The Tribes: A Novel

by Mari Howes

A dark and daring debut novel 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 who’s been a member of fringe religious community The Messiah’s Tribes since the 1990s, with the murder of her infant son. Heather’s future is left in the hands of a family who hasn’t seen or heard from her in almost 20 years.

Abby Harris’s friends and colleagues are puzzled by her choice to take on a child homicide case, but Abby is convinced that there’s more to Heather’s story than meets the eye. Putting her own pregnancy at risk, Abby’s investigations lead her to understand that The Messiah’s Tribes may not be a peaceful, eccentric bunch of hippies, but a well-organized, exploitative criminal enterprise.

Engrossing and suspenseful, the mystery of Heather’s past is revealed piece by terrifying piece, until a jury must decide: Are Heather and her dead child just collateral damage, or is the dead-eyed woman a willing participant in the cult’s sinister agenda?

Please note: This audio contains strong language, distressing situations, and descriptions of abuse and violence that some listeners may find upsetting. Discretion is advised.

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Cults, Cult Classics

416 pages, Paperback

First published December 10, 2020

About the author

Mari 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.

Reviews

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.*

[Laura Peden · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[ᒪᗴᗩᕼ · Rating 5 out of 5]

➙ 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

[Tiffany]

Thank you, Dutton, for sending over this ARC. Can't wait to read it!

Pub Date Nov 3 2026

[Shannon Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I took a chance on this book. It checked all of my boxes, a true gem!

[Darcia Helle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.*

[Hannah Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Atira · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!!

[Jackie Shriver · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Lisa Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ashley Flippin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Dutton for the ARC of this title being rereleased November 3.
This book was phenomenal! I was hooked from the beginning. This is a crime thriller that follows Abby as she tries to help Heather leave the clutches of an awful cult and clear her of murder charges.
Heather is sucked into a commune/cult at just 19 years old. In the beginning it is a happy place but over time it turns into a scary place to be. These book was written so well and the characters were developed perfectly. I would recommend this book to anyone. 5 stars.

[Mary Ayre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This had me engaged from the very beginning. You can tell Mari Howes really did her research especially through interviewing ex-cult members to make this book a PERFECTION. I look forward to her next book!

[Mike Prewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well done book

[Stephanie Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tribes was such an interesting read! If you find "cult mentality" interesting, you will want to read this.

Abby is a defense lawyer representing Heather, aka Havah, who is charged with the murder of her newborn. I really enjoyed getting both Abby’s and Havah’s perspectives, but Havah’s was definitely my favorite. The author did an incredible job showing the world through the eyes of someone within a cult and how deeply those beliefs can shape your reality.

The exploration of belief, loyalty, and manipulation were what really stood out to me. A compelling and thought-provoking read!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and Mari Howes for the eARC.

[Ashley✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love learning about cults, let alone thrillers, and this “book” (audible) did not disappoint! I would consider this a legal thriller that involves a woman found on the street claiming her newborn has died and was a member of a local cult (“religious community”) for roughly 20 years. You learn her history, background, and battles throughout those 20 years on a detailed and daring adventure. Additionally, you ride on the adventure of the attorney representing the newly discovered woman, who has her own internal and personal battles.

I truly wish this was printed in physical book format, but ultimately the audible did NOT disappoint and most certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. I have not read or listened to other novels on this author, but it was an excellent audiobook. Highly Recommend!

[Clay Branch · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was largely bland. I took issue with character developments throughout. How quickly the main character fell in with the group, read false. She asked a handful of probing questions when things sounded odd at the start, but quickly brushed those oddities aside because there was a cute guy who showed interest in her. She was also willing to accept large differences in the believes the group had from normal life with the exception of physically punishing her children. Leaving one to question how this character could possibly believe some of the absurd ideas the group went by, yet was still grounded enough to know physical abuse towards her children was wrong and was willing to ignore following that bit of the groups believe. Her father was shown to be harsh towards her in the beginning, giving her a possible reason for finding comfort in the group. Yet after almost 20 years of not having heard from her and finally seeing her again and hearing of her ordeal, he still basically treats her the same, really? While at the same time showing a kindness towards her children, another false ring for me. There is an injury that occurs in the story and by the description of it's severity and the length of time that goes by without it's treatment, I find it near impossible to believe one would not have been able to survive it for that length of time. Now I am willing to admit that I may be wrong in the ways I feel this book failed in it's characterizations. The writer did speak with individuals who experienced being a part of such groups and possibly took exact descriptions from those individuals and put them in this story. If so, my apologies. In the end, the overall story left me wanting for a better told story.

[Donna Krutsinger - Mockingbird Musings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be so engrossing. Mari Howes, who is also a lawyer, does such an excellent job of narrating her story of a fictional, religious cult and the accusation of murder directed at one of their members.

You know a work of fiction is exceptional when you find yourself asking, "Did this actually happen?" Such is the case with The Tribes.

Our main character, Heather, is definitely at an impasse in her life. Unlike her two over-achieving older sisters, Heather did not take college seriously, partied way too much, and has found herself in quite the jam. At a concert one night, she stumbles upon some "friendly" people willing to give her a place to rest. Little did she know at that point, they were actually recruiters for a cult (or as they like to call themselves, a happy commune) called Messiah's Tribes.

Not telling her parents that she has indeed flunked out of college, the next Fall, Heather takes her government-issued grant check, finds the friendly cult members (working at the facade of a restaurant) and turns all of her possessions over to them in exchange for a "safe place to stay."

We meet up with Heather, now called Havah, nearly two decades later and find that her "safe place" has been anything but. In a frenzied 911 call, she frantically reports that her newborn has died. This immediately raises several red flags, mostly that the Messiah's Tribes did not believe or allow medical intervention. The next thing we know, Heather/Havah is charged with murder.

The novel is then told in dual timelines and perspectives—that of Havah and Abby, the defense lawyer her sisters and parents got to defend her. The corruption, brainwashing, and mind control of the religious cult all comes to light, not only haunting Havah and her children, but also Abby, who happens to be about halfway through her first pregnancy when she takes on the case.

The story is so riveting, not to mention jaw-dropping and heart-wrenching. If you are fascinated with reading about the inner workings of cults and the cult mentality, definitely grab a copy of this book. The Audible format was released back in 2020, but on November 3, 2026, Dutton is releasing a paperback edition and also the Kindle format. This book truly had me captivated the entire time.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.75/5)

If you're a fan of cult-centered thrillers, The Tribes needs to be on your radar. I had the opportunity to read an ARC while listening to the audiobook, and I highly recommend experiencing it this way. The audiobook was incredibly well done, and together they created such an immersive reading experience.

The story follows Heather Garner, a member of the Messiah's Tribes, who is on trial for the murder of her newborn son. Alongside Heather's perspective, we also follow Abby Harris, the attorney defending her case. As Abby begins to uncover the truth about Heather's past and the isolated religious community she escaped, the story slowly reveals that the Messiah's Tribes may be far more sinister than anyone imagined.

From the very beginning, there was this constant feeling of anxiety and dread hanging over the story. Mari Howes created such an eerie atmosphere that I never felt completely at ease. Every chapter had me wondering what had happened in Heather's past and what devastating revelation was still waiting around the corner. The tension builds beautifully, making it nearly impossible to stop reading.

What really made this book stand out for me was how emotionally layered it was. It wasn't just a suspenseful mystery.....it made me feel everything. I found myself feeling compassion, frustration, heartbreak, anger, and hope, sometimes all within the same chapter. When a book can pull that many emotions from me, it goes from being a good read to a phenomenal one.

This is an incredibly compelling story about manipulation, indoctrination, justice, and survival that will stay with me long after finishing it. If you love dark, atmospheric stories about cults with strong emotional depth and courtroom drama woven throughout, I can't recommend this one enough.

***Thank you NetGalley & Dutton for this ARC in exchange for my honest review***

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook blew my mind!🙌🏻

A dark and daring debut novel 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 who’s been a member of fringe religious community The Messiah’s Tribes since the 1990s, with the murder of her infant son. Heather’s future is left in the hands of a family who hasn’t seen or heard from her in almost 20 years. 
Abby Harris’s friends and colleagues are puzzled by her choice to take on a child homicide case, but Abby is convinced that there’s more to Heather’s story than meets the eye. Putting her own pregnancy at risk, Abby’s investigations lead her to understand that The Messiah’s Tribes may not be a peaceful, eccentric bunch of hippies, but a well-organized, exploitative criminal enterprise.
Engrossing and suspenseful, the mystery of Heather’s past is revealed piece by terrifying piece, until a jury must decide: Are Heather and her dead child just collateral damage, or is the dead-eyed woman a willing participant in the cult’s sinister agenda?

Wow, I have no words to describe this story, it was amazing!
I was hooked in since the first chapter and couldn’t stop. It was twisty, full of court drama, dark and disturbing. What a fantastic debut!

Thank you Mari Howes for giving me a copy of this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoff...

[Alyson- FictionAly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always thought that there was no way possible that I could end up in a cult… and then I read this book, and now I’m looking at every kind stranger that crosses my path with deep suspicion.

Watching Heather’s story unfold was equal parts eye-opening and horrifying. Everyone likes to think they’d be smart enough to see red flags waving right in front of them, but The Tribes proves that under the right set of circumstances, practically anyone can find themselves prey to a charismatic, predatory leader. It is a sobering reminder of how easily the human need for belonging can be weaponized.

One of my favorite aspects to this book was in its mystery element. While the reader knows right from the very first paragraph how it ends, it’s still difficult to imagine how the characters get to that point. The novel’s dual timeline works beautifully here. It splits between Heather’s backstory, which details her descent into an all-controlling religious sect, and the high-stakes courtroom drama after it all explodes. This narrative feeds you just enough breadcrumbs to keep you hooked, while also ramping up the tension. Once everything comes to a climax, it is a constantly evolving web of psychological chaos.

Overall, this was an edge-of-your-seat nailbiter that was the perfect blend of tense courtroom thriller and psychological mind-bend. Add this to your TBR immediately if you enjoy books that keep your heart pounding and make you question whether you are truly as unshakable as you think.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dutton Books, and the author for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Tribes. This was one of those books where the more I learned about what was happening, the more I needed to keep reading because I wanted to know how everything was going to come together.

The story goes back and forth between Heather's past and Abby, the attorney defending her after Heather is accused of killing her newborn son. I really liked this format because we slowly get to see how Heather ended up with the Messiah's Tribes and what happened during all of those years she was there.

This was dark, heartbreaking, and incredibly frustrating at times. There were definitely moments when I wanted to shake Heather and ask WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! But as more of her story came out, I also started to understand just how much manipulation and control was happening around her. Some of it was really difficult to read.

I also really enjoyed the legal side of the story. I wanted to know what actually happened to the baby, but I became just as interested in finding out what had happened to Heather. Every time another piece of her past was revealed, I wanted to know more.

I thought Mari Howes did a really good job with this, especially for a debut. It kept my attention, gave me plenty to think about, and had me wanting answers all the way through.

There are some very heavy and disturbing subjects in this one, so definitely check the content warnings before going in.

Overall, this was a really interesting read and one I would recommend. I'm definitely interested in seeing what Mari Howes writes next.

Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

 S U M M A R Y 
Heather Garner cut her ties with most of the world, including her family, in the mid-90s for a simpler life in a commune. The world only really finds her again when she's arrested for burying her dead baby approximately fifteen years later. Abby Harris his the pregnant lawyer whom Heather's family hires to defend her in court, placing blame on the cult that Heather left them for. The line between victim and criminal is more blurred than that when it comes to cults, communes, and religion, and the pieces must be sorted out if anything resembling justice can be done. 


 W A R N I N G S 
Cults, religious themes, abuse, child abuse, rape, violence, childbirth 

 C H A R A C T E R S
Like, wow. I really like Abby, even though she isn't perfect. She has goals, she has ambition, and she has compassion in spades. And though it's tempting to put Heather in a neat little box, it's never so clear cut. The flashbacks that lead to the act are so well done, so well placed and paced. It gives you an insight that seems so well researched, raw, and real. 

 P L O T 
Until the other day, I had never really read a book about cults. And now I've read two in a row, but two that are both different despite the similarities. I loved the insight this book gives without it being bogged down or slow. It's a face paced, intense book.

N A R R A T I O N 
Barrie Kreinik and Piper Goodeve did stellar jobs on this. So intense and so well narrated. 

 O V E R A L L 
Excellent, and so obviously well researched without being dry or boring. Quite the opposite! Definitely recommend. 

[rey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Tribes uncovers the details behind criminal accusations against a former cult member named Heather. We follow the story through the alternating points-of-view of Heather and her defense attorney, Abby. Overall, the plot was great and I stuck around because I was very interested in finding out the truth of what happened.

I did struggle to remain engaged in the book for a couple of reasons. I'm not sure if it was just me, but the writing felt stilted at times, especially in the beginning. There are lots of asides that somewhat interrupted the flow of reading for me. I also think there were quite a few trivial details included in an attempt to further the characterization that just made the story drag on. I wasn't able to get into a groove with the story until about half-way through and I had debated DNF'ing a couple of times up to that point, but things did speed up.

The book wrapped up well and all of the details about the cult were really interesting. The author did a phenomenal job portraying the emotional complexities involved in the methods of indoctrination and manipulation used by cults/high control groups. The cult's system and the characters' emotions felt very real and well-constructed. If the synopsis or topic of cults catches your attention, I think it's worth a read! The author definitely did their research.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read!

TW: ritual abuse, drug use, sexual assault, child abuse, child death, murder, emotional abuse

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the gifted ARC!

If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I am FASCINATED by cults. 😂 I love reading about them and learning how they work, and at this point I probably know way too much about way too many of them. So naturally, I’m also always interested in fictional cult stories, and I was really excited to pick this one up.

I really enjoyed how the story slowly revealed more about The Messiah’s Tribes and what was actually happening within the community. Watching Heather’s past unfold while also following Abby as she investigated the case kept me interested because I wanted to understand how everything connected and what had really happened. I also really liked the way the story explored indoctrination, control, and how someone can become so deeply trapped in a community like this. Even though this is a fictional story, so much of it felt believable, which made some of the more disturbing parts hit a little harder.

I actually noticed this had previously been released as an audiobook, so I grabbed that version and listened to it immersively while following along. I really enjoyed experiencing it that way, and I think the audiobook made it even easier for me to get completely pulled into the story. I did feel like the ending was a little rushed, though. After spending so much time learning about Heather, her past, and the Tribes, I really wanted to learn more about the aftermath and what happened after everything came to light. I think getting a little more of that would have given the story more closure for me.

Still, I found this really compelling and was always interested in learning more about Heather and the Tribes. If you’re fascinated by cults like I am, this is definitely one I’d recommend picking up!

[Sheila The Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up doing an immersive read with this one, listening to the audiobook while following along in the ebook, and I honestly think it was the perfect way to experience it. Barrie Kreinik and Piper Goodeve were both excellent.

I love a good legal thriller, and adding in the story of a religious cult made this one really hard to put down. One thing I really appreciated was that I just never felt confident how things were going to turn out for Heather. I liked how the story kept that ambiguous and never made me feel like I needed to solve it.

What I found most interesting, though, was Heather. There were times I felt so much empathy for her, and then there were other times she completely disgusted me, especially when it came to what her children endured. I just kept going back and forth. Then I'd learn something else about her past or her family, and I'd find myself feeling for her all over again. I liked that the book never made those feelings simple.

I also thought it did a really good job of showing the inner workings of cults and how cult leaders who crave power know exactly how to find someone who's vulnerable. That part was just as fascinating to me as the legal case. I really love a culty story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for the advance review copy of the ebook. All opinions are my own.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like a 3.5 or 3.75 - I really enjoyed that it kept me guessing, though the storyline was heartbreaking.

Hava, aka Heather, has resurfaced after almost 20 years isolated in a controlling, religious cult, at the center of a legal and media storm surrounding the death of her newborn son. The story flips back and forth to the start of her downward spiral in college through the present day, with the present day part of the story told from the perspective of her lawyer, Abby. The frustrating confusion you feel of the reader of trying to piece the story together mirrors the frustration and confusion of both Abby and Heather's family.

I'm always curious to read about cults, even when fictionalized, in trying to understand the psychology of why some people stay (vs those who leave). I felt the portrayal of Hava/Hannah's flip towards the end was fairly believable. The author did refer to unnamed sources and the fictional cult featured appeared to be mirrored off of the FLDS, though Hava/Heather's experience happens at one of the "satellite" sites and only occasionally mentions the head cult leader.

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story follows Heather Garner, a member of a fringe religious community called The Messiah's Tribes, who is accused of murdering her infant son. Abby Harris, a lawyer, takes on Heather's case and begins to unravel the truth behind the cult and its members. As the mystery unfolds, Abby finds herself risking her own pregnancy to uncover the truth and bring justice to Heather.

The audiobook version of this novel is incredibly engrossing and suspenseful, with strong performances. I was eager to know what would happen next. The story is not just a thrilling mystery, but also a thought-provoking commentary on the dangers of groupthink and blind faith.

"I'd always assumed that people in cults were either lost souls looking for direction, or weak-minded sheep who needed a strong leader to tell them what to do. I never considered the possibility that some of them might be intelligent, capable individuals who were simply looking for a better way to live."

I must note that this audiobook contains strong language, distressing situations, and descriptions of abuse and violence that may be triggering for some listeners.

[Amber Boos · Rating 4 out of 5]

OOOOH! This was a dark one!! Starts off with a call to 911 to report that a newborn has died. Heather Garner, a college dropout and cult member is then charged with the murder of her son. Pregnant lawyer Abby Harris steps in to take the case. Seems like an odd undertaking for a pregnant woman, but she feels there is more to the it. And oh boy, is there! I don't always love a cult thriller, but when I do, I really do! Such was the case with this one! This is both a cult story and a courtroom drama told from the POV of both Heather and Abby. I enjoyed seeing how Heather originally joined because The Messiah’s Tribes seemed so free, friendly and welcoming. We get a firsthand look at how that slowly changed until Heather was trapped and ultimately accused of murder. It was fascinating. I did feel the story could've been shortened a bit, but overall, I stayed totally invested. I think this was a debut and am eager to see what's next!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Mari Howes and Dutton Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.