Make Them Cry

Okay, first of all - let me say that this author blows me away! This was my fourth book from this author and I haven't been terribly disappointed with Mr. O'Brien yet. I do have a small bone to pick with him over the predictable nature of this story, but it really is small and, honestly, predictable or not, the suspense more than makes up for that disappointment.

This author is an expert of twists and turns. Every single book I've read from Mr. O'Brien - up until this one - left me hanging up until the very end. I mean, every single time you think you know who the killer is, he finds a way to pull the rug out from under you. And this is the trend with this author.

Until this book - somewhat.

Like usual, Make Them Cry started out with someone meeting their unfortunate demise (and that's another thing I love about Mr. O'Brien; it takes no time to get to the action. The opening pages of his novels always starts out with an unfortunate victim - terrible for the person, of course, but wonderful for the eager reader). And as you progress through the story, you learn that there is a ritual associated with the killings - I won't say what because that would be somewhat of a spoiler. The main protagonist characters in this story, Father Murphy, Pete Tobin, and Maggie Costello, have parallel story lines that ultimately combine into the main story as they together try to investigate the mysterious deaths of past students who attended the Our Lady of Sorrows seminary - including the recent one involving Maggie's brother - John.

I'll admit that at first I was a little thrown off by the religious setting of the story. It's not so much that it made the story a bit tamer than what I'd come to expect from this author, but just because I was used to the troubled domestic drama from the other three novels I'd read from Mr. O'Brien (Killing Spree, Final Breath, Disturbed). Initially, I just didn't think this story would have the same feel.

But once this story got going and strange alliances were formed, I really started getting into this. Which brings me to my only disappointment and that's the predictable unveiling of the killer.

I don't know if maybe I'm just so familiar with this author's writing style or what - but even with the twist and turns I've come to love with his books, I knew the killer's identity almost from first introduction. And the little twist at the end, while for someone who might have been new to a Kevin O' Brien book might have thought it was a "wow" moment - it did little to nothing for me. Like I said, this author is an expert at leading you down one road one minute before leading you down another the next, so naturally everyone is a suspect in his novels. This one was no different and needless to say when the truth comes out, you'll find that if you were deductive enough, you might have made the association with one identity with another.

I gave this book four stars when I would have given it five just because of how easy I predicted the identity of the killer. However, I don't disagree with those reviewers that gave it five. Mr. O'Brien is a hell of a storyteller and is one of my absolute personal favorites. That isn't to say that just because I predicted the killer as easy as I did that someone else will as well. Either way, this book was so full of plot twists and suspense that there's just no way you couldn't enjoy it.

Totally great. I really enjoy how Kevin O'Brien makes each and everyone of his characters so totally unique. By the end of his first chapter he has a hold of you and doesn't let up for a minute. I thoroughly loved this book. BUY IT TODAY.....YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY....
Sam A
Klamath Falls,OR

I picked up this book after devouring his latest, Tell Me You're Sorry. THAT book was awesome! I couldn't put it down. So I decided to read another story by Kevin O'Brien. This one is okay. Not near as exciting. It didn't capture my attention.

Good read interesting and well thought out. Kevin O'brien is a very good writer.keep them coming. My daughter also is hooked.

There aren't many "crime-with-a-church-background" books written these days..... at least not that I have found. But I always enjoy reading those because I always feel there is a particular line between good and evil that needs to be observed when religious overtones course thru a book. This one was very well written. As the story unfolds, several characters are dangled as possible suspects, but the page turner keeps you wondering where what you think you know will take you next. I wouldn't call it an edge of your seat type of thriller, but it is engrossing with the intensity of thoughts swirling in the mind of the investigating priest, and the edgy possibility of a hint of romance.... A bit different but worth the read.

It seemed light at first but turned out to be pretty good. The storyline was definitely improbable & the bad guy wasn't hard to figure out but it moved at a good pace.

I enjoyed this the least of any of his books. The religious details did not hold my attention. Easily solved.

I love Kevin's books, And what I really like is each book is NOT A SERIES So many authors are so LAZY they can not create new characters and a story line!!!!!

Good Read

I’ve always liked Kevin O’Brien books, but this one was a little too gay for me