Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

Alex Marwood is my new favourite author. I love the writing style, the tenseness that is created with the story. Well recomended.

This a darkly disturbing, macabre read about cults and communes, there isn’t anything nice in this read.

It’s unsettling, haunting and very well written.

Great plotting and really very good but it is very dark

Very Good

A dark chiller thriller delving into the world of cults. A slow pace that unfortunately lost my interest.

Quite a departure from her usual and to be honest I put it down after a few chapters the first time around -- BUT Alex Marwood, it was me not you!!

On returning to this book, I actually LOVED it
We are told this story in two timelines and by different narrators, all adding layers of intrigue to the plot. I was fascinated by the descriptions of life in the cult and the brainwashing of vulnerable people by the egotistic charasmatic leader. A well researched, expertly told, intense and at times uncomfortable read - what's not to love!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
.

Even though I did end up buying a physical copy of this book to read, I would still like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for also providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.

This book was an odd one for me if I'm honest. The story was certainly intriguing, and I didn't find myself bored at any point, but my mind is just frazzled. It's strange, because I sped through this read, utterly fascinated by the premise of the story but, at the same time, I really struggled to sympathise with any of the characters, or imagine myself in their situation. I understand that people are going to believe what they want to believe, and the children don't know any different then to how they were raised, but for me, I just really couldn't get my head around their behaviour and the way they were acting outside of the cult.
I was so confused about the sibling's hot/cold behaviour towards each other, and what was with all 'The One' business? Did everyone just think they were the one, or was there actually some rules behind this?
And that ending?!? Sorry nope. Didn't like it.
It had a very strong start, but unfortunately, overall, this book really wasn't for me. I felt like I questioned everything far too much for me to fully enjoy the story.

This is one of the best thrillers I have read for a long time.
Featuring cults, mass suicide and coercive control this read would be brilliant for any true crime and Karin Slaughter fans.

I enjoyed this book, there was such a build up throughout the whole book. I thought something huge was going to happen, I was on edge the whole way through! It was written really well and I will definitely be reading more of Alex Marwood’s books! .

This book has an unusual concept and I really enjoyed the first half. Unfortunately for me it seemed to go awry and I felt that the second half of the book was rather boring and uneventful. I was hoping for a much better ending. A shame as it seemed so promising.

I've read a lot of Marwood's books and felt this one had a very different feel to it. That said it was gripping and delved deep inot the world of cults portraying what I imagine to be a very realistic representation of the rituals, daily lives and order of a cult.
I enjoyed the way we have the present day story of the young people who survived the cult massacre running alongside flashbacks which gove insightful knowledge of the working dynamics of the cult.
I was really surprised by the ending, but felt it was in fitting with the theme of the novel.
Definately recommended

A huge Thank You to The author, The publisher and Netgalley for providing the e-arc in exchange for a unbiased review of these works.

gripping and intence this read kept me hooked

Good insight into how cults can exist even in the modern world. Loved the contrasting settings of the coutnryside and of London. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Unfortunately, this book was not for me.

Upon reading the synopsis and after reading the author's previous work, this book look set to be a great thriller.

I struggled with the whole premise of the cult and the book being so focused on religion

This book was disappointing, but has made me realise that cult books are not for me and to stay clear from them in future..

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC of this book.
I hadn't read anything by Alex Marwood before so did not know what to expect.
The book was not as expected and although the way it was written was good, I did not like some of the wording and had to keep looking words up. I also found the book a little confusing the way it jumped back and forward..
I was really excited to receive this book but it fell short of my expectations and I think that was just the way it didn't flow for me.

Unfortunately this particular book did not captivate me and I really struggled to get into the storyline.

Thank you for the opportunity of reviewing this however and I look forward to the next book by Alex.

DNFd at 5%. It was too confusing. I know it is a thriller, but the writing itself seemed confusing. I have not a lot of interest in trying to pick this up again.

"None of us will be the same, by tomorrow, she thinks."

I'm a big fan of Alex Marwood and I'm fascinated by the lives lived by those who are involved in a cult so this book was always going to catch my eye.

We meet Romy whot escaped the Plas Golau cult in Wales, the only place she has known having entered at the age of eight months old. When all the other inhabitants died, Romy escaped because she was in the infirmary at the time.

Unsurprisingly we meet this survivor as she struggles to adapt to modern life.

We also see another character Sarah who provides the contrast to the restricted life for children whose whole life is dictated by others.

Although this is a deeply interesting story, it is a novel that requires more concentration than some as the time line and characters do jump about a bit.

It's dark, edgy and unpredictable read!

Alex Marwood is one of my must read-right-now authors and she does not disappoint with her latest novel a foray into the mind-blogging world of cults.

This is a thriller with layers Marwood's writing absorbs you into their world from the beginning. The characters created are deeply unlikeable but I still found myself feeling empathetic towards them and a dark fascination with what would become of them, kept me turning the pages long after I should have turned the lights out. Particularly Romy's story from childhood to the present day and how it defines her is unforgettable.

This novel pushes the boundaries, takes you out of your comfort zone and makes you consider different perspectives. An utterly brilliant and thought-provoking read! I highly recommend it to fans of suspenseful psychological thrillers.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Little Brown Book Group for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Alex Marwood is another of my favourite authors so this book was one of my most anticipated for this year. I was thrilled when I finally got hold of a copy and am happy to say that it lived up to all my expectations! The way this book opens is so disturbing and visceral but it really sets up the story that is to follow in such a way that you don’t want to stop reading. The novel follows multiple characters and goes back and forth in time gradually building up a picture of what led to the novel’s opening but also what happened afterwards. It’s a slower-paced thriller which works perfectly as you find that you want to get to know these characters and how they became who they are. Alex Marwood’s novels always unsettle me and leave me pondering on things and this book is no different, I love how she keeps me enthralled even when I want to look the other way. Her writing is so dark and brilliant, I love it! I highly recommend this book!

When the members of a cult based in Wales are found dead it seems like a mass suicide but survivor Romy knows differently. Now alone and pregnant Romy must use her skills to survive in modern world she has little experience of. her Aunt Sarah finds that she is asked to take care of Romy's siblings, also survivors, but they are strange children. For Sarah escaping from a religious cult is nothing new as she has grown up in the Finborough Congregation and she knows that adjusting is not easy. However maybe Romy and her siblings don't want to adjust.
I really loved this book, it's an original idea and utterly compelling blending psychology and visceral images. The story of Somer is full of pathos and the actions of the key members of the group are realistic if scary. It's also brilliant that the ending is actually not an ending, just a pause in the story!