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A Cuckoo in Winter

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On a cold winter's day, five young girls head out into the forest.

A few hours later, six of them return.

Trapped in a nightmare, the girls frantically try to work out what's real and what's fake. They know that one of them must be an impostor, but they also remember each other. Have they been given false memories? What kind of force from the forest could possibly enter their heads and make them remember something that never happened? Or have they fallen victim to something even darker, to something more malevolent than they could ever have imagined?

Many years later, in a candlelit restaurant, the horrifying truth finally emerges... but is it too late for the surviving girls to save themselves? Is the cuckoo finally going to get exactly what it has always wanted, and what it has been waiting for since the day it first saw the five of them in the forest?

A Cuckoo in Winter is a psychological horror story about five girls whose lives are changed forever when they find that there's a cuckoo in their midst.

316 pages, Paperback

Published May 29, 2024

64 people are currently reading
51 people want to read

About the author

Amy Cross

668 books1,699 followers
Amy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.

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5 stars
79 (42%)
4 stars
60 (32%)
3 stars
39 (20%)
2 stars
4 (2%)
1 star
4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for John Morris.
1,015 reviews82 followers
June 8, 2024
What a weird little story!

It may have been weird and it may have been difficult to comprehend but, it was certainly good. Five young girls enter a forest but six return. Who is the additional child, where did she come from and what is she planning? Five original friends and five altered memories - just who is the cuckoo in the nest? As the girls grow into adulthood their secret friend is exposed but, not until the very end of the story and then, just who was the cuckoo? A very different sort of tale to be sure but it really was a good psychological horror.
Profile Image for Caz.
39 reviews84 followers
January 4, 2025
I was enjoying this until there was an entire chapter devoted to telling us that anyone who is a burden on society is disgusting, a waste of space and should be sterilised and put down.
Profile Image for Frank T.
165 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2024
This was a very good and uniquely entertaining read, and I did find it interesting but as an Amy Cross fan having read a few of her books and still have a few more to read and purchase, this wasn't one of her better books, so I suppose due to her talent you expect every book to be perfect and no one can maintain that level of excellence regardless of their obvious talent. I have books on my kindle to read and I will purchase more from Amy Cross, I won't let one book that was just good to spoil my opinion on all the other books I've yet to read.
In conclusion, it's a good read but don't expect too much when compared to other books she's written.
45 reviews
June 8, 2024
Page turningly different

Usually a horror novella fan the title made me look at this book. The story totally different from anything I've read before and I read it in one 5 he session. Great storyline that keeps you guessing right up until literally the last word to who it is. Definitely recommend to anyone wanting a fresh read with a great story line
Profile Image for Helen .
45 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2024
Great story!

Who is the cuckoo? Something happened in the forest that day and the girls have been trying to figure it out for years. You won't find out yourself until the very end.
Profile Image for Ryan Luis.
276 reviews4 followers
June 24, 2024
Hidden in plain sight! It felt a little forced in the beginning but when it settled in it was soo good. The middle chapters, like the third and fourth girls or somewhere about, are the highlight of this for sure. Love the organization! Love the concept! Fun.
Profile Image for Julie Powell.
Author 72 books324 followers
June 18, 2024
This was an intriguing quick read. I can't say much because I don't give spoilers.

Fast-paced and engaging - I had to read it all in one sitting for the reveal. Fascinating.

Recommended.
Profile Image for Nicola.
952 reviews4 followers
June 30, 2024
Read in one sitting. Different material but good. Did leave me guessing all the way and even now I’m not sure the ending I have in mind in the intended one lol
88 reviews4 followers
January 4, 2025
It's a really good wee story.... literally had me guessing to the last word..... It's such an original wee story. 5 people went into a forest, 6 come out!
4 reviews
February 1, 2025
Good

Nice story though not as good as other of Amy Cross’ books. Five friends go into the woods but six come out… what happened? Who is the “extra” friend? Hard to guess…
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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