Claire is the sole survivor of a cult's mass suicide ten years prior, led by the still missing leader Dominic Bragg. We follow her present story where her life that she rebuilt for herself is threatened as a podcaster comes into town attempting to solve the decade old mystery of what really happened. Why was Claire the only survivor, was she responsible, and what happened to Lollie, another member that was murdered just weeks before the horrific event. Terrified of her memories coming back and finding out if she was, in fact, responsible for any of it, Claire starts her own personal investigation to get to the truth before the podcaster does.

Okay, so this is one of those books that I really enjoyed until about the last twenty or so pages, leaving me a little undecided on my review. Each character was pretty flawed and, for the most part, unlikable. Which actually worked for this particular story. It was well written and very detailed, leaving enough mystery and hints as we go to make it hard to put down. I always love books about cults, and this one puts us dead center into the middle of one, hearing first hand the horrors that go on. This had a lot of promise. Without spoilers, the ending just did not work for me and didn't exactly make sense, nor did the story really build up to the reveal. Still, give this one a try if you love cult reads and judge for yourself. I give this one three stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books, for this ARC.

Only The Guilty Survive follows Claire who is one of the last remaining survivors of a cult named The Flock after the rest committed mass suicide. She doesn’t remember much of what happened back in her time in the cult but when a podcaster arrives in town, determined to investigate and get to the bottom of what really happened, things begin to unravel.

I think this was such a fun premise to a book and it was one that I was truly excited to pick up and read. I also found it super interesting how the book flipped between two different timelines, the present day and back to when Claire was still in the cult.

I personally feel like the present-day part of the book’s timeline could’ve been more than what it was. I felt like it was missing something but like I said, this is possibly just a personal opinion.

Overall, this was a fun read and I would love to read more from this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Read if you like: cults, missing memories, small towns, multiple POVs, multiple timelines

This book description has such promise. I love a cult mystery. The writing was good and many of the characters did not feel contrived, which is always important to me.

Unfortunately this one just did not work for me. I really disliked the protagonist, Claire, as well as all the other characters minus Lollie. The story was very slow and my mind kept wandering while reading it.

I feel like many parts of the book weren’t necessary and didn’t add anything to the plot or character development.

Sadly, I don’t think the ending made any sense and was disappointed by it. It felt so out of left field and completely random.

When Claire was a teenager, she fell in with a cult known as The Flock. When they all committed mass suicide, leaving her as the only survivor, the town's suspicion fell squarely on Claire. Ten years later Claire still lives in her small town, still finds herself struggling with her loyalty to the cult leader Dom, and still has no idea what happened that day or why they left her behind. When a true crime podcaster focuses on the case, questions arise again about Claire's role in the deaths of the Flock and the earlier murder of Laurel, a Flock member and beauty pageant queen.

I had high hopes for this book, having recently read Listen for the Lie, another book where a podcaster helps uncover the truth of a small town murder. Unfortunately this book did not compare favorably. All of Claire's adult relationships (with the exception of a coworker/acquaintance) feel like they are still abusive, controlling relationships. She doesn't appear to have learned anything. Moreover, she doesn't seem to want anything better. I think I'm supposed to feel sympathetic towards Claire, but I found her completely unrelateable and unlikable. As far as the plot goes, there were times that leaps of logic were made that seemed wholly unbelievable, and then there were clues that should have been obvious that everyone overlooked. It was all over the place. The reveal of the Big Bad was underwhelming and out of left field. The part that was most frustrating was that, while just about everyone in this story had done something wrong, no one seemed to face any real consequences. Everyone just kept on doing their thing at the end. What changed? Nothing that I could see. If a character and I spend almost 300 pages together, I expect to see SOME kind of growth or lessons learned.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I'm sorry that it wasn't a better one.

Dominic Bragg lived on an old bird sanctuary at the expense of his parents who “…believe they’re funding a wayward sensitive son as he lives ‘off the grid’.” Dom studied the methods of mind controlling used by Charles Manson, Jim Jones, Marshall Applewhite and David Koresh, and believed he knew where they went wrong. His aim was to gather followers using his own way of controlling their minds, lead them on a path to enlightenment and then send them on their journey, while himself staying behind to do it all again.

Claire was one of Dom’s most devoted followers but after a series of shocking events she was now married, back living in a town where she was viewed with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, and suffering from post traumatic stress. She had significant memory loss and wasn’t sure whether she wanted to get her memory back. When a man arrived in town with the purpose of dredging up the dark days of the cult’s demise for his podcast, Claire was forced into finally making that decision.

Only the Guilty Survive is a deep, dark, ultimately sad story. Cults are very strange phenomena which have been around for as long as people have been questioning the meaning of life and hoping for an after-life. Scarily, although Dom was aware that he was using and abusing his followers in insidious ways, he still believed he was purifying them in readiness for their perfect lives thereafter.

Creepy stuff but gripping reading. Kate Robards is a very good storyteller and has created some quite heart-breaking characters. In reality it would be hard to feel sorry for them, probably, but Dom was bending their wills so that they believed they were happy to live in quite deplorable conditions, much worse than anything they had left behind.

I recommend Only the Guilty Survive highly as a thoughtful study into human nature and, of course, as a compulsively readable book.

Published by Crooked Lane Books

This book was a bit slow to start, but once it got my attention I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the first “big reveal”, which made the book lackluster overall. The final twist was a good surprise, but I would have preferred it go a bit more in depth so that I could better understand the main character’s frame of mind.

Overall, it was a unique premise to a book and I would give it 3.5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book wasn’t for me but with that said it wasn’t a bad book. I would definitely classify this a slow burn thriller. If you have a high interest in cults and don’t mind a slow burn this book is for you.

Thank you crooked lane books for this advanced copy.

I just could not get into this one... I really enjoyed Willa Stannard, and was looking forward to Robards' latest as a result. It opened well, and I was intrigued by the blurb, but fairly quickly in I found my attention lagging. I struggled to find a connection to Claire, and while I enjoyed Lollie's character more, I found the back-and-forth uneven. I may be over the whole podcaster-blows-the-whole-thing-wide-open plot line, but I found Arlo irritating and abrasive and he didn't help my engagement with the story at all... All in all this one just wasn't a good fit for me.

I don't really read a lot of true crime, as I have known three murderers (all in prison now) and I just find it hits a little too close. But I love books about cults so I scooped this one up as soon as I could. It just did not work for me. Probably it was the whole "too close" issue I have. I just did not feel this book in my soul. I can't wait to see what the author writes next.

Ugh. When I found out this was a mystery/thriller about a cult, I was all in, excited about the story. Boy did this book disappoint in almost every facet.

The first 70% of the book was so. slow. and so incredibly hard to read through. Nothing happened, and what events they did take you through didn't make sense. There was no rhyme or reason as to why the cult existed. At one point in the book someone asked straight what it was all about some very vague answer of transcendencey was given with no background. There was no belief system to the cult. And also, I've never heard of a cult leader looking up other cult leaders to figure out how to run a cult. It just felt bizarre and hastily thrown together without thinking it through.

There was also the problem of the main character, who to be honest was quite unlikable, finding connections wider than the grand canyon. No one in their right mind would jump from one of those clues to where she landed. The backstory of what happened and why made sense in the end, but the way she figured it out was not plausible even a little bit, which made me not like the book even more.

There are many other much better researched and written books out there.

Thank you #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the opportunity to read this ARC!

The primary figure ten years after escaping a cult in which some members committed suicide, Claire has no desire to revisit her suppressed past. That is, until a podcaster arrives in town and decides she has to know what happened to her. A little absurd, but it worked; we needed a catalyst to help us figure out what had happened.
It was excellent to have chapters where many individuals from the past and present explained the mystery as it developed. However, halfway through the novel, Claire begins to SENSE that things are CONNECTED rather than following hints and breadcrumbs and piecing things together rationally. It just begins to seem like a bit hurried conclusion and loses a lot of its appeal.


A intriguing novel with a dismal conclusion. Still, it's a fun tale.

I had a really hard time getting into this book. The premise sounded SO cool, but I found it confusing at many different points. It felt repetitive as well, kind of just picking from a million other cult themed novels. I also really did not like the main character, either. It was hard to empathize with her because she was unlikable. I wish I would have liked it more!

This novel does an exceptional job of illuminating how coercive control and grooming works within the framework of a compelling mystery. This novel answers the question "how could they let it happen to them?" by opening readers' understanding to how predators exploit vulnerabilities.

This novel was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Of all the books I've read recently, "Only the Guilty Survive" stands out as one that completely captivated me from the very first page. I felt like I was pulled into a vortex of emotions and intrigue.

The story centers around Claire, the sole survivor of a mass suicide at the cult she once called home. Her best friend within the "flock" was kidnapped and murdered just days before the tragic event, leaving Claire to grapple with overwhelming survivor's guilt. The surrounding townspeople, who blame her for the tragedy, only amplify her torment. When a podcaster arrives to reinvestigate the case, Claire's life is turned upside down, forcing her to confront the painful memories and truths she had buried deep within.

What makes this book so compelling is the way the author deftly handles such a complex and sensitive subject. Claire’s character is intricately developed, and her struggle with guilt and the search for truth is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The story is cleverly written, with each twist and revelation drawing you deeper into Claire’s world. The narrative is original and eye-opening, showcasing the author's thorough understanding and research on the topic.

"Only the Guilty Survive" is a powerful and thought-provoking read. It sheds light on the psychological aftermath of cult experiences and the resilience required to face one's past. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping, emotional journey. This story stays with you, long after you’ve turned the last page, resonating with its profound exploration of guilt, redemption, and the relentless quest for the truth.

A local cult commits mass suicide after a member’s disappearance leads to increased media attention. Ten years later, the sole survivor struggles to remember what really happened to the Flock, racing to find the truth before a new podcast dredges up the past. Who took Lollie? Why was the Flock so sick that summer? And why did Claire survive?

I had high hopes for this one, and I was enjoying it as I read along. I had a few theories, and some of them turned out to be close to the truth. I liked the descriptions of what it was like to live at the Bird Haven from the POV of Lollie, the girl who went missing. But eventually I noticed the story didn’t seem to be moving along - we were just hearing the same things about how the cult was controlled.

Around ⅔ through, we start to hear from Dom, the cult leader, which was such a disappointment because it took so much of the mystery out of why things happened the way they did. Although these sections moved the plot along, I think they gave away too much. The revealing of the killer felt rushed and kind of forced, almost disconnected from the rest of the story.

The epilogue was my favorite part of the ending, because it turns everything upside down and makes you reconsider what you thought you knew. I know some people want a neat resolution, but I liked that some things are left to the imagination about Claire, Dom, the past, and the future.

I think this book was written at a lower reading level than I personally enjoy. If it is wasn't for the death and serious subject matter, I'd think it was a child's chapter book. We are told in very childlike language no matter what the age of the character exactly what they are thinking and feeling at all times. It was punishing to read and did nothing to build suspense or interest in anything that happened. I didn't know you could make a book about cult be so dull.

My Rating: 1⭐️ this was just everything I never wanted!!

I am not going to do a synopsis wrap up… and I am going to try to keep this spoiler free, but it annoyed me so much.

The best part of this book was my super fun Buddy Read with Lit with Leigh on Storygraph, we are in two very different time zones and could read together and have a laugh 🩷

The worst part was this book… Leigh got me hooked on cult books and we are constantly trying to find the next best one. And let me be here to tell you this was not it… this was not even close to being it.

I don’t actually have any positives about the book itself, it was repetitive, nonsensical, annoying and had plot holes as big as craters. There were loose ends galore for things that had no bearing on the story and some of the most unlikeable chracters that you were supposed to root for… it was actually just so bad.

Claire, our MC, was insufferable. We were supposed to feel sorry for her, the only one left alive when the cult mass suicided but what we had was a character that was written in such a way that you wanted to tell her to STFU at every turn. She was in a controlling relationship with her husband and while you would think, yeah legit this is definitely going to happen after being in a cult… but no redemption came from it. Henry the jerk face just got to keep on jerk facing… and it felt like halfway through the book the author decided he was even annoying her so she wrote him out for a bit only to bring him back to keep on being a massive jerk face.

Claire did some of the biggest citizen gone rogue dumbass things ever and she just generally annoyed me.

Laurel (or Lollie) again we were supposed to sympathise with her… but she was eyes wide open after a certain point and had every opportunity to escape but the author decided that the way for her to escape was the most ridiculous way… it made literally no sense at all. I wont go into it because well i did say no spoilers… but my goodness… yes this is fiction but … really!!!

There was the podcast angle which to be honest was almost non existent but when it was there was so annoying it made me want to chuck my kindle into the sink and turn on the garbage disposal… thankfully its broken…. But this book tested me.

I was so disappointed in the lack of cult research done in this novel, it was seriously like the author decided to google search the top 10 most famous cult leaders of history, name drop them without reading anything about them, tell us a million times that in the most basic of terms … the best way to keep the cult in line is to love bomb them and gaslight them and keep them hungry so they cant fight you… all of this was described like a 12 year old wrote a Wikipedia page on it and said… yeahhhh thats good stuff and hit post!!

I really could go on and on… but I think you get the picture… I didn’t like this… I wouldn’t recommend it and overall I just found it a waste of time. And after all that the worst possible baddie at the ending … I wont give it away… but my kindle is lucky … so lucky its not out the window.

The buddy read thankfully saved me… but if I wasn’t reading with Leigh I would have DNF’d this book so quick…

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting premise, and a solid first half, but it all unravelled a bit towards the end.
What started with some great mystery and the promise of twists and turns, didn't have the payoff I wanted.
The main character Claire, 10 years after leaving a cult after several members died by group suicide, has absolutely no interest in accessing her repressed memories. Until a podcaster comes to town and she decides she MUST understand what happened to her. Bit silly but ok, we needed something to drive the figuring out what happened.
Chapters told from different characters in the present and the past, as the mystery unfolds was great. But halfway through the book, instead of breadcrumbs and clues and putting things together logically, Claire starts just SENSING that things are CONNECTED. It loses a lot of its intrigue and just starts to feel like a slightly rushed ending.
Some characters who seem to have questionable intentions throughout the book, this just gets neatly wrapped up with oh actually no they're fine.
A disappointing end to a promising book. Still a fun story though.

Only the Guilty Survive by Kate Robards
Rating: 3.5/5
Release Date: 6 August 2023

The rural town of Iola, Michigan, was shaken to its core by the collective tragedy of The Flock, a cult led by the magnetic Dominic Bragg. They met their end at an old bird sanctuary, leaving the community reeling. This catastrophe followed closely on the heels of the abduction of one of their own, Laurel Tai, a beloved local pageant queen. Suspicion fell heavily on Claire Kettler, Laurel's closest confidante and the only survivor of the cult's demise. Haunted by grief and unresolved queries about her friend's death and the fate of her fellow cultists.

A decade later, podcaster Arlo Stone delves into the shadows, intent on unraveling the mysteries surrounding the cult and Laurel's untimely demise. Claire is thrust back into the fray, determined to decipher the cryptic events of the past while safeguarding her own secrets from the scrutiny of thousands of listeners. Racing against time, she must navigate a labyrinth of unanswered riddles before history repeats its tragic cycle.

I had high hopes for this book, especially since the beginning was so intriguing and well-developed. However, I found the "present day" chapters to be lacklustre in comparison to the more captivating earlier timeline. The detailed exploration of the cult was fascinating, but it seemed to overshadow the ending, which felt anticlimactic.

I would be interested in seeing the author update the narrative to align with the current time period, building on the foundation laid in this book.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books, and the author, Kate Robards, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

When I read that this was about a true crime podcast and a mysterious cult I was very excited. These are a few of my favourite things! Unfortunately, while I did enjoy this story, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I believe this was probably due to the fact I found Claire's perspective, one of multiple POVs shared, difficult to enjoy or empathise with. I just didn't find her a very engaging character. I loved Lolly though and the overall story wasn't bad either. I did really get sucked in and want to find out what happened. If these are subjects that interest you too, it might be worth a read, just go in with realistic expectations.