Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley. This is the 8th book in the series but could be read as a standalone.

This case was equally disturbing and fascinating. I was drawn in from the very first line. Wendy knows exactly how to make you invested in a story from the very beginning. The Prologue was so intriguing that I just had to keep reading.

This book was fast paced and never let up. There were many threads in this book that all seemed unrelated which meant we were jumping from one element to the next with barely a breath. It was exciting and thrilling.

Maddison has been through the mill in he roast and things are still far from rosy now. She is resilient, determined and brave. She is also very caring. If I had a case Maddison would be one of the top detectives that I would like to solve my case as she refuses to give up even when all the odds are stacked against her.

As well as the case we get an update on the characters lives which I love. It makes the characters much more rounded rather than robot detectives. Wendy deals with some tricky subjects with these characters but they are handled very delicately.

Another excellent addition to the series and perfect for lovers of police procedurals and psychological thrillers

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was delighted to get back to this series, with every new book it truly gets better and better and the excitement never goes away.

I was bewildered at the start of the story, I couldn’t believe what I was reading, after everything Madison has been through she can’t take another blow like this.

The case was an intriguing one and had me invested in the story, I didn’t figure out who the culprit was until Madison and everyone else did.

The whole story was filled with so many twists, turns and shocking revelations, it’s one of the best in the series so far.

Love returning to Lost Creek and the crazy mysteries Madison tries to solve. Part of this story is told over a period of time, with flashes of the past as Madison tries to figure out what is happening. With Nate disappearing in the middle of the night, she tries to keep her focus on the case at hand.

A mutilated body is found lacking head and hands to prevent identification. A mother begs Detective Madison Harper to find her missing baby. But Madison has her own worries as her fiance vanishes in the middle of the night...
The Crying Girls is the 8th book in the Detective Madison Harper series. There are a few plot threads that follow on from the last book (which I have somehow missed :( ) so I would advise reading the books in order.
Madison is deluged with crime cases to investigate but her focus is affected by Nate's disappearance. Events in the last book have taken their toll on his mental health and he needs space so steals away in the middle of the night, not even taking his beloved dog Brody with him. Madison's son Owen also has something major to announce which also takes her by surprise and adds to her emotional turmoil.
Most of the book is written in the present day to show Madsion and her investigation. However, there are some chapters from the perspective of a teenager held captive. It soon becomes clear from that timeline that this plot thread goes back many years. I guessed the connection between the two timelines around the halfway point and then enjoyed seeing how Madison worked it out. However there were other twists that I had no clue in advance!
The style of writing is easy to read and the chapters are quite short meaning that the plot develops quickly. There are some gruesome passages about the forensic details of the bodies: these are presented objectively but the characters have a natural reaction against their findings.
The Crying Girls is a tense and enjoyable crime thriller with some great twists.

Hard to put into the words the feelings I had reading this book. It was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Even harder to describe the book. Some bullet points: body with no head, baby missing, photo on Maddison’s car window (who knows where she lives?), missing girl, … and more, in the end it all comes together but twists and turns keep you “one more page” reading. A must read!

This is the 8th book in the series involving Madison Harper. I love a book that keeps me guessing and this one certainly did . Its not just about the mystery, its also a book that will touch your emotions.

I really liked this book except for the absence of Nate working with Madison. I do understand why the author felt she had to write the story this way though.

A great addition to a fantastic series. Dranfield manages to keep the story interesting as well as easy to read. I loved how things that happened in the last book had a big impact on this installment.

I'll be on the lookout for the next book.

Thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the arc.

The Crying Girls by Wendy Dranfield is the 8th book in the excellent Detective Madison Harper series. This has been an excellent series from the very first book. All these books have been written well, they always draw you in with all the twists and turns throughout and excellent characters. I love the main character Detective Madison Harper who is now engaged to PI Nate. Things have become complicated between them, when Nate disappears to try to come to terms with the fact that he killed a man in self defence.
Sadly Detective Madison Harper can not spend time to dwell on his absence as she is called to a horrific crime scene OF headless, handless body that is found in Lost Creek.........Plus, with any spare time she may have left she has taken on a cold case of an abducted baby........Does this character ever sleep?

Someone places a photo of a young girl tied to a bed,.on Madison’s windshield with the notation “Sofia, day 1”.

Is there any connection among these cases or will Madison’s attention be spread thin trying to solve all of them?

Who would leave this photo on Madison's car at her home?

Who is she and Is she in danger?

Will she find Sofia before it's too late?

Will Nate get all the answers he needs and come home and start to live again with Madison who he loves so much?

WoW this book is So good I ended up being stuck in my comfy chair and finished reading this excellent book.

I highly recommend it. Another 5 star read.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and especially Bookouture for my ARC.

Love this gripping series - every book is just wow! And this one - stunning! I could not put it down. Highly recommend it.

OH MY DAYS OH MY DAYS OH MY DAYS

I mean seriously!! This book was dark, sinister, shocking and totally totally heartbreaking!!! I spent alternate chapters crying, and my heart just broke. This must have been one heck of a book to try and write. I don't even know if I can write anything coherent as I am just sitting here stunned at what I have just read. I bought the audiobook because I just love the narrator, and god it broke me.

You have the Gina storyline, Nate's sideline - where I was just crying, Steve's storyline - man I broke, Madison's trying to solve a case. The ending was explosive, and I need Book 9. I know there will be so much fallout on its way. The big reveal SHOCKED ME SO MUCH! I had to skip back in the audiobook and then read it on the Kindle, as I couldn't believe what I was hearing and then reading!!!!!! I couldn't believe how much the rug had been pulled away from me. I was gasping! I mean there is so much more that happens - which definitely caused tears, it was just senseless. Not sure a book will be able to top this one for a while.

I have to say, this one will stick with me for a while, and I have to say it's possibly the best one in the series. Wendy has written such a hard-hitting book, that blows your mind, and leaves you shocked at the end. I still can't believe it!!

The Crying Girls is book 8 in the Detective Madison Harper series by Wendy Dranfield. This book is an outstanding crime thriller and keeps you on edge throughout. Madison is called to a horrific crime scene in which a body has been found, but it has no head. Identification is going to be very tough. Madison is dealing with a lot in her personal life as Nate has left saying he needs time away. Nate killed a man in the last book to protect Madison and it's not sitting well with him. He's never killed someone before and he can't get over it even though the man he killed was a serial killer. Does that mean the engagement between Madison and Nate is off? Will Nate be coming back? Nate left Brody, his dog behind with Madison. Nate and Brody have never been apart and this worries Madison greatly.

Madison is trying to focus on work with her home life a mess. She brings Brody to work with her as the dog is as sad as she is that Nate is gone. While working the case of the body found with no head, a woman comes in to report a missing baby. It's a cold case as it took place over a year and a half ago. She reported it before, but felt like the time was right to check on any progress. Gina, the woman, feels embarrassed because she was drunk and sleeping when her baby was taken. She knows people are going to judge her, but her life feels worthless without her son. Madison works with Gina to get as much information as possible. Madison relates to Gina as she missed Owen, her son, so much when she wasn't allowed to see him. Both cases are very difficult with little to go on.

Madison finds a photo under her car wiper of a girl tied to a bed. It says Sofia, day one. Has someone taken another girl? Who would leave this photo on Madison's car at her home? Is she in danger? As the investigation progresses, the cases might be connected. How does a missing child, missing girl, and decapitated body fit together? Will Madison find the baby that's been missing for 18 months? Will she be able to identify the body and get some answers? Will she find Sofia before it's too late? Will Nate get the answers he needs and come home? The Crying Girls is fantastic and I couldn't put it down. This series is fantastic and I can't wait for the next book in the series after the ending of this one! I rate The Crying Girls 5 stars with my very highest recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of The Crying Girls in exchange for a fair review! #TheCryingGirls

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

oh man this one was a hard one to read.... its so dark and the subject matter was very hard to read about.... at times i had to put it down and read a light and fluffy book cos this one is difficult to read

when the girl finally comes around she can hardly move as she is in so much pain and she doesnt know where she is..... but help is at hand.... what she doesnt know is that her nightmare isnt over....

nate is also having a hard time but what he does next isnt what madison was expecting.... he just leaves..... and so begins madisons nightmare because hes also left the dog behind and with no way to track him she can only hope that he doesnt do anything

this book covers everything dark in peoples lives and there was a part of the book that had me in tears.... its not an easy one to read as this authors puts her characters through some hell.... but hopefully there are some fun times ahead in the next book which i am certainly looking forward to

What a riveting read this proved to be
Filled with angst, lies, abuse and mystery.
A missing baby, a headless and handless corpse,
A partner AWOL, what could be worse?

Detective Madison Harper has gone through so much before
Surely she won't have even more to endure?
Discovering her fiancé has left, leaving a note and his phone
She wonders if she's again going to be alone.

A child's life in danger keeps her searching for clues,
A photo left for her shows a girl who is being abused.
And who was the headless many, anyway?
Three cases, are they linked in some way?

With personal worries along with case fears
Will everything sort out without lots of tears?
A story full of twists and turns galore
As Madison and her team the clues try to explore.

A fascinating page turner, an intriguing read,
A brilliant crime thriller I hope you also need.
For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

Madison is facing many challenges in her personal and in her professional life. A corpse is found near the lake, a skeleton is found in a construction site, and everything gets more convoluted when a woman shows up at the police station to seek for help in finding her son who had been abducted (but she had not reported his kidnapping to the police when it happened). The more Madison digs into the cases the more she finds and they seem to be connected. The story has quite a few twists and turns that will keep the reader glued to it till the end. Great plot and entertaining story!
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for the copy of this book.

So much going on! I literally mean…..SO MUCH GOING ON!
Abduction
Missing baby
Headless body
Madison is trying to investigate and solve everything while dealing with personal issues with Nate, Owen and her sister. There are also other issues going on with the medical examiner’s office.
And….that ending?????
I highly recommend reading the books in order. There is sooooo much back story to all the characters that is important to know.
Wendy Dranfield always delivers a fast-paced, intriguing and suspenseful read.
I can’t wait for the next book! Where is the author taking Madison and Nate?????? I need to know!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The discovery of a decapitated and handless man with a red rose forced down his throat is just the beginning of this sinister tale. Talk about leading with a bombshell that will have you scratching your head.

Detective Madison Harper is dealing with her own personal issues during this investigation, but she knows she must solve this mysterious case. There are chapters interspersed throughout this book of a mysterious woman being held captive that seem random and savage all at once. It will make sense in the end, but as is the usual signature for this author, it will shock you to your core. The twisty ending and reveal left me completely speechless. This is a chilling story that will leave a horrifying impression on you, but you cannot get enough of it because the mystery is just that good.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The tagline for this said ‘it was addictive and twist-packed crime thriller’ and it didn’t lie. I was absorbed into the investigation from the first page and needed to know how the two threads of Sofia’s captivity and the John Doe murder investigation through Detective Madison Harper’s eyes were linked. Slower paced than I was expecting, it didn’t lose its grip but the timing meant it could delve deeper into the investigation team’s complex lives and I became more invested in the outcome. Some crime thrillers skip through investigation and crime with adrenaline pumping speed action to reveal the culprit, and I love them. They are impossible to put down but sometimes you need more depth and more connection to the main characters. The Crying Girls fulfilled that desire. I felt I knew the characters personally, whether it was the abduction victim or investigator, adding to the enjoyment and thrill of reading. It didn’t matter that this was the eighth book in the series, the recaps sprinkled in explained history between characters so I easily caught up. The complicated history of spectacular wrongful convictions, sibling feuds and work dynamics hooked me into wanting to read the back catalogue to see how Madison Harper has evolved and how she initially met her fiancé, Nate, and Brody.

Tackling three investigations, Madison Harper and her team were under pressure to solve them but their plentiful challenges in their personal lives complicated matters. Nate, Madison’s fiancé had left her in distress and his dog, Brody’s reaction to his abandonment grabbed the emotions. The horror of the missing girl’s captivity and her determination to survive were also heartbreaking. The pain humans can commit against others is shocking. Societal themes and consequences of actions entwined in the plot were dealt with expertly. It was a book that is hard to forget and I’m sure if I reread I’d see more into it.

The Crying Girls is a captivating, twisty crime thriller with complex flawed characters with inner strength to admire. It’s perfect for fans of Helen Phifer. Thank goodness I’ve got Kindle Unlimited for three months so I can catch up with the previous books.

Another one of the great series I love to read. The story is once again great but I’ll admit to feeling a little sad since Nate played such a small role in this one. I understand why he was absent for much of the book, but that doesn’t make me sad for his absence. But even with Madison’s son Owen being away at school, I’ll forgive the author for finding a way to bring him into the plot.

I love the unique premise of this series. Both Madison and Nate were wrongfully imprisoned, exonerated and working to set their life back on the right track with all the extra backage that brings. Madison being a detective and Nate a private eye. And I shouldn’t forget my favorite character, Brody, Nate’s dog. Who also mourns Nate not being around in this one. I just love when an animal serves a purpose in a book.

Madison has her work cut out for her. A body missing its head and hands is hard to identify and a women claiming her child went missing. All while she is wondering where Nate is and how is his mental status.

The story, while dark, was gripping and kept me glued to the book. The mix of both Madison’s personal life with her work life is always well balanced. And that ending. WOW. I’m always afraid of spoiling something with too many details, but trust me when I say the multiple POVs, cases and Madison’s focus had me reading this as quickly as I could.

Is it too soon to wonder what will happen next?

This has got to be in my top three favourite series, such an engaging series, that's intense, fast paced it's just superb.

Book eight and another well deserved five stars from me, the character development and their personalities are just a work of art, Madison is a complex character whose tenacious and determined but we also experiance her vulnerable side which makes her all the more human.

Alot of emotion and thought provoking moments in this edition an engrossing read.

Thanks to netgalley for providing this advanced copy for the purpose of review.
I have read all the books in this series and knew this would be just as good as the ones before. I love the complex characters and the unfold9ng mystery in each book. This is a compelling series and I always look forward to more.