Customer Reviews

Cry Wolf (Doucet)

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

First - if you are a Tami Hoag fan, be sure to read this book BEFORE reading "A Thin Dark Line" - she reveals both who the killer is and who his victims were. This was a really great suspense novel, definately my favorite of all Ms.Hoag's books. The characters were extremely colorful, the killer a big surprise, and the last 20 pages are virtually impossible to put down. The only thing that keeps me from rating it a 10 is the fact that Ms.Hoag still seems to be sticking to the same formula she uses in all of her novels: heroine meets a tortured bad boy who turns out to be a softie underneath, she acts like she can't stand him or trust him, he the same, they hate each other,they love each other, he saves her from peril and doom, they live happily ever after. If she could have toned down the predictable (and somewhat "gag-me") romance storyline, this book would have been perfect. All in all, if you can take the drippy romance with a grain of salt, this is one terrific read you won't want to miss.

Tami Hoag deserves an A+ for her wonderful evocation of the Louisiana swampland in this thriller. The town, people, and the spooky swamp itself have all stayed in my mind weeks after I finished the novel. Another great feature of the work is its sexy Cajun hero, Jack. Most of the time, he's a real charmer. This said, Cry Wolf has one serious failing in my view: it places far too much attention on what proves to be a tedious romance. From the beginning, it's obvious who will get involved with whom. The novel is seriously marred by these characters' long monologues and incessant conversations about "why we shouldn't be romantically involved," even though it's crystal clear that the romantic relationship is good for both partners. Jack's puerile moments of insecurity are particularly irritating - they don't fit his character. He is very appealing in his confidence, but exceedingly dull in his moments of insecurity. I would have appreciated it if the leading couple had tormented each other less and enjoyed each other more - especially since the steamy love scenes are quite well-written. As a thriller, the novel is OK. It's rather obvious whodunit, but the killer's motives are not immediately apparent. Overall, Cry Wolf offers a good read, but it is NOT for those who can't stomach sappy romances full of pointless game-playing.

I used to be the type of person who gagged at the thought of having to pick up a book and read it. I began reading Patricia Cornwell and thought she was the best author ever. WRONG! Ever since I discovered Tami Hoag there hasn't been one time since I haven't had one of her books at my side. Cry Wolf was my favorite of all that I've read, by far! I began reading this book Saturday morning and found that I couldn't put it down. I had the entire thing finished by the next afternoon. I absolutely fell in love with one of the book's main characters, Jack. Most of the books I have read of Ms. Hoag's put more emphasis on the crimes but this one concentrates more on the love affair. It was a nice change. The characters, scenery, and background are so well described that I actually had to remind myself that it wasn't real. Ms. Hoag does such a good job of describing the characters emotions that throughout the novel I felt the same way they did. By the time I finished this book I wanted to pack up, move to Cajun Country and meet me a tall, dark, and handsome stranger with a sordid past. I gaurantee this novel will leave a similar impression on anyone who reads it!

To all those who thought this book had too much romance I have something to say to you. Tami Hoag originally started off writing romances and this particular one was originally written as just that , a romantic suspense. It wasn't until later when she became popular to most with Guilty as Sin, that they re-published the book for mainstream mystery. I have been an avid fan of Tami's for years and love all her books. I never liked the mushy, all romance books and was so happy to find an author who did not ignore the enchanting and exciting world of romance but at the same time gave us something juicy and powerful to read in the form of mystery. I just wish she could write faster. Cry Wolf is one of my favorite of all her books yet I still think her Dark Paradise is my all time favorite book from any author. I think people need to open their minds and read different types of things. Take advice from a person who reads Hoag, Koontz, King, and many others. There is more out there than you think.. I also think the reference to Bodice whatever is ignorant. Tami keep up the great work, in my mind you are the best writer (for enjoyment) right now.

As a Tami Hoag fan, I found this book to have a slow start. The storyline tempts the reader and lays ideas that "something" has happened to both of the main characters, Jack and Laurel; however, it is slow at revealing what the "something" is. Unlike Hoag's other books which starts off with a murder mystery, the first half of the book delves into a the love story part of the plot. Because I enjoy Hoag for the Who-Dunnit stories, I felt that the first half dragged on. Not a bad read, but does not measure up to my favorite, A Thin Dark Line. Both Cry Wolf and A Thin Dark Line take place in South Louisiana, a place that is near and dear to my heart.

I loved this book for its three dimensional characters. The suspense is not there like it was in Night Sins but thiss book is more about the two main characters overcoming their own self-torment and finally accepting happiness and love. Tami Hoag does an excellent job in fleshing out the two main characters and making them three dimensional. I enjoyed this book because of Laurel and Jack and not for the plot. I highly recommend this book.

This is the first Tami Hoag book I have read and I absolutely loved it. Each and every character in the book was well developed and totally fascinating. The romance between Laurel and Jack the main characters was believable and exciting. I love the way she intertwined all the characters in this Lousiana town. Being a New Yorker, I don't normally gravitate towards fiction focused on the south - but anyone would appreciate the way Hoag describes life in the Bayou, and truly makes you want to visit. I noticed some reviewers complained that the suspense didn't start until the middle of the book. Personally that didn't bother me because the build up with the incredible character development was fantastic and absorbing. The ending was satisfying too. This author has a classic, timeless writing style and I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

Laurel Chandler is a disturbed prosecutor coming home from Georgia for some R&R after her own "cry wolf" incident. She needs some emotional healing, but gets caught up in a serial killer drama instead. The killer is playing games with her, singling her out by slipping her trophies from the dead girls found in the swamp.

This book is rich with descriptions of the Louisiana scenary, the Cajun people, and many interesting suspects. Ms Hoag goes to great lengths to build the story with gripping background material on a number of shady characters. I thoroughly enjoyed trying out my own theories as to which one could have the motive and opportunity to commit the murders. Near the end, the killer reveals him/herself to our heroine in a cutesy fashion, further adding to the drama. Read it. You'll love it.

My acid test for a good book is, would I read it again? Well, I did read 'Cry Wolf' again - within two months. I'm not usually too keen on books set in the Deep South - it reminds me of 'Gone With the Wind' - which I hated, finding it racist and sexist. [And Scarlet O'Hara really annoys me]. However, with 'Cry Wolf' the background of the Lousisiana bayous were just so vivid, that I couldn't help but get caught up in it. And the love scenes were some of the steamiest that I've read for quite some time! The characterisation is very good, indeed. Jack and Laurel's torments are quite convincingly portrayed. As for Laurel's mother - it's a wonder that Laurel turned into a decent human being with a mother with that! The main drawback, I found was the identity of the villian. It wasn't obvious to start with, but once Laurel figured it out, the revelation was somthing of an anti-climax. However, that was compensated for by the suspense at the end. All in all, I found 'Cry Wolf' a very good book, and would recommend it for those who like both a good romance, and something a bit grittier.

When you read this earlier work of Tami Hoag, you can see just how much she has improved. In Cry Wolf, she thinks she is Barbara Cartland with murders. It is hard to imagine that this is the author who wrote such outstanding novels as Ashes to Ashes.

Here's how the book goes: Oh, dark passion! Oh, deep secrets! Oh sex, love, violence! Electra! Swamp, alligators! Whimper, moan, and whine. Laissez le bon temps rouler, `tite chatte! Oh, violence! Sex! Dark secrets! Deep passion! Oh, stereotypes! Oh, clichés! Whine, whine, whine. Sultry, hot, humid, violent swamp, bon Dieu! Sex! Deep, dark passion! Dark, deep secrets!

Okay, that'll take you up to about page 250. From there on, read about four lines every page and you can keep up with the story.

I don't know if the wolf cried, but the reader may cry from boredom.