By Way of the Moonlight by Elizabeth Musser tells a powerful story or rather two powerful stories, one from the past and one in the present. Allie Massey learns her Nana Dale has not left her property to Allie as Allie had hoped. Thus begins Allie’s search to uncover more about her beloved Nana Dale. The novel jumps between Allie’s present experiences and snippets of Nana Dale’s life. Sometimes the compulsion to find out what happened to Nana Dale is so great; the reader is tempted to skip ahead. However, the life journey of Allie is equally intriguing.

Elizabeth Musser knows how to pull at the reader’s heartstrings, possibly even breaking a few. Reading this story is a reward, but also an emotional journey. The story compels the reader to uncover the events of the past. At the same time readers want Allie to find her way through her challenges. The life events of Nana Dale are intriguing and engaging. The only thing that would make it better is if the book were based on a true story.

Review of an Advance Reading Copy provided by the Publisher

Content Analysis

Profanity/Language: None

Violence/Gore: Report of a father attempting to physically abuse his daughter and then breaking his son’s arm for defending the girl; acts of war including torpedoes, bombs and shootings, some blood and some fatalities mentioned.

Sex/Nudity: A girl refers to another girl as sultry and sexy; a girl mentions she has a flat chest; non-married and married characters kiss and embrace.

Mature Subjects:

Death of family member, acts of war.

Drug/Alcohol Use:

Report of a character having had too much to drink.