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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Loved the religious cult theme combined with a murder mystery, but it had fallen a bit flat by the end. The main character, Delilah who now goes by Del, grew up in the Messiah Church before becoming embroiled in a church scandal at age 16. She leaves for college and never comes back. Until her high school boyfriend Lars turns up dead and the Messiah Church quickly closes ranks, calling it an accident. Del returns to her hometown to investigate (poorly, lol). It moved a bit slow at times and Del was painfully naive for most of it. However, it was interesting enough to and I'm rounding up to 3 stars.
This was such a fun megachurch-centered murder mystery. The inspiration from purity culture and more specifically the Gothard umbrella was clear but the megachurch descriptions hit just right even for more "progressive" or mainstream evangelical churches. Highly recommended for anyone with that background.
The more subtle crimes and predatory behavior of the antagonist were also spot on -- and stunningly reminiscent and accurate based on my own previous experience working in a megachurch. Which is, honestly, horrifying. But it rang true.
There was a good amount of suspension of disbelief required to understand why the narrator ended up in the role of playing Nancy Drew to the extent that she did, but the uniqueness of a megachurch/Christian college based murder mystery easily overruled it and I was happy to shut off that part of my brain and just enjoy the ride.
The more subtle crimes and predatory behavior of the antagonist were also spot on -- and stunningly reminiscent and accurate based on my own previous experience working in a megachurch. Which is, honestly, horrifying. But it rang true.
There was a good amount of suspension of disbelief required to understand why the narrator ended up in the role of playing Nancy Drew to the extent that she did, but the uniqueness of a megachurch/Christian college based murder mystery easily overruled it and I was happy to shut off that part of my brain and just enjoy the ride.
I loved this read! I did a combo audio/physical for this one, and both were great. While I can’t relate to any religious part of this, nor can I understand any of the references, I still love a good culty, overbearing religion trope.
3.5-4, if you like books about mega-churches or the scandals surrounding religion you might like this.
4.5 stars
I have gotten in a rhythm of reading a 'cult' book to start off the summer the past few years: Courtney Summers' THE PROJECT, Octavia Butlers' THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER, Tara Westover's EDUCATED. I don't know what that says about me and my fav way of relaxing into summer vacation, but it is what it is! 2023's addition is this book, a thriller/mystery with a unique structure.
I absolutely LOVED the structure, and the content still has me thinking, so I'm guessing that means it's pretty good for a thriller. I did see the jist of the ending coming a long way off, but I don't think that was the main point of this book, so I'm okay with it, even if I was a bit disappointed at it being predictable. I didn't love the main character - found her and her sleuthing way too naive/juvenile - but I think that's also intentional, as she's coming out of some pretty intense religious trauma/upbringing meant to keep her that way.
The structure is what sold me on this book after hearing about it on From the Front Porch podcast. It goes back and forth between three formats, and they are all on different timelines. There's the main story, Del in the present day returning to her hometown after the very suspicious death of her ex-boyfriend. Then there's her diary entries, in reverse chronological order from the point of being jilted for her supposed best friend. Finally, there's the chronological blog entries from said "friend" turned wife of said ex, a blog that has given their church a huge audience for its "Noble Wife" teachings. Together it's an interesting twist on the usual two-timelines thriller, and I appreciated how deftly the author braided them together.
What made LAY YOUR BODY DOWN stand out to me was the delicate way the author handles religious trauma. The story easily could've become a two-dimensional take-down of power hungry bigots using the pulpit for their misogynistic ends. Instead, she uses the story to question all the people AND systems involved. That's what's sticking with me. It's kind of like a religious deconstruction story, kind of like a redemption story. Unexpected for a thriller.
I have gotten in a rhythm of reading a 'cult' book to start off the summer the past few years: Courtney Summers' THE PROJECT, Octavia Butlers' THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER, Tara Westover's EDUCATED. I don't know what that says about me and my fav way of relaxing into summer vacation, but it is what it is! 2023's addition is this book, a thriller/mystery with a unique structure.
I absolutely LOVED the structure, and the content still has me thinking, so I'm guessing that means it's pretty good for a thriller. I did see the jist of the ending coming a long way off, but I don't think that was the main point of this book, so I'm okay with it, even if I was a bit disappointed at it being predictable. I didn't love the main character - found her and her sleuthing way too naive/juvenile - but I think that's also intentional, as she's coming out of some pretty intense religious trauma/upbringing meant to keep her that way.
The structure is what sold me on this book after hearing about it on From the Front Porch podcast. It goes back and forth between three formats, and they are all on different timelines. There's the main story, Del in the present day returning to her hometown after the very suspicious death of her ex-boyfriend. Then there's her diary entries, in reverse chronological order from the point of being jilted for her supposed best friend. Finally, there's the chronological blog entries from said "friend" turned wife of said ex, a blog that has given their church a huge audience for its "Noble Wife" teachings. Together it's an interesting twist on the usual two-timelines thriller, and I appreciated how deftly the author braided them together.
What made LAY YOUR BODY DOWN stand out to me was the delicate way the author handles religious trauma. The story easily could've become a two-dimensional take-down of power hungry bigots using the pulpit for their misogynistic ends. Instead, she uses the story to question all the people AND systems involved. That's what's sticking with me. It's kind of like a religious deconstruction story, kind of like a redemption story. Unexpected for a thriller.
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
If you grew up in evangelical/ fundamentalist Christianity or are deconstructing your religious beliefs currently I think this book is very relatable. I’d also recommend it for anyone interested in cults. The book sheds light on ways religion is used to cover up abuse.
I liked the characters but at times it felt kinda pathetic and a stretch that Del was still not over her college boyfriend six years later. Obviously the death would be sad to her no matter what but there were several times especially towards the end of the book after she’s come so far she’ll make some snarky comment about Lars being “stolen” from her. Like, cmon girl…
I thought it was pretty predictable who the real bad guys were. There were still some good reveals though. The author did a good job of sending you down a fake path and it felt exciting to find the real explanations.
The ending was fine and satisfying enough but I thought it was pretty uncharacteristic of the Del we get to know.
I liked the characters but at times it felt kinda pathetic and a stretch that Del was still not over her college boyfriend six years later. Obviously the death would be sad to her no matter what but there were several times especially towards the end of the book after she’s come so far she’ll make some snarky comment about Lars being “stolen” from her. Like, cmon girl…
I thought it was pretty predictable who the real bad guys were. There were still some good reveals though. The author did a good job of sending you down a fake path and it felt exciting to find the real explanations.
The ending was fine and satisfying enough but I thought it was pretty uncharacteristic of the Del we get to know.
This thrilling contemporary fiction novel questions authority and power in the modern evangelical mega-church setting.
I'd give this more of a 3.5. I love why the book is titled what it is, the cover, and that the book has some major feminist vibes about it. I also like that in many ways, it's a subtle read because that reminds us that not all trauma or abuse has to appear outwardly large or gruesome to be harmful or life changing. But in that same way, I'll say that this book is not "a novel of suspense" like it claims. It's a drama with barely-there twists or surprises.
All that being said, I fully enjoyed this book and will likely check out the author's other book as a result.
All that being said, I fully enjoyed this book and will likely check out the author's other book as a result.