Amy Suiter Clarke

I’m extremely skeptical that being a social worker and creating a true-crime podcast qualifies a person as an “excellent investigator,” as our protagonist insists she is. She comes off as smug and self-righteous a lot of the time. I have serious qualms about the ethics and effects of her podcast as well as its effectiveness. All of this undermined the effectiveness of this book as a thriller for me. I listened to the audiobook, so it’s possible that the narrator contributed to my impressions of the protagonist, but my skepticism of her ethics and qualifications would remain even had I read a written version.… (mais)

This can best be described as a cult-themed book, which I generally try to avoid at ll costs. So why am I reading this? First of all, it was recommended by a trusted friend and secondly my neighbor bought it, read it, and is still singing its praises. I found that Amy Suiter Clarke’s Lay Your Body Down is not the typical cult book. Somehow, she manages to toe the line between cult and the "mega-church gone haywire".... but it's still brain washing no matter what fancy names you give it. She cleverly raises the question, and has characters mention the word "cult" several times but leaves it to readers to decide for themselves. The Messiah, or “The Mess,” ...isn't that cuteness personified?), doesn’t immediately have all the markings of a traditional cult leader. The followers can attend college, but only colleges preferred by "The Mess". They can have contact with people and family that are not a part of "The Messiah".... but they are carefully and secretly monitored. So as far I could see the whole shebang had all the distinct characteristics of a cult where the members didn't question authority...they were told what they needed to know...with all the typical patriarchy structures. It takes a bit from another religion with the confessionals. I found out that in this religion it is called "Auditing". “The members here are so afraid of being shunned that they even started making up sins to please the elders. Frankly, in spite of it being an "eye-opener" about these groups...I spent the majority of the read saying "What is the matter with you people? Stop acting like little lab rats"!! Then I just became overly frustrated with them all and stopped reading.… (mais)