Few people can match her extraordinary capacity to capture the atmosphere of louche, bygone London and the mood of its people. In Without the Moon she tackles the blitzed city of 1942 with the same unerring touch -- Marcel Berlins * The Times (Crime Book of the Month) *
A classic noir novel in every way * The Lady *
The First Lady of noir writing -- David Peace
Unsworth is a chameleon of a writer which allows her to travel to wherever or whenever she wishes ... To my mind she is the love child of Barbara Vine and Daphne DuMaurier -- Chris Simmons * Crimesquad (Book of the Month) *
Using real life material Unsworth has created a brilliant, swirling malestrom of a story... The vision of London after nightfall is amazing, an intermingling of prostitutes, spivs, villains, cops, communists, soldiers, journalists and psychics, hanging out in dark alleys, dodgy bars, seedy hotels -- Doug Johnstone * Independent *
Describing Cathi Unsworth as a crime writer seems limiting, there's so much more to say. * Emerald Street *
A beautifully crafted analogue world, that crackles with tension, atmosphere and human sentiment. Without the Moon is the kind of book you find yourself reading slowly because you don't want to reach the end -- Brony Hegarty * Louder Than War *
...a stunningly atmospheric thriller stuffed to bursting with characters only a city under siege (in more ways than one) could throw up and only a writer as good as Cathi Unsworth could control...Without The Moon is a tour-de-force and would certainly get my vote - not that I have one - in any of the myriad awards for book of the year. -- Mike Ripley * Shots *
Brilliant and brave, Without The Moon blends murder and magic to create a vision of London as a spiritual maze. Prostitutes, psychopaths, detectives, villains and psychics move through its corridors, glimpsing heaven and hell in an atmosphere that is so charged it can almost be touched. Fact and fiction link as justice is demanded. The best work yet from a genuine, original talent. * John King *
Cathi Unsworth hits all the satisfying marks of good noir-ish crime fiction - the pacey, gory plot; the sense of suspense; the vivid characters, but she also has a real knack for setting and place. Unsworth's books are memorable because of her way with popular culture, whether that's the seamy side of 1960s London in Bad Penny Blues or the teen goths trapped in their Norfolk seaside town in Weirdo. -- Anna Fielding * Emerald Street *
The best noir writer we have. * Loud & Quiet *
Cathi Unsworth is a psychic detective who works in the service of the unheard dead. Part Investigative reporter, part ghost hunter and always poetic, she digs through the dregs of history unlocking the long hidden secrets of a criminal underbelly. Her latest tour de force Without the Moon is perfect noir... impossible to put down, yet something wickedly delicious that you can't help but savor. -- Lydia Lunch
I love Cathi Unsworth's writing. Based on two true crimes in war-torn London, Without the Moon is totally gripping. I couldn't put it down and can't recommend this book enough. Read it! -- Martina Cole
Without the Moon is a tense and eerie thriller set during the Blitz. It is full of atmosphere and suspense with an engaging cast of characters, especially DCI Edward Greenaway. I hope he returns soon. -- Peter Robinson