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cryptididiot's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
shinyrock's review
informative
5.0
More true crimey than I'd prefer, but the author has previously done some great in-depth reporting on extremist groups in the northwest and does a great job laying out the ideological origins of the murders.
thehappylittleelf's review against another edition
2.0
This book was really about everything EXCEPT the trial. It went on way way way way too many unnecessary tangents and personal anecdotes that had little to do with the actual case. And because it was written before the trial, so much that came out in the trial is completely missing, so the book is already obsolete.
Honestly, if you want to learn more about this case, you'll learn more by listening to podcasts about it, like Redhanded.
If you want to learn about extremist Mormon group, Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer is a way, way better book. He's a much better storyteller by far.
Honestly, if you want to learn more about this case, you'll learn more by listening to podcasts about it, like Redhanded.
If you want to learn about extremist Mormon group, Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer is a way, way better book. He's a much better storyteller by far.
diamondrust's review
4.0
Engrossing study of extremism in the west and how it can drive people to murder. Mormonism in focus, yes, but also curious what evangelicalism looks like in that kind of culture too. There's more crossover in the fringe movements than either side would like to admit.
notkyrieirving's review
3.0
I first heard of this story from a few different YouTube channels and was surprised there was a full book on the subject since the case is technically ongoing. I think this book did a really good job of pulling the full story together up to the arrest of Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow. While I did like this book I may have done myself a disservice reading it immediately after finishing "Under the Banner of Heaven" - the former title was really well-organized and did a fantastic job of sliding between the main story timeline, Mormon history, and related subjects, which I really felt was missing in this title. I had a hard time keeping up with some of the transitions in this book, and I think recreation of conversations was used quite heavily when that didn't necessarily need to happen. Overall I liked getting the full story and much more of the backstory on Chad and Lori, and I appreciate the research efforts (with references!) that were undertaken by the author.
arielamandah's review
4.0
This book gets lumped into the "true crime" category, and while there's definitely a reason for that, at its heart, I found it to be much more about extremist beliefs and the way that people tumble into pits of conspiracy theory fueled by religion and influential acquaintances. I love Sottile's writing (and reading). She paints the bigger picture. It makes for a compelling chapter in the broader story that's unfolding in the mountain west. Though the timing makes it feel a little salacious (reading a book about a story that's very much in the news - and has been), I can't emphasize enough that this book felt like it was about so much more. This book feels positioned as an interesting "sequel" to Sotille's 2-season podcast, Bundyville (which if you haven't heard yet, get on it!) - or, at furthest, a "cousin" to Bundyville, thematically. If you're interested in some of the more fringe groups and beliefs that are shaping our culture currently, I recommend it. PS: The title felt more "tabloid" than the book actually was.
jozhik's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
As an avid true crime content consumer, I've seen coverage of this case numerous times before and went in not thinking I'll learn any new facts, but expecting some possible new insight or analysis of this extraordinary situation. I was, however, surprised to find out some things about the case that I was not aware of. And, of course, It does provide a very good insight into psychology of the persons involved. A deeper look and a very detailed exploration of the lives of these people actually made me see the case in a bit of a different light. A deep dive truly worth your attention if you're interested in the case.
17efravel's review against another edition
3.0
This book was okay. I think it should be marketed differently though. It went too off tangent into the history of LDS extremists. It was less of a book about the actual crimes commuted and more about the culture that caused them. It was still very interesting just not what I thought. I probably wouldn't have picked this book up though had I known. It was also way too long and it felt like a lot of the chapters said the same things.
stephisbooked's review
4.0
I started this book the day after I finished Under the Banner of Heaven and it couldn’t have worked out better because they are so similar - both are about people twisting their religion to suit their own extreme beliefs. In fact, the murderers from Under the Banner of Heaven are mentioned at the end of this book. This was a really good true crime novel. It really gives a look into the spiral of Chad & Lori and how it ended with the death of two children plus other adults. There were parts that were a bit slow for me but the ending really picked up and showed what the days before the murders looked like. I hope Lori & Chad get what they deserve (life in prison - trials are forthcoming).