A Cry from the Dust

By: Carrie Stuart Parks

Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo

Carrie Stuart Parks utilizes her own background as a celebrated, FBI-trained forensic artist to blend fact and fiction into a stunning mystery.

A 19th-century conspiracy is about to be shattered by a 21st-century forensic artist.

In 1857, a wagon train in Utah was assaulted by a group of militant Mormons calling themselves the Avenging Angels. One hundred and forty people were murdered, including unarmed men, women, and children. The Mountain Meadows Massacre remains controversial to this day—but the truth may be written on the skulls of the victims.

When renowned forensic artist Gwen Marcey is recruited to reconstruct the faces of recently unearthed victims at Mountain Meadows, she isn’t expecting more than an interesting gig . . . and a break from her own hectic life.

But when Gwen stumbles on the ritualized murder of a young college student, her work on the massacre takes on a terrifying new aspect, and research quickly becomes a race against modern-day fundamentalist terror.

As evidence of a cover-up mounts—a cover-up spanning the entire history of the Mormon church—Gwen finds herself in the crosshairs of a secret society bent on fulfilling prophecy and revenging old wrongs.

Can a forensic artist reconstruct two centuries of suppressed history . . . before it repeats itself?

“Parks’s real-life career as a forensic artist lends remarkable authenticity to her enthralling novel, A Cry from the Dust. Her work is a fresh new voice in suspense, and I became an instant fan. Highly recommended!” —Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author

“A unique novel on forensics and fanaticism. A good story on timely subjects well told. For me, these are the ingredients of a successful novel today and Carrie Stuart Parks has done just that.” —Carter Cornick, FBI Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research (Ret.)

Real historical research

I loved discovering 100 plus year old crimes using
100÷ year old print descriptions to to gather witnesses statements.
21st century time travel. I
think so much is fiction but
still fascinating

The story is full of twists and turns.

I thought I had this story figured out several times; however, I was wrong. intriguing plot with very likable characters!

Narration difficult to take.

Had problems with narrator, whose inflections made the heroine seem a teenager instead of a learned and mature woman.

Mountain Meadows Massacre Historical Fiction

This is a first rate historical fiction/forensic science mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire nine hours. The narration left a bit to be desired, but I finally got accustomed to it. I learned a lot about the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre, and the fact that the author is actually a real-life forensic artist lends authencity to the story. I am also impressed that faith and science come together so seamlessly in this book, and I'm awed at the courage and forthrightness shown in addressing the essential issues so often ignored or glossed over by others. This is not only an interesting and exciting listen, its an important book, and I applaud Thomas Nelson for publishing it. This is a series that I will continue and look forward to seeing what Gwen Marcey is up to next.

A Cry from the Dust

Story grabbed me from beginning pages. Wish narrator was different. Highly recommend this book.