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The Cult
Jeff was a loving son, to Mr and Mrs Reed but when he went to Ashtaroth, they lost him, he took a new name, cursed his parents and spurned their love. For Jeff is now a member of the Cult. The souls for Jesus, the brainchild of the Master, Buford Hodges, a tax dedcutable, multi-million industry feeding on the minds and bodies of the young and vulnerable.Only one man can redeem thse lost souls, only one man dares take on the sinister forces of the Master. Only one man can help the Reeds, the man they call The Devil.
306 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1978
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236 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 11, 2023
Full disclosure, I love me a good cult. So this review is incredibly biased. If there’s a documentary on cults, there’s a 99.9% chance I’ve seen it. So this book called to me & I answered the phone. What I expected to be horror (it had the setup) became more of a thriller but an altogether spellbinding read. Ehrlich either has gone through cult deprogramming himself or he did one hell of a good job researching for this book. The deprogramming scenes were the most interesting parts to me, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The flip in the story/location threw me a bit, but I was still enthralled. Then that ending, that I didn’t see coming (I love/hate it when that happens) hit me like a ton of bricks. My only complaint was that we never got more books about “The Devil,” seems like such a missed opportunity. If you like psychological suspense, you’ll enjoy this one. If you’re a cult nerd like me, you’ll love it.
August 23, 2014
One of my favorite books. It should be a movie and it applies to contemporary settings decades down the line. The action in this thriller got me grabbing something on the edge of a seat. I will always keep a copy and encourage people to read this pulse-pounding story. I do wish for sequels of future cases by the protagonist.
July 11, 2015
เนื้อเรื่องธรรมดาอยู่ถ้าคิดว่าเป็นสมัยนี้ ยังไงก็ตามอ่านได้เพลินๆดี เสียดายรู้สึกว่ามันแอบสั้นๆอย่างไรก็ไม่รู้ ไคลแม็กซ์ก็เฉยๆไปหน่อย
October 25, 2025
Even though it’s a bit dated in style, The Cult still feels relevant. The premise of a young man drawn into a manipulative group while his family tries to bring him back remains unsettling because it still happens today.
And I have to say books about cults are one of those things that will always appeal to me because I find the idea chilling.
The story is fast-paced and compelling. It’s not breaking new ground now, but it doesn’t need to. The tension between faith, control, and family loyalty is dense and palpable.
The characters are solidly written, and the opposing forces of Jeff (the young man caught up in the cult) and Morse (a deprogrammer) stand out the most. Their dynamic gives the story its emotional weight and moral clash.
Overall, this is a strong and engaging read. Old-school in tone, but the ideas are timeless. The lure of belonging, and the cost of losing yourself to that desire. The people who prey on the disenfranchised and vulnerable. Still relevant today. And stories like this will always be chilling and compelling.
And I have to say books about cults are one of those things that will always appeal to me because I find the idea chilling.
The story is fast-paced and compelling. It’s not breaking new ground now, but it doesn’t need to. The tension between faith, control, and family loyalty is dense and palpable.
The characters are solidly written, and the opposing forces of Jeff (the young man caught up in the cult) and Morse (a deprogrammer) stand out the most. Their dynamic gives the story its emotional weight and moral clash.
Overall, this is a strong and engaging read. Old-school in tone, but the ideas are timeless. The lure of belonging, and the cost of losing yourself to that desire. The people who prey on the disenfranchised and vulnerable. Still relevant today. And stories like this will always be chilling and compelling.
December 24, 2016
Max Erlich did a masterful job of creating a page-turning thriller that also opens a window into how mind-control cults recruit, brainwash, and fleece converts. It was written back in 1957, so today's readers need to make allowances for why the central characters don't use cell phones to contact help when needed. They still used pay phones back then.
I have now been studying cult recruiting and indoctrination methods in preparation for a novel I feel compelled to write about a destructive, Jim-Jones type cult-leader. I can attest from all the research I have done that the author either went through cult indoctrination and brainwashing himself or did a great deal of research on the subject before writing this fascinating expose.
This should be required reading for anyone who has ever fallen victim to a cult and escaped, or who wrongly thinks that it could never happen to them. The only way to make yourself cult-proof is to learn exactly how the powerful seduction and mind-control tools they wield work.
I have now been studying cult recruiting and indoctrination methods in preparation for a novel I feel compelled to write about a destructive, Jim-Jones type cult-leader. I can attest from all the research I have done that the author either went through cult indoctrination and brainwashing himself or did a great deal of research on the subject before writing this fascinating expose.
This should be required reading for anyone who has ever fallen victim to a cult and escaped, or who wrongly thinks that it could never happen to them. The only way to make yourself cult-proof is to learn exactly how the powerful seduction and mind-control tools they wield work.
October 8, 2015
Decided to revisit this book after first reading it over 20 years ago, was it as good as I remembered????
No probaly not , good storyline keeping the reader interested all the way through, the only dissapointment was after an exciting build up through the book the ending which was a bit soft and left a lot of questions unanswered
No probaly not , good storyline keeping the reader interested all the way through, the only dissapointment was after an exciting build up through the book the ending which was a bit soft and left a lot of questions unanswered
April 5, 2020
A re read.
One of my favourite books.
Chilling.
One of my favourite books.
Chilling.
April 22, 2025
Okay, full disclosure, I understand that this is a book from 1978. Let me start with the positives. The writing and suspense were excellent. I also enjoyed a few of the characterizations. Frank Reed seemed like a gruff but loving dad, and I enjoyed the characterization of the elusive John Morse. The cult itself was also fascinating, although I wish we had learned more about the inner workings of the Souls for Jesus.
Now the negatives. Well, first off, hello "N word". It's only said once, but said so casually that it caught me off guard. Later in the story, some jury members are characterized as "Blacks", with no further characterization. The women in the story are basically cardboard cutouts. Even Cindy. Now we come to the issue that bugged me the most. The drive-by explicit sexualness! I don't want to read the random and detailed scenario of Jeff Reed Masturbating and climaxing. There's also a ton of sexualization of women in the book. If they aren't a mom, they are merely sex crazed eye candy. There's even a juror later in the book, characterized only by being "A large matronly woman, with pendulous breasts, who wore tight slacks, much too tight for her." I understand that many cults involve sex. That isn't my issue. My issue is that the book does not really have sexual themes until these random moments that get so surprisingly descriptive that it made my eyes bug out. If you're curious, I'll give you an example so you can gauge for yourself should you decide to read.
From Page 70:
"Then he exploded, and he came, the white hot semen sticky in his hand, drooling over his palm."
Blegh. Maybe I'm a prude, but that was a bit much for me in this book. If the book had more consistent sexual themes, I would be more forgiving. Plus, the oversexualization of women in the book reaaalllyy got on my nerves.
Finally, the end was anti-climactic and honestly annoying.
Overall, decent read for the most part, I suppose, but I can't recommend it.
Now the negatives. Well, first off, hello "N word". It's only said once, but said so casually that it caught me off guard. Later in the story, some jury members are characterized as "Blacks", with no further characterization. The women in the story are basically cardboard cutouts. Even Cindy. Now we come to the issue that bugged me the most. The drive-by explicit sexualness! I don't want to read the random and detailed scenario of Jeff Reed Masturbating and climaxing. There's also a ton of sexualization of women in the book. If they aren't a mom, they are merely sex crazed eye candy. There's even a juror later in the book, characterized only by being "A large matronly woman, with pendulous breasts, who wore tight slacks, much too tight for her." I understand that many cults involve sex. That isn't my issue. My issue is that the book does not really have sexual themes until these random moments that get so surprisingly descriptive that it made my eyes bug out. If you're curious, I'll give you an example so you can gauge for yourself should you decide to read.
From Page 70:
"Then he exploded, and he came, the white hot semen sticky in his hand, drooling over his palm."
Blegh. Maybe I'm a prude, but that was a bit much for me in this book. If the book had more consistent sexual themes, I would be more forgiving. Plus, the oversexualization of women in the book reaaalllyy got on my nerves.
Finally, the end was anti-climactic and honestly annoying.
Overall, decent read for the most part, I suppose, but I can't recommend it.
March 19, 2025
3 1/2 stars. This was a random pick from a little free library, originally published in the 70’s.
The story is very interesting and gripping. 18 year old Jeff and his girlfriend, Cindy have joined a cult and Jeff’s parents, desperate to get him back, hire a professional to help. Though the blurb kind of makes it seem like a horror, due to the professional being nicknamed ‘The Devil’, it’s definitely not. It’s a fast moving thriller which has plenty to say about the hypocrisy of certain ‘religious’ leaders. The only horror part is that stuff like this actually happens.
My favourite character was Cindy. I really felt for her and found her a strong character and was really invested in hoping she would escape. The Devil was really interesting too, especially when you eventually learn his backstory.
I will say the writing has not aged well in parts. Female reviewers often complain about the ‘male gaze’ with some male authors, and holy hell is there that in here. Some of it was really uncomfortable to read. The sex scenes and portrayal of some of the women was really icky. Ditto to one female juror only being described in terms of her breasts and another talking about how sexy the cult leader was to women in a way that implied all women are turned on by power. I was also uncomfortable with the middle aged male deprogrammer talking to an 18 year old girl about her sex life. Yes, I get it was different times and people grew up quicker in the 70’s, but still felt off and wrong. Bonus points for a bit of racism and a weight comment (aimed at a female, of course!).
I did mostly like the book apart from the times I was cringing, always glad to read older books that are a little obscure now, and I’ll be popping this back in a little free library soon for someone else to enjoy.
The story is very interesting and gripping. 18 year old Jeff and his girlfriend, Cindy have joined a cult and Jeff’s parents, desperate to get him back, hire a professional to help. Though the blurb kind of makes it seem like a horror, due to the professional being nicknamed ‘The Devil’, it’s definitely not. It’s a fast moving thriller which has plenty to say about the hypocrisy of certain ‘religious’ leaders. The only horror part is that stuff like this actually happens.
My favourite character was Cindy. I really felt for her and found her a strong character and was really invested in hoping she would escape. The Devil was really interesting too, especially when you eventually learn his backstory.
I will say the writing has not aged well in parts. Female reviewers often complain about the ‘male gaze’ with some male authors, and holy hell is there that in here. Some of it was really uncomfortable to read. The sex scenes and portrayal of some of the women was really icky. Ditto to one female juror only being described in terms of her breasts and another talking about how sexy the cult leader was to women in a way that implied all women are turned on by power. I was also uncomfortable with the middle aged male deprogrammer talking to an 18 year old girl about her sex life. Yes, I get it was different times and people grew up quicker in the 70’s, but still felt off and wrong. Bonus points for a bit of racism and a weight comment (aimed at a female, of course!).
I did mostly like the book apart from the times I was cringing, always glad to read older books that are a little obscure now, and I’ll be popping this back in a little free library soon for someone else to enjoy.
April 10, 2020
no me ha parecido brillante pero me ha enganchado como un culebrón, que al final era lo que buscaba. toda la escena final del juicio y del jurado popular 👌🏼👌🏼 pero muy mal el tema de que la chavalita empiece siendo un personaje tan interesante y prometedor para al final acabar siendo una simple amita de casa y novia sufridora del protagonista
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2024
I really enjoyed this read - The Cult had a gripping storyline that had me hooked. The religious themes explored were so interesting, and I loved the characters (especially John Morse)! Admittedly, I did think the ending to be a little lack-lustre, however it did serve as a fitting close to the clever plot. Overall, a great book!
November 15, 2025
This was a ride - an older book but no less gripping!! It’s a psychological ride layered with sociological commentary and including corruption, rights and where does the law end and the compelling truth of it begin?
Great read!!
Great read!!
December 6, 2025
No es una novela de terror ni mucho menos como se podría pensar por el autor y el título. Es una básicamente un drama con poco de acción y termina con el relato de un juicio. Es una historia realista sin elemento fantástico alguno, sobre el rescate de un joven captado por una secta.
July 12, 2018
No me gusto el final, siento que se pudo hacer mucho mas con esta historia, sin embargo la historia me fue entretenida.
November 8, 2019
Muy recomendable, me gustó mucho la historia, te presenta solo la punta del iceberg de lo que son realmente las sectas religiosas
December 12, 2020
Love this !!! Interesting and has a very clever spin on today’s headlines
May 28, 2024
They’re taking our children !!!! But remember, Jesus loves you.
August 20, 2018
No le doy cuatro estrellas por una serie de detalles:
Hubieron partes que pasaron demasiado rápido, tanto que me costó simpatizar con algunos personajes. No tuvimos detalles de Morse hasta casi el final, y lo considero el mejor personaje del libro. Jeff es una plasta humana insoportable en su fase de cerebro lavado, mimado sediento de atención y la verdad si el libro tiene una secuela ojala no tenga un buen final.
Los capítulos finales fueron algo... meh, más por el jurado que pocos salvan y ver que dos eran de la secta pues... meh. Lo que sí espero, es ver más historias de otros casos de Morse.
Hubieron partes que pasaron demasiado rápido, tanto que me costó simpatizar con algunos personajes. No tuvimos detalles de Morse hasta casi el final, y lo considero el mejor personaje del libro. Jeff es una plasta humana insoportable en su fase de cerebro lavado, mimado sediento de atención y la verdad si el libro tiene una secuela ojala no tenga un buen final.
Los capítulos finales fueron algo... meh, más por el jurado que pocos salvan y ver que dos eran de la secta pues... meh. Lo que sí espero, es ver más historias de otros casos de Morse.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews