A mind grabbing story line from beginning to end. It kept me thoroughly engrossed. A guaranteed good read, I will look for book one Find my child and eagerly await for books 3 & 4 to catch up with Madison and Nate.

Former cop Madison Harper returns to her hometown to find her son and clear her name. Her former lover has been murdered and she has inherited the house but she is distinctly unwelcome. The police are investigating the suspected suicide of a teenager at the fairground but Madison soon suspects there is a link between the murders.
Cry For Help was a totally compelling read and I am sooooo annoyed that I have missed the first in the series to feature Madison. However, this felt like the first book so I can't imagine what was included in Shadow Falls. There were no spoilers and this first book goes straight to the top of my reading list.
Corruption is rife and Madison has no idea who she can trust. She has been in prison for years, sentenced for a murder she did not commit. Now she has teamed up with her private investigator employer Nate who was also falsely convicted. She is determined to clear her own name but this is soon surpassed by the need to protect her son. She hasn't seen him since her conviction but he is now the lead suspect in the teen's murder.
Most of the plot is delivered in the third person narrative in the present day. However some chapters are written from the day of Nikki's murder so we see the build up to her final moments. The effect of this is to make us root for Madison and Nate even more as they strive to find the truth.
There are plenty of suspects and the author cleverly misdirects the reader to keep us guessing. Some of the descriptions are a little grisly but did not feel out of place due to the momentum of the plot.
Cry For Help was an excellent thriller with strong lead characters and a gripping plot. I LOVED it!

I have been so looking forward to reading this book since I finished book one. Again this is a brilliant read, I really enjoyed it. Brilliantly written. Fast paced. Edgy. Tension. Suspense. A real page turner.

In book two we see Madison returning to her hometown in order to find out who set her up for her sentence and prison time, but also to find her son. But it will never be as easy as that right? With two suspicious deaths ongoing in her hometown is now the right time to return or will she end up in more trouble than before?

It’s a gripping read! I needed all the answers myself and I finally got them. So happy for Madison at the end of this book I hope life starts to look up for her. Ofcourse her co worker is alongside her with every step and I hope we get to know more about him in the next book! Loved it all. Cannot wait for book three already. Hurry up!! Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me. A perfect series.

Cry For Help is the second book in the Madison Harper series. I enjoyed the first in the series, Shadow Falls, so was looking forward to reading the book.
This book starts immediately after the cliff hanger, that Shadow Falls finishes on. Madison is heading back to her home town of Lost Creek, to put right the wrong of her wrongful conviction of manslaughter. Also to find her son Owen, who she doesn’t know the whereabouts of, since her imprisonment.
There are lots of twists in the book, but if I’m honest, I felt it was a little predictable. I found myself getting frustrated with the storyline. A constant series of events, which compounded Madison’s and Nate’s underdog status, which further entrenched their mistrust of the police force. I also felt there was too much recapping of the previous book. I understand that not everyone will have read the first book, but felt there was more reminding of previous events than was necessary.
Just 3.5* from me.

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Shadow Falls, the first in the Detective Madison Harper series, I jumped at the chance to read Cry For Help. It’s just as good as the first one; having teamed up, united in their anger against corrupt police officers, Nate Monroe and Madison are back in Madison’s old home town of Lost Creek, called back by the shocking murder of Madison’s ex-girlfriend. Before they even arrive there’s a second death, though, a sixteen-year-old girl, and Madison can’t help but suspect it has to be connected.

Nate has less of a part to play in this story, and I did feel the lack somewhat, because I got to really like him in Shadow Falls. This is very much the story of Madison’s vindication and reunion with her son, though, as well as really filling in all the details on her background, so I suspect the next book is likely to return to Nate’s story.

I think it would be possible to read this without having first read Shadow Falls; enough backstory is given to thread the stories together, but I would definitely recommend reading Shadow Falls first as Nate doesn’t come off all that sympathetic a character in this one. Having really got to know him in the first book I felt more accepting of his actions as they made sense considering his backstory. Former cadaver dog Brody also gets a significant part to play here, and I like the bond developing between him, Nate and Madison.

I’m interested to see what’s next for this group. It seems apparent that Madison now has incentive to stay in Lost Creek, but will Nate? She’s gained the ability to help him now in ways she couldn’t before, to pay him back, so maybe he’ll stick around, but I quite liked the ‘travelling investigators’ aspect of the story. We’ll see how things change, but I’ll definitely be looking out for the next book in the series, because I’m really enjoying it. Five stars.

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. I absolutely LOVED the first book in this series so I was very excited to get back to this story.

If you haven’t read book one you can read this as a standalone as there’s enough background given to catch you up.
This book had me tense from the beginning. I was already nervous for Maddison and what she was going to find when she returned to her home town. I knew it wouldn’t be pretty but it was a lot worse than I imagined.

Wendy did an excellent job of keeping me hooked. I needed to know who really killed Ryan Levy, who killed Stephanie and what happened to Nikki. So many people have suffered in such a small town. The story is complex without being confusing. It’s clear there are links but what they are is a real mystery.

There was a big focus on Maddison in this story which I enjoyed but I really hope that we get to focus on Nate in the next book. His story is far from finished. I know Wendy has already written the next book and I cannot wait to get my hands on it!

This novel, Cry For Help by Wendy Dranfield is the second instalment in the Detective Madison Harper series. Madison, along with Nate, a Private Investigator, returns to Lost Creek, Colorado for the first time since her conviction for manslaughter to find her son, Owen and look into the murder of her former lover, Stephanie Garcia. Just before she arrives, teenager Nikki Jackson is found dead on a Ferris wheel thought to be a suicide, her arms sliced right down to the wrists but Madison thinks Nikki could have been murdered and that it may link to Stephanie’s death.

There's a lot going on in this book and I found myself fully absorbed in the plot and entertained for hours. Myriad questions invaded my mind as I flew through the pages, as desperate for answers as Madison. The constant action meant there was never a dreary moment and even though there were several different investigations and sub-plots happening, I still managed to keep track of occurrences and developments due to Wendy Dranfield's adept execution. I was taken on an eye-popping, complex, intriguing, gnarly journey full of surprises and red herrings that kept me fully engrossed. The terrific, shocking ending made me gasp and I'm really excited to read more in this series, going forward. It was a pleasure to read Cry For Help and I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Holy SMOKES 😳

This series is absolutely flippin fantastic, AMAZEBALLS. So much action, soooo many twists and turns y’all are gonna get whiplash. I can’t wait for more. I NEED more.

I absolutely LOVED this book! It's a killer (no pun intended!) follow up to Shadow Falls!

I am not typically a fan of PI novels, BUT this one is absolutely, 100% worth the read. Madison & Nate are both deeply jaded but extremely likeable characters, and this book explored a ton of backstory on Madison while simultaneously advancing her storyline with Nate. I loved the way they fleshed out Madison's past and the tale of corruption and family ties is well constructed and makes for a very quick read.

While writing this review, I noticed that neither of the Amazon descriptions of the book include Nate. I think that's a bad choice. Nate is an interesting character and plays a critical role in both books. I think that he is the reason this book stands out from the hundreds of other Detective/PI stories out there. These two and their past experiences with injustice and their restrained vigilante approach is what I find most interesting. This book explained a lot of Madison's issues and hopefully allows her to get some of her life back, but I sincerely hope that the next book either follows Nate and explores his backstory, or at least includes him in Madison's rebuilding. It would be a mistake to let him ride off without her.

Based on the USA, this novel is written from a third person perspective and the major protagonists are Detective Madison Harper, Nate and Detective Mike Bowers. The benefits of the third person perspective are that it helps you see a larger view of what’s going on and you get to know more characters, what they’re thinking and what they’re doing. It seems like you’re going to get to see the whole scenario and not miss much.

An addictive and persuasive plot that had several layers of mystery and crimes to keep the reader guessing. It started right in the action and kept you rolling on a roller-coaster suspension journey. The timeline skipped from the present to the past at just the right moments gently to feed the reader with details on what just happened in the appropriate amount.

With three unsolved murders, there remains tension throughout the book, until we know who is the actual culprit.

The writing style and character portrayal is wonderful, and I really enjoyed that. However, I loved the first part, Shadow Falls, more than this one.

I read and enjoyed the first of the Madison Harper books. But this book is one that you need to have time to sit down, buckle your seat belt and hold on! I didn't want to put the book down. I would think I had certain things figured out, but then there was a twist and off we go in another direction. I am looking forward to the next book!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. Any opinions are my own!

This is the second book in the Detective Harper's series and the first one I have read by Wendy Dranfield. It can be read as a standalone but I am definitely going to read "Shadow Falls", the first one in the series. 
This book is action packed and I was quite absorbed in the story. The plot is really interesting and I kept second guessing everything. Fast paced and with suspense galore as well as really well described and with interesting characters, it was quite difficult to put it down.

Really intriguing and packed with suspense, I am looking forward to future books and will definitely read the 1st one in the series. 

I would like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for an advanced digital copy of this fantastic book in exchange for an honest review.

Cry for Help is the second title in the Detective Madison Harper series, and if possible, this story kept me even more involved with Madison and Nate as they once again work together to solve a heinous crime, but also discover more about the past as well. I wasn’t expecting the series to get this increasingly intense with each story, yet the search for the truth of Nikki’s murder, the links found, and the personal revolutions for Madison kept me captured as I read this one long after I should have been asleep.

I try to give away even less about the core of a story when it’s a Mystery – that genre you should really be discovering clues and experiencing the mystery for yourself firsthand. Yet, all you really need to do before purchasing is read that cover description blurb to know that this is going to be an amazing journey to find a killer and answers.

While I’m a firm believer in reading any series from the beginning, if at all possible, Cry for Help could stand on its own in many ways as the reader is given enough background within the dialogue and narrative to fill in the major points necessary – I still believe you’d get more involved and have a deeper understanding of the characters if you’ve read Shadow Falls first… but that’s only an opinion, you do what works for you.

As Madison and Nate return to her hometown after learning of the death of someone once close to Madison, they’ll also be facing down the same police department that turned on Madison years ago, years spent in prison and having her son, Owen, placed in the foster care system. While Madison is still searching for her son, coming home isn’t the easiest thing she’s done but it’s necessary if she’s ever to find the answers she seeks.

There are connections in Cry for Help that will slowly be revealed, with lots of twists and turns along the way with the occasional red herring tossed in as well. This is a gripping, gritty Mystery/Suspense story, one that often asks more questions than we have answers for… yet. The action begins almost immediately, the killer is vicious and devious, the clues lead to unexpected places, there is the feeling of something just out of view waiting to pounce upon the reader as well. I was completely engaged in Madison’s return to her hometown. (as a side note: don’t read this in the wee small hours of the morning, in a quiet house if you have a cat – just take my word on that, talk about jumping out of my own skin! -thanks, Leia.)

We’re introduced to additional characters and it will be interesting to see if any will be in the next Detective Madison Harper novel – and I do need the next one, right now. This is a truly addictive series that can easily take over your imagination and your need to know more.

This review is vague on purpose (I ended up deleting about a third of this review as I was starting to tell the story and that is not allowed in my reviews). So, yes, this is a story that I easily got caught up in, that I wanted to talk about (but couldn’t), and I’m anxiously awaiting word on when the third story will be revealed to a now dedicated reader of this series. If you love a really good, chilling Mystery/Suspense story then you’ll want to pick up Cry for Help right now. You won’t regret it.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Bookouture via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Madison and Nate are back. In this story, they visit Lost Creek, Madison’s hometown, to try and find out who framed her. It soon becomes clear that the residents don’t want Madison there. However, she is determined to try and find answers despite the hostile reception. She also is trying to solve 2 cases, an ongoing case and a personal one that involves someone dear to her. Above all, she is seeking to find her son, Owen, whose location was concealed after her imprisonment.

This story is narrated through multiple POVs with Madison being the main narrator. I loved the different angles and the new characters introduced in this installment. Madison and Nate have totally grown on me. I enjoyed reading about the relationship between the 2 and their backgrounds make this quite a unique police procedural.

Cry for Help has everything that makes a crime thriller entertaining. It has well crafted characters and MCs who I enjoy rooting for. The case is complex and the action, non-stop. The twists are jaw-dropping and the ending definitely left me yearning for book three. I cannot recommend this one enough.

Thrilling, tense and addictive. A transporting and absolutely brilliant read. So glad I discovered this author and this series. Each book gets better and better. I am absolutely hooked. After the perfection that is this book cannot wait for the next in this amazing series.

My emotions are all over the place! I have spent most of this book, reading with baited breathe as we finally find out what happened to Madison, I was even crying through some of it! Some of the events clicked into place before Madison and Nate got there but some didn’t until the final showdown. Boy, this was cataclysmic, the shock waves will take a while to die down with this one.

I have felt so much anger for Madison and the injustice she has had to experience. I was so angry with what happened and the repercussions left me empty. I felt angry for one character, even though she was innocent, as there was just no fight, in the end, it was all too bleak for her and it was hard to see how freely her decision was made. I just wanted to jump in and help in some way.

This really is one intense book, again with the timelines, of Nikki’s past and the present day but given this time the insight into other characters add to the intensity. We see just how deep deception can run, how one bad mistake can lead you down a dark path with no way of getting off the track. The manipulation of people and the fear that someone can hold over your life can be crippling and sadly it plays a part here.

So much I want to talk about but I have to gloss it over. I didn’t read the blurb so I had no idea what was to come, I just knew it would be good. It was better than good, it was mind-blowing, it was breathtaking and it shocked me. I was lying there with my hand over my mouth trying to read the words quicker as I was soaking up the information in front of me. The plot is like a spaghetti junction with so much going on and so much interlinking, however, none of it was convoluted, it all made sense and was easy to follow. However, I did not like the path we were going on.

God, this series is just phenomenal and I love that there are potentially at least 5 books in this series. I am not sure how it will pan out now but I just know Nate and Madison need to stick together. I know everything is up in the air but I need them to stick out in the long run. I mean we still have Nate’s storyline to go yet and as much as this one was emotional, I fear it will be worse with Nate.

This is a book I could not put down and in all honesty, I did not want to put it down. It blew me away. I can not wait for the next one for sure. Wendy astounds me each time I read something of hers and she confuddled me again. What a read!!

4.5 stars
Cry for help it’s my first book by the author and now I have to go back and read at least the first story in the series because I absolutely loved this novel.
Right from the first page, I got engrossed in this mystery and couldn’t put it down so much so that I’ve read it in one sitting.
The plot was so interesting and I needed to know what happened in the past and who is the killer now as well as why is she unfairly accused of a murder that she had nothing to do with her.
I enjoyed the family drama and even the dog help that played a big part in the story.
Twisted and gripping, a must read crime thriller that many lovers of the genre will enjoy.

EXCEPTIONAL crime thriller with great characterization including Brody ( the retired police dog) Superbly written in a suspenseful plot keeping expectations high until the terrific finale. I have read #1 Shadow Falls & eagerly await #3 in this series. Enjoyed immensely & RECOMMEND both absolutely. Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for this ARC in return for my honest review.

Oh what a fantastic book! I thought book 1 was good but this is even better. I would highly recommend you read Book 1 first as, apart from being a great book, this one carries on where that left off.

I was hooked from the start and didn't want to put it down.

A fantastic plot that was full of twists. It kept me guessing til the very end.

I won't hesitate to recommend this fantastic author to everyone who likes this genre.

I cannot wait to read what Madison and Nate get up to next.

I got up at 630 am today to finish this book! Worth it!
Madison returns to Lost Creek - desperate to prove her innocence and wrongfully convicted for her friend and fellow officer's death.
As well as the vicious murder of her ex girlfriend, Stephanie.
Nate and Brody drive her to Colorado- lending much needed support and assistance in solving the mystery.
Not to mention what happened to Madison's son?
Excellent suspense. Family drama. Twists.
Highly recommend.