When Cicadas Cry by Caroline Cleveland is a masterpiece with a shocking plot twist.

Will Addie find the murderer and find happiness, or will she lose her life and dreams?

Some may think of Zach Stander as the main character, but I felt that Addie Stone was better suited as she is the investigator. Addie is also the one who connects the dots. But let’s not get ahead of the story.

Zach, with the help of Colleton, is trying to prove that Sam Jenkins didn’t kill Jessica Gadsden. At first, Addie helps out, but then it becomes apparent that she is in their way. So, Addie pulls some favors and goes to the local law enforcement to work on a cold case or two to keep her mind busy. She picks a 30-year-old double murder of two high school girls one summer night at the beach.

This is the first book I read by Ms. Cleveland. I truly enjoyed her writing style. She kept me guessing. I wrongly guessed whodunit. Actually, it completely caught me off guard. The way she transports me to the setting and keeps everything moving is marvelous. She adds the perfect amount of suspense.

My second favorite character was Colleton. He is funny. My favorite scene is him and his duck shoes with the suit and tie. I can totally see it. He is also a bit eccentric. Eli Jenkins is also among the top three. I think his loyalty to his grandson is fantastic. Eli is another of Ms. Cleveland’s incredible characters.

Five Stars
My rating for When Cicadas Cry by Caroline Cleveland is five stars. I highly recommend it to all crime thriller readers.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of When Cicadas Cry by Caroline Cleveland.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

A fun story of love, murder and secrets that can ruin everything.

When a white woman is found murdered by a black man inside a church in rural South Carolina, it ends up being the case of a lifetime for attorney Zach Stander. This case ties in with two cold cases from nearby and with a killer on the loose and secrets at every corner, this ends up being a case that will change everyone dealing with it.

This book reminded me a lot of A Time To Kill, the tension and racial issues throughout. I enjoyed the way Cleveland weaved the strands of the different cases together. There were moments throughout that kept me on my toes and made me smile at the way it was revealed. As a debut novel I was surprised at how well this was done and the way The dynamic between Zach and Addie was a back and forth that kept me invested in not only them but what they were trying to do to help Sam and that right there is what makes for a great story that holds my interest. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good crime thriller with cold cases and deep dark secrets.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

This was a really good book touching on very hard topics of racism in our justice system.

The story follows a lawyer, who is trying to fix his reputation and takes on cases that others might not. And this time it's a hard one - a gruesome murder of a white woman, in a southern state. And a black man, covered in her blood is the one who called it in. You know how this goes - the cards are stacked against him.

I loved following Zack as he investigates the murder, and the lives of this small town to figure out who the players are and how to help his client, He has a rag tag team of sorts, that are full of character and humor who help him along with his case. It was entertaining, and heartbreaking at the same time.

Also, the end twist was gold, This book was full of red herrings, and I was here for it to see if I'm smart enough to see through it (I did, but didn't wasn't sure for a very long time). But that said - I definitely didn't see how or why this murder happened.

I recommend this book to those who like lawyer investigations.

Thank you to MBC and Netgalley for my review copy. All opinions are my own.

Actual Rating: 3.5⭐

I had mix feelings regarding this one…
At first I enjoyed it and I find it interesting to follow, the mystery kept me interested until the end but there’s a few things that didn’t let me fully enjoy this one.

This story is told in multiple POVs including the real culprit which I think is a great touch to the story.
However, the changes between one POV to another POV in a chapter and sometimes happens in the same paragraph confused me. This might happen because mine is not the final format of the book….

Zach and Addie's characters are well developed and I really like watching their relationship grow during the time of Sam's trials. Not just Sam, they also went thorugh a lot of stuff and I keep rooting for them the whole time and the epilogue at the end really warms my heart.

One thing I missed was not seeing more of Sam’s trials in court, instead the focus was slightly shifted to Addie’s investigation to a cold case that was never solved for three decades.

Overall, for a debut novel it was pretty good and I feel satisfied with the ending.
It covers a lot of interesting topics that’s still related in our reality right now and I think it was quite well written.
I would keep an eye out for more books by this author in the future!

I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: animal death, racism, gun violence, murder

EXCERPT: 2017 - I never meant to kill the first one. She was an accident - her own fault, for the most part. And that second one? She was a casualty of necessity. Wrong place, wrong time. But this one . . . this one was different.

ABOUT 'WHEN CICADAS CRY': Zach Stander, a lawyer with a past, and Addie Stone, his indomitable detective and lover, find themselves entangled in secrets, lies, and murder in a small Southern town.

A high-profile murder case— A white woman has been bludgeoned to death with an altar cross in a rural church on Cicada Road in Walterboro, South Carolina. Sam Jenkins, a Black man, is found covered in blood, kneeling over the body. In a state already roiling with racial tenson, this is not only a murder case, but a powder keg.

A haunting cold case— Two young women are murdered on quiet Edisto Beach, an hour southeast of Walterboro, and the killer disappears without a trace. Thirty-four years later the mystery remains unsolved. Could there be a connection to Stander's case?

A killer who's watching— Stander takes on Jenkins's defense, but he's up against a formidable solicitor with powerful allies. Worse, his client is hiding a bombshell secret. When Addie Stone reopens the cold case, she discovers more long-buried secrets in this small town. Would someone kill again to keep them?

MY THOUGHTS: When Cicadas Cry is an absolutely stunning debut novel. Atmosphere oozes from every page. The tension in the final chapters left me with half-moons dug into my palms. I feared for Addie's life.

Caroline Cleveland is one of those rare authors who can hit the ball right out of the park in all three elements of the successful novel - characters, setting and atmosphere. It is impossible to read this without coming to care greatly for the characters: Zach, who really needs to figure out just what he wants; Eli, the accused Sam's grandfather; Colleton Burns, Eli's great friend and a respected retired lawyer; Sam who is overly economical with the truth to his own detriment; and Addie with the big heart, quick mind and an ambition Zach isn't currently sharing. Honestly, there were times I wanted to give Zach a quick slap upside his head - he can be extremely obtuse!

Cleveland captures the racial tensions around the BLM movement and uses it to great advantage in when Cicadas Cry. We have the two opposing factions, each wanting their very own brand of justice, never mind whatever the truth happens to be.

Pressures arising from the case cause tension between Zach and Addie, causing Addie to volunteer to investigate a cold case from some thirty odd years earlier, never dreaming to do so might put her life in danger. Now, I thought I had this all figured out, but was I ever wrong! Yes, I'm eating Humble Pie (with lashings of ice cream 😉)

The story is told from multiple points of view, including that of the killer, as in the excerpt above. This added another layer of mystery and even more tension to the storyline.

When Cicadas Cry is a beautifully written novel that held me entranced from beginning to end. The author's notes at the end are particularly interesting so don't be tempted to skip them.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#WhenCicadasCry #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Caroline Cleveland is the founding partner of the law firm Cleveland & Conley, LLC, where she represents private and public employers, including law enforcement. A native South Carolinian, she inevitably writes from a Southern perspective. She gravitates -- both as a writer and a reader -- toward mystery and suspense, and she cannot resist a character with a dark secret.

She lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband, David.

DISCLOSURE: I was privileged to receive both a digital and audio ARC for review. My thanks go to both Union Square & Co., a subsidiary of Sterling Publishing and Dreamscape Media respectively. The audiobook is ablely narrated by Adam Barr.

All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

It's hard to believe this is a debut novel. As the author states in her note, "Fiction, at its best, reflects life." and she did this beautifully. This is a great Southern legal thriller with a relevant plot (racial tension), twists, and likable characters. Many thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow! What a fantastic debut. This was an exceptional story. So atmospheric in it's southern setting. It was such a captivating layered story. A fantastic legal thriller coupled with a pasr mystery had me glued to the pages. Highly recommend.

Mystery readers will enjoy this debut novel set in South Carolina. Racial tensions flare when a young black man is charged with the brutal murder of a young white woman. Since the evidence was so overwhelmingly against Sam, it was interesting to see how the author would untangle the case. Zach and Addie worked well together as pieces fell into place. The tie-in to the older murders was a definitely a twist. Really liked Eli and Colleton. Recommended.

A current murder case has an investigator looking at a cold case from years ago. Is there a connection? Set in South Carolina, this book had a good plot. I didn't like the chapters that had the murderer as the narrator. The book started strong but ended a bit too quickly and neatly.

Caroline Cleveland's debut novel When Cicadas Cry emerges as a compelling blend of legal intrigue and police procedural, set amidst a backdrop of simmering racial tensions.

The town pulses with racial tension, palpable in every street and corner. The stark contrast of a black man accused of murdering a white woman, and a white lawyer fiercely defending him to prove his innocence, sets the stage for a gripping narrative.

While this theme dominates the first half of the book, the story takes an unexpected turn in the second half, shifting focus to Zach's girlfriend, Addie, and her pursuit of a long-forgotten cold case.

The narrative unfolds with a deliberate pace in the first half, setting the stage for the unfolding drama. However, it's in the second half where the story truly comes alive, bursting with action and intrigue.

While I found the overall storyline impressive for a debut author, I couldn't help but feel that the sudden shift in perspective from Zach to Addie, and her subsequent involvement in a pivotal case, felt somewhat contrived and clichéd. Additionally, the second half of the narrative felt rushed in comparison to the more leisurely pace of the first half.

Despite these shortcomings, When Cicadas Cry by Caroline Cleveland remains a commendable debut. The engaging plot and well-developed characters make for a riveting read.

I really enjoyed this debut legal thriller. Zach is not perfect, but is a character to root for. I hoped he had what it takes to prove his client, Sam Jenkins, was innocent in a racially charged case. Addie is a strong main character separate from Zach. Zach seems to be shutting Addie out of this case, instead relying on the help from a retired local attorney. Addie feels unneeded in preparing for Sam’s trial, so she volunteers to help local law enforcement with a cold case involving two teen girls who were killed after leaving a beach party. Each case is intriguing, and the investigations held my interest. I enjoyed getting to know Sam’s grandfather Eli, who was the one who hired Sam, as well as Colleton Burns who is helping Sam. It’s not certain Colleton can be trusted, but I liked his charm and intelligence. Some of the dialogue between Zach and Addie seemed a little forced, and Sam’s decisions in his personal life were often flawed. However, I was still rooting for these characters in their cases and as a couple.

The story is told from multiple points-of-view, including the killer’s, even though the person isn’t identified until the end. As the story progresses, things come together for Zach and Addie's cases in unexpected ways. There is some sadness in the book but it’s also full of hope. I enjoyed the vivid characterizations as well as the details of the investigations and the legal strategies in this thought-provoking novel. Fans of John Grisham or Southern fiction will want to try this debut legal thriller from Cleveland.

I received an advance copy of this book from MBC Books and Union Square and Company, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

A debut legal mystery, When Cicadas Cry (2024) by Caroline Cleveland is an engrossing tale of two murders. Zach Stander is a lawyer who is required to provide free legal clinics as punishment for an earlier misdeed. He is hired to defend a young man found over the dead body of a young woman, but avows his innocence. The prosecutor has a ‘slam dunk’ case and Zack must find a way to save his client from the death penalty murder trial. Set in South Carolina in 2017 amidst local tensions, Jack is consumed by the case, allowing his investigator, Addie to work on a cold case from thirty-four years earlier - the last time the red cicadas appeared. A truly engaging read with wonderful characters, building tension and riveting murder mysteries that make for a four and a half stars rating. With thanks to Union Square & Co. and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

When Cicadas Cry by Caroline Cleveland is a legal thriller at the forefront of the story but also infuses in a decades old mystery. The story in When Cicadas Cry is one that is told by changing the point of view between the characters.

Zach Stander is a down on his luck attorney looking to make a name for himself when he gets a call from a grandfather of a young black man just arrested for murder. Sam Jenkins was found covered in the blood of his co-worker claiming that he just found her there in a remote church and tried to help.

Addie Stone is Zach’s investigator and girlfriend who encourages Zach at every step in the murder case. However, without much work of her own in the small town of Walterboro, South Carolina while Zach is busy Addie offers up her services to look into some of the town’s cold cases. The case that catches Addie’s attention is one where two young women had been murdered over three decades ago but Addie is determined to look at it with fresh eyes.

Legal thrillers often feel like a guilty pleasure when I pick them up since I don’t come across many to read so I was excited to jump into When Cicadas Cry by Caroline Cleveland. This was a debut novel and you could tell the author is very familiar with the legal system and also from the south where the racial tension swirls all around which all made the book very intriguing. I personally guessed one aspect of this story which seemed a little obvious but maybe it was only because I read a lot but with other twists to come the pages did just fly right one by leaving this at four stars.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

DNF at 35%. I'm fifteen chapters in and not much has happened, other than a lot of stilted dialogue and exposition. This is supposed to be a legal thriller in the vein of John Grisham or Michael Connelly, set in a small-town in the south where racial tensions run high, but with no action so far, it's not very thrilling or interesting.

This was a great book. I wasn't really sure where the end was gping, but I'll have to say that it was a surprise. This legalistic mystery is definitely worth reading!

A murder mystery/legal drama with racial injustices, a small town atmosphere, emotional reveals, and witty dialogue. This was the palate cleanser I needed. Immediately upon starting this, I was seeing a movie playing out in my head. A murder in a small town church with a man kneeling over the body, claiming he didn't do it. This then turns to the point of view from Zach receiving a phone call late in the night from the suspect's grandfather asking him to take the case. Around halfway through, we see more of Zach's girlfriend Addie's point of view, feeling bored and lonely she starts to delve into a cold case from the same town. The whole premise and plot were done well, the author weaving this tale together seamlessly. However, while this ran deep the majority of the time, the last quarter seemed to lose some of the emotion I felt for all the characters and the things they were going through. I would have also liked to see a little more character development in order to fully connect and be invested in this. Overall, this was a great read, and I rate it four stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Union Square and Co. for this ARC.

A high profile murder case. A haunting cold case. A killer who's watching.

Stop the press, because "When Cicadas Cry" by Caroline Cleveland is a WHOLE vibe. As a fan of police procedurals and legal thrillers, this book exceeded all my expectations.

First off, let's talk about Addie—my main character. Yes, mine bc she's not the actual main character but she's giving main character energy. "Addie could handle herself with the toughest of criminals, come home and cook a meal that would put those television chefs to shame, and then party as hard as she worked." Love her.

I also appreciated how the book highlights racial disparities within the legal system and addresses the continuation of white supremacy, shedding light on the injustices faced by marginalized groups. "There will always be good and bad, right and wrong on both sides, and racists come in all colors. But justice is worth standing up for. You have a gift, and you—we—will never have another moment’s peace if you don’t use it to help." Despite Sam being an all around successful working man, the message in this book is that despite that, you can still be unfairly accused of something due to the color of your skin without authorities looking into the real details of the case.

From the very first page, this book had me hooked. I was fully invested from the get-go, finding it nearly impossible to put down—even in the wee hours of the night. And let's not forget, this is Cleveland's debut novel, which makes it all the more impressive. One of the things I loved most was trying to guess who the killer was throughout the story. Cleveland kept me guessing until the very end, and when the truth was finally revealed, my jaw hit the floor.

The backdrop of a small southern town added to the charm of the story, making me feel like I was right there, solving the mystery alongside the characters. ALSOOO can we discuss how this is the same town the Murdaugh murders occurred in?! Sold.

In conclusion, "When Cicadas Cry" is a gripping debut that hits all the right notes. With its strong characters, compelling storyline, and thought-provoking themes, it's a must-read for fans of the genre. Caroline Cleveland has certainly made a splash with her first novel, and I can't wait to see what she has in store next.

Thank you to the publisher, the author & NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Zach is a lawyer who takes a case of a man accused of killing a woman. His girlfriend Addie is a private investigator who will help him uncover the truth. When Cicadas Cry is modern day To Kill a Mockingbird with a few more twists and turns. Great mystery that kept me guessing till the end.

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

I enjoyed the writing and the story, do NOT get me wrong. This was intriguing and I wanted to love it. This is about a murder case from the law investigation side. There is a suspect in custody and he is going to stand trial, even though he adamantly maintains his innocence. This is also one part of a bigger story that I found interesting.

My issue with the book was that it centers more around the dangers the white lawyers face taking on the case, as opposed to the danger the Black man is facing as the accused of the murder of a white woman. This is written by a white woman, so the centering white danger as much as it did seemed like a missed opportunity. If you’re going to write Black characters in your stories, you have a responsibility to not make them stereotypical.

I don’t want to sound overly critical. I thought the book was good. The ending was satisfying, popping up with things I wasn’t expecting at all.

This book had me at the beginning but slowed down. The wrap up was good though. I really enjoyed it and will read more from this author.