Blood Moon

The blood moon serves as a symbol throughout Blood Moon, beginning the narrative as a potentially inconsequential detail and evolving into an ominous deadline. It is a phenomenon where there is “a total lunar eclipse, not partial. Earth gets between the sun and a full moon. That’s the distinction. It’s a specific alignment. Earth is perfectly positioned to cast an encompassing shadow onto a full moon” (58).

Its power is in the obsession that certain people—including Dr. Victor Wallace—have for the blood moon. Initially, the blood moon is introduced as an overlooked and potentially unimportant detail. John initially dismisses it when Beth brings it to his attention, and he echoes the skepticism of later detectives in the story. This early dismissal highlights Truth, Justice, and the Cost of Silence. A crucial clue is ignored because it is more convenient to overlook it and choose the easiest solution. However, Beth is unwavering in her belief that the blood moon is important, and she finds a pattern between blood moons and missing girls and women in the region.

As the narrative progresses, the blood moon becomes more important because it is a lethal deadline. It becomes a ticking clock, escalating John and Beth’s urgency in their investigation.