Magnificent.💕 I truly believe Martin is one of our greatest living novelists, and I’ve only read four of his books with many more left to discover. It is, perhaps, a minor spoiler to identify the main character as a surgeon because he spends most of the story building and restoring boats with his brother-in-law, Charlie (who deserves his own book.) But whether he is known as “Reese Mitch: boat builder” or “Jonathan Reese Mitchell: heart surgeon extraordinaire,” he is still a lonely, broken man. When Reese meets Annie, a little girl selling lemonade who is ill and wise beyond her years, he must ask himself if the time is right to emerge from his shell of grief and uncertainty and tap into his incredible gifts.

EXCERPT: Prologue

I pushed against the spring hinge, cracked open the screen door, and scattered two hummingbirds fighting over my feeder. The sound of their wings faded into the dogwood branches above, and it was there that the morning met me with streaks of sunkist cracking across the skyline. Seconds before, God had painted the sky a mixture of black and deep blue, then smeared it with rolling wisps of cotton and sprayed it with specks of glitter, some larger than others. I turned my head sideways, sort of corkscrewing my eyes, and decided that heaven looked like a giant granite countertop turned upside down and framing the sky. Maybe God was down here drinking His coffee too. Only difference was, He didn't need to read the letter in my hand. He already knew what it said.

Below me the Tallulah River spread out seamlessly into Lake Burton in a sheet of translucent, unmoving green, untouched by the antique cutwaters and Jet Skis that would split her skin and roll her to shore at 7:01 a.m. In moments, God would send the sun upward and westward where it would shine hot, and where by noon the glare off the water would be painful and picturesque.

I stepped off the back porch, the letter clutched in my hand, and picked my barefoot way down the stone steps to the dock. I walked along the bulkhead, felt the coolness of the mist rising on my legs and face, and climbed the steps leading to the top of the dockhouse. I slid into the hammock and faced southward down the lake, looking out over my left knee. I looped my finger through the small brass circle tied to the end of a short string and pulled gently, rocking myself.

If God was down here drinking His coffee, then He was on his second cup, because He'd already Windexed the sky. Only the streaks remained.

Emma once told me that some people spend their whole lives trying to outrun God, maybe get someplace He's never been. She shook her head and smiled, wondering why. Trouble is, she said, they spend a lifetime searching and running, and when they arrive, they find He's already been there.

I listened to the quiet but knew it wouldn't last. In an hour the lake would erupt with laughing kids on inner tubes, teenagers in Ski Nautiques, and retirees in pontoon boats, replacing the Canadian geese and bream that followed a trail of Wonder Bread cast by an early morning bird lover and now spreading across the lake like the yellow brick road. By late afternoon, on the hundreds of docks stretching out into the lake, charcoal grills would simmer with the smell of hot dogs, burgers, smoked oysters, and spicy sausage. And in the yards and driveways that all leaned inward toward the lake's surface like a huge salad bowl, folks of all ages would tumble down Slip'n Slides, throw horseshoes beneath the trees, sip mint juleps and margaritas along the water's edge, and dangle their toes off the second stories of their boathouses. By 9:00 p.m., most every homeowner along the lake would launch the annual hour-long umbrella of sonic noise, lighting the lake in flashes of red, blue, and green rain. Parents would gaze upward; children would giggle and coo; dogs would bark and tug against their chains, digging grooves in the back sides of the trees that held them; cats would run for cover; veterans would remember; and lovers would hold hands, slip silently into the out coves, and skinny-dip beneath the safety of the water. Sounds in the symphony of freedom.

It was Independence Day.

Unlike the rest of Clayton, Georgia, I had no fireworks, no hot dogs, and no plans to light up the sky. My dock would lie quiet and dark, the grill cold with soot, old ashes, and spiderwebs. For me, freedom felt distant. Like a smell I once knew but could no longer place. If I could, I would have slept through the entire day like a modern-day Rip van Winkle, opened my eyes tomorrow, and crossed off the number on my calendar. But sleep, like freedom, came seldom and was never sound. Short fits mostly. Two to three hours at best.

I lay on the hammock, alone with my coffee and yellowed memories. I balanced the cup on my chest and held the wrinkled, unopened envelope. Behind me, fog rose off the water and swirled in miniature twisters that spun slowly like dancing ghosts, up through the overhanging dogwood branches and hummingbird wings, disappearing some thirty feet in the air.

Her handwriting on the envelope told me when to read the letter within. If I had obeyed, it would have been two years ago. I had not, and would not today. Maybe I could not. Final words are hard to hear when you know for certain they are indeed final. And I knew for certain. Four anniversaries had come and gone while I remained in this nowhere place. Even the crickets were quiet.

I placed my hand across the letter, flattening it upon my chest, spreading the corners of the envelope like tiny paper wings around my ribs. A bitter substitute.

Around here, folks sit in rocking chairs, sip mint juleps, and hold heated arguments about what exactly is the best time of day on the lake. At dawn, the shadows fall ahead of you, reaching out to touch the coming day. At noon, you stand on your shadows, caught somewhere between what was and what will be. At dusk, the shadows fall behind you and cover your tracks. In my experience, the folks who choose dusk usually have something to hide.

ABOUT 'WHEN CRICKETS CRY': From New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin comes the moving story of a heart surgeon who's hiding his own heart, a little girl whose heart won't last much longer, and a shared journey toward healing for both of them--for fans looks for the emotional depth of Fredrik Backman and the Southern atmosphere of Delia Owens.

It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. But the little girl's pretty yellow dress can't quite hide the ugly scar on her chest.

Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads to his car, his mind on a boat he's restoring at a nearby lake. The stranger understands more about the scar than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives.

Before it's over, they'll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry . . . and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners.

MY THOUGHTS: A novel of the heart' - seldom has a truer word been spoken.

As I try to write a coherent review of When Crickets Cry, I can feel my own heart going about its work; work I have, until now, taken for granted. Never again.

The heart doesn't merely pump blood around the body; many emotions are attributed to it - broken hearts, hearts that swell with love and/or pride, we say home is where the heart is and we give our hearts to our one true love - yet it stays firmly in our body, pumping away.

Charles Martin has written about diseased hearts; the heart belonging to a little girl which is working overtime and needs to be replaced; the frayed heart of the woman who loves that little girl like she was her own; the broken heart belonging to a man who has given up on himself; and the strong heart of his friend who believes in him, no matter what.

The author teaches not only about the anatomy and physiology of the heart, but the emotions attributed to the heart and the heart in literature. This is all wrapped up in a story about a young girl from a background of poverty who needs a new heart and the lengths she will go to get one.

Annie is a wonderful character. Wise beyond her years and fully cognizant of the fact that a new heart doesn't guarantee her life, Annie displays both great courage and humility. My own heart took a beating during this read. I wanted to reach out and hold this child, stroke her hair and make everything all right for her for, at times, it seems that almost everything that could possibly go wrong for Annie, does.

Charles Martin's writing has a huge emotional effect on me. It is atmospheric, evocative and educational. His characters are real and credible. Annie, her aunt Ceecee, Reese and Charlie all held my heart hostage for the duration of this read. The author writes with both great empathy and knowledge and is a master at plumbing the depths of emotion. Make sure your tissue box is full (NOT one of those tiny little purse packets) before you start.

If you are listening to When Crickets Cry, I recommend for at least the final hour you don't listen while driving else you will find yourself, as I did, having to pull over to the side of the road or rip your earbuds out. Just warning you . . .

⭐⭐⭐⭐.4

#WhenCricketsCry #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Christy and I married in 1993. If you include dating, I’ve known and loved her for more than half my life. She is and always will be the home for my heart. We have three boys. Charlie, John T. and Rives. Folks often ask me, which of my books do I like the best. You might as well line up my sons and ask me who I love the most.

My hobbies are bow hunting, working out (a blend of old school stuff and martial arts, called Fight Fit) and Tae Kwon Do. In October 2012 I earned my black belt but I’m still the least flexible person you’ve ever met. The guy that trains me, laughs everytime I start warming up. My boys are far better at Tae Kwon Do than I, but I doubt they have as much fun – I get to do and watch. They just do.

I also like to write, but that’s another story. (Source - charlesmartin.com)

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Christian Publishing via NetGalley for providing an audio ARC of When Crickets Cry written by Charles Martin and superbly narrated by Adam Verner for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

“She looked back at the cardinal and said, without feeling the need to prove it, “That’s ’cause you’re listening with your ears and not your heart.”

When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin was a book that Elizabeth @wacoreads recommended to me, once when I was at Fabled Bookstore in Waco, Texas. Of course, I had not yet gotten around to reading . . . So when NetGalley was offering to send me a Listener’s copy, I jumped at the chance!
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Charles Martin has been recommended to me many times but I had not read him before. I really enjoyed this book and the narration was excellent, Adam Verner is easy on the ears! I felt that the book got a little too far into the weeds about hearts and heart transplants and this book would not be for every reader for that reason. On the one hand, much of the information was extremely interesting, but on the other hand, it did take me out of the story at times and there were moments when I was pretty sure this was a much longer book than it is in reality.
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There are some early chapters with a cardinal theme that I absolutely loved! There are a great many passages that I found and highlighted! That said, you would be able to read this entirely on audiobook. This is a book that will inspire you to be a better version of yourself and to face hard things in life with a new perspective.
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I gave it 3.75 stars
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Thanks @netgalley and @HarperCollins for giving me this listener copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Excellent narration by Adam Verner. I had sworn off reading any more Charles Martin books. The five I've read were theologically questionable at best though the plots were, in most cases, decent. I decided to give When Crickets Cry a try when I saw it come up on Netgalley. It's a solid story and Charles Martin is a good writer, though I hesitate to call any of his works that I've read thus far truly Christian fiction- I've found them to be nominal at best- in addition to this one, I've read The Mountain Between Us (ahem, people do not become angels after we die- terrible theology) and the entire Murphy Shepherd tetralogy. I will, at some point, read The Last Exchange because people rave.

"When Crickets Cry" gave me serious Everwood vibes (for those who remember the early 2000s TV series). I jumped at the chance to read it when it was available as an ARC on NetGalley. I hoped it would be the perfect summer read.

The first thing I want to point out about this book is: there is a storyline in there somewhere - I promise. But as several readers have noted, this book is packed with lists and detailed descriptions of objects, places, and activities—it sometimes feels like reading a manual. And there's a lot of it. I love fun facts and have nothing against reading non-fiction. In fact, I think this author could write engaging and informative books on various subjects. Unfortunately, this overshadowed the actual story in the book - a story that had so much to say.

I have little to criticize about the characters. Most of them came across as strong personalities, and their stories were engaging. With more narrative and less factual content, I think this could have been an outstanding novel. But as it stands today, I can only give it 3 stars. However, it has a lot of potential, and I believe it can find its right reader out there. I would without doubt recommend this book to other people. It just was not for me.

The narrator of the audiobook did a fantastic job telling the story. He reads with enthusiasm and engagement, making it a pleasant listening experience.

When Crickets Cry is a beautifully written, meaningful story that lingers long after the last page. Charles Martin brings together Reese, a man running from a painful past, and Annie, a brave little girl with a lemonade stand and a failing heart. What unfolds is a tender, heartwrenching story of grief, grace, and the redemptive power of love.

This book just kept getting better as I read. The spiritual themes are subtle but deeply moving—never heavy-handed, just gently stitched into the characters’ lives. It's Christian fiction at its best: full of heart and truth, yet accessible to a wide audience.

Yes, there's an overload of medical content—it sometimes feels like Martin wants us to earn a cardiology degree alongside Reese—but even that adds weight to the emotional stakes. Once you settle into the rhythm, the technical detail serves the story’s depth.

I couldn’t stop reading. The prose is lyrical without being flowery, and the emotional arc is honest and hard-won. It’s a lovely book about acceptance, unconditional love, heartache, and learning to live beyond the pain. Poignant, faith-filled, and unforgettable—this one’s a five-star keeper.

5 Stars

** Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for a review copy of the audiobook. The opinions are my own.

Heart warming, all the feels, tears, laughs, so hopeful and inspiring.

Excellent research on all the medical descriptions.

My favorite by the author so far.

You will love Reese, Annie, Cindy, Emma and Charlie. Absolutely can’t recommend this book enough.

Thanks to netgalley and Thomas Nelson for my audio copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

For the same reason as the other books in the series. They are very similar with the plot lines and I find the religious angle is too heavy for me.

(I am deeply grateful to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this audiobook).

This was my second book from Charles Martin and certainly not my last. Like the first book I read from this author, this audiobook deeply resonated with me, evoking a range of emotions and tugging at my heartstrings. The unexpected twist at the end, a masterstroke by the author, only added to the emotional journey. I found myself deeply attached to every single character, especially Charlie. Not to mention, the character development was the cherry on top. This book brought me to tears as the plot progressed. This is truly a sad book that wrapped up reasonably well. I wish we had gotten more perspectives from the other characters; however, I still enjoyed the book. Another thing I liked about this book was the humor sprinkled in it, as I felt it was much needed, especially since it got sad at times.
I love how the author weaves characters and stories that resonate deeply, making them realistic and inspiring at times. I absolutely can't wait to read more from this author. The audiobook format added depth to the characters, and I'm glad I chose to listen rather than read. I eagerly look forward to more from Charles Martin.

“A novel of the heart” is right! I’ve heard about this book for years but when I saw this audio, I knew I had to. It’s a slow burn, for sure, but when it grips your heart, it’s tugs and doesn’t let go. Every step of the ending had me tearing up. I think I loved Charlie the most. At first, listening to the audio was a little confusing as it went seemlessly ba Mck and forth between Reese’s past and present, so something I got Emma and Annie confused. But then as the stories moved forward, it became more obvious to follow even in audio.
I’ve loved Charles Martin’s books since The Mountain Between us, so I’m definitely reading more!

When Crickets Cry” is a deeply moving novel that unfolds with multiple layers of meaning. While it is often categorized as a Christian book, its themes extend far beyond that. The story follows Reese, a highly accomplished heart surgeon known as “Stitch,” who retreats from his once-thriving career after he fails to save Emma from heart failure. Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, he seeks solace in a small community, where he immerses himself in boat restoration.
Reese’s life takes a turn when he meets seven-year-old Annie and her aunt. Annie, who suffers from the same heart condition that claimed Emma’s life, gradually helps Reese reconnect with the world around him. Their bond becomes a catalyst for healing, both for Reese and for Annie, culminating in a heart transplant that Reese performs.
Throughout the narrative, readers gain valuable insights into the complexities of the heart, including its functions, diseases, and the intricacies of heart transplants.. The story weaves together themes of loss, redemption, and the power of human connection, making it a compelling read or auditory enjoyment.

Reese Mitchell is a brokenhearted surgeon who gives up his profession after the death of his wife, his childhood sweetheart who suffered from a weakened heart from her youth. While making a trip into town Reese meets a little girl selling lemonade and immediately upon talking to her, he recognizes she has a diseased heart.
The two become friends and both are healed in their own ways.
Recommended for readers of Christian fiction. Martin is a skilled writer and this story reflects his values of forgiveness and redemption.

When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin on audio was a reread for me. I enjoyed it the first time in physical format and enjoyed the audio version this time as well.

This book puts you in your feelings, I think every single person who reads this one will cry at least once. Some of the medical details are off, but don't let that effect your reading experience because this is a great story.

The narrator does a good job of bringing you into the story but a little more feeling in his voices wouldn't be a horrible thing.

I have and will continue to recommend this book especially when someone wants to read a book that will make them cry.

This book - like all of the author’s books - was an absolute treasure. It has a way of touching your heart and changing your soul. So many have trials in their lives with what seems to be no end in sight but it’s soothing to read books that touch on those trials and show that, not only in spite of them but because of them, there is hope, love, and redemption ahead. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job of bringing the story and emotions to life so exquisitely. I cannot give this book enough stars!

Charles Martin is in a class by himself as an author. He writes special books that linger with you and affect you. I didn't know the topic when I chose to listen to the audiobook. It was fascinating. It tells the story of a young boy who had a young girl friend who had a problem with her heart and his unceasing study so that someday he could fix her problem. It's the story of the young girl who reminded him that the heart is also for love. Fast forward and it's about a heart surgeon with a broken heart and another young girl who needs him. It's about his brother-in-law who through tragedy reminds him to keep living. The characters are memorable. The story is poignant.

My son was born with an ejection fraction of 11percent. Five open heart surgeries later, he's a healthy 24 year old. There was a lot that I could relate to in this book and plenty I could not. It made me more thankful than ever for those who work in trauma rooms, and ORs, doing surgeries and transplants and whatever is needed to give their patients a good outcome.

I listened to the audiobook of this story. It moves back and forth in time but was pretty easy to follow. The narrator is good. It was hard to stop listening. There were a few twists. This is a beautiful story of love and friendship and healing and forgiveness. I'd highly recommend it. Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free audio copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin was an amazing 5 star book for me! I can’t say enough good things about this heartwarming (and also heartbreaking) story of a heart surgeon who’s crosses paths with a young girl with issues of her own and both have journeys that will take them through a path of healing of body, mind, and soul.

The author’s intertwines these two totally random strangers stories, who meet one day by chance, and seeing how their journeys together and separately, help them both heal and grow and move forward in their lives is special to watch as the author’s presentation is just magnificent.

I listened the audiobook and the narrator was terrific. His slower pace was perfect for sleepy Southern small town the book is set. The narrators tone is perfect for the atmosphere of the book and makes the story easy to listen to.

This is easily one of the best books I’ve listened to this year and I will definitely be recommending it to others.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the alc.

I have come to learn when reading a story by Charles Martin that I can expect my heart to be ripped out and then tenderly replaced with so much love, redemption, and hope that it all ends up being worth it. As a healthcare professional who loves just about anything related to the heart, I was enthralled with his telling of the patient’s process and the intricacy and accuracy in the details. Hearing the perspective from a hopeless heart surgeon, a spirited little girl with enough hope for the town, and a blind witness to all the activities was so revealing. I loved the repeated messages regarding the importance of the heart, both literally and figuratively (particularly in the spiritual sense). As I was reading I knew there was so much more going on that what we were being told in that moment, and yet, it all played out in perfect cadence to an unbelievable crescendo.
As I listened to the audiobook, I do feel like I need to give kudos to the narrator who did a phenomenal job in capturing all the characters, accents, and personalities.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expresses are solely my own, freely given.

Charles Martin is a fantastic author writing Christian fiction that is so believable and just fun to read. I can cruel up with one of his books and get lost.
This story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming and absolutely worth your time.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for my advanced audio copy. The narrator does a great job also.

There is Always Hope-

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Charles Martin unfolds this story in such a way that it sets the reader into the emotional fray of its characters. I felt what they felt…I knew there were deeper regrets but didn’t know what they were. I wanted Reese to have his do-over. I wanted Annie to get hers, too. But who will step in to allow for that to happen?

The emotion displayed throughout this storyline shone through in this audiobook. Well done, Adam Verner.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this audiobook from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. I also purchased the ebook.

Audiobook
NARRATION:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Somewhere in Georgia along the banks of Lake Burton, Jonathan Mitchell, aka Reese, is a grief-stricken man. One day, he hears the call of a young girl selling fresh lemonade. Taking notice of not only the girl but the scar on her chest as well, he knows more about that scar than he's willing to admit to himself currently. Seeing an accident about to happen, he swiftly aids the hurt young girl, and their lives become intertwined more than either could have imagined.

Annie is a young girl born with a heart problem with the extent not fully known. Being raised by her Aunt Cindy,money is tight, and health care, never mind insurance, is expensive. Doing the best they can to raise money for testing and such, Annie is a humble spirit, and the whole town is behind her.

Reese, having recently returned to Lake Burton, is working with his older brother in law Charlie to earn a living the best he can. Reese is burdened down by guilt and grief for mistakes and a loss that has left him a former shell of himself. As he settles back into town and begins establishing friendships with Aunt Cindy, Annie, and other people in town, he slowly starts to work through his troubles.

But it's Annie that really gets to him. Her zest for life, her outgoing personality, love for town folk, her faith in God, and the belief her heart can be fixed inspires him and motivates him to try and help.

Reese is more qualified than anyone, but a few people know. But it will take a lot of hard work on his part to work through his grief and guilt to allow himself to be a better man than he was before. If Annie can be such a light in the world after facing such hardship, just maybe there's more than enough hope and faith for them both.

I really enjoyed the give and take between Aunt Cindy/Annie and Reese, and their friendship begins to grow into something bigger. I also enjoyed the relationship between Charlie and Reese. Charlie was a force that knew when to push Reese or when to stand back and let Reese work through something on his own.

The story isn't a cheesy, feel-good story like some. It's full of characters living good times and hard times but never standing still in self-pity for too long. They just keep persevering along the way and supporting each other as they can. The ending through me for a bit, but the author did a great job of smoothing it out for a solid ending.

The narration was top-notch! Distinct voices for the individual characters with a pacing that reflected a true Southern lake town. Highly recommend to anyone looking for an audiobook with a worthwhile story that will stay with you long after it's done.

Many thanks to NetGalley and other applicable entities for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.