Cryers Cross, by Lisa McMann

If you are in the mood for a creepy tale, try Cryer’s Cross by Lisa McMann.  Whoa. It’s not totally believable, but it’s a quick, fun read that will send shivers up and down your spine.

Cryer’s Cross, Montana is a seemingly sleepy small town until Tiffany Quinn, a high school student disappears. All of the town is understandably upset and tries desperately to figure out what happened to Tiffany, but to no avail.

Our main character, Kendall, is starting her senior year, in a classroom where all four high school classes attend together.  That’s how small we’re talking about. Kendall’s best friend, and possibly her “boyfriend” although she doesn’t like to use that word, is Nico.  They live across the street from each other, were born two months apart, and have basically been inseparable since that time. Kendall also suffers from a somewhat severe case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which is very realistically portrayed.

Beginning the new school year is difficult, since Tiffany’s absence is still a raw wound. There’s a new family in town, however, with two new students – Marlena, and sophomore, and Jacian, a senior. Marlena is very friendly, but Jacian is quiet and brooding – so much so that Kendall is kind of afraid of him. Jacian isn’t Kendall’s main problem, though, because Nico begins to act very strange, and then he disappears also.

The book is somewhat tense, but mostly macabre. In between chapters there are cryptic messages, that the reader doesn’t understand, but as the book goes on, they become clearer, and they are very sinister.  It’s a short book, and pretty entertaining. You do need to suspend some disbelief, but I think teens will really enjoy this book, and I would probably recommend it to some of my reluctant readers.

Ebook provided by Simon & Schuster GalleyGrab

Publication date: February 8, 2011

232 pages

Rating:  3.5/5