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Cry in the Night
From the national bestselling author of Dead, White, and Blue and Ghost Gone Wild comes a mystery of intrigue and danger in the world of international art theft.
Egyptologist Sheila Ramsay develops a newfound interest in MesoAmerican affairs after meeting an outspoken—and attractive—Mexico City curator, a harsh critic of museums that deal in stolen art. And her own museum gives her the perfect opportunity to see him again: a valuable Aztec manuscript needs to be returned to its rightful owners, the wealthy Ortega family.
But things don’t go as planned for Sheila south of the border. An anonymous note threatens her with death if she remains in Mexico City. The curator she longed to see treats her with contempt. And the Ortegas are as mysterious as they are charming. What Sheila has stumbled into is much bigger—and more deadly—than she ever dreamed. And amid the splendor of Mexico’s ancient ruins and treacherous hillsides, Sheila will realize that there’s no one she can trust…
Egyptologist Sheila Ramsay develops a newfound interest in MesoAmerican affairs after meeting an outspoken—and attractive—Mexico City curator, a harsh critic of museums that deal in stolen art. And her own museum gives her the perfect opportunity to see him again: a valuable Aztec manuscript needs to be returned to its rightful owners, the wealthy Ortega family.
But things don’t go as planned for Sheila south of the border. An anonymous note threatens her with death if she remains in Mexico City. The curator she longed to see treats her with contempt. And the Ortegas are as mysterious as they are charming. What Sheila has stumbled into is much bigger—and more deadly—than she ever dreamed. And amid the splendor of Mexico’s ancient ruins and treacherous hillsides, Sheila will realize that there’s no one she can trust…
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 11, 2012
14 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn G. Hart
126 books944 followersAlso writing as Carolyn Hart.
An accomplished master of mystery with 46 published books, Carolyn Hart is the creator of the highly acclaimed Henrie O,Death on Demand, and Bailey Ruth Raeburn series. Her books have won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. Letter from Home (2003), her standalone mystery set in Oklahoma, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Her latest book is Dead by Midnight (William Morrow/HarperCollins, 2007). She is one of the founders of Sisters in Crime, an organization for women who write mysteries. She lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma."
New Books: Dead By Midnight Carolyn Hart
DEAD BY MIDNIGHT by Carolyn Hart On Sale March 29
The police say suicide. Annie Darling suspects murder. Max is unconvinced until Annie follows a trail behind the dead woman's house.
Annie unravels the mystery of a towel hidden at midnight in a gazebo, the interesting lack of fingerprints on a crystal mug, blood on a teenager's blue shirt, and the secret of a lovers' tryst. Max plunges deep into the woods to find incriminating evidence.
Annie sets the perfect trap for a merciless killer, but her cell phone rings and Death is on the line.
www.CarolynHart.com
And for cat lovers:
DEAD BY MIDNIGHT by Carolyn Hart
I love to have fun when writing a mystery. If I laugh, I think a reader will laugh. In the Death on Demand series, I especially enjoy writing about Annie Darling's ditzy mother-in-law, Laurel Roethke. Laurel is usually excited about a new interest, something that surprises and often confounds Annie.
In Dead by Midnight, Laurel creates Cat Truth Posters, which she wants Annie to hang in the bookstore. Annie thinks books should be the store's focus, but the posters enchant her.
Each poster features a cat's photograph with a caption. Here are three of the Cat Truth posters;
. . . a silky furred, mitted, and bicolored Ragdoll stretched out on a red silk cushion, looking as comfy as Eva Longoria in a Hanes ad: Go with the Flow.
A rectangular-muzzled, green-eyed, cholocolate colored cat appeared as brooding as a Gothic hero: Always Say Yes to Adventure.
. . . a thick-furred, piebald Siberian forest cat, its white front a brilliant contrast to a charcoal back and head. Its face appeared almost angelic: Always try a Smile First.
And yes, one of the posters points to a killer.
Fun for me and fun, I hope for readers
An accomplished master of mystery with 46 published books, Carolyn Hart is the creator of the highly acclaimed Henrie O,Death on Demand, and Bailey Ruth Raeburn series. Her books have won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. Letter from Home (2003), her standalone mystery set in Oklahoma, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Her latest book is Dead by Midnight (William Morrow/HarperCollins, 2007). She is one of the founders of Sisters in Crime, an organization for women who write mysteries. She lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma."
New Books: Dead By Midnight Carolyn Hart
DEAD BY MIDNIGHT by Carolyn Hart On Sale March 29
The police say suicide. Annie Darling suspects murder. Max is unconvinced until Annie follows a trail behind the dead woman's house.
Annie unravels the mystery of a towel hidden at midnight in a gazebo, the interesting lack of fingerprints on a crystal mug, blood on a teenager's blue shirt, and the secret of a lovers' tryst. Max plunges deep into the woods to find incriminating evidence.
Annie sets the perfect trap for a merciless killer, but her cell phone rings and Death is on the line.
www.CarolynHart.com
And for cat lovers:
DEAD BY MIDNIGHT by Carolyn Hart
I love to have fun when writing a mystery. If I laugh, I think a reader will laugh. In the Death on Demand series, I especially enjoy writing about Annie Darling's ditzy mother-in-law, Laurel Roethke. Laurel is usually excited about a new interest, something that surprises and often confounds Annie.
In Dead by Midnight, Laurel creates Cat Truth Posters, which she wants Annie to hang in the bookstore. Annie thinks books should be the store's focus, but the posters enchant her.
Each poster features a cat's photograph with a caption. Here are three of the Cat Truth posters;
. . . a silky furred, mitted, and bicolored Ragdoll stretched out on a red silk cushion, looking as comfy as Eva Longoria in a Hanes ad: Go with the Flow.
A rectangular-muzzled, green-eyed, cholocolate colored cat appeared as brooding as a Gothic hero: Always Say Yes to Adventure.
. . . a thick-furred, piebald Siberian forest cat, its white front a brilliant contrast to a charcoal back and head. Its face appeared almost angelic: Always try a Smile First.
And yes, one of the posters points to a killer.
Fun for me and fun, I hope for readers
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 20, 2017
In the past I have enjoyed Carolyn Hart's different mystery series', but with this book, I just couldn't get into.
The writing is up snuff, but I guess the subject matter just didn't hold my interest.
The writing is up snuff, but I guess the subject matter just didn't hold my interest.
October 31, 2020
Well, this was uninspiring. There's nothing about this book that stands out to me and I will remember it for. It simply exists. It did nothing interesting or memorable. The characters were wooden and without depth. There were so many of them with the same personality I was confused as to who was who. The relationships didn't feel real. Sheila is attracted to Jerry in the beginning (ok, why?) and accepts an offer to fly all the way down to Mexico on the off-chance she might see him again, and drops him just as quickly as she was initially obsessed. Then she starts hanging out with Tony (one of the Ortega sons) and seems disinterested, and then at the end is willing to die for him? That type of sacrifice isn't earned, not even a little. I had no idea she had romantic feelings for him until the last minute. The relationship never blossomed. It didn't have a chance to, and I didn't care about it or believe in it. The mystery aspect should have been fleshed out more as well. There wasn't enough to get me engaged in the story, in the history of Mexico or the treasure that they were supposed to be after. Who is this guy who just showed up 2/3 of the way through? Why do we care? Many of the motivations of the characters were also confusing. I think this book would have been so much better had more been added- both in the way of character depth, relationship growth, and backstory of the characters and history of the treasure. As it stands, it read quickly, it was a fine distraction, but it wasn't very good.
November 29, 2022
This is the only Carolyn G. Hart novel I have read. I would describe it as "gothic-lite."
I read a lot of "gothic" romances when I was much younger--Daphne DuMaurier, Mary Stewart, etc. This fits the bill, featuring a young, naive American woman chasing romance, who is drawn into danger by an unknown someone working toward and end she is unaware of.
I didn't find the characters that entrancing that I cared much how the book turned out. Sheila, the heroine, was pleasant enough, and mildly spunky, but I found her late-in-the-tale derring-do a bit unlikely, and her sudden passion for the designated hero way off the charts, given she had followed a completely different man to Mexico City in the first place!
That said, the underlying plot was fun, and loosely based on some archaeological history tied up with the lost city of Troy, Nazis and Aztec treasure hunters.
It was an okay read. I just wasn't sufficiently enthralled to go looking for another by this author.
I read a lot of "gothic" romances when I was much younger--Daphne DuMaurier, Mary Stewart, etc. This fits the bill, featuring a young, naive American woman chasing romance, who is drawn into danger by an unknown someone working toward and end she is unaware of.
I didn't find the characters that entrancing that I cared much how the book turned out. Sheila, the heroine, was pleasant enough, and mildly spunky, but I found her late-in-the-tale derring-do a bit unlikely, and her sudden passion for the designated hero way off the charts, given she had followed a completely different man to Mexico City in the first place!
That said, the underlying plot was fun, and loosely based on some archaeological history tied up with the lost city of Troy, Nazis and Aztec treasure hunters.
It was an okay read. I just wasn't sufficiently enthralled to go looking for another by this author.
October 26, 2025
Egyptologist and assistant museum curator, Sheila Ramsey, is fascinated by a man she hears speak at a conference. They spend an afternoon touring DC and go their separate ways. He is a curator at a museum in Mexico City. Some months later she has an opportunity to travel to that city to return a manuscript to the Ortega family. She meets up with him again, but he angrily brushes her off. She is also anonymously threatened with death if she doesn’t leave. Obviously there is more than a simple return of property going on here. Decent premise for a story but I just couldn’t warm up to the MC. The whole mystery was just so-so and the romance was luke warm. Not terrible but not memorable either.
March 10, 2019
I felt like Sheila was a bit cowardly. At the very least, she spent the first half of the book avoiding confrontation. That made it somewhat implausible to me that she would stick around and investigate when the mystery started heating up. Add to that the poorly timed romance elements and my feelings about the book are just "meh."
January 20, 2018
A different type of book from Ms. Hart. Very enjoyable and you really don't know who is the baddie until near the end.
July 1, 2020
Just not very good
July 5, 2021
Very poor writing... So basic
October 11, 2022
Decent cozy... setting Mexico which I enjoyed because I enjoy reading stories set in places I've visited... was interesting to read story set in Mayan ruins and depicting Mayan traditions
December 30, 2013
Carolyn Hart's latest book, Cry in the Night hearkens back to an earlier time in mystery writing. Her style and the atmosphere of her writing remind me of greats like Agatha Christie. This book has a young and vibrant protagonist who finds herself in the middle of sinister plot and readers will be delighted. Hart has a knack for making her readers feel like something is around every corner. Her books exude fear and mystery. Her style is somewhat Gothic but still appealing to a younger set of cozy mystery readers.
What I liked:
I liked lead character Shelia Ramsey a lot. She was young, but she had a good head on her shoulders. She is extremely intelligent and she knows her work. I thought it was interesting that Hart makes her an Egyptologist but gives her the role of solving a Meso-American mystery. Regardless she knew her stuff, but she was very impressionable and found herself enamored with a Mexican museum curator. I thought Hart developed Shelia's character well and readers get to see her change grow throughout the book. I liked that she figured out that Jerry was not the man for her and that someone else could possibly be.
The mystery itself was interesting and there were lots of things going on. At times it felt like there were more motives than people who could have pulled them off. I thought Hart did a great job of showing how more than one thing could have happened. It was reminiscent of a good game of clue. I kept waiting for Shelia to say something like, "it must have been Professor Plum in the library with the wrench." LOL!
I always have a heard time deciding if I think Carolyn Hart's books fit into the cozy genre. They are not overly graphic and there certainly isn't a lot of sex in them. The protagonist is usually a female and she usually has another career. So, Cry in the Night definitely meets the criteria, where some of Carolyn Hart's books do not.
What I didn't Like:
I felt like this one was kind of all over the place. One minute I was glued to the pages and waiting with baited breath to see what would happen next and other times it dragged and there were confusing and unnecessary details. I liked Shelia, didn't like Jerry and was on the fence about Tony. It was just a hard book to get a feel for. Overall I think I liked it, but it just wasn't as good as Hart's Death on Demand series or her other books of late.
Bottom Line:
I would recommend this one, to readers who like Christie. To those who like Carolyn Hart's writing in general and those who like a Gothic atmospheric mystery. But it may not be what everyone enjoys reading. Give it a try and see what you think!
What I liked:
I liked lead character Shelia Ramsey a lot. She was young, but she had a good head on her shoulders. She is extremely intelligent and she knows her work. I thought it was interesting that Hart makes her an Egyptologist but gives her the role of solving a Meso-American mystery. Regardless she knew her stuff, but she was very impressionable and found herself enamored with a Mexican museum curator. I thought Hart developed Shelia's character well and readers get to see her change grow throughout the book. I liked that she figured out that Jerry was not the man for her and that someone else could possibly be.
The mystery itself was interesting and there were lots of things going on. At times it felt like there were more motives than people who could have pulled them off. I thought Hart did a great job of showing how more than one thing could have happened. It was reminiscent of a good game of clue. I kept waiting for Shelia to say something like, "it must have been Professor Plum in the library with the wrench." LOL!
I always have a heard time deciding if I think Carolyn Hart's books fit into the cozy genre. They are not overly graphic and there certainly isn't a lot of sex in them. The protagonist is usually a female and she usually has another career. So, Cry in the Night definitely meets the criteria, where some of Carolyn Hart's books do not.
What I didn't Like:
I felt like this one was kind of all over the place. One minute I was glued to the pages and waiting with baited breath to see what would happen next and other times it dragged and there were confusing and unnecessary details. I liked Shelia, didn't like Jerry and was on the fence about Tony. It was just a hard book to get a feel for. Overall I think I liked it, but it just wasn't as good as Hart's Death on Demand series or her other books of late.
Bottom Line:
I would recommend this one, to readers who like Christie. To those who like Carolyn Hart's writing in general and those who like a Gothic atmospheric mystery. But it may not be what everyone enjoys reading. Give it a try and see what you think!
January 17, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/cr...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Dawn
Sheila is a museum curator specializing in Egyptology. The story begins with her at a conference. Jeremiah is the speaker; He lectures about stolen art and the harm it does to all collectors/museums.
Sheila returns to work after the conference. She is asked to return an Aztec manuscript. The Ortega family wants it back. It doesn’t make sense because the museum is not yet finished with the manuscript. Shelia jumps at the chance to return it to the generous family.
I love the historical aspect of Cry in the Night. I learned about the Aztecs as well as Spaniards. It is fascinating and I feel the author had a grasp on the history associated with the Ortega family. It enhanced the story a great deal. In some cases, I think it saved the story.
While in Mexico, Sheila gets to know the Ortega family. She also takes the time to see local sites. During an outing she is almost killed by someone trying to shoot her. Why would they consider her a threat? It does not add up; something much more serious is going on. Sheila and Jeremiah are determined to figure it out, although Jeremiah suspects Sheila is involved.
They slowly unravel the mystery. The truth unfolds like a bad soap opera; twists and turns galore. The ending surprised me. I didn’t see that one coming!
Jeremiah is my favorite character from the book. He is so passionate about his beliefs. He is surly and harsh but it is funny. In real life, I would choose him as a friend.
Sheila, on the other hand, reacted oddly to the situations. I don’t feel I understood her much at all.
That said, it’s a good solid story. I think the book appeals to men and women.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Dawn
Sheila is a museum curator specializing in Egyptology. The story begins with her at a conference. Jeremiah is the speaker; He lectures about stolen art and the harm it does to all collectors/museums.
Sheila returns to work after the conference. She is asked to return an Aztec manuscript. The Ortega family wants it back. It doesn’t make sense because the museum is not yet finished with the manuscript. Shelia jumps at the chance to return it to the generous family.
I love the historical aspect of Cry in the Night. I learned about the Aztecs as well as Spaniards. It is fascinating and I feel the author had a grasp on the history associated with the Ortega family. It enhanced the story a great deal. In some cases, I think it saved the story.
While in Mexico, Sheila gets to know the Ortega family. She also takes the time to see local sites. During an outing she is almost killed by someone trying to shoot her. Why would they consider her a threat? It does not add up; something much more serious is going on. Sheila and Jeremiah are determined to figure it out, although Jeremiah suspects Sheila is involved.
They slowly unravel the mystery. The truth unfolds like a bad soap opera; twists and turns galore. The ending surprised me. I didn’t see that one coming!
Jeremiah is my favorite character from the book. He is so passionate about his beliefs. He is surly and harsh but it is funny. In real life, I would choose him as a friend.
Sheila, on the other hand, reacted oddly to the situations. I don’t feel I understood her much at all.
That said, it’s a good solid story. I think the book appeals to men and women.
September 26, 2014
Set in the early 80s, Egyptologist Sheila Ramsey meets another archaeologist at a seminar and becomes fascinated enough that, when her museum offers a free trip to Mexico City, she jumps at the chance. While staying with the Lopezes, patrons of her museum she hears a cry in the night and goes to investigate.
This book has twists and turns, but until the end, the danger seems almost gentle. This is a throwback to that category of books for women, the gothic. A category I often enjoyed by the way.
If I hadn’t read the cover, I would have thought I was reading an Elizabeth Peters, although I think a few other masters (or mistresses) are touched on. Hart has always had an understanding and appreciation of her fellow writers and this homage shows her easy writing.
That being said, it was kind of “lite”. I know that goes with the style. It was a fun, easy read. A happy ending sundae for all you Friendly’s fans, instead of a Jim Dandy.
This book has twists and turns, but until the end, the danger seems almost gentle. This is a throwback to that category of books for women, the gothic. A category I often enjoyed by the way.
If I hadn’t read the cover, I would have thought I was reading an Elizabeth Peters, although I think a few other masters (or mistresses) are touched on. Hart has always had an understanding and appreciation of her fellow writers and this homage shows her easy writing.
That being said, it was kind of “lite”. I know that goes with the style. It was a fun, easy read. A happy ending sundae for all you Friendly’s fans, instead of a Jim Dandy.
September 21, 2014
Carolyn Hart is one of my absolute favourite mystery writers and I adore her Death on Demand series. Cry in the Night is one of Ms Hart's stand alone novels that could be classified as romantic suspense or romantic mystery considering the plot has a strong thread of romance strung throughout the mystery. Well written and designed, Cry in the Night is a fast clean read with an ending that will appeal to the romantics out there. While I really enjoyed this foyer into Hart's works that lie beyond her addictive series of Death on Demand and Henrie O, I rather prefer them to this novel. Perhaps because I know the characters, but I thinks it's more like Hart invested more of herself in the series. Cry in the Night is a good read nonetheless, especially if you enjoy travelling, archeology, art, mystery and a love story to boot.
July 12, 2015
A change from her usual series books, this one is set in Mexico and features a main character, a museum curator from New York, whose task is to return an ancient manuscript to its owner in Mexico City. This was a very enjoyable read and up to her usual quality.
January 30, 2014
As an archaeology enthusiast, I enjoyed the premise of the story very much. It didn't hurt that I agreed with the idea that museums are responsible for HOW they obtain their treasures. However, I did think that the romantic interlude sections were forced and quite unnecessary.
June 6, 2014
The style of this book reminded me of the old Phyllis Whitney mysteries, lots of suspense. Unfortunately this is not Miss Harts usual style and doesn't live up to her other works. Not a bad story but I found it slow going in places. As usual I look forward to her next book.
April 1, 2014
Caroloyn Hart what were you thinking of! the book is a mishmash of a gothic romance, a Mary Roberts Rinehart "Had I but known" tossed together with a little Jane Eyre (the cry in the night).
Don't waste your time.
Don't waste your time.
November 28, 2015
This light mystery came to me from my mom. It was all right with some interesting plot twists, but not "Agatha Christie-esque" as another reviewer said. I found myself rolling my eyes at the main character.
December 17, 2016
Set in 1982, this mystery revolves around the theft of archaeological finds in Mexico. A little action, some ensign, and a love interest add delight to the somewhat cozy mystery.
If you like a light mystery, this one is perfect for a rainy, grey day.
If you like a light mystery, this one is perfect for a rainy, grey day.
July 15, 2015
An Egyptologist has an adventure in Mexico. Romance, mystery and suspense. It was okay....a quick read. A little too much Harlequin'ish for me! It was entertaining!
January 2, 2014
Anything Carolyn Hart writes is always good!
January 7, 2014
Mixed feelings about this book. While it is reminiscent of the "mysteries" that I read 20 or 30 years ago and enjoyed, I guess I expect a little deeper and complex storyline now.
March 3, 2014
One of her earlier works. Fun, quick read.
March 6, 2014
I've read a lot of this author's works. This one just didn't capture me like some of the others.
March 16, 2014
Ok book. Have read better ones by her.
April 9, 2014
Terrible. Read like a Harlequin romance but with the romance totally unbelievable. Plot nonsensical.
April 21, 2014
A nice read. It reminds me of the romantic suspense novels of Barbara Michaels, Victiria Holt and Mary Stewart.
April 19, 2014
An Egyptologist gets a chance to go to Mexico and gets more adventure, danger, and romance than she bargains for.
December 10, 2014
Nice adventure
July 1, 2015
Another good one. A little slow &I had difficulty staying with the story in the beginning but in the end worth the effort. One of the better resolving stories!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews