Published by
Penguin Random House (Australian & NZ, 2019)
Australian Edition
USA/Canada Edition
Half Moon Lake
New York Times bestseller
Longlist, Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards
Longlist, Ned Kelly Awards
On a summer’s day in Louisiana, 1913, Sonny Davenport wanders away from his family’s vacation home at Half Moon Lake and doesn’t come back. The boy’s mysterious disappearance makes front-page news in his home town of Opelousas. John Henry and Mary Davenport are wealthy and influential and will do anything to find their child. They search for Sonny across the state and throughout the South. After years of crushing disappointments following hope, he is found with a peddler in Alabama. But the Davenports’ joy at finding their son is cut short when another woman, unwed domestic worker Grace Mill, claims the boy is hers. As the two mothers fight to claim the child, people choose sides, testing loyalties, the notion of truth, and the meaning of the word family.
“An evocative, unputdownable story about every parent’s worst nightmare — losing a child. With a deft hand, Alexander introduces us to a cast of flawed, fascinating characters, then leads us through the story, making us rage in one line and breaking our hearts in the next. Many times I wanted to step into the pages of this book to put things right—a sure sign of a compelling read. I highly recommend this novel.”
Sally Hepworth
“This is why we read novels — to come across a story such as Kirsten Alexander’s Half Moon Lake. Alexander’s tale of a young boy gone missing in rural Louisiana in 1913 is written in calm and fluent prose from beginning to end, yet at the same time the narrative drama remains intense throughout. The search for the missing boy argues that love and longing can lead to corruption of the soul, without any evil intent. In it’s craft and psychological subtlety, Alexander’s story comes close to a masterpiece.”
Robert Hillman
“A compelling tale, full of wonderfully drawn characters and richly evoked locations, with a wrenching story at its heart. This book defies categorisation. Elements of mystery, true crime, family drama and social commentary are woven together seamlessly. Half Moon Lake should be read and re-read — devour it for the engrossing story, and return to it for the lyrical language.”
Meg Keneally
“A terrific premise, which becomes more than just a page-turning story; this is a complex and thought-provoking tale of the lengths we go to in order to save those close to us — and to save ourselves. I was gripped throughout.”
Natasha Lester
Media
The Book Podcast
6 May 2019
A conversation with host Rosemary Puddy.
Words & Nerds Podcast
24 April 2019
A conversation with host Dani Vee.
The Readings Podcast
1 March 2019
A conversation with Reading’s Christine Gordon.
3CR Published or Not interview
14 February 2019
Hosts Jan Goldsmith and David McLean talk to Australian and international authors every week.
Behind the Pen interview
13 February 2019
An interview with writer and reviewer Theresa Smith.
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
10 February 2019
By covering complex terrain, Half Moon Lake opens up an emotionally charged dialogue surrounding the choices we make and the lies we tell ourselves. Losing a child, arguably the ultimate grief, is a complicated thing and the author deals with the subject with awareness and sensitivity.
Theresa Smith Writes review
4 February 2019
It’s a truly mesmerising novel, beautifully written with such a strong sense of time and place. When I finished reading it, I felt such an overwhelming wave of sadness and anger. The grains of truth that run through this story are enough to make me weep over the injustice of it.
The Winding Narrative interview
31 January 2019
An interview with Andrea Barton.
ABC Breakfast Radio Melbourne, What’s On at the Library
30 January 2019
Monica Dullard shares her reading tips with the morning radio hosts.
Herald-Sun and Canberra Times review
26 January 2019
In an impressive historical fiction debut, US-born and Melbourne-based Alexander draws on the true story of Bobby Dunbar… It’s a captivating tale that explores the bonds between mother and child, the power of money and the importance of truth.
3RRR Backstory interview
23 January 2019
With Rashelle McHugh. Backstory is a show about books, stories, the craft of writing, and the people behind the lines.
Sam Still Reading review
22 January 2019
This novel is skilfully woven with themes of class, race and sex discrimination. It’s also the story of a family once whole, broken by a dramatic event and a desperate attempt to repair the hole that remains. It’s an incredibly strong debut that left me thinking about this book for weeks.
Better Reading interview
21 January 2019
PRH, Researching Half Moon Lake
20 January 2019
Are we responsible for the actions of our forebears? Do their choices change who we are? To my mind, the human experience makes no sense without exploring the stories from our past, imagining those from our future, and being clear-eyed and honest about our present.
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
12 January 2019
A gripping, nervy tale of identity, class and race, in which power and money triumph over truthful the way to the shocking final scene… a strong original narrative, with a central mystery and an intriguing plot.
Australian Book Review
January – February issue 2019
Kirsten Alexander has produced an accomplished debut novel on this (lost children) theme… The publisher’s blurb says the novel is about ‘the parent-child bond, identity, and what it means to be part of a family’. All true: but what the novel is really about is power.
Mrs B’s Book Reviews
11 January 2019
On first appearance it can seem like Half Moon Lake is a cut and dry historical based kidnapping story. I need to make it clear that Half Moon Lake is so much more than this.
Whitcoull’s (video) review
10 January 2019
Better Reading Q&A
9 January 2019
Better Reading review
8 January 2019
Half Moon Lake is a captivating novel... Transporting us to another time, she takes readers to a world rife with injustice and prejudice, where the truth can be bought with gold, and social appearances mean everything. For readers who enjoy both historical and thriller fiction, Half Moon Lake should be on your reading list for 2019.
Good Reading review
January 2019
This is a powerful novel that examines the nature of identity and family bonds. Life in the south is evocatively described, from the landscape to the social politics, the plight of black slaves and the fate of orphaned children who are auctioned off… Alexander’s thoughtful novel kept me engrossed and raised plenty of questions that had me thinking about the book long after I finished.
Librarian’s Choice interview
2 January 2019
Books & Publishing review
25 October 2018
This isn’t simply the story of a missing boy—though that alone would have been enough to sustain a reader’s interest—it’s also a skilful exploration of multi-generational trauma, wrapped up in an engrossing mystery.
Published by
Grand Central/Hachette (US & Canada, 2020)
Australian Edition
USA/Canada Edition
Lost Boy Found
New York Times bestseller
Longlist, Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards
Longlist, Ned Kelly Awards
On a summer’s day in Louisiana, 1913, Sonny Davenport wanders away from his family’s vacation home at Half Moon Lake and doesn’t come back. The boy’s mysterious disappearance makes front-page news in his home town of Opelousas.
John Henry and Mary Davenport are wealthy and influential and will do anything to find their child. They search for Sonny across the state and throughout the South.
After years of crushing disappointments following hope, he is found with a peddler in Alabama. But the Davenports’ joy at finding their son is cut short when another woman, unwed domestic worker Grace Mill, claims the boy is hers.
As the two mothers fight to claim the child, people choose sides, testing loyalties, the notion of truth, and the meaning of the word family.
“An evocative, unputdownable story about every parent’s worst nightmare — losing a child. With a deft hand, Alexander introduces us to a cast of flawed, fascinating characters, then leads us through the story, making us rage in one line and breaking our hearts in the next. Many times I wanted to step into the pages of this book to put things right—a sure sign of a compelling read. I highly recommend this novel.”
Sally Hepworth
“This is why we read novels — to come across a story such as Kirsten Alexander’s Half Moon Lake. Alexander’s tale of a young boy gone missing in rural Louisiana in 1913 is written in calm and fluent prose from beginning to end, yet at the same time the narrative drama remains intense throughout. The search for the missing boy argues that love and longing can lead to corruption of the soul, without any evil intent. In it’s craft and psychological subtlety, Alexander’s story comes close to a masterpiece.”
Robert Hillman
“A compelling tale, full of wonderfully drawn characters and richly evoked locations, with a wrenching story at its heart. This book defies categorisation. Elements of mystery, true crime, family drama and social commentary are woven together seamlessly. Half Moon Lake should be read and re-read — devour it for the engrossing story, and return to it for the lyrical language.”
Meg Keneally
“A terrific premise, which becomes more than just a page-turning story; this is a complex and thought-provoking tale of the lengths we go to in order to save those close to us — and to save ourselves. I was gripped throughout.”
Natasha Lester
Media
The Book Podcast
6 May 2019
A conversation with host Rosemary Puddy.
Words & Nerds Podcast
24 April 2019
A conversation with host Dani Vee.
The Readings Podcast
1 March 2019
A conversation with Reading’s Christine Gordon.
3CR Published or Not interview
14 February 2019
Hosts Jan Goldsmith and David McLean talk to Australian and international authors every week.
Behind the Pen interview
13 February 2019
An interview with writer and reviewer Theresa Smith.
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
10 February 2019
By covering complex terrain, Half Moon Lake opens up an emotionally charged dialogue surrounding the choices we make and the lies we tell ourselves. Losing a child, arguably the ultimate grief, is a complicated thing and the author deals with the subject with awareness and sensitivity.
Theresa Smith Writes review
4 February 2019
It’s a truly mesmerising novel, beautifully written with such a strong sense of time and place. When I finished reading it, I felt such an overwhelming wave of sadness and anger. The grains of truth that run through this story are enough to make me weep over the injustice of it.
The Winding Narrative interview
31 January 2019
An interview with Andrea Barton.
ABC Breakfast Radio Melbourne, What’s On at the Library
30 January 2019
Monica Dullard shares her reading tips with the morning radio hosts.
Herald-Sun and Canberra Times review
26 January 2019
In an impressive historical fiction debut, US-born and Melbourne-based Alexander draws on the true story of Bobby Dunbar… It’s a captivating tale that explores the bonds between mother and child, the power of money and the importance of truth.
3RRR Backstory interview
23 January 2019
With Rashelle McHugh. Backstory is a show about books, stories, the craft of writing, and the people behind the lines.
Sam Still Reading review
22 January 2019
This novel is skilfully woven with themes of class, race and sex discrimination. It’s also the story of a family once whole, broken by a dramatic event and a desperate attempt to repair the hole that remains. It’s an incredibly strong debut that left me thinking about this book for weeks.
Better Reading interview
21 January 2019
PRH, Researching Half Moon Lake
20 January 2019
Are we responsible for the actions of our forebears? Do their choices change who we are? To my mind, the human experience makes no sense without exploring the stories from our past, imagining those from our future, and being clear-eyed and honest about our present.
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
12 January 2019
A gripping, nervy tale of identity, class and race, in which power and money triumph over truthful the way to the shocking final scene… a strong original narrative, with a central mystery and an intriguing plot.
Australian Book Review
January – February issue 2019
Kirsten Alexander has produced an accomplished debut novel on this (lost children) theme… The publisher’s blurb says the novel is about ‘the parent-child bond, identity, and what it means to be part of a family’. All true: but what the novel is really about is power.
Mrs B’s Book Reviews
11 January 2019
On first appearance it can seem like Half Moon Lake is a cut and dry historical based kidnapping story. I need to make it clear that Half Moon Lake is so much more than this.
Whitcoull’s (video) review
10 January 2019
Better Reading Q&A
9 January 2019
Better Reading review
8 January 2019
Half Moon Lake is a captivating novel... Transporting us to another time, she takes readers to a world rife with injustice and prejudice, where the truth can be bought with gold, and social appearances mean everything. For readers who enjoy both historical and thriller fiction, Half Moon Lake should be on your reading list for 2019.
Good Reading review
January 2019
This is a powerful novel that examines the nature of identity and family bonds. Life in the south is evocatively described, from the landscape to the social politics, the plight of black slaves and the fate of orphaned children who are auctioned off… Alexander’s thoughtful novel kept me engrossed and raised plenty of questions that had me thinking about the book long after I finished.
Librarian’s Choice interview
2 January 2019
Books & Publishing review
25 October 2018
This isn’t simply the story of a missing boy—though that alone would have been enough to sustain a reader’s interest—it’s also a skilful exploration of multi-generational trauma, wrapped up in an engrossing mystery.