Blood Oranges

by J.M. Cannon

Money.

Power.

God. Catherine Cross is the most successful female televangelist in the country. Her congregation in the western suburbs of Orlando one of the wealthiest. She's comfortable and charismatic in front of a camera, but when her youngest daughter goes missing not even she is ready for the media firestorm that follows.

With her mother more concerned about the family's public image than bringing her daughter home, it's up to Emily, the oldest child and black sheep of their christian family, to try to discover the truth.

But when a strange series of deaths on an orange farm outside of town seems to be connected to her missing sister, the case is turned on its head, and Emily must face the shocking family secrets it took to build her mother's empire.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Book Club, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Horror, Summer

329 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 2023

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a thriller! The ending just pisses me off. Why did you end it with $&@!/ being you know? The author could write a sequel because I want to know if Chris will be back in Emily’s future.

[Kristina Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just incredible!! I couldn’t put it down and I just had to know what would happen. Each chapter kept me guessing with multiple twists that led me on a roller coaster ride. I love how it was written to see all the characters’ point of views and the flow from future and past were easy to follow and connect! I recommend this to any thriller seekers who crave that unexpected finale!! Love this so much, my fav book so far of 2023!!

[Donna Mallery · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate I wasted hours of my life on this book. It reads a little slow, but I felt I’d keep going. My mistake! It was totally depressing with no redeeming values! And the ending was just horrible! Think I’ll pass on this author!

[Heather Blakely · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I thought this book was great-intense, thriller mystery, I couldn't keep reading-all of the things I really like. Then as it went on it got to be so convoluted, so many characters to keep straight and storylines to make sure you understood and to keep track of how they all connected. I had a sense about the "big twist" early on so it wasn't that much of a shock and there were a few things I questioned-like if your sons were gone for more than a day-wouldn't you be putting in as much effort to find them as you would your missing daughter? It was just kind of strange. The ending was icky-just icky. In the end, I wasn't that thrilled with it.

[Gabrielle Silgalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. I had a feeling who was behind all the evilness but that little twist at the end? Haunting!!!!

Also never trust a man to take care of preventive measures against pregnancy!!

[Brianna Oomen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! A great thriller & murder mystery. Really kept me guessing, was an easy read & a hard one to put down!

[Ani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confusing in the best way! I hate it when I know the whole story too early in a book, so I appreciate how this kept me guessing. The writing was a little rough, but the imperfect ending was perfect.

[Morgan Nanez · Rating 3 out of 5]

why does no one seem upset that FOUR HIGHSCHOOL BOYS WERE MURDERED??? Does no one on the family like the brothers?? It was SO bizarre?? Specifically, when emily wakes up on the hospital and chris asks if she’s okay and she says “everyone’s okay” like UM WHAT??? Your brothers are DEAD??

I also have was confused why the author literally spoon fed us what was going on for each expression. “She looked away, as if she was coming up with a lie” “He paused at the door, as if he wanted to say he liked her but knew this wasn’t the right time”. Nothing was up for interpretation here folks!!

Lastly, the whole getting pregnant with your half brothers baby is so 🥱. i would have preferred there be an actual landmine that blew up with she was playing with maddie at the end.

I like the idea of the plot, but this style of writing is not for me. It felt a bit lazy.

I did enjoy the mystery unraveling and when the gears shifted to 100 when the brothers were killed! Glad the sisters and mom survived i guess? Could’ve done without the whole face getting mutilated by the boat mother visual but here we are

[Elyrria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. I loved the final twists, but some of the characters fell a little flat, and the first half of the book was very slow. Still, kudos for that ending! Thrillers that aren't afraid to go dark are the best.

[Caitlin Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow - this might be my new top thriller - EVER! Like Righteous Gemstones and True Detective had a baby named Blood Oranges. I couldn’t put this down and don’t know why it’s not talked about more! Kept me guessing the entire time with twists I never saw coming. All the stars!

[MiniMicroPup (X Liscombe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read. I loved the writing style and how the mysteries build-up.

Energy: Concerned. Distressed. Peculiar.

🐕 Howls: The ending (the very last thing to happen) is a huge cliffhanger! The action scenes felt a little cliché, over-the-top good vs evil compared to the rest of the story.

🐩 Tail Wags: Cinematic, sensory writing. The initial mysteries and how we jump between them.

🤓 Reader Role: Piecing together the puzzle on the sidelines watching characters with the narrator filling us in. We know more than the characters (usually).

🗺️ World-Building: Sensory, cinematic, foreboding, lush.

🔥 Fuel: Escalating stakes, cliffhangers, twists and turns.

📖 Cred: Plausible to suspended disbelief

Scene: 🇺🇸 Suburbs and swamps of Orlando, Florida
Perspective: A divorced 27-year old living in their evangelical mega-church pastor family’s pool house when their 8-year old sister goes missing. A dedicated detective investigating two bizarre male deaths on an old citrus farm nearby.
Timeline: Current. Linear timeline.

Mood Reading Match-Up:
Whisky sour. Decay. Hot humid days. Orange trees. News crews. Mosquitos. Swamps. Murky water. Alligators. Tinted windows.
-Fast-paced mysterious deaths in Florida swamps
-Law & Order style sleuthing alongside the detectives
-Immersive summery/tropical settings
-Behind closed doors wealthy mega-church family drama
-Missing child suspense
-Conspiracies, Christianity, and capitalism
-Short chapters
-Good vs evil, against the odds survival-action scenes
-Dark secret open-ended conclusion
-Mix of morally grey and unlikeable characters with ones to root for

Content Heads-Up: Corpse (discovery, scent). Alcohol. Stroke. Depression, anxiety. Missing child, missing teen. Murder. Fire (building). Child abuse (foster system). Incest. Kidnapping. Blood, injury.

Rep: White and Latin American. Cisgender. Heterosexual. Pale and tan skin tones.

📚 Format: Kindle Unlimited

My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whattttt!!!! This was so good 🤯

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great. Loved the writing. Loved the story. The ending, absolutely haunting.

[Adrianna Koellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy 5 star read for me! Started and finished this in the same day because I HAD to know what happened! This reminded me of the first season of True Detective. The detectives, murders, torture, child abuse, church conspiracies and scandal. Not the same story line but the same “vibes” if that makes sense. I guessed a few of the twists (specifically the last couple pages) but overall didn’t know what was going to happen next. My only complaint is I wish we got more answers…but honestly I could’ve easily read another 50-100 pages and would still want more. This is my first JM Cannon book but it certainly won’t be my last!

[Leslie Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book expecting something far lighter than what was given. Very good but severely cringy towards the end.

[JeanAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected Gem!

This book caught my eye and after reading the reviews, my interest was piqued. From the first few pages I found myself doing a deep dive into a twisted mix of family drama, police procedure, and psychological thriller.

Having read quite a few books in this genre, I did not expect to be blown away by the second book from an author I knew nothing about. However, just one chapter in, I knew I was onto something really good. So many twists and turns make you want to find out what comes next. The surprises keep coming, until the very end!

JM Cannon has a 1st book, "The Quiet Wife". Also, mentioned at the end of "Blood Oranges", a new book is due to be released mid summer of 2023! This book was so good, I plan on reading both.

[Macy Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good kindle unlimited thriller!

[Katie Denning · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Excellent Page Turner!

Once started, I had to keep reading until I finished. This was a wonderful thriller with so many twists and turns. Just when I thought I knew what was happening, there was another twist. I highly recommend this book.

[Madison Boger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t understand why this isn’t more popular. I was hooked starting at page 1. I loved the character development, the setting, the mystery, and the drama. One of the best books I’ve read so far this year. Highly recommend

[Leah Toole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great

Loved this!
And were it not for the very last couple pages I would've given it 4 stars.
I would recommend this though, very good read

[cierra ♡ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book was good!
I really enjoyed the short chapters that almost always ended on a “wtf” moment…it made putting the book down pretty hard.
There were some pretty shocking twists, a few red herrings, and some crazy events that took place. It was an easy popcorn thriller that kept me engaged.
I did, however, suspect the big plot twists (both of them) and the last page….ew, haha.
It’s getting 4 stars due to how engaging it was and the story was well laid out; though, I found that some of story was a little rushed.
I recommend!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book online and decided to purchase it in part do to the setting. While vacationing with my folks in Florida we drove around many orange groves and the nostalgia of remembering that drew me in. The book was a real page turner with a good mystery/thriller vibe. However, there were pieces of the story line that I found disturbing. I think they could have been changed while still having a similar plot. For this reason, I would have a hard time saying “you gotta read this one”!
If you do pick it up, I would be curious to hear your opinion and in particular on some of the parts that I wish were written differently.

[Courtney Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an INSANE family reunion. The Cross Family went through it. So many twists. I loved it. A little hard to follow in some spots. I honestly wish it was a little longer. I would’ve loved more answers or to know more about all of the characters, but overall a great thriller.

[Jill Power · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5⭐️
I enjoyed this book but it was very predictable and I saw the twists coming from a mile away but I still liked it and I enjoyed how fast paced it was! That ending super icky iykyk 😅

[Candy Galindo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, this would make a better movie than a book. there was a glaring plot issue I couldn't get around which would be no issue in a movie. the story was good and action packed, but the writing style was a bit odd. it was from individual view points but in the third person. overall, story was good but the writing style and plot hole made me not wish to read more from this author

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t actually read but book club gave 4 stars and I trust my people

[Claire Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book on a whim bc it was on kindle unlimited & I actually really enjoyed it. Good twist at the end overall solid

[Sharmyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of like if Brutes was less fever dream and more police procedural

[Katie Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazyyyyy book. Ending was wild. This got me out of my reading slump so for that I give it 4 stars! Worth the read in my opinion.

[Ella McGinnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

took a moment to collect my thoughts & consider my full perspective of the book, rather than just my recoil at the last five pages. overall, i thoroughly enjoyed this read - the detail was whimsical, the slight on televangelism satisfying, & i was continually interested in turning the page. absolutely a 4.5 read for me.

i did however feel as though parts of the story were underdeveloped. for as much detail to have been put into describing the boys of the family, the second half of the book disregards their absence. an attempt to metaphorically demonstrate catherine’s need to preserve her image, rather than endanger it further with additional missing children, or a plot line that wasn’t fully fleshed out? i can’t decide. for me, julia’s character was an additional theme that, while essential, seemed a bit rushed.