Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

Pages: 233

Intended Audience: Teens and Mature Tweens

Genre: Mystery

Notes for parents: Some language and mature scenes

The Inside Cover

The small town of Cryer’s Cross is rocked by tragedy when an unassuming freshman disappears without a trace. Kendall Fletcher wasn’t that friendly with the missing girl, but the angst wreaks havoc on her OCD-addled brain.

When a second student goes missing—someone close to Kendall’s heart—the community is in an uproar. Caught in a downward spiral of fear and anxiety, Kendall’s not sure she can hold it together. When she starts hearing the voices of the missing calling out to her and pleading for help, she fears she’s losing her grip on reality.

But when she finds messages scratched in a desk at school—messages that could only be from the missing student who used to sit there—Kendall decides that crazy or not, she’d never forgive herself if she didn’t act on her suspicions. Something’s not right in Cryer’s Cross—and Kendall’s about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

What the Inside Cover doesn’t tell you:

Once again, this was a cover that told too much. All it’s missing is the end!

What’s good?

Short chapters kept this story moving quickly. The suspense starts immediately with the first line of Chapter One: “Everything changes when Tiffany Quinn disappears.” I was drawn in right away and felt instantly invested in the mystery. The characters were well done and likeable. The writing was excellent. The plot was complex, with several twists and turns, and the subplot involving Kendall’s OCD was interesting.

Best part: Mr. Greenwood and Hector Morales

What’s not so good?

While the story is a good mystery, the plot itself is weak. I wasn’t satisfied with the way everything wrapped up. To be frank, after reading the last chapter, I literally threw my hands in the air and said, “Are you kidding me?” I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I was definitely expecting…more. I wish I could say more, but I don’t want to give away the mystery.

The relationship between Kendall and Jacian seemed unlikely for some reason – maybe because of Nico, or perhaps because Jacian was introduced as too angry and bitter to be friendly.

Also, the “We” chapters are incomprehensible until the end, and even then…

Worst part: “Everything inside her body melts. She is chocolate in his fist.” (pg 225). Sorry, but I laughed when I read it. It was a ridiculous visual.

Recommendations þþþoo

It’s a haunting tale, but was ultimately lacking in plot and resolution. It was a quick read and well written until the unsatisfying conclusion. However, other reviewers enjoyed the end, so I will recommend this book with the hope that those that pursue the endeavor of reading it will disagree with me.

McMann, Lisa. Cryer’s Cross. New York: Simon Pulse, 2011. (Hardcover)