Cries in the Dark [Kindle Edition]

P. A. Woodburn (Author)

Book Description

A serious head injury induces premed student Alex Buchanan to telepathically communicate with animals. She is stunned to actually experience the enraged emotions of a chimpanzee when he attacks her friend--all this on her first day as a lab technician in an American Sign Language primate research center.

Alex is highly secretive about her unwelcome gift, because she is sure that revealing it will squash her plans for achieving her dream: medical school. Taught by her parents to support scientific/medical research, she feels that her opinions about vivisection (cutting on live animals) may be challenged.

Sean Murphy, her lawyer boyfriend is snatched away. Could the FBI have realized he was on their most wanted list? Now alone, Alex is certain that she is being stalked by a serial killer. She maintains constant vigilance. The mounting body toll puts her in a panic. Do all of the dead have something in common? What could it be?


Terrified, Alex abandons her support for scientific/medical research, instead using her newfound paranormal ability. She works ferociously to uncover the killer before he destroys her human and animal friends. Will she have the strength and courage to defeat the killer? Failure will lead to certain death?

"Cries in the Dark" is a mystery/thriller revealing hidden talents of animals and humans.

Product Details

• File Size: 396 KB
• Print Length: 277 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003TXS6GA
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #386,920 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars interesting premise January 23, 2011

By Art Shrink

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I liked the concept, I liked the characters, and I liked the animals. The writing often felt awkward. Although most of the novel is set in Seattle, in one scene police officers set coffee and donuts on their car's bonnet, which suggests the author is not American, and perhaps explains some of the odd phrasing and sometimes stilted language. That doesn't explain the often abrupt scene changes and the sometimes bizarre occurrences that are seemingly unrelated to the plot. Ultimately the author weaves together every strange thread but still leaves us with a sudden ending that is less than satisfying. The book's redemption is in the thoughtful presentation of animal rights, not in the quality of the plotting.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Could have been much better September 4, 2010

By Stacy L. Daniels

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

While this book had an excellent premise, I felt the actual follow through was weak, with entirely too much narrative. I want to experience a story, not have it told to me. I did like Alex's ability to communicate with animals, which is the main reason I purchased this book and the chimps communicating with ASL was very interesting. I think a little more editing and tightening up some of the scenes would help the book tremendously. The ending was very abrupt and I didn't get a real good sense of closure.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent handling of a controversial issue August 10, 2010

By VickiT

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Surgeon Ian Buchanan dies rescuing his infant daughter, Alex, from a house fire that animal activists are suspected of starting. Twenty-one years later, Alex is involved in a cycling accident and wakes from a coma to discover she can communicate telepathically with the chimpanzees and other caged animals subjected to scientific experiment.

Cries in the Dark has elements of drama, suspense, fantasy, and romance, but underpinning it all is a strong social message. The message, though, is not delivered in any way that is preachy but through the telling of the story from all sides, including that of the animals. Although confronting at times, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It's one of those rare books that affects you long after you read the last page, but probably more so if you have any sort of affinity for animals.

My only quibble, which is minor and does not detract from the story in any way, is that it seemed to end rather abruptly. Without giving anything away, I would've have loved to have known what happened next. An epilogue perhaps?

More About the Author

P.A.Woodburn was born in Northern Ireland. She now lives on an island in Washington with her husband, a mischievous Saint Bernard, Zeno and Leo, a regal Siamese.
She writes thrillers and children's stories. She loves to read, swim, travel and enjoy nature.