Reviews

A Cry in the Dark by Denise Grover Swank

jazzy678's review against another edition

5.0

Great start!

This was an excellent start to a new series. Thr characters were relatable, I'm excited to watch them grow. I can't wait to see where this series takes us :)

kelly_reads75's review

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This was a great book that kept me engaged from page 1. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book and am looking forward to starting book #2 in the series next. I’ve given it 4.5-4.75 ⭐️s.  It was a very enjoyable book but I felt it was missing a small wow factor that would have taken it to 5⭐️s.  But I definitely recommend it to other readers!!

blake213's review

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

This book has gotten me back into reading with the mystery of the case, was a page turner. 

k_lenn's review against another edition

4.0

Okay - I couldn't not read this book with a cover like that!

mxlilly's review against another edition

4.0

This was a fun one! I've always enjoyed Denise's books and a whodunit was a fun final read for 2024.

Carly is on the run from her family only to land smack dab in the middle of small town intrigue. As a FMC she wasn't half bad, but still annoyed me here and there. The whole stubborn I can solve the mystery and survive danger when nobody else can attitude was annoying. If it was played off just a touch differently I don't think it would have bugged me as much, but luckily those moments didn't crop up too often.

I wasn't sure which brother she'd fall for but I'm not disappointed with her choice. I wasn't sure who actually dunit until the very end and I have to say I didn't see it coming. Honestly I managed to suspect almost every character but that one.

Definitely a fun read, good prose, great pace, and no superfluous filler that didn't pertain to the story. I would have loved some spice because...well I'm me. But I can respect it wouldn't have really fit and wasn't "necessary". I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series and I just might have to reread the original series this book tied into.

avalarue's review

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

erikathomas998's review

funny mysterious tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

taymojo's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

danie98's review

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I struggled to get through this. There was nothing inherently bad, it just went flat and wasn’t very realistic. The murder mystery was good enough to keep going but I wasn’t motivated to pick this up and nearly DNFd until I saw I was about 70% and thought I may aswell carry on. The tiny romance element seemed forced and came from no where. I liked Carly but didn’t really like Wyatt I thought he was annoying and rude.

katpen96's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5