on his work, as well as his experience as an investigator (former) for the State of Missouri.
After high school, Sean attended college at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri for a time before dropping and going to work for a TV station in Springfield, Missouri. After a time, he returned to college and graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, minor in Philosophy. He holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg, Kansas) in 2005.
After college, Sean naturally gravitated towards social work and investigative work, eventually settling with a job investigating allegations of abuse and neglect of disabled adults and seniors for the Missouri Department of Heath and Senior Services. Sean began working on the first book in the series in November of 2008, while still working full time for the State of Missouri. Though Sean has been writing most of his life, he claimed (as per his blog) that he did not consider writing professionally until he was inspired to do so by a terrible vampire movie. During the film, Sean amused himself by imagining the vampires being attacked by a dragon. Sean has remarked on his blog that he often does this when bored or annoyed with a film--though sometimes he uses Vikings, zombies, or Cthulhu in place of dragons.
His literary influences include H.P. Lovecraft, Anne Rice, Charlaine Harris, George R.R. Martin, Robert E. Howard, and R.A. Salvatore, among others. In addition to writing, Sean enjoys watching and reading science fiction, fantasy, horror, and thrillers. His hobbies include playing Xbox, fantasy role playing games and collecting firearms. Sean's background in sociology, criminology, and philosophy are heavy influences on his work, as well as his experience as an investigator (former) for the State of Missouri.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 25, 2013
~I was provided an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest opinion.~
Think about a moth for a moment. He and his more popular cousin, the butterfly, both begin their lives as caterpillars, munching their way across the landscape until they've grown fat and happy enough to curl into a ball and go to sleep. And when they wake up, they are different animals. They are no longer forced crawl along on their bellies, as they now have great wings upon which they can seek out their hearts content in the air.
The princely butterfly pursues pretty colors and sweet tastes. The moth, geekier by design, prefers hanging out in the dark, which makes the bright lights it believes to be the moon easier to find.
Sufism has many poems about moths, one of which became a popular metaphor in western culture. A succession of moths dance around a flame, each getting closer and closer before returning to the others to tell what they learned. Each one is told by the eldest of them that they have no more, or no greater knowledge than the moth before him. That is, until the last thrusts himself bodily into the flame, allowing it to consume him. He, the eldest tells the others, is the only one among them who understood the gift of the flame.
In Poindexter's novel, Moth, Max Hollingsworth's reluctantly supportive girlfriend recognizes her lover for what he is: a moth to the flame, one obsessed with his job and compelled to pursue his cases even to his own destruction. The title is more than a nod to Sadie, however. From the first page to the last, and focused on the meth/child sex trade that flourishes along the US Interstate highway system, this novel is driven by needs, wants and sicknesses which become cocoons where character defining transformations take place. Just like in nature, the moths outnumber the butterflies 100 to one.
Sadie's relationship with Max provides pockets of sweetness in an otherwise bitter plot. Outwardly, she is Goth, complete with piercings, tattoos, heavy make-up and attitude to match, which altogether makes her a odd surrogate for normal society, but that's precisely what she is. Sadie's primary role is to provide the one ounce of self-preservation that Max has, but she also anchors the reader in a place just outside of the action. What Max is experiencing is beyond normal. What he is doing is beyond his call of duty. What he has borne witness to is beyond belief for a rational human being. The most brilliant part of Sadie is that the author never uses her POV. She reacts to Max, and other characters, in a way that is powerful enough to keep her, him, and the reader from acclimating to the bizarre world in which Max spends most of his time.
Vampires are the primary creatures in this dark paranormal fantasy, but as far as vile antagonists go, they might just be physically harder to kill than their human counterparts. As an agent of Child Protective Services in Joplin, Missouri, Max meets people on a daily basis who are perhaps more heinous than bloodsuckers. At the very least when a vampire enslaves a child for food and sex, he can wipe his abuses clean. Not out of mercy, of course, but to simply cover his tracks and to remain below human radar. Human pedophiles brainwash their victims for the same ends, but in ways far crueler. I won't spoil the details of how the author illustrated this, but I will say that he doesn't pull punches.
Moth pushed every boundary of my reading comfort level and I would not recommend this book to just anyone. It's inappropriate for young adults and I would give seriously caution to readers who are sensitive to child abuse. This novel is chock full for profanity, vulgarity, blood, violence, and scattered sex scenes (but only between willing individuals.) If any of that bothers you, none of this author's books not for you, but especially not this one. While I typically avoid books described as this one is, I became enamored with Sean Poindexter's voice while reading his the Dragon's Blood Chronicles, and I that gave me confidence to trust him to take me into this story. I'm very glad that I did, firstly for the delightful cameo by quick humored dragon Garrett Terago, but also for the brutal honesty and raw emotion that bleeds on every page as Max survives his challenges only because he is too busy to stop for death.
Think about a moth for a moment. He and his more popular cousin, the butterfly, both begin their lives as caterpillars, munching their way across the landscape until they've grown fat and happy enough to curl into a ball and go to sleep. And when they wake up, they are different animals. They are no longer forced crawl along on their bellies, as they now have great wings upon which they can seek out their hearts content in the air.
The princely butterfly pursues pretty colors and sweet tastes. The moth, geekier by design, prefers hanging out in the dark, which makes the bright lights it believes to be the moon easier to find.
Sufism has many poems about moths, one of which became a popular metaphor in western culture. A succession of moths dance around a flame, each getting closer and closer before returning to the others to tell what they learned. Each one is told by the eldest of them that they have no more, or no greater knowledge than the moth before him. That is, until the last thrusts himself bodily into the flame, allowing it to consume him. He, the eldest tells the others, is the only one among them who understood the gift of the flame.
In Poindexter's novel, Moth, Max Hollingsworth's reluctantly supportive girlfriend recognizes her lover for what he is: a moth to the flame, one obsessed with his job and compelled to pursue his cases even to his own destruction. The title is more than a nod to Sadie, however. From the first page to the last, and focused on the meth/child sex trade that flourishes along the US Interstate highway system, this novel is driven by needs, wants and sicknesses which become cocoons where character defining transformations take place. Just like in nature, the moths outnumber the butterflies 100 to one.
Sadie's relationship with Max provides pockets of sweetness in an otherwise bitter plot. Outwardly, she is Goth, complete with piercings, tattoos, heavy make-up and attitude to match, which altogether makes her a odd surrogate for normal society, but that's precisely what she is. Sadie's primary role is to provide the one ounce of self-preservation that Max has, but she also anchors the reader in a place just outside of the action. What Max is experiencing is beyond normal. What he is doing is beyond his call of duty. What he has borne witness to is beyond belief for a rational human being. The most brilliant part of Sadie is that the author never uses her POV. She reacts to Max, and other characters, in a way that is powerful enough to keep her, him, and the reader from acclimating to the bizarre world in which Max spends most of his time.
Vampires are the primary creatures in this dark paranormal fantasy, but as far as vile antagonists go, they might just be physically harder to kill than their human counterparts. As an agent of Child Protective Services in Joplin, Missouri, Max meets people on a daily basis who are perhaps more heinous than bloodsuckers. At the very least when a vampire enslaves a child for food and sex, he can wipe his abuses clean. Not out of mercy, of course, but to simply cover his tracks and to remain below human radar. Human pedophiles brainwash their victims for the same ends, but in ways far crueler. I won't spoil the details of how the author illustrated this, but I will say that he doesn't pull punches.
Moth pushed every boundary of my reading comfort level and I would not recommend this book to just anyone. It's inappropriate for young adults and I would give seriously caution to readers who are sensitive to child abuse. This novel is chock full for profanity, vulgarity, blood, violence, and scattered sex scenes (but only between willing individuals.) If any of that bothers you, none of this author's books not for you, but especially not this one. While I typically avoid books described as this one is, I became enamored with Sean Poindexter's voice while reading his the Dragon's Blood Chronicles, and I that gave me confidence to trust him to take me into this story. I'm very glad that I did, firstly for the delightful cameo by quick humored dragon Garrett Terago, but also for the brutal honesty and raw emotion that bleeds on every page as Max survives his challenges only because he is too busy to stop for death.
January 1, 2015
MOTH (Max Hollingsworth Paranormal Mysteries) by Sean T. Poindexter is a cracking vampire thriller with full on in-your-face action sequences that made this reader grind his teeth with the tense horror of it all. The author pulls no punches with his extreme dark narrative following Max as he tirelessly goes about the futile business of child welfare in a land run by child-feeding vampires.
The vampires are the real stars of this novel. Living in a rundown trailer park that isn't fit for pigs to live in, they strut their stuff as Aryan supremacists and it is here the author excels at giving even the most vile vampire some redeeming qualities. Kudos to the author for not making this novel grimmer than it could have been. For this reader the vampires were trailer trash scumbags with the teeth to prove it but there's so much more to them than meets first impressions.
I loved the back history to the vampire world and the weaponbabble was simply awesome. Made me wanna pack heat. Shame I live in UK.
So if like me you love all things fangsome then give this book a try and see what I'm babbling on about. You won't be sorry!
FIVE STARS for this dark fantasy thriller & highly recommended.
The vampires are the real stars of this novel. Living in a rundown trailer park that isn't fit for pigs to live in, they strut their stuff as Aryan supremacists and it is here the author excels at giving even the most vile vampire some redeeming qualities. Kudos to the author for not making this novel grimmer than it could have been. For this reader the vampires were trailer trash scumbags with the teeth to prove it but there's so much more to them than meets first impressions.
I loved the back history to the vampire world and the weaponbabble was simply awesome. Made me wanna pack heat. Shame I live in UK.
So if like me you love all things fangsome then give this book a try and see what I'm babbling on about. You won't be sorry!
FIVE STARS for this dark fantasy thriller & highly recommended.
September 25, 2014
I cannot tell a lie. Although I loved Moth, it is a very grim, gritty urban fantasy which will never make it onto my 'books to read when I feel bad' shelf. I had to read Harrison's Oracle's Moon after to cheer me up. Max is not a happy man, and he is not a nice man. He does what he feels is necessary to keep people safe from the predators, whether the predators are human or other. If anyone is hoping questions will be answered about Max's origins... yeah, didn't happen, but we do discover that Max has an 'ability' and a mad love for guns. Moth works as a stand alone, but I highly recommend The Shadow of Tiamat and The Will of the Darkest One, both of which have gloriously snarky humor and less urban grit.
February 16, 2014
This is my first read of Sean Poindexter’s and it is definitely a winner. Moth is a mixture of twists and turns that will catapult you into a world of bloodthirsty vampires, racial tension, and an intense social worker named Max Hollingsworth. I enjoyed the many facets of this book as I went from quite lows to extreme highs all within the turn of a page.
Hollingsworth is a special kind of hero. He truly fights for those who cannot defend themselves and in doing so, he tends to put himself in harm’s way. Even though you get an inkling that he is no mere man, his emotions, tragedies, and pain come through stronger than any character in the story. The love of his life, Sadie, stands by his side as he fights for the truth about the missing children in the local low rent trailer park. With vampires and other beings playing both both angel and demon, the heroes band together to take on the nastiest villains that Poindexter can conjure.
The writer’s style immediately draws you in and places you in the midst of a mystery that grabs you and keeps you until the final page. What is happening to the children? What happened to the other social workers? What the hell is the thing that is being kept in a shed in the woods? I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to more of this writer’s work.
Review based on ARC.
Lachelle Redd
Hollingsworth is a special kind of hero. He truly fights for those who cannot defend themselves and in doing so, he tends to put himself in harm’s way. Even though you get an inkling that he is no mere man, his emotions, tragedies, and pain come through stronger than any character in the story. The love of his life, Sadie, stands by his side as he fights for the truth about the missing children in the local low rent trailer park. With vampires and other beings playing both both angel and demon, the heroes band together to take on the nastiest villains that Poindexter can conjure.
The writer’s style immediately draws you in and places you in the midst of a mystery that grabs you and keeps you until the final page. What is happening to the children? What happened to the other social workers? What the hell is the thing that is being kept in a shed in the woods? I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to more of this writer’s work.
Review based on ARC.
Lachelle Redd
January 5, 2015
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Sean Poindexter is a new to me author. I will definitely be reading more from him as I thoroughly enjoyed Max Hollingsworth and his shenanigans. He's an awesome character that is a bad ass that doesn't take shit from anyone, whether they are human, vampire, or other paranormal being. He just wants to help the kids in his shitty city and he won't let a little thing like the paranormal world get in his way.
I loved the blending of this character's world and the real world. The descriptions in the book were so vivid but not overly metaphorical. I didn't so much as read this story as devour it. It was such a great read that it didn't feel like a chore or a job or something I had to do. It was an easy read in that I was attached to the pages and couldn't tear myself away. The subject matter, child trafficking, is not an easy subject to write about but I think the Sean did a great job with this topic and didn't take it over the top. I highly recommend this story.
Sean Poindexter is a new to me author. I will definitely be reading more from him as I thoroughly enjoyed Max Hollingsworth and his shenanigans. He's an awesome character that is a bad ass that doesn't take shit from anyone, whether they are human, vampire, or other paranormal being. He just wants to help the kids in his shitty city and he won't let a little thing like the paranormal world get in his way.
I loved the blending of this character's world and the real world. The descriptions in the book were so vivid but not overly metaphorical. I didn't so much as read this story as devour it. It was such a great read that it didn't feel like a chore or a job or something I had to do. It was an easy read in that I was attached to the pages and couldn't tear myself away. The subject matter, child trafficking, is not an easy subject to write about but I think the Sean did a great job with this topic and didn't take it over the top. I highly recommend this story.
February 8, 2014
I was provided this book in exchange for an honest review!
This is a strange wonderful story. It's uniqueness is something most artist wish to capture. From page 1 I knew this was something I had never read or come close to before. The premise of this story was strange and a welcome change to me. It took me a while to get used to the authors writting stlye and his sense of dirrection. Once I did I was truly able to enjoy the book. He captures the characters from almost a lived through experence. You are able to see through the eyes of Max. This story is dark and deals with some pretty taboo issues which I applaud the author for doing so.
This is deffinetly a book for anyone over the age of 18 that needs something dark and different. I look foward to seeing what else this author can create!
This is a strange wonderful story. It's uniqueness is something most artist wish to capture. From page 1 I knew this was something I had never read or come close to before. The premise of this story was strange and a welcome change to me. It took me a while to get used to the authors writting stlye and his sense of dirrection. Once I did I was truly able to enjoy the book. He captures the characters from almost a lived through experence. You are able to see through the eyes of Max. This story is dark and deals with some pretty taboo issues which I applaud the author for doing so.
This is deffinetly a book for anyone over the age of 18 that needs something dark and different. I look foward to seeing what else this author can create!
Read
February 12, 2014I was looking forward to this, thinking I'd like it more than 'The Dragon's Blood Chronicles' since I found Max more interesting of the characters. If you read it as a stand-alone, though, you will be lost on some things. The book includes R-rated language and sex, and one of Max's cases involves child sex trafficking...so if that'll disturb you, you'll want to pass on it. There were some contradictions in the story...one example: Max is explaining that it's too cold for bugs, so he won't get eaten up by mosquitos, ticks, and chiggers...but then describes walking into spider webs and getting bit by a spider. There were also several editing issues, but not as many as in the 1st edition of 'The Will of the Darkest One'.
July 21, 2020
If you've ever needed a look inside the mind of a pedophile, read this book. The author is making the most hamfisted effort to depict himself vicariously through Max with such over the top "troubled hero" imagery anyone who has read this book should have put together that he was a child diddler from the start. I, like many others, did not, I confess.
July 19, 2020
This book was written by a child predator. Avoid at all cost.
September 22, 2014
“MOTH (Max Hollingsworth Paranormal Mysteries)” by Sean T. Poindexter was given to me in exchange for a review on my blog. I rarely read Vampire stories but this came with high recommendations and those proved to be very accurate.
Set in Joplin, Missouri, the story follows Max, who works for Child Protection Services. His latest case is special since it involves a series of child disappearances with some unusual and possibly paranormal circumstances connecting the cases. The paranormal creatures in question tend to leave Max alone, which is why he is chosen for the assignment.
From the start it is clear that Pointdexter has a knack for the genre and a talent for great characterisation. Max, his colleagues and his girlfriend are interesting and fascinating parts of a well plotted novel with a very well-drawn setting. Whether it is a humble church goer in the drug infested trailer park or Vampires trailing Max, the book is full of memorable and colourful people that liven up even the darker scenes of the novel.
At its heart the book remains a mystery that needs to be solved. Mind powers of the Vampires, such as erasing minds or memories, and the internal power struggles of the Vampires make this a more complex story than one might have come to expect.
The subject matter of child exploitation is serious and may not be easy for all readers but there is something profound and liberating in the outspoken portrayal of child abuse and child abusers. Sex, violence, foul language and vampires tend to go together and Pointdexter has created his own blend of it which should appeal to a wide section of fans of the genre. There are segments in the book that will stay with me for a long time, especially the story of a step-dad and his 16 year old step daughter – a spotlight on the human mind games between ‘abuser’ and ‘victim’ which is mirrored later in the manipulative powers of the vampires.
This is edgy stuff that may be challenging to some readers but will prove compelling and addictive to many others. A dark and intense paranormal fantasy with excellent characters and some unexpected depth.
Highly recommended.
Set in Joplin, Missouri, the story follows Max, who works for Child Protection Services. His latest case is special since it involves a series of child disappearances with some unusual and possibly paranormal circumstances connecting the cases. The paranormal creatures in question tend to leave Max alone, which is why he is chosen for the assignment.
From the start it is clear that Pointdexter has a knack for the genre and a talent for great characterisation. Max, his colleagues and his girlfriend are interesting and fascinating parts of a well plotted novel with a very well-drawn setting. Whether it is a humble church goer in the drug infested trailer park or Vampires trailing Max, the book is full of memorable and colourful people that liven up even the darker scenes of the novel.
At its heart the book remains a mystery that needs to be solved. Mind powers of the Vampires, such as erasing minds or memories, and the internal power struggles of the Vampires make this a more complex story than one might have come to expect.
The subject matter of child exploitation is serious and may not be easy for all readers but there is something profound and liberating in the outspoken portrayal of child abuse and child abusers. Sex, violence, foul language and vampires tend to go together and Pointdexter has created his own blend of it which should appeal to a wide section of fans of the genre. There are segments in the book that will stay with me for a long time, especially the story of a step-dad and his 16 year old step daughter – a spotlight on the human mind games between ‘abuser’ and ‘victim’ which is mirrored later in the manipulative powers of the vampires.
This is edgy stuff that may be challenging to some readers but will prove compelling and addictive to many others. A dark and intense paranormal fantasy with excellent characters and some unexpected depth.
Highly recommended.
September 9, 2014
“MOTH (Max Hollingsworth Paranormal Mysteries)” by Sean T. Poindexter was given to me in exchange for a review on my blog. I rarely read Vampire stories but this came with high recommendations and those proved to be very accurate.
Set in Joplin, Missouri, the story follows Max, who works for Child Protection Services. His latest case is special since it involves a series of child disappearances with some unusual and possibly paranormal circumstances connecting the cases. The paranormal creatures in question tend to leave Max alone, which is why he is chosen for the assignment.
From the start it is clear that Pointdexter has a knack for the genre and a talent for great characterisation. Max, his colleagues and his girlfriend are interesting and fascinating parts of a well plotted novel with a very well-drawn setting. Whether it is a humble church goer in the drug infested trailer park or Vampires trailing Max, the book is full of memorable and colourful people that liven up even the darker scenes of the novel.
At its heart the book remains a mystery that needs to be solved. Mind powers of the Vampires, such as erasing minds or memories, and the internal power struggles of the Vampires make this a more complex story than one might have come to expect.
The subject matter of child exploitation is serious and may not be easy for all readers but there is something profound and liberating in the outspoken portrayal of child abuse and child abusers. Sex, violence, foul language and vampires tend to go together and Pointdexter has created his own blend of it which should appeal to a wide section of fans of the genre. There are segments in the book that will stay with me for a long time, especially the story of a step-dad and his 16 year old step daughter – a spotlight on the human mind games between ‘abuser’ and ‘victim’ which is mirrored later in the manipulative powers of the vampires.
This is edgy stuff that may be challenging to some readers but will prove compelling and addictive to many others. A dark and intense paranormal fantasy with excellent characters and some unexpected depth.
Highly recommended.
Set in Joplin, Missouri, the story follows Max, who works for Child Protection Services. His latest case is special since it involves a series of child disappearances with some unusual and possibly paranormal circumstances connecting the cases. The paranormal creatures in question tend to leave Max alone, which is why he is chosen for the assignment.
From the start it is clear that Pointdexter has a knack for the genre and a talent for great characterisation. Max, his colleagues and his girlfriend are interesting and fascinating parts of a well plotted novel with a very well-drawn setting. Whether it is a humble church goer in the drug infested trailer park or Vampires trailing Max, the book is full of memorable and colourful people that liven up even the darker scenes of the novel.
At its heart the book remains a mystery that needs to be solved. Mind powers of the Vampires, such as erasing minds or memories, and the internal power struggles of the Vampires make this a more complex story than one might have come to expect.
The subject matter of child exploitation is serious and may not be easy for all readers but there is something profound and liberating in the outspoken portrayal of child abuse and child abusers. Sex, violence, foul language and vampires tend to go together and Pointdexter has created his own blend of it which should appeal to a wide section of fans of the genre. There are segments in the book that will stay with me for a long time, especially the story of a step-dad and his 16 year old step daughter – a spotlight on the human mind games between ‘abuser’ and ‘victim’ which is mirrored later in the manipulative powers of the vampires.
This is edgy stuff that may be challenging to some readers but will prove compelling and addictive to many others. A dark and intense paranormal fantasy with excellent characters and some unexpected depth.
Highly recommended.
March 18, 2016
This novel was a pleasant surprise for me. I love anything having to do with vampires, be they about the evil dead types made famous with Dracula, or the romanticized types, such as the popular Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton. This story is something a little different and falls somewhere in between the two.
Max Hollingsworth is a social worker who specializes with abused children. Not the most pleasant of subjects, but Sean Poindexter handles it well. We all know it happens, but not many authors are brave enough to approach the subject in a novel like this one. Those who’ve tried haven’t always come across as well as this author did. He was able to make me feel for the lost children without completely disgusting me, taking a risk I might toss the book. Being a mother, and grandmother, I couldn’t imagine my own being placed in the hands of a pedophile.
Max not only has to deal with human monsters, some of them the children’s own parents, he also has to deal with a gang of neo-nazi vampires running a child slavery ring. Somehow these vampires are able to make parents completely forget they even have a child. It can be difficult to prosecute if no one remembers the child even exists.
I loved the story and what Max was willing to put himself through to try to help these kids. The only reason I’m not giving it five stars is because of the side stories. They could be a little difficult to follow as far as time was concerned. It was necessary information for the most part, but I still found it hard to realign my thoughts at times.
Bottom line, if you like detective type stories with a little paranormal edge, then I can pretty much guarantee you’ll enjoy this one. I can’t wait for the next novel in this series to be released.
Max Hollingsworth is a social worker who specializes with abused children. Not the most pleasant of subjects, but Sean Poindexter handles it well. We all know it happens, but not many authors are brave enough to approach the subject in a novel like this one. Those who’ve tried haven’t always come across as well as this author did. He was able to make me feel for the lost children without completely disgusting me, taking a risk I might toss the book. Being a mother, and grandmother, I couldn’t imagine my own being placed in the hands of a pedophile.
Max not only has to deal with human monsters, some of them the children’s own parents, he also has to deal with a gang of neo-nazi vampires running a child slavery ring. Somehow these vampires are able to make parents completely forget they even have a child. It can be difficult to prosecute if no one remembers the child even exists.
I loved the story and what Max was willing to put himself through to try to help these kids. The only reason I’m not giving it five stars is because of the side stories. They could be a little difficult to follow as far as time was concerned. It was necessary information for the most part, but I still found it hard to realign my thoughts at times.
Bottom line, if you like detective type stories with a little paranormal edge, then I can pretty much guarantee you’ll enjoy this one. I can’t wait for the next novel in this series to be released.
August 4, 2014
Reviewed on THE NIGHTLIFE blog: http://thenightlifeseries.blogspot.co...
Max, CPS investigator, is on the trail of several mysterious child disappearances. Max digs through trailer trash hovels, neo-nazi meth dealers, and every form of Deliverance-backwater scum you can find rotting in a 1970's singlewide. The search for these phantom missing children seems to dead end every which way ... the parents can't remember they ever had children.
Its the memory blackout that proves who's behind these heinous crimes. Damn vampires are at it again, erasing minds, stealing children and selling them off to vampire truckers and pedophiles.
This is every CPS worker's nightmare case, and no one in the department can handle it, except Max. He's immune to vampire glamour, sees right through their bullshit. Forced into a deadly alliance with rival vampires, Max plays supernatural politics to his advantage and brings down the hammer of retribution.
I'll never be able to look at a trailer park the same way again.
Moth delves into the darkest depths of child exploitation in America, while seamlessly blending in a hidden underworld of supernatural nasties. An intense genre-bender of urban fantasy, horror, thriller, mystery-suspense, with a splatter of steamy, erotica.
Definitely my kind of novel, a SOLID FIVE STAR READ ★★★★★
Max, CPS investigator, is on the trail of several mysterious child disappearances. Max digs through trailer trash hovels, neo-nazi meth dealers, and every form of Deliverance-backwater scum you can find rotting in a 1970's singlewide. The search for these phantom missing children seems to dead end every which way ... the parents can't remember they ever had children.
Its the memory blackout that proves who's behind these heinous crimes. Damn vampires are at it again, erasing minds, stealing children and selling them off to vampire truckers and pedophiles.
This is every CPS worker's nightmare case, and no one in the department can handle it, except Max. He's immune to vampire glamour, sees right through their bullshit. Forced into a deadly alliance with rival vampires, Max plays supernatural politics to his advantage and brings down the hammer of retribution.
I'll never be able to look at a trailer park the same way again.
Moth delves into the darkest depths of child exploitation in America, while seamlessly blending in a hidden underworld of supernatural nasties. An intense genre-bender of urban fantasy, horror, thriller, mystery-suspense, with a splatter of steamy, erotica.
Definitely my kind of novel, a SOLID FIVE STAR READ ★★★★★
August 31, 2014
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock
Max is a Social Worker investigating child abuse cases. He is given a case of children going missing and no one can remember them not even their parents. Max has dealt with usual cases before so he has his suspicions that the vampires living on the trailer park are involved and his suspicions are soon confirmed launching him into a twisted set of circumstances.
I have to admit I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book when I learnt the plot but the way it is written enabled me to become engrossed wondering what was going to happen and who was involved. It isn't and easy subject to read about or think about for that matter but this book makes you without being too graphic.
The characters are well developed and there is definitely light in sadie that helps to balance the dark in Max. I found that by the end of the book I warmed to some of the vampires, loved the interaction with frank and even within what could be a dark storyline I smiled a few times.
The question I was left with was this who are the true evil ones the vampires who run this business or the humans?
Sean T Poindexter takes a serious issue wraps it within a paranormal setting and touches the emotions of the reader. A fantastic writer who I will seek out again.
September 6, 2014
Max Hollingsworth, social worker, is obsessed with his job. And who can blame him? Certainly not his Goth girlfriend, Sadie, who seems to be (on occasion) the only rational person on the planet. At the very least, she keeps our hero rooted in reality when it would be very easy to get lost. Children are missing and while on the trail to find them, Max discovers that even the parents don't remember them. Who is to blame? Could it be the vampires or the slimy backwater Neo-Nazis that spread their own version of sickness, sometimes deadlier and certainly crueler than the vamps in the region.
Deeply insightful, the author has wound several social ills into Moth. It can be a brutal book to read as it touches upon the child sex slave issue taking place in our country today. There is blood, violence, and horror in Moth, yet the dark tale does come with a dash of humor, and the relationship between Max and Sadie is grounded in honesty. I would not recommend this book to an adult with child abuse in their past and it is certainly not for a preteen or teen. It's pushing it even at the young adult level. Yet, the writing is strong and the characters are fully fleshed. Moth is a book with many sides and the metaphors are bristling. Mr. Poindexter has done an outstanding job of describing the dark underworld, sans vampires, existing in our world today.
Deeply insightful, the author has wound several social ills into Moth. It can be a brutal book to read as it touches upon the child sex slave issue taking place in our country today. There is blood, violence, and horror in Moth, yet the dark tale does come with a dash of humor, and the relationship between Max and Sadie is grounded in honesty. I would not recommend this book to an adult with child abuse in their past and it is certainly not for a preteen or teen. It's pushing it even at the young adult level. Yet, the writing is strong and the characters are fully fleshed. Moth is a book with many sides and the metaphors are bristling. Mr. Poindexter has done an outstanding job of describing the dark underworld, sans vampires, existing in our world today.
August 30, 2015
This is a novel like nothing else I've read. It's quite dark and gory....Neo Nazis and so much more. Lots of depth in this novel. Max is obsessed with his job literally. He can't resist going deeper and deeper into. It touches drugs, sex trades and how easy it all is in the US right under our noses. Which is a sad fact in itself.
Max and Sadie's relationship is quite a complex one at that. She can't help but hate him for being obsessive but still with him. Quite a complex relationship. So many details to them alone.
The main characters in this dark paranormal is vampires and yes they are quite evil in this book. Not a hint of glitter in sight.
This novel is quite impressive. It contains, everything nightmares are made of literally. I can't even explain how deep this book is lol. I am quite impressed with how well written is was with such sensitive topics. I've never read anything by Sean Poindexter before but I will certainly look for more books by him if he can be so gritty and in depth.
I have to say I love this cover. It's so befitting of this novel. Highly recommend if you want a raw Vampire paranormal with tons of depth to it where just get sucked into the story until you can't breathe to find your way out at the end.
Max and Sadie's relationship is quite a complex one at that. She can't help but hate him for being obsessive but still with him. Quite a complex relationship. So many details to them alone.
The main characters in this dark paranormal is vampires and yes they are quite evil in this book. Not a hint of glitter in sight.
This novel is quite impressive. It contains, everything nightmares are made of literally. I can't even explain how deep this book is lol. I am quite impressed with how well written is was with such sensitive topics. I've never read anything by Sean Poindexter before but I will certainly look for more books by him if he can be so gritty and in depth.
I have to say I love this cover. It's so befitting of this novel. Highly recommend if you want a raw Vampire paranormal with tons of depth to it where just get sucked into the story until you can't breathe to find your way out at the end.
September 11, 2014
"neo-Nazi vampires running a child slavery ring." - Does that grab your attention? It did mine. I am always looking for something different and this read was definitely one of those. This detective novel has a flawed main character with true care for others at his heart. Max suffers from nightmares, he's trying to keep a steady relationship even though he has a job that has long odd hours and full of stress.
When investigating a missing child case, the reader is introduced to a determined character who has only the care and safety of children as his goal. Taking it more seriously than previous workers on the job. Max seeks out the answers to one particular missing child's case and find a connection between vampires, drugs and a church coverup going on.
He will give up at nothing, putting himself not only in danger, but in the middle of the attack on the vampires. It is a mix of procedural work and supernatural thriller. He goes above and beyond his job, cares deeply about what happens to the children and his friends.
I enjoyed the read, it's a detective story with the paranormal element that I love -vampires. It is very well written, engrossing and sexy.
When investigating a missing child case, the reader is introduced to a determined character who has only the care and safety of children as his goal. Taking it more seriously than previous workers on the job. Max seeks out the answers to one particular missing child's case and find a connection between vampires, drugs and a church coverup going on.
He will give up at nothing, putting himself not only in danger, but in the middle of the attack on the vampires. It is a mix of procedural work and supernatural thriller. He goes above and beyond his job, cares deeply about what happens to the children and his friends.
I enjoyed the read, it's a detective story with the paranormal element that I love -vampires. It is very well written, engrossing and sexy.
March 6, 2015
Moth
Oh man this books kicks ass. It is a tad bit scary but a great read that will haunt you every time you lay it down. Aaron Brother Hood vampires that steal children sell them and eat on them. Max is a child proactive officer that investigates the bad goings on with the children. He is handed a case of the paranormal kind of mojo that is hidden from the real world. I loved this book. After reading this book I took my mother to the mall and my granddaughter went with us. I could not keep my granddaughter close enough to me out of fear that someone might snatch her. That is how well written this story is.
Oh man this books kicks ass. It is a tad bit scary but a great read that will haunt you every time you lay it down. Aaron Brother Hood vampires that steal children sell them and eat on them. Max is a child proactive officer that investigates the bad goings on with the children. He is handed a case of the paranormal kind of mojo that is hidden from the real world. I loved this book. After reading this book I took my mother to the mall and my granddaughter went with us. I could not keep my granddaughter close enough to me out of fear that someone might snatch her. That is how well written this story is.
October 6, 2014
(I received an ARC for my opinion and review)
Refreshingly new, Max brings a gritty look in to the underbelly of his world's Joplin, Missouri. Working for CPS, he comes across the darker elements of the world - and not just as you'd expect. There's vampires, neo-Nazis, and conspiracies abounding. One thing "Moth" isn't - boring. It's a wonderful read and I cannot wait to see more from the author.
Refreshingly new, Max brings a gritty look in to the underbelly of his world's Joplin, Missouri. Working for CPS, he comes across the darker elements of the world - and not just as you'd expect. There's vampires, neo-Nazis, and conspiracies abounding. One thing "Moth" isn't - boring. It's a wonderful read and I cannot wait to see more from the author.
February 8, 2015
**3.5**
Max is a social worker who stumbles upon a bizarre series of vampire-related child kidnappings. This is the first book I've read by this author. It's clear that Max has quite a history with the supernatural despite his mundane career choice (lots of interesting back story).
Typical human hero against unbelievable odds. Well written, easy to read.
Max is a social worker who stumbles upon a bizarre series of vampire-related child kidnappings. This is the first book I've read by this author. It's clear that Max has quite a history with the supernatural despite his mundane career choice (lots of interesting back story).
Typical human hero against unbelievable odds. Well written, easy to read.
May 2, 2015
Moth is a dark and gritty. It definitely isn’t for the faint of heart. You follow Max a social worker as he investigates a ring of child abuse cases. Fantastic writer. While the topic is difficult to read about it, Mr. Poindexter has an unique voice.
More books please.
More books please.
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