Cry No More

By: Linda Howard

Narrated by: Joyce Bean

Length: 11 hrs

Publisher's summary

Count your blessings; they can be snatched away in an instant. It is a sentiment Milla Edge knows too well. With an astonishing blend of savvy, instinct, and passion, Milla displays an uncanny gift for finding lost children. When all seems helpless, desperate souls from across the country come to her for hope and results. Driven by an obsessive desire to fill the void in other people's lives, Milla throws herself into every case - all the while trying to outrun the brutal emotions stemming from a horrific tragedy in her past.

Traveling to a small village in Mexico on a reliable tip, Milla begins to uncover the dire fate of countless children who have disappeared over the years in the labyrinth of a sinister baby-smuggling ring. The key to nailing down the organization may rest with an elusive one-eyed man. To find him, Milla joins forces with James Diaz, a suspicious stranger, known as the Tracker, who conceals his own sinister agenda.

As the search intensifies, the mission becomes more treacherous. For the ring is part of something far larger and more dangerous, reaching the highest echelons of power and influence. Caught between growing passion and imminent peril, Milla suddenly finds herself the hunted - in the crosshairs of an invisible, lethal assassin who aims to silence her permanently.

©2004 Linda Howard (P)2004 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

A bit tedious

Not up to her usual. Very disappointed. Usually I enjoy this author but this book just didn’t cut it!

Loved how everything wraps up

STORY (romance/suspense) - The story line of this book is unusual and very good. It is set in the present day, primarily in Mexico and the border town of El Paso, Texas. As the summary suggests, Milla runs a volunteer company which searches for lost children, but the book is really about her obsessive search for her own son and how she struggles with her own life since his kidnapping. Milla and others investigate a baby-smuggling operation in the area, and it is through the investigation that she begins having a romantic relationship. There's a little bit of everything -- violence, action, romance, mystery, betrayal, sadness, happiness -- and the plot isn't so complicated that you can't keep things straight.

Since the summary doesn't give too much away, I won't either, but I will comment how much I loved the ending. Some books end sadly, others abruptly or with cliffhanger endings, and still others with big happy pink bows. This one just ends....right. It is rare for a book to bring me to tears but this one did, until the next second when Audible butted in with that stupid ending blurb and ruined it.

PERFORMANCE - Joyce Bean has a nice voice, and it is age-appropriate for Milla. She is one of very few narrators who is able to do both sexes well, which was a real treat. On the other hand, "Diaz" is a very common Mexican name, and she mispronounces it "Dee Azz" about 300 times.

OVERALL - (Actual overall rating 4.5) I highly recommend this book, but not so much for guys. There's quite a bit of sex and some cursing, but IMHO it's not smutty or overdone.

Could not turn it off!

I like Linda Howard's mysteries but this one held me captive. I could easily have listened through the night. It will make you cry but it does have a happy ending. Well worth your time.

Linda why did you make me cry so hard!

What about Joyce Bean’s performance did you like?

Ms Bean is an excellent audio book actress and perfect for this book's mutiple roles.

Any additional comments?

This is not your typical Linda Howard book, as I actually got mad at her for making the story line so heart wrenching. However, It is a LH story that I would highly recommend hearing or reading as it shows her incredible range of talent.

Truly amazing and had me on the edge of my seat!

I was completely grasped from beginning to end. The story was touching and heartbreaking. The ending was perfect and provided the reader with closure. The narrator did an amazing job through the book! I highly recommend this book to all!

Heartbreaking

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I read it like 8 years ago.Saw it was on audiobook and had to listen to it again. My heart broke for Mela.She searched for 10 years for her son.Then she finds him,every one thought she was crazy,her family turned their backs.But during her search she found Diaz. He turned out to be her rock.I wish I could give this book a thousand stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Emotionally draining but a great book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, this is a great book with a sad but intriguing storyline

Who was your favorite character and why?

well of course Diaz was my fave character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no listened to this on my way to/from work and while working out

Any additional comments?

A friend has recommended this book to me and a few weeks ago it was on sale (gotta love sales) on Audible.com so I picked it up. I'm glad I did. This was a great read! The story starts out with Milla's 6 week old son being stolen out of her arms and her almost fatally wounded. The story progresses with the search for her son for over 10 years. Along the way she finds/meets Diaz who she thinks may have had something to do with her son's kidnapping. Diaz, is a known as a lone wolf and assassin kind of guy, the ultimate kind of "bad boy' we all like to read about. His character reminds me a lot of Ranger from the Stephanie Plum series but is much better developed than Janet Evanovich has done with Ranger in years. This book can be emotionally draining but is worth the read.

Not one negative thing to say about this book or the performance!

This is one of my all time favorite books. I have listened to it again and again. Linda Howard is so very talented! She gives just the perfect amount of detail. She balances the romance, the thriller, the mystery and the outcome to where you pretty much have the perfect story. Joyce Bean does a superb job with the voices of each character and the narration. Not once does she stress the wrong word or use inappropriate emphasis in a sentence. Listen and enjoy. A wonderful book is in store for you!

Love the book

Especially the ending. The characters are developed well, the story intense with a few surprises.

Awwww

Which character – as performed by Joyce Bean – was your favorite?

All of them I love Joyce

Any additional comments?

I did like this book buuutt.....it was so ridiculous how the assassin fell so immediately in love but I did like the book