What do you think?
Rate this book
The Tribes: A Novel
A dark and daring debut thriller exploring power, control and resilience against all odds, The Tribes tells the story of a cult member accused of a shocking crime and the lawyer who chooses to defend her.
One quiet night in a rural Vermont town, a panicked woman calls 9-1-1 on a gas station payphone to report that a newborn baby has died. Local police respond to the call and charge Heather Garner, a college drop-out and member of fringe religious community The Messiah’s Tribes, with the murder of her infant son. Heather’s future is in the hands of her but they haven't seen or heard from her in almost 20 years.
Lawyer Abby Harris’s friends and colleagues are puzzled by her choice to take on the case, especially given she’s pregnant with her first child. But Abby is convinced that there’s more to Heather’s story than meets the eye. The investigation leads her to understand that the community Heather belonged to may not be a peaceful, eccentric bunch of hippies, but a well-organized, exploitative criminal enterprise.
Engrossing and suspenseful, The Tribes reveals the mystery of Heather’s past piece by terrifying piece, until a jury must Is Heather a victim, like her child, or is the dead-eyed woman a willing participant in the cult’s agenda?
One quiet night in a rural Vermont town, a panicked woman calls 9-1-1 on a gas station payphone to report that a newborn baby has died. Local police respond to the call and charge Heather Garner, a college drop-out and member of fringe religious community The Messiah’s Tribes, with the murder of her infant son. Heather’s future is in the hands of her but they haven't seen or heard from her in almost 20 years.
Lawyer Abby Harris’s friends and colleagues are puzzled by her choice to take on the case, especially given she’s pregnant with her first child. But Abby is convinced that there’s more to Heather’s story than meets the eye. The investigation leads her to understand that the community Heather belonged to may not be a peaceful, eccentric bunch of hippies, but a well-organized, exploitative criminal enterprise.
Engrossing and suspenseful, The Tribes reveals the mystery of Heather’s past piece by terrifying piece, until a jury must Is Heather a victim, like her child, or is the dead-eyed woman a willing participant in the cult’s agenda?
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2020
About the author
Mari Howes
1 book19 followersMari Howes is a lawyer, consultant, and graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Rhode Island. She lives in New England with her family, and is working on her next novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Tribes
by Mari Howes is a heartbreaking and anger-inducing debut novel that is part legal thriller and part psychological thriller. One night in the rural Vermont town of Rutland, a panicked woman calls 9-1-1 to report that a newborn baby has dies. Local police respond and charge Heather Garner (also known as Havah) with the murder of her infant son. She’s a college dropout who has been a member of a fringe religious community for years.
Abby Harris, a criminal defense lawyer, decides to take on the case. She’s convinced that there’s more to Heather’s story than is immediately obvious. Her investigations lead her to understand that the religious community may not be a peaceful group, but an exploitative criminal enterprise that strips members of their autonomy. Was Heather a willing participant in her child’s death or not?
Heather is vulnerable, isolated, resilient, and psychologically compromised. Abby Harris is determined, empathetic, and fiercely independent. Heather’s family are estranged, disconnected, and desperate. The Tribes group is deceptive, dangerous, highly organized, and coercive.
The novel is set mainly in Rutland, Vermont with some scenes in Boston, Massachusetts. It also is told from the points of view of Heather and Abby and goes back and forth in time. It alternates between the current time legal defense investigation and Heather’s past inside the community. This is usually not my preferred style of writing, but I was so engrossed in both story lines that it worked for me.
Howes does a great job of capturing the internal reality of severe psychological conditioning as well as creating an immersive and eerie atmosphere full of anxiety and dread. However, there are a few slower scenes in the middle of the book. Readers should be aware that this is not an easy read. The content is heavy and examines how vulnerable young adults get drawn into fringe groups, as well as how isolation erodes personal freedom. Additionally, the book tackles the themes of child homicide, psychological abuse, systemic control, child abuse, child labor, and various other forms of abuse.
Overall, this was a distressing, insightful, and thought-provoking novel that is immersive and has great characterization. The book elicits strong emotions. Since the author is a lawyer, she brings a high level of accuracy to the story.
Dutton and Mari Howes provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 3, 2026.
---------------------------------------------
My 4.40 rounded to 4.5 stars review is coming soon.
Abby Harris, a criminal defense lawyer, decides to take on the case. She’s convinced that there’s more to Heather’s story than is immediately obvious. Her investigations lead her to understand that the religious community may not be a peaceful group, but an exploitative criminal enterprise that strips members of their autonomy. Was Heather a willing participant in her child’s death or not?
Heather is vulnerable, isolated, resilient, and psychologically compromised. Abby Harris is determined, empathetic, and fiercely independent. Heather’s family are estranged, disconnected, and desperate. The Tribes group is deceptive, dangerous, highly organized, and coercive.
The novel is set mainly in Rutland, Vermont with some scenes in Boston, Massachusetts. It also is told from the points of view of Heather and Abby and goes back and forth in time. It alternates between the current time legal defense investigation and Heather’s past inside the community. This is usually not my preferred style of writing, but I was so engrossed in both story lines that it worked for me.
Howes does a great job of capturing the internal reality of severe psychological conditioning as well as creating an immersive and eerie atmosphere full of anxiety and dread. However, there are a few slower scenes in the middle of the book. Readers should be aware that this is not an easy read. The content is heavy and examines how vulnerable young adults get drawn into fringe groups, as well as how isolation erodes personal freedom. Additionally, the book tackles the themes of child homicide, psychological abuse, systemic control, child abuse, child labor, and various other forms of abuse.
Overall, this was a distressing, insightful, and thought-provoking novel that is immersive and has great characterization. The book elicits strong emotions. Since the author is a lawyer, she brings a high level of accuracy to the story.
Dutton and Mari Howes provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 3, 2026.
---------------------------------------------
My 4.40 rounded to 4.5 stars review is coming soon.
October 28, 2026
Let me preface this by saying, this book absolutely gutted me. 😭😭😭😭😭😭 In fact, I have an emotional book hangover and have gotten very little sleep. With that said, this review might be all over the place… so I might edit later 🥹.
Part legal thriller….character study … part emotional wrecking-ball.
Heather, a loyal member of a religious cult is charged with murdering her newborn baby. Abby is her defense lawyer hired on by Heather’s estranged family of 15 years.
I will not sugarcoat it, there’s very heavy themes and a slew of trigger warnings. I mean, how can a story about a religious cult not?
I had so many damn emotions throughout the book. I was furious, sad, terrified, gutted, hopeful, defeated, and every single human emotion possibly felt.
This is the closest thing ever that I’ve read to portraying a real life cult. Think of the Branch Davidians only worse.
This is such a powerful story that I will think about it for a long long time. @marihoweswriter is such a superb storyteller as well.
If you enjoy stories of resilience that will crush your soul, read this novel.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An amazing buddy read with @saminfineprint and @suspenseisthrillingme
thank you to Dutton books for the gifted copy
Part legal thriller….character study … part emotional wrecking-ball.
Heather, a loyal member of a religious cult is charged with murdering her newborn baby. Abby is her defense lawyer hired on by Heather’s estranged family of 15 years.
I will not sugarcoat it, there’s very heavy themes and a slew of trigger warnings. I mean, how can a story about a religious cult not?
I had so many damn emotions throughout the book. I was furious, sad, terrified, gutted, hopeful, defeated, and every single human emotion possibly felt.
This is the closest thing ever that I’ve read to portraying a real life cult. Think of the Branch Davidians only worse.
This is such a powerful story that I will think about it for a long long time. @marihoweswriter is such a superb storyteller as well.
If you enjoy stories of resilience that will crush your soul, read this novel.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An amazing buddy read with @saminfineprint and @suspenseisthrillingme
thank you to Dutton books for the gifted copy
September 2, 2026
This was such an interesting read. One that was every bit as heartbreaking as it was fury-inducing. I was both fascinated and repulsed, in all the best ways, a well-written story can do.
One that sucks you in with each new horror and you can't help but be heartbroken at the way people will pray on the weak and the lonely. One the innocent and the vulnerable. And even though I know this story per se wasn't true, I do know that these people, these circumstances are real. They do sadly happen, every single day to those that are just looking to belong. Those who want to be expected and loved.
This was so well done and one story, that I am glad I took the time to read.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
One that sucks you in with each new horror and you can't help but be heartbroken at the way people will pray on the weak and the lonely. One the innocent and the vulnerable. And even though I know this story per se wasn't true, I do know that these people, these circumstances are real. They do sadly happen, every single day to those that are just looking to belong. Those who want to be expected and loved.
This was so well done and one story, that I am glad I took the time to read.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
October 21, 2026
Just wow! What an incredible story of the life of a kept woman. I am a bit stumped on how to give this book enough appreciation. It was enthralling and heartbreaking on so many levels.
“Nobody joins a cult. You join a self-help group, a religious movement, a political organization.
They change so gradually, by the time you realize you’re entrapped—and almost everybody does—you can’t figure a safe way back out. "
—DEBORAH LAYTON
What leads a woman to be so disillusioned by one world to find solace in a cult? Well, this author captures that so perfectly and so painfully through the story of Heather.
If you have an interest in cults, in the complex nature of relationships, in stories of resilience, then I absolutely recommend this novel.
The Tribes takes place in two POV’s. Heather, a college drop-out and member of The Messiah’s Tribes who finds herself charged with the murder of her infant. Then we have the POV of Abby, her lawyer, who experiences layers of scrutiny and resistance for her defense of Heather.
The only reason this isn’t a complete 5 star is that the jump from Part II to Part III was a bit abrupt, but don’t let that critique stop you from reading this engrossing story.
📢 Publication Date: 11/3/26
🎉 My Star Rating: 4.75/5🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
📖 Genre: Mystery and Thrillers
Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
“Nobody joins a cult. You join a self-help group, a religious movement, a political organization.
They change so gradually, by the time you realize you’re entrapped—and almost everybody does—you can’t figure a safe way back out. "
—DEBORAH LAYTON
What leads a woman to be so disillusioned by one world to find solace in a cult? Well, this author captures that so perfectly and so painfully through the story of Heather.
If you have an interest in cults, in the complex nature of relationships, in stories of resilience, then I absolutely recommend this novel.
The Tribes takes place in two POV’s. Heather, a college drop-out and member of The Messiah’s Tribes who finds herself charged with the murder of her infant. Then we have the POV of Abby, her lawyer, who experiences layers of scrutiny and resistance for her defense of Heather.
The only reason this isn’t a complete 5 star is that the jump from Part II to Part III was a bit abrupt, but don’t let that critique stop you from reading this engrossing story.
📢 Publication Date: 11/3/26
🎉 My Star Rating: 4.75/5🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
📖 Genre: Mystery and Thrillers
Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
GASP! A profoundly moving story of control, resilience, and the need to belong, The Tribes spun quite the unforgettable tale of a religious cult filled with sinister secrets. With a ripped-from-the-headlines air and characters that had me feeling all of the feels, I lost all track of time as I binged this masterpiece of a debut in under twenty-four hours. You see, Mari Howes somehow combined slow-burning suspense, strong cult vibes, an onion-like mystery, and sharp legal thrills into one superlative read to create a crave-able novel despite the dark themes. Because let me tell you, this one was darker than dark in so many ways. Tackling hard-to-look-at realities like indoctrination, abuse, and the moral grayness of this hard-to-fathom topic, it was one of the best and most true-to-life books about cults that I’ve ever read. Trust me when I say, this book is going to hit you hard.
I do have to say, though, that as much as I loved the thought-provoking themes, they all easily took a second-row seat to the powerful character studies on display. An emotional wrecking-ball that had me flipping between heartbreak and fury more than once, it was one heck of a rollercoaster ride for yours truly. Riddled with manipulative mind games and spine-chilling threats, I went from hating this believable yet deeply flawed protagonist to empathizing with her plight. You see, Howes walked me through her full arc, letting me see into her mind as the courtroom drama took over and the the twists twisted hard. So if you love books with a Jonestown-esque feel that also reminded me a bit of a John Grisham novel, grab this one now. Morally complex, poignant, and deeply harrowing, this story is sure to live rent-free in my head for a very, VERY long time. Rating of 5 stars.
Read if you’re a fan of:
- Character-driven stories
- Cult-centered books
- A true-to-life feel
- Psychological suspense
- Legal thrillers
- Slow-burning storylines
- Toxic relationships
- Dark mysteries
- Morally gray characters
- Onion-like plotting
- Thought-provoking themes
- Dual timelines/POVs
SYNOPSIS:
One quiet night in a rural Vermont town, a panicked woman calls 9-1-1 on a gas station payphone to report that a newborn baby has died. Local police respond to the call and charge Heather Garner, a college drop-out and member of fringe religious community The Messiah’s Tribes, with the murder of her son. Heather’s future is in the hands of her family: but they haven’t seen or heard from her in almost 20 years.
Lawyer Abby Harris’s friends and colleagues are puzzled by her choice to take on the case, especially given she’s pregnant with her first child. But Abby is convinced that there’s more to Heather’s story than meets the eye. The investigation leads her to understand that the community Heather belonged to may not be a peaceful, eccentric bunch of hippies, but a well-organized, exploitative criminal enterprise. With this knowledge, she must determine whether Heather’s past make her a victim…or a perpetrator?
Thank you Mari Howes and Dutton Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 3, 2026
Content warning: death of a child, drug use/abuse, cult, pregnancy, childbirth, medical trauma, medical content, misogyny, religious extremism, death, murder, miscarriage, stalking, child abuse, physical and emotional abuse, kidnapping, sexual assault, home invasion, forced confinement, violence
I do have to say, though, that as much as I loved the thought-provoking themes, they all easily took a second-row seat to the powerful character studies on display. An emotional wrecking-ball that had me flipping between heartbreak and fury more than once, it was one heck of a rollercoaster ride for yours truly. Riddled with manipulative mind games and spine-chilling threats, I went from hating this believable yet deeply flawed protagonist to empathizing with her plight. You see, Howes walked me through her full arc, letting me see into her mind as the courtroom drama took over and the the twists twisted hard. So if you love books with a Jonestown-esque feel that also reminded me a bit of a John Grisham novel, grab this one now. Morally complex, poignant, and deeply harrowing, this story is sure to live rent-free in my head for a very, VERY long time. Rating of 5 stars.
Read if you’re a fan of:
- Character-driven stories
- Cult-centered books
- A true-to-life feel
- Psychological suspense
- Legal thrillers
- Slow-burning storylines
- Toxic relationships
- Dark mysteries
- Morally gray characters
- Onion-like plotting
- Thought-provoking themes
- Dual timelines/POVs
SYNOPSIS:
One quiet night in a rural Vermont town, a panicked woman calls 9-1-1 on a gas station payphone to report that a newborn baby has died. Local police respond to the call and charge Heather Garner, a college drop-out and member of fringe religious community The Messiah’s Tribes, with the murder of her son. Heather’s future is in the hands of her family: but they haven’t seen or heard from her in almost 20 years.
Lawyer Abby Harris’s friends and colleagues are puzzled by her choice to take on the case, especially given she’s pregnant with her first child. But Abby is convinced that there’s more to Heather’s story than meets the eye. The investigation leads her to understand that the community Heather belonged to may not be a peaceful, eccentric bunch of hippies, but a well-organized, exploitative criminal enterprise. With this knowledge, she must determine whether Heather’s past make her a victim…or a perpetrator?
Thank you Mari Howes and Dutton Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 3, 2026
Content warning: death of a child, drug use/abuse, cult, pregnancy, childbirth, medical trauma, medical content, misogyny, religious extremism, death, murder, miscarriage, stalking, child abuse, physical and emotional abuse, kidnapping, sexual assault, home invasion, forced confinement, violence
January 24, 2021
Wow. This is an incredibly well done book on cults. An Audible Original that cost me a credit but it was so worth it. Highly recommend!
January 7, 2021
OMG! This book!
Saying I “loved it” is far too generic. For me, The Tribes holds that special Masterpiece status.
This story put me on an emotional rollercoaster. I felt sad, angry, hopeful. I criticized, then empathized, then felt the world shift, cried, worried, hoped.
The Tribes is a slowburn character study in the best way. It’s an honest, real look at enticement and entrapment into a cult, examining our need to belong, our search for acceptance, and the slow, insidious mind games of psychological abuse.
Told in alternating chapters by Heather, the eventual cult member, and Abby, who becomes her lawyer, we’re drawn in close, as if we’re living the events as they unfold. The multiple narrators had me believing this was their story every step of the way.
If you’ve ever wondered why someone gets involved with a cult and, perhaps more importantly, why they stay when things start going sideways, listen to this audiobook.
*I received a free copy via a giveaway.*
Saying I “loved it” is far too generic. For me, The Tribes holds that special Masterpiece status.
This story put me on an emotional rollercoaster. I felt sad, angry, hopeful. I criticized, then empathized, then felt the world shift, cried, worried, hoped.
The Tribes is a slowburn character study in the best way. It’s an honest, real look at enticement and entrapment into a cult, examining our need to belong, our search for acceptance, and the slow, insidious mind games of psychological abuse.
Told in alternating chapters by Heather, the eventual cult member, and Abby, who becomes her lawyer, we’re drawn in close, as if we’re living the events as they unfold. The multiple narrators had me believing this was their story every step of the way.
If you’ve ever wondered why someone gets involved with a cult and, perhaps more importantly, why they stay when things start going sideways, listen to this audiobook.
*I received a free copy via a giveaway.*
August 9, 2026
On the surface this seems like a book that I would love but I was a little let down while reading. I think the writing is good, and the concept is great but I just wasn't as pulled into the story as I imagined. I like books about cults and a mystery/thriller/suspense aspect and there were parts of this book that were very exciting but I just never really felt "hooked". I feel like this may just not have been the right book at the right time for me because I can see how others will be drawn into this one instantly. This book has some darker elements so if you are sensitive to cult/abuse scenarios, I would avoid this one.
Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 11/3/26
Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 11/3/26
October 13, 2026
Give me a book that revolves around cults and I am INSTANTLY IN!
I loved the back and forth POVs, multiple timelines and all the different locations this book took us to. There was so much to uncover and I was immediately hooked by the premise!
Heather is on trial for the death of her newborn and Abby is her lawyer. It seems like this might be an easy case until Heather reveals that she goes by a different spiritual name and is part of Vermont’s local Messiah’s Tribe. Aka, a cult… but shhhh, don’t call it that around them! According to them, it’s definitely not a cult.
This cult.... I mean, tribe doesn’t believe in medicine or much of anything that comes from outside its communes. So how can Heather be held responsible for her newborn’s death when hospitals are practically forbidden and go against everything her religion believes in?
I was LOVING this book but around the 40% mark things started to feel repetitive and a little drawn out. Had this book been 20–30% shorter, I probably would have rated it higher. However, I’m not the biggest fan of slow burns, so this might just be a me thing!
So, if you love multiple POVs, different timelines, secrets slowly being revealed and CULTS - THEN THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!
I loved the back and forth POVs, multiple timelines and all the different locations this book took us to. There was so much to uncover and I was immediately hooked by the premise!
Heather is on trial for the death of her newborn and Abby is her lawyer. It seems like this might be an easy case until Heather reveals that she goes by a different spiritual name and is part of Vermont’s local Messiah’s Tribe. Aka, a cult… but shhhh, don’t call it that around them! According to them, it’s definitely not a cult.
This cult.... I mean, tribe doesn’t believe in medicine or much of anything that comes from outside its communes. So how can Heather be held responsible for her newborn’s death when hospitals are practically forbidden and go against everything her religion believes in?
I was LOVING this book but around the 40% mark things started to feel repetitive and a little drawn out. Had this book been 20–30% shorter, I probably would have rated it higher. However, I’m not the biggest fan of slow burns, so this might just be a me thing!
So, if you love multiple POVs, different timelines, secrets slowly being revealed and CULTS - THEN THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!
November 17, 2021
➙ 5⭐
➙ Narration 😍 = Amazing
➙ Narrated by 🎙️Barrie Kreinik & Piper Goodeve
➙ Mystery/Thriller
➙ Detailed cult life⛪
➙ Dual POV’s between Lawyer & Defendant
➙ Courtroom Proceedings⚖️
➙ A full-length Audible Original
I don’t remember being that invested in a verdict since I read A Time To Kill by John Grisham. I seriously ate this up with a fork and a spoon.
This story was engrossing, told in dual perspective going back and forth between the defendant and the lawyer representing her case. Heather/Havah (her cult name) is the woman who stands accused of the death of her child and Abby is the lawyer who is defending her. The story behind what happened to the defendant and her baby is methodically revealed going back and forth between the present and the past.
This is easily the best Audible Original I’ve ever listened to and if you’re like me and you’re drawn to books about cults then this is one that can’t be missed. I was feverish with Covid and still couldn’t stop listening...if that’s not an endorsement, I don’t what is.
🅒🅐🅦🅟🅘🅛🅔 10/❿
🅒haracters ￫ 10
🅐tmosphere ￫ 10
🅦riting ￫ 10
🅟lot ￫ 10
🅘ntrigue ￫ 10
🅛ogic ￫ 10
🅔njoyment ￫ 10
➙ Narration 😍 = Amazing
➙ Narrated by 🎙️Barrie Kreinik & Piper Goodeve
➙ Mystery/Thriller
➙ Detailed cult life⛪
➙ Dual POV’s between Lawyer & Defendant
➙ Courtroom Proceedings⚖️
➙ A full-length Audible Original
I don’t remember being that invested in a verdict since I read A Time To Kill by John Grisham. I seriously ate this up with a fork and a spoon.
This story was engrossing, told in dual perspective going back and forth between the defendant and the lawyer representing her case. Heather/Havah (her cult name) is the woman who stands accused of the death of her child and Abby is the lawyer who is defending her. The story behind what happened to the defendant and her baby is methodically revealed going back and forth between the present and the past.
This is easily the best Audible Original I’ve ever listened to and if you’re like me and you’re drawn to books about cults then this is one that can’t be missed. I was feverish with Covid and still couldn’t stop listening...if that’s not an endorsement, I don’t what is.
🅒🅐🅦🅟🅘🅛🅔 10/❿
🅒haracters ￫ 10
🅐tmosphere ￫ 10
🅦riting ￫ 10
🅟lot ￫ 10
🅘ntrigue ￫ 10
🅛ogic ￫ 10
🅔njoyment ￫ 10
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Tribes by Mari Howes. Thanks to Dutton for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Abby’s friends and puzzled when she faked a child homicide case, but she’s convinced her client, Heather, will eventually tell the full story. Heather was part of a fringe religious community, The Messiah Tribes, and is charged with the murder of her infant son.
Cult thrillers are hit or miss for me but I’m happy to say this one was a true hit! I’m surprised it is a debut novel. The dual time periods and investigation were perfectly done to build suspense. We saw the difference in the commune members; those born there and those that arrived later. Heather’s backstory and trauma showed how everything can change in an instant and how one could get hooked into such a place. The details of the cult were fascinating, even though all doesn’t come out until the end.
“What an impossible thing it is to be certain for so long, only to lose your faith.”
Read if you like:
-Cult or religious commune stories
-Courtroom thrillers and investigations
-Dual perspective and timelines
The Tribes come out 11/3.
Abby’s friends and puzzled when she faked a child homicide case, but she’s convinced her client, Heather, will eventually tell the full story. Heather was part of a fringe religious community, The Messiah Tribes, and is charged with the murder of her infant son.
Cult thrillers are hit or miss for me but I’m happy to say this one was a true hit! I’m surprised it is a debut novel. The dual time periods and investigation were perfectly done to build suspense. We saw the difference in the commune members; those born there and those that arrived later. Heather’s backstory and trauma showed how everything can change in an instant and how one could get hooked into such a place. The details of the cult were fascinating, even though all doesn’t come out until the end.
“What an impossible thing it is to be certain for so long, only to lose your faith.”
Read if you like:
-Cult or religious commune stories
-Courtroom thrillers and investigations
-Dual perspective and timelines
The Tribes come out 11/3.
Want to Read
August 7, 2026Thank you, Dutton, for sending over this ARC. Can't wait to read it!
Pub Date Nov 3 2026
Pub Date Nov 3 2026
December 26, 2020
I am so glad I took a chance on this book. It checked all of my boxes, a true gem!
October 23, 2026
#ad much love for my finished copy @duttonbooks #partner
🆃🅷🅴 🆃🆁🅸🅱🅴🆂
< @marihoweswriter >
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ: ɴᴏᴠᴇᴍʙᴇʀ 𝟥, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟨
𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘩, 𝘸𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴,𝘸𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥...
Oof! I freaking loved this book so much! I was already hooked because of the cult theme, but add in some courtroom action and I’m SOLDDDDD. Literally the perfect combination of two of my favorite themes. I do wish we’d gotten more of the courtroom action, because you know that’s my jam - but I fully enjoyed this book.
It’s the 911 call that begins everything. A frantic woman reporting the death of a newborn. But to understand how we got here, it’s crucial that we go back. Nearly twenty years back, to when Heather Garner first became involved with a religious community known as The Messiah’s Tribes. Now she’s facing a murder charge, and the family she left behind decades ago may be her only hope.
The story alternates between Heather’s perspective in the past and Abby’s perspective as the attorney defending her in the present. I enjoyed both equally, especially getting the legal side of things. We get the best of both worlds here, with the psychological horrors of cult indoctrination and the courtroom drama surrounding a mother accused of the unthinkable.
What I especially appreciated was how Howes explored the psychology behind cults. People don’t just wake up one morning and decide to join a cult. It happens slowly. It starts with belonging, acceptance, and the promise of something better. Then come the manipulation, isolation, hidden motives, and psychological conditioning. By the time you realize what’s happening, everything you once believed has been turned upside down, and leaving may no longer feel like an option.
And that’s what makes Heather’s story so compelling. Watching someone slowly lose their independence, their identity, and eventually their ability to recognize the manipulation for what it is. It’s infuriating because, as an outsider, you can see the warning signs long before she can.
I also loved the moral and legal questions this story raises. At what point does someone who has been psychologically manipulated become responsible for their actions? Can someone be both a victim and a perpetrator? And how do you even begin to untangle nearly twenty years of indoctrination in a courtroom?
Howes did a fantastic job of laying it all out without losing the suspense. There’s so much more happening beneath the surface than a simple murder case, and I loved watching those layers slowly peel away. I also enjoyed the writing. I will def be reading more books by this author.
A fun but also incredibly insightful read. Dark, disturbing, thought-provoking, and packed with the kind of psychological complexity I love. For a debut novel, this was one hell of a read!
🆃🅷🅴 🆃🆁🅸🅱🅴🆂
< @marihoweswriter >
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ: ɴᴏᴠᴇᴍʙᴇʀ 𝟥, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟨
𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘩, 𝘸𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴,𝘸𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥...
Oof! I freaking loved this book so much! I was already hooked because of the cult theme, but add in some courtroom action and I’m SOLDDDDD. Literally the perfect combination of two of my favorite themes. I do wish we’d gotten more of the courtroom action, because you know that’s my jam - but I fully enjoyed this book.
It’s the 911 call that begins everything. A frantic woman reporting the death of a newborn. But to understand how we got here, it’s crucial that we go back. Nearly twenty years back, to when Heather Garner first became involved with a religious community known as The Messiah’s Tribes. Now she’s facing a murder charge, and the family she left behind decades ago may be her only hope.
The story alternates between Heather’s perspective in the past and Abby’s perspective as the attorney defending her in the present. I enjoyed both equally, especially getting the legal side of things. We get the best of both worlds here, with the psychological horrors of cult indoctrination and the courtroom drama surrounding a mother accused of the unthinkable.
What I especially appreciated was how Howes explored the psychology behind cults. People don’t just wake up one morning and decide to join a cult. It happens slowly. It starts with belonging, acceptance, and the promise of something better. Then come the manipulation, isolation, hidden motives, and psychological conditioning. By the time you realize what’s happening, everything you once believed has been turned upside down, and leaving may no longer feel like an option.
And that’s what makes Heather’s story so compelling. Watching someone slowly lose their independence, their identity, and eventually their ability to recognize the manipulation for what it is. It’s infuriating because, as an outsider, you can see the warning signs long before she can.
I also loved the moral and legal questions this story raises. At what point does someone who has been psychologically manipulated become responsible for their actions? Can someone be both a victim and a perpetrator? And how do you even begin to untangle nearly twenty years of indoctrination in a courtroom?
Howes did a fantastic job of laying it all out without losing the suspense. There’s so much more happening beneath the surface than a simple murder case, and I loved watching those layers slowly peel away. I also enjoyed the writing. I will def be reading more books by this author.
A fun but also incredibly insightful read. Dark, disturbing, thought-provoking, and packed with the kind of psychological complexity I love. For a debut novel, this was one hell of a read!
October 26, 2026
Oh, this is an amazing book. You have Heather who calls the police to report a dead baby, when the cops arrive the arrest her for killing and burying her own child. Abby is a lawyer who is still trying to prove herself. When they get together Heather struggles to get Abby’s story out of her. She knows that she was a part of an eccentric group of hippies, but the truth about these people is way darker than you would expect.
I think this is a very powerful book talking about lived experiences and perception. Abby both loved and hated her life in the community. They truly emphasize that joining the group was her choice, yet as she saw more about how they handled certain situations when people came to power she found she no longer wanted to be part of it. Yet getting in is easy, getting out is much harder. This book is dark and twisted but also could shine a light on some people’s lived experiences and their fight to try and overcome their past choices.
Thank you to Dutton and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
I think this is a very powerful book talking about lived experiences and perception. Abby both loved and hated her life in the community. They truly emphasize that joining the group was her choice, yet as she saw more about how they handled certain situations when people came to power she found she no longer wanted to be part of it. Yet getting in is easy, getting out is much harder. This book is dark and twisted but also could shine a light on some people’s lived experiences and their fight to try and overcome their past choices.
Thank you to Dutton and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
September 25, 2026
This cult thriller was told from the POV of Heather, a member of the cult, who is accused of killing her baby, and Abby, her attorney who is defending her. The story goes back & forth between the two characters as we learn the inner workings of the Messiah’s Tribes. Some of what went on was disturbing and it makes you wonder how a person who was raised in a good home and given a good education could fall for such wacky ideals. I was totally immersed in this story, as I love a good courtroom drama as well. At the end of the day, all Heather wanted was to be a part of something that understood her and made her feel part of something bigger than her. And it was all well & good, until it wasn’t.
Thank you to NetGalley & Dutton Books for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Thank you to NetGalley & Dutton Books for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
February 1, 2021
The readers were really good and the story was pretty interesting, but I was ready to be done with it by the end. Cults are fascinating, but they also make me queasy.
December 10, 2020
If you like true crime (although this is fiction). reading about cults, and/or courtroom drama TV shows, this book will be in your wheelhouse.
Heather joined the Messiah's tribes in the early 1990s but now she has been arrested for the death of her child and her lawyer Abby is having to pull the truth out of her to learn what really happened.
From the first chapter of this book I was sucked in, and I proceeded to FLY through it because I was so invested in finding out everything that happened. I don't want to give too much away, but do note that even Audible gives a content warning which I have included with an addition below.
Please note: This audio contains strong language, distressing situations, and descriptions of abuse and violence that some listeners may find upsetting. Discretion is advised.
Heather joined the Messiah's tribes in the early 1990s but now she has been arrested for the death of her child and her lawyer Abby is having to pull the truth out of her to learn what really happened.
From the first chapter of this book I was sucked in, and I proceeded to FLY through it because I was so invested in finding out everything that happened. I don't want to give too much away, but do note that even Audible gives a content warning which I have included with an addition below.
Please note: This audio contains strong language, distressing situations, and descriptions of abuse and violence that some listeners may find upsetting. Discretion is advised.
December 16, 2020
4.5 stars!!
I got this book as an audible Daily Deal the day it came out. It had zero reviews. Nowhere on the internet could I find mention of this book or the author. But I liked the description so I took a gamble.... and hit the jackpot!!
I got this book as an audible Daily Deal the day it came out. It had zero reviews. Nowhere on the internet could I find mention of this book or the author. But I liked the description so I took a gamble.... and hit the jackpot!!
January 12, 2021
Really enjoyed this book. I grew up in a "cult" church. Not one that was as strict as this one (although I hear in other areas of the country it was stricter). So this book resonated with me. To this day...30+ years later.. to do things like celebrate birthdays or decorate for Halloween still feels odd or uncomfortable to me. The author really captured the "brain washing", the "fear", or in my case it was all I knew because it was what I grew up with, and a little of the fear. But I understand the comfort they gave my single mother after the abuse her father and ex-husband gave her, and how she was lured in. It happens. And this book, with this story put it in a light that will be eye opening to many, but was not mean spirited or judgmental to those that have fallen prey. All the while this was a great murder mystery! How many murder mysteries really make you self reflect a little. What makes you feel out of place, or lonely, or like you don't fit in, and how do you cope with that? We need healthy ways of dealing with that or we fall prey to things like cults or bad relationships just to feel wanted and a part of something.
August 6, 2026
The Tribes is a fascinating and disturbing look into a religious cult and the ways they can brainwash a seemingly normal and sane human into joining their ranks and bowing down to whatever they say.
When Heather drops out of college and doesn’t want her family to know, she gets drawn into a world where her autonomy is taken away, all of her worldly possessions are taken away, and she must honor and obey the leaders of this cult. They chose for her a husband and she was expected to provide children in order for the cult to grow. By the time Heather realizes things are actually very, very bad, it might be too late to save herself and her family.
The author does a great job showing that cult manipulation isn’t necessarily about a person being weak or gullible, it happens slowly through manipulation and isolation. There are some disturbing and difficult subjects here, so this is definitely not a light read, though I found it incredibly thought-provoking and compelling.
Thank you, NetGalley and Dutton for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this 5-star book.
When Heather drops out of college and doesn’t want her family to know, she gets drawn into a world where her autonomy is taken away, all of her worldly possessions are taken away, and she must honor and obey the leaders of this cult. They chose for her a husband and she was expected to provide children in order for the cult to grow. By the time Heather realizes things are actually very, very bad, it might be too late to save herself and her family.
The author does a great job showing that cult manipulation isn’t necessarily about a person being weak or gullible, it happens slowly through manipulation and isolation. There are some disturbing and difficult subjects here, so this is definitely not a light read, though I found it incredibly thought-provoking and compelling.
Thank you, NetGalley and Dutton for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this 5-star book.
Read
March 14, 2021The Tribes is both harrowing and addictive as it delves into the vulnerability of youth and the insidiousness of cult indoctrination. With a ripped-from-the-headlines plot and irresistible narration, The Tribes is not to be missed!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 stars. “Nobody joins a cult. You join a self-help group, a religious movement, a political organization. They change so gradually, by the time you realize you’re trapped . . . you can’t figure a safe way back out.” Deborah Layton, survivor of the Peoples Temple.
This is the quote that starts Part 1 of this dark legal thriller about power and control in a secretive religious community. You know this will be good!
It all starts with a 911 call about an abandoned baby. This leads to the arrest of Heather Garner in Rutland, VT, who is charged with the murder if her child. Abby Harris is hired by Heather’s family to defend her. Heather’s family hasn’t heard from her since she disappeared twenty years ago after she joined the Messiah’s Tribe. This case could make or break Abby’s career. Abby is besieged by friends not to take the “baby killer” case and sent death threats by cult members. Unspooling the details that lead up to the death of Heather’s child reveals surprising and deep details of Heather’s secret life but will this be enough to save her.
Told from the alternating POVs of Heather and Abby, the writing is crisp and sharp. Heather’s POVs start out “before” - during her failing college, dropping out and joining the cult where she’s called Sister Havah; after marrying the chapters with Heather’s POV are entitled Havah. Abby’s chapters are her search for understanding and answers. There is a lot of suspense in the telling. But no spoilers here. You won’t be disappointed if you read this book.
I think my only criticism of the book was having Abby be pregnant as she carries out her legal duties - sorry to anyone for giving that away. If the author was trying to draw some kind of parallel between the two protagonists about motherhood, that theme didn’t seem well developed to me. However the cult experience was finely drawn, relatable but dark - reminded me of The Oracle’s Daughter published earlier this year.
This is a book for readers who want to explore cults in a fictional setting.
My thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for allowing me access to this ARC.
This is the quote that starts Part 1 of this dark legal thriller about power and control in a secretive religious community. You know this will be good!
It all starts with a 911 call about an abandoned baby. This leads to the arrest of Heather Garner in Rutland, VT, who is charged with the murder if her child. Abby Harris is hired by Heather’s family to defend her. Heather’s family hasn’t heard from her since she disappeared twenty years ago after she joined the Messiah’s Tribe. This case could make or break Abby’s career. Abby is besieged by friends not to take the “baby killer” case and sent death threats by cult members. Unspooling the details that lead up to the death of Heather’s child reveals surprising and deep details of Heather’s secret life but will this be enough to save her.
Told from the alternating POVs of Heather and Abby, the writing is crisp and sharp. Heather’s POVs start out “before” - during her failing college, dropping out and joining the cult where she’s called Sister Havah; after marrying the chapters with Heather’s POV are entitled Havah. Abby’s chapters are her search for understanding and answers. There is a lot of suspense in the telling. But no spoilers here. You won’t be disappointed if you read this book.
I think my only criticism of the book was having Abby be pregnant as she carries out her legal duties - sorry to anyone for giving that away. If the author was trying to draw some kind of parallel between the two protagonists about motherhood, that theme didn’t seem well developed to me. However the cult experience was finely drawn, relatable but dark - reminded me of The Oracle’s Daughter published earlier this year.
This is a book for readers who want to explore cults in a fictional setting.
My thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for allowing me access to this ARC.
October 29, 2026
This book was SO GOOD. 😮💨
I was glued to my Kindle & needed to know how everything was going to unfold.
This story had me in a chokehold from beginning to end,
The cult dynamics in this book were absolutely WILD to read about.
The abuse, the manipulation, the control… and the way it’s all wrapped up in the idea of love.
These followers genuinely believe they’re being cared for, that they belong, and that they’re part of something bigger than themselves.
They’re promised a higher purpose, and that’s what makes it all the more unsettling.
There’s something terrifying about watching how easily love, loyalty, and a sense of belonging can be twisted into something so sinister.
& the fact that the people caught up in it believe they’re doing the right thing?
I had SO MANY thoughts while reading this.
I love when a book pulls me in, makes me uncomfortable, and leaves me thinking after I’ve finished.
This one absolutely delivered. 👏🏻
Heather and the Tribes have taken up residence in my brain, and I don’t see them moving out anytime soon.
If you love gripping stories that explore the darker side of human nature and leave you with plenty to think about, then this one belongs on your TBR.
Thank you Mari Howe, Dutton & Netgalley for allowing me to be an early reader.
#bookreview
I was glued to my Kindle & needed to know how everything was going to unfold.
This story had me in a chokehold from beginning to end,
The cult dynamics in this book were absolutely WILD to read about.
The abuse, the manipulation, the control… and the way it’s all wrapped up in the idea of love.
These followers genuinely believe they’re being cared for, that they belong, and that they’re part of something bigger than themselves.
They’re promised a higher purpose, and that’s what makes it all the more unsettling.
There’s something terrifying about watching how easily love, loyalty, and a sense of belonging can be twisted into something so sinister.
& the fact that the people caught up in it believe they’re doing the right thing?
I had SO MANY thoughts while reading this.
I love when a book pulls me in, makes me uncomfortable, and leaves me thinking after I’ve finished.
This one absolutely delivered. 👏🏻
Heather and the Tribes have taken up residence in my brain, and I don’t see them moving out anytime soon.
If you love gripping stories that explore the darker side of human nature and leave you with plenty to think about, then this one belongs on your TBR.
Thank you Mari Howe, Dutton & Netgalley for allowing me to be an early reader.
#bookreview
October 31, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House | Dutton Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Mari Howes. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!
Heather is a college student, not fitting into the expectations of her family, and failing out of college. She comes across a group that seems so welcoming and loving, giving her all she needs. Until she's trapped. Decades later, police respond to a 911 call that a newborn baby has died, and they charge Heather with murder of her infant son. Abby, single and pregnant, is Heather's lawyer, and she's convinced that there's more to Heather's story than she's admitting.
Wow - I was completely engrossed with this book until the very last page. It has a bit of everything - a cult, mystery, legal thriller, intriguing characters - wrapped up in such a fashion that you won't be able to look away. The old saying, Nobody joins a cult, is sure apt here. Things always look good in the beginning until you slowly lose yourself. Heather's story is parsed out slowly as the chapters alternate between her past and Abby's defense of her in the present. These characters and their plights felt so real to me. Know that this isn't an easy read, but it is so well written with such a thought-provoking, emotional storyline that I was obsessed with it and felt gutted at the end.
Heather is a college student, not fitting into the expectations of her family, and failing out of college. She comes across a group that seems so welcoming and loving, giving her all she needs. Until she's trapped. Decades later, police respond to a 911 call that a newborn baby has died, and they charge Heather with murder of her infant son. Abby, single and pregnant, is Heather's lawyer, and she's convinced that there's more to Heather's story than she's admitting.
Wow - I was completely engrossed with this book until the very last page. It has a bit of everything - a cult, mystery, legal thriller, intriguing characters - wrapped up in such a fashion that you won't be able to look away. The old saying, Nobody joins a cult, is sure apt here. Things always look good in the beginning until you slowly lose yourself. Heather's story is parsed out slowly as the chapters alternate between her past and Abby's defense of her in the present. These characters and their plights felt so real to me. Know that this isn't an easy read, but it is so well written with such a thought-provoking, emotional storyline that I was obsessed with it and felt gutted at the end.
August 10, 2026
Heather is a college dropout who has disappointed all of her overachieving family and wanders into a cafe run by Messiah's Tribes. She is met warmly and told about living in a commune where all work together and care for each other. It sounds so inviting after so much rejection at school, with friends, and even her family.
Abby Harris is an attorney taking a case to take on a child homicide, while she is pregnant herself. She had no idea how much she would be putting herself at risk.
A compelling story that shows just how cults work in getting people to join, the price paid to be there, and the risk it takes to leave one. It was easy to get involved in this story line and care about the characters. It was a story that I felt in my gut reading it. Very well written and highly recommend.
Sometimes you are in so deep you can see no way out.
My thanks to Net Galley and Dutton Marketing, along with Mari Howes for the advanced copy of this e-book, which paired well with Audible's audio.
Abby Harris is an attorney taking a case to take on a child homicide, while she is pregnant herself. She had no idea how much she would be putting herself at risk.
A compelling story that shows just how cults work in getting people to join, the price paid to be there, and the risk it takes to leave one. It was easy to get involved in this story line and care about the characters. It was a story that I felt in my gut reading it. Very well written and highly recommend.
Sometimes you are in so deep you can see no way out.
My thanks to Net Galley and Dutton Marketing, along with Mari Howes for the advanced copy of this e-book, which paired well with Audible's audio.
October 17, 2026
"Maybe loneliness is a side effect of feeling misunderstood. The loneliness settles into my bones like chronic pain, a constant that saps my energy."
I have to be honest, I am not the biggest fan of reading about cults. Something about this intrigued me enough to pick it up and I am glad I did. Its easy for so many of us to not understand how someone could become so easily brainwashed. With Heather, it was easy to understand how she fell prey to it. Someone who constantly felt like an outsider and could do nothing right in everyone's eyes. So when this group of people who reach out and offer her love and comfort when she is at her lowest point, its hard to imagine someone not gravitating towards it.
The story does start slow but once she officially joins the cult, it picks up and I was heavily invested in her story. The things she goes through and the trial when we find out about what actually happened the moment her baby was born is gut wrenching. A solid thriller.
I have to be honest, I am not the biggest fan of reading about cults. Something about this intrigued me enough to pick it up and I am glad I did. Its easy for so many of us to not understand how someone could become so easily brainwashed. With Heather, it was easy to understand how she fell prey to it. Someone who constantly felt like an outsider and could do nothing right in everyone's eyes. So when this group of people who reach out and offer her love and comfort when she is at her lowest point, its hard to imagine someone not gravitating towards it.
The story does start slow but once she officially joins the cult, it picks up and I was heavily invested in her story. The things she goes through and the trial when we find out about what actually happened the moment her baby was born is gut wrenching. A solid thriller.
October 3, 2026
Thank you Net Galley for this Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was intrigued by this one by the description involving a cult. Cults are always so fascinating to hear about/read about just because of how crazy they are. It’s really hard for me to understand how people get involved in cults but this book does a good job of showing how people get sucked in and how they are forced to stay. This book was a back and forth perspective of Hannah who joined the cult and her defense attorney Abby. It was interesting to see these two perspectives throughout the book. The amount of abuse/trauma the main character receives during this book is wild. I think I was expecting just a smidge more of the crime from the cult and a more exciting trial.
Overall I was interested to find out what happened but it did seem to take a while to get there.
I was intrigued by this one by the description involving a cult. Cults are always so fascinating to hear about/read about just because of how crazy they are. It’s really hard for me to understand how people get involved in cults but this book does a good job of showing how people get sucked in and how they are forced to stay. This book was a back and forth perspective of Hannah who joined the cult and her defense attorney Abby. It was interesting to see these two perspectives throughout the book. The amount of abuse/trauma the main character receives during this book is wild. I think I was expecting just a smidge more of the crime from the cult and a more exciting trial.
Overall I was interested to find out what happened but it did seem to take a while to get there.
October 26, 2026
thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC!
not super sure what to make of this one, honestly. I think it started out pretty strong, and it was well written throughout. I don't read a ton of cult thrillers, and I find the ones I do read to be quite affecting, including this one. the way the horror keeps piling up feels overwhelming and you're wondering how Heather could ever get out.
but then this book has a couple of big time jumps, and I think they take a lot out of the story. Emanuel emerges as this mega-antagonist (and don't get me wrong, he is /horrible/) out of nowhere. I also feel like this book had a bunch of undercooked or dropped plots in general, like the Tribes deeply threatening Abby, or why Heather joined the cult in the first place. that latter bit takes up a ton of time at the beginning, as it should, but it completely drops away by the end.
too many things in the ending felt too up in the air as well, and I think I was expecting some big emotional payoff that never came. that might be more realistic to life though, you know?
not super sure what to make of this one, honestly. I think it started out pretty strong, and it was well written throughout. I don't read a ton of cult thrillers, and I find the ones I do read to be quite affecting, including this one. the way the horror keeps piling up feels overwhelming and you're wondering how Heather could ever get out.
but then this book has a couple of big time jumps, and I think they take a lot out of the story. Emanuel emerges as this mega-antagonist (and don't get me wrong, he is /horrible/) out of nowhere. I also feel like this book had a bunch of undercooked or dropped plots in general, like the Tribes deeply threatening Abby, or why Heather joined the cult in the first place. that latter bit takes up a ton of time at the beginning, as it should, but it completely drops away by the end.
too many things in the ending felt too up in the air as well, and I think I was expecting some big emotional payoff that never came. that might be more realistic to life though, you know?
October 31, 2026
This story is told from two POVs. Heather, a devoted mother and member of a cult/commune, and Abby, a lawyer who is about to become a mother herself. Heather, known as Havah within the commune, calls 911 in a panic to get help for her newborn, going against the commune's beliefs and practices. When the police arrive, she is arrested for the baby's death. Abby must find a way to get Havah to trust her so she can uncover the truth about what really happened. This was a dark and gripping story that I could not put down. I was so invested in the characters and the story that was unfolding. I really enjoyed this one! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this copy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews