Book:  Cryer’s Cross
Author:  Lisa McMann
Release date:  February 8, 2011
Publisher:  Simon Pulse
Pages:  240
Source:  Publisher

The small town of Cryer’s Cross is rocked by tragedy when an unassuming freshman disappears without a trace. Kendall Fletcher wasn’t that friendly with the missing girl, but the angst wreaks havoc on her OCD-addled brain.

When a second student goes missing—someone close to Kendall’s heart—the community is in an uproar. Caught in a downward spiral of fear and anxiety, Kendall’s not sure she can hold it together. When she starts hearing the voices of the missing, calling out to her and pleading for help, she fears she’s losing her grip on reality. But when she finds messages scratched in a desk at school—messages that could only be from the missing student who used to sit there—Kendall decides that crazy or not, she’d never forgive herself if she didn’t act on her suspicions.

Something’s not right in Cryer’s Cross—and Kendall’s about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

Cryer’s Cross is one of the most terrifying books that I have ever read.  I couldn’t help but love it.  I wasn’t sure if Lisa McMann could write another book as good as Wake but she proved me wrong with this one.  In fact, it may have been better than Wake.  =]

Kendall Fletcher can’t believe it when a teenage girl from her town goes missing.  Whats even worse is that her OCD won’t let her forget it.  All she can think about is the missing girl until someone else goes missing, someone very close to Kendall.  The only thing linking the two kids together is their desk and when Kendall finds messages scratched into the top she can’t help but wonder, are the teens reaching out to her for help or is it something more sinister at work?

From the very beginning Cryer’s Cross is a chilling story.  It starts with the disappearance of Tiffany Quinn and it was hard to read about the search and rescue and the loss of hope.  It only got worse when the next teen went missing.  It’s hard enough thinking about a stranger going missing but this was Kendall’s best friend.  Her grief jumped off the pages and made me want to cry with her.

The characters were another fascinating part of the story.  Kendall’s OCD added another layer to the story that helped make her feel more real.  Jacian was mysterious but in a good way.  Marlena was pretty open about everything so there was no guessing with her.  Kendall’s parents even played a part in the book which is unusual in a lot of todays YA books.

Overall, I can’t praise Lisa McMann enough for Cryer’s Cross.  It is one of the most original stories that I have ever read and I’m hoping she continues with it.  She is one brilliant author!

First line:  When it is over, we breathe and ache like old oak, like peeling birch.

Rating:  A++

Cover:  A++