This was a mixed bag for me it is one of these books that you read and are left pondering how you feel about it!

I guess some of it was predictable as in the CULT element, other parts confusing however I really enjoyed the investigative element of the story and the character of DI Ottoline so would be interested to see this character developed and following other cases.

Oh my goodness, I couldn’t put this one down! It had me on the edge of my seat for the entire time I was reading, making me stay up til 2am to get to the end. I’m a fun of thrillers any way, but this one felt different and had a creepy undertone, perfect for this time of year. I liked the complexity of the main detective and the children’s parents throughout and was fascinated by the unfolding tale of the cult.
A must read!

Thank You to Net Galley and the publishers for an advance copy.
I found this book to be both interesting and disturbing. The main plot concerns the activities of a cult led by a charismatic man who calls himself Uncle Saviour and the abduction of two young children. There are subplots concerning the murder of a drug dealer and we find out that the lead detective was herself physically and mentally abused by her father and has issues concerning her perceived failure in an earlier case. The narrative time shifts between giving the history of the cult and its members and dealing with both the investigation and the reaction of the parents, the mother herself has anxiety problems that require medication, to the disappearance of their children.in the present. We see how the cult degenerates into depravity and child abuse (not sexual) and the story becomes dark and at times very disturbing. I found that some of the characters needed more depth but overall this was a very good and thought-provoking read.

This book mixed two styles of thrillers: classic case of a child disappearing and a mental thriller. Both stories intertwined perfectly offering great twists. The characters are all really interesting and reliable. This book is a page turner and an easy read.

It took me a long time to get into this book but once it picked up I quite enjoyed it. It was different to anything else I’ve read recently. There was one part where I thought it was getting a bit gruesome and I’m not sure I am 100% comfortable with the content but it was interesting. 3.5 stars

I was intrigued by the description of this book, as the story seemed interesting. The idea was good, but the book was disappointing. The characters lacked depth, the writing was wooden, and the storyline was unconvincing. Worst of all were the names - Pearline Ottoline, Sky Lark, Daniel Foe, and even Harmonica. I struggled to finish it.

Not my usual genre for reading but extraordinarily well written.

Twisty, creepy and unforgettable.

Not just your average Cult and certainly not your average run of the mill read this is good better than good to be honest.

It's taken from the stand point of 3 people in the now and the past, tells the story of Love growing up in the community or cult as most would call it. Everyone living there was given a new name when they became fully pledged members so Love had a sister Peace and her Mum Charity there Dad left after letting Uncle Savior the leader know what he thought of it all, it want good things.

The 2 others along with Love is Lilly the mother of 2 children that witness something unpleasant and end up in a well you can read that save me ruining it. The other is Pearline a top cop investigating quite a lot actually but her pressing mission is the recovery of 2 missing kids and holding herself together. Hannah is important you met her in part one and her Mum is Lilly.

This is a roller coaster of a ride there is a lot going on and it all pulls together with some really mixed up characters that you will love and despair of at the same time. If you want a thriller to challenge and capture you this is one you'll love I did. A film would be for the the hardy but faint hearted, the promise of living forever the promise from the cult, the nerves running full speed with the ladies Lilly and Pearline 2 missing kids murder and plenty of blood. Yep it had it all, as I said but for the faint hearted.

The innocent can be turned and lost into something twisted and vile so the adventure is not the way many would describe it but an escape from the normal it certainly is. If you want a dark twisted Physiological Thriller then this is definitely for you and if it's your cup of tea or mint or ........ then I think it could well be 5 stars for you as well.

Rating: 1.2/5

"The Cult" has joined a small and unwelcome group of books that has accounted for several hours of my life that I will never get back. The enticing synopsis led me to hope that I might be in for something that I would really enjoy. Certainly, there have been enough stories over the years (both real and fictional) relating to cults that have an almost hypnotic, if disturbing, appeal. This latest offering from Abby Davies seemed to be ticking the right boxes - but it wasn't long before severe disappointment set in.

This novel really has very little to recommend it. I hate not finishing a book, but reaching the end of this one without giving up was an accomplishment in itself. There the basis for a decent story in here somewhere - but it is very well hidden. The content is often puerile or, at best, melodramatic with the inclusion of certain scenes seemingly for little more than attempted shock value. The descriptive language is ridden with hackneyed clichés. The characterisation is so wooden that you may have to check your hands for splinters after you have finished. The dialogue is so stilted that it really does beggar belief that this was deemed worthy to go to print without further rigorous editing and rewriting.

Read this if you must, but I strongly suggest that your time would be much better spent seeking out an alternative.

As ever, I would still like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review. It is a pity I was not in a position to pass more favourable comment on this occasion.

What a great read! This is a fast paced psychological thriller crossed with a police procedural. I loved the change of narrative between Love, Lily and Pearline as the stories alternate from past to present until their stories ultimately come together in one gripping climax. This is a really dark and tense read, with The Cult itself playing the best character of all casting its dark and disturbing shadow over everything.

Wow this took me one night to read I couldn't put it down... .was one of the best reads iv read in a while
5**** all the way

Thank you so much to Netgalley for approving me for this arc!

This book was one of the best I’ve read in quite a long time I loved it!! This has got undeniably one of the best plots I’ve ever read and I’m so happy that I have read it!!

Everything about this book was excellent- easy 5 stars and highly recommend!

This was an interesting read from the start. Told across two time lines and from the POV of three main characters. The story flowed well and was a page turner, but too many names and characters to keep straight!

I did enjoy the story and the cult part of the story did as expected, made me dislike all the characters! The background story of Lily and her family was a little confusing, I felt nothing was quite explained properly. The police procedural part was good, but I could have done without the Ottoline/Dibbs love interest, added nothing to the story, mutual respect would have worked much better. Again, the Ottoline background story was not fully explained.

This is the second book by this author but the first I have read. Reading other reviews, her first book was a gem so that’s where I’ll head now!

Thank you NetGalley.

I read Abby’s debut novel Mother Loves Me last year and massively enjoyed it so when I got the opportunity to read The Cult, I was all over it! I’ve read a few books with heavy cult themes but this one was different to any other I’ve read in lots of ways. I liked the steady and creepy progression from what started out as a seemingly idealistic, tight-knit community wanting to live simply and freely to literally the complete opposite of that. The storyline was perfectly paced and I only became more invested the further in I got.

This book has three main stories which all weave together and make complete sense. The concept is original, pulled off well and is guaranteed to keep you hooked!

Big thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting! There's something very fascinating about cults and what they may or may not be. Not a good idea to join one for real but this book takes you right to the heart of one. Stay safe at home and read this instead. Uncle Saviour is waiting. Well, that name says it all!

You get to follow someone through a long process in this cult . Think of this novel like a magic eye picture, the more you look, the more you see. It's complicated but the author gets you to look at the pieces until you are mesmerised. Captivated. Controlled?

Mind games a plenty here. Fun.

Thank you so much Net Galley for my proof copy of this!

Through the book we meet DI Ottoline, Love & the Cult who follow Uncle Savior, plus Hannah, Gregory & their mum, Lily. Love's chapters I found the most interesting as they followed her from childhood to adulthood & through her life within the community created by Uncle Savior, which helped add to the tension & wonder of what was happening in the present! The chapters are split really well & it's clear who's story is being told at each point which I always like!

The chapters focusing on life within the cult really gave me the chills. Especially during Love's younger years & her actions against her mother & sister. It's such a frightening thought how they believed they were on the path to eternal life.

You can really feel Lily's emotion in this as she searches for her children, she will not rest until she knows what has happened to them. Her mothers love for her children is so strong! The same can be said for DI Ottoline, you can tell how from events in her career past have made her how she is today. She will also not rest until she finds out what has happened.

As with Mother Loves Me, I really liked how this book ended, everything was tied up nicely & it was very satisfying! Honestly this is so original, I loved it!

This book is out on 28th October & I cannot recommend that you buy it enough once its out!

I loved Mother Loves Me, LOVED IT! So I'm gutted to say, I didn't love The Cult. It really didn't do it for me at all.
It took to almost the halfway mark for me to even get properly into it and sort of enjoy it a little. And even then it could have easily been a DNF but I wanted to provide a review for NetGalley.

Abby has went to great lengths to make this book as realistic as possible, you can see that, and I can't fault her there. I think the problem for me was The Cult itself, like alot of people I have a morbid fascination to a certain degree, you know, the docs on Netflix we've all watched, the news etc we're all interested aren't we? But am I interested as much in a cult? Clearly not because there lies the problem, I just wasn't that interested so it unfortunately didn't work for me.

You can't win em all. But hey, don't take my word for it, this review is of a massive minority, I know this, I've read the other reviews. On par with Mother Loves Me they say. Not me though. I knew after reading that one I'd be hard pushed to find a better thriller read, even by the same author.

Thank you to Abby (I'm so sorry this isn't a better review, but I hope you understand I must give my honest opinion) and to #NetGalley along with #HarperCollinsPublishers for the chance to read this one early.

THE CULT IS OUT OCTOBER 28th

Absolutely loved this book, I read it in one sitting! Made a good change from the usual books I've read recently. I don't want to spoil anything for any readers, lots of twists and plenty of shocking parts. The title of the book was all I needed and I'm pleased I did! Will look out for this author.

3⭐️
I was very keen to read this book, as the authors debut novel Mother loves me’ was a very strong starting point.

The book is told from 3 points of view Love Pearline and Hannah.
It has several time frames 1987 to now. The start jumps between the POV’s and timelines which made it harder for me to settle into the book as it lacked natural flow and rhythm. It’s made even harder to keep track as they have old names and new names, and there are an awful lot of names and relationships mentioned to try and keep track of. I resorted to making a list.
In the 1987 and older time frames time frame we have the mother Charity/ Joyce whose husband David leaves the commune run by Uncle Saviour who is related. Charity has 2 children Love/Zoe and Peace/Clare. What starts as peaceful commune living deteriorates into hell.
In the now section there’s Lily and John who are parents to Hannah and Greg who go missing after sneaking out of the house at night. DI Pearline Ottoline is investigating with her murder squad with DS Sam Dibbs, Fielding,Hill and Cusp, and crime scene manager Verne.

The characters at the commune show some disturbing traits. Non of them are likeable. The best character for me is Pearline.

Unfortunately This one didn’t live up to my expectations. I found it didn’t flow smoothly, jumping around too much. There are far too many characters. Pearline comes bearing even more names in the form of ghosts haunting her from the job. I had sensory overload.
The strongest part of the story for me was the investigation with Pearline.

I devoured The Cult.

I’d love to read more about Love and her life! (Begging for a stand-alone about her!)
Racing towards the end you’re hoping for the best but this is a book full of horror and shocks! One of those where you think it’s figured out but the rug is pulled from under your feet.
5/5. I promise you won’t regret picking The Cult up!