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Holly #1

Criss Cross

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Holly is living on borrowed time, but when mysterious footsteps follow her home and a cryptic note shows up on her door, she realizes her time is running out. The man she's hiding from has found her. Or has he? When people start dying and old, forgotten memories begin to surface, holly finds herself wrapped up in a terrifying mystery with God, a pushy southern detective, and a killer with one thing on his mind: her.

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2017

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About the author

C.C. Warrens

18 books589 followers
Jesus and laughter have brought C.C. Warrens through some very difficult times in life, and she weaves both into every story she writes, creating a world of breath-stealing intensity, laugh-out-loud humor, and a sparkle of hope. Writing has been a slowly blossoming dream inside her for most of her life until one day it spilled out onto the pages that would become her first published book.

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5 stars
2,650 (70%)
4 stars
806 (21%)
3 stars
207 (5%)
2 stars
56 (1%)
1 star
31 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 501 reviews
Profile Image for (Katie) Paperbacks.
1,006 reviews432 followers
November 4, 2024
This has to be the best suspense/thriller book I ever read. I loved it!

The story kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page. I couldn't get enough. I loved the characters so much, and the author did way too good a job with the pov of the antagonist. I started reading this at night at a silent book club...let's just say I had a hard time walking to my car, even though I was parked right outside 🤣. I am so excited that this is going to be a very long series.

This book definitely has made it in my favorites of the year, maybe even THE book of the year? 6🌟



Spoiler for trigger warnings:


There are intense scenes of stalking and violence. As well as mentions of assault.
Profile Image for Toni Shiloh.
Author 62 books2,018 followers
March 15, 2019
That was one of the best reads ever!
I couldn't stop turning the pages until it was finished and I did so in one setting. Now I have to read book 2!
Profile Image for Heather Gilbert.
Author 44 books878 followers
December 17, 2018
This'll probably be the final book I complete in 2018, and what a book it was! True stalker suspense that I couldn't put down and had to stay up late to finish! I just discovered C. C. Warrens because I've heard a lot of good things about this series, and I really enjoyed this very plucky and unusual heroine who, despite a terrible childhood and current imminent danger, still finds reason to hope. There were a few times I had to suspend disbelief, but overall it was a good story and I'll be looking forward to reading the next in series. An excellent new suspense voice in Christian fiction.
Profile Image for ally norris.
59 reviews55 followers
September 25, 2022
what the heck did i just read?!
THIS BOOK. WAS. SO. GOOD. a friend let me borrow it after telling me it was a christian fiction thriller. i wasn’t sure what to expect because i have read a lot of poorly written christian fiction (disappointing as i am a christian but i also like good books.) this book totally threw a wrench into my expectations of what i have read of most christian fiction. this book was twisty, turny, eerie, and riveting. even though it was clean, it had a creepy stalker element to it that made me shut all my windows (and double check) before i went to sleep. if you are turned off by christian fiction often, try this. you won’t be disappointed.
this book doesn’t preach at you, but also doesn’t hide what the main character believes and her relationship with Jesus. through her relationship, she is able to find strength and confidence in rough situations, the way i imagine a real christian in these very possible situations might be.
PLEASE read.
and then inwardly die once you reach the cliffhanger…
Profile Image for Linda Martin.
Author 1 book100 followers
August 7, 2022
I don't consider this a Christian novel. It is a horrific story of a serial killer and his victims who lack common sense. The main character, Holly, is a Christian and has an occasional brief Christian thought, but that does not make this a Christian novel.

The Bible says "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

This novel does the opposite. It invites the reader to douse their brains in hours of horrific chapters about stalking, torturing, killing, and all around general stupidity. The main character, Holly, is especially headstrong and lacking in common sense. I did not feel any sympathy for her because she didn't make any effort to protect herself and those who were there to protect her - instead repeatedly rushing into danger heedless of the fact a serial killer was nearby, stalking her.

The entire scenario of the book makes no sense. A young woman (Holly) is being chased by not one but two unrelated psychopathic idiots and though she has a history of moving, she decides willfully to stay right there where one of the psychopaths is taping pictures on the outside of her windows and killing people she's encountered including a police officer assigned to guard her. Her reaction to each killing is uniformly unconcerned. She acknowledges the death but does not show any signs of grieving or remorse for the person being killed by someone actually stalking her.

So, that said, I thought I might give this book two stars because it is supposedly "Christian" but at this point, I think I should be honest and give it the first one-star Goodreads review as that is what it earned. I honestly can't believe how many Christian women gave this story of murder and mayhem five stars just because it entertained them.

I won't be reading any more books by this author unless she gets out of the horror/suspense/thriller genre and writes something spiritually uplifting and worthy of being called Christian. I'm sorry to be so harsh but I think I need to tell it like it is, as I see it. Pretending this horror serial killer torture stuff is okay with me - well, that would be wrong. I think Christians need something better to think about.

This is the second time I've read a "contemporary Christian suspense/thriller" novel and I didn't like the other one either. This genre is not for me.
Profile Image for Patricia Rupell.
200 reviews98 followers
June 24, 2026
This is a tough one to review. I thought it was a great story, well written, and had really good character development. But it was super intense, and probably a bit much for me. I might have to skip the rest in the series. For those who want a creepy, edge of your seat thriller, this one is for you.
Profile Image for Gloria.
1,207 reviews148 followers
May 1, 2018
Wow! This is an intense mystery that I would think is more thriller than suspenseful. It is told in first person so we experience first hand all that Holly is thinking and feeling. She has lived a very sad stressful life moving from one foster home to another from about age twelve on. She doesn't remember her life before the age of ten. Now she is twenty eight years old and living light so that she can leave at a moment's notice. She lives a low profile life so that she won't attract attention-whose we don't know. After an attack in the park on a photo shoot, she doesn't want Detective Richard Marx to investigate further. But he won't listen. She begins to realize that someone is stalking her and has to rely on the police when it is obvious that someone is out to get her and won't let anyone get in the way-even the police. He knows too much about her activities and has a way of disappearing. This is a scary, edge of the seat book that kept me up late to finish it. Holly is an independent and proud person who learned that God is the only person who loved her when she had reached the end of her rope as a teenager. However, there is a little bit of a cliffhanger at the end so I am looking forward to the next book. Great read!
Profile Image for Amanda Geaney.
561 reviews347 followers
July 9, 2023
Wow! I've been aware of this author for a number of years but it took signing up for kindle unlimited for me to take a chance on her work. There's a reason Criss Cross has 4.6 stars/3100+ reviews on Amazon:

Interesting storyline.
Great tension/suspense.
Compelling dialogue - sprinkled with humor.
Sympathetic protagonist.

It's a 5-star Christian mystery/suspense in my book.
I'm adding the entire series to my to-read list.
Profile Image for Anisa Brown.
94 reviews10 followers
June 22, 2025
Hands down the best suspense I've read thus far! I mean wow, talk about a page turner. This story had me up late, I could not put this down. This book is the first in a series and I'm excited to start the next book based on the ending alone.

This story focuses on the FMC holly who has no memories from before she was 10 no one seems to know why she can't remember. When faced with a potential serial killer stalking her and killing everyone she comes into contact with she's forced to try and remember who she is and why she's being targeted.

This is a Christian Suspense Series and the author did a phenomenal job implementing faith based content into the story. I absolutely loved it! even if you aren't Christian the story in general is very well written. My heart pounded from begining to end.
Profile Image for Anita Burkett.
Author 5 books69 followers
July 8, 2017
Amazing!!!

I did not want to put this book down. It is action packed and many many twists and turns. It was hard to not skip ahead to the bottom of the page because I couldn't wait to see what happened next. It definitely deserves more than 5 stars.
Profile Image for Charity.
666 reviews88 followers
April 24, 2025
WOW!! What a read! This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire way through. And that ending!

I did learn the hard way, though, that I canNOT read this book at night. 😂
Profile Image for Martha.
1,986 reviews62 followers
April 13, 2022
Tingling Suspense

The amnesia was a creative twist on this suspenseful story, with more bad guys around every corner, it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Profile Image for Parkland Mom.
842 reviews22 followers
December 1, 2024
Read in March 2018.

Fabulous book!!! I can’t wait to read the short story, the second book, and the third when it comes out next month! This book is action-packed and yet involves you emotionally. It’s not predictable and the characters are very well-developed. Warrens even has some humour spread throughout the book, which I appreciated amidst all of the intensity.

There were so many layers to this book. It’s awful to think that there are people that suffer any such atrocities in this world as this main character does, let alone several. As strange as it may sound, I’m glad this story wasn’t wrapped up all neatly in the last chapter. There are too many things happening. There is more to tell. Holly is a woman who holds onto Jesus, even through horrific events of the past have entered back into her life.

Fantastic author! Can’t wait to read more!
Profile Image for Heidi Morrell.
1,523 reviews20 followers
June 3, 2026
This was a fantastic Contemporary Christian Suspense fiction book. The story was believable and the characters were heartwarming. Parent Guide: due to some situations and difficult topics, I would encourage you to pre read this book before sharing with your older teens and above. I was provided with a Winner's ebook copy of this book via the #basketfulofbooks giveaway, but it did not in any way affect my review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Mimi.
827 reviews126 followers
December 16, 2025
Holy smokes, this was good. As in REALLY good! It creeped me out in all of the best ways!

Holly is just trying to live her life in obscurity, to not be found. Her "friend" Jace (because does Holly really have friends) is clearly one who sticks close! One night she's attacked by two men and the story really picks up the pace from there.

She meets Marx, a detective who shows up to try to help her figure out what happened. He doesn't let things go because he can tell there's something fishy going on. As he starts to dig, crazy events continue to happen to Holly. Whoever is coming after her isn't letting anyone rest on their laurels. We also get to meet Sam, another detective who Jace may have an attraction to!

Then, there's Jordan... He comes into the picture and there's some mystery to this guy! There's a protective side to him for Holly, but there's more to it, but what?

The villain? Well, I don't know when there's been a creepier, scarier one. There's something so twisted about this person that it's unnerving, but I love that you feel the presence of God in the midst of all of it.

Like with Marx, this guy who has lost a lot, he clearly begins to care for Holly. He's got a lot to deal with, but he's this dad/big brother kind of guy who does all he can to keep her safe.

I'm just going to devour all of the books in this series!
Profile Image for Paula Shreckhise.
1,597 reviews148 followers
February 7, 2018
This book was very suspenseful, a page turner. Poor Holly Smith is constantly running from her past and can’t get close to anyone! She is a free lance photographer who rarely makes friends but finds one in her upstairs neighbor girl, Jace, who is in a wheelchair. After being attacked right after a photo shoot, Holly finds a father figure in the detective assigned to her case.
It is a very bumpy ride for Holly to figure out who is stalking her. It’s someone from her past but trauma has blocked out her memories before age ten. Can her new guardian, Detective Richard Marx, help her unravel her broken memory and the puzzle of who wants her dead? And once one puzzle is solved is another one close behind?
Holly has a fledgling faith but circumstances and people help her to grow amidst the turmoil.
This is the first in a series.
If you like Lynnette Eason, DiAnn Mills or Irene Hannon, you will most likely be riveted by this book! Well done C.C. Warrens.
*I was given an e copy of this book by the author. I was asked for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Profile Image for Deena Adams.
Author 1 book209 followers
June 7, 2020
Loved this action-filled, heart-rending story. I was completely swept up in Holly's journey to discover memories locked deep inside her due to childhood trauma and her fight to escape the hand of a killer. Detective Marx won my respect and admiration for his fierce protection of Holly no matter the cost. These characters were well developed and I truly cared what happened to them. The scene descriptions and action scenes were so vivid, I felt I was watching it on screen. Highly recommend! I finished this book last night and have already ordered the next two in the series! If you love suspense, don't miss this one!
Profile Image for Green Eyed Girl Girl.
31 reviews
May 12, 2026
I put off reading Criss Cross for quite a while because I expected it to be flat and boring, but it was the complete opposite! This book was thrilling, sweet, funny, exciting, and genuinely memorable. The characters were well developed and incredibly likeable, even if the FMC frustrated me from time to time. Even after a less than desirable life, she was still strong, determined, funny and faith-filled. I especially appreciated how naturally faith and God were woven into her story without it feeling overdone or forced. What surprised me most was how suspenseful and gripping this book was without relying on sex or foul language. This was my first Christian suspense thriller and my first book by CC Warrens and now I completely understand why readers love her work. I’m already excited to continue the rest of this six-book series.
Profile Image for theliterateleprechaun .
2,745 reviews205 followers
April 16, 2026
I loved the sense of community in this one as it offset the darker side of a serial killer on the loose; a differently abled bff, police who do more than their ‘job’, and an old friend who wants to rekindle the friendship.

I can’t imagine being the lone survivor of such a brutal attack, but I had empathy for Holly even though I didn’t immediately connect with her. The darkness was balanced with learning of SMS spoofing, and smiling at ‘sniffing your shoes’ and at a heartwarming note left with cookies.

The writing is wonderful and I’ve downloaded book two in the series.

Profile Image for Dana Michael.
1,449 reviews196 followers
June 9, 2026
My husband and I listened to this book and we both enjoyed it. The narrator did a fine job. If you like a thriller, then I think you will like this story.
Profile Image for Debbie.
539 reviews9 followers
October 9, 2017
Criss Cross (A Holly Novel #1) by C. C. Warrens

C. C. Warrens is a new Christian Fiction author and if she continues to write novels like her first, Criss Cross, I will continue reading them. The book is full of edge-of-your-seat, hold-your-breath suspense. And you don’t know the whole story until much later in the novel, which I love! That’s true suspense. If you are worried about bad language or sexual scenes, don’t. It’s a very clean novel, yet deals with tough situations and yet the author writes in such a way that you don’t miss the bad language that most secular novelist think they must include to captivate the reader. The main character is a Christian, but the book is not overtly Christian, so I feel anyone could read this and love it.

Holly, the main character, is a photographer that lives completly off the grid. She has many quirks and a past that will not let go of her. Her quick, witty banter with her best friend, Jace, and later with Detective Marx is totally wonderful. A very tense situation can turn funny with the wit of Holly.

Holly’s past has caught up with her and she needs help, yet due to her past, she is reluctant to accept it. She isolates herself and likes, no demands, her personal space. And getting her to trust is very hard, but totally worth it.

You will find yourself holding your breath because you are so scared for her and you will be sitting on the edge of your favorite reading chair wondering what’s going to happen and how will it turn out. But you will also smile and a few times laugh and the funny things that happen during tense moments of suspense.

And the ending? Oh my goodness!!! I can’t wait until Book 2, Cross Fire, comes out in November 2017. And I believe there will be a Book 3 also. Yeah!!!! Love this new author and her novel. Looking forward to reading many more books to come.
Profile Image for Christine Indorf.
1,418 reviews167 followers
July 4, 2025
This is my 3rd time reading this amazing series! Holly a woman who can't remember her childhood with a serial killer after her. She ends up with detective Marx helping her find the man. He starts to like the small size Holly and wants to become her friend, but her past is getting in the way. A wonderful story of found family but a thrilling story that goes along with it! Really this author needs to be discovered. Her writing is just amazing and the story is just plan wonderful. I love Holly and Marx and their found family. If are looking for a wonderful story that is thrilling at the same time then pick up this series!! 5 stars!!
Profile Image for Cate.
Author 6 books47 followers
March 9, 2026
Criss Cross is about a girl struggling with the repressed memories of a horrific crime and her fear that the man she's hiding from will find her hiding in the shadows. C.C. Warrens blends fast-paced action with a heartwarming message, and the result is beautiful. I finished Book 1 in one night, and was so overjoyed to find out that this series is on KU, so I'm going to get to Book 2 as fast as I can!
*This series MUST be read in order. Definitely recommended for older audiences for mature themes.
Profile Image for Stacy Wilson .
331 reviews178 followers
November 5, 2020
Way scarier then I expected for Christian fiction, but I loved that! The world is a scary place and that's exactly why we all need Jesus!
104 reviews
October 8, 2024
2 ⭐️

The main character is too unlikeable. It’s a tiresome and annoying cliche when a female is irritated that a male opens the door for her. She wants to barricade herself in her home and is uncomfortable for any male to be within 5 feet of her, but then stupidly runs into the woods alone knowing a huge male is after her and wants her to do just that - it’s like she’s two different characters (i.e. split personality), which could be the point considering all the trauma she’s experienced, except it’s not portrayed that way. Also seems to be a lot of incompetence with the police officers. When the same thing happens over and over, with full time police protection failing every time, it just becomes too unbelievable to be entertaining anymore.
Profile Image for Emily Rutt.
123 reviews21 followers
February 19, 2026
I’m a huge suspense fan and this book was next level! A fantastic, heart pounding suspense that will keep you up at night. Be prepared to lose some sleep!!
I loved the humor, whit and faith that the author weaved throughout the book!
I also personally get weary of romance that distracts from the plot of a story so I was thrilled to find such an excellent suspense novel without any romance!
I love how the author leaves the reader wanting more at the end of the book. I'm really looking forward to reading more from this series!
Profile Image for Kelly Bridgewater.
1,234 reviews65 followers
May 22, 2026
Great book for suspense lovers with no romantic tension. Kept me guessing. The story has plenty of action that I had a hard time putting it down. This is the type of suspense story that I enjoy reading. Now I need to read the rest of the books in this series.
Profile Image for Glenda  Hendershott.
294 reviews
April 12, 2026
4 🌟

This was such a heavy book but was well written. The trauma that Holly endured is unimaginable. The fact that she is even somewhat functional is astounding. I loved the found family between her and Marx. I did sometimes find her judgment irrational and would get frustrated with her for not letting Marx protect her (that was his job afterall!) but I guess that was understandable given all that she had been through.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 501 reviews

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