3.5 ⭐️| I’m quite sure Detective Chloe Van Belle didn’t think her day would turn out like this when she was called to investigate the brutal murd3r of a child. Left with a very unorthodox crime scene, she and her partner dives into this investigation head first. Chloe was also probably not expecting this murder to have taken place at a cult like church that her sister Rosie attends.

As the story continues to unfold, it is evident that the story behind this gruesome discovery is layered so deeply, the secrets will leave you speechless. I enjoyed the topic around synesthesia, I actually had to google that and see what it meant. I love when I have to think outside the box and learn new things as I read. The dive into Rosie and Chloe’s challenging childhood, made you empathize with these characters and want to see them mentally survive the aftermath of this case. It was an emotional journey to see Chloe uncover the deeply buried childhood secrets, that her brain has surpressed.

Overall an enjoyable read with a very dark undertone. I would definitely suggest checking trigger warnings, but if you can handle them, it’s worth the read. Thank you Victory Editing and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

When Detective Chloe Van Belle is called in to investigate a gruesome crime scene, she finds herself drawn back into the church cult that has shaped her past. When she learns that 6-year-old Lillian has disappeared without a trace but no one had reported her missing, Chloe is determined to uncover the clues to find her. Chloe's half sister Rosie is a devout believer of the church Encounters and is engaged to the reverend's son. Where Chloe is skeptical and untrusting, Rosie is staunch in her belief that whatever happens is divine will. But, when a search turns up Lillian's body in a cradle with an object that is connected to a murder 20 years earlier, memories and secrets start to surface and Chloe is involved in a cat and mouse game with a killer

. For a debut novel, Blood in the Cradle is equal parts haunting and propulsive. Readers are drawn in from the very beginning, and immediately you know that this isn't your average crime thriller. Multi-layered and gut wrenching, this novel delves deep into the themes of cult trauma, complex relationships, and the scars that follow us from our childhood. Chloe as our main character is achingly real and flawed. Her rare gift of synesthesia is a unique and intriguing aspect. The pacing is taut with just the right amount of slow burn suspense and just when you think you have it figured out LaJeanne laughs as you flounder through the twists. There are definitely some sensitive subjects that are discussed including: religious trauma, implied child abuse, graphic crime scenes, and grief, so please just be aware. Overall, Blood in the Cradle is a bold, emotionally charged, dark thriller debut that will haunt you long after you turn the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley, Cobie LaJeanne, and Tule publishing for this ARC! Publication date was July 23rd 2025.

Cobie LaJeanne’s Blood in the Cradle is a chilling and atmospheric thriller that dives deep into the shadows of trauma, religious fanaticism, and the blurred line between justice and obsession. With a gripping mystery at its center and a protagonist unlike any other, this novel will leave readers unsettled—in all the best ways.

Detective Chloe Van Belle is a decorated investigator with a disturbing edge: she experiences visual-gustatory synesthesia, a rare condition that causes her to taste murder—literally. For Chloe, death carries a sweet flavor, and that dark sensory reaction becomes harder to suppress when she’s called to investigate a severed limb found in a church fountain. The location isn’t just any church—it’s Encounters, an angel-worshipping congregation tied directly to Chloe’s buried childhood trauma.

Things grow even more disturbing when a six-year-old girl named Lillian is discovered missing from the congregation and no one bothered to report her disappearance. The deeper Chloe digs, the more twisted the story becomes: Lillian’s body is later found cradled like a doll, beside a vintage watch eerily linking the murder to an unsolved killing from Chloe’s past.

LaJeanne’s storytelling thrives on tension—both external and internal. The plot unfolds like a psychological puzzle, with Chloe’s deteriorating mental state at the center. Her half-sister Rosie, still part of the cult-like church and engaged to the reverend’s son, represents everything Chloe left behind—and everything she still longs to protect. Rosie’s blind faith becomes a battleground as Chloe uncovers secrets that stretch to the top of the church’s leadership.

LaJeanne’s writing is atmospheric, laced with dread and memory, perfect for readers who love dark character studies. Chloe is not a typical heroine—she’s fractured, obsessive, and at times dangerous—but that’s what makes her fascinating. Her synesthesia is more than a gimmick; it’s an entry point into her warped relationship with death, trauma, and identity.

The mystery is well-plotted, with twists that hit hard and an ending that is as emotionally charged as it is grim. The church setting feels claustrophobic and surreal, with LaJeanne using faith and ritual to highlight the contrast between blind devotion and personal reckoning.

Loved this book! Really gripping and I couldn’t put it down. I need to keep reading to find out what was happening. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this. I have recommended to everyone

If “church trauma but make it homicide” is your vibe, Blood in the Cradle just parked itself at your unholy altar. This isn’t just a thriller—it’s a dark, twisty baptism in generational trauma, missing limbs, cult politics, and sisterly trauma bonding. Think True Detective meets Midsommar, but everyone forgot to take their meds.

Our detective heroine Chloe has synesthesia, PTSD, and the moral compass of someone who’s been burned by more than just fire. She’s called to investigate a child murder at a church—oh, but plot twist: it’s the same cult her sister is about to marry into. Family drama, but make it forensic.

The book swings between present-day horror and flashbacks that unravel like a bad memory you can’t shake. Some POV jumps left me checking if I had blacked out—but when the plot hits, it hits like a Bible to the face.

Chloe’s partner Esker? A saint. Rosie? The devout little mess we all want to rescue. And the church? Let’s just say… someone’s definitely speaking in tongues, but it ain’t the Holy Spirit.


🔪 Trigger Warnings:
• Child death and dismemberment
• Religious cults and abuse
• Drug use
• Mental illness
• Flashbacks of trauma
• Self-harm themes
• Graphic violence

⭐ Ratings:
• Plot: 4/5 (if you can keep up)
• Characters: 3.5/5 (Esker gets all the love)
• Creep Factor: 5/5
• Spice: 0/5 (but the tension is ✨unhinged✨)
• WTF Twists: 4.5/5
• Overall: 4/5 haunting little halos


If you’ve ever wanted a book to drag you through Southern Gothic dread and then drop you in a baptismal font of trauma… congratulations, your cult meeting is starting.

i was very taking in with the story and liked the Alice in wonderland references within the mystery which i think was my favourite thing and wished there was more of it.

The plot twist of all plot twists!!!! Oh. My. Lanta. Literally picking my jaw up off the floor. Highly recommend. I’ve already told all my friends about it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars, rounded up to 4)

This was a dark, intense thriller with some really heavy themes. The story follows Chloe, a detective called to a disturbing child homicide at the church of a religious cult—one her sister just happens to be part of and is about to marry into. As Chloe investigates, she starts uncovering connections to her own traumatic past, which added an extra layer of tension.

It took me a little while to get into the story, but by the end I couldn’t put it down. I was so keen to find out what really happened in Chloe’s past.

That said, I found some parts—especially the action scenes—a bit tricky to follow. They didn’t flow quite as well, and I had to reread a few sections. I also didn’t feel a strong emotional connection to most of the characters, though I did like Chloe’s partner, Esker.

There were some solid twists, but not everything felt wrapped up by the end. I still had a few questions about the case and Chloe’s backstory which I hope will be resolved in the next instalment.

Thanks to Tule Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll keep this review brief. This book just didn’t gel with me. The plot sounds awesome but the overall delivery of it fell flat. I was really disappointed with this.

It started out okay, and I was initially intrigued but quickly my interest waned. It began to really drag out and I got bored. I found the plot started to veer off its original course. It was also incredibly jumpy and this made it very disjointed.

Switching from different POV’s is not uncommon in a book but this left you having to really think where you landed. This novel didn’t make it very clear. This had a lot of potential so it’s a real shame.

Take a bow Cobie LaJeanne. That is some story you have told. Wow! Murder, family intrigue, love, lust, mental health, all of that with a dose of religious deceit and manipulation. Exorcisms with a devious addition anyone?
Chloe Van Belle is a character for the ages. I never heard of her condition synesthesia until I read about it in this book. I hope we will see her again at some point in the future.
Great book, well written with detailed and vivid descriptions. The characters are well fleshed out, the plot is great and there are twists aplenty. It is dark, moody and so tragic.
There are no bells and whistles here. The writer just gets on with the story and I love it.
It’s been more than twenty four hours since I finished this book and I am still haunted by it.

I'll be honest - I struggled with this one and nearly put it down a few times. The religious themes in the beginning didn't really grab me, and it took a while for me to get interested in the story.

While I am glad I stuck with it and gave it a fair shot, Blood in the Cradle just didn't click with me overall. I usually enjoy books with multiple POVs, but in this case, the structure felt jumpy. I found myself getting lost - whether it was from the constant jumping around or with the twists themselves, I'm still not sure.

That said, I can absolutely see this appealing to readers who love complex mysteries and have the focus to keep up with a twisty, layered narrative. It wasn't for me, but it might be a hit for someone who loves an intricate plot and doesn't mind a slower start.

This is the first book I have read by this author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was a multi-layered, slow burning, emotional read, which deals with the consequences of repressed secrets, an angel worshiping cult, devotion and trauma. I enjoyed the fact that the story is told from the point of view of both Chloe and her sister, Rosie. The two women are very different, so the reader experiences different sides of the same tale.

However, I did find that book jumps around a lot, switching from place to place and/or person to person without explanation, and this confused me in places. There are also periods where the narrative feels unnecessarily drawn out, which allowed my attention to drift. All in all, the premise is good and there are many twists and turns – some which floored me, but I did struggle with the author's slightly chaotic style of writing.

Clocking in at around 248 pages, the novel reads briskly but thoughtfully. Scenes alternate between grisly investigation, inner turmoil, flashbacks, and spiritual flashpoints—all converging toward a suspense-filled climax. The final acts weave their personal revelations into the killer’s identity, making the psychological unraveling feel central to the expose.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

After finishing this book, it has taken me a while to put pen to paper to write the review. This is down to I wasn't sure what to say, the book left me quite unsettled and the climactic ending of the book felt like I had just stepped off a rollercoaster.

The book follows two sisters, Chloe and Rosie. Chloe is a police officer investigating a missing child case that turns into a murder investigation following the finding of the child's body. Rosie is marrying into a very religious family, a very strict religious sect, ran from a cathedral and have very strict rules about what is allowed and what isn't.

The book, I found, jumped around a lot, one minute they are sitting drinking tea in a cafe and the next it says about grabbing the wheel of the car to avoid an accident, without anything being said of them moving from the café to a car. (That is just an example, but explains my point.)

The plot of the book is good, and has many twists and turns. I struggled with the writer's style of writing with all the jumping around.

Overall I also found the story quite unsettling, I haven't read many books where the murder has been of a child, and the descriptions upset me, which I haven't found before with other murder mysteries of which I have read lots.

One word: wow.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the eARC of Blood in the Cradle! What a roller coaster! 🎢

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ . 5 / 5

4.5 stars rounded up’ This book had me at the edge of my seat the WHOLE time. The pacing was great, I never felt bored at any point. This storyline was tragic, dark, and thrilling but incredibly original. The characters were individually unique, which I loved, of course. One second, it felt like an episode of Law and Order, then the next second, it felt like an episode of The Twilight Zone. I couldn’t figure out if I was looking over my shoulder for a serial killer or a ghost. 😮‍💨 Sometimes, it felt like there was a lot of information to keep up with, but it all fell together in the end and blew me away! Those plot twists LITERALLY made my jaw drop. And that epilogue? Amazing. I won’t be able to stop thinking about it. This book thoroughly creeped me out, which I happily welcomed with open arms. 🤗

If you’re okay with reading about heavy subject matters and enjoy psychological thrillers that’ll make you question everyone and everything, I highly recommend this book! 🩸👀

Great mixture of themes. Curiosity was piqued until the very end. Characters are relatable and well developed.

A haunting and atmospheric thriller that delves into the complexities of family, faith, and the shadows of the past. Detective Chloe Van Belle is drawn back to the angel-worshipping church of her traumatic childhood when a severed limb is discovered in its fountain. The case intensifies with the disappearance of a young girl and unsettling ties to a decades-old murder. LaJeanne masterfully weaves dual perspectives—Chloe’s relentless pursuit of truth and her half-sister Rosie’s devout entanglement in the church—creating a narrative rich in psychological depth and suspense. The novel’s Southern Gothic ambiance and unexpected twists keep readers engaged until the chilling conclusion.

I was given an early copy of this debut novel by Cobie as a member of her street team as well as through Netgalley.

I’ve been so eager to read this book and it did not disappoint. It is dark and moody and Cobie does a fantastic job at drawing you in through the macabre imagery, while sprinkling in just enough humor to keep you from spiraling from the rough subject matter. It also helps that her characters feel so real with flaws and distinct personalities (Esker better be protected at all costs!).

I loved Chloe and her relationship with her sister Rosie. It’s complex, real, and raw, and I found myself caring a lot about what was going happen between them.

I love reading horror/mysteries and this book still kept me on my toes throughout, so if you’re looking for a book that will keep you guessing, and maybe keep you up at night, definitely pick this up.

This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I couldn’t put it down. How everything come together in the end didn’t leave me hanging but I wouldn’t mind a sequel to see what happens.

A slow-burning thriller steeped in grief, loyalty, and the deep scars of faith, Blood in the Cradle keeps you guessing until its shocking final twist.

Sisters Chloe and Rosie Van Belle face a harrowing test of trust when a child is murdered, and the trail leads to a chilling religious cult, one Rosie is still connected to. Told through both their perspectives, the novel contrasts Chloe’s relentless drive with Rosie’s quiet vulnerability, weaving emotional depth into the suspense. The religious themes amplify the creepiness, making the mystery feel all the more sinister.

The story unravels masterfully, tying past and present tragedies together in a way that will leave you stunned. Dark, gritty, and psychologically rich, Blood in the Cradle isn’t just a murder mystery, it’s an exploration of trauma, devotion, and belief pushed to its breaking point.

If you love thrillers that balance emotional intensity with gripping suspense, this is a must-read.