Coffin Moon: A Novel

Set in the grim, rain-soaked streets of Portland and the desolate highways of the Pacific Northwest, 'Coffin Moon' by Keith Rosson is a haunting exploration of trauma, transformation, and the unyielding bonds of family. Duane Minor, the owner of the Last Call Tavern, is thrust into a nightmarish odyssey when his adopted niece, Julia, becomes entangled in a web of violence and the supernatural. Haunted by his own past and the recent brutal murders of his wife Heidi, father-in-law Ed, and mother-in-law Joanne, Duane must confront the terrifying truth that the killer, John Varley, is not just a ruthless biker but a vampire with a century-long trail of bloodshed.

As Duane and Julia navigate a world of darkness and danger, their relationship is tested by the weight of their shared trauma. Julia, driven by a deep-seated need for justice and a desire to protect her uncle, becomes increasingly entangled in the hunt for Varley. Her own transformation into a vampire, a desperate act to save Duane's life, further complicates their journey. The novel weaves between the present and the past, revealing the deep scars of Duane's experiences in Vietnam and Julia's childhood marked by abuse and loss. These flashbacks add layers of emotional depth and context to their actions and motivations.

The pursuit of Varley leads Duane and Julia through a series of harrowing encounters, from the eerie Children’s Museum to the desolate roads of South Dakota. Along the way, they encounter a cast of characters, both human and supernatural, who challenge and aid them. The tension escalates as Varley, fueled by grief and a desire for vengeance, uses his powers to summon other vampires to hunt them down. The novel’s atmosphere is thick with unease and tension, as the lines between the living and the undead blur, and the characters are forced to confront the darkest aspects of their own natures.

In the climactic confrontation, the novel explores the themes of guilt, responsibility, and the cyclical nature of violence. Duane and Julia’s bond, forged in the crucible of their shared trauma, is ultimately tested as they face the final reckoning with Varley. The resolution is both harrowing and poignant, leaving the reader with a profound sense of the enduring impact of past experiences and the enduring strength of human connection, even in the face of the supernatural.