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Johnston & Riley #2

Weeping Walls

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An abandoned old house in a small town northeast of Houston is the site of a second murder, eerily similar to a supposed cold case of fourteen years earlier. FBI Agents CJ Johnston and Paige Riley are dispatched to find the link between the two homicides.

The team, including Ice and Billy, find the case to be anything but cold. For CJ and Paige, juggling the investigation while trying to keep their love affair a secret proves to be as hard as uncovering long-buried clues.

Seven-time Goldie winner Gerri Hill delivers thrills and passion in the chilling sequel to Keepers of the Cave.

288 pages, Paperback

First published December 16, 2013

53 people are currently reading
973 people want to read

About the author

Gerri Hill

56 books1,536 followers
Gerri began writing lesbian romance as a way to amuse herself while snowed in one winter in the mountains of Colorado, and hasn’t looked back. Her first published work came in 2000 with One Summer Night. Many more romances have followed, with the occasional murder mystery in the mix.
Gerri’s love of nature and of being outdoors usually makes its way into her stories as her characters often find themselves in beautiful natural settings. When she isn’t writing, Gerri and her longtime partner, Diane, can be found at their home in East Texas, where their vegetable garden, orchard, and five acres of woods keep them busy. They share their lives with an ever-changing cast of furry friends.
Her favorite pastimes include camping, hiking, birdwatching (though she insists she doesn’t wear funny hats yet!), photography, and cooking. She collects things nature offers, like an unusual pinecone, colorful rocks, or an abandoned bird feather. Dawn is her favorite time of day, the moment right before sunrise...
"I love the morning... the beginning of a brand new day. Because even things that we know are unattainable flutter within our grasp. In the early morning—at that cusp of a new day—everything is possible."

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5 stars
822 (49%)
4 stars
571 (34%)
3 stars
224 (13%)
2 stars
46 (2%)
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14 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
Profile Image for Lex Kent.
1,683 reviews9,853 followers
July 8, 2017
I liked this even better than Keepers of the Cave. This was a great ghost story. I have been reading a lot of books that had haunted houses lately, and they kept falling flat. This book had everything they were missing and surpassed them all. Hill is very good at paranormal.

While this book didn't have the excitement of a new romance, it continued the story of CJ and Paige. It was nice to read about how their relationship progresses. Paige and CJ are still as darn likeable as they were in book 1.

What I really liked better about this book was the mystery. There was actually two mysteries going on at once. Everything was well done, the unfolding of the clues and suspects, it was exciting. Then you add in the haunted house, this really was a great paranormal crime book.

I would absolutely recommend this to romance fans, crime/mystery fans and paranormal fans. I would suggest reading the books in order. Both stories stand alone, but to truly understand Paige and CJ's relationship, you need to read book 1 first.
I really hope Hill writes about these characters in the future. I would love another book.
Profile Image for MaxDisaster.
677 reviews89 followers
November 10, 2025
5 stars
I liked this one almost as much as the first in the series. I just prefer biology defying lizard-monsters and suicidal inbred cultists to ghosts. I don't like ghosts. But this was so well written I can forgive the author for scaring me sh*tless.

Can only recommend
(but preferably read during the day, trust me).

edit November 2025: I stand by my previous review
Profile Image for AnnMaree Of Oz.
1,510 reviews131 followers
June 12, 2021
Another excellent read. I just wish we had more installments to continue to follow Paige and CJ!

The investigation into murder that may or may not be connected to some cold cases - turns out to be so much more, with supernatural elements! The mystery and suspense was thrilling, just as the previous, with tidbits being strewn throughout the investigation to keep you riveted and reading!

CJ and Paige's relationship is going strong, and there are feels abounding which made me very happy! I do love a good romance. They aren't just physically hot, but emotionally vulnerable and yet strong in each others support, and that gets me every time.

I loved the ending closure scenes very much, and it just made me yearn for more!
Profile Image for JulesGP.
646 reviews230 followers
October 17, 2019
Paige and CJ are back as two of our favorite FBI agents. Their team heads to another small town, this time to investigate the killing of a small boy, hauntingly similar to a cold case that took place 14 years beforehand. Four missing boys with only one body found outside a shuttered house that could star in any horror film.

The Wicker house has a gruesome history of a father committing heinous acts there and it’s another great setup for some unsettling reading. How the author evolves such a sweet, hot love story between Paige and CJ in the midst of the fright is a testament to her skills. Also, the humor caught me by surprise. At times, I let my guard down because the four of them seemed like the Scooby gang, then one sharp turn later, it turned ugly and violent, an absolute bash to the face. 4.5 stars. And thanks a bunch to Lex for the recs, because although the ride was disturbing, I’m jonesing for that serious jolt now. I’m ruined.
Profile Image for Jem.
408 reviews304 followers
December 30, 2013
Excellent follow-up to Keepers of the Cave. Now this is my kind of paranormal book. The best way to enjoy the book--to be truly immersive--is to read it alone in the dark . I can almost guarantee at some point, you'll want to turn on all the lights. :)

The book centers around a small unit of the FBI that deals specifically with cases of child kidnappings and killings. Despite the morbid subject matter, the book has a lot of heart and humor. I enjoyed the playful banter between the members. There was some brilliant dark humor. And who can forget the socialite mom and her perfect timing. But most of all, I enjoyed the time the author took to develop the leading ladies' tentative and uncertain relationship.

Mysteries like these are best read without reading too many reviews. The less you know, the better the thrills work. But I can't shut up about it yet, so the rest of the review goes inside a spoiler tag, even though it's only mildly spoilerish :)

Profile Image for Eliza.
45 reviews24 followers
September 20, 2019
Gerri Hill goes from an "unidentified creature" to a little girl ghost.. only that lady...

The second installment in the Johnston & Riley series, Weeping Walls starts shortly after the first book ends, the team is in the dog house after the disaster that was Hoganville and they find themselves now investigating a cold case after the discovery of an unidentified dead Hispanic boy at an old house that had previously been used as a dumping ground for a child killer 14 years prior.

The love story continues here, we see CJ and Riley try to make sense of their relationship, try to find how or whether they fit together and damn the sex scenes are still great.

This book also improved on the first book in my opinion because literally my only complaint for Keepers of the Cave was that there were too many PoV's, here we only have the FBI team's perspective and it improves the narrative in my opinion.

I really didn't expect to read a ghost story but Gerri decided to go for it right away and it really worked for me, who doesn't like a good old haunted house with long history of dead children!?!? We learn more about CJ's issues from her childhood and even see those issues have a great impact on her relationship with the house but I'm not going to go into that here.

I don't know if it's just the fact that Gerri Hill is the author I've read the most lately (not including J.K Rowling because I'm never not re-reading Harry Potter) but the way she writes is so engaging and almost feels soothing to me.

CJ, Riley, Billy and Ice are all great and the chemistry is still there from the first one, again I think it's such a plus that the narrative is kept from their point of view and it just enforced how great this team that Hill created here truly is.

If you're into romance, horror or just a good old supernatural detective story, Weeping Walls should be for you.

4.75/5.00
Profile Image for Carrie.
404 reviews
August 5, 2019
This is the sequel to 'Keepers of the Cave.'

We get to spend time with Paige and CJ again. In this installment, they have a new case to investigate while trying to hide their growing relationship from their FBI comrades.

I liked this book better than the first. Although the first one was way crazy and worth it just for how strange and disturbing it was. But this one had a better flow and to be honest, it is much easier for me to believe in paranormal activity than monsters.

I grew to love Paige and CJ so much more. They are fun couple. Cute banter, always flirty, and definitely into each other (literally).

I recommend this to people who like hidden romance, cold cases, hot lesbian FBI agents, ghosts, haunted houses, and creepy dead kids.
Profile Image for Farah.
767 reviews86 followers
December 22, 2018
CJ and Paige are back in this sequel and inadvertently help me to reaffirm my interest in Lesfic. In m/f romance, I can count with my fingers and toes - fine, I might just need to borrow some from others on how many strong/kickass heroines out there. In Lesfic though, I can find one in almost every book I read.

The authors, they should stand as proud as the likes of Kennedy, Hoover, Rowling for their amazing writings. I really wish that Goodreads will add in the LGBT books in each category next year onwards. These books deserve recognition, Forget that you're straight, rectangular, pentagon for a moment and immerse yourself with the stories beautifully written by Winter, Hunter, Noyes, Mathieu and so many others and be prepared to be wowed.

Keeper of the Cave and Weeping Walls are both available on Scribd. Perfect? Nope but they do entertain me and sneakily get onto my potential rereading shelf in a blink of an eye.
Profile Image for Karin A.
153 reviews19 followers
July 24, 2020
Hill is a great author and my Queen of mystery novels with a good touch of romance.

Weeping walls is a very exciting book that has great characters. In the first book (Keepers of the Cave) CJ and Riley come together and in this book their partners Ice and Billy are discovering that. Loved those characters and how they interacted with each other.

In this book they are send out to solve a cold case, but they end up looking into two cases and a hunted house. The storyline is great, I love a good mystery and I love paranormal books.

This book has it all, it has a good mystery, great characters, excitement, banter, and love and lust.
Profile Image for Joc.
770 reviews198 followers
January 23, 2018
Hah! This was a great read! CJ and Paige were even better in this than in the first book but the best part was the ghost story/thriller. It seems to be quite difficult to balance a romance with a mystery because either the romance is lovely and the mystery quite lame or the other way around. Maybe it's because CJ and Paige are already together when the book starts that the balance works better. The investigation that the team is thrown into is nail-biting, riveting and complex. I loved the dynamics between the team members and the way they supported CJ. I'm sorry it's finished.
Profile Image for Tere.
261 reviews57 followers
October 10, 2019
Yes, this was indeed better than the first one. Love the mains and the house story was creepy too. Craden narration was superb as usual.
Profile Image for currentlyreadingbynat.
871 reviews103 followers
September 4, 2024
Weeping Walls by Gerri Hill is book two in the Johnston & Riley Series. This book picks up where Keepers of the Cave left off, bringing back the dynamic duo of CJ and Riley and blends suspense, paranormal intrigue, and a touch of romance.

In Weeping Walls, CJ and Riley, along with Ice and Billy, are tasked to investigate a cold case. This investigation takes unexpected turns, with eerie supernatural elements surrounding a haunted house heightening the suspense.

What makes this book stand out is Hill’s ability to balance an engaging mystery with compelling character dynamics. The pacing, banter, and romance are well-executed, making it an exciting and immersive read.

When I finished this book, I immediately went to look up what the next book in the series was so I could purchase. I was devastated to see that this is the second and final book within this series - it's so good and I just want more eerie supernatural romance blends from Gerri Hill!

Also, Abby Craden does an excellent job at narrating the audiobook - as always.
Profile Image for C.
737 reviews77 followers
August 22, 2017
Another good one.

I'm a little late in reading this one so if want an actual review you might want to read others. What I will say is that after watching Annabelle Creation and then reading this one, it sorta freaked me out...you know haunted house and all. Regardless I think I liked it better than the first one.
Profile Image for hubsie.
619 reviews86 followers
May 31, 2020
Book 2 of the Johnston/Riley saga was a solid read, full of more paranormal activity including ghosts and otherworldly voices, a whole lotta wit, snark, good sex and even some FBI sleuthing. I enjoyed this one more than the first, and really dug CJ and Paige as a couple. They burn bright for such different personalities and I enjoyed their flirty banter, and understood their desire to keep their relationship status a secret for the good of the team.
Profile Image for emily.
896 reviews166 followers
February 28, 2022
This was a fun continuation of Paige and CJ’s forays into paranormal crime solving. I liked the development of their relationship with each other, and your partners. The ghost story was good, though I found myself more invested in the mystery of the first book than this one. I hope there are more of them, it would be nice to read about an established couple over time.
Profile Image for Sapphic Reads.
228 reviews375 followers
Read
July 9, 2025
DNF for personal reasons.

Got a few chapters into this before a friend pointed me toward some of Gerri Hill’s past work that reflects misogynistic and transphobic views. Honestly, considering the kinds of characters she writes, it doesn’t come as a huge surprise. I’ve decided not to read books by this author again.
Profile Image for Megzz.
314 reviews147 followers
January 29, 2015
Wow. Wow. Wow.


I loved Keepers of the Cave and could not wait to read Weeping Walls. I was not disappointed.

I am officially really freaked out. It's 2am and had to literally check behind me ten times on my way to the bathroom just because I thought something would jump at me from the dark. This story is seriously SCARY, and I absolutely LOVED it.

It's more a thriller than a romance (contrary to Keepers of the Cave which is, I think, a lot more focused on the romance). In this one, CJ and Paige are pursuing their affair and trying to hide it from their partners Billy and Ice. It's very sweet to read about their growing affection, their endless teasing, the tension when they're in public, etc. The book is mostly about them realizing they are in fact madly in love with each other... in the midst of a terrifying case. With, again, more spooky supernatural stuff. Who doesn't like haunted houses, anyway?
Even though I usually like romance more than anything else, the plot was so thrilling in Weeping Walls that the relative lack of.. "romantic angst", didn't bother me much.

Even though I missed the sexual tension of Keepers of the Cave, I thought Weeping Walls gave a really great ending for Paige and CJ! They're a very touching couple.

I'm very rarely disappointed with Gerri Hill's books, but I have to say, this series was my favorite by her.
Profile Image for Vic.
46 reviews30 followers
January 20, 2015
I really hope Gerri Hill continues this series as I just adore CJ and Paige. As she nearly always does, Gerri has created some very good characters here. The dialog between them never gets cringey (unlike a fair few books in this genre), and they both appeal in equal measure.

The plot of this book was just deep enough to be interesting but not too overblown that it had me skimming and wishing for it to get to the point. I've read a few reviews that just don't get the supernatural aspect of these books, but I like this angle. It's different but well done.

An entertaining read, and more of CJ and Paige for my reading queue would be much appreciated.
Profile Image for lov2laf.
714 reviews1,105 followers
April 3, 2017
CJ and Paige are a fun couple to read about and the first book, Keepers of the Cave, was quite a strange but entertaining story. I was curious what would happen in this 2nd book.

The author didn’t disappoint in the continuing relationship of CJ and Paige and I enjoyed reading about their other FBI partners, as well. Dialogue and humor were particularly good.

The ghost aspect wasn’t especially unique and this wasn’t as crazy or out there as the first book. It’s a well written story, though.

Overall, an entertaining and easy read.
Profile Image for M.
289 reviews64 followers
October 6, 2014
I love Gerri Hill books. The quality of the writing, characterisation and plot set her consistently apart.

I am a big fan of the first book Keepers of the Cave and was interested to see where the characters from this first book went next. Boy, I was not disappointed - while I loved the will they, won't they aspect of the first book - this book played out the relationship between CJ and Paige incredibly well and provided the conclusion that we all want.

This is a paranormal story that I felt handled that aspect of the book very adroitly, even if the more mundane crime that set the team on the trail did seem to be wrapped up very quickly and neatly at the end.

High quality work.
Profile Image for Celina.
1,536 reviews67 followers
January 28, 2024
I WANT MORE CJ AND PAIGE, WORKING NORMAL CASES OR JUST BEING THEM. I JUST WANT MORE!!! Gerri Hill

Well, a least Paige's mother didn't go all crazy and homophobic on my favourites ship. I would have hated not to like her. I just wish we had a little bit of Seth, he seemed kinda funny. And Ice and Billy are also cool, i like them. CJ IS MY FAVOURITE!!!

I WANT MORE CJ AND PAIGE; have I said that already!!? It took me a long time reading this book, because I didn't want it to end.
Profile Image for Kara.
720 reviews1,269 followers
December 2, 2019
“Weeping Walls (Johnston & Riley #2)” continues the adventures of FBI agents CJ and Paige confronting a supernatural mystery, while continuing to investigate what they mean to each other.

In book 1, the FBI actions were almost comical, but there is much more believable FBI investigative work in book 2.

CJ and Paige don’t want their teams broken up, so they keep their growing relationship a secret. Eventually, CJ discusses the relationship with her partner, Ice, and admits felling over her head, with rich girl Paige being out of her league. She also thanks him for sending the strapon dildo he sent as a joke, which she admits to not haven been used as a joke!! Likewise, Paige eventually confides in her own partner, Billy.

The best discovery of the relationship, though, was at the end of the book when Paige opens the door for the anticipated pizza delivery man! Now that was funny!

The story itself was very entertaining, with a great set of side characters, some interesting, some corrupt, and of course, some true evil. The only time I rolled my eyes was when the GPS device was working in a completely sealed room; heck, half the time GPS devices don’t work under a blue sky!

“Weeping Walls” is superior to “Keepers of the Cave”, but you should read the first book when all the main characters are introduced, and CJ and Paige begin their relationship. Both books are narrated terrifically by Abby Craden. 5* for the sequel.
Profile Image for EuleAnnalena.
237 reviews
June 20, 2024
I mostly listened to this, because it’s short and just the second book in a duology.
I liked this one more than the first one, but it also doesn’t stand out to me.
The pacing is much better as the narrative voice solely focuses on the FBI team.
I do like that the “hiding out relationship from our colleagues” didn’t get drawn out to much.
An average ghost story, I enjoyed listening to it, but it will probably not be very memorable.
Profile Image for Kexx.
2,328 reviews100 followers
February 28, 2025
Disappointing as Gerri Hill is one of my go-to writers, but WTF? Love the 4 main characters, especially Paige & CJ, their romance is wonderful, but the crime was just OTT. But, wow, she writes well.
Profile Image for Velvet Lounger.
391 reviews72 followers
April 26, 2014
FBI Agents CJ Johnston and Paige Riley are once again sent off to look into a mysterious death. Along with their work partners Ice and Billy, they head off to a small town Northeast of Houston to investigate the death of a young boy that is similar to an earlier cold case.

At the same time they are exploring their new relationship, trying to keep it hidden from the colleagues, while finding ways to spend as much horizontal time together as possible.

What they find case wise is a haunted house, creepy neighbors, batty old women, and a lot of evil. More importantly what they find is the beginnings of something serious.

------------

Great follow up to Keepers of the Cave.

In the second of the series Ms Hill takes her more than slightly odd FBI team to a haunted house. In another great X-File-esque romp the team face friendly ghosts, possessed middle aged women and incompetent local cops.

This book gives us more of Ice and Billy and develops the team dynamics, especially amusing as the big baldy is terrified of ghosts. But once again the central characters are CJ and Paige who's burgeoning romance started in Keeper of the Cave. Here CJ and Paige start to explore their relationship outside of the play-acting - will it develop into something more than a short term fling while on the case, or will Paige's mother and CJ's insecurities derail it?

Amusing, lighthearted, funny, touching romance, great sex as always. Am enjoying the development of this off the wall series.

Profile Image for Allison.
117 reviews5 followers
July 30, 2019
I have fallen head over heals for these two! I liked the first book. It was different. Cult type stuff creeps me out but I couldn’t help but like CJ and Paige. This book was even better and just as different! Gerri Hill never ceases to surprise me with her range, although I do like her law enforcement books best. This I listened to in Audible because I like to listen to books on my runs. Found myself cussing out loud in parts because it felt like I was there and scared as hell right along with the FBI team. I want nothing more than to hear more about CJ, Paige and their partners! Great read/listen and highly recommend!
Profile Image for Kimberly.
493 reviews6 followers
September 1, 2023
8/31/23

Yasssssss! More please!

9/3/21
A very well written and engaging follow-up to The Keepers of the Cave. I wish there were more books in this series. These characters have me under their spell and the stories are a perfect blend of sexy romance, paranormal, mystery and horror.

I will most definitely be re-reading this book.
Profile Image for Carol.
3,758 reviews137 followers
May 28, 2018
I really like the characters in this series. They are dedicated FBI agents with a sense of humor even though the things they investigate fall short on the humor side. I read this more for the ghost story but found a budding well done romance along with it. I don't usually care for romances but this one didn't overshadow the paranormal story line. The book is rather short...288 pages...wish it had just been a tad longer. I'm looking forward to book 3 in this series.

I should have added this when I originally reviewed the book. While the story and the investigation are really good...Some people may find the romance controversial or even offensive. Just thought you should be warned before spending money for the book.
Profile Image for Jessica Nguyen.
201 reviews20 followers
November 11, 2018
I kind of like the romance but the plot about ghosts totally freaked me out. I would have skipped this book if I had known there were unexplained forces involved.
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