At Midnight Comes the Cry - Julia Spencer-Fleming

 At Midnight Comes the Cry - Julia Spencer-Fleming

Pub. Date: Nov. 18, 2025

She read

Millers Kill Reverend Clare Ferguson and husband Russ Van Alstyne, recently retired as police chief,  and both military veterans, attend a Christmas parade when a white supremacist participant and others’ response to him escalates into a fight that Russ breaks up. Clare reaches out to the man’s wife, and the couple soon find themselves in danger as they investigate a local militia. 

This is the tenth in a series;  I have read only one prior installment. This would work as a stand alone. 

The writing is well-crafted, and the story engaging. Spencer-Fleming effectively captures the essence of small-town upstate New York. In referring to the supporting characters, the author frequently alternates between using their first and last names; initially, I had to pay close attention to distinguish who was who. When the manhunt moves outdoors and the militia is being tracked, there is a lot of run on detail and I found myself skimming a bit. 

Despite these minor issues, the topic of the story is important and timely. It’s also a bit frightening because it reflects reality.

Thanks to @NetGalley and  @StMartinsPress @Minotaur_Books for the DRC.

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