There are few things more overtly terrifying than a mind-control cult. Not only do they rob the individual of self, through orchestrated manipulation that subverts a person's will to the group, and, ultimately, to the cult leader(s), but, almost like a type of zombie-inducing virus, they slowly transform a person into a shell of their former self, enslaving their mind and will to blindly follow the dictates of the leader without question, to the point of both killing and dying.
We have so many tragic examples: Jim Jones, Heaven's Gate, Branch Davidians... and this story incorporates elements of all of them. What's also terrifying: at least on the surface, this could still happen, as it's estimated that there are potentially FIVE THOUSAND active "cults" operating in the US alone... today.
The story often left untold, however, is that of the rare survivor, if any. In this psychological thriller (in more ways than one, as two of the main characters are a clinical psychologist and an "exit counselor"), the author explores the aftermath of tragedy in the lives of five survivors of what at least on the surface seems to be a mass suicide reminiscent of Jones's People's Temple - but all is not what it seems. Well, four survivors: one has recently committed suicide, close to the fifteenth anniversary of the event, which orphaned the five children, bringing together the four others who haven't seen each other in years.
The four survivors, who it seems were committed to a mental institution after their "rescue" from the mass suicide and who were then relegated to the foster care system, have each struggled with the implications of what happened that day at Red Peak.
This smartly written thriller is unabashedly realistic and at times deeply disturbing on a level I didn't expect. It leaves you pondering its real message for some time after, which is the hallmark of a good novel for me - you don't necessarily want "more," per se, but it makes you think. The realism was surprising, as I was only moderately impressed by one of the author's other books, but this one definitely surpassed expectations.
It also highlighted the author's familiarity with a variety of subjects, including acoustics (one of the characters is in a rock band, which I expect the author has had some experience with as well, such is the level of detail and authenticity in the narrative) and psycho jargon.
In terms of the overall message? What it said to me is that modern psycho babble, despite all attempts at uncovering the mysteries of the human mind and experience, is impotent to engage with or even make sense of things that can't really be explained, especially after what amounted to a genuinely surprising ending - that was seriously a curve ball. Highly recommended, but a word of caution: some of the religious subject matter may hit very close to home for some people.
We have so many tragic examples: Jim Jones, Heaven's Gate, Branch Davidians... and this story incorporates elements of all of them. What's also terrifying: at least on the surface, this could still happen, as it's estimated that there are potentially FIVE THOUSAND active "cults" operating in the US alone... today.
The story often left untold, however, is that of the rare survivor, if any. In this psychological thriller (in more ways than one, as two of the main characters are a clinical psychologist and an "exit counselor"), the author explores the aftermath of tragedy in the lives of five survivors of what at least on the surface seems to be a mass suicide reminiscent of Jones's People's Temple - but all is not what it seems. Well, four survivors: one has recently committed suicide, close to the fifteenth anniversary of the event, which orphaned the five children, bringing together the four others who haven't seen each other in years.
The four survivors, who it seems were committed to a mental institution after their "rescue" from the mass suicide and who were then relegated to the foster care system, have each struggled with the implications of what happened that day at Red Peak.
This smartly written thriller is unabashedly realistic and at times deeply disturbing on a level I didn't expect. It leaves you pondering its real message for some time after, which is the hallmark of a good novel for me - you don't necessarily want "more," per se, but it makes you think. The realism was surprising, as I was only moderately impressed by one of the author's other books, but this one definitely surpassed expectations.
It also highlighted the author's familiarity with a variety of subjects, including acoustics (one of the characters is in a rock band, which I expect the author has had some experience with as well, such is the level of detail and authenticity in the narrative) and psycho jargon.
In terms of the overall message? What it said to me is that modern psycho babble, despite all attempts at uncovering the mysteries of the human mind and experience, is impotent to engage with or even make sense of things that can't really be explained, especially after what amounted to a genuinely surprising ending - that was seriously a curve ball. Highly recommended, but a word of caution: some of the religious subject matter may hit very close to home for some people.
It was a great read until the ending. The ending ruined the book for me. The ending would have worked if it didn't stem from a cult that committed all sorts of terrible acts such as murder. Disgusting.
