Charles Martin's latest book, When Crickets Cry, is a heart-warming story from an
emerging southern writer.
The day Reese, the only way we know him through most of the novel, stops and buys
lemonade from Anne, who is raising money for a heart transplant, is the start of a tender
and mysterious relationship between the two.
The reader is held in suspense as to the complete reason for Reese's concern for Annie.
Gradually the reader knows the reason and is drawn to Reese for his actions.
The action is set in Eliot Wiggington country, Rabun Gap, Georgia and the story reflects
the southern mores and traditions at their best. The episodic events are examples of
humans at their best behavior.
All the major characters are broken, either physically or emotionally, but as Annie would
say, "They have heart." The actions of this diverse group of people carry the plot swiftly
forward.
The literary allusions, of which there are many, always aptly fit the plot at the time
they are used. I suspect Martin was an English major in another life.
If you want a novel that will leave you with warm fuzzes, this is it. Like his previous
novel, The Dead Don't Dance, this is definitely Hallmark Hall of Fame material.