The Star and the Strange Moon

'A sweeping tale of dark magic, artistic obsession, and a love unbound from the limits of time' Paulette KennedyA vanished star. A haunted film. A mystery only love can unravel . . .1968Gemma Turner once dreamed of stardom, now she's on the cusp of obscurity. When a radical new horror film offers her the leading role, her luck looks set to change. Until one dark night, Gemma disappears on set and is never seen again. But this is only the beginning... Gemma has been pulled into the film itself, where the script - and the horrors within it - are more real than she ever imagined, and she must play her role perfectly if she hopes to survive. 2007Gemma Turner's disappearance is one of Hollywood's greatest mysteries - one that's captivated film student Christopher ever since he saw the infamous L'Étrange Lune for the first time. The film is screened just once a decade, and each time there is new, impossible footage of Gemma that simply shouldn't exist. Compelled by curiosity, Christopher dares to unravel the truth. But answers to the film's mystery may leave him trapped by it forever...'Be warned! The Star and the Strange Moon will cast its spell on you . . . ' Paula Brackston'A wonderfully creepy tale of ambition, loss, and the lure of an unsolved mystery' Publishers Weekly'Obsession and dark magic collide in this labyrinthine blending of horror, fantasy, romance, and a touch of mystery' Kirkus 'Prepare to be dazzled' Alma Katsu on A Witch in Time

Paula Brackston, New York Times bestselling author

"Be warned! The Star and the Strange Moon will cast its spell on you. Constance Sayers has created a book of worlds within worlds. Like the main characters, the reader is irresistibly drawn into the dangerous intrigue and dark truth at the heart of the story. Highly recommended!"

Paulette Kennedy, bestselling author of The Witch of Tin Mountain

"At once a sweeping tale of dark magic, artistic obsession, and a love unbound from the limits of time, The Star and the Strange Moon captivates with lush prose and moments of poignant, heartbreaking beauty. A soaring celebration of female agency and the power of free will, this is Constance Sayers at her finest."

Publishers Weekly

"A wonderfully creepy tale of ambition, loss, and the lure of an unsolved mystery...Sayers masterfully weaves a tale of multigenerational secrets, creating an enticing dance between past and present that will keep readers on edge. The psychological depth Sayers brings to the core mystery invites comparisons to Gillian Flynn."

Kirkus

"Obsession and dark magic collide in this labyrinthine blending of horror, fantasy, romance, and a touch of mystery."

Booklist

"The mystery at the heart of the novel propels the reader through the story at a lightning speed, and it gets more and more interesting as the story goes on. With the atmosphere of horror and some fantastical elements, this multigenre read will speak to a lot of different readers."

Erika Swyler, author of The Book of Speculation on The Ladies of the Secret Circus

“Ambitious and teeming with magic, Sayers creates a fascinating mix of art, The Belle Époque, and more than a little murder.”

Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Ladies of the Secret Circus

"A spellbinding historical fantasy....Fans of Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus will love this page-turning story of dark magic, star-crossed love, and familial sacrifice."

Luanne G. Smith, author of The Vine Witch on The Ladies of the Secret Circus

"At times decadent and macabre, The Ladies of the Secret Circus is a mesmerizing tale of love, treachery, and depraved magic percolating through four generations of Cabot women."

Gwendolyn Womack, bestselling author of The Fortune Teller & The Time Collector on A Witch in Time

"A captivating tapestry of a tale, A Witch in Time weaves together the supernatural, historical fiction, and a humorous present day heroine, while traveling the macabre brambles of a dark curse-through lifetimes-with a compass to the heart."

Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches on A Witch in Time

"Fresh and original... a narrative rich in historical detail, brightened by flashes of humor, and filled with colorful characters and fascinating settings. A most rewarding read!"

Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger on A Witch in Time

"A sweeping story of magical, star-crossed love, as glamorous as it is romantic. Prepare to be dazzled."

Hester Fox, author of The Witch of Willow Hall on A Witch in Time

"Fans of Deborah Harkness will devour this page-turning tale of love, reincarnation, and dark magic. A highly unique and enjoyable read!"

Publishers Weekly on A Witch in Time

"Sayers traverses time periods effortlessly with lush, graceful descriptions....This spiraling narrative will appeal to fans of historical fiction and complicated love stories ."

Steph Post, author of Miraculum on A Witch in Time

"With lush historical details and a wicked sense of humor, A Witch in Time fully immerses the reader in the story of Helen and her fated demon, unpacked like nesting dolls across time and lives, fortune and chance. From Belle Epoque France to modern-day D.C., from worlds pastoral, decadent, flashy to commercial, Sayers weaves a spell of love, lust and magic to create a page-turner like no other. All the thrill of a Discovery of Witches, with all the mystery and epic romance of Richard Matheson's classic Somewhere in Time."

About the Author

Constance Sayers is the author of three novels including A Witch in Time and The Ladies of the Secret Circus. She splits her time between Alexandria, Virginia and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Reviews

News