After "Her Darkest Secret," I knew the rest of the Strange Crimes books would be auto-reads. I've long been a fan of Jessica R. Patch, but HDS proved her skills are truly next-level. "A Cry in the Dark" takes us into Violet Rainwater's POV, and it does NOT disappoint. Violet's history is revealed from the beginning, but layers of depth and the answers she seeks unfold bit by bit as the novel continues, woven intimately into the case she and the SCU are working to solve and ever present in the back of her mind. Violet's dry and often dark humor adds a layer of light to the dark subject matter, and I appreciated that John understands her in a way even her own team doesn't always get.

It would have been so easy for Ms. Patch to establish a formula after the success of HDS, but I was impressed with the uniqueness of this case and of these characters, as well as the fact that the H/h from the previous book were assigned elsewhere and thus were unavailable for much of Violet's story. It worked well to allow her leadership style to emerge while we still had familiar faces in Tiberius and Owen showing up to help and provide more overt comedic relief. Newcomer John has a painful past of his own that's more directly related to this Kentucky holler than Violet's, but neither of their backstories overshadow the actual work of the case at hand in need of solving.

Everything comes together in a well-paced, high-stakes thriller that keeps the pages turning and the booklight burning late into the night if you make the mistake of picking it up in the dark. (Or in the gym, as I did, only to get thoroughly creeped out when ""I Think We're Alone Now and "I'll Be Watching You" came over the speakers at creepily apt times as I huffed and puffed on the elliptical... Thankfully I survived LOL!) Now I anxiously await Tiberius's book. Keep them coming, Ms. Patch!

Once again Jessica grabs you right from the start, and you can't put the book down. Definitely full of twists and turns that keep you guessing. Can't wait for the next one!

A gripping page turner that will have you holding your breath and afraid to turn out the lights! A Cry in the Dark is incredibly well written and just as thrilling as book one in this series. Jessica Patch does such an amazing job writing about darkness in the world but then flooding it with light. Her writing always has me coming back for more!

Wow! Violet and John’s story is a high-octane race against time that kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next. Violet’s past is heart-wrenching and I love the way the author used it to show light in a dark world. The characters are well-rounded and likable. The plot moved along nicely with some great twists. The tension and conflict in this story were well placed. This puts the reader right into the story, holding their breath. The author’s use of sensory is done effectively. It brings the words on the page to life. Loved it. Highly recommend A Cry in the Dark.

**I received no compensation and the opinions in this review are my own.

I definitely enjoyed this book. It had a dark mystery with a tough smart agent, Violet searching for a killer. Violet is a product of her mother's rape and grew up hated by her mom and grandmother. She became a special unit agent who has an instinct for searching out the worst of the worst. Is her ability to figure out what the killer thinks when stalking them because she's so good or is she so good because she herself could slip over to the same dark side as them? Her mother thinks she's the evil incarnate of her father. Could she be? Violet struggles herself wondering. I was so pleased this book captures your desire to read about serial crime with a strong protagonist without foul language needed! It tells of some of the character's faith in God without it being preachy. You will like the characters and the story moves quickly. No drag to this book. You are kept guessing and wanting to read on into the night. I highly recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC this is my honest opinion. Read it!

Wow, what a wild ride! It kept me guessing throughout the story. A good follow up to Her Darkest Secret.

Oh my word! This author has done it again, in creating a mysterious web of events that we get the privilege of joining together with Violet and the team to solve. Every page of this book transports you into another realm where the characters and story seamlessly jump off the page and creep into the readers imagination. The only downfall to this book and series is that it has ruined other books and authors for me, as it seems nobody can touch the depth of storytelling that Jessica can and I can’t find books that hold my interest nearly to the extent that her books do. This tale is gritty and believable, keeping you hooked to the very last word. Just when you think you have it figured out, you’re tossed more curveballs that remind you that you have no idea where you’re going, but the journey is incredible, so you don’t mind. I am in love with these characters, Jessica’s writing style, and how well these stories paint such vivid pictures in the readers mind. I cannot wait for book number 3 in this series! This book is phenomenal and a must read for anyone who loves Christian suspense and thrillers!

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. This book captivated my attention from the first page! The characters all have a rich story to tell. The storyline kept me guessing throughout. There were moments of nail-biting and drama. This is not a story that lets you rest. Just when you think you have it figured out, another kink in the story appears. If you like thrillers and suspense, this is the book for you!

A Cry In The Dark
Jessica R Parch
Wow, Jessica Patch has herself a winner deep in the Kentucky hills, where three woman have been murdered. Suspense, mystery, twist and turns, danger, and faith. be sure to have a good gripe on your seat because you will need to. I could not put it down. Grabs you from the start and does not let go till the end. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Criminal Minds tv-series just got bested by Jessica R Patch! Wow!! Wow!! Wow!! You think you know who did it, but let me tell you, you are so wrong!! Jessica has the ability to draw you into her story! You won't be able to put this book down as you want to see what happens to John and Violet. Will they catch the killer in time? Will Violet find the healing she needs? Will John . . . So much uncertainty but be assured all will be answered! I just love the way how Jessica bring God's light into the darkness of this world! Exceptional story!

Set in Kentucky and as about as creepy and exciting as can be!! Wow what a book!! I absolutely love this book!! When you read this book, make sure that the lights are on and your night is free because you won't be able to put this down!!!!

Some stories deserve more than five stars! This is one of them!
I love the Strange Crimes team! Their camaraderie and humorous banter really lighten up the serious subjects covered in the story. A Cry in the Dark is a great continuation to the series!
“But like words spoken that couldn’t be taken back, what they might see couldn’t be unseen. And some things should never be looked upon.” What will they find in Night Holler?
“Her heart wasn’t a fairytale castle with the possibilities of happily-ever-after.” Can Violet find peace, closure, hope, and love?
Read to find out!
I received an ARC of this book for review. I was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions in this review are my own.

Another thrilling suspense from Jessica R Patch! “A Cry in the Dark” takes us to the hills of Kentucky where young women are being brutally murdered. Violet, an agent of the SCU, is an unlikely heroine determined to solve a mystery in her past while fighting the darkness permeating a small Kentucky hollow. In her sequel to “Her Darkest Secret”, Jessica R Patch keeps her reader in suspense as she weaves a tale of good/evil and introduces characters that seem good and some are just downright creepy. Patch is a master of surprise. ”A Cry in the Dark” is a must read!

Bravo! And this is coming from a person who never read a psychological thriller until read Jessica Patch's first in the series, Her Darkest Secret.

The author did a brilliant job of weaving the past and present. It was seemless. When I thought I knew whodunit...plot twist! The author wove faith into the story in a very natural way.

I can't wait for the authors next psychological thriller. Preorder now. Thank me later.

I was given an early copy from the author and publisher. This honest review is mine alone.

For those who love dark and creepy with great characters, twists and turns galore, and faith woven through, Jessica Patch delivers again. Once again, not a bedtime story.

DO NOT DISTURB . . . . READING TIL FINISHED!!
Interrupt me at your own risk!

HANG ON TIGHT! IT IS QUITE A RIDE!!

Oh my gosh!! What a BOOK! I loved this book ~ from start to finish ~ this book grips you from the word GO and does not stop at the end . . . . I was like – wait I want more . . . . WOW just WOW from the moment I started to read “A Cry in the Dark” I knew I was in for quite the ride. This book had it all ~ action, adventure, good versus evil, characters who cared about one another – friendships/relationships all while trying to catch a killer or two?

I was blown away in the first book, “Her Darkest Secret” – so I was like wait is there a book two? Sure enough “Cry in the Dark” is the second book in this series which focused on Violet but of course all of the agents were there as they worked together to find the killer. This book about relationships ~ between family, friends, other law enforcement folk, people who one once thought they could trust and yet maybe not so much, and God. It is about trust and having one another’s back– trusting your fellow agents as they go into the dark and dangerous searching for the killer. It is also about trusting yourself – while in the pursuit of a criminal. Working together as a team to chase away the darkness that has shadowed the ‘holler’.

WOW!! I could not put this book down – so make sure you have a clear schedule to read this book as it is one that once you start ~ you will not want to breathe until it is over! I cannot wait til the next book!

I want to say thank you to the author, Jessica R. Patch and her publisher for the early copy of this book. The review is mine alone.

Jessica Patch does it again.
This book was amazing! Edge of your seat suspense. I am loving this series and can't wait for Ty's story.
This book had me going one way and then wham it went another way that I didn't even think of. It was great how Violet found the answers to her past by solving the case she and John with her team was on. But the ending! I was blown away. You've got to read it!!!

I received a copy of this book...
WOW.
Riveting...
Full of action and plot twists...
Criminal Minds in book form.
However not for the squeamish or faint of heart and with that caveat I recommend this book...
I have taken Criminal Psychology and a Criminal Pwithsychology class taught by the FBI so I was prepared for this type of book...

Wow! The depth of the criminal psyche in this book is intense at times but really leaves so much distaste in your mouth for the perpetrator... until I read more and then my heart broke for the broken. As the backstory of Violet and her mother unraveled, I just wanted to reach into the pages and just hug both of their tormented and battered hearts. I also really liked that the entire backstory wasn't given at once but leaked throughout the book like the clues being followed to catch the killer.

The crime and suspense and mystery aspects of the story were superbly written and followed suit with others by this same author, but the accompanying story of love, surrender, and redemption was such an integral part of it all coming together. The creepiness may have kept me up at night but plot twists kept me guessing and the love stories warmed my heart... and I'm not just talking about the romance that develops between characters.

There is a spiritual element to the storyline, but even (and especially) if you've been turned off by religion in the past, this book touches on some of those things that make religion wrong in so many ways and instead focuses on what can be discovered when religious preconceptions are pushed out of the way. All in all, this was an excellent read, and I'm excited to hopefully read more stories from these characters in the future.

Many thanks for the ARC. These opinions are all my own and completely unsolicited.

A Cry in the Dark follows the previous book, Her Darkest Secret. The same FBI team is now sent to the mountains to investigate the heinous murder of a few young women found in a cave. The story focuses on Violet, the team's profiler, her background and traumatic history surrounding her birth.

There's a distinct Criminal Minds feel to her stories, with dark and creepy vibes, which may not be for everyone. However, it effectively highlights the need for the Gospel and a Savior in their darkest moments. I definitely look forward to reading the next ones!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review.