Review CRYER'S CROSS by Lisa McMann

CRYER'S CROSS by Lisa McMann


Details:
Hardcover, 233 pages

Published February 8th 2011 by Simon Pulse

Placement in Pile:
Reaching new Heights

Summary:
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.

Review:
Lisa McMann captures a unique and compelling story of Kendall, a motivated teen girl that suffers from OCD. One thing Kendall resists most is change. So when her best friend/boyfriend go missing, Kendall must figure out if the voices in her head are a manifestation that her OCD has run rampant, or if they're clues to the disappearances. In short, this novel is compelling and disturbing. McMann crafts a clear teen voice, with internal struggles that are easy to identify with. The mystery of the story will leave you breathless, if not completely and utterly shocked. But I think you'll enjoy the ride. Should you read this? I think so. But you would most likely love it if you're into a good thriller.