This book is in many ways my cup of tea, and not. I like:
Police-procedural mysteries
Forensic mysteries
Female leads with not too much angst

I don't like Christian fiction...
But this wasn't too in-your-face or holier than thou, so it didn't distract from the story, was simply a part of it. But it may deter me from reading more, although I read this story very quickly and was very absorbed.
The historic bits were intriguing enough to send me to Wikipedia & various LDS websites. And manipulating history for a good story is fun.
So, decide for yourself.

I received this book via Goodreads Giveaway. ( )

I now have a new must-read author! A Cry from The Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks is an excellent edition to the suspense genre. With a flawed, but relatable major character, well-drawn secondary characters and well-researched and detailed plot, this novel kept me listening, to the detriment of all else pending in my life! I could not get enough of Gwen Marcey!

Gwen Marcey is a forensic artist working on a reconstruction for the site of a mid-1800s Mormon massacre in Utah. It soon becomes apparent that her re-creation of one of the victims has triggered the interest of a number of groups — anti-Mormon activists and fundamental religionists. Gwen is soon plunged into a race to find out who is behind the murders and uncover a far reaching conspiracy. And while her personal life may be a little (ok, a lot) messy, she is at that top of her game professionally as she races the clock.

Gwen is a wonderful character. Parks has given her an impeccable professional background that has been impacted by a messy divorce with all its fall out and a battle with breast cancer. Recovery seems to be around the corner, until she is faced with a rebellious teenager, unforgiveness towards her ex-husband and a ruthless fundamentalist group determined to trigger an apocalypse. Gwen is resourceful and determined and becomes a mama bear when her daughter is in danger. The plot of conspiracies surrounding the Mormon church and fringe and splinter groups is intriguing and touched on a part of history I was not aware of. I was kept on the edge of my seat, while trying to guess just who was behind it all.

The audiobook version was very well done and the narrator did a good job with just the right amount of emotion mixed in.

All in all a great first book from another talented author. I am eager to read more! The Bones Will Speak has just released. Yay!

Recommended.

Audience: adults. ( )

The Mountain Meadows Interpretative Center asked forensic expert Gwen Marcey to reconstruct the faces of three intact bodies that were discovered from the 1857 wagon train massacre of more than 120 people by Mormon fanatics calling themselves Avenging Angels. A secret from the 19th century could still endanger thousands of lives gathered for a Peace Conference. Marcey, divorced and a breast cancer survivor is suspected to be that loner cop that can solve murder cases on her own.
Rebellion, kidnapping, escape, death and mysterious shootings lead Marcey not only deeper into the Latter Day Saints organization and splinter groups, where polygamy, substitution. a dead mask and blood atonement practices weave a web to keep your attention towards the very last page. Marcey has to race against time to unmask the real murderer, free herself from traps and avoid a third massacre on 9/11.
A Cry from the Dust is well-written, and has both credible characters and a convincing plot. Fiction woven between historical and forensic facts without becoming to technical on either side. ( )

What a fantastic debut novel! Incorporating a fascinating mix of history and fiction, first-time author Parks treats us to an enthralling murder mystery that delves into the history of the Mormon church. Being a real-life forensic sculptor/artist, Parks infuses into her heroine Gwen Marcey a real sense of what it's like to be a forensic sculptor/artist. Gwen is a likable heroine; she has survived cancer and a divorce, and she is fiercely independent yet with very believable twinges of vulnerability.

All the characters in this book are well-developed, their interactions flowing nicely with the fast-moving plot. There is a lot of action mixed with a lot of the cerebral - a perfect combination that makes for a gripping story. Parks has clearly done meticulous research on the founding and splintering of the Mormon church, and the discoveries that Gwen makes relating to the church are just as fascinating as the discoveries she makes regarding the murder mystery itself.

This novel was a great start to a promising writing career. It is implied that this is the first in a series and that we will be seeing Gwen Marcey again. I can't wait! ( )

Interesting story based on Mormon history. An unusual heroine. ( )