Cry Wolf

by Kathi Oram Peterson

Dania Black is bursting with excitement: after years of disappointment, she’s just learned she and her husband, Matthew, are one step closer to having their dreams come true. Eager to tell all about it, she returns home from her nightshift at the hospital—but what awaits her is no dream. It’s a nightmare. Matthew has been murdered, and Dania is the only witness to the masked intruder who is just leaving the house when she arrives. But with no one to corroborate her story, she is the prime suspect.

When U.S. Marshal Brett Rollins’s best friend, Matthew, was murdered, Dania was convicted of the crime. But it has never added up for Brett. Now, three years later when Dania escapes prison and Brett finds her, he is faced with a life-altering choice: send a woman he believes to be innocent back to prison or help her find his friend’s killer. Determined to see justice done, Brett goes rogue. The unlikely allies embark on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth. But what they discover is a plot more far-reaching than they ever imagined and a truth that will test everything they thought they knew.

Genres: Suspense, Romance, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery, Contemporary

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2024

About the author

Kathi Oram Peterson is the Whitney Award winning author of TREACHEROUS LEGACY (2021 )A STRANGER WATCHES (2019), and A FAMILIAR FEAR (2018).

Kathi's heart-pounding suspense novels make readers double check door locks and sleep with a flashlight. Her YA Time Travels bring readers to historical events as if they are there. Her novels have richly-drawn characters and plots that hook readers and make setting the book down nearly impossible.

Keep connected with Kathi--and stay informed about special deals, new released, and other reader perks--by signing up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cE52Y1

Visit Kathi at:
Her website http://authorkathiorampeterson.com/
Bookbub: : https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kathi...
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y65rlqtj
Tweeter: https://twitter.com/KathiOPeterson
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kathi-Oram-Pet...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kathiopeter...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkathip/


Romantic Suspense:

Shifting Sands (2023)
Danger Unknown (2022)
Treacherous Legacy (2021)
A Stranger Watches (2020) Whitney winner
Bloodline (2019)
A Familiar Fear (2018) Whitney Winner
Breach of Trust (2017)
Star Struck (2016)
Deceived (2014)
Wanted (2013)
Cold Justice (2012)
River Whispers (2011)

Novella: An Angel on Main Street (2009).

YA Time Travel Novels:

Reluctant Warrior (2017)-Previously published as The Forgotten Warrior (2009)
Stripling Warrior (2017)
Guardian of the Stone (2017) Previously published asThe Stone Traveler (2010)
Chasing the Star (2017)

Stories included in other books:

A Christmas to Remember (2011)
Life Lessons from Mothers of Faith (2013)
Remembering the Joy of Christmas (2015)

Concept and Biography Books for Children:

I Want to Be a Mathematician Like Archimedes
I Want to Be a Scientist Like Thomas Edison
I Want to Be a Scientist Like Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek
I Want to Be a Scientist Like Alexander Von Humboldt
Tyrannosaurus X 1
How Did the Chicken Cross the Road
Yangshi’s Perimeter
Lightning Bells
The Beginning of Numbers

Reviews

[Echo · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was crazy. I haven’t read much of Kathi Oram Peterson’s books but this one makes me want more.

The way Kathi writes is so real. Dania and Brett aren’t perfect and their emotions are raw and real. There are times when you’re going to want to just shake some sense into Dania and others where your whole heart is going to go out to her. Brett, while seemingly tough on the outside, is a big softy on the inside and I just wanted to give him a hug.

One of my absolute favorite things about this book are the flashbacks both Dania and Brett experience. These and the stories about their pasts are so vivid and have an almost cinematic feel. The obvious love both characters had for family was also a yes for me. Neither one of them had a picture perfect family and they both had scars to live with, however, this didn’t take away from the fact that family and justice were the forces pushing them forward.

There are twists and turns and not a boring second. Cry Wolf had me feeling a whole range of emotions from frustration to betrayal, hope to love, and everything in between as I went on this crazy journey with Dania and Brett. So grateful I had the opportunity to receive an ARC of Cry Wolf and can’t wait to read more of Kathi’s books! Highly recommend finding yourself a copy of this as soon as possible.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t imagine being wrongly accused of murder, yet that’s just where Dania finds herself. In a fortunate escape during a prison transfer, she finds herself on the run and desperate to find out who really killed her husband. Brett, a marshal and her husband’s good friend, reluctantly aids her, while doing his best to keep her hidden and safe.

I loved that I was guessing along with the characters and the twists and turns were surprising. The wolf aspect was slightly creepy, but also very cool. There were moments of peril and the suspense was gripping, but then there were other moments where I wanted to reach my hands through the pages to stop her from doing something stupid. Again.

I did wish for a little more development on the romance angle, as it felt a bit abrupt, but all in all, this was a fun and entertaining read.

Content: talk of murder/death (nothing graphic); on page birth; moments of suspense/peril.

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based on other reviews this is probably a its-not-you-its-me situation. I really liked the idea of the story, I'm drawn to stories of false-convictions and fugitive plots. They can have so much suspense and tension...but in this case it just fell flat for me.

I found it odd, that all through her trial and three years of incarceration she never requested to see her case files? Never looked over the evidence that convicted her? Her lawyer also did a really poor job on such a week circumstantial case. It's like she is just now finally seeing things for the first time? Really?

Overall, it has a fun storyline and the writing is good, just didn't connect with this one how I would have hoped.

Content Rated PG+
Clean romance. No language. Mild violence.

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[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading a good clean suspense mixed with some sweet and clean romance! I love trying to figure it all out before the big reveals happen! How about you? Do you try to figure it out too, or do you just read and enjoy all the little surprises. My family loves watching the mystery shows on Masterpiece Theatre and have to make our predictions within the first 5 minutes of the show because everything is revealed in those first few minutes, you just have to watch for it. So I try to do the same in the first few chapters of a book, it's all there, you just have to look for it! Well, it's usually all there in most books.

I had some guesses for whodunnit and with different reveals I had to change my guesses. But it was all great fun as I was completely hooked in this book. It starts off with some great news and a bang! And it's off and running from there. Dani's husband Matthew is killed and she's trying to clear her name. Years later she has the chance to try but she's on the run and needing all the help she can get. Surprisingly she "convinces" her husband's best friend, U.S. Marshall Brett Rollin, to help her.

Y'all, I couldn't put it down and I didn't want it to end either! I say this about every new book I read from Kathi Oram Peterson, but this is my new favorite one of hers! And that's saying something because they are all fabulous and unputdownable!!! There is plenty of suspense and guessing and the chemistry and sweet romance between Dani and Brett is wonderful!!!

Definitely put this one on your 2024 reading list! You'll be hooked like me!!!

Content: Clean. Some kisses, but nothing further. This is a suspense book so there are elements of peril but they are mild and well written.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading a book from Kathi Oram Peterson. And as always, this book does not disappoint. It starts with a bang (no pun intended) and kept me turning pages quickly. This book is full of suspense, emotion, action and it’s a well-written whodunit that had me guessing. I had my suspicions throughout and I was excited to see how the mystery of who killed Matthew would play out. Dania is fantastic. Smart, and passionate. Even though she made tough decisions, she didn’t have many options. Brett was also wonderful. Both character’s had heartbreaking back stories and they were able to overcome hard times and challenges. A couple characters surprised me in the end and I love that.
I received an ebook from the publisher. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if you were convicted of a murder you didn't commit? This is why the main character Dania finds herself in prison accused of killing her own husband but she is innocent. Readers know this from the beginning and you're on pins and needles as Dania escapes and tries to prove she wasn't the killer. This is a suspense thriller that you can't put down.
I loved how Dania got the help of her late husband's best friend Brett, a US Marshall. As the pieces start unfolding as to who was truly behind all of the schemes and murders, the suspense and intrigue build. Author Kathi Oram Peterson does a great job of leaving tiny clues along the way to help you piece everything together.
The romance is more subtle in this novel and has a small role. This was OK for me as life and death seemed a lot more important than romance. It was nice though, how Dania and Brett grew closer as they learned more about each other and how tragic both of their lives had been. Animals also play a nice part in this story with Jasper, Brett's adorable police dog, and the lone wolf that kept showing up. There is a significant meaning behind the wolf but you'll need to read this novel to find out why. Cry Wolf is a fantastic start to this new series of Marshals of Montana.

[Laramee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced read from beginning to end! You won't want to put it down!

I received an ARC from the publisher and all opinions are my own.

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed like a girl version of the fugitive movie. I still enjoyed it though and I liked the main guy. Has pretty good mystery, somewhat predictable but a few surprises.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more like a 3.5 stars but it is a very gripping story so I rounded up. I liked the character development of both Dania and Brett. I didn’t immediately love either of them but I sure did by the end. The story took so many twists and turns that it was hard to put down. There was some foreshadowing that made me think I had it all figured out but the ending was still a surprise as I could not figure how things would ever be resolved. Definitely worth the ready.

[Tasha (the_clean_read_book_club) · Rating 5 out of 5]

'She had to live and somehow, some way, find the man who had murdered Matthew. How she'd do it from a jail cell, she didn't know. But she'd pray every night and every day that a path would open so she could.'

Wow. This is an amazing suspense right out of the gates of 2024!

This was a "picked-up once and never put it down" kind of read and I have zero regrets.

The suspense was solid. The mystery was incredible...I tried so hard to figure it out before it ended and I kept changing suspects almost every page the closer it got to the end-I LOVE not being able to figure it out, as frustrating as it is when I actually can't :)

The characters and connections were great.
The setting-perfect for this book!
The romance was perfectly placed-enough to satisfy romance readers but enough to let the suspense really shine.

If you're looking for a book to elevate your heartrate and give your brain a challenge-this one is for you!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Content: Murder, Falsely Accused, Mild Violence.

[Emily Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this and haven’t quite known how to write this review. It was an excellent story and evoked great emotion. The premise felt a lot like The Fugitive.

I loved this story. I hated that she was so wrongly accused and convicted of killing the man she loved. I absolutely hate when people are wrongly accused and not heard.

As the story unfolded she was able to uncover what really happened and the truth was fully involved. The twists and turns were so good.

I apologize for how long it took me to post this as I read an early copy but on some level I am not sure I can do it justice. Kathi Oram Peterson is a master with her characters and with Suspense.

I received an ARC from the publisher and this is my honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Hallmark-esk mystery/thriller. This book was fine; the characters were okay. It wasn't terribly deep, but I was entertained enough.

Content Warning: Murder, mild violence, no swearing.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense and I couldn’t put it down. Similar to the old movie US Marshal with Tommy Lee Jones.

[Cynthie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 2.75 stars

[Crystal (Books Are Sanity!!!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This romantic suspense novel was just what I needed. Peterson has created a world so real that I fell right into it and didn’t want to come out. The suspense started right away and I was hooked. Dania’s story was captivating and I had to know how it would end. The twists and turns, I was there for it all. Being on the run and trying to clear her name, would it be possible? Peterson kept me page turning until the very end. If you like romantic suspense then run and get a copy of Cry Wolf, you will love it! I received a complimentary copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Shauna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterfully told story
Kathi Oram Peterson has the ability to tell a story of mystery, suspense, danger and intrigue that will hold your attention but still let you sleep at night, if you can stop turning pages. This story is a great example of her abilities. Dania was happily married and at last, after years of trying, she was pregnant. She rushes home from work to tell her husband only to find that he has been shot. She quickly starts to administer first aid as she calls 911. As the police arrive, they find her kneeling by the body with a gun close by. When tests show she has fired a gun recently, she and her husband had target practice the day before, it becomes and open and shut case. Three years later as she is being transferred to a different prison, she gets a chance to escape and takes it. Now she is on the run from the authorities and the person in charge of the hunt was her husband’s best friend, Brett. Brett was not around during her trial and has always felt uneasy about it. Now he has a chance to look into it closely but is torn between his duty and his instincts. Questions arise as to who can be trusted, who is lying, and how to keep everyone safe until the truth can be uncovered. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[Emily F - Seriously Sweet Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from Kathi Oram Peterson!

This was a sweet romantic suspense with twists and turns that I didn't anticipate. I would rate this PG, maybe PG-13 for thematic violence.

[Edmond Porter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book starts with an interesting premise but falls flat. Characters don’t stay in character. The romance is forced and unlikely. A house that stays the way it was for three years after the initial crime is unbelievable as is the risk a deputy marshal takes, putting his career in jeopardy. Secondary characters come and go for the convenience of the plot. Even the plot twists, could not help.

[Jacque · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Don't underestimate the love of a mother."


Dania walked right into the killer as she rushed into her home to tell Matthew they were expecting a baby!  Matthew had been shot!  She pushed the gun away from him and started to perform CPR.  Moving the gun transferred gun residue to her hands!  The gun that was used to kill Matthew was Dania's!  


Will she be able to prove that she's innocent!  During a prison transfer,  Dania finds herself  being accused of killing an officer and seriously wounding another!  Every officer is looking for Dania.  Brett Rollins, a friend of Matthew's has vowed to bring her to justice or could he be the officer Dania needs to help her clear her name!


Kathi Oram Peterson has written an intense murder mystery about Dania Tyler and her quest to find who really killed her husband.  Once you start reading you'll keep reading until justice has been served for Matthew Tyler.


Great murder mystery!  The opinions expressed in this review are my own!

[Joellen Hyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

I have read all of Kathi’s books & they are all good, suspenseful romances. This one was very hard to put down. Thanks for another amazing story!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Loved every minute ❤️

[Swhe641200 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby very good story. Clean Read.

[J Weekes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the overall plot of this book was really good. Dania goes to prison after being framed for her husband’s murder. When she has a chance to escape, she swears she won’t go back to prison until she finds her husband’s killer. I really liked the first half of the book, it sucked me into the story and all of the emotions Dania has gone through losing her husband and her son who she had while in prison. About halfway through the book it was hard for me to keep reading because of all the stupid decisions Dania makes. I enjoy suspense when the characters are actually good at what they do. While Dania is on the run from the authorities, she just drives through roadblocks that are set up to catch her, keeps returning to places she has been spotted, wants to just waltz in to the offices of lawyers who have been involved in her case, steals the car of the man risking his career to help her so she can drive to see her son when she knows the police are watching for her to do just that, etc. So many dumb decisions that leave the reader shaking their head.
The romance in this book was just awful, and again it’s because of Dania. She kept throwing out her feelings for Brett but then two sentences later she would tell him she is too emotional to talk about that with everything going on. All of their dialogue about their feelings was so cringy and then it all felt slapped together at the end in a sloppy way. Tbh Dania is one of my least favorite characters of all time. I gave this book 3 stars because the suspense through the end was really good. I couldn’t put the book down and there were a lot of twists and turns to throw you off of who was actually behind the murder and other shady things going on. I think this book could have been great but it ended up falling short in a lot of ways.

[Shayla Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

CRY WOLF
by: Kathi Oram Peterson
@authorkathip

••I give 4.5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

~Dania Black is bursting with excitement: after years of disappointment, she’s just learned she and her husband, Matthew, are one step closer to having their dreams come true. Eager to tell all about it, she returns home from her nightshift at the hospital-but what awaits her is no dream. It’s a nightmare. Matthew has been murdered, and Dania is the only witness to the masked intruder who is just leaving the house when she arrives. But with no one to corroborate her story, she is the prime suspect…

“SHE HAD A TARGET ON HER BACK, AND EVERY LAW OFFICER IN THE STATE WOULD BE AIMING FOR IT.*

-CRY WOLF, is a thrilling high-paced romantic suspense full of great adventure and many page-turning plot twists! My heart was racing throughout this whole story, with untangling the incredible mystery within with solid suspense lurking at every corner. This story will definitely increase your heart rate and will give your brain a good thinking job trying to figure everything g out. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter and characters’s relationships grow along the way. Seeing the protection they have for one another and how these unlikely allies can and will embark on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth had my heart. Testing everything they know, to discover truth had my heartstrings unraveled. Watching where this story goes, was something else! Worth the thrilling read!🙌🏻📚💯

“WARMTH AND DEEP PERSONAL FONDNESS
FLOODED HER FOR THIS GENTLE MAN SITTING NEXT TO HER. HER FEELINGS FOR HIM HAD MOVED TO-ANOTHER LEVEL.”

•Content: Murder, being falsely accused, moments of mild peril/violence, suspense, no language.

“HOPE SWELLED WITHIN HER CHEST. THEY WERE GOING TO PULL THIS OFF AND TRACK DOWN THE REAL CULPRIT.”

#crywolf
#authorkathip

"IF ONLY SHE UNDERSTOOD THE DANGER SHE WAS IN."

#allaboutthebestreads

[Marilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

*lets out a long slow whistle*

Wow. I could not put down this high-paced romantic suspense full of adventure and page-turning plot twists!

Dania has spent the last three years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of her husband's murder. Now fate has allowed her the opportunity to find his killer...if she can first escape being caught by US Marshal Brett Rollins, her husband's best friend.

Brett doesn't believe Dania is guilty but the law is the law, right? As he struggles between his duty toward justice and his conviction that Dania is innocent, suddenly catching her does not seem as important as catching his best friend's killer. But to do that, Dania and Brett must learn to work together despite being on opposite sides of the law and the sparks flying between them.

What to love:
Romantic Suspense
Dual POV
On the run
Wrongfully convicted
Dynamic characters
"Fugitive" vibes
The tree
The sweet romance
The twists and turns
The ending!!!

This book hits the gas pedal in the first chapter and does.not.let.up. So many heart-stopping and heart-pounding moments! Loved the banter between Dania and Brett and watching their relationship grow. They were so protective of each other and it just melted my heart!

Such a good mystery to untangle and lots of great side characters I hope we see in future books.
This is my new favorite book from this author and I cannot wait to read more of the Marshals of Montana series!

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved each and every one of Kathi Oram Peterson's books. This author knows how to write a story that will suck the reader in from the very first page. I LOVED this book! I didn't want to put it down.

Dania is the main character in this one. The first chapter sees her finding out she's pregnant. She excitedly goes home to tell her husband, Matthew, but when she gets there she finds him dead, and the killer is still in their house. Of course, she's the one who ends up convicted for the crime. And she's sent to prison. I loved the way that isn't the end of her story. Dania had been praying for a way to prove her innocence. And she's given that when she is helped to escape.

What follows is a crazy adventure of Dania trying to escape and figure out who exactly killed her husband and why. All with the police hot on her tail. I loved that Dania wasn't willing to give up. And she isn't willing to leave people suffering either. She went out of her way to help more than one person on her journey.

I also really loved that Brett wasn't willing to believe she was a murderer. And he didn't leave her to figure things out on her own.

This book was so amazing! It kept me wanting to read more and more until I finished it.

I was sent an e-copy of Cry Wolf from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dania Blackwolf is convicted of killing her husband Matthew, and is sent to prison. Fast-forward three years where she finds herself trying to find the real killer while on the run. US Marshal Brett Rollins, was Matthew's best friend. When he finds Dania does he turn her in or help her find the person who killed Matthew?

I love clean romantic suspense and couldn't put this one down!! I was hooked from the beginning and could not figure out who would've wanted Matthew dead. The suspense of Dania almost being caught several times had me on edge and some of her choices had me yelling no, no, no in my head a few times. While I didn't always agree with some of her decisions I knew she was desperate and didn't have a lot of options. I enjoyed the thread of romance in the story but loved that the suspense was front and center.

Did I lose sleep over this book? Yes! Do I regret it? No! This is my latest favorite of Kathi Peterson's and highly recommend it if you like suspense without the gory details. So happy this is the start of a new series, Marshalls of Montana, because I'm ready for more.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

[Cammi Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before you start this book - CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULE! You won’t be doing anything else until you reach the last page!

I love the driving suspense that is built into this story by Kathi Oram Peterson. “Cry Wolf” delivers all the intensity and suspense without descriptions that lead to nightmares! This story jumps right into the action on the first page. Daina and her husband are from feuding families. On the day she finds out she is expecting a child, she also finds her husband murdered. She is falsely convicted for this crime. Years later, she inadvertently has a chance to escape prison. She sees this as an opportunity to seek answers related to her husband’s crime. Her husband’s friend Brett, a U.S. Marshall, becomes her ally. As the story develops, so does her relationship with Brett. The suspense throughout the story and the growing relationship were both very satisfying. A lone wolf that she sees becomes a symbol of being guided and following her heart. This is a great read! Order it now! You know you want to!

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic romantic suspense. The author did a fantastic job of weaving a tale of deception, intrigue, love and acceptance. I loved the development of the characters and how real and honest it felt. It was a unique story that doesn’t follow the traditional tropes and layout that most romance/suspense books follow.

I know it is a weird thing to include, but I loved how it didn’t just wrap with a nice bow. For the most part, yes, but in parts that I won’t write for fear of spoiling, it wasn’t just done and everything turned out great. Yes, there is an HEA. Yes, there are swoony bits. But it felt real and raw at times. The main character, having lost her husband, child and life, in a way, has to come to terms with some difficult things. And it is written with sensitivity and love!!

[Leann Arave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this story held me captive from first page to the last page. Intriguing, suspenseful, mystery, and tender romance, this book has it all. I love how this other writes her stories they are so real they just jump off the page. The characters are well developed, and you become absorbed in their lives. The suspense and mystery. Keep you on the edge of your seat. Warning don’t start this late at night. You won’t get any sleep. There are a few trigger points, murder, gunshots, drug overdose, physical abuse and mental abuse and betrayal. They are all handled respectfully and realistically. Each having communication to help with the traumatic events. I have heard this might be a series. We can only hope! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.