Member Reviews
A domestic thriller with plenty of twists and some really unpleasant characters. Short chapters to encourage - I'll just read one more !!
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC in return for an honest review - a gripping book and well worth a read !
A huge thank you to Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to check out this new thriller before release day!!
How truly connected are some friends, Paige sense of Jenna being in trouble was proof blood isn't always thicker than water!
A close knit neighbourhood is disturbed by a chilling cry during their annual BBQ. Everything and everyone appears to be okay but the next morning news circulates that a young girl Jenna is missing. What makes this thriller even more bizarre is that Jenna was kidnapped before as a toddler, so the mystery of this story really takes hold.
The characters are complex so I found that concentration was needed as the story unfolded, although this did not distract or lessen the enjoyment I experienced while reading this book.
This was my first time reading anything by this author, and I was truly impressed! The writing style was captivating, with the story unfolding through different characters in each chapter, giving it a fresh and dynamic feel. The short, punchy chapters kept me hooked, and the unexpected twists made it an absolute page-turner. It's the perfect neighbourhood thriller, one you can easily devour in just a few days. I highly recommend it!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Just wonderful. Loved this story. Packed with twists and turns galore. A brilliant read. One of my favourites this year.
Having never read a book by Robertson before now, The Cry was a fantastic introduction to his writing style.
The story starts with a scream that resonates around the family barbecue, whether it be human or animal no-one knows, or does one resident know more than they're letting on?
It's a fast paced, twisty thriller that's narrated from multiple POV and comes replete with a large cast of characters.
Secrets and lies abound making The Cry an entertaining and enjoyable read.
A gripping psychological thriller that has you looking over your shoulder throughout! Highly recommended! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC
Even though I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing style, I devoured this book in one day. I couldn't put it down. I liked that the story takes place in a neighborhood where all the neighbors are connected in different ways. Sometimes it seemed like the characters seemed younger than they actually are. All in all, I give the book 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
3.75 stars: How well do you really know your neighbours?
S.D. Robertson's The Cry has all the trappings of a salty popcorn thriller that delves into the murky waters of one neighbourhood’s sordid secrets, suspicion, red herrings, and the lengths people will go to for the people they love.
The Cry begins against the backdrop of a seemingly innocent neighbourhood summer barbecue. The meat is sizzling, the drinks are flowing, and the host is entertaining. However, the tranquility is abruptly shattered by a piercing scream - one that becomes the catalyst for a darker narrative, unearthing hidden desires and buried secrets. The façade of a perfect suburban life crumbles, exposing the unsettling realities lurking behind closed doors.
The next day, Jenna, a neighbour who didn't attend the annual event, is seemingly ‘missing’. Paige, her best friend, who has just returned from her travels in Australia after dropping out of University 12 months ago, suspects something is deeply wrong. Jenna’s out-of-character behaviour and cryptic messages spark Paige’s investigation, unravelling a web of (sometimes saucy, sometimes sordid) secrets that those around her desperately try to keep hidden.
Fans of psychological thrillers that blend domestic drama with mystery will find much to enjoy in the book. However, some may wish for more complexity in the resolution, and others who prefer a more streamlined story might struggle with the sheer number of characters and subplots. That said, The Cry remains a solid, suspense-filled journey through the dank underbelly of ‘perfect’ suburbia.
Recommended for fans of:
- Lisa Jewell, K.L. Slater, and Freida McFadden
- A fast-paced popcorn thriller you can read in a couple of days
- Lots of red herrings, points of view, and secondary plotlines
Thank you to Bookouture and the author for allowing me access to the book via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#TheCry #SDRobertson #BlogTour #Bookouture
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
S.D. Robertson’s The Cry is a masterfully crafted psychological thriller that grips readers from the very first page and doesn’t let go until the breathtaking twist at the end. This novel is a testament to Robertson’s ability to weave suspense, emotion, and intricate plotting into a compelling narrative.
The story begins at a seemingly idyllic summer barbecue in a quiet neighborhood. The tranquility is shattered by a piercing scream, but when the guests investigate, they find nothing amiss. The next morning, however, the peace is broken by the news that Jenna, the protagonist’s younger sister and frequent babysitter, has gone missing. The discovery of Jenna’s necklace in a neighbor’s bedroom casts suspicion, but as the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that there are deeper, darker secrets at play.
The protagonist, whose name is not revealed in the initial setup, is a relatable and deeply flawed character. Her determination to find her sister is driven by a mix of guilt, fear, and love. The supporting characters, including the enigmatic neighbor and the protagonist’s daughters, are well-developed and add layers of complexity to the story.
The Cry explores themes of family, trust, and the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones. Robertson delves into the psychological impact of trauma and the ways in which people cope with loss and fear.
Robertson’s writing is both evocative and precise, capturing the emotional intensity of the characters’ experiences while maintaining a fast-paced, suspenseful plot. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, driving the narrative forward and revealing character nuances.
The Cry is a standout psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of Lisa Jewell, K.L. Slater, and Freida McFadden. Robertson’s skillful storytelling and deep understanding of human nature make this novel a must-read for anyone who enjoys a gripping, emotionally charged mystery. With its intricate plot, well-drawn characters, and unexpected twists, The Cry is sure to leave readers breathless and eager for more.
The Cry is one of those books that right from very beginning had me completely gripped . It’s an excellent domestic thriller with plenty of suspicious characters . I was fairly certain that I knew who the perpetrator was but when it was revealed I was completely gob smacked. It's a fast paced read, packed with twists and turns
This popcorn thriller was an easy, fast paced read surrounding the lives of neighbors and their children. I enjoyed the pacing as this book. it kept my attention and I was thoroughly entertained by the antics of these neighbors. There are unlikeable characters who I was hoping would get what they had coming to them. I was also anxious to see what happened to Jenna. The characters were well developed, but some of them were hard to connect with. Overall, this was a really good read with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire book!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Ooh what a read. I love a good psychological thriller and this book ticked all the right boxes. Kept me guessing to the very end. What a great read
Thank you for the opportunity to review
First, I want to thank S.D. Robertson, Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.
The Cry by S.D. Robertson was one of those psychological thrillers that hooked me straight away with the shocking prologues. Within just a few paragraphs S.D. Had you questioned so much about what was going on in the storyline that you couldn’t help but be hooked and continue on with the storyline.
What I loved about the book was the secret emails from Jen501 to Mr888 that occurred multiple times in the book.
Another thing I loved about the book was there was so much drama about Jenna…and then you would see her pop up and add her thoughts and narrative into the storyline.
The Cry by S.D. Robertson was a very gripping read and one that I could not put down. Lots of surprises and twists and turns. A very enjoyable book.
Robertson’s masterful storytelling and chilling premise drew me in from the very first page, and I was completely enthralled by the twists and turns of this suspenseful tale.
With its gripping plot, well-drawn characters, and evocative prose, it is sure to captivate readers from beginning to end.
Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
Wow what can I say about this thriller, it kept me turning the pages eagerly wanting to know what happens, and just when I thought I’d figured it out there would be another twist or turn I wasn’t expecting. Perfect quick paced thriller.
4 stars from me 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was such an intense read right away, it definitely made me feel anxious as the fear of brushing off something is very scary especially when it becomes a dangerous situation like for Jenna.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨ domestic psychological thriller
✨ fast paced
✨ friendship
✨Paige and Jenna is the main story to this book who may attests their friendship going on the road trip. Also aswell a mystery unfolding on Paige’s hometown, parents neighbours . This book may require a full attention at some point may get confusing between pages .
✨this book has the vibe of ‘whodunnit’ .
But it wasn’t as a predictable as the others. Lots of secrets to unfold . A friendship that test each others trust. ✨
✨ Definitely worth the read. But be mindful with a few confusing lines as it may have some jump to each story to another:)
✨ Thankyou @bookouture for the opportunity to read this book for a honest review.
🫶🏼 shaye.reads
⭐️⭐️ .5
The story began well, and I was intrigued to see how the it would unfold. I really wanted to enjoy this book but unfortunately, the description played the story up to be so much more than it was.
I struggled to keep interest & to keep up with the many characters and their narrations. I found myself confused about who was who and what their involvement was in the story. The author did well in placing red herrings, and making the whodunnit reveal a bit of a surprise.
Whilst the concept is there for a good thriller, unfortunately the painfully slow pace and simple writing style lead to this one being poorly executed.
I really wanted to enjoy this book, I thought the description seemed intriguing; however, it was so bizarrely written with mounds of bland characters with little development.
In addition, the chapters are so strangely laid out and an unnecessary 87 of them - they are extremely short and sometimes instead of flipping over to another one of the numerous character's points of view, time frame, or location they just continue off where they left the previous chapter - it felt like trying to read a 'young adult' novel - built to be a simpler read without much substance.
I absolutely struggled to keep reading at times but pushed on to see what the big bombshell would be. Now here the author did a decent job of setting up red herrings and making it a bit of a surprise (although not too shocking or surprising). Honestly, by that point, I was also so tired of the choppy story and impossible number of boring characters to stay involved with that I couldn't really enjoy it much at all.
It feels like a strange mix of teen/young-adult fiction mixed with adult plot lines trying to be a mystery/thriller.
If you enjoy short chapters for easy-to-put-down stories then it would be an okay mindless read.
I'm rounding down, but would say 2.5 stars at best ⭐⭐
A lot of work needs to be done with the creative writing and captivating an audience for this one to be any kind of thrill.
Unfortunately I do not recommend this novel 👎
Painfully slow, choppy chapters that made little sense as to how they were split up, basic language, and deflating twists. A good concept for a thriller but poorly executed.
(sorry! I wanted to enjoy this one!)