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Blood Atonement
Grace DeRoche suffers from dissociative identity disorder after escaping childhood abuse at the hands of the Fundamentalist Mormon Church. When other escapees die under suspicious circumstances, one of her alter personalities is the prime suspect. As evidence mounts against her, Grace must determine if she’s a murderer or the next victim.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
3 people are currently reading
2803 people want to read
About the author
S.M. Freedman
5 books101 followersS.M. Freedman studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and spent years as a private investigator on the not-so-mean streets of Vancouver, before returning to her first love: writing.
Her debut novel, The Faithful, is published by Thomas & Mercer. It's an International Amazon Bestseller, reached the Quarter Finals in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, and was selected by Suspense Magazine as a "Best Debut of 2015.” The sequel, Impact Winter, was published in 2016, and she is currently working on the third and final instalment in the series. Her standalone psychological suspense novel, The Day She Died, about a woman who is hit by a car and wakes with a brain injury that leaves her doubting the spotty memories of her dark past, will be published by Dundurn in April 2021 (the audiobook will be published by Tantor Media) .
She is represented by Kim Lionetti of BookEnds Literary and lives in Vancouver with her husband and two children. She’s a proud member of Sisters in Crime, Crime Writers of Canada, International Thriller Writers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Her debut novel, The Faithful, is published by Thomas & Mercer. It's an International Amazon Bestseller, reached the Quarter Finals in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, and was selected by Suspense Magazine as a "Best Debut of 2015.” The sequel, Impact Winter, was published in 2016, and she is currently working on the third and final instalment in the series. Her standalone psychological suspense novel, The Day She Died, about a woman who is hit by a car and wakes with a brain injury that leaves her doubting the spotty memories of her dark past, will be published by Dundurn in April 2021 (the audiobook will be published by Tantor Media) .
She is represented by Kim Lionetti of BookEnds Literary and lives in Vancouver with her husband and two children. She’s a proud member of Sisters in Crime, Crime Writers of Canada, International Thriller Writers, and Mystery Writers of America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 20, 2022
OUT NOW!!! GO GET IT!!!!!
Thank you Dundurn Press 🇨🇦 for my beautiful gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
4.5 rounded up to a 5
Trigger warnings: religious abuse, sexual assault and violence
One word review: Prepare to be emotionally wrecked by this murder mystery + historical realism banger
SYNOPSIS
Grace escaped the fundamentalist Mormon compound of Birgham Young with nine other children. Years later, she continues to heal and grapple with her DID when several members of the Birgham 10 die under suspicious circumstances. Detective Burnelli with the RCMP must determine if Grace or one of her alters are behind the deaths.
MY OPINION
Damn.................. Lmao. You know when you're so emotionally wrecked you just sit in silence and stare out the window? That's how I was when I finished this book. What. A. Banger.
But before I get into things, heed my warning: This is based on the FLDS (it is essentially the fiction novel version of the doc "Keep Sweet, Pray, and Obey") and makes several references to real FLDS members and practices. Know thyself and thy triggers is all I have to say.
Ok, onto the book. Now THIS is how you write something revolting without being melodramatic. I hate when authors do the most (ahem CoHo) to try to get a reaction. The more "realistic" the events are, the more of an emotional impact it has... at least for me. My heart literally ached for the lost boys and girls of FLDS who experienced the same trauma, and for those who are still living it every day.
The writing is straightforward and simple. There's rarely any fluff and Freedman does a great job of showing not telling even with third-person narration. I enjoyed traversing through beautiful BC; it's rare that I read books set in Canada tbh. After I got the hang of it, I loved how she toggled between the dual timelines (no spoilies hehe). I can't comment on the accuracy of the DID portrayal, but it was much better than The Perfect Daughter let's just say that. It certainly added complexity to the plot without going overboard.
And since I'm a hoe for a police procedural, I was happy to see Detective Burnelli moving the case forward instead of a citizens gone rogue vibe. Grace was used to paint a poignant picture of FLDS "life" and Brunelli was used to investigate the murders. I would've been hella annoyed if Freedman had Grace and her alters tryna to solve a mystery when she couldn't remember a good chunk of her day.
If you've read After Everything You Did, I have a strong suspicion that you will also love this book. The writing, characters, and historical realism all reminded me of Stephanie Sowden's debut banger.
My only complaint with this book was the Scooby Doo ending where the baddie walks the reader through their crimes from start to finish. The final confession made me cringe lmao... it reminded me of the Brooklyn 99 scene where Captain Dozerman dies of a heart attack and his last words are: "Tell my wife I love her..... work ethic." Anywayz I don't like this kind of spoon feeding but this book was so strong overall, it felt like a crime to give it 4 stars. It really doesn't compare with the other 4-star reads I've enjoyed this year. I definitely look forward to reading more from Freedman.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: straightforward writing, beautifully executed plot, solid intentional characters, poignant af
Cons: spoon fed ending
Thank you Dundurn Press 🇨🇦 for my beautiful gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
4.5 rounded up to a 5
Trigger warnings: religious abuse, sexual assault and violence
One word review: Prepare to be emotionally wrecked by this murder mystery + historical realism banger
SYNOPSIS
Grace escaped the fundamentalist Mormon compound of Birgham Young with nine other children. Years later, she continues to heal and grapple with her DID when several members of the Birgham 10 die under suspicious circumstances. Detective Burnelli with the RCMP must determine if Grace or one of her alters are behind the deaths.
MY OPINION
Damn.................. Lmao. You know when you're so emotionally wrecked you just sit in silence and stare out the window? That's how I was when I finished this book. What. A. Banger.
But before I get into things, heed my warning: This is based on the FLDS (it is essentially the fiction novel version of the doc "Keep Sweet, Pray, and Obey") and makes several references to real FLDS members and practices. Know thyself and thy triggers is all I have to say.
Ok, onto the book. Now THIS is how you write something revolting without being melodramatic. I hate when authors do the most (ahem CoHo) to try to get a reaction. The more "realistic" the events are, the more of an emotional impact it has... at least for me. My heart literally ached for the lost boys and girls of FLDS who experienced the same trauma, and for those who are still living it every day.
The writing is straightforward and simple. There's rarely any fluff and Freedman does a great job of showing not telling even with third-person narration. I enjoyed traversing through beautiful BC; it's rare that I read books set in Canada tbh. After I got the hang of it, I loved how she toggled between the dual timelines (no spoilies hehe). I can't comment on the accuracy of the DID portrayal, but it was much better than The Perfect Daughter let's just say that. It certainly added complexity to the plot without going overboard.
And since I'm a hoe for a police procedural, I was happy to see Detective Burnelli moving the case forward instead of a citizens gone rogue vibe. Grace was used to paint a poignant picture of FLDS "life" and Brunelli was used to investigate the murders. I would've been hella annoyed if Freedman had Grace and her alters tryna to solve a mystery when she couldn't remember a good chunk of her day.
If you've read After Everything You Did, I have a strong suspicion that you will also love this book. The writing, characters, and historical realism all reminded me of Stephanie Sowden's debut banger.
My only complaint with this book was the Scooby Doo ending where the baddie walks the reader through their crimes from start to finish. The final confession made me cringe lmao... it reminded me of the Brooklyn 99 scene where Captain Dozerman dies of a heart attack and his last words are: "Tell my wife I love her..... work ethic." Anywayz I don't like this kind of spoon feeding but this book was so strong overall, it felt like a crime to give it 4 stars. It really doesn't compare with the other 4-star reads I've enjoyed this year. I definitely look forward to reading more from Freedman.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: straightforward writing, beautifully executed plot, solid intentional characters, poignant af
Cons: spoon fed ending
November 5, 2022
⚠️ This was not an easy book to read. This is fiction...but it's based on the FLDS in North America, it’s a shocking, eye-opening account of what atrocities take place behind closed doors. In this case, behind the electrified fence.
⚠️The horrendous behaviors of those in charge, the abuse of the women and the devastating sexual assaults of children. Not to mention the abandonment of young boys to keep the balance tilted for more wives per man.
Grace was born into the FLDS. She knows if she has any chance at survival she needs to leave her family, and the only life she knows behind her. But she also needs to protect her younger sisters from the same life she’s long endured. They need to come with her, to escape this life.
Grace and nine others manage to make their way out and into the arms of the police. And what at first seems to be better days ahead, only leads to continuing nightmares, as they’re separated and placed into foster care.
Years later, as adults they’re all suffering a myriad of mental health problems. From DID to abusive, self-harm.
To add to their unimaginable suffering someone is killing off the surviving 10. But why? And who?
This read affected me profoundly. The merciless abuse (based on true accounts) left me sick and at times too stunned to continue reading.
The authors’ note in the beginning states she wrote this book to honor the victims. She did a remarkable job of shining a light on the damage and abuse that is continuing to happen all over North America (and beyond).
Once again, my thanks to GirlWithThePinkSkiMask whose brilliant review made me immediately request this book!
I highly recommend! This book will stay with me for a very long time!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dundurn Press.
⚠️The horrendous behaviors of those in charge, the abuse of the women and the devastating sexual assaults of children. Not to mention the abandonment of young boys to keep the balance tilted for more wives per man.
Grace was born into the FLDS. She knows if she has any chance at survival she needs to leave her family, and the only life she knows behind her. But she also needs to protect her younger sisters from the same life she’s long endured. They need to come with her, to escape this life.
Grace and nine others manage to make their way out and into the arms of the police. And what at first seems to be better days ahead, only leads to continuing nightmares, as they’re separated and placed into foster care.
Years later, as adults they’re all suffering a myriad of mental health problems. From DID to abusive, self-harm.
To add to their unimaginable suffering someone is killing off the surviving 10. But why? And who?
This read affected me profoundly. The merciless abuse (based on true accounts) left me sick and at times too stunned to continue reading.
The authors’ note in the beginning states she wrote this book to honor the victims. She did a remarkable job of shining a light on the damage and abuse that is continuing to happen all over North America (and beyond).
Once again, my thanks to GirlWithThePinkSkiMask whose brilliant review made me immediately request this book!
I highly recommend! This book will stay with me for a very long time!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dundurn Press.
November 22, 2022
In a Nutshell: Strongly plotted, nicely written, emotionally hardhitting. Has minor flaws, but overall, a must-read.
Story Synopsis:
Where the book worked for me:
👌 The characters are based on a real community called the Fundamentalist Mormon (FLDS) movement. Reading about them isn’t easy and is infuriating, especially as a woman. The extent of the brainwashing is horrifying! But this also is the biggest plus of the book. The author’s research and depiction work well to enhance the creepiness of the story. If you need one reason to read this book, this is it!
👌 The author's foreword at the start gives the right background to those readers who are unaware of the FLDS movement. It was very helpful to me to get this insight into the sect before beginning with the story.
👌 The author was a private investigator who has now turned to writing. This comes out so well in the criminal investigation segments. There are elements that I have never seen mentioned in usual crime fiction. It felt like a book written by someone who knows the system, and this adds great authenticity.
👌 Detective Beau Brunelli’s character is nicely sketched. The hard work that goes into police work is depicted well through him and his team. I also liked how the investigative reins remain firmly in the hands of the police, and how it is shown not as a one-man-show but as a collaboration between various teams. (I cant help but contrast this with my current audiobook where the kidnapped baby’s nanny has become an unofficial investigator of the crime. Sheesh!)
👌 The sexual abuse that the women in the sect undergo isn’t easy to read. So I truly appreciate the author’s writing choice of not going into extended details of the sexual infringements but revealing just enough to let us know what was happening. Of course, there is plenty of other abuse detailed on the pages. Well-written, but consider yourself warned: the book isn’t going to leave you easily.
👌 Grace’s mental disorder is written so well! I don’t want to go into spoilers by naming it, but suffice to say, I have read a few books with characters suffering from this problem, and this was one of the best-ever depictions of the same.
👌 The pace is quite slow, and with the sheer number of characters and the shifting timelines, it is near impossible to read faster. Despite this, I never felt overwhelmed or frustrated because the plot kept calling me back to it. If I had had a lighter schedule, I would have completed this within a day, it was so compelling!
👌 As with every psych thriller, I kept trying to guess who the culprit was. The author spun me in so many valid circles that I ended up dizzy. But after the big reveal, it was easy to see the clues she had scattered along the way. I loved how the reveal came logically from the plot rather than being a pulling-the-rug kind of solution.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
☠ I like the method by which the author incorporated the flashbacks in her writing; I just wish they had been indicated better. There are plenty of flashbacks in the story, not all of which are written with smooth transitions. It is sometimes confusing to understand which timeline is active. (Do note that I was reading a digital ARC. It is possible that the transitions are marked better in the final publication.)
☠ The final moments of the climax were straight out of a Bollywood blockbuster. (This is NOT a compliment.)
☠ There is one first person narration in the story (the rest is a limited third person narration from the point of view of various characters) but there are certain points in this track that I am unclear about.
☠ Hate the cover! I wouldn’t have cast this book a second glance had a ‘bangerlicious’ review by one of my GR friends, who goes by ‘GirlWithThePinkSkiMask’, not popped up on my feed. The cover doesn’t do justice to the story. (Do read her review as well!)
Overall, a book worth reading for a multitude of reasons as it hits most targets right in their bull’s eye. Recommended to readers of fiction inspired from real-life, cult fiction, police procedurals and religious fanaticism.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Dundurn Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “Blood Atonement”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Trigger Warnings: It’s a book about a religious cult that believes in male superiority. Imagine every horrible idea associated with this concept, and you’ll find it in the book. Not easy reading, for sure.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Grace DeRoche lives a life of solitude with her service dog, her goats and her pottery, trying to move on from her earlier years as a member of a Fundamentalist LDS sect that believes in subservient women and polygamous marriages. Grace had escaped during a police raid along with nine other children. Now, some of the other survivors have turned up dead. Suicide or murder, Detective Beau Brunelli isn’t yet sure. But one thing is for sure: what’s happening is somehow connected with Grace. But with her mental and physical health issues, how can he find out the truth?
Where the book worked for me:
👌 The characters are based on a real community called the Fundamentalist Mormon (FLDS) movement. Reading about them isn’t easy and is infuriating, especially as a woman. The extent of the brainwashing is horrifying! But this also is the biggest plus of the book. The author’s research and depiction work well to enhance the creepiness of the story. If you need one reason to read this book, this is it!
👌 The author's foreword at the start gives the right background to those readers who are unaware of the FLDS movement. It was very helpful to me to get this insight into the sect before beginning with the story.
👌 The author was a private investigator who has now turned to writing. This comes out so well in the criminal investigation segments. There are elements that I have never seen mentioned in usual crime fiction. It felt like a book written by someone who knows the system, and this adds great authenticity.
👌 Detective Beau Brunelli’s character is nicely sketched. The hard work that goes into police work is depicted well through him and his team. I also liked how the investigative reins remain firmly in the hands of the police, and how it is shown not as a one-man-show but as a collaboration between various teams. (I cant help but contrast this with my current audiobook where the kidnapped baby’s nanny has become an unofficial investigator of the crime. Sheesh!)
👌 The sexual abuse that the women in the sect undergo isn’t easy to read. So I truly appreciate the author’s writing choice of not going into extended details of the sexual infringements but revealing just enough to let us know what was happening. Of course, there is plenty of other abuse detailed on the pages. Well-written, but consider yourself warned: the book isn’t going to leave you easily.
👌 Grace’s mental disorder is written so well! I don’t want to go into spoilers by naming it, but suffice to say, I have read a few books with characters suffering from this problem, and this was one of the best-ever depictions of the same.
👌 The pace is quite slow, and with the sheer number of characters and the shifting timelines, it is near impossible to read faster. Despite this, I never felt overwhelmed or frustrated because the plot kept calling me back to it. If I had had a lighter schedule, I would have completed this within a day, it was so compelling!
👌 As with every psych thriller, I kept trying to guess who the culprit was. The author spun me in so many valid circles that I ended up dizzy. But after the big reveal, it was easy to see the clues she had scattered along the way. I loved how the reveal came logically from the plot rather than being a pulling-the-rug kind of solution.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
☠ I like the method by which the author incorporated the flashbacks in her writing; I just wish they had been indicated better. There are plenty of flashbacks in the story, not all of which are written with smooth transitions. It is sometimes confusing to understand which timeline is active. (Do note that I was reading a digital ARC. It is possible that the transitions are marked better in the final publication.)
☠ The final moments of the climax were straight out of a Bollywood blockbuster. (This is NOT a compliment.)
☠ There is one first person narration in the story (the rest is a limited third person narration from the point of view of various characters) but there are certain points in this track that I am unclear about.
☠ Hate the cover! I wouldn’t have cast this book a second glance had a ‘bangerlicious’ review by one of my GR friends, who goes by ‘GirlWithThePinkSkiMask’, not popped up on my feed. The cover doesn’t do justice to the story. (Do read her review as well!)
Overall, a book worth reading for a multitude of reasons as it hits most targets right in their bull’s eye. Recommended to readers of fiction inspired from real-life, cult fiction, police procedurals and religious fanaticism.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Dundurn Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “Blood Atonement”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Trigger Warnings: It’s a book about a religious cult that believes in male superiority. Imagine every horrible idea associated with this concept, and you’ll find it in the book. Not easy reading, for sure.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
October 21, 2022
Grace DeRoche suffers from dissociative identity disorder after escaping childhood abuse at the hands of the Fundamentalist Mormon Church. When other escapees die under suspicious circumstances, one of her alter personalities is the prime suspect. As evidence mounts against her, Grace must determine if she’s a murderer or the next victim.
This was a brilliant read. I have not found many books that manages to portray dissociative identity disorder accurately. The book goes back and forth between the time when Grace grew up in the fundamental Mormon Church, and her current life. The book is well-researched. You sense that the author has studied cults thoroughly. The chapters describing life in the church were chilling. You almost want to hide under a blanket and close your eyes tightly. There was a lot of abuse in the church, but the author doesn’t go into detail. Freedman again impresses when she describes how Grace crawl into a safe space in her mind when the abuse happens. In addition to feeling like you have a front-row seat to a completely different life-style, the book is also thrilling. We follow a police investigation where former members of the cult end up dead. The clock is ticking, and you really want to know what will happen next.
I loved this book, it stirred up strong emotions and kept me on the edge of my seat. Please read it, the book deserves a big audience and hopefully the author will keep writing memorable books that you don’t want to end.
Thanks to netgally and dundurn press for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
This was a brilliant read. I have not found many books that manages to portray dissociative identity disorder accurately. The book goes back and forth between the time when Grace grew up in the fundamental Mormon Church, and her current life. The book is well-researched. You sense that the author has studied cults thoroughly. The chapters describing life in the church were chilling. You almost want to hide under a blanket and close your eyes tightly. There was a lot of abuse in the church, but the author doesn’t go into detail. Freedman again impresses when she describes how Grace crawl into a safe space in her mind when the abuse happens. In addition to feeling like you have a front-row seat to a completely different life-style, the book is also thrilling. We follow a police investigation where former members of the cult end up dead. The clock is ticking, and you really want to know what will happen next.
I loved this book, it stirred up strong emotions and kept me on the edge of my seat. Please read it, the book deserves a big audience and hopefully the author will keep writing memorable books that you don’t want to end.
Thanks to netgally and dundurn press for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
April 19, 2023
Thank you to my friend Pink for putting this one on my radar with her banger alert review.
Grace and nine other children escape a FLSD compound in Canada and become known as the Brigham 10. In order to help herself cope with the trauma she endured, she develops dissociative identity disorder. Many years later, one by one, members of the Brigham 10 start dying. Detective Burnelli who worked the case of the Brigham 10 is now tasked with finding out if the deaths are suicidal in nature or if something more suspicious is going on and if Grace has anything to do with their deaths.
S.M. Freedman is a new to me author, but after reading this one, I immediately added her backlist of books. I could not put this one down! There are so many positives with this book. Excellent writing which is concise and without fluff which is what I prefer. The story is plausible which is always a huge bonus. Grace's character and her condition were written so well. I was fascinated with her from start to finish. S.M. Freedman left it to Detective Burnelli do the detective work. The author clearly did her research. It was both fascinating and infuriating reading about the Mormon fundamentalist movement. Even though this book details some pretty heavy topics such as sexual, physical and mental abuse, it is written in a way that the reader understands clearly what is going on without being explicit.
Minor criticisms: This book deserves a better cover, one that screams pick me. In the beginning, Grace's flashbacks threw me off a bit since they aren't presented in a separate chapter, but rather happen within each chapter. That made it difficult to discern past from present, but as the story went on and I got used to the characters, it was much easier to adjust. The final confession at the end which is a style that is never my preference. 4.5 stars rounded up.
Many thanks to Dundurn Press and NetGalley for my eARC.
Grace and nine other children escape a FLSD compound in Canada and become known as the Brigham 10. In order to help herself cope with the trauma she endured, she develops dissociative identity disorder. Many years later, one by one, members of the Brigham 10 start dying. Detective Burnelli who worked the case of the Brigham 10 is now tasked with finding out if the deaths are suicidal in nature or if something more suspicious is going on and if Grace has anything to do with their deaths.
S.M. Freedman is a new to me author, but after reading this one, I immediately added her backlist of books. I could not put this one down! There are so many positives with this book. Excellent writing which is concise and without fluff which is what I prefer. The story is plausible which is always a huge bonus. Grace's character and her condition were written so well. I was fascinated with her from start to finish. S.M. Freedman left it to Detective Burnelli do the detective work. The author clearly did her research. It was both fascinating and infuriating reading about the Mormon fundamentalist movement. Even though this book details some pretty heavy topics such as sexual, physical and mental abuse, it is written in a way that the reader understands clearly what is going on without being explicit.
Minor criticisms: This book deserves a better cover, one that screams pick me. In the beginning, Grace's flashbacks threw me off a bit since they aren't presented in a separate chapter, but rather happen within each chapter. That made it difficult to discern past from present, but as the story went on and I got used to the characters, it was much easier to adjust. The final confession at the end which is a style that is never my preference. 4.5 stars rounded up.
Many thanks to Dundurn Press and NetGalley for my eARC.
November 12, 2022
3.5
This story deals with the FDLS cult. TW: rape, incest, abuse, suicide just to name a few. This book also dabbled in DID aka multiple personality disorder.
What I loved: Grace, her struggle, her heartache & her hope. Grace is a strong MC, one you’ll root for the entire way. Her story is harrowing and painful. It’s hard not to think of the reality of the existing cult.
Police procedurals are my jam. I love to unravel a mystery.
What I didn’t care for: it’s chaotic. I love multiple POV’s but it not only switched POVs, it flipped timelines and then added in a mystery POV. I had to stop and figure out where I was every time I picked up the book.
SOMEwhat Predictable. Thankfully not fully predictable.
Overall:
A great read that moves along quickly about a cult and the resulting horrors of never being able to fully leave it behind. It’s well written and well researched. If you’re fascinated by cults like I am, this book is for you!
This story deals with the FDLS cult. TW: rape, incest, abuse, suicide just to name a few. This book also dabbled in DID aka multiple personality disorder.
What I loved: Grace, her struggle, her heartache & her hope. Grace is a strong MC, one you’ll root for the entire way. Her story is harrowing and painful. It’s hard not to think of the reality of the existing cult.
Police procedurals are my jam. I love to unravel a mystery.
What I didn’t care for: it’s chaotic. I love multiple POV’s but it not only switched POVs, it flipped timelines and then added in a mystery POV. I had to stop and figure out where I was every time I picked up the book.
SOMEwhat Predictable. Thankfully not fully predictable.
Overall:
A great read that moves along quickly about a cult and the resulting horrors of never being able to fully leave it behind. It’s well written and well researched. If you’re fascinated by cults like I am, this book is for you!
December 27, 2025
S.M. Freedman definitely knows how to set a tense pace and tone throughout an entire. freaking. book! The twist had me shocked, and the journey to get to it takes you in so many directions until you doubt yourself. Love it! The religious cult setting/aspect definitely added to the paranoia and fear. I also appreciate the research that definitely went into this to learn about cults and also dissociative identity disorder (DID).
CW: addiction, suicide, mass suicide, cults, SA, SA involving minors.
CW: addiction, suicide, mass suicide, cults, SA, SA involving minors.
October 21, 2022
EASY 5 STARS! WOW!
The word "cult" had me sold immediately.
Blood Atonement is dark and deeply disturbing. The plot is heavy and oh so beautifully executed!
That twist though! It got me good!
The authors writing was so in depth and descriptive. I was completely blown away. Be ready to feel all the emotions.
I flew through this book. I need another by this author asap!
My thanks to Dundurn Press for this gifted copy!
Content Warnings: Cults, Sexual Assault, Domestic Abuse, Suicide, Addiction, Mental Illness, Miscarriage/Infant Loss, Incest, Rape.
The word "cult" had me sold immediately.
Blood Atonement is dark and deeply disturbing. The plot is heavy and oh so beautifully executed!
That twist though! It got me good!
The authors writing was so in depth and descriptive. I was completely blown away. Be ready to feel all the emotions.
I flew through this book. I need another by this author asap!
My thanks to Dundurn Press for this gifted copy!
Content Warnings: Cults, Sexual Assault, Domestic Abuse, Suicide, Addiction, Mental Illness, Miscarriage/Infant Loss, Incest, Rape.
October 13, 2022
My Rating Style: 4.5 rounded down to 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ticked almost all the boxes GREAT READ!!!
Grace DeRoche is one of the ten kids who escaped the Fundamentalist Morman Church better known as the FLDS. She led a group of abused children to safety after the horrors they experienced in their short lives.
When the kids who escaped start turning up dead of suspected suicides Grace retreats within herself. Suffering from dissociative identity disorder (DID) brought on by her childhood abuse Grace has a fragmented life and large blank spaces in her memory.
Triggers are lurking around every corner and when one of Grace’s alters takes over she doesn’t have any memory of what happens. Is Grace next or is it much more sinister than that??
Big thanks go out to my good friend and Goodread buddy GirlWithThePinkSkiMask for (as she would say) sounding the Banger Alert and bringing my attention to this one!!!
This book is fiction HOWEVER it is based on the FLDS and makes references to the real pervs from the real life cult and if you have seen the Netflix documentary ‘Keep Sweet, Pray and Obey’ you will know how messed up this is gonna be!!!
The author has done an amazing job of depicting the traumatising terror that these children must have felt and lived through. In my opinion she also did an excellent job of showing the reader how DID might feel and how it can come across to others. I felt that she handled this with care and while I personally have no experience with DID I think it was really well written.
The writing quality is excellent the reader is taken on what could have been a messy ride through Grace’s mind and back in time, flashbacks, DID episodes, current day and alternate POV. None of this is done with a heading at the top but I was never lost. It is written in a way that you always know who is talking, what is happening and what timeline you are in. This was excellent and one of the best parts of the book.
This book has a tonne of Trigger Warnings and take heed of them it isn’t nice to read some of the abuse. BUT having said that I felt even this was handled really well. You do read about what was happening to Grace and the others. Annnnnd your heart is almost ripped from your body (especially knowing that these things have and are still happening in the FLDS in real life) however, the author manages to take you right to the edge without having to descriptively go through a sexual assault scene or perversely describe it.
The characters were quite likeable - my heart bled for Grace and all the other kids. I wanted to actually have a fist fight with the main perv and all the other pervs and even the parents who stood back and allowed all this to go on…it invoked some serious emotions and that to me is the sign of good writing.
I also loved Grace’s dog what an absolute champion there to help Grace when she was really going through it!! Detective Burnelli was great he did his job and followed the evidence didn’t get carried away, had some personal baggage but didn’t let it get in the way of the case.
My big gripe was with the ending, unfortunately this was a hand holding session whereby the ‘baddie’ tells us in great detail every reason for doing the things they have done. The rest of the book was good at allowing the reader to draw conclusions and understand using less words but the ending was a play by play. Although this was a bit tiresome it still did not ruin the book for me.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone with even a remote interest in cults or the FLDS, as I said earlier it is fiction however if you know anything about this cray cray group of people you will know the author has probably hit the nail right on the head.
Thank you to Dundurn Press, the author and NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Grace DeRoche is one of the ten kids who escaped the Fundamentalist Morman Church better known as the FLDS. She led a group of abused children to safety after the horrors they experienced in their short lives.
When the kids who escaped start turning up dead of suspected suicides Grace retreats within herself. Suffering from dissociative identity disorder (DID) brought on by her childhood abuse Grace has a fragmented life and large blank spaces in her memory.
Triggers are lurking around every corner and when one of Grace’s alters takes over she doesn’t have any memory of what happens. Is Grace next or is it much more sinister than that??
Big thanks go out to my good friend and Goodread buddy GirlWithThePinkSkiMask for (as she would say) sounding the Banger Alert and bringing my attention to this one!!!
This book is fiction HOWEVER it is based on the FLDS and makes references to the real pervs from the real life cult and if you have seen the Netflix documentary ‘Keep Sweet, Pray and Obey’ you will know how messed up this is gonna be!!!
The author has done an amazing job of depicting the traumatising terror that these children must have felt and lived through. In my opinion she also did an excellent job of showing the reader how DID might feel and how it can come across to others. I felt that she handled this with care and while I personally have no experience with DID I think it was really well written.
The writing quality is excellent the reader is taken on what could have been a messy ride through Grace’s mind and back in time, flashbacks, DID episodes, current day and alternate POV. None of this is done with a heading at the top but I was never lost. It is written in a way that you always know who is talking, what is happening and what timeline you are in. This was excellent and one of the best parts of the book.
This book has a tonne of Trigger Warnings and take heed of them it isn’t nice to read some of the abuse. BUT having said that I felt even this was handled really well. You do read about what was happening to Grace and the others. Annnnnd your heart is almost ripped from your body (especially knowing that these things have and are still happening in the FLDS in real life) however, the author manages to take you right to the edge without having to descriptively go through a sexual assault scene or perversely describe it.
The characters were quite likeable - my heart bled for Grace and all the other kids. I wanted to actually have a fist fight with the main perv and all the other pervs and even the parents who stood back and allowed all this to go on…it invoked some serious emotions and that to me is the sign of good writing.
I also loved Grace’s dog what an absolute champion there to help Grace when she was really going through it!! Detective Burnelli was great he did his job and followed the evidence didn’t get carried away, had some personal baggage but didn’t let it get in the way of the case.
My big gripe was with the ending, unfortunately this was a hand holding session whereby the ‘baddie’ tells us in great detail every reason for doing the things they have done. The rest of the book was good at allowing the reader to draw conclusions and understand using less words but the ending was a play by play. Although this was a bit tiresome it still did not ruin the book for me.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone with even a remote interest in cults or the FLDS, as I said earlier it is fiction however if you know anything about this cray cray group of people you will know the author has probably hit the nail right on the head.
Thank you to Dundurn Press, the author and NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2022
I’m amazed.
The book had me hooked from the very beginning
The story follows two characters, Grace and Beau. Beau is a detective who was an important part of the investigation of cult years ago. Grace is one of the ten children that manages to scape the horror of that same cult. A place where they lived in isolation, whit a leader that insisted that every man needed at least three wives to go heaven. A close community where abuse of any kind was normalized by the community. That was years ago, now the ten survivors and others who where excommunicated are being targeted. Beau jumps town the seven once more. Grace faces hers dissociative personality disorder to try and figure out if she’s guilty or the next victim.
The book tácheles an amazing characterization, every character goes trough the very deeps of their minds. Every single thing adds to the story. The narration id fragmented you get to see the point of view of Beau and both young and adult Grace. The plot hooks from the very beginning. An amazing triller that will defiantly have anyone by the edge of their seats.
Thank you so much NetGalley for giving me ARC of this truly amazing story.
The book had me hooked from the very beginning
The story follows two characters, Grace and Beau. Beau is a detective who was an important part of the investigation of cult years ago. Grace is one of the ten children that manages to scape the horror of that same cult. A place where they lived in isolation, whit a leader that insisted that every man needed at least three wives to go heaven. A close community where abuse of any kind was normalized by the community. That was years ago, now the ten survivors and others who where excommunicated are being targeted. Beau jumps town the seven once more. Grace faces hers dissociative personality disorder to try and figure out if she’s guilty or the next victim.
The book tácheles an amazing characterization, every character goes trough the very deeps of their minds. Every single thing adds to the story. The narration id fragmented you get to see the point of view of Beau and both young and adult Grace. The plot hooks from the very beginning. An amazing triller that will defiantly have anyone by the edge of their seats.
Thank you so much NetGalley for giving me ARC of this truly amazing story.
December 24, 2022
3.5 stars rounded down.
This was sooo slow. It hasn't taken me this long to read a book in I don't know how long. However, the story was 👌 and the ending outstanding. Please check TWs before reading - it has some extremely rough and raw content.
Blood Atonement is a fictional murder mystery, centred around Rulon Jeffs, Warren Jeffs and the FLDS, and the torture the children and families endured. It is well researched and no doubt based upon some true occurences. The devastating psychological elements following on from childhood trauma and brainwashing are well depicted as we follow Grace being treated for DID (not a spoiler).
I couldn't give this more than 3.5 stars because it was just so difficult to follow. I had a really hard time keeping up with the changes in timelines and changes in POV. I wish the author did chapter headings for it, even though it was explained in the story sometimes for one character, I prefer timeline or POV changes to jump right out at me. I had to go back pages several times and even start the book again once... the latter possibly due to tiredness. This is a must be alert read and is not easy to follow. It also has a mystery POV which made it even harder to track without chapter headings. Upon finding out who the mystery character was, I had no recollection of the mystery POV chapters because of how little connection and how much confusion there was. The writing it self was really good though.
If you are interested in the FLDS, the documentary "Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey" or cult fiction, then this book may be for you - just don't go in expecting a thrilling, quick or easy read. It's a tough one.
This was sooo slow. It hasn't taken me this long to read a book in I don't know how long. However, the story was 👌 and the ending outstanding. Please check TWs before reading - it has some extremely rough and raw content.
Blood Atonement is a fictional murder mystery, centred around Rulon Jeffs, Warren Jeffs and the FLDS, and the torture the children and families endured. It is well researched and no doubt based upon some true occurences. The devastating psychological elements following on from childhood trauma and brainwashing are well depicted as we follow Grace being treated for DID (not a spoiler).
I couldn't give this more than 3.5 stars because it was just so difficult to follow. I had a really hard time keeping up with the changes in timelines and changes in POV. I wish the author did chapter headings for it, even though it was explained in the story sometimes for one character, I prefer timeline or POV changes to jump right out at me. I had to go back pages several times and even start the book again once... the latter possibly due to tiredness. This is a must be alert read and is not easy to follow. It also has a mystery POV which made it even harder to track without chapter headings. Upon finding out who the mystery character was, I had no recollection of the mystery POV chapters because of how little connection and how much confusion there was. The writing it self was really good though.
If you are interested in the FLDS, the documentary "Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey" or cult fiction, then this book may be for you - just don't go in expecting a thrilling, quick or easy read. It's a tough one.
November 1, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Dundurn Press for accepting my request to read and review Blood Atonement.
Author: S.M. Freedman
Published: 11/15/22
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Trigger Warning: Warren Jeffs, Fundamentalist Mormons, child & sexual abuse, cult.
There is not a lot left to say after putting the trigger warnings. This is a gut-wrenching story. I found it to be written well, in a fashion that didn't disrespect real life people. The abuse is implied and suggested, not graphic. The emotional and psychological abuse is prevalent throughout.
I think stories like this, while fiction, give enough information to make reasonable people pay attention to their surroundings. This is heartbreaking.
I do think there is a market for this telling; it can start a conversation.
Author: S.M. Freedman
Published: 11/15/22
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Trigger Warning: Warren Jeffs, Fundamentalist Mormons, child & sexual abuse, cult.
There is not a lot left to say after putting the trigger warnings. This is a gut-wrenching story. I found it to be written well, in a fashion that didn't disrespect real life people. The abuse is implied and suggested, not graphic. The emotional and psychological abuse is prevalent throughout.
I think stories like this, while fiction, give enough information to make reasonable people pay attention to their surroundings. This is heartbreaking.
I do think there is a market for this telling; it can start a conversation.
September 25, 2022
Short Take: Does anyone have some OMG’s I can borrow? I seem to have used all of mine.
(*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*)
Hello my beloved nerdlings, and welcome to Sunday evening! It’s been a pretty low-key weekend in the Nerd House, and you all know what that means: More book reading! The last couple have been a mixed bag, so let’s start with the good stuff, shall we?
Grace DeRoche’s childhood was, shall we say… challenging. As a member of the FLDS cult, she was married off at age thirteen to a horrifically abusive man. Because he was a high-ranking member of the “church” she was forced to endure more than any one person should. That is, until the night when the police raid the compound, and she, along with several other children, run to the police instead of hiding.
The repercussions of that night multiply for decades. The trauma of Grace’s childhood abuse is compounded by survivor’s guilt and fear that she could still be hunted down as a traitor. So it isn’t surprising that she develops Dissociative Identity Disorder, or as it’s more commonly known, multiple personalities. Whenever Grace is frightened or anxious, one of her alters will take over and deal with the situation at hand. The good news for Grace is that she doesn’t have to experience any further fear or trauma, the bad news is that she also has no memory of whatever goes on while her alter is in charge.
So when a few of the other survivors of the cult are murdered, and the evidence points to Grace, well, she can’t exactly deny it, because she has no idea what she has been doing.
Duckies, I loved this book. Our narrators are Grace and Detective Beau Brunelli, who was one of the policemen on the scene of the original cult raid, and is now investigating the murders of the former cult members. Both of these characters are so richly developed, so sympathetic and with so much troubled history. I would read multiple books focused on Beau’s story alone.
I want to say a lot about the pacing (breathless) and the amount of research Ms. Freedman has poured into both the FLDS cult and the psychology of Grace’s trauma (so much fascinating info), but you see, those things aren’t that special or unique. There are plenty of fast-paced, well-researched books out there, and if I’m being super honest, I had about 70% of the big twist figured out well before we got there.
But there’s one aspect of Blood Atonement that, in my opinion, sets it apart from a lot of similar works, and that’s the author’s care in writing about child sexual abuse. I’ve read far too many books that go into entirely too much detail when covering that subject, to the point that it almost feels glorified, if not fetishized. And although more acceptable, there’s also the other end of the spectrum, where the allusions are so vague that it’s difficult to empathize with a character’s struggles in overcoming something that’s never really articulated.
Ms. Freedman, however, manages to thread that very tiny needle. Grace’s experiences in the cult are mostly hidden behind the curtain of her dissociation, but her resulting injuries let us know enough to understand. It’s horrifying without being explicit, which is something that not many authors can pull off.
Seriously, I can’t recommend this book enough. Just make sure you clear your schedule, because you won’t want to put it down.
The Nerd’s Rating: FIVE HAPPY NEURONS (and spice cake with maple frosting. If anyone has a good recipe, hook me up!)
(*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*)
Hello my beloved nerdlings, and welcome to Sunday evening! It’s been a pretty low-key weekend in the Nerd House, and you all know what that means: More book reading! The last couple have been a mixed bag, so let’s start with the good stuff, shall we?
Grace DeRoche’s childhood was, shall we say… challenging. As a member of the FLDS cult, she was married off at age thirteen to a horrifically abusive man. Because he was a high-ranking member of the “church” she was forced to endure more than any one person should. That is, until the night when the police raid the compound, and she, along with several other children, run to the police instead of hiding.
The repercussions of that night multiply for decades. The trauma of Grace’s childhood abuse is compounded by survivor’s guilt and fear that she could still be hunted down as a traitor. So it isn’t surprising that she develops Dissociative Identity Disorder, or as it’s more commonly known, multiple personalities. Whenever Grace is frightened or anxious, one of her alters will take over and deal with the situation at hand. The good news for Grace is that she doesn’t have to experience any further fear or trauma, the bad news is that she also has no memory of whatever goes on while her alter is in charge.
So when a few of the other survivors of the cult are murdered, and the evidence points to Grace, well, she can’t exactly deny it, because she has no idea what she has been doing.
Duckies, I loved this book. Our narrators are Grace and Detective Beau Brunelli, who was one of the policemen on the scene of the original cult raid, and is now investigating the murders of the former cult members. Both of these characters are so richly developed, so sympathetic and with so much troubled history. I would read multiple books focused on Beau’s story alone.
I want to say a lot about the pacing (breathless) and the amount of research Ms. Freedman has poured into both the FLDS cult and the psychology of Grace’s trauma (so much fascinating info), but you see, those things aren’t that special or unique. There are plenty of fast-paced, well-researched books out there, and if I’m being super honest, I had about 70% of the big twist figured out well before we got there.
But there’s one aspect of Blood Atonement that, in my opinion, sets it apart from a lot of similar works, and that’s the author’s care in writing about child sexual abuse. I’ve read far too many books that go into entirely too much detail when covering that subject, to the point that it almost feels glorified, if not fetishized. And although more acceptable, there’s also the other end of the spectrum, where the allusions are so vague that it’s difficult to empathize with a character’s struggles in overcoming something that’s never really articulated.
Ms. Freedman, however, manages to thread that very tiny needle. Grace’s experiences in the cult are mostly hidden behind the curtain of her dissociation, but her resulting injuries let us know enough to understand. It’s horrifying without being explicit, which is something that not many authors can pull off.
Seriously, I can’t recommend this book enough. Just make sure you clear your schedule, because you won’t want to put it down.
The Nerd’s Rating: FIVE HAPPY NEURONS (and spice cake with maple frosting. If anyone has a good recipe, hook me up!)
October 20, 2022
Wow! When a book brings together historical fiction and thriller/mystery, I grab it up. It’s a combination that I don’t find too often, and I absolutely love it. It was very interesting to learn about the Mormon compounds and their way of life through Grace’s memory, and a much better way of telling it rather then having the “Past” and “Present” chapters. Freedman writes Grace with such depth that you feel both sympathy and empathy for her. There was a moment in the book that led me to figure out who was behind it all, but I believe that the author put that breadcrumb there on purpose. However, there was a twist that I didn’t see coming at all; I was so shocked when I read it! The book was filled with a tense feeling, it was suspenseful, and it was fast paced. It was also so unputdownable, I carried my e-reader around so I could continue to read it! That’s when you know it’s a great book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers and/or historical fiction.
June 28, 2023
This story is dark. We’re dealing with the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of a religious cult and the psychological aftereffects.
That being said, the author does an excellent job of walking the fine line of details. We’re given just enough so that we can fill in the blanks on our own.
Pacing is a slow burn. This is a character study, a psychological exploration, an in-depth look at the lingering damage of mind control and religious fervor.
Blood Atonement is an uncomfortable, intense, thought-provoking read.
That being said, the author does an excellent job of walking the fine line of details. We’re given just enough so that we can fill in the blanks on our own.
Pacing is a slow burn. This is a character study, a psychological exploration, an in-depth look at the lingering damage of mind control and religious fervor.
Blood Atonement is an uncomfortable, intense, thought-provoking read.
September 29, 2022
Another fast pace book with so many twist and turns that left me in the shock of awww. Poor Gracie. Having to face the tragic past of the life that Gracie thought was normal in her family, was the hardest thing that she ever faced. Detective Beau was the unknown hero there for Gracie and Deseri. The book was filed with so much information. The writer did a wonderful job at collecting the information that was needed to support the events portrayed in the book. I loved the book. It’s a great read for me.
August 30, 2022
Blood Atonement by S.M. Freedman is about Grace, the main character, who escaped a Mormon compound. The other point of view character is Detective Beau Brunelli, who is looking into the deaths of the other compound individuals. I liked these characters, and the story was told in a thoughtful manner, though there were definitely some heartwrenching scenes.
There are many plot points to pay attention to, and the story held my interest. A very dark and intriguing story.
I would recommend this book. I would rate this a 4 out of 5 stars.
#BloodAtonement #NetGalley @dundurnpress
There are many plot points to pay attention to, and the story held my interest. A very dark and intriguing story.
I would recommend this book. I would rate this a 4 out of 5 stars.
#BloodAtonement #NetGalley @dundurnpress
April 3, 2022
The Handmaid’s Tale meets All about Eve in this dark and disturbing thriller about a polygamist cult and the children who sought to escape it. At once riveting and heartbreaking, Freedman provides readers with both characters and an ending they won’t soon forget
December 7, 2022
Thank you Dundurn Press for sending me a copy of S.M. Freedman’s psychologically thrilling novel “Blood Atonement”.
This novel has you biting your nails immediately with its fast paced chapters that have you jumping back and forth between the past and present life of our protagonist, Grace DeRoche.
I know that this is a work of fiction, but this novel breaks your heart in knowing that it is very much based off of the FLDS cult. I had no idea that there was a Canadian sect out West until I started reading this book, and spent some extra time outside of reading Blood Atonement learning more about what has and is still happening.
The way that Freedman captures the trauma of living in such a repressed, and completely abusive community is at times, incredibly difficult to read, but she very much brings it to life for the reader, and forces you to be there with these characters. To feel their suffering, and fear. Their longing to be free. Their desire to start questioning what is happening around them. And that maybe the parents who they always looked to for guidance, are in fact complicit in the crimes committed towards them.
Grace is such a powerful character. And I loved the writing transitions Freedman used with the dissociative triggers to move the novel back and forward in time through Grace’s memories. I caught myself many times holding my breath frantically tearing at the pages to see what was going to happen next.
I don’t know if I would call this an enjoyable read, due to the content. But certainly a gripping read that keeps you guessing until the end. It also makes you feel deeply connected to the characters, and I hope in the world of blood atonement that Grace, Desiree, Clayne, Beau and all the others find peace, and the ability to heal and feel some joy in their lives long after we’ve closed the pages to their story. Looking forward to reading more of Freedman’s work ♥️
This novel has you biting your nails immediately with its fast paced chapters that have you jumping back and forth between the past and present life of our protagonist, Grace DeRoche.
I know that this is a work of fiction, but this novel breaks your heart in knowing that it is very much based off of the FLDS cult. I had no idea that there was a Canadian sect out West until I started reading this book, and spent some extra time outside of reading Blood Atonement learning more about what has and is still happening.
The way that Freedman captures the trauma of living in such a repressed, and completely abusive community is at times, incredibly difficult to read, but she very much brings it to life for the reader, and forces you to be there with these characters. To feel their suffering, and fear. Their longing to be free. Their desire to start questioning what is happening around them. And that maybe the parents who they always looked to for guidance, are in fact complicit in the crimes committed towards them.
Grace is such a powerful character. And I loved the writing transitions Freedman used with the dissociative triggers to move the novel back and forward in time through Grace’s memories. I caught myself many times holding my breath frantically tearing at the pages to see what was going to happen next.
I don’t know if I would call this an enjoyable read, due to the content. But certainly a gripping read that keeps you guessing until the end. It also makes you feel deeply connected to the characters, and I hope in the world of blood atonement that Grace, Desiree, Clayne, Beau and all the others find peace, and the ability to heal and feel some joy in their lives long after we’ve closed the pages to their story. Looking forward to reading more of Freedman’s work ♥️
October 19, 2022
Blood Atonement is a taut and entertaining thriller. It's a long book at about 400 pages, but very much a quick read. It flips back and forth in time from Grace's present day situation to her experiences on the compound and the events that led to her alters being formed. I found the present-day mystery interesting, but the most intriguing parts of the novel for me were in the flashbacks.
It's really troubling to see how women and girls at the compound were treated, and how little agency they had over their lives.
TW: suicide, child abuse, domestic violence, rape, miscarriage, addiction, mental illness
[No animals were harmed, and the dog lives.]
Full review on my blog: https://literarytreats.com/2022/10/19...
It's really troubling to see how women and girls at the compound were treated, and how little agency they had over their lives.
TW: suicide, child abuse, domestic violence, rape, miscarriage, addiction, mental illness
[No animals were harmed, and the dog lives.]
Full review on my blog: https://literarytreats.com/2022/10/19...
December 2, 2022
Well damn, I definitely enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting too. I knew this was about cults but damn I didn't realize just how much. Books about cults are honestly so friggen fascinating and this one may just be my favorite.
Definitely more dark and disturbing than I was originally expecting too but obviously we know I love a dark and disturbing read. If you're a fan of cults, I definitely recommend checking this one out
Definitely more dark and disturbing than I was originally expecting too but obviously we know I love a dark and disturbing read. If you're a fan of cults, I definitely recommend checking this one out
November 27, 2022
Finally a book I loved to dive into! Loved the cult angle, the twists and turns. The psychological gymnastics. Animals aren't harmed.
April 3, 2023
Grace is one of the Brigham’s Ten, a group of ten teens and children that escaped from Brigham, an FLDS compound in Canada, years ago. Having faced abuse, forced marriages and the constant need to “keep sweet,” the group decides its best to face the unknown world and possibly damning their souls than to endure their unbearable reality for all eternity. Since their escape many have moved on with their lives the best that they could, but when one of the ten commits suicide under some strange circumstances the police begin to look into the other Brigham individuals, discovering that this is not the only strange death to occur among the ten. Matters are further complicated because Grace has been diagnosed with DID, dissociative identity disorder–otherwise known as multiple personalities–and she can’t always control which alter personality will take control, nor what they do.
I flew through Blood Atonement! It was fast-paced and gripping, keeping me on the edge of my seat for most of this novel. I liked the nonlinear timeline; the action moves between Grace’s time in the Brigham compound and the time, years later, after their escape. It was an effective way in which to reveal things (people, events, motives) while also creating suspense. It also didn’t hurt that this is a topic I find interesting. I enjoyed the characters; they are well developed and honest. Freedman did an especially incredible job of creating Grace. She is a strong yet flawed individual that I found myself rooting for. The ending felt a little bit rushed, but still contained a couple of surprises.
I flew through Blood Atonement! It was fast-paced and gripping, keeping me on the edge of my seat for most of this novel. I liked the nonlinear timeline; the action moves between Grace’s time in the Brigham compound and the time, years later, after their escape. It was an effective way in which to reveal things (people, events, motives) while also creating suspense. It also didn’t hurt that this is a topic I find interesting. I enjoyed the characters; they are well developed and honest. Freedman did an especially incredible job of creating Grace. She is a strong yet flawed individual that I found myself rooting for. The ending felt a little bit rushed, but still contained a couple of surprises.
January 27, 2025
Ugh. I’m not even sure what to think. The fact that these type of cults still somewhat exist these days is just horrifying. The trauma they go through and have to live with the rest of their lives is so unsettling. I did not guess the twist to this, couldn’t believe the dedication of the façade. Great story.
March 13, 2023
Its always nice to read a novel that is set in British Columbia, where I live, and that references actual events and places. This mystery novel references the polygamous colony of Bountiful, and although the story is fictional, the depiction of the living conditions communities such as this is accurate, as far as I know. The mystery itself is a good story, although I found the ending a little hard to believe. I'll be looking for more books from this author.
August 17, 2022
Synopsis:
Grace is one of 10 children who escaped a Mormon compound during a police raid. A decade later, the other survivors are starting to die under suspicious circumstances. Detective Beau Brunelli is on the case, but with Grace suffering from multiple personalities this investigation isn't going to be straight forward.
Review:
This is an amazing thriller, but it comes with some pretty hefty trigger warnings so it might not be for everyone.
The narration alternates between two points of view. The main character is Grace, who escaped from a Mormon compound with 10 other children almost a decade ago. The secondary character is Detective Beau Brunelli, who is looking into the suspicious deaths of the other survivors who had fled with Grace.
Utilizing flash-back chapters we are taken into Grace's childhood. Being raised in the juxtaposition of a loving home in a cruel community where leaders are predators and arranged child marriages are the norm, Grace developed DID to survive. Now that she's safe, the other personalities are reluctant to step aside and let her take back control of her life.
When she finds out her peers have been found dead, Grace tries her best to keep it together while Burnelli tracks down the killer.
Publication date November 15th 2022
TW: childhood sexual abuse, domestic abuse, miscarriage/infant loss, incest, spousal rape, suicide, mentions of drug use, indoctrination
*I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from NetGalley and DunDurn Press in exchange for an honest review.*
Grace is one of 10 children who escaped a Mormon compound during a police raid. A decade later, the other survivors are starting to die under suspicious circumstances. Detective Beau Brunelli is on the case, but with Grace suffering from multiple personalities this investigation isn't going to be straight forward.
Review:
This is an amazing thriller, but it comes with some pretty hefty trigger warnings so it might not be for everyone.
The narration alternates between two points of view. The main character is Grace, who escaped from a Mormon compound with 10 other children almost a decade ago. The secondary character is Detective Beau Brunelli, who is looking into the suspicious deaths of the other survivors who had fled with Grace.
Utilizing flash-back chapters we are taken into Grace's childhood. Being raised in the juxtaposition of a loving home in a cruel community where leaders are predators and arranged child marriages are the norm, Grace developed DID to survive. Now that she's safe, the other personalities are reluctant to step aside and let her take back control of her life.
When she finds out her peers have been found dead, Grace tries her best to keep it together while Burnelli tracks down the killer.
Publication date November 15th 2022
TW: childhood sexual abuse, domestic abuse, miscarriage/infant loss, incest, spousal rape, suicide, mentions of drug use, indoctrination
*I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from NetGalley and DunDurn Press in exchange for an honest review.*
August 30, 2022
This was such an OMG… Great book!! When children escape a religious cult they thought the worst was behind them but little did they know not only would they have to deal with their mental and emotional problems but a murderer who was coming for all of them. Grace was dealing with her problems the best she lived on a farm and despite her suffering from personality disorder she had her service dog Bella who was always there to try and keep her safe. She also had a great counselor named Shelby who was really helping her deal with her issues. But when she finds a note referencing the religious doctrine they were taught is children she knows something is wrong but the more people from the cult that are found dead by what looks like suicide the more the clues are pointing towards Grace and when her sister Desiree survives the attack and says she had a visit from the murderer and it’s her sister they think they definitely know it’s Grace but the answer is way more involved than just knowing who did it. This book was so good and so surprising I was shot by who the murderer was I thought they had such a great characters in the book even though some are not who they seen. I totally love this book it was a thrilling ride in a book I highly recommend a definite five story! I received this book from Net Galley and the publisher but I am leaving this review totally voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
August 16, 2022
Grace, along with her sister Desiree and eight other youngsters, escape from the FLDS compound when it is raided by the police. After suffering years of physical, mental and sexual abuse, all the escapees are damaged to some degree, though Grace’s mental illness is frightening, and she never quite knows “who” is in control of her.
Wow! This book is amazing, totally gripping, and although at times slow paced, the reader needs the action to slow down so all the story can be absorbed. There are clues throughout the plot that give some idea of what’s about to happen, but the storytelling is so good that the ending still comes as a shock and needs to be reread at least twice.
This is not a book for the faint hearted, and it certainly doesn’t pull any punches, but the abuse is not done in a sensational manner, quite the contrary, it’s all done very sensitively.
This is a fictional book, written alongside factual events, and the result is excellent. One to definitely recommend.
Thank you NetGalley.
Wow! This book is amazing, totally gripping, and although at times slow paced, the reader needs the action to slow down so all the story can be absorbed. There are clues throughout the plot that give some idea of what’s about to happen, but the storytelling is so good that the ending still comes as a shock and needs to be reread at least twice.
This is not a book for the faint hearted, and it certainly doesn’t pull any punches, but the abuse is not done in a sensational manner, quite the contrary, it’s all done very sensitively.
This is a fictional book, written alongside factual events, and the result is excellent. One to definitely recommend.
Thank you NetGalley.
May 15, 2022
Grace DeRoche escaped the fundamentalist Mormon compound of Brigham and worked to prosecute its leaders but when loyalists including her own family commit mass suicide to avoid jail Grace retreat’s into solitude racked with guilt and suffering from dissociative identity disorder from childhood abuse Grace’s life is fragmented and full of blind spots dissociative triggers are everywhere and Grace never knows when an alter personality will take the reins
Abut slow starting but soon livened up and turned into quite an enjoyable read
Thank You NetGalley And Dundurn Press
I just reviewed Blood Atonement by S.M. Freedman. #BloodAtonement #NetGalley
Abut slow starting but soon livened up and turned into quite an enjoyable read
Thank You NetGalley And Dundurn Press
I just reviewed Blood Atonement by S.M. Freedman. #BloodAtonement #NetGalley
May 23, 2022
Just wow!! My first by Freedman; I was drawn to it by the cover and the description. Definitely was a page Turner. Delving into cults and religious ones to boot plus DID is some big shoes to fill! There were some points I was a little confused as to time period; Grace then or Grace now but caught on pretty fast. Adding to all her alters, lot of context! I did figure out who was murdering all the escapees from the cult pretty early on. I definitely will be reading more by her! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
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