Carla

I think this subject matter (possible epidemic, possible problem with vaccine) was a little too on-the-nose to be enjoyable right now. There was also something...missing from this novel. Can't quite put my finger on it.

I wonder if the unusual name Deenie was a callback to the Judy Blume novel about scoliosis—disease and difference and mean girls?

This is so much more than the true crime book it appears to be. It's a psychological and historical study of a series of murders in context of a certain church, the history of a geographical area, belief in NDEs, and the intersection of racism and apocalyptic prepping...and how this all led to Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell's beliefs in dark souls and the need for particular people to die in order for God's will to be done. To say that two delusional people found each other and murdered their children and one of their spouses is way too simplistic. This is a fascinating work that explores personal and collective fear, power, and psychology.

Reads like the most enjoyable movie. Hope it is made into one someday; I the right hands it could be marvelous and horrifically immersive.

I love how the author leaves some whys to the reader, without tying everything up in a bow.

3 1/2 ⭐️The narration for this audiobook is top notch, but I would still recommend against it, because this story is complicated. Extremely. Harwood is quite talented in weaving disparate details into a multilayered mystery. This one is particular has not only several moving parts, but many, many characters and two generations. I think I got a little lost in parts due to its complexity, the audio format, and the switching of narrators.
That being said, it also has the most creative seance cabinet ever, and it is extremely evocative of mid-19th century London.

Body horror at its best

Are we just the sum of our physicality? Are we more? And is that physical barrier between what is me and the rest of the world breachable? Should it be?