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Almeida One
She tears cults apart. They drag her back in.
For the last two years, Delilah James has only thought of one thing. Revenge.
But revenge is notoriously difficult to get from the inside of her prison cell.
That is, until Special Agent Jack Hess shows up offering the deal of a lifetime. If Delilah uses her expertise in dismantling cults for the FBI, she can serve the rest of her sentence on the outside… in Jack’s custody.
As Delilah hunts the network behind a string of ritualistic killings, she finds herself surrounded by danger, obsession, and people she can’t afford to trust—people who have their sights set on her, and a connection to a prophecy that runs more than skin deep…🔥 Almeida One is a dark, atmospheric thriller with a slow-burn romantic undercurrent and a haunting prophecy at its core.
Perfect for readers who love:
✨Psychological thrillers with strong female leads
🫦Romantic suspense and slow-burn tension
🔮Cult-based mysteries and revenge arcs
🔎Found family dynamics in dangerous worlds
Tropes: 🔎 Found Family 👥 Forced Proximity 🫦 Forbidden Attraction 💀 Revenge Arc ❤️ Romantic Suspense Slow Burn
If you loved The Housemaid, Verity, or The Family Upstairs, you’ll be obsessed with Almeida One — a gripping cult thriller that blends mystery, emotion, and danger until the very last page.
For the last two years, Delilah James has only thought of one thing. Revenge.
But revenge is notoriously difficult to get from the inside of her prison cell.
That is, until Special Agent Jack Hess shows up offering the deal of a lifetime. If Delilah uses her expertise in dismantling cults for the FBI, she can serve the rest of her sentence on the outside… in Jack’s custody.
As Delilah hunts the network behind a string of ritualistic killings, she finds herself surrounded by danger, obsession, and people she can’t afford to trust—people who have their sights set on her, and a connection to a prophecy that runs more than skin deep…🔥 Almeida One is a dark, atmospheric thriller with a slow-burn romantic undercurrent and a haunting prophecy at its core.
Perfect for readers who love:
✨Psychological thrillers with strong female leads
🫦Romantic suspense and slow-burn tension
🔮Cult-based mysteries and revenge arcs
🔎Found family dynamics in dangerous worlds
Tropes: 🔎 Found Family 👥 Forced Proximity 🫦 Forbidden Attraction 💀 Revenge Arc ❤️ Romantic Suspense Slow Burn
If you loved The Housemaid, Verity, or The Family Upstairs, you’ll be obsessed with Almeida One — a gripping cult thriller that blends mystery, emotion, and danger until the very last page.
488 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
3 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
K.S. MANDEVILLE
1 book9 followersK.S. MANDEVILLE is the author of the Garden of Innocence and the in progress Solomon’s Seal Series.
She is drawn to stories that bring grit to magical realism, and feature flawed characters with found families who rebel against the status quo.
When not writing, she can be found tending to her garden, reading until ungodly hours, and avoiding assembling flat-pack furniture like the plague.
She is drawn to stories that bring grit to magical realism, and feature flawed characters with found families who rebel against the status quo.
When not writing, she can be found tending to her garden, reading until ungodly hours, and avoiding assembling flat-pack furniture like the plague.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 16, 2025
ARC READ
It was my first ever read about cults and I thought the author did a great job exploring that and the difficulties and complications! I loved Todd
It was my first ever read about cults and I thought the author did a great job exploring that and the difficulties and complications! I loved Todd
November 20, 2025
Really enjoyed the book! The twists and turns, suspense, the FMCs badass strength and wit after everything she's been through is 🔥 kept me on the edge of my seat.
I need to know what happens next!!
I need to know what happens next!!
November 29, 2025
*ARC READ*
I can’t recommend this book enough! Even with the perfect pacing of the storyline I couldn’t put it down, finishing in just over a day.
This thriller follows Delilah as she makes a deal with the FBI to trade in her prison cell for a consultant position, working to infiltrate cults with her new team Jack and Todd. Delilah is no stranger to the work, while she might not have known, she had been on Jacks radar for years, but always a step or two ahead. Every chapter left me with a multitude of questions and answers followed at the exact right time.
Delilah uses her selflessness, abrasive charm, quick thinking and lightning speed pattern recognition to win over her team, their boss, and the Almeidas Leader. In addition to this book keeping you on your toes, you get to enjoy a hint of slow burn romance with admiration and yearning between love interests.
To put a cherry on top, the theme of found family in this team could not have been written any better. With this groups connection not everything needs to be said out loud, their trust is built on mutual goals and understanding of past trauma and a need to get the job done and keep people safe.
I will definitely be rereading this book while impatiently waiting for the sequel!
I can’t recommend this book enough! Even with the perfect pacing of the storyline I couldn’t put it down, finishing in just over a day.
This thriller follows Delilah as she makes a deal with the FBI to trade in her prison cell for a consultant position, working to infiltrate cults with her new team Jack and Todd. Delilah is no stranger to the work, while she might not have known, she had been on Jacks radar for years, but always a step or two ahead. Every chapter left me with a multitude of questions and answers followed at the exact right time.
Delilah uses her selflessness, abrasive charm, quick thinking and lightning speed pattern recognition to win over her team, their boss, and the Almeidas Leader. In addition to this book keeping you on your toes, you get to enjoy a hint of slow burn romance with admiration and yearning between love interests.
To put a cherry on top, the theme of found family in this team could not have been written any better. With this groups connection not everything needs to be said out loud, their trust is built on mutual goals and understanding of past trauma and a need to get the job done and keep people safe.
I will definitely be rereading this book while impatiently waiting for the sequel!
November 21, 2025
I loved this book! It was fast paced, intense and unpredictable. Cults have always fascinated me and I think this book did an amazing job of exploring the mindset and vulnerability of the members. I felt so many emotions while reading, sadness, anger and downright disgust. Even though this was a work of fiction, I gained an insight to how cults twist their members into becoming obedient, too scared of the consequences of not following the rules. Highly recommend this book!! I will be keeping an eye out for further stories!
November 23, 2025
Wow wow wow what a book!
I loved this story from start to finish, I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout!
I’m not going to go into details about the story as it may give things away but the suspense throughout was great. The characters are fantastic, Delilah is such a strong character, I loved her!
I loved this story from start to finish, I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout!
I’m not going to go into details about the story as it may give things away but the suspense throughout was great. The characters are fantastic, Delilah is such a strong character, I loved her!
December 5, 2025
struggled to put this book down! It was everything from the very beggining. I am typically a dark romance reader so I was a little reserved but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book. I was not ready for the ending I got! I am already so ready for the next book in the series to Come out!
December 1, 2025
This book is a Criminal Minds episode in book form and I am here for it! I’ve never read anything quite like this book, dipping my toes into the cult world was quite the wild ride. The author did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. It’s a fast paced story that feels entirely too real, But I couldn’t put it down! Definitely one you should check out.
November 12, 2025
Mandeville has weaved together intrigue, action, and romance into a wonderful book that had me regularly staying up late to find out what happened next. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
October 14, 2025
I had the absolute pleasure of reading an early copy of this book, and wow, what a ride! This was my first thriller centred around cults, and it completely hooked me from start to finish. As someone who loved The Following with Kevin Bacon, this story gave me those same dark, gripping vibes, but with even more depth and heart.
Delilah, the strong and complex FMC, has endured a traumatic past and finds herself wrongfully imprisoned. When FBI Agent Jack Hess, who’s secretly admired her work for years, arranges her release into his custody, the two are thrust into a series of chilling events involving cults. And let me tell you, Delilah’s mind is fascinating. The way she thinks, acts, and unravels each mystery was just perfection.
This isn’t just a thriller. It’s a story packed with emotion, mystery, and even a touch of romance. The tension, both psychological and romantic, is balanced beautifully. There were moments that genuinely made my jaw drop and others that had me clutching the pages, desperate to know what would happen next.
And then there’s Todd, I adored him! He’s the kind of friend everyone wishes they had in their corner. The loveable grump.
With forced proximity, forbidden attraction, and found family themes woven through a dark, gripping plot, Almeida One truly has it all. It’s a fast-paced psychological thriller that blends suspense, heart, and badassery in equal measure. I’m already counting down the days for book two!
Highly recommend to anyone who loves thrillers with strong characters, emotional depth, and just the right dash of romance.
Delilah, the strong and complex FMC, has endured a traumatic past and finds herself wrongfully imprisoned. When FBI Agent Jack Hess, who’s secretly admired her work for years, arranges her release into his custody, the two are thrust into a series of chilling events involving cults. And let me tell you, Delilah’s mind is fascinating. The way she thinks, acts, and unravels each mystery was just perfection.
This isn’t just a thriller. It’s a story packed with emotion, mystery, and even a touch of romance. The tension, both psychological and romantic, is balanced beautifully. There were moments that genuinely made my jaw drop and others that had me clutching the pages, desperate to know what would happen next.
And then there’s Todd, I adored him! He’s the kind of friend everyone wishes they had in their corner. The loveable grump.
With forced proximity, forbidden attraction, and found family themes woven through a dark, gripping plot, Almeida One truly has it all. It’s a fast-paced psychological thriller that blends suspense, heart, and badassery in equal measure. I’m already counting down the days for book two!
Highly recommend to anyone who loves thrillers with strong characters, emotional depth, and just the right dash of romance.
October 21, 2025
5/5 stars - yes, really.
Dark, clever, and scratches all the right spots.
Almeida One by K.S. MANDEVILLE isn't your typical thriller. It's so much more. It’s dark, emotional, and full of satisfying tension. The cult plot line was chilling, and filled with twists and turns, but it's also got banter and charm.
Here are my spoiler-free thoughts on character, plot, and overall story:
1) Delilah James is one of the most compelling characters I’ve read in a long long time. She's sharp, damaged, and completely unforgettable. Oh, and funny, she's got a sense of humor that actually made me laugh out loud.
2) The dialogue felt real. It had depth. The characters were so well written, their motivations clear, that I even liked the bad guy. And he's like, really bad.
3) The story was well thought out. The pacing was great. The dynamics worked and the stakes were real... Trying to write this without spoilers is harder than I thought.
As an early reader, I’m still thinking about it months later. Somehow K.S. MANDEVILLE managed to work in the everyday, and make it feel like something more. When I pass an agricultural complex, I think of the compound. When I see tulips, I think of the reveal at Monongahela. And when I see ginger ale... well, let's just say I smile.
Dark, clever, and scratches all the right spots.
Almeida One by K.S. MANDEVILLE isn't your typical thriller. It's so much more. It’s dark, emotional, and full of satisfying tension. The cult plot line was chilling, and filled with twists and turns, but it's also got banter and charm.
Here are my spoiler-free thoughts on character, plot, and overall story:
1) Delilah James is one of the most compelling characters I’ve read in a long long time. She's sharp, damaged, and completely unforgettable. Oh, and funny, she's got a sense of humor that actually made me laugh out loud.
2) The dialogue felt real. It had depth. The characters were so well written, their motivations clear, that I even liked the bad guy. And he's like, really bad.
3) The story was well thought out. The pacing was great. The dynamics worked and the stakes were real... Trying to write this without spoilers is harder than I thought.
As an early reader, I’m still thinking about it months later. Somehow K.S. MANDEVILLE managed to work in the everyday, and make it feel like something more. When I pass an agricultural complex, I think of the compound. When I see tulips, I think of the reveal at Monongahela. And when I see ginger ale... well, let's just say I smile.
January 8, 2026
The author of this book reached out to me and asked me to read and review. I really enjoyed the book. I gave it 4 stars and 1.5 chili peppers.
The characters are relatable and entertaining. The plot was interesting and realistic enough to keep me turning the pages.
The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars was at some points in the book it did seem to slow down and drag a little bit. And I would have loved to gotten more from the connection between Delilah and Jack, but hopefully it won't be the end of us seeing either again.
The book follows FBI agents Jack Hess and Todd Galt (I think that was his last name) working a case for a dangerous cult who is sacrificing and selling the children to the mafia. Delilah works undercover with a shadow organization that goes in and destroys the cults from the inside and rescues the members. After a tragic loss and subsequent death of someone close to her she finds herself in prison framed for the murder. Jack needs her help to get inside the Almeida cult after they find the bodies of 200+ young boys in shallow graves in the mountains.
Delilah makes a deal with the FBI in exchange for her freedom and a chance to prove her innocence and catch the real killer.
The slow burn is hot and the spice was okay I just would have liked to have a little more to it.
The ending is kinda wtf so I'm hoping we get more details and another book soon.
The characters are relatable and entertaining. The plot was interesting and realistic enough to keep me turning the pages.
The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars was at some points in the book it did seem to slow down and drag a little bit. And I would have loved to gotten more from the connection between Delilah and Jack, but hopefully it won't be the end of us seeing either again.
The book follows FBI agents Jack Hess and Todd Galt (I think that was his last name) working a case for a dangerous cult who is sacrificing and selling the children to the mafia. Delilah works undercover with a shadow organization that goes in and destroys the cults from the inside and rescues the members. After a tragic loss and subsequent death of someone close to her she finds herself in prison framed for the murder. Jack needs her help to get inside the Almeida cult after they find the bodies of 200+ young boys in shallow graves in the mountains.
Delilah makes a deal with the FBI in exchange for her freedom and a chance to prove her innocence and catch the real killer.
The slow burn is hot and the spice was okay I just would have liked to have a little more to it.
The ending is kinda wtf so I'm hoping we get more details and another book soon.
December 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (ARC Review)
A Thrilling, Imaginative Start to a Series I’m Already Addicted To
Almedia One by K.S. Mandeville is the kind of book that grabs you from page one and refuses to let go. It’s immersive, sharp, and wonderfully unpredictable—blending sci-fi, dystopian tension, and heart-pounding emotion into a story that feels both fresh and deeply human.
Mandeville’s world-building is absolutely magnetic. Almedia is vivid, dangerous, and alive with secrets, and every chapter peels back another layer you didn’t know you needed. The political intrigue, the tech elements, and the haunting atmosphere all work together to create a setting you can practically feel beneath your fingertips.
But it’s the characters that make this book unforgettable. Complex, flawed, and compelling, they’re the type you grow attached to without realizing it. Their relationships—both fractured and fierce—add a powerful emotional weight that intensifies the action and mystery.
The pacing is tight, the twists are smart, and that ending… let’s just say I was not ready and now I’m impatiently waiting for book two.
If you love stories that blend grit with heart, tension with tenderness, and world-building with razor-sharp stakes, Almedia One is absolutely worth reading. Fans of dystopian sci-fi with emotional depth will devour this.
A brilliant start to a series I can’t stop thinking about.
A Thrilling, Imaginative Start to a Series I’m Already Addicted To
Almedia One by K.S. Mandeville is the kind of book that grabs you from page one and refuses to let go. It’s immersive, sharp, and wonderfully unpredictable—blending sci-fi, dystopian tension, and heart-pounding emotion into a story that feels both fresh and deeply human.
Mandeville’s world-building is absolutely magnetic. Almedia is vivid, dangerous, and alive with secrets, and every chapter peels back another layer you didn’t know you needed. The political intrigue, the tech elements, and the haunting atmosphere all work together to create a setting you can practically feel beneath your fingertips.
But it’s the characters that make this book unforgettable. Complex, flawed, and compelling, they’re the type you grow attached to without realizing it. Their relationships—both fractured and fierce—add a powerful emotional weight that intensifies the action and mystery.
The pacing is tight, the twists are smart, and that ending… let’s just say I was not ready and now I’m impatiently waiting for book two.
If you love stories that blend grit with heart, tension with tenderness, and world-building with razor-sharp stakes, Almedia One is absolutely worth reading. Fans of dystopian sci-fi with emotional depth will devour this.
A brilliant start to a series I can’t stop thinking about.
January 8, 2026
Almeida One had me locked in from page one. Delilah is sharp, damaged, and driven by revenge in a way that feels earned...not performative. I loved watching her weaponize her intelligence while navigating danger, manipulation, and people who absolutely cannot be trusted.
The cult elements are chilling, the atmosphere is dark and heavy, and the slow-burn tension? Immaculate. Nothing is rushed...every glance, secret, and choice feels loaded. The dynamic between Delilah and Jack is all restraint and simmering danger, which made it even better.
If you like smart, gritty thrillers with strong women, cult mysteries that creep under your skin, and romance that burns instead of explodes...this one delivers. Dark, addictive, and impossible to put down.
••••••
" 🔎 Found Family 👥 Forced Proximity 🫦 Forbidden Attraction 💀 Revenge Arc ❤️ Romantic Suspense Slow Burn
If you loved The Housemaid, Verity, or The Family Upstairs, you’ll be obsessed with Almeida One — a gripping cult thriller that blends mystery, emotion, and danger until the very last page."
The cult elements are chilling, the atmosphere is dark and heavy, and the slow-burn tension? Immaculate. Nothing is rushed...every glance, secret, and choice feels loaded. The dynamic between Delilah and Jack is all restraint and simmering danger, which made it even better.
If you like smart, gritty thrillers with strong women, cult mysteries that creep under your skin, and romance that burns instead of explodes...this one delivers. Dark, addictive, and impossible to put down.
••••••
" 🔎 Found Family 👥 Forced Proximity 🫦 Forbidden Attraction 💀 Revenge Arc ❤️ Romantic Suspense Slow Burn
If you loved The Housemaid, Verity, or The Family Upstairs, you’ll be obsessed with Almeida One — a gripping cult thriller that blends mystery, emotion, and danger until the very last page."
November 23, 2025
Initial thoughts when looking at the book were “Holy crap a romantic suspense that’s almost 500 pages! No way.” Then I opened it and holy moly was I pleasantly surprised! This book is intense and every bit of the near 500 pages is filled with suspense and jam packed with gripping action!
The characters are very layered and realistically relatable from faults to mannerisms. Each character’s voice is clear and able to identify without announcing who is speaking. The plot sets up with a “series-long” case as well as a “solved-in-one-book” case which keeps you hooked at all times. The balance between the dueling plots is perfectly done.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Law & Order SVU or NCIS, with an added flair of romance and a heaping sprinkle of cult! It was an excellent read, and I am so glad I was afforded the opportunity of reading this early!!!
The characters are very layered and realistically relatable from faults to mannerisms. Each character’s voice is clear and able to identify without announcing who is speaking. The plot sets up with a “series-long” case as well as a “solved-in-one-book” case which keeps you hooked at all times. The balance between the dueling plots is perfectly done.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Law & Order SVU or NCIS, with an added flair of romance and a heaping sprinkle of cult! It was an excellent read, and I am so glad I was afforded the opportunity of reading this early!!!
December 7, 2025
I've been searching for a story like this FOREVER —that brings together psychological realism and thriller with a good hit of romantic dopamine.
The character dynamics are so well thought out, each character is so unique with so much depth to their behaviour.
The plot moves FAST, with a thriller undercurrent that compels you to keep turning pages. The author has clearly done their research, I loved the way the FMC had a strategic angle to everything.
In terms of romance, this delivers without the need for overused tropes or shallow acts. There's physical, intellectual and emotional chemistry between the love interests.
This also hit my White Collar withdrawal hard.
Highly recommend! I'll be theorising while I wait for the next book
The character dynamics are so well thought out, each character is so unique with so much depth to their behaviour.
The plot moves FAST, with a thriller undercurrent that compels you to keep turning pages. The author has clearly done their research, I loved the way the FMC had a strategic angle to everything.
In terms of romance, this delivers without the need for overused tropes or shallow acts. There's physical, intellectual and emotional chemistry between the love interests.
This also hit my White Collar withdrawal hard.
Highly recommend! I'll be theorising while I wait for the next book
October 23, 2025
Almeida One is the first of three books in the Solomon’s Seal series. It is a fast paced and intriguing book that pulled me in right from the start. The characters are well developed, each facing complex issues and emotions. I felt like I was living in Delilah’s world, right beside her, observing everything as it happened. The story moves quickly and keeps you guessing, with plenty of suspense. I couldn’t wait to find out what happens next, and the tension kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
October 25, 2025
This book is honestly one of the better ones I’ve read in a while. Though it is thriller is does cook its claws in to you and sink you in deeper the more you read.
I had a hard time putting this book down. It’s fast paced which I love in my books because I’m a little inpatient. Delilah James is like a fresh breeze as a character, she’s different and uniquely her.
I don’t have enough words to describe this book as I just finished and processing it all still. I would definitely recommend this book the any one. Such a beautifully written and intriguing story.
I had a hard time putting this book down. It’s fast paced which I love in my books because I’m a little inpatient. Delilah James is like a fresh breeze as a character, she’s different and uniquely her.
I don’t have enough words to describe this book as I just finished and processing it all still. I would definitely recommend this book the any one. Such a beautifully written and intriguing story.
December 1, 2025
ARC REVIEW: Almeida One is a dark, atmospheric read with strong character work and steady tension. Mandeville builds a world that feels controlled, dangerous, and impossible to look away from. The central characters have a sharp, compelling dynamic that adds emotional pull without overwhelming the story. A few moments could be tighter, but overall it’s a gripping, addictive book that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
February 7, 2026
This book completely pulled me in and did not let go. Fast paced, twisty, and hard to put down. This story balances suspense with sharp character work. Delilah is smart, resilient, and quietly badass in a way that feels earned. The FBI/cult storyline kept me hooked, the found family dynamic really worked for me and the slow burn tension added just enough without taking over the plot. I was not ready for that ending.
November 30, 2025
Almeida one was a highly addictive novel! I love psychological thrillers and I wasn’t sure if I was going to love it but OH MY GOD. It had all the aspects of the thrillers I love plus so much more. The characters are interesting and easy to fall in love with. Mandeville does an excellent job of keeping their readers on the edge of their seats. 10/10 must read.
November 26, 2025
I really enjoyed reading Almeida One! I am not a huge reader but I couldn’t put this book down and it had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was happening next.
If you have any interest in cults and like psychological thrillers you should definitely read this book!
If you have any interest in cults and like psychological thrillers you should definitely read this book!
November 29, 2025
K.S. Mandeville's book Almeida One was a page turner from the start. I loved the plot line but even more appreciated the humour sprinkled throughout. The characters are relatable and likeable. Can't wait for the next book.
October 13, 2025
Almeida One is a fast paced, intriguing and funny novel dealing with the darker side of cults. The characters are well developed, the pacing bang on, and the storyline keeps you wondering and guessing “how does all of this come together?” KS Mandeville keeps you laughing and gripping the page wanting to know what happens next. Can’t wait for the next book!
October 21, 2025
Intriguing, fast paced, easy to read. Good character development that gets you invested in what happens to them. Can't wait to read the next volume in the series.
December 3, 2025
A MUST READ!!!
Read Almeida One by K.S. Mandeville and WOW - it did not disappoint! This mystery-suspense thriller delivers the perfect mix of humour, twists, and a touch of spice. The story dives into a secretive cult community unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s bold, different, and absolutely gripping. Mandeville brings the characters to life with such vivid detail that I was hooked from page one and couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a compelling page-turner. The story lingers long after you finish, and can’t wait for the next book in the series and future novels from this talented author.
Read Almeida One by K.S. Mandeville and WOW - it did not disappoint! This mystery-suspense thriller delivers the perfect mix of humour, twists, and a touch of spice. The story dives into a secretive cult community unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s bold, different, and absolutely gripping. Mandeville brings the characters to life with such vivid detail that I was hooked from page one and couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a compelling page-turner. The story lingers long after you finish, and can’t wait for the next book in the series and future novels from this talented author.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews