This is a delightfully human drama encased in a bit of lightness and quirkiness with an intriguing story only to be interrupted by an unexpected ending. It's a story of taking chances, being courageous, and being compassionate in our loving. It's about one woman's struggle to come to terms with the sudden deaths of her parents and siblings and to find out what really happened. Christina Markham thinks aliens have killed them and are after her, aliens who intend to take over the world. Even though she is confined to a sanitarium, she is determined to find a way to stop them. She thinks she has met journalist John Davis in a previous life and writes him an unbelievably crazy letter which she hopes will convince him to help her escape the sanitarium and help her save the world. Davis is almost certain she is insane, but is interested in her story. He wants to use it to write a screenplay, so he goes to the sanitarium to visit her. First mistake, because she is extremely attractive and charming. Second mistake, he helps her escape and becomes enmeshed in a mire of more mistakes, causing him to lose his job and hope of future employment. He is financially unable to refuse her request to help her in the alien matter. Not only is she a fair damsel in distress, but she is also wealthy and puts him on the payroll. One reader referred to this book as somewhat "campy." It is serious but also humorous. Conspiracy theories, alien abductions, UFO sightings are all called into question as John attempts to sway her from what he thinks are her alien delusions. But are they delusions?
I am not given to reading romantic tales. Sky Moon was a genuine surprise. Reading through the pages of Sky Moon the author's gentle spirit was obvious and welcome. The genuine surprise was in finding my critical self becoming attached to the two lead characters and their dilemmas. Without giving away any surprises that the book holds, right down to the very last page, the storyline weaves around fantastical "not of this world" tales of delusion and reality. The final reality of the story will leave you shaking your head. Vaughan's many children's books have a gentle grace about them, always enjoyable for the little and "big" kids (parents) so I picked up a copy of Sky Moon on a whim. Sky Moon is a lovely way to spend an evening or two. I hope that Ms. Vaughan has more novels to give us.