41 ratings | 23 reviews | avg rating:3.98

Susan’s Year In Books

Susan’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at Susan’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

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David Slayton

788 books | 686 friends

Scott Lorenz

405 books | 2,104 friends

Amie's Book Reviews

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Ariel

910 books | 56 friends

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12,935 books | 2,035 friends

Steph Leeson

1,520 books | 59 friends

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71 books | 647 friends

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Susan Ashline

Goodreads Author

Born

Glens Falls, The United States

Website

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSusanAshline/

Twitter

SusanAshline

Genre

Nonfiction, Crime, Memoir

Member Since

December 2018

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Susan Ashline is the author of A Jacket Off the Gorge, the nationally acclaimed true crime book Without A Prayer, and the forthcoming Ungrateful Bastard. She is featured in two Hulu docuseries: “How I Escaped My Cult” and “Cult Justice.” The episodes are based on her book Without A Prayer. Susan’s journalism career spans more than twenty-five years and includes news reporting for most of the major television networks. She has covered everything from breaking news to politics. Her long-time role as a court correspondent sparked a deep interest in law and the criminal justice system. Susan has worked as a radio reporter, talk show host, television news anchor, magazine editor, website manager, and staff newspaper columnist for publishing jugg ...more

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The story of Lucas Leonard sounds like an incredibly tough story to write. Did it impact you emotionally and did your journalistic background help you to keep an open mind and a sense of balance?

Susan Ashline I spent twelve-hour days watching “sermons” that felt like a front row seat to domestic abuse, with a “pastor” tongue-lashing and belittling parishion…moreI spent twelve-hour days watching “sermons” that felt like a front row seat to domestic abuse, with a “pastor” tongue-lashing and belittling parishioners. It was emotionally draining, and tough to think about someone living through it. During one of those viewing stretches, I called one of Luke’s family members and apologized for all she had been through. It was also heartbreaking to watch video of Luke in those sermons, knowing the ending of this story.

I believe it was more my writing process than my journalism background that helped me keep an open mind. When I started writing the story, I had no preconceived ideas of what had occurred (news reports barely scratched the surface). I wrote chronologically, immersing myself in each segment of the story as I wrote it. I did not open the investigation files until I got to the investigation part of the story. I did not read through the trial transcripts until I got to that part in the story. So my eyes were opened as I moved toward the finish line, and the story essentially wrote itself.

As for balance, once there are convictions, there is no longer an obligation to show both sides of the story, as there is no longer a presumption of innocence; no need to use words like “alleged.” Under the law, the convicted are guilty as charged. Unless it is a book that questions a possible wrongful conviction, it is fair to accept and present the prosecution’s theories, and the evidence I poured through overwhelmingly supported it.(less)

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Hi Susan - My son & daughter just sent me an article in Finger Lakes Daily News about your book signing today in Macedon. Wish I would have known sooner because I would have loved to be there. Only a little over an hour away for me. Anyhow, my question is - will you be doing any other book signings in the Finger Lakes or CNY?

Susan Ashline Hi Michael! Oddly, I didn't get a notification of your question. I just happened to see it now. Sorry about the delay in responding. I don't have any …moreHi Michael! Oddly, I didn't get a notification of your question. I just happened to see it now. Sorry about the delay in responding. I don't have any other book signings planned right now. I will be speaking at RIT in October. I may schedule something in between now and then, so I recommend you follow my FB page. I post all of my events on there. It's @AuthorSusanAshline(less)

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Susan Ashline’s books

Average rating: 3.79 · 747 ratings · 140 reviews · 3 distinct works • Similar authors

	Without a Prayer: The Death of Lucas Leonard and How One Church Became a Cult 3.78 avg rating — 646 ratings — published 2019 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Jacket Off the Gorge: True Story of the Biggest Liar 3.73 avg rating — 73 ratings — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Ungrateful Bastard: The Shocking Journey of a Killer and Escape Artist 4.21 avg rating — 28 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

20 posts
Susan Ashline's Blog

Big Twist In Forthcoming Book!

Big twist in the case that inspired my upcoming book, Ungrateful Bastard!
Ungrateful Bastard: The Shocking Journey of a Killer and Escape Artist

Notorious parent-killer and escape artist Gordon “Woody” Mower could get a shot at freedom—after a court ordered a hearing into whether his own defense lawyers pushed him to take a bribe and lie to the judge. Hear my radio interview. Read more of this blog post »

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Published on October 30, 2025 05:33 • Tags: crime, murder, nonfiction, susan-ashline, true-crime, ungrateful-bastard

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Susan is Currently Reading

Susan Ashline is currently reading

All Souls: A Family Story from Southie

by Michael Patrick MacDonald (Goodreads Author)

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Apr 21, 2026 11:14AM

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Susan’s Recent Updates

Susan Ashline rated a book it was amazing Angela's Ashes (Frank McCourt, #1) by Frank McCourt	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This may be my all-time favorite book. Laughed through the whole thing. Loved the different writing style. What a treasure.
May 11, 2024 11:35AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">