Cosmic Love

by Jill Kramer

Set during the “me” decade of the 1970s, COSMIC LOVE is the story of a charismatic young woman who amasses a cult following of thousands. Malkeeya is a sociopathic biracial beauty who believes it’s her mission in life to end ethnic division and bring enlightenment to the western world. If she lines her pockets along the way, well, she never took a vow of poverty, did she? And if outsiders mistake her sacred ceremonial rites for sexual exploitation, says Malkeeya, that’s just the projection of their own dirty little minds.

Malkeeya’s inner circle of followers live communally in “clusters,” tithing everything they own, handing over their children to her teachings and ceding control over their own lives in the belief that they’ll find love and serenity. Although her right-hand man, Paul, initially rebels when he witnesses the psychic unraveling of her first victim, he dismisses his doubts as he, too, continues to be mesmerized by the fascinating Malkeeya.

But in the wake of the Jonestown suicides the legal authorities and surrounding community grow suspicious of the local cult leader and her unorthodox practices. Official investigations are launched, some of her followers defect and Malkeeya’s paranoia and delusions escalate as she sees her empire spiraling out of her control. Tragedy appears inevitable as this psychological thriller hurtles toward a shocking climax.

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2017

About the author

Jill Kramer was born in the North Philadelphia neighborhood known as Strawberry Mansion, where no strawberries grow and no mansions can be found. She graduated from New York University, hitchhiked through Europe, then settled in Marin county, California. She waited tables and dispatched police cars before going back to school and getting a master’s degree in psychology at Sonoma State University. She started writing in the ‘80s. She was the staff reporter at the Marin county weekly Pacific Sun for 14 years. Among the stories that she covered was a series on the dysfunctional family court system. She’s won awards from the Peninsula Press Club, the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, the California Newspaper Publishers Association and the Lincoln Steffens award for Investigative Journalism. She lives in San Anselmo with her husband and two cats.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her second novel, after the suspenseful Criminal Decision ( a gripping tale of child abuse and mis-applied family law) writer Jill Kramer has raised the stakes with Cosmic Love.

Visiting the world of a charismatic cult leader and her unfortunate followers, Kramer has created a modern day gothic horror story with tragic consequences. Never one to shy away from the dark side of human nature, her depiction of New Yorker Malkeeya is horrifyingly believable.

Malkeeya very successfully preys on the gullible and emotionally crippled, and in doing so through sex, divisiveness, and hypnotic suggestion, builds a cult in Marin County, California.
Kramer’s characters are well developed, her writing smooth and vivid, and her disturbing scenes graphically described. The book builds inexorably to an unexpected climax.

Not a book for those who rely on a happy ending, Cosmic Love demonstrates the cruel abuse of innocents under the influence of pure evil.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

NYC. Malkeeya (15) met Edward (Eastern Religion & Philosophy teacher) at her new public school.
They kind of fancied 1 another & he offered to take her to New Delhi, India.
Passports were obtained & their journey began.
Swami Yasananda showed his mediation techniques to all of those that were interested.
San Francisco, CA. Master Paul (narrator, Malkeeya’s right-hand man) arrived at the 5 communal houses settlement in Marin that was resurrected by the Cosmic Love Inc.
Stephanie “Steph” (West Coast Mgr.) was there to welcome him.

Hank, Judith (follower), Alan, Amy (bookkeeper), Bruce (CFO), Bethany, Austin (dad), Gordon (dad, Cluster leader), David, Tess, Jasmine, & Jeremy (dad), were also part of the Cosmic Love group.
Malkeeya with her flamboyant & outgoing personality attracted huge crowds at Washington Square & Tompkins Square Park. She spoke about the Cosmic Love Institute.
The newspaper coined her the Baby Guru.
Malkeeya seemed to spew both sex & spirituality.
The Corte Madera cluster will only be for mothers & children which are: Tina (12, bulimic), Skyler (6), Megan (6), Flip (3), Connor (3), & Dylan (4).
Marty, Megan (daughter) & Camille are 3 new members.
What happened to Hank?

Tish, Stella, Jane, & Curt (dad), were housed in the Punk House.
The children are: Brad (12, math tutor), Peter, Dorian (6), Peter (7, dyslexic), Megan (6), & Skyler (6), Heidi, Poppy, Tina, Ella, Heidi (10), Poppy (10), Demi, & Jasmine (13).
What will happen to everyone tied to this cult?

Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive to some readers.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written psychological thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great psychological thriller movie, an animated cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. Boring for a little bit, but it came together at the end. That said I will still rate it at 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; booknook; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very different, at least to me, book that I found interesting about a cult called Cosmic Love. What makes this stands out is the perspective of the group's charismatic founder, a woman of color always felt even as a child she was special, and her more grounded, yet caught up in the group, childhood male friend. The setting is the 70s so 'cosmic love' is riding on the sexual freedom and experimentation of the 60s with all of the 'free love' associated. There is foreshadowing from the beginning that something terrible happens and the story is basically how it spins out, making the members throughout the group relatable as individual characters. Even with this version portraying all of the group's excesses as consensual, there's always that pressure to belong. My rating is 4 stars for a unique reading experience.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I couldn't put down.

This story gives a really interesting insight into cults and the dynamic they create that keeps people in them. Each of the 3 main characters were interesting and I wasn't bored when the chapter switched to a different one which usually happens in books I read that involve multiple characters. The only negative I have is that I wish the ending had been darker rather than full of resolution and happiness. It didn't take away from the story at all though. I think this book can be enjoyed by most people, especially if you have any interest in cults or like psychological-thriller type stories.

[murphy ✌ (daydreamofalife) · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 / 5

I tried, y'all. I got maybe 35% (maybe 40% I'm too lazy to check) in and it was just so boring to me. I feel like a book about y'know, a fricking cult, should be super interesting, but instead I felt like my time would be better spent napping. Or doing literally anything else. None of the POVs really grabbed me, sex seemed to happen out of nowhere, and I'm honestly just so confused at how Malkeeya is considered to be charismatic, because I found zero evidence whatsoever. I mean, obviously people are following her, but I just don't understand why and I was too bored and annoyed to keep reading to find out.

*Short review because these are books I read in 2018*

[Joshua Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Kramer builds and destroys a cult in her fascinating psychological thriller Cosmic Love! The 70s brought about a time of free thinking, something Malkeeya is happy to exploit. She builds a cult following, but things quickly begin to unravel. I loved Kramer’s moral argument witnessed from the badguy’s perspective. This book is tense and deep and well worth your time!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an interesting look at how a Cult can form and work.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of receiving an advanced copy from the author, so I got a jump start. This is every bit as compelling as her previous novel Criminal Decision. The characters are well developed, the emotions real. The description true to life as she is very familiar with both New York and Marin County. I couldn't put it down. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion that I knew was coming, but I didn't know how or where the train would derail. Masterful!

[Holly]

It took me awhile to get into this book. Once I hit the middle of it I loved it. I was confused at first with how it was written. Once I figured the characters out it all fell in place. I do recommend this book.