Review of Was She Crying for Me?

[Brenda Creech]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Was She Crying for Me?" by Jerry Hyde.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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When Larry and Norma Jean Ross's three-year-old daughter got taken from their backyard, raped, and murdered, the stress and despair tore their marriage apart. The number one suspect was John Rogers, Jr. John Jr's father was extremely wealthy and was always getting John Jr. out of one scrape after another. He was determined to do it again after John Jr. got indicted for the murder of Lee Ann Ross. After the trial ended with a hung jury, Larry replayed the crime in his mind and asked himself how John Jr. got by with raping and murdering his little girl. The more he thinks about it, the more convinced he becomes it isn't fair that John Jr. didn't have to pay for his actions. Larry devises a plan to make John Jr. pay. Does he carry out his plan?

After a while, Larry moved to Nacogdoches, went to work with his brothers, and met his second wife, Lola. Norma Jean also remarried, but hers was not a happy life. Fifty years after the abduction, rape, and murder of Lee Ann, Larry is on his way back to Mt. Vernon. He still remembers the horror of it all. He never understood how the judicial system had failed. Was John Jr. guilty? Was Larry able to find peace? The mystery crime novel Was She Crying for Me? will answer these questions and more.

Jerry Hyde has penned a novel that will tear at your heartstrings as you follow the anguish and pain of parents whose child gets kidnapped and brutally murdered at the tender age of three. As you follow this story to the end, your emotions will be on a rollercoaster ride of sadness, anger, and frustration at the injustice of it all. My favorite part of the book was the investigation into the murder of Lee Ann by the town's only detective, Warren Stanfield, with the help of Mt. Vernon's chief of police and the FBI. I loved the dialogue as most of it was typical of small-town America.

There wasn't anything I hated about the book, but a few issues need addressing. First, the dialogue reads like a movie script in some places, and second, there are errors in the book that need correcting. The author purposefully worded some dialogue to maintain the town's atmosphere, which I enjoyed; still, other errors need addressing. It appears the book needs professional editing. Some heavy profanity, the stark description of rape, and the condition of Lee Ann's body when found may disturb some readers. The above issues aside, I enjoyed reading this book.

Because of the storyline, which I found to be fascinating, the characters, and the small-town atmosphere, I would love to give this book a perfect rating. However, the errors and the occasional movie script-like dialogue interrupted my concentration several times. Therefore, I am rating Was She Crying for Me? by Jerry Hyde 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to adults who love mystery crime novels. The book should have a mature audience because of the language and the description of a violent scene.

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Was She Crying for Me?
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[luvburds123]

Brenda, thanks very much for your honest review. This was my first novel, hope to finish another. I edited myself and went through 5 page-proofs before releasing, knowing fully there were errors. My anxiousness to see my book in print outweighed them. Your areas of criticism are acknowledged and appreciated.

[Chinedum Chijioke]

A book that induced a rollercoaster of emotions to the reader. Sometimes it's just what we need since it displays to us the true nature of the world.

[ojukwu2]

It's always interesting to come across such wonderful review. I would love to commend the author for this master piece. Kodus

[Book owly]

The story really got me intrigued. It is indeed difficult and painful for parents to lose their children. the story is amazing as you have described it in your review. Thank you very much!

[Brenda Creech]

A book that induced a rollercoaster of emotions to the reader. Sometimes it's just what we need since it displays to us the true nature of the world.

That is so true! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

It's always interesting to come across such wonderful review. I would love to commend the author for this master piece. Kodus

Thank you, and thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

The story really got me intrigued. It is indeed difficult and painful for parents to lose their children. the story is amazing as you have described it in your review. Thank you very much!

It certainly pulls at the heartstrings! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[NutellaBanana]

This is an interesting and well thought of book. This is also an interesting and well-written review. This is also a book that I would definitely love to try out. Thank you for this wonderful review.

[luvburds123]

Brenda, thanks for the review. This was my first, and hopefully not my last, novel. I went through 5 page-proofs, finally releasing my novel, knowing full-well there were errors. your critique is fair and I acknowledge and accept this very thorough review.

[Brenda Creech]

This is an interesting and well thought of book. This is also an interesting and well-written review. This is also a book that I would definitely love to try out. Thank you for this wonderful review.

It is a good book. The story keeps you interested all the way. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[katisgah Bee]

I had to reread the first sentence twice. Wow! That was a lot to take in. You got me with that one. The book from your description is already pulling the strings of my heart.

[Brenda Creech]

I had to reread the first sentence twice. Wow! That was a lot to take in. You got me with that one. The book from your description is already pulling the strings of my heart.

It is an emotionally charged book. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Triciat50]

I greatly appreciate reviews like this on the website. By the time I finished reading, I knew from your review that I could not possibly pick this up. Thank you so much for your honesty and thoroughness.

[Brenda Creech]

I greatly appreciate reviews like this on the website. By the time I finished reading, I knew from your review that I could not possibly pick this up. Thank you so much for your honesty and thoroughness.

It isn't easy to comprehend what happened to the three-year-old little girl, and the reaction of her parents. The devastation of such an event in someone's life is incomprehensible! It can be a hard read, but it can also open the eyes to how quickly and easily this could happen to anyone! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!