Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Shadow Falls, the first in the Detective Madison Harper series, I jumped at the chance to read Cry For Help. It’s just as good as the first one; having teamed up, united in their anger against corrupt police officers, Nate Monroe and Madison are back in Madison’s old home town of Lost Creek, called back by the shocking murder of Madison’s ex-girlfriend. Before they even arrive there’s a second death, though, a sixteen-year-old girl, and Madison can’t help but suspect it has to be connected.
Nate has less of a part to play in this story, and I did feel the lack somewhat, because I got to really like him in Shadow Falls. This is very much the story of Madison’s vindication and reunion with her son, though, as well as really filling in all the details on her background, so I suspect the next book is likely to return to Nate’s story.
I think it would be possible to read this without having first read Shadow Falls; enough backstory is given to thread the stories together, but I would definitely recommend reading Shadow Falls first as Nate doesn’t come off all that sympathetic a character in this one. Having really got to know him in the first book I felt more accepting of his actions as they made sense considering his backstory. Former cadaver dog Brody also gets a significant part to play here, and I like the bond developing between him, Nate and Madison.
I’m interested to see what’s next for this group. It seems apparent that Madison now has incentive to stay in Lost Creek, but will Nate? She’s gained the ability to help him now in ways she couldn’t before, to pay him back, so maybe he’ll stick around, but I quite liked the ‘travelling investigators’ aspect of the story. We’ll see how things change, but I’ll definitely be looking out for the next book in the series, because I’m really enjoying it. Five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.