Book info

• Title Cry Wolf
• Author J. Carson Black
• Year 2013
• Genre Thriller

Laura Cardinal: Packs a SIG Sauer P226 9mm. Investigates homicides in small towns that have limited resources. Brings justice to murder victims--and to their killers. Laura’s job description: Criminal Investigator with the Arizona Department of Public Safety. But maybe it should just say 'Troubleshooter'. Tell me no lies. Laura and her aspiring-film-director partner, Anthony, catch a homicide case where nothing is as it appears. When pathological liar Sean Perrin is found dead in his car at a trailhead in scenic Madera Canyon, he leaves behind a skein of lies and half-truths that are impossible to untangle. From violent death in a sordid motel room to a high-end prostitution ring in Las Vegas, Laura and Anthony follow Sean’s trail across a landscape of broken dreams and convincing lies—until they confront the true evil behind the mask.

Thoughts

I’m always intrigued to start a new crime/thriller series because you always have to wonder how it can be any different to what has gone before. Annoyingly, I’ve picked up this series partway through, but still, then you get to see how the author helps new readers along. Whilst the standard elements are in place here - cop with new partner, murder to be solved, frustrating case that drags on - it’s all a little bit different.

For a start, there’s the twist that our hero Laura confers with her deceased ex-partner, getting his advice now and again. I thought that was an underused part of the plot, it seemed we were introduced to the concept very abruptly and then it wasn’t mentioned again until the very end. I assume this was a bigger part of previous books and not as necessary in this one. I guess it’s better to be underused than overused!

I also really enjoyed the concept of the murder victim being surrounded by people and to each he has spread a different pack of lies. How can you fathom the truth when you’re investigating a pathological liar? It was a good story, well told, and with a satisfying ending.

Rating: 3 / 5