⭐️⭐️ .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!)

This kept me asking and guessing until the end. It kept up the momentum all the way through.
Right from the start and a party where a curdling scream happens, and somehow everyone goes on about there business? Or do they?But then someone's gone missing.Are the two connected and just what is going on with the neighbours behind closed doors?
I liked how everyone was keeping secrets and how the events of the plot occurred as secrets came to light and because of what they all would do in order to try and keep their own secrets in!

Wel, nes i hedfan drwy'r llyfr yma, roedd y penodau'n fyr ac yn adrodd yr hanes o sawl persbectif gwahanol, gyda'r holl brif gymeriadau'n cael cyfle i ddweud eu stori ryw ffordd neu'i gilydd. Cawn safbwynt person cyntaf gyda'r prif gymeriad Paige, sydd wedi dychwelyd o'i thaith i Awstralia ar ôl gadael ei chwrs yn y brifysgol yn gynnar yn dilyn amgylchiadau anodd. Wrth i ni ddod i adnabod Paige, rydym yn cael cyfle i weld ei chyfeillgarwch gyda'i ffrind gorau Jenna, a'i dyfalbarhad wrth iddi geisio datrys ble mae Jenna.
Mae sawl cyfrinach yn llechu rhwng y cymdogion yn y stori, a nifer o ddigwyddiadau cwbl annisgwyl, er i mi geisio dyfalu beth oedd am ddigwydd mae'r ysgrifennu clyfar yn mynd â'r stori ar drywydd cwbl wahanol i'r hyn yr oeddwn i'n ei ddisgwyl. Mae'r cymeriadau yn ddiddorol ac yn amrywiol, a bron pob un yn cuddio rhyw fath o gyfrinach.
Mae drysau caeedig a dirgelwch y cymdogion ar y stryd yn cael eu rhoi o dan y chwyddwydr yn dilyn sgrech mewn barbeciw a does dim diwedd ar y cyffro wedi hynny. Gwych!

Well, I flew through the pages of this one, the chapters were short and told the story from several different perspectives with each main character given an opportunity to have their say in one way or another. We get the first person perspective from Paige, she's just returned from her travels to Australia after she dropped out of university under difficult circumstances. As we get to know Paige, we get an opportunity to see her friendship with her best friend Jenna, and her perseverance as the tries to solve the mystery of Jenna's whereabouts.
Many secrets hide between these neighbours, and so many unexpected events, and although I tried to guess what was to come the clever writing took the story down a completely different path to what I expected. The characters are interesting and varied, and almost every one of them is hiding some kind of secret.
The closed doors and mysteries of these neighbours on this street are put under the microscope following a cry in a barbeque and the excitement doesn't stop from then on. Fantastic!

During a neighbourhood barbecue there is suddenly a scream, which no one knows where it came from. The next day a resident, Jenna goes missing and a search begins. What secrets are being hidden?

The story began well and I was interested to see where it would end up. This was a well written domestic mystery with drama and some suspense. I feel there were too many characters with their own narrations as chapters, which I struggled at times to keep up with and tell apart. It also took a long time for anything to actually happen. Overall not a bad book and good for those looking for an easy read with secrets to uncover. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Cry’ written by S D Robertson in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

As Paige’s family and neighbours are having a barbecue a scream is heard nearby that everyone thinks is youngsters playing, but Paige isn’t convinced as soon after her best friend Jenna disappears. Despite receiving a message from Jenna saying she’s away for a few days, Paige is worried that something has happened to her.

‘The Cry’ is a gripping psychological thriller with an intricately woven plot and twists and turns on practically every page as the characters go to great lengths to hide their secrets. The further I got into the story the more often I had to change my mind as to who was responsible for Jenna’s absence and it wasn’t until the final exciting chapters that all was finally revealed.
I’ve really enjoyed this novel and its short chapters kept me turning pages ever faster so that I could find out what had happened to Jenna and why.

4.5 Stars

I really enjoyed this book. I read it in 2 days and couldn't put it down. The chapters were nice and short, so I didn't lose interest, and the story kept me engaged. I look forward to reading more by the author.

Paige returns from a year travelling in Australia and her friend Jenna is acting strange and suddenly goes on an unexpected trip, however Paige thinks something more sinister is going on.

There are a lot of things going on between the neighbours where Paige lives, parents and adult children alike and Paige is determined to get to the bottom of everything no matter what.

Interesting domestic type thriller, fast paced and enjoyable.

Many thanks to netgalley, publisher and author for my eARC

A total and completely mind bending plot. Full of secrets and lies. The scream made my teeth rattle. There are so many twists which had me gobsmacked.

We was having a lovely garden party
The girls was laying down on the grass
When I heard a scream
The next morning Jenna’s gold necklace was found in the bedroom of a neighbour
What happened next
I had an ARC

ARC Review

The Cry
By S.D. Robertson
Publish Date: September 30, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me a copy to review.

I was hooked from the start!! I was trying to guess who did it from the start and I was not expecting that ending. I was thinking everyone was guilty at some point throughout the book.

This was the perfect rainy day thriller. Fast-paced, full of twist and turns that left you guessing. I loved the multiple POVs. Every character had something to hide and it all tied in perfectly.

The friendship between Paige and Jenna was perfect and I loved how Paige never gave up and knew something was wrong. I loved how the book portrayed the importance of true friendship.

I cannot wait to read more books by S.D Robertson.

Title: The Cry

Author: S. D. Robertson

Length: 347 pages

Publication Date: 30-Sep-2024

Publisher: Bookoutre

Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Fiction, Crime

My rating: 4/5

Summary:

The story is about a girl Paige who returns back from a year long trip and her quest to find her best friend Jenna who she feels has been abducted even though she left her a message that she’s going away for few days. Paige doesn’t believe in the text and starts to join the dots of the things that transpired her absence.

My take:

I thank netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC for reading and reviewing this book. The views provided here are my own and I am not paid for this review. Netgalley is a wonderful site where I got some of the hidden gems I read. Bookoutre has previously given me some marvellous stories to read. This title is very different from what I have read earlier and so the choice. Thriller books do have a charm in keeping you glued to them and I wanted to indulge in the thrill by the various twists and turns in the story.

The story starts wonderfully with the curiosity intact on what happened. It’s written from perspective of 3 families members giving you an insight of every persons lives. All the people involved have some Secrets which keeps cropping up making you wonder if they are the culprits. I admit, I was zapped by the revelation of whodunit. I didn’t expect it a bit until the very end.

Characters were good and realistic. It takes time to get involved in the story and generate the interest. Though story is a bit slow paced till around 70%. The last 30% moves very fast and gives some jaw dropping insights into the characters and revelations. The obvious culprit is not the one for sure. Story spans over a period of 2 weeks with fragments of past instances which could have been deleted in my view.

Thrill factor also gets intense only in the end part of the book. Descriptions of people or places are not very vivid giving readers the freedom to imagine the scene as per their views. Overall a good read.

I absolutely loved reading The Cry. It was a fast passed thriller read that kept me guessing until the end. The story is told through multiple POVs which I was really found of because it has only made me question myself more and change my theory throughout. This story also showed just how far some friendships will go to get to the bottom of a mystery when it involves your best friend. This was my first book by S.D. Robertson and definitely will not be my last.

I want to thank NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review as well as the author and publisher for this free copy.

Great book and great array of characters. Had me hooked from the beginning however i did find it a little hard to get to know the characters very well before we started diving in deeper. Did not expect the twist and i think i might read it again now knowing what i do!!

I enjoyed this thriller where everyone seems to be hiding something. It definitely kept me guessing until the end and then surprised me when I thought I had it all figured out. The ending was not what I expected. Great story! Huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for making this ARC possible!

A completely addictive psychological thriller with a breathtaking twist is how The Cry is billed and I completely agree. It follows the story of Paige who has just returned home from a year travelling. It’s her parents turn to host the barbecue for the neighbours and everyone is enjoying themselves until they hear an agonising cry. Unable to determine what or who it was, they carry on as normal, all except Paige who feels something terrible has happened, especially as her best friend Jenna is now missing. The book is addictive and unputdownable with some great twists to keep you guessing. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

A quick read, domestic drama/thriller, following a group of neighbors and their children. There are some extremely unlikeable characters who act in very questionable ways, which is always sure to be an enjoyable read for me. I love nothing more than sitting back and watching these type of characters self-destruct. This story takes quite a few twists and turns and misdirections - some you will see coming and others you will not.

When a terrible scream is heard at a neighbourhood barbeque, Paige is convinced that it had something to do with Jenna, her best friend who has disappeared. Having returned from a year of travelling after a traumatic incident at university, Paige has her own character foibles and dark back story. This is a quick, gripping read, although I did struggle a little at times with the numerous narrators and multiple POVs. I guessed the twist towards the end just before Paige realised what was going on, but less seasoned thriller readers may find their jaws on the floor! This is a fast-paced, twisty domestic thriller, which overall I enjoyed.

Thank you to S.D. Robertson, Bookouture and Netgalley for my advance copy.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. It kept me engaged and had a good whodunnit mystery. I loved the loyalty of Paige, who has a traumatic past and refuses to let anything happen to her friends— she doesn’t get up and it’s a very admirable trait in a character. Zack was a repulsive character, as I’m sure was intended. It was a bit aggravating how so few characters were as concerned about Jenna’s whereabouts as Paige was!

If I had to make any complaints it would be that I found it a bit difficult to juggle all the different character POVs. I might’ve benefited from making a list so I could remember who was who! I eventually got the hang of it, though.

This was a good read that showed the important of friendships and being there for each other. I liked that small details in the book ended up being relevant again at the end.

The Cry is a fast-paced, can't-put-down thriller with plenty of twists and an unpredictable ending. Paige returns home after a year traveling abroad. She can't wait to catch up with her best friend Jenna; however, Jenna is distant and clearly hiding something. During a neighborhood barbeque, a terrible scream is heard by everyone; yet, no one knows where the cry came from and everyone appears unharmed. Then, the next morning, Jenna is discovered missing. Is her disappearance related to the shrill cry? What is Jenna hiding. As Paige investigates her friend's disappearance, secrets are revealed and betrayals are brought to light.

The Cry is told through multiple POVs. The chapters are reasonably short, which helped with the fast pace of the book. There are plenty of suspects and red herrings. Each new secret that was revealed was a surprise. The characters are interesting, and even though they all have something to hide, they're relatable. I didn't hate any of the characters (well, with the exception of maybe one). If you're looking for a suspenseful, exciting thriller, I'd definitely recommend The Cry. I'll for sure be reading more by S.D. Robertson.