Synopsis: The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. (Taken from Goodreads.com)
My Review: Why is it really difficult to talk about a book that you really love? Cryer's Cross is just too amazing for words. I was literally speechless after I closed the last page of the book.
I have never read a book so fast in my life; I was sucked in right from the beginning and refused to put it down. I neglected everything for a few hours and finished Cryer's Cross in one setting.
The author, Lisa Mcmann, knows how to capture her readers. This book had a mix of everything: from death, loss, love, psychosocial issues, happiness and suspense- a very good balance. I loved the mysterious feel that this book leaves you with; it is creepy but not scary. I'm usually not a fan of mysteries because I just freak myself out, but I just loved the level of suspense Cryer's Cross held. I wanted to know everything that was going on in this small town and I found myself not being able to read and turn the pages fast enough! It took turns that I never saw coming-
It will have you guessing and answering the question, "what in the world happened to these two missing teens?" Although my thoughts & guesses were off, I love books where they have my mind thinking even after I set the book down.
The tie-in quotes from "WE" are just brilliant, and makes Cryer's Cross complete. Although at the time of reading these passages they don't make a whole lot of sense, they eventually bring the following chapter together.
As a psychology student, I really enjoyed the connection that Lisa made with the main character's Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and outcome of storyline. Sometimes it is hard to being a character who has a mental illness feel real and believable on a piece of paper, but she does an excellent job at bringing the 'OCD' Kendall to life.
Another idea that I really enjoyed in this book was the idea of Kendall being afraid to 'move on' with her life without Nico. He was all she knew and was very dependent on him, so when he disappeared her thoughts were disheveled. When another boy, Jacian comes along that she develops a friendship with as the story goes on, Kendall is faced with a hard decision; does she move on or does she keep her life on hold in hopes that her best friend/boyfriend, Nico's mysterious disappearance will be solved.
Overall, I loved this book!! I would give Cryer's Cross a 5 out of 5 stars.
It is categorized as YA book, but considering some of the content, I would suggest this book be aimed more towards older teens and up. Great captivating storyline and fast paced read!
