Cries of the Children is vintage horror at its finest. I was a big fan of Clare McNally in the early 90s and read everything she had out back then.
This story focuses on three young children who are confused, abandoned, and alone in various parts of the country. There’s 8-year-old Julie, who wakes to find herself in the care of Samantha, a 35-year-old doctor who lives near the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Then there’s Lorraine, a 5-year-old girl in New York City with a suitcase full of money who gets taken in by a homeless woman. Lastly, there’s Steven, a 10-year-old boy who gets taken in by a close-knit and loving family of four in Columbus, Ohio.
All three kids start communicating telepathically with a mysterious entity named Marty. They realize they’re being hunted down by some secret organization, and leave their new homes and families behind to meet up. After they physically connect, the children use their combined powers to find Marty, help him escape from captivity, and battle the evil man hunting them all down.
Meanwhile, the foster parents and guardians, who are totally freaking out, are devastated when they find their new children missing. They all embark on their own cross-country journeys to bring their children home.
I’m a real sucker for vintage horror like Cries of the Children. This particular novel is more thriller and suspense than horror. There are a few terrifying moments, but the book consists mainly of cat-and-mouse chase scenes.
Cries of the Children is certainly suspenseful enough, but its ending just isn’t dazzling and doesn’t have spirit or zeal.
I’ve also read and reviewed Addison House by Clare McNally.
Have you read Cries of the Children, and if so, what did you think?
Last Updated on November 29, 2025 by Sarah Ann
Affiliate Disclosure: There may be affiliate links in this content. This means I earn a small commission if you buy anything from those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.
Leave a Reply