
Member Reviews

I enjoy this series, and this book is no exception. The action is tense, the characters are nuanced, relationships and character arcs are believable. I read it in a couple of days, because once into the story, it was hard to put down, and I found myself racing towards the climax. Although this is a series book, it could be read as a standalone without a lot of confusion, though it's probably even more enjoyable if you've read the books preceding it. Recommended for lovers of mystery and thriller series.

Julia Spencer-Fleming delivers another great return to Millers Kill. Clare and Russ are trying to enjoy Christmas with their baby, but of course trouble finds them—this time in the form of white supremacists, missing people, and a dangerous plot in the Adirondacks. The story brings back familiar characters while adding new perspectives, and I loved how all the threads tied together.
It’s suspenseful, timely, and full of heart, with just the right balance of mystery and the personal lives of the characters. A solid addition to the series that fans will definitely enjoy.

After a lengthy absence, Clare and Russ are back in a new book in this wonderful series. The story picks up just after Ethan, the son of Episcopal priest and US Army helicopter pilot Clare and Russ, 20 year Army veteran and recently “retired” Chief of Police is born and the family is celebrating their first Christmas together. While enjoying a village Christmas “tractor parade” with friends, the festive vibe is smashed when one of the floats turns out to feature white supremacy group members distributing vile leaflets espousing nazi sentiments. At the same time, deep in the Adirondack Park, a NY State Forest Ranger stumbles up a couple of armed men and is shot to death. It soon becomes clear that a white supremacy militia has formed in the area and they are up to no good. Officer Hadley Knox approached Russ because her former love interest Officer Kevin Flynn has been missing for 2 months after he completed his undercover assignment for the State AG infiltrating domestic terrorists. They team up with Paul Terrrance a Forrest Ranger searching for the missing Ranger . Paul is Mohawk and the missing Ranger is his uncle. The search for the ranger, Kevin Flynn and the pursuit of the white supremacy militia take all involved on a dangerous and difficult road that culminates in a potentially disastrous tragedy. It’s an engrossing story with lots of satisfying next stages for a number of reoccurring characters.

At Midnight Comes the Cry pulled me in right from the start and kept me hooked until the end. I loved the balance of mystery, suspense, and emotion, and the pacing made it hard to put down.
What I appreciated most was how the story wasn’t just about solving a crime—it was about relationships, choices, and the quiet moments that make the bigger twists hit even harder. It’s gripping but also heartfelt, which is rare to find in a mystery.
I’ll definitely be recommending this one to friends! I think this would make a great Book Club Read.

Julia Spencer-Fleming's writing has been missed! She plows right back into the action at Miller Kill and catches us up on Russ and Clare's most recent adventures. This is a great series, and this long-awaited entry did not disappoint. This novel has her usual cast of characters with their acerbic wit, a well written complex and timely plot relating to domestic terrorism, and exhibits the best and worst of human nature. As always, the author manages to show us the logic of following our better angels when dealing with difficult people and circumstances without being preachy or pendantic. It is refreshing to see a fiction author deal with the divisive nature of American politics and religion in a positive, patient, and cajoling manner through the beliefs and behavior of her characters. This novel was more action oriented than previous ones, and it is a personal quirk that I prefer her novels that are less action oriented. Having said that, I highly recommend this book and the entire series. My sincere thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC of this book.

I really love this series! Clare is just awesome. This book was no exception, moved right along and was very tense at times, and lots of good characters. Great story. Highly recommend!

This wasn't bad, by any means, I just didn't and couldn't connect with anything or anyone about it. The white supremacists were pretty much cartoon caricatures, and the whole "right-wing racists" idea was beaten to death.
I liked the cover, which is what drew me to the book, but it just didn't reflect the story inside.
Yes, this was a standalone story, but I did feel like I was missing a whole bunch of backstory.
Would I read more from the author? Hmm, maybe.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

I really enjoyed reading this book.I have not read any books by this author before. I guarantee that this will not be the last one. The characters were so well defined that I didn’t feel like I had to catch up with earlier books. It was frightening because you know these things happen and suspenseful at the same time.. The storyline moved right along. I didn’t find any ‘dead air’. All in all a delightful read.. I’m going to start at the beginning of the series while awaiting the next in the series.
Disclosure: A review copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. All of the above opinions are my own.

This book is part of a series of which I have not read any of the others. It was engaging and sad. It clearly demonstrates the ignorance of some people. I was given a complementary copy of this book and the opinions are my own.

At Midnight Comes the Cry by Julia Spencer-Flemming is the tenth book in the series featuring the Reverend Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne.
I have not read any of the other books, so it took me a bit to catch up. Clare is head priest at an Episcopal church and Russ is retired police. They have a little baby.
The story about white supremacy and the acts of vandalism. Clare helps Maggie (another character) stop violence at the parade.
Russ steps up to help his old department when they are shorthanded.
I enjoyed the writing but recommended reading earlier books to understand the characters' backgrounds.

This well-written and fast paced book is intense, suspenseful, powerful and intriguing and you don’t want to let your guard down while reading it. There was so much going on between the multi-plot storyline that kept me immersed in all aspects as I watched the tale unfold chapter by chapter. There were moments of trepidation as the characters faced uncertainty challenges that also gave me pause as I didn’t know what to expect as I continued reading. Told with great panache, this story will keep you embroiled from the first page to its formidable conclusion.

Absolutely great read! I’ve loved all the books in this series-this being no exception. A unique premise and characters fill the pages and make for entertaining reading. Looking forward
to more. Thank you Net Galley.

The latest in the Clare Ferguson series was a long time coming but well worth the wait. Clare and Russ are still plenty appealing as a couple and the crimes solved in this installment involving a white supremacist militia plot are both timely and nerve-wracking. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers for providing an e-galley for review.

This is part of a series, which made it a little hard to follow. The writing is good and the relationshp/character development is good. There are parts that are thought provoking and might elict classroom discussion. Parts were a bit far fetched, which my students won't mind but weren't my favorite

The whole Claire Ferguson/Russ Van Alstyne series is wonderful. However, At Midnight Comes the Cry is exceptional. The plot is timely, the new characters are fascinating, the settings made me want to visit the Adirondacks (even in winter) and by the end, I wanted to start the whole series again. This one feels like the ending of the series, but maybe I will be surprised. As I was catching up on the series by reading the previous two books before starting this one, I kept wondering why this hasn't become a television series. There certainly is enough suspense to make anyone want to keep watching. And the setting, characters, and problems are all engrossing.

Not being a religious person, I found this book a little heavy on Christianity but I should have expected it given that one of the main characters is an Episcopal priest. It was all just a bit too far fetched - not the militia part (living in Northern New England makes one very aware of those types) but the battered women rolling over on their bad husbands after one short outreach; the undercover cop....I won't go there as it would be a spoiler. I also found the back and forth of referring to characters by their last names and then their first names (sometimes mixing it up in the same sentence) confusing. Towards the end, I found myself skimming pages as I had figured out the mystery.

I absolutely loved this book, which is part of an incredible series.
Set in Millers Kill , New York during the Christmas season, the story is beautifully constructed from beginning to end. The characters are so well-structured, and the storyline of Clare and Russ truly captivated me.
I enjoyed every page and was sad to see it end. I'm giving it five stars because the story is so well-built and leaves you wanting to dive back into this world. I am now a huge fan of Julia Spencer-Fleming's writing style.
Thanks NetGalley for the Opportunity

I was so happy to see another book in this great series and it didn’t disappoint. It was a little slow at first but that was o.k because I really enjoyed the story. You can’t go wrong reading this book and series. Thank you for letting me read it.

At Midnight Comes the Cry by Julia Spencer-Fleming is book 10 in The Reverend Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne Series. Every book is an interconnected stand alone in the series. The book is published by S. Martin's Press.
The story picks up where the previous book was left off. Chief Russ Van Alstyne is retired from his job as Chief of Police in his small kingdom. He's kind of lost, needs a reason. And when one of his former Officers needs hlp investigating, he's the last to recline.
So up her goes on a wild goose chase iincluding terrorists, traitors, allies and last but not least his wife Clare, an hansdampf in allen gassen and his better half.
A pulsepounding, nailbiting pageturner that made me re-read all 10 previous books, consider you warned. I just can't get enough of Clare and Russ' stories.
I recommend the book andthe series, all the stars.

In AT MIDNIGHT COMES THE CRY, written by Julia Spencer-Fleming, Rev. Clare Fergusson and her husband, Russ Van Alstyne, and baby, Ethan, attend the Greenwich Annual Lighted Tractor Parade in Millers Kill, New York, a parade that marks the beginning of the holiday season. White nationalists spoil the parade when they distribute their hate. Rev. Clare befriends Meghan, a southern woman who helps diffuse a fight at the parade. I want to know what becomes of their relationship and read on.
I think there are times when this story is thought-provoking and times when it may alienate some of the readers. Overall, I want a more entertaining reading experience. While this book is one of a series, it can be read as a standalone. There are several previous works to experience. Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of AT MIDNIGHT COMES THE CRY.