A Cry in the Dark

This is the first book I've read by Jessica R Patch and I am delighted to have finally made my acquaintance with her writing. I've heard much about her gripping romantic suspense and she did not disappoint. The fast-paced, nail-biting suspense component is perfectly combined with romance and a strong faith thread. The villain's point of view adds another intricate layer to the well-formed, complex plot and throws quite a few curveballs when trying to identify the culprit. It's a book you won't be able to put down until the very last page is read. I loved John's solid, loyal, and tender heart that is rooted in faith and God's Word. His unwavering commitment to help and understand Violet was absolutely heroic. Violet, in her straight-forward and non-apologetic manner, was surprisingly easy to connect with and love. Their banter was quite delightful and added a touch of humor to the murder investigations that ran dark at times. There are some heavy topics in the book, like trafficking, mental illness, and a twisted version of religion and goodness, but true faith, redemption, and reconciliation shed light on these heavy topics and bring healing and closure. I didn't realize that this is book 2 in a series. I'll have to go back to read Asa and Fiona's story and am hoping that the next book is about Tiberius. I'm now totally invested in these FBI agents that make up the Strange Crimes Unit! I received the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.