Member Review

When is murder self-defence?

Abigail's parents – Genevieve and Pastor John Heywood – were found dead after their house caught fire. Abigail and her young siblings escaped the fire. However, the police and the congregation suspect that Abigail started the fire. Why would she do such a terrible thing?

Newhaven Plantation is the home to the South Carolina congregation of the New American Baptist Church. The congregation all live under stringent rules and virtually never leave the property. The boys' upbringing is to shoot, work the fields and accept that they are far superior to women. Girls' upbringing is to believe that their job is to keep house for their husbands and children.

Life, as she knows it, changes for Abigail when a girl appears and announces that she is her sister.

A brutal storyline is the only way I can describe this novel. I found it difficult to read because of the storyline. I know that I live in cloud-cuckoo-land where there are no cults, and everyone has a chance to for education and the freedom to choose their future partners—knowing that places like this still exist under the grid that distresses me.

Laure van Rensburg authors a compelling story. The characters are well-drawn and believable, which left me hating the leaders and sympathising with the women and children.

Rony

Elite Reviews received a copy of the book to review.