A review by tdblaylock
Shoot the Moonlight Out by William Boyle

dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.5

What a book to start out 2022. I first discovered William Boyle last year, and read City of Margins. I loved that one so much, I made sure to get a signed copy of this new novel. While the set-up is similar in that City of Margins and Shoot the Moonlight Out both revolve around intertwining stories, they don’t feel like the same thing re-used. 
Shoot the Moonlight Out is a beautiful work. While it is technically crime noir, the crime is just the glue that holds it together. The real story is the characters. I’m not sure I have read another author who can develop and show such distinction to characters like Boyle does. When some authors try to do this, all the characters start sounding alike, but Boyle gives each a unique voice that makes you care for even the worst of them. 
This novel has it all- heart wrenching characters and uplifting scenes, bad guys and people just trying to make it through life, and also one hilarious family story (I read that scene in bed while my wife was asleep, and I struggled to keep it together). 
I will definitely cherish this autographed first edition, and will be going back to read the rest of his earlier works.