Gaslight had some interesting moments. It was an honest look at the way cults abuse their members. It was fairly horrific. Yet, I didn't think any of the characters were filled in. They were the outlines of characters. No one trusts anyone. With good reason. But I didn't feel that I as the reader got to know them on more than a surface basis. For a book of its length, that was disappointing.

“Gaslight” by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte and Sara Shepard is a chilling psychological thriller that plunges readers into the world of a sinister cult. Drawing on Shepard's expertise in creating suspense and Joris-Peyrafitte's evocative narrative style, the novel expertly explores the complexities of manipulation, power, and belief.

The story’s protagonist finds themselves ensnared in the grips of a creepy cult that operates under the guise of spiritual enlightenment, but sinister motivations quickly bubble beneath the surface. The tension escalates steadily as the protagonist wrestles with questions of trust, loyalty, and reality. The claustrophobic atmosphere of the cult, with its charismatic yet eerie leader, casts a haunting spell over the novel.

What really sets “Gaslight” apart is its ability to create a deep sense of unease while masterfully building suspense. The narrative weaves together the protagonist’s backstory and the present-day horror, offering a glimpse into the psychology of those who are drawn into such dangerous groups. Shepard and Joris-Peyrafitte do a commendable job of portraying the manipulation techniques that cults employ, which adds an authentic touch, though at times it feels a bit predictable.

The character development is solid, and while some of the twists are foreseeable, the compelling writing and disturbing cult dynamics keep readers hooked. Those who enjoy dark, atmospheric thrillers centered on cults will appreciate “Gaslight”, as it dives deep into the psychological impact of such environments without veering into sensationalism.

Overall, “Gaslight” is a thought-provoking and unnerving read, though a few more unpredictable twists could have elevated it even further. Fans of psychological thrillers, especially those with an interest in cult dynamics, will find this book a satisfying and unsettling journey.

Gaslight by Sara Shepard and Miles Joris-Peyrafitte offers an intriguing premise: a woman’s seemingly idyllic life is disrupted by the reappearance of a former friend with ties to a dangerous cult. Unfortunately, the execution falls short of its potential.

Rebecca, living peacefully with her family in Carson City, Nevada, is thrown into turmoil when her old friend Danny shows up. Danny’s involvement in the Infinite Spiritual Being (ISB) cult and her life at its secluded compound in Bend, Oregon raises questions about Rebecca’s past and the secrets she’s hiding. As Rebecca tries to navigate Danny’s intentions and protect her loved ones, she finds herself caught in a web of deception and danger.

I was excited to dive into Gaslight by Sara Shepard and Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, given the premise and the promise of a taut psychological thriller playing out in the small space of Rebecca's home. Danny's sudden appearance creates a delicious amount of tension, especially since the reader does not know what her intentions are. I enjoyed much of the first third of the novel as the premise unfolded.

However, this novel fell short of my expectations and struggles with character depth and pacing. The characters feel one-dimensional, and the plot often feels predictable or implausible. (Your OB has Saturday appointments and you managed to get one? Totally unbelievable.) The dual timeline narrative interrupts the tension of Danny's unexpected visit, and some chapters and details were unnecessary to the plot.

The audiobook narration is competent and does not detract from the story.

Ultimately, Gaslight is a missed opportunity. While the premise is promising, the execution leaves much to be desired. If you're looking for a gripping psychological thriller, I recommend exploring other options.

This review will be posted to Goodreads on September 14, 2024.

GASLIGHT
Miles Joris-Peyrafitte and Sara Shepard

They meet at the perfect time. It feels like destiny.

He tells her she’s missing something. And she can feel the lack in her bones. He tells her he is the answer to all her unanswered questions. And she can feel it in the conversations left unsaid on the tip of her tongue. He tells her to come and be with him. And she feels the pull deep within the recesses of her being.

There are things about her that he knows that she hasn’t realized yet. There are parts of her she hasn’t found, and he seems to have the map. All it will require is to give herself fully. And it feels like she has been waiting a lifetime for this one simple request.

This is not a love story, and it never will be to anyone but her. She will spend an eternity undoing what he has done, unwinding all that he has wound, spiraling into her new self. But first, she has something to take care of.

Sara Shepard is well-versed in how to tell a story. She is a very successful author, and I knew picking this up that I would be in good hands. I was curious how she would be at telling this story.

I thought it was fantastic. And I look forward to seeing it expressed on the small screen. And I believe it will. If you’re a fan of Ashley Winstead’s THE LAST HOUSEWIFE, this should be on your radar and at the top of your fall TBR.

Thanks to Netgalley, Libro.fm, and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for the advanced copies in exchange for feedback!

GASLIGHT…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved how not so straight forward Gaslight was; when I thought I had it figured out it would zip and zoom and I'd be back to wondering how it would turn out. I really loved the narration and definitely felt it gave the story a heightened sense of suspense.

Thank you Blackstone Audio for the gifted ALC.

Gaslight by Sara Shepard and Miles Joris-Peyrafitte is a book about cults, secrets, gaslighting and a lot more. Told from multiple points of view, it’s mainly the story of Rebecca, who is now living with her husband and children after having left her past behind (even if it still gives her nightmares). But then her past comes out of her nightmares and catches up to her reality when an old friend Danny comes to her house one morning. Danny has been a part of a cult for 10 years and it's upto Rebecca to figure out whether she is there to get help or on put her family in danger. Everyone is keeping secrets and slowly they get revealed. It’s fast paced and well written. But it’s not a typical thriller and is more fiction. If you are someone who is interested in true crime or cults, you can definitely check it out.

Gaslight

A cult classic, the book starts with a podcaster who feels threatened by his past sharing his story with followers in an attempt to go viral and unveil the secrets of a cult still functioning in society.

Perspectives include Rebecca, who escaped the cult and is trying to lead a normal life with her husband, Tom, and her child. We also hear from Tom - who is clueless about Rebecca’s past, though he suspects something traumatic has occurred. A few chapters are from Ben’s perspective, the cult leader and mothers of daughters that left to join the cult.

Danny was also in the cult and reappears in Rebecca’s life. Danny shows up pregnant with obvious signs of still being controlled by ISB. Ben is the leader of ISB. The book goes back and forth between past and present and how these people were manipulated and then try to return to society and find success in life.

This book gave an intense look into the methods of control used by cults and how victims recover, or don’t, because of their treatment.

Similar to When She Returned and a recent release - Only The Guilty Survive. I did the audiobook and that was excellent! They did a great job with audio changes between narration, podcasting, etc. sometimes it was unclear narrator right away each chapter, would’ve appreciated a character call out. That may be audiobook specific though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Out on September 17!

Gaslight was exactly what I want from a slightly-twisty thriller about cults. I'm pretty picky with audiobooks because I need to be invested for them to hold my attention, and I was sucked into this one from the first chapter. I think I found the story even more intriguing because of the clear similarities to NXIVM, so if you are at all interested in the world of cults, I think you would enjoy it as well.

The book is dark, unsettling and creepy. Rebecca and Danny were best friends.Fast forward, after some years, she married Tom and currently living with her husband in Nevada. Her past is something she doesn’t want to revisit or tell anyone about. She wants to completely forget it. But when Danny shows up unannounced and unexpectedly on her doorstep, the unthinkable happens and this time, she must protect herself and her family both. The book is filled with lies, deception, manipulation, secrets and truth. Ben is the heads of ISB organisation, everyone thinks it is a spiritual organisation but is it really? When Tom finds out something in Rebecca’s stuff, it turns his world upside down but there’s more waiting for them. The Danger isn’t over. Is it a coincidence that Danny, Rebecca’s best friend has shown up after so many years? She has been a member of a part of ISB for ten years while Rebecca was part of it for eight years. Can she have any other motive? The cult part was quite dark and deceptive. It felt like the members were being blindfolded, brainwashed and manipulated. Ben kept everyone’s secrets but his secrets, he didn’t share with anyone. This was such a thought provoking and heartbreaking book. The ending was terrifying.

The Narrator did a great job. The book has been narrated in Dual timeline. Author’s writing is compelling. The book was so heartbreaking. I was hoping the book has supernatural elements or dark gothic rituals other than the ones that were already in there. The setting was intense and creepy.

If you like dark and unsettling book with cult and two best friends and the story that is dipped in a layers of deception, manipulation and secrets, look no further.

4.5

Thanks to the Publisher, Authors and Narrator.

This audiobook version will provide more background and context if you listened to the Gaslight podcast. This story of two friends and their relationship with a cult leader makes it clear how easy it can be to "fall into a cult." Rebecca and Danny (high school friends) both found themselves involved in a cult ran by a creepy older man. But soon their perception changes, and he's not so creepy---he becomes their salvation. Narrated by Julia Atwood--the pacing and tone are perfect. This is a tale that keeps the reader wanting more. I thoroughly enjoyed this title and subject.

It’s not often that I finish a book and RUN to leave a review! Wow! This book was everything needed for a perfect cult classic! And I mean that in more ways than one!

Gaslight is a crazy ride inside a cult organization very similar to one that made headlines not that long ago. The intrigue, the suspense, the love that I felt for these characters is so real! I don’t want to give any more information, go in blind and clear your schedule for the entire day. I absolutely HATE that I finished this book … I would give my first born child (no pun intended) to be able to read this again for the first time.

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ALC.

I will read or watch anything if the subject matter is based on Cults so this was a no brainer for me. The whole concept is so intriguing for me. Saying that I finished this a few days ago and I’m not sure I’ll remember it in another few days. It had great potential but it was missing something. For me the storyline was all over the place, dragged a lot and really when I think about it there was nothing overly suspenseful or exciting when it came to twists or surprises. The narrator did a good job and did hold my attention. It was just ok.

Thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to listen to and review #Gaslight

Not perfect, but worth a listen and I quite liked it.

Full review: Thank you to authors Miles Joris-Peyrafitte and Sara Shepard, publishers Blackstone Publishing, and NetGalley for an advance audiobook copy of GASLIGHT. Read by Julia Atwood. All views are mine.

...[She] looks her old friend up and down. She looks the same, in a lot of ways. That wavy,  golden blonde hair, lots of freckles, the pointy chin people always said gave her a Reese Witherspoon vibe. There are differences too. Danny has always Bern petite, but now she seems withered. Her legs in her skinny jeans look emaciated.  Her sweater swallows her whole. ...Her skin is almost gray, and her fingernails are blue....

One of my favorite things about GASLIGHT is that it accurately depicts the horrifying tactics cults use to control their members. A great deal of this story's tension comes from mistrust and distrust.

The characters can't and don't trust one another, and as a result experience harm right and left. Similarly, the reader can't trust any of the characters or narrators, even though they must witness them being published for their own distrust. The reader becomes a part of the viscious cycle playing out on the page. This form is quite compelling and made for riveting reading for me.

Beyond that, GASLIGHT also contains solid use of fictional elements: well drawn characters, interesting subplots, solid minimalist prose, smart and efficient setting and description.

I was initially attracted to this book, not because of Joris-Peyrafitte's podcast and true crime expertise, but because I wanted to see how an award-winning documentarian and a solid writer tackle the fiction monster. I especially wanted to experience the audiobook and know how they handled such a wonderful media mashup. I thought I would find something special, and I did. This is a great audiobook! I suspect it might be better on audibook than book book, but I'll never know!

I recommend GASLIGHT to fans of audiobooks, true crime, cult books, unreliable narrator, and unlikely friendship stories.

Reading Notes:

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. This is a really good, solid cult-astic horror book. So if you're into the cult stuff, there's going to be something for you here.

2. I was completely riveted by the development of Rebecca "Becs" and Danielle "Danny." At one point, the shape of their relationship, past and present, completely subsumes the plot. This works well here, considering this book is about trust, in as much as there *is none* where cults are concerned. Once I invested in these two, I was all-in on the story.

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. This is really convoluted, but I guess what was I expecting from a book called GASLIGHT? Speaking of that, I guess I wish actual gaslighting played a more dominant role in the story. When it shows up, it's great, I just want more of it!

2. Not a fan of Atwood, the narrator. Her tone completely lacks inflection and I'm having trouble engaging with the story. I'm working too hard to pick up what she's saying and expressing, trying to interpret from her flatness what is important.

3. Some of the material repeats itself often. Some of it might be the author laying the plot, like foreshadowing and such.

Rating: 👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻 /5 male descendants
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Aug 29 '24
Format: Audiobook, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🪄 cult stories
🔪 true crime
👭🏽 friend drama
🦨 unlikely friends
🗣 unreliable narrators
🎧 audiobooks

4.5 stars rounded up.

I listened to the audio version of Gaslight and thoroughly enjoyed it. I found that the overall topic of a cult, a cult leader and the arc of joining/leaving a cult was really very interesting. Following Rebecca and her fear, once removed from the ISB cult, was probably the low part of the story. It didn't make sense to me why she didn't share this information with her husband, once she felt like it was safe to do so. (At least the basic parts of it.) This clouded the overall part of her individual story.

However, the introduction of Danny into the story made the overall plot more exciting and the relationships more interesting, as well. In addition, the details and descriptions were excellent. I always noticed the small pieces of information provided and how they served to set the scene, overall.

As a whole, the book was a very enjoyable read/listen. Not overly creepy or suspenseful but interesting and enjoyable, for sure.

Advance reader copy provided by Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

I’m kind of obsessed with Miles Joris-Peyrafitte’s 2016 movie As You Are, so I was really excited when I saw that he had co-written this novel. While the plots are completely different, I feel like there is some thematic crossover with what I enjoyed so much from his movie. Messy characters, complicated friendships, and explorations of tragedy are present in both stories. Gaslight follows two women, Rebecca and Danny, both as they join a cult right out of high school and then years later after Rebecca has left and Danny shows up out of the blue.

I thought this was a really compelling book. It’s not so much a mystery or fast-paced thriller, it’s way more focused on the internal lives of the women and how they were brainwashed within the cult. It’s interesting to see the story in the present day and how Rebecca is able to realize the harmful ways that the cult is treating Danny while Danny is still trusting of the organization and the leader. While the majority of the book is focused on the evolution of the characters, there are a few action-packed scenes that add a lot of suspense to the story.

There were some parts of the book where I wanted more from the side characters or more of a look into the online chatter about the cult. The women and their friendship felt really fleshed out, but some other parts of the story were a tiny bit lacking for me.

But overall I had a great time with this book. I’d definitely recommend it for people who enjoy character focused explorations into cults and complicated friendships.

Gaslight is an interesting read with a viewpoint told from the victims of a cult. The author did a great job at expressing the confusion between two ladies who were victims of a cult.

This was a great thriller and a must for fans of cults & true crime.

I loved the narrator which is always the make or break for me with audiobooks, this was the perfect book to listen to.

This was a thrilling & gripping book that hit on very tough & hard topics & a real eye opener into how easily people can be manipulated particularly those who are vulnerable.

I would highly recommend.

GASLIGHT

Holy cow check trigger warnings on this one, but it’s so good!

I am so intrigued by cults and this was just as dark and thrilling as I thought it would be.

Rebecca has a seemingly perfect life with a wonderful husband and two beautiful boys, until her past comes knocking on her front door

Rebecca and Danny were high school friends. Rebecca convinces her friend to start seeing her incredible life guide to discuss her issues at home and school. This leads both girls into a horrible and twisted cult leader’s grip.

I was hanging on to the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this book. However, the ending left me wanting more.

Trigger warnings- cults, torture, kidnapping, SA

I am sincerely thankful to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Not a great cult book... I felt like half of it was missing or something the plot just wasn't there for me. It wasn't as thrilling or scary as the description seemed.

I hate to write a negative review—so I won’t. Let’s just say that the first 90% of this book was excellent, clearly well-researched, thoughtfully written. The last bit felt…less so. The narrator did a great job.