A Cry in the Dark is another unputdownable, gritty psychological thriller from master of suspense Jessica Patch! It is her second book centered around the diverse FBI Strange Crimes Unit team. I loved reconnecting with them and their unique skills. Even though there are cross-over characters from the previous book, this one can easily be read as a standalone. The intensely suspenseful, multi-layered plot with its cleverly constructed twists hooked me with the haunting prologue and kept me guessing till the end! The well-crafted, realistic characters sprang from the pages and into my heart and mind. I was totally immersed in the splendidly described Kentucky holler setting and could feel the helplessness and desperation of those who lived there. Romantic undertones intermittently lighten the intensity of the evil happenings. I appreciate the strong faith element woven throughout the story and especially Violet’s faith journey. This is Inspirational Suspense at its highest level. I think all fans of this genre will enjoy and appreciate this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Cry in the Dark is the second psychological thriller by the author and this one features Violet. We met her in Her Darkest Secret. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. I couldn't wait to see what her back story was. I was not disappointed. This one is a bit more creepy. (or at least to me it was) I'm just gonna say it. Ms. Patch to me is the Stephen King of Christian Psychological Thrillers. If you like creepy, it is there. (but not crazy bad) If you like romance, it is there. If you like suspense, it is there. If you like an inspirational thread of Faith that leads to Jesus, it is there. So, this book has an all around something for everyone.
*I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
4.5 stars!!

What a roller coaster ride of a book! I was immediately drawn in to the story as our heroine, Violet, heads to the hills of Kentucky to investigate a serial killer. She’s a member of a special FBI unit that investigates these crimes. I really liked our hero, Detective John Orlando, who comes to the “holler” to join the team because his wife was killed in a similar way as the 3 bodies that are reported found in a cave. It’s a creepy novel, but there’s a element of hope that runs through the story to the climax.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Cry in the Dark by Jessica R. Patch is a hauntingly vivid portrayal. With layers of tragedy and trauma, this book could be highly triggering for some people. I’ve read quite a bit of suspense, but I still found it hard to get through this book. Still, I have to say that this is an amazing novel. I recommend it highly if the reader can take it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

FBI Special Agent Violet Rainwater has fought her own personal demons for all of her life. She is completely consumed with finding her father (or rather her sperm donor). Her mother was savagely used and abused by this man in what her mother describes as the baby basement. It has served her well in her capacity with hunting serial killers because of her obsessive personality, but she also feels an imagined darkness in her soul. Her mother convinced her from an early age that she was her "father's child", and this has caused Violet to feel that she has a monster lying dormant within her just waiting to be unleashed into the world. She has never felt the love of a mother or anyone for that matter. "And in the meantime, Violet had been used as punching bag for the pain, riddled with lies, and it would take powerful truths to untangle and dissolve that and free her."

When her team is called to the small town/community of Night Holler, Kentucky to help find and arrest a vicious killer known as the Blind Eye Killer, they find that things are not always as they appear. This depraved individual removes his victims' eyes and sews their eyelids shut all while they are still alive (shivers)! The team immediately feels the oppressive darkness devouring this small community. They also soon learn that there are a lot of wolves in sheep's clothing. Are the police and residents of this small community complicit or scared?

Team member John Orlando lost his wife, Callie, in an undercover operation in this area. Her body was found in the same condition as these poor women are being disposed of now. He needs some closure. I love this character. He was such a cheerleader for Violet. There is a little romance brewing just beneath the surface.

One of my favorite characters is Tiberius (Ty). He helps break up the depressing side of their job with his silliness and songs. I also felt such pity and empathy for Violet. No child should be treated the way she has been treated, but I love her strong personality and tenacity. She is an intimidating force to be reckoned with.

This was a great, and I do mean great suspense-filled, creepy mystery which will take you into the mind of a depraved and disturbed individual. Jessica Patch is making a name for herself as a scream queen with her dark, suspenseful stories. However, she also shows that light can dispel the darkness. We only have to believe and have faith while allowing that light, rather than the dark, to consume us. It is definitely something you will want to read in the daylight hours. Just when I think Jessica Patch cannot top her last hit, she hits the mark again. If you are a Criminal Minds fan, you will devour this book. I will caution you that once you start the book, you will not get anything else done because you will be so captivated by this story that you will have to finish it.

Thank you to Harlequin, the author and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Holler girls of an Appalachian Mountain town in Kentucky are being murdered.
FBI special agent Violet Rainwater’s is determined to catch this serial killer.
Detective John Orlando believes this is the same person who killed his wife years ago. Violet and John’s past collide in this chilling novel.

The twists and turns will never have you guessing who dun it’s, in this amazingly well written novel.

The first 25% of this book had me nearing to stop reading, but I’m glad that I continued on. It’s a really slow burn that makes up for the rough beginning so much so that I could not put it down! Each time I thought that I knew what was going to happen, I continued to realize I was so wrong.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Author for my free e-book in exchange for my honest review, I enjoyed my 1st Christian mystery very much!!

Jessica R. Patch rocks as a Christian suspense writer! This makes 2 books of hers which I have read and thoroughly enjoyed! I have added her name to the list of writers that I will want to read when I see a new book with her name. That is high praise! The creepiness and suspense starts immediately and does not let up! Violet has a very unusual personal history and finds herself an FBI special agent working with a team to uncover the mystery of a serial killer of young women in Kentucky. She has a super locked-up personality and intense focus, trying to prove to herself that she is not a sociopath. Another team member, John, is wondering about his wife's shocking murder while an undercover agent. John tells Violet that God loves her, with a "die-for-you kind of love" and that speaks to me. How this speaks to Violet is worth reading! The writing is just masterful!
I am thankful to the publisher for allowing me this complimentary book. My thoughts expressed are my own.

A Cry in the Dark by Jessica R. Patch is a thrilling chase for a serial killer. One of my favorite aspects of Patch's novel is the heroine. I loved that she has a wounded background. Not only a wounded soul, but the possibility of a character who could take the chance and go down a dark and disturbing path. Violet was introduced in the first novel, Secrets in the Dark, but allowed to share her story in this novel. Patch created a redemptive element for Violet that had me excited and thrilled. Patch did allow readers to think the serial killer was this one person, but then she will throw a twist into the ending that has the readers shaking their heads in wonder. The plot had an interesting path as the characters had to solve the mystery of who was killing all these women. The action keeps the readers guessing as they flip through the pages of the story. Of course, there is a hint of romance. Nothing really overdone, which was nicely handled. As a reader who enjoys stories like this, I hope that Patch composes another twisty tale of mystery for fans like me.

I received a complimentary copy of A Cry in the Dark by Jessica R. Patch from Harlequin Trade Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

What a wild, dark and twisty tale! I got criminal mind vibes throughout. Definitely kept me on my toes and interested throughout. I read in one sitting because I couldn't put it down! I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest review.

What an intense ride! Jessica Patch is a new to me author, but definitely one I'll be keeping my eye on! Fans of her book, Her Darkest Secret will recognize the main characters as they were included in that book, and those of us who read that one first are very glad to get some insight into Agent Violet Rainwater whose cold stoicism and ability to think like a criminal were thoroughly intriguing. The ending of that book had me more anxious for Violet's story and the author definitely delivered it in this one. If you haven't read Her Darkest Secret, you will still be able to enjoy this book as the story itself stands alone, but I think they do build on each other a bit. And though there are hints of that book in this one, there aren't any spoilers, so if you read them out of order, you won't necessarily have any plot points spoiled - just some character traits. The SCU in Memphis is called in to help solve a serial killing case in the mountain hollers of Eastern Kentucky where women have been found brutally murdered with an alarming MO. The author takes you on a trail where you think you know who did it, only to find out you've been misdirected. I was guessing till the very end, though I suspected literally everyone at one point or another. This book had me on the edge of my seat and unable to put the book down. If you enjoy intense suspense with some psychological thriller mixed in, wonderful character development, a hint of romance and some Christian faith elements, this is one I'd definitely recommend. I can't wait for the next chapter in this saga! Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

Fans of shows such as "Criminal Minds" will likely enjoy this dark, intriguing, twisty tale. As a result, some readers may find the story to be a bit too intense. Scenes are descriptive and graphic. It's second in a series, but it can be read as a standalone novel. At times, it was hard to track the various characters, but they did all play a part in the story. I loved the fact that Patch didn't feel the need to force a romantic angle into the story. There are enough red herrings to keep the reader engaged and guessing. There is a faith element, but it feels natural and isn't overpowering.

I loved this book! If I didn't have to work, I would have finished it in one day. This book was so well written and so engaging that it stayed with me long after the last page. I couldn't put it down! There were so many twists and turns that I never saw coming! If you enjoy highly suspenseful mysteries but want them to be clean, this is the book for you!

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Author Jessica Patch once again sweeps readers away on a chilling, hair-raising ride—full of twists, turns, and dark secrets in the forests of Night Holler, deep in the Kentucky hills!

FBI special agent Violet Rainwater is a strong, beautiful heroine, who has never known love beyond her physical features. With no affection from her mother and an absentee father, Violet lives for her work and does her job well.

Enter the handsome and kind, Det. John Orlando—who not only chips away at Violet's aloof exterior with his growing affection, but introduces God's love to her as well. Amidst the gross, evil darkness, will Violet find light and redemption for her love-starved soul?

I pride myself in always discovering who-dun-its, but I think I may need to retire my arm-chair sleuthing. lol I had no clue! With all the creepy feels that will keep you looking over your shoulder...be sure to check out this spine-chilling suspense!

*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review.*

Amazingly Creepy and Captivating!

This psychological thriller is even better than an episode of Criminal Minds! It will keep you up all night reading and jumping at the slightest noise. This is a standalone book but we first saw Violet in Her Darkest Secret as a secondary character.

Violet was so mysterious and intriguing. We were left with wondering what she was hiding or holding back… this book reveals all of that and more.

I cannot wait for another book like A Cry in the Dark or Her Darkest Secret. Jessica R Patch is definitely in my top 5 authors! You can also check out her Love Inspired Suspense books that give you a taste of her writing not quiet as intense as these other two books but definitely worth the read!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the Author and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

I am such a huge fan of this series! The stakes are constantly raised, and figuring out the dark twisted cases is so thrilling. I love when romance works in a suspense plot, and Jessica R. Patch knows how to do this combination better than anyone else out there.

This book needs more than 5 stars!!
Jessica Patch knows how to spin a tale that will leave you dizzy, afraid to go into the woods, afraid someone might be watching you and makes you always look over your shoulder just to see if there’s someone there.
It’s the kind of story you can’t believe, or don’t want to believe, that is real. It touches on some pretty heavy issues that are happening in our world right now.
For spine-tingling, mouth-dropping, don’t-read-at-night stories, Jessica R. Patch is just the author to read.
I was captivated from the very first page until the end.
It's one of those kinds of books, that gets under your skin and into your head and you don’t really want to know what’s going to happen, but yet you do!
It is so full of nail-biting moments with added creepy stuff, that there really isn’t time to breathe! You think you know what’s happening and who the bad guy is, then WHAM . . . the author throws a twist in, and you keep shaking your head! I know this about this author.
I’m one of those readers who LOVES to “figure it out” and with this story, I was totally stumped. Even up to the very end, I was totally amazed!
Jessica R. Patch is an amazing author who will keep you on the seat of your chair and keep you reading long after it’s time to stop. She has just the right way with words and even though her stories can be creepy, scary, and suspenseful, she weaves into each story some wonderful messages of God’s grace, and mercy. There are also some fun characters and sweet romance stitched into this book.
I highly recommend picking up this book. However, I need to warn you, that you might not get much sleep until you finish reading it!
I was given this book by the publisher and in no way did it influences my review, all opinions are my own.

This book is crazy. Women were murdered in the hills. John thinks it’s the same killer that got his wife and convinces the FBI, who is down a team member, to let him assist in the investigation. Will they find the killer before the killer gets to them?

Readers who enjoy FBI thrillers will not want to miss this story. Dark, creepy and sinister describes the setting as agents slowly discovers who is killing girls in a small Appalachian holler. I would recommend reading Her Darkest Fear first to get a better understanding of the dynamics of the FBI team. Even though the subject matter was dark, the message of God's love was prevalent.

What a great way to kick off my reading year. Wow! This was another non-stop thrill ride from Jessica R. Patch. There were so many twists and turns. Just when I thought I’d solved it, I was hit with a curveball that kept me guessing until the very end. I can’t wait for book three!

A Cry in the Dark is Christian romantic suspense at its grittiest. The light shines brightest when directed at the darkest places, and Night Hollow is definitely one of those places. Author Jessica Patch shows the depth of the despair there, but also how the light overcomes. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."--John. This is a book that you'll want to lock your doors and close your drapes before you start reading it. The suspense is incredibly tense, and there is a lot of action. Good luck on deciding who the villain is! The plot has twists and turns like the mountain roads. The main characters' back stories are very interesting and color their present-day actions. I strongly recommend this well-written romantic suspense book.
I received a complimentary review through NetGalley from the publisher.