What do you think?
Rate this book
Secta
Kalstrona, Suecia. Cuando los cuerpos de Viktor Spandel y su pequeña de cuatro años aparecen sin vida en su domicilio, la policía concluye que el hombre ha matado a su hija y luego se ha suicidado. Pero Luke Bergmann, el mejor amigo de Viktor, cree que se equivocan: sabe que Viktor jamás cometería un crimen así. Decidido a sacar la verdad a la luz, Luke descubrirá la oscura conexión de Viktor con la cienciología en los años 90, un vínculo que lo une a un pequeño grupo de personas que ocultan un grave secreto. Y todas ellas corren peligro. Pero Luke tiene un pasado como jefe de seguridad de uno de los mayores capos de la mafia de Brooklyn, con el que tendrá que lidiar si quiere vencer a sus propios demonios y sobrevivir. Un thriller que se adentra en la parte más siniestra de la cienciología.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2017
136 people are currently reading
359 people want to read
About the author
Stefan Malmström
2 books17 followersStefan Malmström was born in Hässleholm, a town in southern Sweden. In his youth, Stefan was a talented athlete, in football, ice hockey and orienteering.
When he was 17, he was manipulated into the Church of Scientology. He ended his sports career and became a kult member. He was 25 when he managed to get off the kult and then began his university education to become a journalist at Linneaus University in Växjö.
He started his professional career as a news journalist and has worked at newspapers, radio stations and television stations. He has also been a partner in a production company and has produced, written scripts and directed children's TV productions for Sweden's Television and TV4 in Sweden. When he is not writing, he gives lectures for young adults in schools around Sweden about kults and destructive groups.
In 2012 Stefan decided to explore his time in the kult and then started writing on what in 2017 became his first book, KULT, a scientology thriller based on real events. KULT is the first in a series of three books on the same theme; how easily manipulated we humans are and how easily we can be made to commit evil acts.
In his spare time Stefan spends time with his large family, likes to play a round of golf, work out, and read biographies.
When he was 17, he was manipulated into the Church of Scientology. He ended his sports career and became a kult member. He was 25 when he managed to get off the kult and then began his university education to become a journalist at Linneaus University in Växjö.
He started his professional career as a news journalist and has worked at newspapers, radio stations and television stations. He has also been a partner in a production company and has produced, written scripts and directed children's TV productions for Sweden's Television and TV4 in Sweden. When he is not writing, he gives lectures for young adults in schools around Sweden about kults and destructive groups.
In 2012 Stefan decided to explore his time in the kult and then started writing on what in 2017 became his first book, KULT, a scientology thriller based on real events. KULT is the first in a series of three books on the same theme; how easily manipulated we humans are and how easily we can be made to commit evil acts.
In his spare time Stefan spends time with his large family, likes to play a round of golf, work out, and read biographies.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
November 27, 2022
Otro tema que me apasiona aparte de todo lo relacionado con los psiquiátricos es lo relacionado con las sectas. Es mi primera incursión en una novelización sobre esta secta en concreto; la cienciología. Sinceramente, he aprendido muchas cosas que desconocía, solo sabía lo que había escuchado en algún programa televisivo de resto nunca antes me había acercado al tema en una novela.
Y aquí está muy bien retratado, habiendo pasado el propio autor por una experiencia similar y en la que se basó para escribir esta, su primera novela, hechos que nos detalla en unas notas finales estremecedoras.
Ha sido una ópera prima muy bien escrita y documentada, con un inicio que logra atrapar al lector desde la primera página.
Alternando dos épocas, pasado y presente, Stefan nos cuenta la relación del actual "homicidio" con el pasado de la víctima en dicha secta.
No voy a contar más de lo que viene en la extensa sinopsis, pienso que cuanto menos se sepa más se disfruta de la lectura.
Este libro hace unas reflexiones brutales sobre el poder de la religión en general, no solo de esta secta en concreto, del poder que tiene sobre las personas al darles una falsa esperanza de que hay algo más allá esperando tras la muerte. Sacando provecho de esa esperanza y necesidad humana de que la vida tiene un sentido y un propósito superior. Todas esas ilusiones hacen que la gente sea capaz de casi cualquier cosa en nombre de su dios; desde ponerse bombas en el cuerpo y detonarlas en lugares abarrotados de gente, hasta quemar mujeres en hogueras o incluso acabar con aquellos que siguen otras ideologías.
Para reflexionar.
Y aunque el final no me pilló del todo por sorpresa y hay elementos muy oportunos (siempre hay alguien que llega en el momento justo para evitar la muerte de un personaje y eso es algo que le resta credibilidad a la trama) es una lectura muy ágil y disfrutable que nos ayuda a conocer los entresijos de este tipo de organizaciones cuyo único fin es que los que están en lo más alto de la pirámide estén forrados.
👌🔝Me ha gustado mucho la experiencia pero no tengo muchas novelas que aborden este tema de sumo interés para mi, por lo que me encantaría leer recomendaciones de lecturas relacionadas con sectas, tengo la libreta preparada (o mejor dicho el Goodreads) para ir sumando nuevos títulos a la lista 😂
¡Muchas gracias! 📚📚📚📚📚
🕇 "La religión es un parásito cognitivo que entra en tu cerebro y se come tu pensamiento crítico." 👏👏👏👏👏
📖 Próxima lectura:
"Dark West: relatos fantásticos en el viejo oeste." - VV.AA.
📚 https://www.facebook.com/LaLocadelosL... 📚💜
Y aquí está muy bien retratado, habiendo pasado el propio autor por una experiencia similar y en la que se basó para escribir esta, su primera novela, hechos que nos detalla en unas notas finales estremecedoras.
Ha sido una ópera prima muy bien escrita y documentada, con un inicio que logra atrapar al lector desde la primera página.
Alternando dos épocas, pasado y presente, Stefan nos cuenta la relación del actual "homicidio" con el pasado de la víctima en dicha secta.
No voy a contar más de lo que viene en la extensa sinopsis, pienso que cuanto menos se sepa más se disfruta de la lectura.
Este libro hace unas reflexiones brutales sobre el poder de la religión en general, no solo de esta secta en concreto, del poder que tiene sobre las personas al darles una falsa esperanza de que hay algo más allá esperando tras la muerte. Sacando provecho de esa esperanza y necesidad humana de que la vida tiene un sentido y un propósito superior. Todas esas ilusiones hacen que la gente sea capaz de casi cualquier cosa en nombre de su dios; desde ponerse bombas en el cuerpo y detonarlas en lugares abarrotados de gente, hasta quemar mujeres en hogueras o incluso acabar con aquellos que siguen otras ideologías.
Para reflexionar.
Y aunque el final no me pilló del todo por sorpresa y hay elementos muy oportunos (siempre hay alguien que llega en el momento justo para evitar la muerte de un personaje y eso es algo que le resta credibilidad a la trama) es una lectura muy ágil y disfrutable que nos ayuda a conocer los entresijos de este tipo de organizaciones cuyo único fin es que los que están en lo más alto de la pirámide estén forrados.
👌🔝Me ha gustado mucho la experiencia pero no tengo muchas novelas que aborden este tema de sumo interés para mi, por lo que me encantaría leer recomendaciones de lecturas relacionadas con sectas, tengo la libreta preparada (o mejor dicho el Goodreads) para ir sumando nuevos títulos a la lista 😂
¡Muchas gracias! 📚📚📚📚📚
🕇 "La religión es un parásito cognitivo que entra en tu cerebro y se come tu pensamiento crítico." 👏👏👏👏👏
📖 Próxima lectura:
"Dark West: relatos fantásticos en el viejo oeste." - VV.AA.
📚 https://www.facebook.com/LaLocadelosL... 📚💜
September 26, 2019
As soon as I read the synopsis for Kult I knew it was an absolute must-read for me given I have an intense and endless fascination with real-life cults. What made this completely unputdownable for me was the fact that the hellish life it depicts is not fictional; this is Stefan Malmstrom's account of life inside a terrifying organisation, how he ended up there, and his path to freedom. Of course, there are embellishments as we move along the story but much of what we explore is factual and nothing less than scintillating.
As you might expect it's a dark, disturbing read, and I had to keep reminding myself that it was a story based in fact and that this actually happened to Mr Malmstrom; I do hope that he found the writing of this nightmare-inducing experience cathartic. There are undoubtedly many more cults out their still operating and often doing so in plain sight. The authors time as part of one is both harrowing and horrifying and I must thank him for broaching this topic, a topic that doesn't get too much attention but definitely should.
The author pulls no punches from first page to last and I feel it's appropriate to explain how intense and emotionally draining this was; fair warning it is not for faint-hearted. It is a potent cocktail of danger, fear, paranoia and unpredictability, and we are put through a gamut of emotions. This is a legitimately chilling and addictive read and one I will never forget. Unreservedly recommended. Many thanks to Silvertail Books and BOTBS for an ARC.
As you might expect it's a dark, disturbing read, and I had to keep reminding myself that it was a story based in fact and that this actually happened to Mr Malmstrom; I do hope that he found the writing of this nightmare-inducing experience cathartic. There are undoubtedly many more cults out their still operating and often doing so in plain sight. The authors time as part of one is both harrowing and horrifying and I must thank him for broaching this topic, a topic that doesn't get too much attention but definitely should.
The author pulls no punches from first page to last and I feel it's appropriate to explain how intense and emotionally draining this was; fair warning it is not for faint-hearted. It is a potent cocktail of danger, fear, paranoia and unpredictability, and we are put through a gamut of emotions. This is a legitimately chilling and addictive read and one I will never forget. Unreservedly recommended. Many thanks to Silvertail Books and BOTBS for an ARC.
January 28, 2021
Muy adictivo thriller que mantiene el interés hasta el final.
Para no desvelar mucho solo diré que el autor formó parte de la secta de la Cienciología y nos abre una puerta para que podamos ver en su interior.
Sorprendente historia que se lee en un suspiro.
Para no desvelar mucho solo diré que el autor formó parte de la secta de la Cienciología y nos abre una puerta para que podamos ver en su interior.
Sorprendente historia que se lee en un suspiro.
January 19, 2021
¡Muy bueno!
La historia gira alrededor de la cienciología, pero su argumento es realmente el de un asesino en serie, honestamente este es uno de esos libros de novela negra de primer nivel, de esos que a los que nos gusta el género nos pone los dientes largos.
Toda la trama corre en el presente, pero luego nos lleva al pasado donde nos va contando la historia de una serie de jóvenes que se ven involucrados en una secta, la cienciología y conforme se avanza en la historia poco a poco vamos conectando los hechos del pasado con los del presente y que relación tiene todo eso con los asesinatos.
Puedo decir que no fue si no hasta el 80% del libro que comencé a hacer hipótesis sobre quien estaba detrás de los asesinatos, a ver, que si que sabemos quien es casi desde el principio, pero unir los hilos no fue tan sencillo.
Honestamente me ha sorprendido gratamente la manera en que se fueron presentado los hechos y las razones y motivaciones del asesino, sin contar que me ha sorprendido tremendamente cuando todo se desvela, honestamente, aunque me pasó por la cabeza son de esas hipótesis que simplemente deshechas por increíble, además no veía por ningún lado las motivaciones.
Es verdad que ya de por si toda la parte de los asesinatos es muy buena, pero no puedo dejar de lado todo lo relacionado con el tema de la secta.
El autor en su juventud estuvo relacionado con esta secta así que toda la información que presenta sobre la misma esta basada en hechos reales y personales es por decir lo menos, espeluznante, pero lo que más me llama la atención que haya personas, normales, inteligentes que puedan creerse toda esa basura.
Todos hemos escuchado sobre la cienciología, creo que de algún modo Tom Cruise tiene mucha culpa, pero para ser honesta conozco poco sobre el tema y es obvio que legalmente no han podido hacerle nada a esta religión o secta a pesar de todo lo que se dice de ella, el autor ha utilizado esta novela negra para además también señalar y revelar lo que conoce sobre esta secta para denunciarla.
La historia gira alrededor de la cienciología, pero su argumento es realmente el de un asesino en serie, honestamente este es uno de esos libros de novela negra de primer nivel, de esos que a los que nos gusta el género nos pone los dientes largos.
Toda la trama corre en el presente, pero luego nos lleva al pasado donde nos va contando la historia de una serie de jóvenes que se ven involucrados en una secta, la cienciología y conforme se avanza en la historia poco a poco vamos conectando los hechos del pasado con los del presente y que relación tiene todo eso con los asesinatos.
Puedo decir que no fue si no hasta el 80% del libro que comencé a hacer hipótesis sobre quien estaba detrás de los asesinatos, a ver, que si que sabemos quien es casi desde el principio, pero unir los hilos no fue tan sencillo.
Honestamente me ha sorprendido gratamente la manera en que se fueron presentado los hechos y las razones y motivaciones del asesino, sin contar que me ha sorprendido tremendamente cuando todo se desvela, honestamente, aunque me pasó por la cabeza son de esas hipótesis que simplemente deshechas por increíble, además no veía por ningún lado las motivaciones.
Es verdad que ya de por si toda la parte de los asesinatos es muy buena, pero no puedo dejar de lado todo lo relacionado con el tema de la secta.
El autor en su juventud estuvo relacionado con esta secta así que toda la información que presenta sobre la misma esta basada en hechos reales y personales es por decir lo menos, espeluznante, pero lo que más me llama la atención que haya personas, normales, inteligentes que puedan creerse toda esa basura.
Todos hemos escuchado sobre la cienciología, creo que de algún modo Tom Cruise tiene mucha culpa, pero para ser honesta conozco poco sobre el tema y es obvio que legalmente no han podido hacerle nada a esta religión o secta a pesar de todo lo que se dice de ella, el autor ha utilizado esta novela negra para además también señalar y revelar lo que conoce sobre esta secta para denunciarla.
December 17, 2020
Adictivo y sorprendente.
September 25, 2021
El libro está muy bien escrito. Está escrito en 2 tiempos: pasado y actual y en todo ello hay una investigación de asesinatos. El libro trata de cómo captan adeptos la Cienciología y los intimida para que sigan invirtiendo sus ahorros y lo que no tienen en ellos. Y cómo la Cienciología afecta en sus vidas.
Habla, por encima, en lo que creen los cienciólogos y cómo anulan el espíritu crítico de las personas. Alucinante.
La investigación en sí misma queda en segundo plano pero no por ello está mal escrita. Me ha parecido un libro interesante.
Habla, por encima, en lo que creen los cienciólogos y cómo anulan el espíritu crítico de las personas. Alucinante.
La investigación en sí misma queda en segundo plano pero no por ello está mal escrita. Me ha parecido un libro interesante.
September 24, 2022
Adictivo de verdad. Te zambulle en la secta de la cienciologia durante una investigación criminal en Suecia. No hay capítulos de relleno ni paja innecesaria. Muy bueno.
November 29, 2021
4.3/5
Виктор и неговата ќерка се пронајдени мртви во нивниот стан од страна на пријателот на Виктор, Лук. Полицијата без особена истрага заклучува дека се работи за убиство и самоубиство, но Лук е убеден дека неговиот пријател не би ја убил сопствената ќерка. Откако ќе се појават уште жртви во чии станови местото на злосторството изгледа идентично како кај Виктор, полицијата ја продолжува истрагата.
Виктор и жртвите биле членови на истата секта во минатото.
Култ е прв роман на авторот кој и самиот бил изманипулиран да се придружи на Сајентологијата на седумнаесет годишна возраст.
Интересна крими мистерија со вознемирувачка содржина.
Виктор и неговата ќерка се пронајдени мртви во нивниот стан од страна на пријателот на Виктор, Лук. Полицијата без особена истрага заклучува дека се работи за убиство и самоубиство, но Лук е убеден дека неговиот пријател не би ја убил сопствената ќерка. Откако ќе се појават уште жртви во чии станови местото на злосторството изгледа идентично како кај Виктор, полицијата ја продолжува истрагата.
Виктор и жртвите биле членови на истата секта во минатото.
Култ е прв роман на авторот кој и самиот бил изманипулиран да се придружи на Сајентологијата на седумнаесет годишна возраст.
Интересна крими мистерија со вознемирувачка содржина.
September 28, 2019
If you like a dark thriller, then this is for you.
Luke finds his friend Viktor’s body and that of Agnes, Viktor’s young daughter. The police feel this is a case of murder suicide, but Luke knows his friend would never hurt Agnes.
So, Luke begins his own investigation and slowly he convinces the police there is something sinister going on. Someone appears to be killing Scientologists ! Why? Is this linked to events in the 1990’s?
This is at times a difficult read, as a paedophile is involved in the abuse of children and distributing child porn as well as a murderer. I have to admit I felt some of this was unnecessary as while it confirmed this is an evil man, in my opinion it added nothing to the story.
However, apart from that, this is an incredible, dark and disturbing thriller, there’s a lot of insights into how Scientology operates, its indoctrination and brainwashing of young and impressionable people. The plot is well developed and as it moves to and fro between the 90’s and today, the picture gradually builds. Totally gripping from start to the heart pounding end.
Thank you to Sarah at Book On The Bright Side for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
Luke finds his friend Viktor’s body and that of Agnes, Viktor’s young daughter. The police feel this is a case of murder suicide, but Luke knows his friend would never hurt Agnes.
So, Luke begins his own investigation and slowly he convinces the police there is something sinister going on. Someone appears to be killing Scientologists ! Why? Is this linked to events in the 1990’s?
This is at times a difficult read, as a paedophile is involved in the abuse of children and distributing child porn as well as a murderer. I have to admit I felt some of this was unnecessary as while it confirmed this is an evil man, in my opinion it added nothing to the story.
However, apart from that, this is an incredible, dark and disturbing thriller, there’s a lot of insights into how Scientology operates, its indoctrination and brainwashing of young and impressionable people. The plot is well developed and as it moves to and fro between the 90’s and today, the picture gradually builds. Totally gripping from start to the heart pounding end.
Thank you to Sarah at Book On The Bright Side for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
January 2, 2021
Estoy muy sorprendida para bien, es una novela mezcla de ficción y realidad basada en parte de la vida del autor, cuando perteneció a este tipo de religión. Me asombra que haya tantos actores de Hollywood de la talla de Tom Cruise y John Travolta que pertenecen a la Cienciología, aunque tampoco me extraña, porque los cienciólogos que salen en el libro tienen un gran poder de persuasión.
El personaje principal que se ve envuelto en la investigación me ha encantado, creo que es una trilogía así que estaré a la espera de las siguientes.
Muy recomendable, he pasado muy buen rato leyéndolo.
El personaje principal que se ve envuelto en la investigación me ha encantado, creo que es una trilogía así que estaré a la espera de las siguientes.
Muy recomendable, he pasado muy buen rato leyéndolo.
December 30, 2022
Probabil i-aș fi dat patru stele dacă autorul n-ar fi uitat complet cale de vreo cincizeci de pagini de protagonistul Luke.
Din recenzia apărută pe Biblioteca lui Liviu în cadrul blog tourului dedicat publicării în limba română a volumului „Kult”:
„Povestea asta extrem de interesantă, presărată din plin cu scene grotești din activitatea extrem de bogată și de ingenioasă a unui pedofil care ia la țintă copii de grădiniță și clădește o adevărată afacere cu vânzarea pozelor lor pe internet, alternează cu povestea convertirii unui grup de tineri din anii nouăzeci la mișcarea religioasă fondată de cealaltă parte a Atlanticului, în rândul căreia se remarcă povestea convertirii și a… nu știu cum să-i zic, mântuirii? lui Jenny, o tânără a cărei poveste seamănă ca la carte cu o adevărată spălare pe creier. Iar autorul mizează foarte mult și pe această poveste, cunoscând toate dedesubturile unui cult să-i zicem de-a dreptul periculos, că nu degeaba s-au sinucis atâția oameni și mulți alții au ajuns adevărate epave, îndepărtându-se de familie și de prieteni și distrugându-și practic viețile. Din păcate însă alocă, în opinia mea, mult prea mult spațiu acestei povești, în loc să o dezvolte pe cea a lui Luke și a ucigașului de foști membri ai cultului, nereușind să schițeze complet, așa cum aș fi preferat eu, de exemplu, personajele.
În timp ce povestea criminalului, odioasă până-n pânzele albe, dar și a felului în care se desfășoare ancheta lui Luke în paralel cu cea a poliției, merg ca unse, cea a lui Jenny din urmă cu aproape douăzeci de ani față de cea din 2014, când se desfășoară cea a lui Luke, reprezintă un adevărat manual de spălare pe creier chiar dacă ideile propovăduite de aleși sunt de fapt aberații și un adevărat semnal de alarmă pentru pericolul pe care-l reprezintă așa-zișii lideri religioși (bineînțeles că în poveste sunt menționate și cazuri de conducători de culte care și-au convins enoriașii să se sinucidă în grup – cel mai notoriu fiind sinuciderea în masă din 1978, când au murit nu mai puțin de 913 persoane, dintre care 276 de copii), care, din fanatism adevărat sau pur și simplu cinism fără margini, lasă oameni pe drumuri și le distrug viețile sau neglijează criminal enoriași, tratându-i aberant și încercând să-i vindece de boli potențial mortale prin metode empirice și fără de efect, fără să intervină cineva și să le pună piedică. Probabil o fi și ăsta un tip de afacere pe care statele o dezaprobă în sinea lor, fără a interveni însă cu adevărat pentru a le stopa.”
Mai multe: https://bibliotecaluiliviu.ro/2022/09....
Din recenzia apărută pe Biblioteca lui Liviu în cadrul blog tourului dedicat publicării în limba română a volumului „Kult”:
„Povestea asta extrem de interesantă, presărată din plin cu scene grotești din activitatea extrem de bogată și de ingenioasă a unui pedofil care ia la țintă copii de grădiniță și clădește o adevărată afacere cu vânzarea pozelor lor pe internet, alternează cu povestea convertirii unui grup de tineri din anii nouăzeci la mișcarea religioasă fondată de cealaltă parte a Atlanticului, în rândul căreia se remarcă povestea convertirii și a… nu știu cum să-i zic, mântuirii? lui Jenny, o tânără a cărei poveste seamănă ca la carte cu o adevărată spălare pe creier. Iar autorul mizează foarte mult și pe această poveste, cunoscând toate dedesubturile unui cult să-i zicem de-a dreptul periculos, că nu degeaba s-au sinucis atâția oameni și mulți alții au ajuns adevărate epave, îndepărtându-se de familie și de prieteni și distrugându-și practic viețile. Din păcate însă alocă, în opinia mea, mult prea mult spațiu acestei povești, în loc să o dezvolte pe cea a lui Luke și a ucigașului de foști membri ai cultului, nereușind să schițeze complet, așa cum aș fi preferat eu, de exemplu, personajele.
În timp ce povestea criminalului, odioasă până-n pânzele albe, dar și a felului în care se desfășoare ancheta lui Luke în paralel cu cea a poliției, merg ca unse, cea a lui Jenny din urmă cu aproape douăzeci de ani față de cea din 2014, când se desfășoară cea a lui Luke, reprezintă un adevărat manual de spălare pe creier chiar dacă ideile propovăduite de aleși sunt de fapt aberații și un adevărat semnal de alarmă pentru pericolul pe care-l reprezintă așa-zișii lideri religioși (bineînțeles că în poveste sunt menționate și cazuri de conducători de culte care și-au convins enoriașii să se sinucidă în grup – cel mai notoriu fiind sinuciderea în masă din 1978, când au murit nu mai puțin de 913 persoane, dintre care 276 de copii), care, din fanatism adevărat sau pur și simplu cinism fără margini, lasă oameni pe drumuri și le distrug viețile sau neglijează criminal enoriași, tratându-i aberant și încercând să-i vindece de boli potențial mortale prin metode empirice și fără de efect, fără să intervină cineva și să le pună piedică. Probabil o fi și ăsta un tip de afacere pe care statele o dezaprobă în sinea lor, fără a interveni însă cu adevărat pentru a le stopa.”
Mai multe: https://bibliotecaluiliviu.ro/2022/09....
January 5, 2021
A pesar de que el tema de las sectas me parece muy interesante, este libro no me ha gustado. El ritmo es demasiado lento hasta prácticamente el final del libro, que sin duda es la mejor parte, ya que contiene alguna sorpresa. Sin embargo, muchas páginas no contribuyen al desarrollo de la historia principal y hacen que el lector no sepa hacia donde se dirige la trama, que se aleja tanto del asesinato como de la secta. Abundan los detalles insustanciales, con lo que la lectura se vuelva tediosa. No le pongo menos puntuación porque tiene algunos puntos que son interesantes, pero la verdad es que esperaba mucho más. Tampoco he conectado con los personajes, aunque reconozco que las vidas de la mayoría de ellos son diferentes de las que estamos acostumbrados a encontrar en los libros. Con respecto a la Cienciología, no he descubierto nada que no supiera o que no se pueda encontrar en Internet. Podría haber supuesto un punto de vista más cercano, pero en mi caso no ha sido así.
October 7, 2019
I've always had a fascination for cults, and fiction based on them. Years ago, I worked as a junior secretary for a firm that was owned and run by members of the Plymouth Brethren. As a seventeen-year-old, average girl, I found their ways very strange. We weren't allowed to talk to them about their beliefs; they were in charge, and we were expected to do as we were told. It was an enlightening experience.
Kult by Stefan Malmstrom (translated by Suzanne Martin Cheadle) is a work of fiction, but based on real events. The author was a member of the Church of Scientology for many years and draws upon his experience within the novel.
I guess, due to the high profile members, such as John Travolta and Tom Cruise, Scientology is one of the more well-known cult religions and it was interesting to read about their ways of introducing, and keeping new members.
The story has a shocking and compelling opening. Luke Bergmann goes to the house of his close friend Viktor, only to find him dead and his small daughter Agnes dying on the settee in the same room. It is assumed by everyone that Viktor died by suicide, and murdered his daughter, but Luke has known Viktor for a long time, he doesn't believe it.
The story moves from Luke's story, which is a detailed account of his younger years as part of a gang, to his determination to track down the truth about Viktor and Agnes. The reader is then taken back some years and is privy to the techniques used by the Scientologists when they recruit new members.
It's a dark and at times, overly complex tale. There were times when it felt more like a text-book, with detailed descriptions of the science-fiction element of the cult. However, it's quite intriguing and I read it in a couple of days.
The murder mystery is compelling and the suspense increases as the story moves along.
An interesting story, especially recommended for anyone with an interest in cult communities.
Kult by Stefan Malmstrom (translated by Suzanne Martin Cheadle) is a work of fiction, but based on real events. The author was a member of the Church of Scientology for many years and draws upon his experience within the novel.
I guess, due to the high profile members, such as John Travolta and Tom Cruise, Scientology is one of the more well-known cult religions and it was interesting to read about their ways of introducing, and keeping new members.
The story has a shocking and compelling opening. Luke Bergmann goes to the house of his close friend Viktor, only to find him dead and his small daughter Agnes dying on the settee in the same room. It is assumed by everyone that Viktor died by suicide, and murdered his daughter, but Luke has known Viktor for a long time, he doesn't believe it.
The story moves from Luke's story, which is a detailed account of his younger years as part of a gang, to his determination to track down the truth about Viktor and Agnes. The reader is then taken back some years and is privy to the techniques used by the Scientologists when they recruit new members.
It's a dark and at times, overly complex tale. There were times when it felt more like a text-book, with detailed descriptions of the science-fiction element of the cult. However, it's quite intriguing and I read it in a couple of days.
The murder mystery is compelling and the suspense increases as the story moves along.
An interesting story, especially recommended for anyone with an interest in cult communities.
December 31, 2019
Prior to discovering KULT (my initial selection because it's Scandi-Noir) I had some time back read one crime mystery in which the Church of Scientology played a significantly villainous role. So is the case here; the author asserts both personal experience and knowledge of experience of others with Scientology. I in fact was reminded of a case in 1961 involving a classmate, her parents, and a different (but somewhat similar) religious belief--one whose tenets denied, even forbade, intervention of medical science. So some of the situations narrated herein affected me especially intensely. Is that after all not the nature of good fiction, to stir us and to provoke us to ponder and to Evolve?
October 5, 2021
La verdad me gustó mucho y engancha de principio a fin, esta muy bueno dado que cosas que menciona en la historia son en base a experiencias propias del autor, con lo que hace la lectura aún más interesante. Le pongo un 4.5 por un par de cosas que sentí medias sueltas pero que no opacan para nada este gran thriller, 100% recomendable!!!!
Read
September 6, 2022Excelenta carte, mai ales din perspectiva religioasa. Ma rog, atee, caci aici religia este pusa la colt in corpore din cauza unui cult. Dar perspectiva ramane valabila, iar cartea ramane un reper. Explic pe blog totul.
March 30, 2019
Otäck och väldigt obehaglig om konsekvenserna av att ha varit med i en sekt. Rekommenderas!
September 9, 2022
Blog tour-ul crime din săptămâna aceasta ne duce direct în miezul întunecat al Bisericii Scientologice. Stefan Malmstrom își folosește propria experiență cu obscura religie și ne aduce un thriller tulburător. Kult îmbină realitatea cu ficțiunea și ne duce în spatele unor sinucideri dubioase ce repede se descoperă că de fapt sunt crime ce ar putea avea legătură cu Scientologia. Alert și intens, romanul oferă o privire atentă în culisele unei religii ce crede în reîncarnare și care este renumită pentru felul în care își controlează și manipulează membrii. Am scris mai multe despre carte într-un articol publicat pe blog.
https://ciobanuldeazi.home.blog/2022/...
https://ciobanuldeazi.home.blog/2022/...
October 2, 2019
This is a really fascinating, if very dark, read that stood out because it was partially based on the author’s own experiences as a young man with Scientology, which leant the story an extra level of authenticity.
I don’t think I am alone in finding cults a compelling subject. The idea that people can be influenced into believing the most extraordinary things that seem totally bizarre to the rest of us, to the extent that they are prepared to distance themselves from their family and friends, devote their lives and money to the cause and enact the most extreme forms of behaviour, including murder, is a topic I find riveting. I have read quite a lot of non-fiction on the subject of cults, and also enjoy fiction books that have this as a central subject matter. The Girls by Emma Cline was a recent novel based around a cult that was very popular, but the attraction of reading a book about possibly the world’s most famous cult, Scientology, by someone who was actually a member was too good an opportunity to miss and this book did not disappoint in any way.
The book is cleverly constructed with three story threads running through it that start off seemingly separate but are gradually drawn together as we go throughout the book until it forms a complete picture at the denouement. One of the threads follows the story of a group of young people as they are enticed into the world of Scientology in a small town in Sweden in the early 1990s. The main protagonist of the book is, Luke, a not quite whiter-than-white American now living in Sweden, who discovers the apparent murder-suicide of his best friend and his friend’s young daughter. However, Luke refuses to believe that Viktor was capable of any such thing and, despite warnings from the police investigating the matter, is determined to discover the truth for himself. The third thread…well you need to read the book for yourself to find out how that weaves in.
This book is gripping, to say the least. I read it in a day and could not put it down. The construct of the book was extremely effective in keeping the reader turning the pages and trying to work out how the pieces fitted together. The characters were cleverly portrayed to make you either love them or loathe them, as appropriate, and they felt realistic and well-rounded. I thought Luke was a great character to carry the story and would be very keen to read further books featuring him. I have to warn readers that some aspects of this book involved extremely disturbing subject matter that some readers may find distressing, but this was not done in a gratuitous manner and was relevant to the story. I found the insight into Scientology the most fascinating part of the book, though. To gain such a glimpse into the secretive world of Scientology from someone who has been there, and hear first hand the kind of damage it can do, was riveting. The author gives us a note at the end regarding how much of the book is fact and how much is fiction and it was eye-opening to say the least.
This is a dark, gripping and tense thriller with a fascinating back story and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a bleak but enthralling read.
I don’t think I am alone in finding cults a compelling subject. The idea that people can be influenced into believing the most extraordinary things that seem totally bizarre to the rest of us, to the extent that they are prepared to distance themselves from their family and friends, devote their lives and money to the cause and enact the most extreme forms of behaviour, including murder, is a topic I find riveting. I have read quite a lot of non-fiction on the subject of cults, and also enjoy fiction books that have this as a central subject matter. The Girls by Emma Cline was a recent novel based around a cult that was very popular, but the attraction of reading a book about possibly the world’s most famous cult, Scientology, by someone who was actually a member was too good an opportunity to miss and this book did not disappoint in any way.
The book is cleverly constructed with three story threads running through it that start off seemingly separate but are gradually drawn together as we go throughout the book until it forms a complete picture at the denouement. One of the threads follows the story of a group of young people as they are enticed into the world of Scientology in a small town in Sweden in the early 1990s. The main protagonist of the book is, Luke, a not quite whiter-than-white American now living in Sweden, who discovers the apparent murder-suicide of his best friend and his friend’s young daughter. However, Luke refuses to believe that Viktor was capable of any such thing and, despite warnings from the police investigating the matter, is determined to discover the truth for himself. The third thread…well you need to read the book for yourself to find out how that weaves in.
This book is gripping, to say the least. I read it in a day and could not put it down. The construct of the book was extremely effective in keeping the reader turning the pages and trying to work out how the pieces fitted together. The characters were cleverly portrayed to make you either love them or loathe them, as appropriate, and they felt realistic and well-rounded. I thought Luke was a great character to carry the story and would be very keen to read further books featuring him. I have to warn readers that some aspects of this book involved extremely disturbing subject matter that some readers may find distressing, but this was not done in a gratuitous manner and was relevant to the story. I found the insight into Scientology the most fascinating part of the book, though. To gain such a glimpse into the secretive world of Scientology from someone who has been there, and hear first hand the kind of damage it can do, was riveting. The author gives us a note at the end regarding how much of the book is fact and how much is fiction and it was eye-opening to say the least.
This is a dark, gripping and tense thriller with a fascinating back story and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a bleak but enthralling read.
February 20, 2021
SINOPSIS
Kalstrona, Suecia.Cuando los cuerpos de Viktor Spandel y su pequeña de cuatro años aparecen sin vida en su domicilio, la policía concluye que el hombre ha matado a su hija y luego se ha suicidado. Pero Luke Bergmann, el mejor amigo de Viktor, cree que se equivocan: sabe que Viktor jamás cometería un crimen así.
Decidido a sacar la verdad a la luz, Luke descubrirá la oscura conexión de Viktor con la cienciología en los años 90, un vínculo que lo une a un pequeño grupo de personas que ocultan un grave secreto. Y todas ellas corren peligro.
Pero Luke tiene un pasado como jefe de seguridad de uno de los mayores.
MI OPINIÓN
Siempre me ha llamado la atención incursionar e investigar sobre ciertas creencias religiosas y el tema de la cienciología siempre ha despertado mi curiosidad, por eso decidí leer este Thriller, la verdad me ha gustado bastante y me ha sorprendido como la escritora nos cuenta que en su juventud incursionó en este grupo dogmático.
La historia está bien desarrollada, mantiene un ritmo dinámico que despierta el interés del lector, introduciéndonos desde el comienzo en un misterioso suicidio de un ex integrante de la cienciología y su pequeña hija y a la vez, nos cuenta como un grupo de jóvenes incursionan en esta secta, nos describe a grandes rasgos las prácticas que se realizan al interior de la misma, sorprende.
Los personajes me gustaron mucho aunque algunos a mi criterio innecesarios, es predecible ya que tres capítulos antes del final nos formamos la idea de quien es el culpable, pero valió la pena leerlo, no es aburrido, es muy fácil de leer.
Lo recomiendo.
January 8, 2021
Es el primer libro de este autor según tengo entendido y es basados en hechos reales vividos en parte por él, no os olvidéis leer las Notas de autor al acabarlo.
La trama está bien, no es que sea adictiva pero si te incita a seguir leyendo. No lleva ritmo trepidante, mas bien pausado aunque te intriga mucho la temática. Sectas.
Este escritor y periodista según nos cuenta estuvo metido en una secta sobre la cienciología, estos son creyentes de la reencarnación y de otras cosas un tanto más fantásticas si cabe. Esa parte del libro me dejó con la boca abierta, como es posible que esas personas captadas fueran engullidas tanto por ese grupo de fanáticos o de listos, como yo los llamaría, que con sus historias conseguían que trabajaran para ellos y encima pagando.
La historia gira sobre la pérdida del protagonista, que no entiende como su amigo Viktor ha podido suicidarse y de paso matar a su hija. Es una investigación personal de Luke que le lleva a descubrir el pasado de su amigo y el porque ha sucedido eso. De paso empieza a descubrir unas muertes en las mismas circunstancias que la de su amigo. ¿Es un suicidio en masa organizado? ¿Qué une a esas personas muertas de la misma manera? ¿Hay un asesino en serie? ¿Y si es así quien es el asesino? ¿Qué lo mueve a ello?
La historia está bastante bien aunque lo que más me gusta es que sea un hecho real con algunas licencias para organizar la trama y que pone de manifiesto lo que las sectas hacen con las personas captadas.
Más en mi blog: https://lecturasdemarichu.blogspot.co...
La trama está bien, no es que sea adictiva pero si te incita a seguir leyendo. No lleva ritmo trepidante, mas bien pausado aunque te intriga mucho la temática. Sectas.
Este escritor y periodista según nos cuenta estuvo metido en una secta sobre la cienciología, estos son creyentes de la reencarnación y de otras cosas un tanto más fantásticas si cabe. Esa parte del libro me dejó con la boca abierta, como es posible que esas personas captadas fueran engullidas tanto por ese grupo de fanáticos o de listos, como yo los llamaría, que con sus historias conseguían que trabajaran para ellos y encima pagando.
La historia gira sobre la pérdida del protagonista, que no entiende como su amigo Viktor ha podido suicidarse y de paso matar a su hija. Es una investigación personal de Luke que le lleva a descubrir el pasado de su amigo y el porque ha sucedido eso. De paso empieza a descubrir unas muertes en las mismas circunstancias que la de su amigo. ¿Es un suicidio en masa organizado? ¿Qué une a esas personas muertas de la misma manera? ¿Hay un asesino en serie? ¿Y si es así quien es el asesino? ¿Qué lo mueve a ello?
La historia está bastante bien aunque lo que más me gusta es que sea un hecho real con algunas licencias para organizar la trama y que pone de manifiesto lo que las sectas hacen con las personas captadas.
Más en mi blog: https://lecturasdemarichu.blogspot.co...
September 26, 2019
Kult is one of those books that you pick up, start reading, and then realize it’s 2a.m. and you finished the book. It’s a terrifying premise that is actually based on a real life account of Stefan Malmström, who was manipulated into the Chruch of Scientology.
This story is a nightmare, and what makes it more scary is the reality it’s based on. The idea of being manipulated into a cult is so disturbing. The plot is dark, gripping and full of suspense. This is a topic you don’t see written about often and I think Stefan Malmström is brave to take his real life story and turn it into this novel.
From the first page to the last, Kult is fast-paced a breathtaking. I was feeling emotionally drained at the end. It’s difficult to explain why without going into too much detail, but this has a lot of darkness in it and it is not an easy read. A brilliant read…but not an easy read. I highly recommend picking Kult up. It’s chilling, and on my list of favorites of 2019.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Books On The Bright Side. All opinions are my own.*
Find this review and more on my blog: https://www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com
This story is a nightmare, and what makes it more scary is the reality it’s based on. The idea of being manipulated into a cult is so disturbing. The plot is dark, gripping and full of suspense. This is a topic you don’t see written about often and I think Stefan Malmström is brave to take his real life story and turn it into this novel.
From the first page to the last, Kult is fast-paced a breathtaking. I was feeling emotionally drained at the end. It’s difficult to explain why without going into too much detail, but this has a lot of darkness in it and it is not an easy read. A brilliant read…but not an easy read. I highly recommend picking Kult up. It’s chilling, and on my list of favorites of 2019.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Books On The Bright Side. All opinions are my own.*
Find this review and more on my blog: https://www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com
September 30, 2019
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
I love the cover for this book, it suits it really well!
I thought that this was a really good thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing throughout. I read the book over a couple of nights and I loved the twists and turns that the author added to the plot and I found myself becoming addicted by the storyline - I needed to know how it would all end and even though I had guessed part of the story that did not detract at all from my enjoyment!
I thought that the pace for the book was good, it was a well written story and the author had clearly done a fair bit of planning to execute the book so well and had really drawn on their knowledge and to make it such a brilliantly written book.
I found the author’s writing style to fit really well with the book and I think it helped add to the intrigue of it all. It is 4.5 stars from me for this one rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon – very highly recommended, a thoroughly additive story - I really enjoyed it!
I love the cover for this book, it suits it really well!
I thought that this was a really good thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing throughout. I read the book over a couple of nights and I loved the twists and turns that the author added to the plot and I found myself becoming addicted by the storyline - I needed to know how it would all end and even though I had guessed part of the story that did not detract at all from my enjoyment!
I thought that the pace for the book was good, it was a well written story and the author had clearly done a fair bit of planning to execute the book so well and had really drawn on their knowledge and to make it such a brilliantly written book.
I found the author’s writing style to fit really well with the book and I think it helped add to the intrigue of it all. It is 4.5 stars from me for this one rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon – very highly recommended, a thoroughly additive story - I really enjoyed it!
May 1, 2020
Wow! Kult was Stefan Malmström's argument against Scientology and the things that happened did in fact happen to Stefan. In the book "Kult" we have two hero's one male, Luke, and one female, Jonna. There are some other hero's but they have minuscule parts and weren't important. What happened with basic words was that a group of students (for better words) in Scientology were later killed (hung) 20 years after the fact that 2 of the victims died twenty years before. Luke was friends with one of the people killed. He was an American working in Sweden. He didn't believe it was suicide but that it was murder because his 4 year old daughter was also killed at the same time. He new how to get people to talk and found several people that belonged to Scientology and another one was killed in the same manner. Jonna was a police officer working on the same case and she later saves the day. It all seems to comes to a head and works out for the better. I gave it 5 stars see if you decide the same.
July 25, 2022
Secta es de esos libros que te atrapan desde la primera página, y más con esa escena tan… 😱
Es cierto que al inicio no entendía por qué aparecía a Svärd, pero luego lo comprendí. Es esencial en la novela.
Otro punto importante es esta especie de “religión”, es súper raro e inútil. Todo parte por la idea loca de un intento de escritor de scifi… y si se fijan en la “biblia” que ellos tienen, ¡es una novela cutre de ciencia ficción! Y es increíble como llegó a trascender de esa manera (no increíble de maravilloso, sino increíble de raro…)
Ese final me gustó, fue totalmente distinto a lo que esperaba.
3,7⭐️
Es cierto que al inicio no entendía por qué aparecía a Svärd, pero luego lo comprendí. Es esencial en la novela.
Otro punto importante es esta especie de “religión”, es súper raro e inútil. Todo parte por la idea loca de un intento de escritor de scifi… y si se fijan en la “biblia” que ellos tienen, ¡es una novela cutre de ciencia ficción! Y es increíble como llegó a trascender de esa manera (no increíble de maravilloso, sino increíble de raro…)
Ese final me gustó, fue totalmente distinto a lo que esperaba.
3,7⭐️
November 11, 2019
This is such an excellent read. It gives an insight into the world of cults and how they operate. There are lots of books written about cults, both imagined and real, but to get a real authentic account a book needs to be written by someone who knows the world first hand.
The author is one of these people, he has his own personal insight in cults and he has used this knowledge to create this great read.
This is not an easy read but it is well worth taking the journey, through the dark and sinister world the book inhabits.
Can’t wait to read more of his books.
The author is one of these people, he has his own personal insight in cults and he has used this knowledge to create this great read.
This is not an easy read but it is well worth taking the journey, through the dark and sinister world the book inhabits.
Can’t wait to read more of his books.
April 4, 2019
En berättelse som uppehåller sin otäcka stämning från början till slut.
Insikten om scientologin och hur de arbetar blandas med en helgalen pedofils handlingar.
Reine Brynolfsson upphöjer denna stämning i sin inläsning och gör ett alltigenom mycket bra jobb, trots att det blir lite fel på vissa uttal.
Som inbiten karlskronit är det härligt att äntligen få höra någon beskriva Karlskrona så ingående. Och inte skulle jag vilja kasta ut Luke ur stan, jag vill istället ha mer.
Insikten om scientologin och hur de arbetar blandas med en helgalen pedofils handlingar.
Reine Brynolfsson upphöjer denna stämning i sin inläsning och gör ett alltigenom mycket bra jobb, trots att det blir lite fel på vissa uttal.
Som inbiten karlskronit är det härligt att äntligen få höra någon beskriva Karlskrona så ingående. Och inte skulle jag vilja kasta ut Luke ur stan, jag vill istället ha mer.
April 26, 2020
It’s a five stars with a but...this is a very well written and taut, thought out crime novel. The typical cat and mouse occurs like normal and it’s very hard to put down. The subject matter could be difficult for some- you’ll find out quickly. Whilst I’ve given it five stars there is a caveat to it in that there were certain parts and one in particular where the suspension of disbelief was destroyed. It didn’t ruin the novel but I suspect it would dampen the enthusiasm for some people.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews