Follow the Leader: Books That Dive Into the Dark World of Cults

Here we explore the chilling, fascinating, and sometimes downright eerie world of cults. These stories reveal the dangers of blind devotion, the allure of power, and the unsettling control charismatic leaders can hold over their followers. Whether you’re drawn to heart-pounding thrillers, crave the comfort of a cozy mystery with a sinister twist, or want to dive into the facts with true crime, this list has something for every reader.

You Have Gone Too Far by Carlene O’Connor

With the haunting, moody prose of Tana French and the compulsive storytelling of Dervla McTiernan or Ann Cleeves, bestselling author Carlene O’Connor lures readers to a remote village on Ireland’s southwest coast, where winding some fear a mysterious cult could be connected to the disappearance of a young pregnant woman.

Her Soul to Take: Deluxe Special Edition by Harley Laroux

Like Buffy or The Vampire Diaries but with tons more spice, a titillating fork-tongued demon, and a ritualistic monster cult, the edgy dark romance that set TikTok on fire is now available as a special deluxe limited edition hardcover for fans of Scarlett St. Claire, Penelope Douglas, and Katee Robert.

Wicked Dreams by Lisa Jackson & Nancy Bush

New York Times bestselling Sisters of Suspense Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush return to Siren Song, an isolated island off the wild Oregon Coast. Some people call it The Colony. Others whisper it’s a cult. For a group of women with extraordinary gifts, it’s both home and refuge. Until evil returns to burn it all down…

One Last Chance by Kat Martin

New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin mixes high-octane adventure with sizzling romance for an explosive thriller featuring a dangerous cult, an ex-Green Beret, and a female private investigator who will stop at nothing to rescue her missing sister and unmask the high-stakes conspiracy at the heart of the Children of the Sun.

19 Yellow Moon Road by Fern Michaels

A thrilling new book in the wildly popular series from the author of Hidden, legendary #1 New York Times bestseller Fern Michaels! The Sisterhood is reuniting to investigate The Haven, a suspicious spiritual organization that’s more dangerous cult than caring commune…

Secrets of a Scottish Isle by Erica Ruth Neubauer

Spirited American Jane Wunderly must investigate a secret society on an isolated isle off the western coast of Scotland where esoteric rituals blur the line between what’s real, what’s illusion, and what’s deadly . . .

Vows of Murder by Lynn Cahoon

Releases February 2025

Jill’s wedding to police chief Greg King is just days away, but the folks in South Cove are more intrigued by what kind of ceremonies might be going on behind the walls of New Hope, the walled property where charismatic Kane Matthews and his followers reside.

The Vanishing at Smokestack Hollow by Jake Anderson

An immersive descent into one of the most mysterious and bizarre unsolved cases of this century. Through extensive research, personal interviews, and exclusive evidence, Anderson unearths the truth behind the disappearance of a loving, plucky family that was gradually worn down, warped–by pain and pathology–into a radicalized cell.

The Manson Women and Me by Nikki Meredith

A stunning and insightful look at one of the most notorious murders of the 20th century – and into the very heart of evil. Broadcast journalist and psychotherapist Nikki Meredith reveals her surprising personal relationships with two of the women involved in the Manson family’s Tate/LaBianca murders.