Book Review: Solving Cadence Moore by Gregory Sterner

Solving Cadence Moore

by

Gregory Sterner

Publisher: Aperture Press
Publication date: 7th November 2017
Pages: 370
Format read: Paperback
Source: Courtesy of the author via Book Publicity Services 

Ten years ago, famous young singer Cadence Moore disappeared without a trace on a remote highway in western Pennsylvania. To this day her fate remains unknown. Was she kidnapped or murdered? Or did she simply run away in search of a new life, leaving behind the abuse and heartbreak that haunted her?

Charlie Marx, host of the popular conspiracy radio show "Underground Broadcast," is obsessed with Cadence. Desperate to find her after deceiving his boss to save his job, he launches an investigation of his own, digging deep into the missing woman's past and uncovering her darkest secrets. Working feverishly for weeks, he claims to have solved the mystery and promises to reveal Cadence's fate at the end of a groundbreaking podcast series and live radio special.

But is it all a lie? As years of twisted details slowly unravel, Charlie races to solve the biggest mystery of the decade. If he succeeds, it will mean closure for Cadence. If he fails, his entire world will come crashing down live on air--and the truth may be lost forever.  

Solving Cadence Moore is a uniquely plotted mystery written around a radio podcast series.

With podcasts becoming increasingly popular Sterner’s idea of writing a mystery with a radio personality, not a detective, as the main character and centering it on a podcast series is modern and brilliant.

The disappearance, ten years ago, of popular, young college singer Cadence Moore is back in the headlines after a documentary was recently screened about it.

Charlie Marx, radio personality, thinks he can do a better investigation of the facts of her disappearance. His boss assigns him podcast time and Charlie starts to build the momentum. The podcast becomes a major hit when Charlie declares he will let his listeners in on the truth of Cadence Moore’s disappearance. A truth he doesn’t have, but why let that get in the way of a good story.

The podcast goes through interviews with all the witnesses and friends of Cadence’s last days. It’s ten years on and some recollections may be hazy; some may even be lying!

The mystery of Cadence’s disappearance really pulled me in and throughout the interviews I made, and changed, my own conclusions many times.

The main focus of this story is Cadence and we get a lot of background on her and her friends. However there is not much on Charlie Marx, the producer of the podcast, and his boss, Tyler Ruebens. Both men came across as egotistical fast-talking con-men. Their personalities leapt from the page and brought the characters to life. As unlikeable as they were, they were extremely real.

Gregory Sterner’s debut novel Solving Cadence Moore, a modern day noir, will draw you in and keep you hooked until the very last page.

Content: frequent coarse language

                 mentions of incest/rape

                 mild violence

                                              🌟🌟🌟🌟 1/2

 My rating   4.5/5

Gregor Sterner is an author who enjoys mystery novels, philosophy, conspiracy theory stories, and true crime. His debut mystery novel "Solving Cadence Moore" was released on November 7th, 2017. He has learned so far in his brief membership in the worldwide club of published authors that it is wise to listen to feedback, especially from publishers or agents who have had more success than you. You have to be flexible and open to collaboration in order to move forward in the process of getting your novel published. He thinks it's important to embrace inspiration when it comes and don't be afraid to take risks, as long as you do so in the parameters of good writing and good reading.