Redemption: Faith, Justice, and Sisterhood on Death Row

by Lawrence Wright

A powerful and startling account of the unsparing connection between a convent of cloistered nuns and the condemned women on Texas’s death row, exploring questions around crime and punishment, faith, and retribution in America as only Lawrence Wright can.

“Redemption gripped me like the best crime novel and left me fundamentally changed. The relationship between two groups of isolated women teaches us the most elusive of true empathy." —Belle Burden, author of Strangers

In the fall of 2014, Deacon Ronnie Lastovica visited a women’s prison in Gatesville, Texas and gave communion to the women on death row. Moved by the meeting, the Deacon vowed to return weekly, but he knew he couldn’t help these women alone. He called upon the Sisters of Mary Morning Star, a group of contemplative nuns in Waco, Texas, to visit the seven condemned women with him. What follows is an incredible story of a spiritual alliance between two groups of women who, though they couldn't seem more different, are living uniquely similar lives. 

Lawrence Wright takes us into the death row unit, laying bare their stories. Some of the women in prison wrestle with guilt over the suffering they’ve caused; others fiercely maintain their innocence. As Wright learns more about their cases, unethical police practices and improper forensic methods cast doubt on whether some of these women actually committed the crimes for which they’ll pay the ultimate price. 

Clear-eyed and rousing, layered and morally complex, Redemption explores ideas of retribution, spirituality, and the question of absolution.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, True Crime, Religion, Biography, Crime, Adult

272 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 20, 2026

About the author

Lawrence Wright is an author, screenwriter, playwright, and staff writer for The New Yorker magazine. He has won a Pulitzer Prize and three National Magazine Awards.

His latest book, The Human Scale , is a sweeping, timely thriller, in which a Palestinian-American FBI agent teams up with a hardline Israeli cop to solve the murder of the Israeli police chief in Gaza. According to The New York Times, “Wright succeeds in this complex, deeply felt work.”

He is the author of 11 nonfiction books. His book about the rise of al-Qaeda, The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 (Knopf, 2006), was published to immediate and widespread acclaim. It has been translated into 25 languages and won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. It was made into a series for Hulu in 2018, starring Jeff Daniels, Alec Baldwin, and Tahar Rahim.

Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief (Knopf, 2013) was a New York Times bestseller. Wright and director Alex Gibney turned it into an HBO documentary, which won three Emmys, including best documentary. Wright and Gibney also teamed up to produce another Emmy-winning documentary, for Showtime, about the murder of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi.

In addition to The Human Scale, Wright has three other novels: Noriega: God’s Favorite (Simon and Schuster, 2000) which was made into a Showtime movie starring Bob Hoskins; The End of October (Knopf, 2020), a bestseller about a viral pandemic that came out right at the beginning of COVID; Mr. Texas (Knopf, 2023), which has been optioned as a limited streaming series.

In 2006, Wright premiered his first one-man play, “My Trip to Al-Qaeda,” at The New Yorker Festival, which led to a sold-out six-week run off-Broadway, before traveling to Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. It was made into a documentary film of the same name, directed by Alex Gibney, for HBO.

Before he wrote the novel, Wright wrote and performed a one-man show also called The Human Scale, about the standoff between Israel and Hamas over the abduction of an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. The Public Theater in New York produced the play, which ran for a month off-Broadway in 2010, before moving to the Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv. Many of the ideas developed in that play later evolved into the novel of the same name, published 15 years later.

In addition to his one-man productions, Wright has written five other plays that have enjoyed productions around the country, including Camp David, about the Carter, Begin, and Sadat summit in 1978; and Cleo, about the making of the movie Cleopatra.

Wright is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Society of American Historians, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He also serves as the keyboard player in the Austin-based blues band, WhoDo.

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun]

Lawrence Wright aims to show the unique connection between a convent of cloistered nuns and seven women on Texas’s death row.

You’ll learn about the background and existence of the contemplative order of (1) the Sisters of Mary Morning Star in rural Texas, (2) the seven women on death row and (3) the moral dilemmas posed by capital punishment. It’s a deeply researched background meant to support the architecture of the experiences of both the women in the convent and those in prison.

Wright made me aware of the double-edged sword many incarcerated people experience, had me question the reliability of the justice system and whether a condemned person who has been transformed by religion should have to die for the crime committed in another incarnation, and whether we should expect society to be on the road to redemption alongside the incarcerated.

I’ll remember this book for the questions it left me with, the respect for the love that these nuns have for mankind, and the understanding that being close to death changes us.

I would have willingly traded a large percentage of the background information for more on the interactions between the two groups.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Lilisa]

About seven women on death row and the unlikely connection to a convent of cloistered nuns - that caught my attention. An interesting a sobering dive into two very different worlds that converge. The first spotlight is on the seven women - the circumstances that drove them to commit their crimes, and in some cases, did they? - and then their live behind bars. The second spotlight on the nuns - their backgrounds, the challenges surrounding the order they belong to, and their lives in the cloister, and the decision to connect with those on death row. The third spotlight focuses on the condition of the U.S. judicial system and how the process works or doesn’t on those who don’t have the means to defend themselves. The book was interesting and informative, written with empathy and understanding. However, I felt the book didn’t flow as smoothly as it could have - it jumped around a bit and the transitions felt bumpy. Still, definitely worth the read. I rated it a 3.5 rounded up to 4. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Deb]

This book grabbed my attention from the first page. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys non-fiction, information on penal system, or a book of hope. The purpose of the story is to understand the relationships developed during visits between the nuns of the Sisters of Mary Morning Star and women on Texas death row. The approach was orchestrated by Deacon Ronnie Lastovica. The nuns had been primarily silent and stay in the convent. They seldom interact with men.

The stories behind each of the death row inmates, their crimes and their current lives on the row are explored. The inmates include Kimberly Cargill, Linda Carty, Brittany Holberg, Melissa Lucio, Taylor Parker, Darlie Routier, and Erica Sheppard. Deacon Ronnie "inviting the nuns into the prisoners’ lives, explaining that they were also confined with a small group of women in rooms they called cells, and their day-to-day activities were very similar to those of the prisoners."

This book is not just an assessment of women on death row and their relationships with the nuns but also the penal system in Texas! The challenges to defendants with court-appointed attorneys. "Given her representation, Linda Carty never stood a chance, nor did Melissa, who fell victim to a justice system that was itself a criminal enterprise." "In Texas, at least, we should have a word other than “justice” for a system so profoundly flawed."

Aspects of the victims and their families are given. For example, John, brother of a victim, became involved in organizations to help people such as Sycamore Tree Project, an international volunteer organization that brings together offenders and victims. He also started his own organization, Bridges to Life, which is still successful in it's mission.

There were huge benefits for both the nuns and inmates. "...the nuns helped them [inmates] learn how to live better in community... how to approach each other with more humility and grace simply by being an example of this themselves. They have shared with us their beautiful ways of addressing everyday issues with one another... Spending time with the sisters gave us a blueprint of sorts as to how we could better handle things and cover everything with love. Our time together began to be filled with ways to encourage and uplift one another … I guess what I’m trying to say is we strive for our community life to mirror theirs, by not only adopting their way of life more but also by covering one another with mercy, love, and grace.”

What the nuns got out of the experience: "“My first visit to death row showed me that I was not going there to meet criminals, even prisoners, but individual women, human persons, who because of the situation they are in are stripped of all pretense and falsity. In their presence, inhibitions fall, and you are forced to be your true self and not to wear any mask of perfection or superiority... These women, who have so honestly faced their brokenness and suffering … can be an example for all of us. Everyone is tempted in some way by depression, discouragement, or despair, but with Jesus there is always a way out, a way to freedom. Even if that freedom is only in the spirit.” Seeing both groups of women benefit, learn and grow was heartwarming.

The question of redemption is key throughout the book. "This book has addressed the question of whether people who have committed heinous crimes can be redeemed." "Redemption is finally a religious question. It takes place out of view, inside the heart or soul or mentality of an individual." "The question that remains is whether society itself can be redeemed." This book showed me that there's always hope by the grace of God.

There was some unexpected history around the dysfunctional Community of Saint John with charges of sexual predation on the part of the priests and how the Catholic church addressed it. It was unsettling although the sisters had denied the abuse.

The inmates, nuns, deacon, and even the author learned and benefited from the visits. As the author noted: "My examination of the seven condemned women profoundly changed my opinion about the way justice is administered in Texas, and probably anywhere in America." Interesting! The book convinced me that a reassessment of America's penal system is greatly needed.

Thank you to the publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, and the author, Lawrence Wright, for the privilege to read this advanced copy through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Ashlee]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Redemption: Faith, Justice, and Sisterhood on Death Row was maddening, touching, and deeply thought-provoking. Lawrence Wright shines a light on the remarkably thin line between redemption and condemnation, asking what it means to offer grace to people society has decided are beyond forgiveness.

The book centers on seven women living on Texas’ Death Row, all of whom are regularly visited by a group of local nuns. The women were convicted of capital murder, but their circumstances vary dramatically. Some appear to be guilty of horrific crimes, while others have credible claims of innocence. Melissa Lucio’s case, in particular, left me convinced that she should not be there at all. Several of the women were experiencing psychosis, defending themselves or their children from abuse, or shaped by years of violence and trauma. There is also a brief appearance by Taylor Parker, the recent subject of the Netflix series Maternal Instinct.

The nuns provide every woman with comfort, compassion, and grace, regardless of guilt. Some of the women have converted to Christianity and believe they will find deliverance in death. Wright creates an especially compelling parallel between the prisoners and the nuns who counsel them, many of whom experienced similar forms of abuse but ultimately found themselves on the opposite side of the prison walls.

One of the most fascinating sections examines the trial and execution of Jesus Christ through a modern legal lens, demonstrating the unfairness of his trial and his eventual execution by the state. Wright uses the foundation of Christianity itself to question the hypocrisy of Christian fundamentalists and right-wing extremists who enthusiastically support the death penalty. Wright is famously nonreligious, so I was surprised by how heavily the book leaned into Scripture, but it was handled thoughtfully and always in service of the book’s larger examination of faith, punishment, mercy, and state power.

The book does not offer much hope for the women’s legal futures, and I found myself genuinely rooting for a few of them. It does, however, demonstrate how remarkably adept human beings are at adapting to even the most unforgiving environments. Through their relationships with the nuns, the women learn how to build healthier connections, extend grace to one another, find moments of joy, and create a sisterhood while awaiting their fates.

This was a quick and absorbing read that touched on biblical history, Texas history, trauma, faith, and the current state of the Texas and American judicial systems. A solid four-star read that I highly recommend to readers of literary nonfiction.

[Brendan (History Nerds United)]

Redemption by Lawrence Wright is not what you think it is. Sure, you are getting the story of nuns going to death row to meet with women who may one day be executed by the state of Texas. However, Wright wants to ask the big and unanswerable questions about the justice system, God, and, of course, redemption. This is not the case of a book pulling a bait and switch, so much as an author going places other people would avoid.

The setup is clear enough. A Catholic deacon visits women on death row. He has the idea to reach out to a group of contemplative nuns. For the uninitiated, contemplative nuns are basically sequestered and pray all day. They aren't like the nuns who become teachers (and forced me to memorize the multiplication tables). This all means that they are hilariously ill-suited to meet some women on death row. Right?

Turns out, these are the exact right women to visit death row. The nuns are (voluntarily) cut off from the world and forced to spend a significant amount of time contemplating their lives. The women hit it off almost immediately, and a true bond grows. However, this is a much smaller part of the narrative than you would expect.

Another section is a rundown of the crimes which put each woman on death row. There is a mixture of women here including one who is clearly innocent. That's not me or the author saying that; the state of Texas (which PUT HER THERE) also thinks so...now. Another inmate is the infamous Taylor Parker. For the true crime addicts, she is the focus of the recent Netflix documentary, Maternal Instinct, where she murders a woman to steal her unborn baby. Wright is careful to tell the crime stories with his own commentary but without grand pronouncements. The variety of cases allows the reader to see that not everyone is innocent, but not everyone is an irredeemable monster. (I will say, I am not sure I believe a word that comes out of Parker's mouth.)

There is also scandal on the side of the nuns which dovetails with Wright's own doubts on religion and how it affects people. This is not a case of the author telling you who is right. He's not even sure what he feels anymore. Wright has gone through the wringer himself dealing with preachers who can entice anyone toward their side, but are consistently failures when it comes to living up to their own ideals.

This book is ultimately about the questions but not the answers. It is much better for it.

(This book was provided as a review copy by A. A. Knopf.)

[Adam‘’s book reviews]

Redemption: Faith, Justice, and Sisterhood on Death Row by Lawrence Wright examines seven women on death row and the Sisters of MorningStar, a religious community that begins ministering to them. Wright combines the women’s individual stories and legal cases with the experiences of Deacon Ronney and the Sisters, along with the history of their religious community and a broader examination of Christianity, Catholicism, and the death penalty in Texas.

I found the human stories to be the strongest part of the book. Wright gives the women backgrounds that go beyond their crimes, while also showing how their experiences affect the people who come to minister to them. I liked learning that the Sisters and other religious figures had ordinary lives before entering religious life. They had careers, relationships, doubts, and personal histories of their own, which made them feel more like real people rather than simply religious figures.

The book also looks closely at isolation, faith, and the passage of time. The Sisters live highly structured lives, while the women on death row have their lives controlled by the prison system. I thought the contrast between these two groups was one of the more interesting aspects of the book. The sections focusing on Melissa and the other women also show how differently people respond to living under a death sentence.

As the book progresses, Wright expands into the history of the Sisters’ religious community, Christianity and Catholicism, and the changing Catholic position on capital punishment. Some of these sections felt disconnected from the individual stories, and I found parts of the broader religious history confusing. At the same time, they helped explain the beliefs and history surrounding the people at the center of the book.

What stayed with me most was Wright’s question about what happens when someone spends decades on death row and changes during that time. The book made me think about whether punishment can account for the person someone becomes years after committing a crime, and what redemption actually means in that situation. I appreciated that Wright raises those questions without reducing them to a simple answer.

Thanks to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for providing an advance copy.

[Anna]

This is a very timely book in the unfortunate aftermath of a botched execution and a resurgence of the debate around capital punishment in the US. The author talks of his time on women's death row in Texas where a Catholic deacon and a group of nuns formed an unlikely ministry to condemned women. The author, who is not religious, presents a well thought out argument about why the death penalty cannot ever truly be fair, when the US justice system is often biased, evidence is often mishandled, and circumstantial evidence is taken as fact. These women, who while many of them did commit terrible crimes and will require imprisonment for life, were also victims of horrific abuse, mental illness, and complex trauma. Some, are very possibly innocent, but the justice system is slow and hesitant to change procedures, even when something as serious as an innocent person's life is on the line. The many stories of the women and the nuns, who found things to relate about despite very different life situations were examples of how a person's life is not just a sum of all the bad things they did. These women tried to find ways to make something out of their lives that are very likely going to end soon. Justice for victims is a good thing, but is capital punishment administered by an imperfect justice system, and a prison system with the ability to house prisoners for life, really truly justice? The author examines these points well, interweaving his arguments, between stories of faith, redemption, and hope. Anyone who wants to read a thoughtful, emotional, and compassionate example of those living their faith across unlikely divides, will enjoy this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Sabrina]

Redemption: Faith, Justice, and Sisterhood on Death Row by Lawrence Wright is a book chronicling the intimate relationship between a group of nuns and condemned women living on death row in Texas. The author explores how religion plays a role in forgiveness and redemption, as well as showing individuals who have committed terrible crimes mercy. Many of the women on death row chronicled in the book have been accused of committing heinous crimes but have found God on their journey. The author also questions how much of a responsibility society has had in the terrible fate these women face, since many of them were abused and/or suffered from mental illness at the time of the crimes they are accused of committing. The author also explores the claims of innocence put forth by some of these women, which I found to be compelling. I also like how the author profiles each of the women on death row individually, including background information and information pertaining to the crimes they are accused of. I found each of the women interesting and it was intriguing to read about how they each have been on a spiritual journey with God throughout their ordeal. The author also delves into important issues and contradictions within the Texas criminal justice system as well as how these issues lead to unfair treatment of those accused and convicted of crimes. I am looking forward to reading more from this author as his writing is superb and I feel as though this book led me to view the death penalty differently, as well as the criminal justice system in general.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[CYIReadBooks (Claire)]

Redemption by Lawrence Wright is a compelling nonfiction account of the unlikely connection between a group of contemplative nuns (the Sisters of Mary Morning Star in Waco, Texas) and seven women on Texas’s death row. Sparked by a deacon’s visits to the women’s prison in Gatesville, the book traces how the nuns began ministering to the condemned inmates. Wright explores the women’s individual stories—some wrestling with guilt over their crimes. Others maintaining their innocence—while raising broader questions about faith, retribution, the death penalty, and the possibility of absolution. It is a collection of interwoven personal narratives rather than a single linear plot.I especially loved the photos; they added real life and humanity to the collection of stories and made the people and settings feel more immediate.This book is almost certain to provoke strong reactions, both pro and con, around the death penalty, criminal rehabilitation, and justice reform. Wright himself does not appear to take an overt side, presenting the material in a measured way. That said, the stories do feel one-sided in practice, often portraying the criminals more as victims of the justice system and of difficult social environments than fully reckoning with the harm of their actions.Overall, it is an interesting and thought-provoking read. Four stars.

I was invited to read an ARC from Alfred A. Knopf and also a DRC through NetGalley. This review is my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Genevieve Hogan]

The strengths of “Redemption: Faith, Justice, and Sisterhood on Death Row“ by Lawrence Wright are the well told stories of the women on death row in Gatesville, Texas and the impact of the relationships that are formed between the inmates and a group of contemplative nuns. Wright also does a good job of examining problems with the criminal justice system by using the women he interviews as specific examples of inequities in our society and legal systems.

The book became less strong when Wright veered away from his focus on the inmates and into more general questions of religion and redemption. His discussion of religious cults with strong charismatic leaders felt like a separate inquiry. The same is true of his comparison of our current day legal system and the legal system involved in the crucifixion of Christ. These were interesting and thought-provoking discussions, but they took away from the focus of the book. This book worked best when it examined what it means to be a woman who has spent the past thirty years of her life on death row.

Lawrence Wright is an excellent writer, and this is clearly an area of interest. I recommend this book with the caveat that it is useful for potential readers to be aware that the book combines direct reporting with philosophical and religious exploration.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for access to this ARC. This is my honest review.

[Amy B]

Many thanks to New Yorker writer, Lawrence Wright, for illuminating so well the undeniable power of the Gospel! In this book, Redemption, Wright personally becomes involved with the women on death row at Gatesville prison in Central Texas. He offers a comparison of the lives of a certain group of Waco nuns with the lives of the women who have have been confined for years waiting for their deaths. These women have been convicted of committing heinous murders. Most of them were grossly abused from the moment they were born by parents, family members and others. The question arises "can people change?". Lawrence writes that the nuns, and other clergy brought the love of Christ into their dark walls and His love for them freed them even as they lived in chains, confined for the rest of their lives.

The stories of each of the convicted women are interspersed with chapters about the Texas Justice system, and prison life. My heart was broken for these souls, but I was so inspired by the dedicated work of the nuns and the other clergy that attended these women. I am a firm believer in the power of the Holy Spirit to redeem even the worst folks in our communities, and this honest telling of the women at Gatesville leaves me hopeful for them all, and grateful for the folks that feel a call to such a prison ministry.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Redemption: Faith, Justice, and Sisterhood on Death Row.

[Dwon]

Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
When I read the synopsis of this book I was so excited to dive in. A true story about the connections and interactions between nuns and women on death row sounds super interesting! I honestly think I would have enjoyed the story a lot more if there was more of that. It really seemed like only a portion of the book was about the nuns and the women in Gatesville prison. I was a little bored reading about the bible stories and other religious parts of the book.
I did enjoy reading about the lawyers and the lack of justice on our so called justice system. It is heartbreaking that the women who are clearly innocent of the crime they were charged with are stuck awaiting a death date for something they didn't do because of the way their original lawyers didn't properly do their jobs.
This book has a lot of interesting parts to it, including the comparison of the lives of the nuns and the death row inmates, the statistics on death row and women on death row, and all of the information about our legal system that honestly seems broken. Overall this was a decent book and i would recommend it to anyone interested in true, sometimes heartbreaking stories, about the legal system in the United States.

[Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader 2.0]

Anything Lawrence Wright writes--non-fiction or fiction--packs a punch, and Redemption is no exception. In it, he chronicles the growing relationship between a group of women on a Texas death row and the Sisters of Mary Morning Star, a cloistered order who leave the convent to connect with these women. We learn about all their lives, from the inmates who have committed horrible crimes to the sisters who made the choice to withdraw from the world. The imprisoned women's stories are hard to bear with stories of sexual and physical abuse, drugs, violence, poverty, but they say they have been transformed by religion. The question: is there the legal possibility of mercy for someone who committed a crime in another iteration of themselves?

There's a lot of religious discussion in this book, as well as conversation about legal issues. The religious issues are thorny, especially in an Evangelical state, but the legal issues are no less problematic. The relationship aspects of this book are gold, but the questions that surround that are the nut of this book.

I am grateful to Knopf and Netgalley for a digital review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Joan]

Review of uncorrected eBook file

"Redemption" is the true story of the Sisters of the Morning Star and their ministry to the women on Death Row in the prison in Gatesville, Texas. The state prided itself on being “tough on crime” and all the women featured here are marking time until their sentence is carried out. Some continue to proclaim their innocence while others admit their guilt.

Various chapters place a spotlight on each of the women, on the Sisters, and on the situation. It is, at times, heart-rending; many of the stories focus on the abuses suffered by the women throughout their lives. Its honesty is often brutal; the crimes are often horrific; the circumstances are truly chilling.

This is an honest, and often deeply disturbing, look at justice in one prison system; it is thought-provoking and likely to stay with the reader along after turning the final page.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor / Knopf and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Redemption #NetGalley

[Kathryn E Hagen]

“Redemption” is real. The women on death row and the cloistered nuns who got to know them exist. One group lives behind locked doors and has no freedom to leave. The other voluntarily placed themselves away from the world as a way to become closer to God. The author, Lawrence Wright, spends time with both groups, both when they’re together and when the Sisters have returned to their home.

This in itself would have been quite a novel story. But there’s more: various irregularities in their trials cast doubt on the degree of their guilt. Others seem to be not at all guilty of anything.

I read John Grisham’s and Jim McCloskey’s book, “Guilt.” Both books are compelling in my view. Whether you’ve thought about the justice or lack thereof in the justice system, both books contain a lot of food for thought.

I especially appreciated reading about the nuns who periodically left their enclosure to visit these women on death row.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.

[Melinda]

Redemption: Faith, Justice, and Sisterhood on Death Row by Lawrence Wright is a thought-provoking book. A Deacon visits a prison in Gatesville, Texas where there are women on death row. He then recruits a group of nuns from a very secluded order, The Sisters of Mary Morning Star, to minister to these seven women. The stories of the women are often heartbreaking from their early home lives to their crime and to their conviction. You begin to doubt that fair trials with competent lawyers who are allowed to offer all evidence to a jury were provided for these women. Many have spent decades on death row. As dates for execution are approaching, we await either the execution or the stay. The sisters also have back stories on how they arrived at such a cloistered order with a story of sexual abuse from a priest early in the years of the order. This book is also about religion, particularly Catholic and United Methodist. It is shocking in many ways and certainly uncovers corruption in the law and legal system. I received an advance readers copy through Net Galley, and this review is based upon my own thoughts. A book not for everyone but will open your eyes if you choose to read it when it's published in October 2026. It's 4 stars from me and I will be looking for other books by the author.

[Jen Juenke]

I was intrigued to read about the nuns administrating to women who were on death row.
I thought that the author did a great job of alternating between death row woman and then a nun. How their lives are parallel with their lives now.

It was an easy, quick read.

However, there was so much that I wanted to know....what do the nuns do for the inmates, what are the daily life of the death row inmates like?
I felt that too much time was spent on biblical verses and who is running the prison and not enough time spent with how the females are now, what do they do with their time, or heck even the victims.

Overall, its an ok book that just skims the surface of the nuns administrating to the death row women and does not have enough depth.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

[booksbydorothea]

Highly recommend

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This powerful non-fiction details the ongoing relationship between an order of nuns and women inmates on Texas death row. The two groups seem so different, yet they are very similar.

The writing, plotline, and character development are very strong.

This is a powerful book about social justice in Texas. If you are for the death penalty, it will make you question it, and if you are against the death penalty, it will strengthen your resolve.

If you want to read about social justice, Texas criminal reform, or the death penalty, then this is the book for you!

NOTE: There are many graphic triggers; please review before reading.

For a more detailed review, check out my blog - booksbydorothea: https://tinyurl.com/5asdb6vu

[Colleen]

Between 3 & 4 stars.

A group of contemplative nuns are introduced to and provide support for women on death row in Texas.

I feel that the author took a lot of tangents in order to fill this book. Death penalty history for men and women. The history and skeletons in the closet from the order that the nuns belong.

I expected the back stories about why the women are on death row and I expected there to be references to the Bible. There just seemed to be a lot of diversions from the story.

Many thanks to the author Lawrence Wright, NetGalley and publisher Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Redemption in exchange for an honest review.

Approx 272 pages, release date is Oct 20, 2026.

[Jennifer]

This was a very interesting deep dive into death row for a specific prison in Texas and the women who live there. There was also a very interesting connection with a convent of contemplative nuns, who became involved in the lives of these women. I found the stories of the people involved to be most interesting.
The author also takes the opportunity wrestle through questions of religion and of ethics regarding the death penalty, which he does not resolve. I didn't have a problem with him doing this, but it does kind of change the nature of the book.
Thank you to Net Galley and Knopf for my ARC.

[David Jonescu]

Any book by Lawrence Wright is an immediate must read because of how well written they are. After reading Redemption, this immediately moved to my list of top books read this year. A look at women in death row in Texas and how faith has moved within their lives. Wright presents a book that offers many things to think about and once again hits it out of the park. Doesn’t provide you answers but offers you to look at your own morals. 100/10 book.

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Victoria]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sharing Lawrence Wright’s upcoming book. I found the book inspiring and also thought-provoking in a somewhat uncomfortable way for me. It made me think about what I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about, which is what I feel about organized religion and what I think about the death penalty. I appreciated how Mr. Wright was transparent about his complicated feelings as well. If you enjoyed Just Mercy, you should like this, but I think it’s a good read for everyone.

[Lydia Wagner]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of Redemption. The premise is enticing and the individual stories of the female inmates are absolutely worth the read. But the book didn’t dive deeply enough into the relationship between the nuns and the inmates and went on several tangents along the way. It needed some structural help overall.

[Maysa]

I loved the hope that this book provided!

While this was devastating, the hopeful side of this made it slightly worth it.

I found the book to veer a bit away from the main point and go into asking more questions about redemption and religion.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicki]

A good story! A small vineyard with a wealthy owner that pulls in a good group of employees. He is looking to have an award winning wine so he brings in an award winner team. There is romance and a pastry chef. So much to like in this book. Loved it!

[Sheila]

I received a free copy of, Redemption, by Lawrence Wright, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. A deacon decided to bring some nuns to visit women on death row in Texas. I would of liked this book better if it had more about the nuns and the death row inmates..