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Gaslight
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sara Shepard and Sundance Award-winning filmmaker and podcast creator Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, Gaslight is a tense thriller that dredges the inner workings of cults, the susceptibility of young minds, and the fragility of both friendship and marriage.
Rebecca is living a peaceful life in Nevada with her husband, Tom, and their two young children. Her past is in the past and she does a good job of keeping it there, until her old friend, Danny, shows up on the doorstep one morning, throwing her sweet family life into turmoil. Danny is nothing but a reminder of what Rebecca fled all those years ago, and all the secrets she’s keeping from Tom. She tries her hardest to manage the situation and figure out what Danny wants, but all Rebecca seems to find are layers upon layers of deception.
That deception has a lot to do with ISB, the cult Danny has been part of for ten years; a group of spiritual seekers living deep in the woods, cut off from their families and friends, led by a charismatic leader who’s a master at manipulation and mind control. Is Danny here because she’s trying to break free from the cult? Or is she on a recruiting mission? It’s hard for Rebecca to know when Danny’s telling the truth and when she’s lying, but one thing’s for her presence might just blow up Rebecca’s life. As she scrambles to figure out Danny’s intentions, Rebecca begins to lose sight of the people she loves most—and the danger closing in on them all.
Rebecca is living a peaceful life in Nevada with her husband, Tom, and their two young children. Her past is in the past and she does a good job of keeping it there, until her old friend, Danny, shows up on the doorstep one morning, throwing her sweet family life into turmoil. Danny is nothing but a reminder of what Rebecca fled all those years ago, and all the secrets she’s keeping from Tom. She tries her hardest to manage the situation and figure out what Danny wants, but all Rebecca seems to find are layers upon layers of deception.
That deception has a lot to do with ISB, the cult Danny has been part of for ten years; a group of spiritual seekers living deep in the woods, cut off from their families and friends, led by a charismatic leader who’s a master at manipulation and mind control. Is Danny here because she’s trying to break free from the cult? Or is she on a recruiting mission? It’s hard for Rebecca to know when Danny’s telling the truth and when she’s lying, but one thing’s for her presence might just blow up Rebecca’s life. As she scrambles to figure out Danny’s intentions, Rebecca begins to lose sight of the people she loves most—and the danger closing in on them all.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published September 17, 2024
54 people are currently reading
7425 people want to read
About the author
Sara Shepard
130 books14.8k followersSara Shepard graduated from NYU and has an MFA from Brooklyn College. She has lived in New York City, Brooklyn, Tucson, Arizona, Philadelphia, and now lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Sara's Pretty Little Liars novels were inspired by her upbringing in Philadelphia's Main Line.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
October 17, 2024
Bex has worked hard to overcome past traumas and built a cozy family life. She has it all: two happy children, a wonderful husband and a gorgeous suburban home. But her comfortable existence is threatened when her old friend Danny shows up at her door.
Danny has spent nearly a decade deeply enmeshed in a dangerous cult. She lives on its compound and is one of its charismatic leader’s romantic partners. She even appears in YouTube videos promoting its teachings. But she tells Bex that she’s ready to leave it all behind. She says she’s run away and needs help from her old friend. Bex doesn’t know what to do. If Danny’s telling the truth, it would be cruel to turn her away. But if she’s lying, and still working for the cult…Bex and her family could be in its crosshairs.
I loved this book. It had the page-turning pacing that I’ve come to expect from Sara Shepard’s thrillers as well as some enjoyable and surprising twists. Like much of Shepard’s other work, female friendship, and the tensions and jealousies that can coexist with heartfelt care, is a big theme. I am a person who has consumed WAY too many documentaries and podcasts about cults, and the one in this book rang true to me. The way characters got sucked in by personal attention and seemingly reasonable teachings felt very realistic, as did the way the cult’s control over their lives escalated.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun thriller, and especially anyone fascinated by cults.
Danny has spent nearly a decade deeply enmeshed in a dangerous cult. She lives on its compound and is one of its charismatic leader’s romantic partners. She even appears in YouTube videos promoting its teachings. But she tells Bex that she’s ready to leave it all behind. She says she’s run away and needs help from her old friend. Bex doesn’t know what to do. If Danny’s telling the truth, it would be cruel to turn her away. But if she’s lying, and still working for the cult…Bex and her family could be in its crosshairs.
I loved this book. It had the page-turning pacing that I’ve come to expect from Sara Shepard’s thrillers as well as some enjoyable and surprising twists. Like much of Shepard’s other work, female friendship, and the tensions and jealousies that can coexist with heartfelt care, is a big theme. I am a person who has consumed WAY too many documentaries and podcasts about cults, and the one in this book rang true to me. The way characters got sucked in by personal attention and seemingly reasonable teachings felt very realistic, as did the way the cult’s control over their lives escalated.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun thriller, and especially anyone fascinated by cults.
October 20, 2024
Not perfect, but worth a listen and I quite liked it.
Full review: Thank you to authors Miles Joris-Peyrafitte and Sara Shepard, publishers Blackstone Publishing, and NetGalley for an advance audiobook copy of GASLIGHT. Read by Julia Atwood. All views are mine.
...[She] looks her old friend up and down. She looks the same, in a lot of ways. That wavy, golden blonde hair, lots of freckles, the pointy chin people always said gave her a Reese Witherspoon vibe. There are differences too. Danny has always been petite, but now she seems withered. Her legs in her skinny jeans look emaciated. Her sweater swallows her whole. ...Her skin is almost gray, and her fingernails are blue....
One of my favorite things about GASLIGHT is that it accurately depicts the horrifying tactics cults use to control their members. A great deal of this story's tension comes from mistrust and distrust.
The characters can't and don't trust one another, and as a result experience harm right and left. Similarly, the reader can't trust any of the characters or narrators, even though they must witness them being punished for their own distrust. The reader becomes a part of the viscious cycle playing out on the page. This form is quite compelling and made for riveting reading for me.
Beyond that, GASLIGHT also contains solid use of fictional elements: well drawn characters, interesting subplots, solid minimalist prose, smart and efficient setting and description.
I was initially attracted to this book, not because of Joris-Peyrafitte's podcast and true crime expertise, but because I wanted to see how an award-winning documentarian and a solid writer tackle the fiction monster. I especially wanted to experience the audiobook and know how they handled such a wonderful media mashup. I thought I would find something special, and I did. This is a great audiobook! I suspect it might be better on audibook than book book, but I'll never know!
I recommend GASLIGHT to fans of audiobooks, true crime, cult books, unreliable narrator, and unlikely friendship stories.
Reading Notes
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. This is a really good, solid cult-astic horror book. So if you're into the cult stuff, there's going to be something for you here.
2. I was completely riveted by the development of Rebecca "Becs" and Danielle "Danny." At one point, the shape of their relationship, past and present, completely subsumes the plot. This works well here, considering this book is about trust, in as much as there *is none* where cults are concerned. Once I invested in these two, I was all-in on the story.
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. This is really convoluted, but I guess what was I expecting from a book called GASLIGHT? Speaking of that, I guess I wish actual gaslighting played a more dominant role in the story. When it shows up, it's great, I just want more of it!
2. Not a fan of Atwood, the narrator. Her tone completely lacks inflection and I'm having trouble engaging with the story. I'm working too hard to pick up what she's saying and expressing, trying to interpret from her flatness what is important.
3. Some of the material repeats itself often. Some of it might be the author laying the plot, like foreshadowing and such.
Rating: 👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻 /5 male descendants
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Aug 29 '24
Format: Audiobook, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🪄 cult stories
🔪 true crime
👭🏽 friend drama
🦨 unlikely friends
🗣 unreliable narrators
🎧 audiobooks
Full review: Thank you to authors Miles Joris-Peyrafitte and Sara Shepard, publishers Blackstone Publishing, and NetGalley for an advance audiobook copy of GASLIGHT. Read by Julia Atwood. All views are mine.
...[She] looks her old friend up and down. She looks the same, in a lot of ways. That wavy, golden blonde hair, lots of freckles, the pointy chin people always said gave her a Reese Witherspoon vibe. There are differences too. Danny has always been petite, but now she seems withered. Her legs in her skinny jeans look emaciated. Her sweater swallows her whole. ...Her skin is almost gray, and her fingernails are blue....
One of my favorite things about GASLIGHT is that it accurately depicts the horrifying tactics cults use to control their members. A great deal of this story's tension comes from mistrust and distrust.
The characters can't and don't trust one another, and as a result experience harm right and left. Similarly, the reader can't trust any of the characters or narrators, even though they must witness them being punished for their own distrust. The reader becomes a part of the viscious cycle playing out on the page. This form is quite compelling and made for riveting reading for me.
Beyond that, GASLIGHT also contains solid use of fictional elements: well drawn characters, interesting subplots, solid minimalist prose, smart and efficient setting and description.
I was initially attracted to this book, not because of Joris-Peyrafitte's podcast and true crime expertise, but because I wanted to see how an award-winning documentarian and a solid writer tackle the fiction monster. I especially wanted to experience the audiobook and know how they handled such a wonderful media mashup. I thought I would find something special, and I did. This is a great audiobook! I suspect it might be better on audibook than book book, but I'll never know!
I recommend GASLIGHT to fans of audiobooks, true crime, cult books, unreliable narrator, and unlikely friendship stories.
Reading Notes
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. This is a really good, solid cult-astic horror book. So if you're into the cult stuff, there's going to be something for you here.
2. I was completely riveted by the development of Rebecca "Becs" and Danielle "Danny." At one point, the shape of their relationship, past and present, completely subsumes the plot. This works well here, considering this book is about trust, in as much as there *is none* where cults are concerned. Once I invested in these two, I was all-in on the story.
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. This is really convoluted, but I guess what was I expecting from a book called GASLIGHT? Speaking of that, I guess I wish actual gaslighting played a more dominant role in the story. When it shows up, it's great, I just want more of it!
2. Not a fan of Atwood, the narrator. Her tone completely lacks inflection and I'm having trouble engaging with the story. I'm working too hard to pick up what she's saying and expressing, trying to interpret from her flatness what is important.
3. Some of the material repeats itself often. Some of it might be the author laying the plot, like foreshadowing and such.
Rating: 👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻 /5 male descendants
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Aug 29 '24
Format: Audiobook, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🪄 cult stories
🔪 true crime
👭🏽 friend drama
🦨 unlikely friends
🗣 unreliable narrators
🎧 audiobooks
November 9, 2024
I was so excited to read this novel - I mean, the cover is exceptional! Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. While marketed as an entirely fictional cult story, Gaslight feels overwhelmingly inspired by the real-life cult NXIVM. Almost every detail— from the manipulative leader to the specific methods of control— is lifted directly from NXIVM's history, with only the names and a few exaggerated elements changed. For anyone familiar with NXIVM, it's unmistakable; this isn't simply inspired by the actual events; it's essentially a copy, with a few additional, sometimes sensationalized twists like murder and sci-fi trackers. For me, this approach crosses a line, making it feel less like fiction and more like exploitative true crime.
The pacing felt rushed and unnatural, the entire dramatic plot taking place in a single day with some flashbacks for context. Complex events unfold in a way that barely gives characters time to process the trauma, let alone for the reader to fully engage with it. The brainwashing and deprogramming both felt too fast to be realistic, and even the information about the cult itself was delivered in ways that felt info-dumpy. At one point, for instance, a random Reddit comment exposes major cult secrets, which just seemed contrived and unrealistic.
Including the cult leader's perspective added little and, frankly, came off as silly rather than insightful. The characters feel flat and one-dimensional, and the scenes of abuse, including a detailed description of sexual assault, are deeply uncomfortable to read. It seems like the goal was shock value rather than a thoughtful exploration of the trauma experienced by cult members.
In addition, there's no acknowledgment in the book or the marketing that this story draws so directly from NXIVM. I couldn't find any indication that the authors consulted or collaborated with NXIVM survivors, which could have offered authenticity and perhaps some sensitivity to the material. Instead, the story feels like it's using the very real trauma of victims without adequate respect or depth, piling on exaggerated elements like murder for the sake of drama. This isn't a cult from 70 years ago; this is a cult that was only very recently exposed and whose leader is alive, in prison, with continued active support from a not unsubstantial number of his followers.
The authors could have chosen to either change enough details to make this story more original or, alternatively, to write a respectful, fact-based account. Instead, the result feels exploitative and, unfortunately, disrespectful to real victims.
Trigger/Content Warnings: cults, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, abuse (physical, verbal, emotional, financial), sexual assault, neglect, blackmail, victim blaming, manipulation, gaslighting, grooming, adult/minor relationships, age gap relationships, violence, murder, physical abuse, cancer, confinement, kidnapping, stalking, starvation, drugging, misogyny, fatphobia
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | TikTok
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
PBB Book Club
The pacing felt rushed and unnatural, the entire dramatic plot taking place in a single day with some flashbacks for context. Complex events unfold in a way that barely gives characters time to process the trauma, let alone for the reader to fully engage with it. The brainwashing and deprogramming both felt too fast to be realistic, and even the information about the cult itself was delivered in ways that felt info-dumpy. At one point, for instance, a random Reddit comment exposes major cult secrets, which just seemed contrived and unrealistic.
Including the cult leader's perspective added little and, frankly, came off as silly rather than insightful. The characters feel flat and one-dimensional, and the scenes of abuse, including a detailed description of sexual assault, are deeply uncomfortable to read. It seems like the goal was shock value rather than a thoughtful exploration of the trauma experienced by cult members.
In addition, there's no acknowledgment in the book or the marketing that this story draws so directly from NXIVM. I couldn't find any indication that the authors consulted or collaborated with NXIVM survivors, which could have offered authenticity and perhaps some sensitivity to the material. Instead, the story feels like it's using the very real trauma of victims without adequate respect or depth, piling on exaggerated elements like murder for the sake of drama. This isn't a cult from 70 years ago; this is a cult that was only very recently exposed and whose leader is alive, in prison, with continued active support from a not unsubstantial number of his followers.
The authors could have chosen to either change enough details to make this story more original or, alternatively, to write a respectful, fact-based account. Instead, the result feels exploitative and, unfortunately, disrespectful to real victims.
Trigger/Content Warnings: cults, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, abuse (physical, verbal, emotional, financial), sexual assault, neglect, blackmail, victim blaming, manipulation, gaslighting, grooming, adult/minor relationships, age gap relationships, violence, murder, physical abuse, cancer, confinement, kidnapping, stalking, starvation, drugging, misogyny, fatphobia
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | TikTok
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
PBB Book Club
September 17, 2024
What is it about? Cults!! Who doesn’t love to hear about the wild and crazy leader of a cult and how they get people to become brainwashed and manipulated to follow their rules. This book was especially awesome because it really delved deep into the nitty gritty day in and day out of a cult. How it gathered its’ members and how the leader used manipulation and control to get his followers to do pretty much ANYTHING for him.
The characters: Rebecca - a woman who escaped the cult and has attempted to form a normal life for herself by getting married, having children, and staying off the grid. Danny - a girl who joined the cult in her most impressionable years (teens) and is in love with the cult leader. Tom - Rebecca’s husband, who knows nothing about Rebecca’s past. Ben-the leader of ISB - who claims a spiritual approach to life by defying victimhood which is a “portal to the divine.” He is the master of manipulation. He is devious and preys on weak young females and even some males.
How I felt about it? Cults are fascinating to me. Perhaps because I can’t fathom how a person can allow themself to be controlled by another human. What I loved about this book was its’ believability and the way it described the actual inner workings of the cult. Most books seem to shy away from this aspect and just hint around at what happens but this book was vivid and detailed and I loved every page. 5 ⭐️ read for me.
Thank you @NetGalley and @Blackstone publishing for an audible version of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The characters: Rebecca - a woman who escaped the cult and has attempted to form a normal life for herself by getting married, having children, and staying off the grid. Danny - a girl who joined the cult in her most impressionable years (teens) and is in love with the cult leader. Tom - Rebecca’s husband, who knows nothing about Rebecca’s past. Ben-the leader of ISB - who claims a spiritual approach to life by defying victimhood which is a “portal to the divine.” He is the master of manipulation. He is devious and preys on weak young females and even some males.
How I felt about it? Cults are fascinating to me. Perhaps because I can’t fathom how a person can allow themself to be controlled by another human. What I loved about this book was its’ believability and the way it described the actual inner workings of the cult. Most books seem to shy away from this aspect and just hint around at what happens but this book was vivid and detailed and I loved every page. 5 ⭐️ read for me.
Thank you @NetGalley and @Blackstone publishing for an audible version of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2024
It’s not often that I finish a book and RUN to leave a review! Wow! This book was everything needed for a perfect cult classic! And I mean that in more ways than one!
Gaslight is a crazy ride inside a cult organization very similar to one that made headlines not that long ago. The intrigue, the suspense, the love that I felt for these characters is so real! I don’t want to give any more information, go in blind and clear your schedule for the entire day. I absolutely HATE that I finished this book … I would give my first born child (no pun intended) to be able to read this again for the first time.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ALC.
Gaslight is a crazy ride inside a cult organization very similar to one that made headlines not that long ago. The intrigue, the suspense, the love that I felt for these characters is so real! I don’t want to give any more information, go in blind and clear your schedule for the entire day. I absolutely HATE that I finished this book … I would give my first born child (no pun intended) to be able to read this again for the first time.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ALC.
September 11, 2024
Gaslight by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte and Sara Shepard. Thanks to @simonandschuster for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rebeca lives a quiet life with her husband and kids. It’s all turned upside down when an old friend, Danny, shows up unexpected. Rebecca didn’t tell her husband about her past with the ISB, a cult Danny is still with.
Gaslight is the perfect title for this one and as you read it you’ll realise the double meaning. Cult fiction fans will enjoy this one. There’s enough suspense about the details of the cult to keep you turning the pages and it gets exciting at the end.
“Those people are spiders. They will catch you. And they’ll stop for nothing to keep you in their web.”
Gaslight comes out 9/17.
Rebeca lives a quiet life with her husband and kids. It’s all turned upside down when an old friend, Danny, shows up unexpected. Rebecca didn’t tell her husband about her past with the ISB, a cult Danny is still with.
Gaslight is the perfect title for this one and as you read it you’ll realise the double meaning. Cult fiction fans will enjoy this one. There’s enough suspense about the details of the cult to keep you turning the pages and it gets exciting at the end.
“Those people are spiders. They will catch you. And they’ll stop for nothing to keep you in their web.”
Gaslight comes out 9/17.
April 6, 2024
ARC for review. To be published September 17, 2024.
Rebecca, husband Tom and their two children are enjoying life in Carson City, Nevada when her past appears in the form of her old friend Danny who is a reminder of all the secrets she is keeping from her husband. She can’t determine what determine what Danny wants from her.
Turns out that Danny has been a part of ISB, Infinite Spiritual Being, a cult. They live in the woods, cut off from society and are led by a master manipulator. Rebecca has a past with the group too. Is Danny trying to break with the group or does he have something else in mind?
I will read pretty much anything about cults, my one true love, but I finished this book less than a week ago and I already have forgotten pretty much everything about it, which doesn’t really say much for it. The cult leader was sufficiently creepy, and you kind of wondered why people would follow him, but I don’t have much else. So I guess it was OK.
Rebecca, husband Tom and their two children are enjoying life in Carson City, Nevada when her past appears in the form of her old friend Danny who is a reminder of all the secrets she is keeping from her husband. She can’t determine what determine what Danny wants from her.
Turns out that Danny has been a part of ISB, Infinite Spiritual Being, a cult. They live in the woods, cut off from society and are led by a master manipulator. Rebecca has a past with the group too. Is Danny trying to break with the group or does he have something else in mind?
I will read pretty much anything about cults, my one true love, but I finished this book less than a week ago and I already have forgotten pretty much everything about it, which doesn’t really say much for it. The cult leader was sufficiently creepy, and you kind of wondered why people would follow him, but I don’t have much else. So I guess it was OK.
September 4, 2024
The cover was the most interesting part of this book.
This was a very basic cult story. Definitely not a mystery thriller more of a dark contemporary.
Thank you to LibroFM for the ALC!! I did love this narrator.
This was a very basic cult story. Definitely not a mystery thriller more of a dark contemporary.
Thank you to LibroFM for the ALC!! I did love this narrator.
September 21, 2024
Thank you #partner @bibliolifestyle @blackstonepublishing for having me on this tour!
Ok first of all, can we talk about this cover? I am in love. This was a little on the slow burn side most of the way through, and then towards the end it picked up the pace. Overall I thought this was great, I’m all in for cult stories and this was a wild one with a few twists along the way. The ending was crazy, and very satisfying. I also listened to this one via audio and thought the narrator did an excellent job of bringing this one to life.
Ok first of all, can we talk about this cover? I am in love. This was a little on the slow burn side most of the way through, and then towards the end it picked up the pace. Overall I thought this was great, I’m all in for cult stories and this was a wild one with a few twists along the way. The ending was crazy, and very satisfying. I also listened to this one via audio and thought the narrator did an excellent job of bringing this one to life.
September 14, 2024
Gaslight by Sara Shepard and Miles Joris-Peyrafitte offers an intriguing premise: a woman’s seemingly idyllic life is disrupted by the reappearance of a former friend with ties to a dangerous cult. Unfortunately, the execution falls short of its potential.
Rebecca, living peacefully with her family in Carson City, Nevada, is thrown into turmoil when her old friend Danny shows up. Danny’s involvement in the Infinite Spiritual Being (ISB) cult and her life at its secluded compound in Bend, Oregon raises questions about Rebecca’s past and the secrets she’s hiding. As Rebecca tries to navigate Danny’s intentions and protect her loved ones, she finds herself caught in a web of deception and danger.
I was excited to dive into Gaslight by Sara Shepard and Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, given the premise and the promise of a taut psychological thriller playing out in the small space of Rebecca's home. Danny's sudden appearance creates a delicious amount of tension, especially since the reader does not know what her intentions are. I enjoyed much of the first third of the novel as the premise unfolded.
However, this novel fell short of my expectations and struggles with character depth and pacing. The characters feel one-dimensional, and the plot often feels predictable or implausible. (Your OB has Saturday appointments and you managed to get one? Totally unbelievable.) The dual timeline narrative interrupts the tension of Danny's unexpected visit, and some chapters and details were unnecessary to the plot.
The audiobook narration is competent and does not detract from the story.
Ultimately, Gaslight is a missed opportunity. While the premise is promising, the execution leaves much to be desired. If you're looking for a gripping psychological thriller, I recommend exploring other options.
I am grateful to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of this book. These opinions are my own.
Rebecca, living peacefully with her family in Carson City, Nevada, is thrown into turmoil when her old friend Danny shows up. Danny’s involvement in the Infinite Spiritual Being (ISB) cult and her life at its secluded compound in Bend, Oregon raises questions about Rebecca’s past and the secrets she’s hiding. As Rebecca tries to navigate Danny’s intentions and protect her loved ones, she finds herself caught in a web of deception and danger.
I was excited to dive into Gaslight by Sara Shepard and Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, given the premise and the promise of a taut psychological thriller playing out in the small space of Rebecca's home. Danny's sudden appearance creates a delicious amount of tension, especially since the reader does not know what her intentions are. I enjoyed much of the first third of the novel as the premise unfolded.
However, this novel fell short of my expectations and struggles with character depth and pacing. The characters feel one-dimensional, and the plot often feels predictable or implausible. (Your OB has Saturday appointments and you managed to get one? Totally unbelievable.) The dual timeline narrative interrupts the tension of Danny's unexpected visit, and some chapters and details were unnecessary to the plot.
The audiobook narration is competent and does not detract from the story.
Ultimately, Gaslight is a missed opportunity. While the premise is promising, the execution leaves much to be desired. If you're looking for a gripping psychological thriller, I recommend exploring other options.
I am grateful to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of this book. These opinions are my own.
August 22, 2025
*A big thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for providing me this ARC, this in no way affects my honest, and unbiased review*
I am kicking myself for shelving this and taking so long to get to it. I was brought in by the cover, then found it out it's about a cult! Plus, Sara Sheperd hasn't done me wrong yet so I really should have read this way before now.
I hated Ben, which you should, dummy doesn't even think things through, but I don't want to spoiler.
Going from past to present really helped you see how easy it can be to get into a cult and how hard it is to get out. It also moves location, I kinda wish we got way more on the compound and how it was laid out, but I understand why we didn't get too much into that.
I had a hard time liking Tom, but I think it was because he didn't seem real enough, like the way he was written was trying too hard or something, just very off with him.
I am kicking myself for shelving this and taking so long to get to it. I was brought in by the cover, then found it out it's about a cult! Plus, Sara Sheperd hasn't done me wrong yet so I really should have read this way before now.
I hated Ben, which you should, dummy doesn't even think things through, but I don't want to spoiler.
Going from past to present really helped you see how easy it can be to get into a cult and how hard it is to get out. It also moves location, I kinda wish we got way more on the compound and how it was laid out, but I understand why we didn't get too much into that.
I had a hard time liking Tom, but I think it was because he didn't seem real enough, like the way he was written was trying too hard or something, just very off with him.
September 12, 2024
Gaslight by Sara Shepard and Miles Joris-Peyrafitte is a book about cults, secrets, gaslighting and a lot more. Told from multiple points of view, it’s mainly the story of Rebecca, who is now living with her husband and children after having left her past behind (even if it still gives her nightmares). But then her past comes out of her nightmares and catches up to her reality when an old friend Danny comes to her house one morning. Danny has been a part of a cult for 10 years and it's upto Rebecca to figure out whether she is there to get help or on put her family in danger. Everyone is keeping secrets and slowly they get revealed. It’s fast paced and well written. But it’s not a typical thriller and is more fiction. If you are someone who is interested in true crime or cults, you can definitely check it out.
March 12, 2025
I had high hopes picking this book up because books about cults are interesting and the cover was very cool.
Rebecca lives a normal life as a wife and a mother. When her high school friend Danny shows up at her door it becomes apparent how many secrets she is hiding from her husband about her past.
This is a slow burn story 2 high school girls that enter a cult. I had a hard time with the format of this book. I felt like it slowed the storyline down.
Rebecca lives a normal life as a wife and a mother. When her high school friend Danny shows up at her door it becomes apparent how many secrets she is hiding from her husband about her past.
This is a slow burn story 2 high school girls that enter a cult. I had a hard time with the format of this book. I felt like it slowed the storyline down.
January 23, 2025
Trileris apie sektą ir pabėgimą iš jos – na, trileris kaip trileris, užtat labai geras viršelis!
November 15, 2024
Rating: 4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book makes you question everything, and everyone. Gaslight is a twisted psychological thriller that digs into cults, secrets, and the delicate balance of friendship and marriage. It pulls you in with Rebecca’s seemingly peaceful life, only to unravel it thread by thread as her old friend Danny shows up and brings chaos in her wake.
The story unfolds with a steady tension, as each layer of Rebecca’s past with Danny is peeled back. It keeps you guessing, throwing in enough red herrings to make you second-guess every character’s intentions. It’s not a heart-racing thriller; it’s more of a slow-burn that sinks its claws in deep.
Shepard and Joris-Peyrafitte know how to create atmosphere, making you feel the creeping dread as Danny’s presence threatens to unravel Rebecca’s life. The writing leans into the unsettling vibe without overdoing it, giving just enough detail to keep you hooked without drowning in it.
The audiobook is stellar—seriously. The narrator brings an edge that makes the characters even more unnerving, adding layers of tension. If you’re on the fence, go for the audio version; it adds a whole new level of immersion.
At its heart, Gaslight is about the past catching up with the present and the influence of those we thought we left behind. The cult subplot is chilling, highlighting how easily people can be manipulated and how dangerous it can be to let old connections linger.
If you’re into thrillers that mess with your head, Gaslight delivers. It’s dark, tense, and will keep you suspicious of everyone right to the end. Perfect for fans of psychological suspense with a touch of cult intrigue, this is one you’ll want to finish in one sitting. Just be prepared for an ending that leaves you thinking.
TL;DR: Gaslight is a slow-burn thriller with cult vibes and twisted friendships. If you’re into suspense that doesn’t give all the answers, it’s worth the ride, especially in audiobook form.
Thank you to Libro.FM from the very bottom of my heart for the advanced listening copy of this book.
This book makes you question everything, and everyone. Gaslight is a twisted psychological thriller that digs into cults, secrets, and the delicate balance of friendship and marriage. It pulls you in with Rebecca’s seemingly peaceful life, only to unravel it thread by thread as her old friend Danny shows up and brings chaos in her wake.
The story unfolds with a steady tension, as each layer of Rebecca’s past with Danny is peeled back. It keeps you guessing, throwing in enough red herrings to make you second-guess every character’s intentions. It’s not a heart-racing thriller; it’s more of a slow-burn that sinks its claws in deep.
Shepard and Joris-Peyrafitte know how to create atmosphere, making you feel the creeping dread as Danny’s presence threatens to unravel Rebecca’s life. The writing leans into the unsettling vibe without overdoing it, giving just enough detail to keep you hooked without drowning in it.
The audiobook is stellar—seriously. The narrator brings an edge that makes the characters even more unnerving, adding layers of tension. If you’re on the fence, go for the audio version; it adds a whole new level of immersion.
At its heart, Gaslight is about the past catching up with the present and the influence of those we thought we left behind. The cult subplot is chilling, highlighting how easily people can be manipulated and how dangerous it can be to let old connections linger.
If you’re into thrillers that mess with your head, Gaslight delivers. It’s dark, tense, and will keep you suspicious of everyone right to the end. Perfect for fans of psychological suspense with a touch of cult intrigue, this is one you’ll want to finish in one sitting. Just be prepared for an ending that leaves you thinking.
TL;DR: Gaslight is a slow-burn thriller with cult vibes and twisted friendships. If you’re into suspense that doesn’t give all the answers, it’s worth the ride, especially in audiobook form.
Thank you to Libro.FM from the very bottom of my heart for the advanced listening copy of this book.
September 7, 2024
I’m kind of obsessed with Miles Joris-Peyrafitte’s 2016 movie As You Are, so I was really excited when I saw that he had co-written this novel. While the plots are completely different, I feel like there is some thematic crossover with what I enjoyed so much from his movie. Messy characters, complicated friendships, and explorations of tragedy are present in both stories. Gaslight follows two women, Rebecca and Danny, both as they join a cult right out of high school and then years later after Rebecca has left and Danny shows up out of the blue.
I thought this was a really compelling book. It’s not so much a mystery or fast-paced thriller, it’s way more focused on the internal lives of the women and how they were brainwashed within the cult. It’s interesting to see the story in the present day and how Rebecca is able to realize the harmful ways that the cult is treating Danny while Danny is still trusting of the organization and the leader. While the majority of the book is focused on the evolution of the characters, there are a few action-packed scenes that add a lot of suspense to the story.
There were some parts of the book where I wanted more from the side characters or more of a look into the online chatter about the cult. The women and their friendship felt really fleshed out, but some other parts of the story were a tiny bit lacking for me.
But overall I had a great time with this book. I’d definitely recommend it for people who enjoy character focused explorations into cults and complicated friendships.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a really compelling book. It’s not so much a mystery or fast-paced thriller, it’s way more focused on the internal lives of the women and how they were brainwashed within the cult. It’s interesting to see the story in the present day and how Rebecca is able to realize the harmful ways that the cult is treating Danny while Danny is still trusting of the organization and the leader. While the majority of the book is focused on the evolution of the characters, there are a few action-packed scenes that add a lot of suspense to the story.
There were some parts of the book where I wanted more from the side characters or more of a look into the online chatter about the cult. The women and their friendship felt really fleshed out, but some other parts of the story were a tiny bit lacking for me.
But overall I had a great time with this book. I’d definitely recommend it for people who enjoy character focused explorations into cults and complicated friendships.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2025
It reads a LOT like the NXIVM (sp?) cult, but on the West Coast.
Still, it was a good listen.
Still, it was a good listen.
September 26, 2024
Echt spannender und realistischer Roman über eine Sekte und zwei Frauen, die in ihre Fänge geraten.
January 26, 2026
Nothin’ new to see here.
Thanks Libro.fm for the ALC!
Thanks Libro.fm for the ALC!
June 17, 2024
Booklist review. Though propulsive and interesting, this book has a massive amount of trauma that was difficult for me to read. Readers should tread carefully. Fans of the podcast may enjoy this, though, if they are already familiar with the subject matter.
August 19, 2024
An undeveloped cult book with somewhat interesting characters. I wanted more and was left... unsatisfied.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
September 16, 2024
This was such an easy and interesting listen.
The pace of this book makes it to easy to crush quickly.
Cults are always an intriguing topic, and this book is no exception. It was eerie and interesting how the authors really broke down how charismatic leaders can influence their followers.
There are multiple POVs, and I loved how the authors really give you the thought process of so many different people involved in this story.
Bex is a guarded mother of two living in the suburbs. She doesn’t get into her past but it’s a dark one. When her best friend Danny shows up on her doorstep she has to relive and face all the darkness she thought she left behind.
This is such a good read. Kept my attention through it all. Give it a listen! Thanks Libro.fm for the advanced listen!
The pace of this book makes it to easy to crush quickly.
Cults are always an intriguing topic, and this book is no exception. It was eerie and interesting how the authors really broke down how charismatic leaders can influence their followers.
There are multiple POVs, and I loved how the authors really give you the thought process of so many different people involved in this story.
Bex is a guarded mother of two living in the suburbs. She doesn’t get into her past but it’s a dark one. When her best friend Danny shows up on her doorstep she has to relive and face all the darkness she thought she left behind.
This is such a good read. Kept my attention through it all. Give it a listen! Thanks Libro.fm for the advanced listen!
September 24, 2024
I LOVE CULTS 😭😭😭😭😭
August 28, 2024
They all joined a cult in high school now almost 10 years later the past is back looking for answers.
Told in multiple POV’s with alternating timelines, you’re in for an uneasy good time.
I love a good cult, and while the story was interesting and had so much potential (I mean just look at this cover 😍), it ultimately felt like something was missing.
I wouldn’t categorize this a thriller, but it was suspenseful. If you’re a fan of cults, I say to give it a read.
Told in multiple POV’s with alternating timelines, you’re in for an uneasy good time.
I love a good cult, and while the story was interesting and had so much potential (I mean just look at this cover 😍), it ultimately felt like something was missing.
I wouldn’t categorize this a thriller, but it was suspenseful. If you’re a fan of cults, I say to give it a read.
October 31, 2024
Gaslight by Sara Shepard and Miles Joris-Peyrafotte is a suspenseful and engaging novel that kept me guessing until the very end. Shepard’s knack for building intrigue shines through in this story, blending complex characters with a plot full of twists and turns. The setting is vividly atmospheric, pulling readers into a world where secrets and lies slowly unravel in an almost Hitchcock-like suspense.
The pacing is steady and hooks you in, though there are a few moments that feel slightly predictable for seasoned thriller readers. However, the character development and plot surprises more than make up for it.
Julia Atwood did a fantastic job narrating this story. You could feel all the emotions the characters went through in her voice. I highly recommend listening to this one.
If you enjoy cult thrillers with layered mysteries, Gaslight is definitely worth picking up. Four solid stars for a page-turner that’s both captivating and chilling.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.
The pacing is steady and hooks you in, though there are a few moments that feel slightly predictable for seasoned thriller readers. However, the character development and plot surprises more than make up for it.
Julia Atwood did a fantastic job narrating this story. You could feel all the emotions the characters went through in her voice. I highly recommend listening to this one.
If you enjoy cult thrillers with layered mysteries, Gaslight is definitely worth picking up. Four solid stars for a page-turner that’s both captivating and chilling.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 29, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read the e-arc of Gaslight. I really enjoyed this book. I love cult-y books and this was insane as well as believable. I definitely think you should give this book a read if you like the kind of books where you’re on edge waiting to see what happens and characters that you can’t fully trust.
November 29, 2024
Rebecca has escaped a cult and is living a new life with her husband Tom and their two children, until her old friend Danny shows up at her door. Tom doesn't know anything of Rebecca's past with the cult, the things she did, or what exactly she's hiding from. What does Danny want? Has she left the cult too after all these years?
I was sucked in right away by the thought processes of Rebecca, the story of her past, and why/how she left the cult. The alternating thoughts of Tom and Danny were also captivating. The way people can be gradually manipulated into joining a cult fascinates me as much as it horrifies me. In that respect, GASLIGHT had my full attention with the process of how the two women, Rebecca and Danny ended up a part of the cult, ISB.
Where things got a little blurry for me, is many details of how ISB worked reminded me of the real cult, NXIVM. I suppose there are certain aspects that are the same for ALL cults since there's a distinct way they operate. That being said, I enjoyed this! Despite the similarities, it also differs in many ways, but with a common theme of power and control. It's heartbreaking to be in the thoughts of a person whose identity is so broken down, they are lost without being told what to do.
Julie Atwood did a phenomenal job of narrating the different characters and all their conflicting emotions. At times the inner thoughts of Danny and Rebecca made me cringe, as did the perspective of Ben, the cult leader. I read this fairly quickly since it had an intense sense of foreboding and impending doom, it was hard to put down. Since this IS fiction...things definitely take a dark turn and the ending is in many ways much more satisfying than what happened with NXIVM!
____
Thank you Blackstone Publishing for the gifted copies. All opinions are mine.
____
Potential spoiler content warnings below.
⚠️Content warnings: language, gaslighting, manipulation, OCD, false imprisonment, violence, Mention of: drug addiction
I was sucked in right away by the thought processes of Rebecca, the story of her past, and why/how she left the cult. The alternating thoughts of Tom and Danny were also captivating. The way people can be gradually manipulated into joining a cult fascinates me as much as it horrifies me. In that respect, GASLIGHT had my full attention with the process of how the two women, Rebecca and Danny ended up a part of the cult, ISB.
Where things got a little blurry for me, is many details of how ISB worked reminded me of the real cult, NXIVM. I suppose there are certain aspects that are the same for ALL cults since there's a distinct way they operate. That being said, I enjoyed this! Despite the similarities, it also differs in many ways, but with a common theme of power and control. It's heartbreaking to be in the thoughts of a person whose identity is so broken down, they are lost without being told what to do.
Julie Atwood did a phenomenal job of narrating the different characters and all their conflicting emotions. At times the inner thoughts of Danny and Rebecca made me cringe, as did the perspective of Ben, the cult leader. I read this fairly quickly since it had an intense sense of foreboding and impending doom, it was hard to put down. Since this IS fiction...things definitely take a dark turn and the ending is in many ways much more satisfying than what happened with NXIVM!
____
Thank you Blackstone Publishing for the gifted copies. All opinions are mine.
____
Potential spoiler content warnings below.
⚠️Content warnings: language, gaslighting, manipulation, OCD, false imprisonment, violence, Mention of: drug addiction
November 22, 2024
If you've been following me and have read my previous reviews, you'll know how I feel about cult books. Did I know this was a cult book? No. Did I request this book strictly based on the freaky pink cover? Yes. Did I dislike this book? Shockingly, no. If you like domestic thrillers and/or cult stories, then I highly recommend this book!
October 23, 2024
I hate it when a book captivates me at first and then loses me along the way.
It’s a shame because I really thought this was going to be THE cult book, the one that finally reignited a spark for me, as I’m starting to forget why I love this trope so much.
Gaslight does open in a riveting way, and despite my annoyance with it, I’m willing to admit that it was always propulsive. It’s a good popcorn thriller, I suppose.
It’s weird that two authors got together and neither one of them seemed aware of this critical storytelling rule: Show, don’t tell. They seemed to have a good handle on cult psychology, but they didn’t know how to deliver that, so the tactics are explained to us rather than exemplified through the characters’ actions. It felt a bit like they lifted things from a textbook and then attached the cult leader’s name to it all. There is one exception, though. I think they did manage to demonstrate Danny’s trauma bond behavior fairly well. Even in the face of hard evidence, she was unsure of what to believe. Her attachment to Ben will be frustrating to the outside observers (meaning the readers), but it’s believable from a psychological standpoint.
But here’s what wasn’t believable: Danny’s complete 180 after meeting Ben. I thought this was quite rushed and poorly developed. How was I supposed to accept that this young woman was so easily coaxed after two sessions with this man, a man she seemed to see quite clearly for what he was in the first session? I don’t think this counts as a spoiler. We already know she is part of the cult. There are just some flashback scenes to explain how she got there early on in the book, and they aren’t actually convincing.
Gaslight had its fun, exhilarating moments, though. I did think some of the character decisions were foolish and clearly included only to further the plot but… sigh… it got us somewhere, I guess. The ending, although a bit drawn out, had a hopeful quality to it, and I did appreciate that.
Thank you, Partner, Bibliolifestyle and Blackstone Publishing for my copy. All opinions are my own.
It’s a shame because I really thought this was going to be THE cult book, the one that finally reignited a spark for me, as I’m starting to forget why I love this trope so much.
Gaslight does open in a riveting way, and despite my annoyance with it, I’m willing to admit that it was always propulsive. It’s a good popcorn thriller, I suppose.
It’s weird that two authors got together and neither one of them seemed aware of this critical storytelling rule: Show, don’t tell. They seemed to have a good handle on cult psychology, but they didn’t know how to deliver that, so the tactics are explained to us rather than exemplified through the characters’ actions. It felt a bit like they lifted things from a textbook and then attached the cult leader’s name to it all. There is one exception, though. I think they did manage to demonstrate Danny’s trauma bond behavior fairly well. Even in the face of hard evidence, she was unsure of what to believe. Her attachment to Ben will be frustrating to the outside observers (meaning the readers), but it’s believable from a psychological standpoint.
But here’s what wasn’t believable: Danny’s complete 180 after meeting Ben. I thought this was quite rushed and poorly developed. How was I supposed to accept that this young woman was so easily coaxed after two sessions with this man, a man she seemed to see quite clearly for what he was in the first session? I don’t think this counts as a spoiler. We already know she is part of the cult. There are just some flashback scenes to explain how she got there early on in the book, and they aren’t actually convincing.
Gaslight had its fun, exhilarating moments, though. I did think some of the character decisions were foolish and clearly included only to further the plot but… sigh… it got us somewhere, I guess. The ending, although a bit drawn out, had a hopeful quality to it, and I did appreciate that.
Thank you, Partner, Bibliolifestyle and Blackstone Publishing for my copy. All opinions are my own.
September 28, 2024
Gaslight is the book that i didn't know i needed, but now i can't stop thinking about. imagine if every cult documentary on Netflix, Hulu, and HBO decided to have a baby with The Handmaid's Tale, and then sprinkle in a little Gone Girl spice for good measure. that's Gaslight.
Rebecca’s life is perfectly stable in nevada—husband, kids, all the suburban dream vibes—until her old friend Danny shows up and decides to wreck her peace. Danny’s connection to ISB, this wild cult led by a too-charismatic leader, means nothing good for Rebecca, especially since Danny’s arrival threatens to reveal the secrets rebecca's been hiding from her husband, Tom. and honestly, Danny keeps you guessing. is she trying to escape, or is she here to drag Rebecca back into the mess she ran from?
the tension is nonstop. between Rebecca losing her grip on what’s real and all the twists involving Danny, it’s a rollercoaster of manipulation, secrets, and drama. it’s dark, it's twisty, and every chapter just adds another layer to the craziness. i need a movie adaptation, stat. this story begs to be on the big screen.
if cults, messed-up friendships, and unraveling secrets are your thing, Gaslight is one you don’t want to miss.
thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rebecca’s life is perfectly stable in nevada—husband, kids, all the suburban dream vibes—until her old friend Danny shows up and decides to wreck her peace. Danny’s connection to ISB, this wild cult led by a too-charismatic leader, means nothing good for Rebecca, especially since Danny’s arrival threatens to reveal the secrets rebecca's been hiding from her husband, Tom. and honestly, Danny keeps you guessing. is she trying to escape, or is she here to drag Rebecca back into the mess she ran from?
the tension is nonstop. between Rebecca losing her grip on what’s real and all the twists involving Danny, it’s a rollercoaster of manipulation, secrets, and drama. it’s dark, it's twisty, and every chapter just adds another layer to the craziness. i need a movie adaptation, stat. this story begs to be on the big screen.
if cults, messed-up friendships, and unraveling secrets are your thing, Gaslight is one you don’t want to miss.
thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
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