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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Del Walker returns to her home town in rural
Minnesota. It’s a town she was more than happy to leave behind, along with its cultish church, but after learning the news that only man she ever loved, Lars has been killed in a tragic hunting accident, she feels compelled to return for his funeral. Upon her return Del begins to doubt the circumstances around Lars’ death. With the church having grown in size and influence in the time she has been gone. The church, and its leader, Pastor Rick Franklin has eyes and ear all of the town and allies within the police force. Before long word spreads that Del is asking too many questions about the accident. Can Del uncover the truth, not only about Lars’ death but also the corruption within the church, before she is run out of town or worse, harmed in her search for truth?
I loved this one. I love a thriller with cults, or cult like influences and this one didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed the dynamic of the town and how the influence of the church effected the way things were handled. It was hard to know who to trust and who was on Del’s side. This one kept me guessing throughout, as I was constantly trying to work out what had happened and just when I had a theory something would happen to throw it out the window. There are many unlikable characters in this one, but non annoyingly so. Just characters that you spend time hoping that they get their karma. Overall this was a gripping and exciting psychological thriller. One I’d recommend for fans of cults, small town mysteries and twists.
Minnesota. It’s a town she was more than happy to leave behind, along with its cultish church, but after learning the news that only man she ever loved, Lars has been killed in a tragic hunting accident, she feels compelled to return for his funeral. Upon her return Del begins to doubt the circumstances around Lars’ death. With the church having grown in size and influence in the time she has been gone. The church, and its leader, Pastor Rick Franklin has eyes and ear all of the town and allies within the police force. Before long word spreads that Del is asking too many questions about the accident. Can Del uncover the truth, not only about Lars’ death but also the corruption within the church, before she is run out of town or worse, harmed in her search for truth?
I loved this one. I love a thriller with cults, or cult like influences and this one didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed the dynamic of the town and how the influence of the church effected the way things were handled. It was hard to know who to trust and who was on Del’s side. This one kept me guessing throughout, as I was constantly trying to work out what had happened and just when I had a theory something would happen to throw it out the window. There are many unlikable characters in this one, but non annoyingly so. Just characters that you spend time hoping that they get their karma. Overall this was a gripping and exciting psychological thriller. One I’d recommend for fans of cults, small town mysteries and twists.
⭐️3⭐️ A little too slow of a slow burn mystery, but overall enjoyable. The main character’s struggle with the evangelical mega-church she grew up in seemed very accurate based on my own experiences in a larger church.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you're interested in cults and religious crime books this one is for you. I really enjoyed the realistic views of evangelical members beliefs and how it's fueled by misogyny. I loved the character development of the main character and how she took back some power that she always had. It was a tough one to get through because there are so many women in situations like this and as a fellow woman it's hard to face.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you’re an exvangelical you’ll get the book. If you’re currently still practicing the American evangelical life, you’ll hate the mirror this book holds. As a nondenominational (nearly Pentecostal) church, the women in this book realize after years of abusive doctrine they’re not safe in the church or town. You’re not surprised at the end to find out the killer and there isn’t a bow to wrap up the story but that’s real life which I appreciated.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Excellent second novel from Amy Suiter Clarke. Religious trauma and the darkness that lurks in megachurches is clearly a subject close to her, and I enjoyed playing amateur detective along with Del.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Murder, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Minor: Pedophilia, Pregnancy
Religious trauma, held at gunpoint, funeral
The story was so interesting, and I did not see the twist coming. But I didn't love the writing style, especially at the beginning of the book. It felt like the author didn't trust us to read between the lines in the first half of the book. I did really like Delilah as a character though, and I loved how messy and difficult her deconstruction journey felt. It felt very real and raw.
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
I finished this one and was still thinking about it a couple days later. This one definitely stuck with me and I didn't want it to be over.