The Cry of Cicadas, J. Sydney Jones
The Cry of Cicadas, J. Sydney Jones
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

The Cry of Cicadas
A Byrns on the Homefront Mystery

Author: J. Sydney Jones

Narrator: P.J. Ochlan

Unabridged: 11 hr 19 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 03/18/2025


Synopsis

Autumn, 1941—Max Byrns was once a high-flying NYPD detective, but his career ended the night he took a bullet intended for another officer. The shooting left scars both physical and emotional. Now his wife Elizabeth has given up her own successful career at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art so that Max can recover in the peaceful town on the California coast where she and the rest of her wealthy Schuyler family once summered.

In San Ignacio, they buy a house from a local Japanese strawberry farmer, Tadeo Suzuki. Elizabeth freelances in art restoration while Max and Tadeo become fast friends. But as the clouds of war gather, Max and Elizabeth worry about their son, Philip, serving in the Army Air Corps, and about the growing anti-Japanese sentiment in San Ignacio. When war finally comes, their simple, happy life is turned upside down along with the rest of the world.

Soon, Max, aided by Elizabeth, is drawn back into detective work to solve a murder that hits close to home, as well as deadly espionage activities on the coast of California. In doing so, Max must also finally deal with his own demons.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Sarah on November 15, 2024

A great historic fiction mystery I received an advanced copy of The Cry of Cicadas through a giveaway, and I’m so glad I did. If you’re a fan historic fiction, specifically WWII, or mysteries, I’d recommend picking up this book by Jones. The storyline follows a retired detective (Max Byrnes) from the......more

Goodreads review by George on April 11, 2024

1941 : Pearl Harbor - A sudden spate of victims draws convalescing NYPD detective Max Byrns into a snowballing murder wave in the tranquil California town of St Ignacio. His art-restorer wife, and young son, an Army Air Force pilot unexpectedly home on leave, join in on this plunge into classic Holm......more

Goodreads review by Brooke on February 14, 2025

great book, well written, just not my normal genre. Won this kindle read through Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this story. This book was a great read, well written, & keeps you guessing. It’s just not my favorite genre to read about, that’s the only reason it los......more

Goodreads review by Patricia on April 24, 2024

Interesting story taking place in California after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. All the characters were well done. The mystery had so many dead ends, false leads and red herrings, it made for a good mystery.......more

Goodreads review by Rebecca on May 19, 2024

I like to think I am a pretty advanced reader, but this book just had way too many characters for me to follow. It started off strong, with a historic feel, then it just lost me.......more