REVIEW: Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

Description

The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad.
Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history.
Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

About the Author

Lisa McMann is the New York Times bestselling author of the WAKE trilogy (Wake, Fade, Gone). She grew up in Michigan and now lives in the Phoenix area with her husband and two kids. Read more about Lisa at www.lisamcmann.com and be her friend on Facebook (facebook.com/lisamcmann) or Twitter (twitter.com/lisa_mcmann).

Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (February 8, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416994815
• ISBN-13: 978-1416994817

SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

This story really struck a chord with me.  My son and husband both have OCD and they both use similar coping skills that Kendall does.  The story is definitely Twilight Zone Worthy.  It has that same creepy feel that resides in the television show.  McMann gets right to the point and doesn't waste words as she creates a world in which the improbable can become true.  You could really feel Kendall's distress when she cannot go through her coping mechanisms and that throws her into a panic. 

Kendall is the core of the story and when her somewhat boyfriend Nico starts acting strange and then disappears like her friend Tiffany, the story comes to a head.  Kendall notices that the desk both Tiffany and Nico sat at appears to have messages written on it.  The messages direct Kendall and the new boy in town, Jacian to solve the puzzle. This is a wonderful read and those that enjoy psychological mysteries will enjoy it.  I think this is probably best suited for older teens since there is some violence mentioned.

Cryer's Cross