Customer Reviews

Cry Wolf

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've read and enjoyed Hoag's novels before, but this one I just could not get through. I don't like romance novels. Lots of people do, and that's totally fine. However, this book is described as a mystery novel (read that back cover and tell me if it gives any inkling as to its being a romance), when it most certainly is not. There is no mystery or suspense until well into the second half of the novel.

The first half crawls by at a snail's pace, and you get an inordinate amount of detail about, to be perfectly honest, a bunch of terrible people. Laurel, Jack, Vivian, the Reverend, Ross- none of them are very nice characters. There's really no one to root for except for maybe Aunt Caroline, and she's got a very small part.

Hoag is generally a great author, but this is not one of her best efforts.

This book is by far the WORST of Tami Hoag's books. First of all, I have come to notice a trend with her novels. Can the main heroine EVER fall for anyone she knows more than 1 week? Anyone male who is close to the main character for more than 1 year turns out to be a complete moron, and this book is no exception. I knew who the killer was from the very start, and I felt no empathy for the main character. Be prepared, the first 300 pages is all about listening to her whine...and whine...and whine. Save yourself some time--just start on page 300, oh look, that's where the plot starts. And then the "hero" whines...and whines...and whines. They deserve one another for their patheticness. Tami: I challenge you: write a novel about a woman who is SANE, and a guy that loves her from long ago. Maybe that way you could write a novel about a realistic relationship, and a woman that I actually could imagine being friends with, as opposed to one who just inspires disgust.

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.

At least I didn't waste any money on it, since I checked it out of the library. Cry Wolf is the dullest "suspense" novel I've ever read. I had to slog through 300 pages of goopy soap-opera histrionics before the plot kicked into what passes for high gear. All the characters are so broadly drawn as to be almost cartoonish, with the exception of the killer, who suffers from too little character development. The ending is slapdash, as if Ms. Hoag ran out of time. She should have spent more time develping plot tension and less time on the endless whining and hand-wringing of the two exceedingly annoying main characters. Very unsatisfying!