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Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult
This gripping drama follows Tom Duncan, the sole survivor of the largest cult mass suicide in U.S. history, as he works to rebuild his shattered life. After a Netflix documentary accuses Tom of masterminding the plot that led to the deaths of one hundred thirty-seven people, including his wife, he finds himself exiled from his home and family. Tom seeks redemption through a weekend memorial with other cult members who escaped before the grisly end.
In Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult by Kyle McCord, we see how well-meaning people seeking spiritual community can become ensnared in webs of intrigue and deadly manipulation. Through the lens of a Netflix documentary as well as Tom's personal struggle, this book takes readers on a journey through the dark heart of a simple Iowa commune gone horribly wrong.
In Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult by Kyle McCord, we see how well-meaning people seeking spiritual community can become ensnared in webs of intrigue and deadly manipulation. Through the lens of a Netflix documentary as well as Tom's personal struggle, this book takes readers on a journey through the dark heart of a simple Iowa commune gone horribly wrong.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 18, 2023
I think this story would make a better screenplay or mini-series than a book. I know the author is trying to be creative with the use of the ‘Netflix docuseries’ descriptive chapters. Unfortunately for me they were a bit too dry; even though they involved the key details of the mass suicide and the formation of the cult (which should have made them the most interesting).
At its core Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult is about being a survivor. About how to cope, come to terms with, and ultimately accept that you were a part of a larger event but in a different way than most. Instead you were the only survivor, or one of the few who saw and now carries the horrific sight in your mind, or someone who got lucky and missed the event by some happenstance of fate or karma.
Personally, I would have liked more of our female cop character who witnessed much of the aftermath of the soccer field mass killings. She was very interesting and her conversations with our lead character were probably the best pages of this book.
Overall, this (Kindle only) novel was fine. It wasn’t a thrilling cult story as I had maybe hoped for; and it didn’t go deep enough into the psyche and characters as a true character study novel needs to. It sat somewhere in-between and thus I give it my mediocre rating of 3 stars.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
At its core Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult is about being a survivor. About how to cope, come to terms with, and ultimately accept that you were a part of a larger event but in a different way than most. Instead you were the only survivor, or one of the few who saw and now carries the horrific sight in your mind, or someone who got lucky and missed the event by some happenstance of fate or karma.
Personally, I would have liked more of our female cop character who witnessed much of the aftermath of the soccer field mass killings. She was very interesting and her conversations with our lead character were probably the best pages of this book.
Overall, this (Kindle only) novel was fine. It wasn’t a thrilling cult story as I had maybe hoped for; and it didn’t go deep enough into the psyche and characters as a true character study novel needs to. It sat somewhere in-between and thus I give it my mediocre rating of 3 stars.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
July 31, 2021
My brain jumped with joy at the word cult in the description and that was that. Cults hold an endless fascination for me and I will read all about them.
This one, The Good Weather cult, is a fascinating creation, one resulting in the largest cult suicide on US soil (since Jonestown massacre was in South America). Not quite Jonestown numbers either, but 137 dead, including women and children and in a way that’s considerably more horrifying. With only a sole survivor, a man left to try to rebuild his life from the ashes.
Tom Duncan didn’t mean to join a cult, he was dragged into it by his wife, one of the original devotees. But he stayed in it, for decades, and now being the only one left alive he is a punching bag of public outrage, anguish and disdain. Tom tries to start over with his now adult daughter and young grandchild, but there’s too much ugliness surrounding him, it isn’t safe for him or his family. And so in interest of closure he attends the eponymous reunion and during the few emotionally charged days attempts to sort out all of the unclaimed baggage left to him by his past. It doesn’t go smoothly, trauma processing seldom does, but it’s a necessary journey for Tom, one that may lead to redemption and a way forward in his life.
Cult or not (although given a choice, cult every time), this was a very good dramatic story. The extraordinary circumstances of its protagonist’s life made for a very engaging, emotional read. It was well written and featured fascinatingly complex characters. There are so many cult stories that focus on the cult itself and here the focus was on the aftermath, not the tragedy of dying, but the tragedy or survival. The author did that very cleverly, reminding the audience that the survivor, while vilified by the public opinion, is actually also a victim.
The narrative is interspersed with the excerpts of the popular true crime style documentary about the cult, which was very cleverly done too. I don’t watch that sort of television, it’s too tawdry, too prurient, too emotionally manipulative. But it’s very popular and it’s easy to understand why…there’s a lot of interest in such aberrant behavior and mentality. Cults and serial killers are what sells. But for me, I’ll take the fictionized, fictional option.
A very good book. I’d enjoy it a lot more if the publisher’s advanced reading copy was properly formatted, but it was readable as is. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
This one, The Good Weather cult, is a fascinating creation, one resulting in the largest cult suicide on US soil (since Jonestown massacre was in South America). Not quite Jonestown numbers either, but 137 dead, including women and children and in a way that’s considerably more horrifying. With only a sole survivor, a man left to try to rebuild his life from the ashes.
Tom Duncan didn’t mean to join a cult, he was dragged into it by his wife, one of the original devotees. But he stayed in it, for decades, and now being the only one left alive he is a punching bag of public outrage, anguish and disdain. Tom tries to start over with his now adult daughter and young grandchild, but there’s too much ugliness surrounding him, it isn’t safe for him or his family. And so in interest of closure he attends the eponymous reunion and during the few emotionally charged days attempts to sort out all of the unclaimed baggage left to him by his past. It doesn’t go smoothly, trauma processing seldom does, but it’s a necessary journey for Tom, one that may lead to redemption and a way forward in his life.
Cult or not (although given a choice, cult every time), this was a very good dramatic story. The extraordinary circumstances of its protagonist’s life made for a very engaging, emotional read. It was well written and featured fascinatingly complex characters. There are so many cult stories that focus on the cult itself and here the focus was on the aftermath, not the tragedy of dying, but the tragedy or survival. The author did that very cleverly, reminding the audience that the survivor, while vilified by the public opinion, is actually also a victim.
The narrative is interspersed with the excerpts of the popular true crime style documentary about the cult, which was very cleverly done too. I don’t watch that sort of television, it’s too tawdry, too prurient, too emotionally manipulative. But it’s very popular and it’s easy to understand why…there’s a lot of interest in such aberrant behavior and mentality. Cults and serial killers are what sells. But for me, I’ll take the fictionized, fictional option.
A very good book. I’d enjoy it a lot more if the publisher’s advanced reading copy was properly formatted, but it was readable as is. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
October 8, 2021
Not my cup of tea in the end. I'm interested in anything that has to do with cults, but I didn't like the format the book was written in. The Netflix chapters in between didn't do it for me and the book all-over was hard to read due to merged words and cut off phrases or sentences.
In the end I didn't feel like I got to know that much about the why's and history of the cult itself.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
In the end I didn't feel like I got to know that much about the why's and history of the cult itself.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2021
I DO love a good cult story,and this book puts a new spin on it,having one sole survivor from mass suicide.
It doesn't go too much into detail of the cult itself,rather the aftermath of those left behind,not just the lone survivor,but people who had left the cult,or those from the town the cult lived in.
Some really interesting things in here.
For me,I enjoyed the new angle on a fascinating subject.
It doesn't go too much into detail of the cult itself,rather the aftermath of those left behind,not just the lone survivor,but people who had left the cult,or those from the town the cult lived in.
Some really interesting things in here.
For me,I enjoyed the new angle on a fascinating subject.
Want to read
July 27, 2021This sounds fascinating. I love that it ties in a Netflix documentary (kind of like the Podcast themes I love in stories but maybe even worse!). I'm intrigued!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
January 15, 2022
I received a free Kindle copy of this book via the Goodreads Giveaways program and would like to thank anyone involved in making that happen!
I really enjoyed this fictional novel about the aftermath of a cult community's mass suicide. I find cults endlessly fascinating and this provided some good insight into how a cult forms and evolves and how people get sucked in and "drink the kool-aid" so to speak. I really liked the structure of the book which alternated chapters between the present day lives of the survivors and the past history of the cult and the mass suicide, detailed in documentary episodes. The evolution of the main characters, especially Tom was well done.
I really enjoyed this fictional novel about the aftermath of a cult community's mass suicide. I find cults endlessly fascinating and this provided some good insight into how a cult forms and evolves and how people get sucked in and "drink the kool-aid" so to speak. I really liked the structure of the book which alternated chapters between the present day lives of the survivors and the past history of the cult and the mass suicide, detailed in documentary episodes. The evolution of the main characters, especially Tom was well done.
September 7, 2021
3.5/5
"Don't buy all the B.S. you hear on the news. I'm sure they'll make it seem like we're a bunch of psychos and not a community of people who all believe the same thing and who don't want to journey through this life alone."
I was super excited going into this read. The premise is exciting and I enjoy cult stories, fictional or non-fictional. This book follows Tom Duncan, the sole survivor of the largest mass suicide in US history. Tom Duncan and his wife were a part of the Good Weather cult for most of their lives and in this story, readers follow as he tries to cope with what happened and how it affects his belief in their message while he also tries to reconnect with his adult daughter. Tom faces a lot a of backlash from the public after Netflix makes a documentary that accuses him of masterminding the mass suicide. As the danger in his life rises, he is invited by former members of the cult for a reunion to commemorate the lives lost.
I really enjoyed the format of this book! One of my favorite parts is that the story is written with sections from Tom's perspective and then, opposite that, there are clips from the Netflix documentary. This is another book that I think is already written to make itself into a very interesting TV show or movie.
I appreciated the content as well. The author really does a great job of making it easy for readers to empathize with the cult members. It can be easy to demonize people that take part in things like this and forget that most cult members take part because they want to be seen and wanted and loved and a charismatic manipulator takes advantage of that. I enjoyed these characters and felt emotionally involved with all of the things they were going through, but this is a short book and I wanted a bit more insight into what they all experienced in the past and present.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone that likes cult stories, true crime, or Netflix documentaries!
CW/TWs: multiple mentions of suicide, one page descriptions of murder/suicide, animal killing, emotional abuse, manipulation, infidelity
Thank you to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for my copy of this book!
"Don't buy all the B.S. you hear on the news. I'm sure they'll make it seem like we're a bunch of psychos and not a community of people who all believe the same thing and who don't want to journey through this life alone."
I was super excited going into this read. The premise is exciting and I enjoy cult stories, fictional or non-fictional. This book follows Tom Duncan, the sole survivor of the largest mass suicide in US history. Tom Duncan and his wife were a part of the Good Weather cult for most of their lives and in this story, readers follow as he tries to cope with what happened and how it affects his belief in their message while he also tries to reconnect with his adult daughter. Tom faces a lot a of backlash from the public after Netflix makes a documentary that accuses him of masterminding the mass suicide. As the danger in his life rises, he is invited by former members of the cult for a reunion to commemorate the lives lost.
I really enjoyed the format of this book! One of my favorite parts is that the story is written with sections from Tom's perspective and then, opposite that, there are clips from the Netflix documentary. This is another book that I think is already written to make itself into a very interesting TV show or movie.
I appreciated the content as well. The author really does a great job of making it easy for readers to empathize with the cult members. It can be easy to demonize people that take part in things like this and forget that most cult members take part because they want to be seen and wanted and loved and a charismatic manipulator takes advantage of that. I enjoyed these characters and felt emotionally involved with all of the things they were going through, but this is a short book and I wanted a bit more insight into what they all experienced in the past and present.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone that likes cult stories, true crime, or Netflix documentaries!
CW/TWs: multiple mentions of suicide, one page descriptions of murder/suicide, animal killing, emotional abuse, manipulation, infidelity
Thank you to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for my copy of this book!
April 6, 2022
It's not about a cult; it's about belief.
The author uses the frame of a "cult story," which has become little more than a sub-genre of "true crime," to tell a story about someone coming to terms with the complication of a simple belief system. What you won't find are all the answers or a complete anatomy of a fictional community or a blow-by-gritty-blow account of its gnarly demise. The text does not luxuriate in the delightful repulsiveness of cruelty as some might expect from a cult story. In fact, the framing device of a Netflix documentary does a good job of showing the uninformative extremes that such luxuriating can lead to.
The text is more interested in how this community felt and how it is remembered by those who lived in it. McCord creates an extreme scenario, exceeding even the implications of its cover, but he does so to force the reader to ask questions about belief in general. Perhaps your beliefs have not led to this grisly end, but do you remember how it felt to be surrounded by people who gave a shit about something? We have all been in places where earnestness was earnestly felt, but we usually try to seal ourselves off from that. We try to pretend like that firmness of conviction was naiveté and forget about it. This is a book about coming face to face with the consequences of belief. Even if some of it was absurd or even destructive, you can't throw it all away. What's life if you threw it all away? If you were merely the most reasonable person in the room? If you were merely suspicious?
The structure may not be strictly conventional, but it is compulsively readable. I found it hard to put down, and if you take the book for what it is, rather than what you assume it will be based on the title, then you may well feel the same.
To conclude, I should acknowledge my bias. I took a class from the author at Drake. But I bought the book myself (shouts out to Dog-Eared Books in Ames), and enjoyed the surprise signature. Maybe if you mosey down to an independent bookseller in Iowa, you'll find one too.
The author uses the frame of a "cult story," which has become little more than a sub-genre of "true crime," to tell a story about someone coming to terms with the complication of a simple belief system. What you won't find are all the answers or a complete anatomy of a fictional community or a blow-by-gritty-blow account of its gnarly demise. The text does not luxuriate in the delightful repulsiveness of cruelty as some might expect from a cult story. In fact, the framing device of a Netflix documentary does a good job of showing the uninformative extremes that such luxuriating can lead to.
The text is more interested in how this community felt and how it is remembered by those who lived in it. McCord creates an extreme scenario, exceeding even the implications of its cover, but he does so to force the reader to ask questions about belief in general. Perhaps your beliefs have not led to this grisly end, but do you remember how it felt to be surrounded by people who gave a shit about something? We have all been in places where earnestness was earnestly felt, but we usually try to seal ourselves off from that. We try to pretend like that firmness of conviction was naiveté and forget about it. This is a book about coming face to face with the consequences of belief. Even if some of it was absurd or even destructive, you can't throw it all away. What's life if you threw it all away? If you were merely the most reasonable person in the room? If you were merely suspicious?
The structure may not be strictly conventional, but it is compulsively readable. I found it hard to put down, and if you take the book for what it is, rather than what you assume it will be based on the title, then you may well feel the same.
To conclude, I should acknowledge my bias. I took a class from the author at Drake. But I bought the book myself (shouts out to Dog-Eared Books in Ames), and enjoyed the surprise signature. Maybe if you mosey down to an independent bookseller in Iowa, you'll find one too.
September 19, 2021
So what happens when you are the sole survivor of a cult that commits mass suicide? And then a documentary states that you were involved in killing all your fellow cult members including your wife? Yeah, not the greatest. Because of course that isn't what happened and you are walking around as a scarred victim while strangers are calling you out in the playground where you've taken your sweet little granddaughter. Given that, when the opportunity to meet up with a few other former members of the cult comes up, you go, if only to be around others who are struggling with the same things. As the story goes a long, the characters are developed, mostly Tom Duncan, but also a few of the other remaining people. It was interesting to read a very non-sensationalized version of the life in the cult and how Tom survived day to day afterwards, under the weight of his memories. I know that doesn't sound very exciting, but it was interesting. And there are some other very surprising moments that pop up that I don't want to refer to so as not to ruin the reading for others. Needless to say, if you enjoy all those true crime podcasts, have any interest in cults, or like books with a strong character development, this will be one you will enjoy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
September 15, 2021
Tom Duncan, the protagonist of the novel "Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult," is the only survivor of the largest mass suicide by a cult in US history. (Picture a smaller-scale Jonestown on American soil but much, much bloodier.)
Several former members of the group who left before the suicide, and another who was away that weekend, plan a reunion/memorial for the anniversary of the mass suicide. Tom decides to join them, as his daughter has recently kicked him out of her home. His presence, post-Netflix documentary that exposed him as the alleged mastermind of the suicide plot, has brought unwanted attention to him and has put his granddaughter in danger. But the locals don't exactly want any members of the group to return to their town.
Tom just wants the real truth to come out - he swears he didn't mastermind anything. And he wasn't even supposed to survive. But since the damage has been done by the popular documentary, will anyone - even the people who were in the group with him - believe the truth?
It's a complicated story in a rather short novel (~250 pages). Because the ARC I received had tons of errors that made it difficult to read and cut off sentences in the middle, I wasn't able to follow everything because I had to try to piece together sentence fragments that weren't consecutive but could be a paragraph or two away. Overall I wasn't able to enjoy it due to the errors.
FTC disclosure: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Several former members of the group who left before the suicide, and another who was away that weekend, plan a reunion/memorial for the anniversary of the mass suicide. Tom decides to join them, as his daughter has recently kicked him out of her home. His presence, post-Netflix documentary that exposed him as the alleged mastermind of the suicide plot, has brought unwanted attention to him and has put his granddaughter in danger. But the locals don't exactly want any members of the group to return to their town.
Tom just wants the real truth to come out - he swears he didn't mastermind anything. And he wasn't even supposed to survive. But since the damage has been done by the popular documentary, will anyone - even the people who were in the group with him - believe the truth?
It's a complicated story in a rather short novel (~250 pages). Because the ARC I received had tons of errors that made it difficult to read and cut off sentences in the middle, I wasn't able to follow everything because I had to try to piece together sentence fragments that weren't consecutive but could be a paragraph or two away. Overall I wasn't able to enjoy it due to the errors.
FTC disclosure: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
September 17, 2021
This book was fascinating. From the Netflix episodes, to the conversations of the characters, to the reveals, to the climax... all of it was so fun. I am giving it three stars because I feel that it is a three star book, but I still had a lot of fun reading it. Cults have always interested me, so this was right up my alley.
August 23, 2021
Ehhhh. Well at least I learned what a bean hook is. This book had a good premise but it also had a lot of plot holes. Id have liked to have known more about how Tom ended up with the cult recovery center help, what exactly happened to Thames, how and why Bryce is so happy and so much more. The format was good with the cut scenes to the “Netflix” show transcripts. I really enjoyed that. It’s a shame this just didn’t work out for me.
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review.
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review.
September 4, 2021
Thanks to Atmosphere Press for the gifted copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I couldn’t tell if this was a fiction or non-fiction book at first, and the link to a 2020 Netflix documentary (also fake) didn’t help me. I had to do some googling before found out it was indeed all a fictionalised novel. And I’m very glad it is, as imagining this could you happen is quite horrifying.
I am fascinated by stories - real or fictional - about mass deaths, serial killers and cults as I find I (thankfully) cannot get into their headspace, so it’s always a real eye opening and endlessly interesting.
I did find it difficult to read at times, with the main narrative interspersed with interviews, TV footage, and screen captions. Each section also rolls into the next so you’re not always sure what bit you’re reading. There are also no chapters, which personally I don’t like. I enjoy short chapters that I can get stuck into. However, once you’ve wrapped your head round the formatting, you can lose yourself in it.
It’s a dramatic book that - considering the unusual and niche storyline - is steeped in realism. It is entertaining and engaging and emotional.
I couldn’t tell if this was a fiction or non-fiction book at first, and the link to a 2020 Netflix documentary (also fake) didn’t help me. I had to do some googling before found out it was indeed all a fictionalised novel. And I’m very glad it is, as imagining this could you happen is quite horrifying.
I am fascinated by stories - real or fictional - about mass deaths, serial killers and cults as I find I (thankfully) cannot get into their headspace, so it’s always a real eye opening and endlessly interesting.
I did find it difficult to read at times, with the main narrative interspersed with interviews, TV footage, and screen captions. Each section also rolls into the next so you’re not always sure what bit you’re reading. There are also no chapters, which personally I don’t like. I enjoy short chapters that I can get stuck into. However, once you’ve wrapped your head round the formatting, you can lose yourself in it.
It’s a dramatic book that - considering the unusual and niche storyline - is steeped in realism. It is entertaining and engaging and emotional.
May 11, 2022
Picked this up on a whim with no prior knowledge. Couldn't put it down and read it all in one day. Definitely one of my favorite books of the year. As someone who deals with (far less extreme) tensions about the potential harms and gifts of religion, I think this story will stick with me for a long time & probably become one that I return to in various stages of my life.
August 18, 2021
*I have received this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Cults. I’ve read and listened to a lot on that topic. I know things that my mom considers creepy to know. But I can’t help it. I’m absolutely consumed by intrigue. When I saw this book on NetGalley, it was an instant request. And I was checking my inbox regularly to see if they’d accepted me, not expecting them to. I was elated when they responded.
This book follows Tom Duncan, who is the only person at the Good Weather cult camp that survived the night of their mass suicide. Unfortunately, these things don’t just go away. A Netflix documentary is made about that night that includes Tom’s interviews with a detective who believes Tom masterminded that whole thing. The documentary gains traction, and suddenly people on the street feel like they know him, and they don’t like who they know.
After being told by his daughter that she needs space and he needs to leave, Tom finds himself at a reunion of other people who had been a part of Good Weather at one time or another but were not there that night. All of whom have had drastic differences in how they experienced the camp. There are laughs, shared secrets, and heartbreaks.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐(3 stars)
I was worried because I’d never read about a fictional cult before, only true crime stores. How would it compare to all of the information stored in my mind? I was pleasantly surprised. McCord knows his stuff about cults. How they operate, what type of people lead them, etc. Good Weather felt like a place I could easily hear about on one of the podcasts I listen to. I was ready to hear the sordid details and feel all of the feelings.
Unfortunately, the only real feeling I felt was solemnity. There wasn’t much in the way of happiness, or horror, or awe. There was some sadness and the rest an even-keeled solemnity. I wanted to feel more; I wanted to be more surprised; I wanted a bigger reveal.
Tom was likable, and I wanted him to get off well in the end. But there was no significant character growth. His daughter once mentioned therapy for him, and he never even considered it. He didn’t seem to get over any of the crucial problems that ailed him. We never saw him do anything for those issues aside from reconnecting with others from the cult.
Lastly, a tiny thing seemed to be an inconsistency to me, and that just bugged me. I wished I could ask the author to explain it to me, but it will always bug me now.
The book was well written and an easy read. But it wasn’t anything too exciting. However, I commend McCord, and I’ll keep an eye out for other books .
Cults. I’ve read and listened to a lot on that topic. I know things that my mom considers creepy to know. But I can’t help it. I’m absolutely consumed by intrigue. When I saw this book on NetGalley, it was an instant request. And I was checking my inbox regularly to see if they’d accepted me, not expecting them to. I was elated when they responded.
This book follows Tom Duncan, who is the only person at the Good Weather cult camp that survived the night of their mass suicide. Unfortunately, these things don’t just go away. A Netflix documentary is made about that night that includes Tom’s interviews with a detective who believes Tom masterminded that whole thing. The documentary gains traction, and suddenly people on the street feel like they know him, and they don’t like who they know.
After being told by his daughter that she needs space and he needs to leave, Tom finds himself at a reunion of other people who had been a part of Good Weather at one time or another but were not there that night. All of whom have had drastic differences in how they experienced the camp. There are laughs, shared secrets, and heartbreaks.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐(3 stars)
I was worried because I’d never read about a fictional cult before, only true crime stores. How would it compare to all of the information stored in my mind? I was pleasantly surprised. McCord knows his stuff about cults. How they operate, what type of people lead them, etc. Good Weather felt like a place I could easily hear about on one of the podcasts I listen to. I was ready to hear the sordid details and feel all of the feelings.
Unfortunately, the only real feeling I felt was solemnity. There wasn’t much in the way of happiness, or horror, or awe. There was some sadness and the rest an even-keeled solemnity. I wanted to feel more; I wanted to be more surprised; I wanted a bigger reveal.
Tom was likable, and I wanted him to get off well in the end. But there was no significant character growth. His daughter once mentioned therapy for him, and he never even considered it. He didn’t seem to get over any of the crucial problems that ailed him. We never saw him do anything for those issues aside from reconnecting with others from the cult.
Lastly, a tiny thing seemed to be an inconsistency to me, and that just bugged me. I wished I could ask the author to explain it to me, but it will always bug me now.
The book was well written and an easy read. But it wasn’t anything too exciting. However, I commend McCord, and I’ll keep an eye out for other books .
September 22, 2021
The premise was excellent, as many have already remarked: The lone survivor of a horrific cult mass murder/suicide is both physically and emotionally scarred by the experience, left a social outcast thanks to a Netflix documentary, and alienated from his remaining family which fears for its own safety due to social repercussions when in his presence. It was also disturbing, of course, so I approached with caution. A renowned poet, the author has great felicity of language. There are many great descriptions, allusions, and callbacks to previous chapters. The most vivid descriptions are those of the murder/suicide site--as it should be, perhaps, but it was damn disturbing.
I felt a bit shorted on some of the characters. I may have missed the background to Bryce's unwavering optimism, and Thames' reasoning sometimes seem less-than-reasonable. But I defer to the author's research and expertise. On the other hand, the megalomaniacal leader of the cult was made shockingly, revoltingly clear. And the sheriff, who was a responding officer on the day of the suicide, is a great character, with grace but also a healthy dose of reality and obedience to her town. Rio was more clearly drawn, while Tom (the protagonist) just didn't work for me, for reasons I cannot explain. Even so, the implicit criticism of the media carries with it a certain satisfying saving grace, and a late-in-the novel revelation is a powerful empathy-builder.
The book is not all gruesomeness or PTSD, although both figure substantially in the narrative. It certainly offers fascinating insights into cult behavior, so if you're drawn to this then the novel should definitely be on your list.
I felt a bit shorted on some of the characters. I may have missed the background to Bryce's unwavering optimism, and Thames' reasoning sometimes seem less-than-reasonable. But I defer to the author's research and expertise. On the other hand, the megalomaniacal leader of the cult was made shockingly, revoltingly clear. And the sheriff, who was a responding officer on the day of the suicide, is a great character, with grace but also a healthy dose of reality and obedience to her town. Rio was more clearly drawn, while Tom (the protagonist) just didn't work for me, for reasons I cannot explain. Even so, the implicit criticism of the media carries with it a certain satisfying saving grace, and a late-in-the novel revelation is a powerful empathy-builder.
The book is not all gruesomeness or PTSD, although both figure substantially in the narrative. It certainly offers fascinating insights into cult behavior, so if you're drawn to this then the novel should definitely be on your list.
September 13, 2021
[1 Star]
Nope.
There were A LOT of grammatical and structural issues in this book. I sincerely hope that this is attributable to the fact that I was reading an advanced reader's copy, but still......it definitely detracted from my ability to enjoy the story. The entire reading process felt like a puzzle and there were a couple of sentences that I still don't know what they were trying to say.
Aside from that, the plot itself really didn't deliver. The characters fell extremely flat for me. It felt more like they were pawns that McCord was moving around against their will than naturally acting people. Which meant that I didn't believe any of their actions, words, or decisions. Furthermore, I don't think that this book explored or worked through the complexities of the Good Weather Cult's mass suicide in any meaningful way. It mostly just fell stagnant and a lot of loose ends were left behind (like I still don't understand how Tom possibly could have survived).
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this. There are many other books out there that do this idea better.
Nope.
There were A LOT of grammatical and structural issues in this book. I sincerely hope that this is attributable to the fact that I was reading an advanced reader's copy, but still......it definitely detracted from my ability to enjoy the story. The entire reading process felt like a puzzle and there were a couple of sentences that I still don't know what they were trying to say.
Aside from that, the plot itself really didn't deliver. The characters fell extremely flat for me. It felt more like they were pawns that McCord was moving around against their will than naturally acting people. Which meant that I didn't believe any of their actions, words, or decisions. Furthermore, I don't think that this book explored or worked through the complexities of the Good Weather Cult's mass suicide in any meaningful way. It mostly just fell stagnant and a lot of loose ends were left behind (like I still don't understand how Tom possibly could have survived).
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this. There are many other books out there that do this idea better.
October 21, 2021
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Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult by Kyle McCord tells of a man who survived a mass suicide of cult he belonged to, only to be vilified by a documentary maker as the murder. Mr. McCord is a published author, this is his first novel.
Tom Duncan was the sole survivor of the largest cult mass suicide in the United States. Slowly Tom tries to rebuild his life, and get to know his daughter and granddaughter.
However, Tom cannot get the anonymity he wants. A Netflix documentary claiming that Tom’s survival wasn’t an accident, but that he’s responsible
Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult by Kyle McCord was a very well written drama. The author tells two styles of stories, that of Tom Duncan, and an emotionally manipulative documentary.
The uniqueness of this story is that it tells of primarily of survival. There are many stories, non-fiction as well as fiction, which tell of cults, and ask poignant questions.
Why do people join?
What makes them give up their previous lives?
What prompts them to kill themselves?
And, of course, the deep belief in one claiming to be a prophet.
The aftermath, however, could be even more cruel than ending it all. This is especially true when a smear documentary is made about you.
Another interesting aspect of the book is they way the author described how the cult got popular. Tom was one of the first people to join, so we got to view through his eyes the beginning of it all.
There were several interesting characters in the book, most of them were former cult members. I didn’t care that the author used their “cult name” throughout. I just thought it was a weird choice, especially since they are trying to move on.
The novel uses the narrative to tackle grief, not only for Tom, but also the rest of the ex-cultists. Tom, being America’s most hated man thanks to the documentary is, surprisingly, not had the most difficult time.
I do know what it’s like to be a part of a community, and then to leave. It is a difficult thing and a feeling one wants to get back, if possible. This novel, above all, captures that feeling at times.
Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult by Kyle McCord tells of a man who survived a mass suicide of cult he belonged to, only to be vilified by a documentary maker as the murder. Mr. McCord is a published author, this is his first novel.
Tom Duncan was the sole survivor of the largest cult mass suicide in the United States. Slowly Tom tries to rebuild his life, and get to know his daughter and granddaughter.
However, Tom cannot get the anonymity he wants. A Netflix documentary claiming that Tom’s survival wasn’t an accident, but that he’s responsible
Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult by Kyle McCord was a very well written drama. The author tells two styles of stories, that of Tom Duncan, and an emotionally manipulative documentary.
The uniqueness of this story is that it tells of primarily of survival. There are many stories, non-fiction as well as fiction, which tell of cults, and ask poignant questions.
Why do people join?
What makes them give up their previous lives?
What prompts them to kill themselves?
And, of course, the deep belief in one claiming to be a prophet.
The aftermath, however, could be even more cruel than ending it all. This is especially true when a smear documentary is made about you.
Another interesting aspect of the book is they way the author described how the cult got popular. Tom was one of the first people to join, so we got to view through his eyes the beginning of it all.
There were several interesting characters in the book, most of them were former cult members. I didn’t care that the author used their “cult name” throughout. I just thought it was a weird choice, especially since they are trying to move on.
The novel uses the narrative to tackle grief, not only for Tom, but also the rest of the ex-cultists. Tom, being America’s most hated man thanks to the documentary is, surprisingly, not had the most difficult time.
I do know what it’s like to be a part of a community, and then to leave. It is a difficult thing and a feeling one wants to get back, if possible. This novel, above all, captures that feeling at times.
August 29, 2021
Tom Duncan is the sole survivor of the Good Weather Cult mass suicide. After a Netflix docuseries is released pointing fingers at Tom, aka Ohio, he struggles to reintegrate into life outside of Good Weather following the deaths of his wife and friends. Tom receives an invitation to attend a reunion of former Good Weather members who had left the cult prior to the mass suicide.
When I saw the description of this book I was instantly intrigued, I am fascinated by stories of cults and how rational people can be lead astray when in a community lead by a charismatic and manipulative leader. Good Weather certainly paints the picture of the ways that someone can fall prey to a cult by illustrating the strong sense of community and family the remaining members of Good Weather had with each other. Like many cults in the real world, the members were lonely or looking for direction in their lives and unfortunately the leader, in this case a man who goes by the name of Rain, took advantage of those desires.
I loved the development of the characters and seeing them tackle their grief over the course of this book. I thought it was beautiful the ways that the characters could grieve in their own ways while also grieving together. The interspersed descriptions of the Netflix docuseries helped to paint the picture of public opinion and add drama to the plot.
I did wish there was more of Alle and Anna throughout the book. Both characters had such interesting stories and are so important to Tom it would have been interesting to see them more throughout the story.
Thank you to Atmosphere Press and NetGalley for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review
When I saw the description of this book I was instantly intrigued, I am fascinated by stories of cults and how rational people can be lead astray when in a community lead by a charismatic and manipulative leader. Good Weather certainly paints the picture of the ways that someone can fall prey to a cult by illustrating the strong sense of community and family the remaining members of Good Weather had with each other. Like many cults in the real world, the members were lonely or looking for direction in their lives and unfortunately the leader, in this case a man who goes by the name of Rain, took advantage of those desires.
I loved the development of the characters and seeing them tackle their grief over the course of this book. I thought it was beautiful the ways that the characters could grieve in their own ways while also grieving together. The interspersed descriptions of the Netflix docuseries helped to paint the picture of public opinion and add drama to the plot.
I did wish there was more of Alle and Anna throughout the book. Both characters had such interesting stories and are so important to Tom it would have been interesting to see them more throughout the story.
Thank you to Atmosphere Press and NetGalley for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review
October 3, 2021
I am obsessive about cults. They fascinate me. How did ONE PERSON get all these people (or even just a few people) to fall into the same collective insanity and have NO ONE question them? It's seriously mind-boggling and fascinating.
So, needless to say, when I saw the title and read the description I was IN. I was ALL IN.
After being made the scapegoat by a Netflix documentary covering the mass suicide of the Good Weather cult, Tom Duncan is living a very limited life. He can barely leave the house without turning heads and eliciting comments from strangers about his culpability in the tragedy. Even taking his granddaughter to the park isn't safe. So, in the interest of keeping his remaining family safe, Tom heads out to the so mentioned reunion. Over the course of several days, Tom works through the biggest pile of emotional baggage you've ever seen. Confronting tragedy and trauma is always difficult, but the time he spends with the ones who had left the cult pre-mass suicide is rife with tension and heightened emotions.
As I said, I'm obsessed with cults. So the peek into that life, though fictional, was very intriguing to me. The story being interspersed with "clips" from the Netflix Documentary was definitely an interesting stylistic choice and worked well. There aren't a lot of characters with redeeming characteristics in this story, but that's to be expected considering the content. Tom DOES have the potential for redemption, and you see that change in him as the story progresses.
My only real complaint with the story is that there wasn't a lot of detail about what exactly the cult was about. We know that the people involved fell under Rain's spell mostly due to loneliness or looking for some sort of direction in life. It would have been nice, to know more about the tenets of the cult so that I could understand WHY these people not only followed him, but gave their lives to cross over into his version of the hereafter.
Thank you again to Atmosphere Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
So, needless to say, when I saw the title and read the description I was IN. I was ALL IN.
After being made the scapegoat by a Netflix documentary covering the mass suicide of the Good Weather cult, Tom Duncan is living a very limited life. He can barely leave the house without turning heads and eliciting comments from strangers about his culpability in the tragedy. Even taking his granddaughter to the park isn't safe. So, in the interest of keeping his remaining family safe, Tom heads out to the so mentioned reunion. Over the course of several days, Tom works through the biggest pile of emotional baggage you've ever seen. Confronting tragedy and trauma is always difficult, but the time he spends with the ones who had left the cult pre-mass suicide is rife with tension and heightened emotions.
As I said, I'm obsessed with cults. So the peek into that life, though fictional, was very intriguing to me. The story being interspersed with "clips" from the Netflix Documentary was definitely an interesting stylistic choice and worked well. There aren't a lot of characters with redeeming characteristics in this story, but that's to be expected considering the content. Tom DOES have the potential for redemption, and you see that change in him as the story progresses.
My only real complaint with the story is that there wasn't a lot of detail about what exactly the cult was about. We know that the people involved fell under Rain's spell mostly due to loneliness or looking for some sort of direction in life. It would have been nice, to know more about the tenets of the cult so that I could understand WHY these people not only followed him, but gave their lives to cross over into his version of the hereafter.
Thank you again to Atmosphere Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2022
Interesting story about the sole survivor of a cult's mass suicide. After the release of a Netflix documentary on the Good Weather cult riles people up against survivor Tom, he agrees to meet up with the only three other people who had a direct relationship with the cult.
(I liked how the story was framed by the Netflix documentary. I kept thinking, "I want to watch the documentary," and then I'd remember that it was fictional.)
During this reunion they talk about what happened in the cult, what's happened to their lives since the mass suicide, how none of them has truly healed/moved on, etc. They also go on a memorial hike, get high on gummies, stop one of their own from committing suicide, and get arrested. These four, as messy as their lives may be, are the only ones who truly understand each other.
The most interesting part for me was hearing how the cult had affected the people in the town where the cult was located. I wish there had been more development of their stories, especially the sheriff's deputy. She questions them after a memorial hike goes sideways, and it's revealed she was the one who found the cult leader after the suicide occurs.
Although the cult was...well, a cult, I could see how people would be attracted to it. Coming together and working as a community to help each other is nothing new. And the idea of staying away from "spiritual and physical" pollution is everywhere: yoga, veganism, meditation, bio-hacking. In fact, it sounds kind of nice (in a rural, throwback kind of way), if only it weren't for the cult-leader-sex, suicide plans, and farming. Farming is really hard work.
(I liked how the story was framed by the Netflix documentary. I kept thinking, "I want to watch the documentary," and then I'd remember that it was fictional.)
During this reunion they talk about what happened in the cult, what's happened to their lives since the mass suicide, how none of them has truly healed/moved on, etc. They also go on a memorial hike, get high on gummies, stop one of their own from committing suicide, and get arrested. These four, as messy as their lives may be, are the only ones who truly understand each other.
The most interesting part for me was hearing how the cult had affected the people in the town where the cult was located. I wish there had been more development of their stories, especially the sheriff's deputy. She questions them after a memorial hike goes sideways, and it's revealed she was the one who found the cult leader after the suicide occurs.
Although the cult was...well, a cult, I could see how people would be attracted to it. Coming together and working as a community to help each other is nothing new. And the idea of staying away from "spiritual and physical" pollution is everywhere: yoga, veganism, meditation, bio-hacking. In fact, it sounds kind of nice (in a rural, throwback kind of way), if only it weren't for the cult-leader-sex, suicide plans, and farming. Farming is really hard work.
January 26, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for the digital galley of this book.
When a hit, true crime Netflix documentary accuses Tom Duncan of murder, the sole survivor of the Good Weather Cult mass suicide must reckon with his past as he struggles to rebuild his life, his relationship with his daughter and granddaughter. A former member who left before the ritual invites the remaining members (herself and another member who left before the ritual, Tom, and the son of a deceased member), and Tom doesn’t want to g, but he can’t resist the draw of the only people who understand, and the possibility of redemption, at least in their eyes.
This book wasn’t what I was expecting, though I’m not sure what I expected. Honestly, I saw the word cult and hit that request button, because welp, I like cults. Scratch that. I’m fascinated by cults. This book was way more depressing, devastating, and heart warming than I predicted. Usually I go for weird/horrorish cult stories where weird things happen to the survivors, but that’s not what I got here.
This is a brutal look at what losing everyone you lived with, loved, and built community with, grappling with that loss, and enduring the survivor’s guilt and accusations that come with that burden. I got teary eyed once or twice, and I really wanted these characters to find some healing at the end of their harrowing journey. It’s worth a read, but maybe chase it with something light.
When a hit, true crime Netflix documentary accuses Tom Duncan of murder, the sole survivor of the Good Weather Cult mass suicide must reckon with his past as he struggles to rebuild his life, his relationship with his daughter and granddaughter. A former member who left before the ritual invites the remaining members (herself and another member who left before the ritual, Tom, and the son of a deceased member), and Tom doesn’t want to g, but he can’t resist the draw of the only people who understand, and the possibility of redemption, at least in their eyes.
This book wasn’t what I was expecting, though I’m not sure what I expected. Honestly, I saw the word cult and hit that request button, because welp, I like cults. Scratch that. I’m fascinated by cults. This book was way more depressing, devastating, and heart warming than I predicted. Usually I go for weird/horrorish cult stories where weird things happen to the survivors, but that’s not what I got here.
This is a brutal look at what losing everyone you lived with, loved, and built community with, grappling with that loss, and enduring the survivor’s guilt and accusations that come with that burden. I got teary eyed once or twice, and I really wanted these characters to find some healing at the end of their harrowing journey. It’s worth a read, but maybe chase it with something light.
August 17, 2021
Suicide cults fascinate us all ,how do people become so embroiled in the philosophy and religion of a cult that they willingly commit mass suicide
This novel tells the story of one such cult through the eyes of the very few who for a mixture of reasons survived the mass suicide that was the ultimate fate for so many of their friends
I read an early copy on NetGalley uk and it was unfortunately riddled with formatting errors making reading it as times a struggle .It was however the high quality of the writing that kept me reading .A less well written book and I would have abandoned the struggle
The main character is interesting and I really wanted to know more about his life.The book is fast paced and exciting focusing on the relationships between characters rather than on the horror of the mass suicide
I found the character of Thames the least well drawn I didn’t feel I knew enough of her personal psychology to fully buy her own struggles and ultimate end .She was introduced later on in the story when she probably needed to be a more major character all along for her ultimate fate to resonate more with the reader
Ultimately I did enjoy the book but my jiggles with the ending reduced my rating from 4 to 3
This novel tells the story of one such cult through the eyes of the very few who for a mixture of reasons survived the mass suicide that was the ultimate fate for so many of their friends
I read an early copy on NetGalley uk and it was unfortunately riddled with formatting errors making reading it as times a struggle .It was however the high quality of the writing that kept me reading .A less well written book and I would have abandoned the struggle
The main character is interesting and I really wanted to know more about his life.The book is fast paced and exciting focusing on the relationships between characters rather than on the horror of the mass suicide
I found the character of Thames the least well drawn I didn’t feel I knew enough of her personal psychology to fully buy her own struggles and ultimate end .She was introduced later on in the story when she probably needed to be a more major character all along for her ultimate fate to resonate more with the reader
Ultimately I did enjoy the book but my jiggles with the ending reduced my rating from 4 to 3
February 10, 2022
Don't drink the Kool-Aid. Well, it was
actually Flavor-Aid but it doesn't quite have the same
ring to it does it?
As an outsider, we love a cult. Who wouldn't? With
equal parts morbid curiosity and egocentric positivity
that we'd never fall into such a group the overlap with
true crime is incredibly tantalising. Especially when
Netflix makes it so easy to absorb these stories!
Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult isn't a true
story but it could be and it pulls a great deal from the
stories of The People's Temple and the tragedy of
Jonestown and the followers of Heaven's Gate.
The story follows Tom, or Ohio if you're part of the
initiated and his coming to terms with the loss of
almost everything in his life after the group commits
mass suic*de at the behest of their leader, Rain.
As he scrambles and in some cases fails to pick up the
pieces of his crumbled life we see first hand the effects
that cults have on both sides of the aisle. The toxicity
and purity of the commune in equal measure often feel
both desirable and like a nightmare you need to escape
from.
This is a very quick read and one that I can feel will
stick with me as I'm still working through certain events
hours after closing the back cover.
actually Flavor-Aid but it doesn't quite have the same
ring to it does it?
As an outsider, we love a cult. Who wouldn't? With
equal parts morbid curiosity and egocentric positivity
that we'd never fall into such a group the overlap with
true crime is incredibly tantalising. Especially when
Netflix makes it so easy to absorb these stories!
Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult isn't a true
story but it could be and it pulls a great deal from the
stories of The People's Temple and the tragedy of
Jonestown and the followers of Heaven's Gate.
The story follows Tom, or Ohio if you're part of the
initiated and his coming to terms with the loss of
almost everything in his life after the group commits
mass suic*de at the behest of their leader, Rain.
As he scrambles and in some cases fails to pick up the
pieces of his crumbled life we see first hand the effects
that cults have on both sides of the aisle. The toxicity
and purity of the commune in equal measure often feel
both desirable and like a nightmare you need to escape
from.
This is a very quick read and one that I can feel will
stick with me as I'm still working through certain events
hours after closing the back cover.
April 12, 2022
Disclosure: I won a free copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Tom Duncan is the lone survivor of the Good Weather mass suicide cult, the biggest mass suicide on United States soil. As he looks to rebuild his life after having his throat slashed by his wife, he runs into obstacles that make it more difficult than he imagined.
A Netflix true crime documentary paints him as a murderer and the scapegoat for the public's wrath. Everywhere he goes somebody inevitably confronts him in anger about his role in the cult, making it nearly impossible to have a relationship with his daughter and granddaughter.
When a former member of the cult invites him to a reunion of other former members, Tom agrees to attend, hoping to find some closure. While he's given something that helps clear his name, he still has struggles to rebuild his life.
While the premise of this book is good, there are too many missed opportunities to really get into the mind of the main character. A fast and interesting read but not a lot of depth into cults.
Tom Duncan is the lone survivor of the Good Weather mass suicide cult, the biggest mass suicide on United States soil. As he looks to rebuild his life after having his throat slashed by his wife, he runs into obstacles that make it more difficult than he imagined.
A Netflix true crime documentary paints him as a murderer and the scapegoat for the public's wrath. Everywhere he goes somebody inevitably confronts him in anger about his role in the cult, making it nearly impossible to have a relationship with his daughter and granddaughter.
When a former member of the cult invites him to a reunion of other former members, Tom agrees to attend, hoping to find some closure. While he's given something that helps clear his name, he still has struggles to rebuild his life.
While the premise of this book is good, there are too many missed opportunities to really get into the mind of the main character. A fast and interesting read but not a lot of depth into cults.
August 21, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book.
I enjoyed this, thought Tom Duncan was a memorable protagonist. The novel has something interesting to say about the ethics of true crime, and notably skewers the Netflix approach to that genre.
I struggled at times with the narrative voice - which felt like it moved through several distinct styles as the novel progressed. I would've liked a little more specificity and consistency.
Cults are a source of endless fascination and certainly the first 100 pages harnessed that intrigue, and that mystery. I did wonder, in the second half, whether the point of view of the cult in question felt original or startling enough. That's always the challenge of taken on a well worn subject and The Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult doesn't always quite meet it.
Nonetheless, I read the novel in two days, and was fully invested throughout. Definitely worth reading if the subject appeals.
I enjoyed this, thought Tom Duncan was a memorable protagonist. The novel has something interesting to say about the ethics of true crime, and notably skewers the Netflix approach to that genre.
I struggled at times with the narrative voice - which felt like it moved through several distinct styles as the novel progressed. I would've liked a little more specificity and consistency.
Cults are a source of endless fascination and certainly the first 100 pages harnessed that intrigue, and that mystery. I did wonder, in the second half, whether the point of view of the cult in question felt original or startling enough. That's always the challenge of taken on a well worn subject and The Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult doesn't always quite meet it.
Nonetheless, I read the novel in two days, and was fully invested throughout. Definitely worth reading if the subject appeals.
September 9, 2021
I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was fascinated by the premise of this book; I mean how could you not be? A cult commits mass suicide and everyone points the finger at the sole survivor, Tom Duncan. The book follows Tom as he struggles to deal with not only the fallout of the mass suicide, but the aftermath of a poorly done documentary on Netflix. After an incident at a park, Tom meets up with 3 other members of the cult for a reunion. During his time at the reunion, we find out that Tom has been holding on to trauma (of course) he has yet to share with anyone. He discloses some events with a member, Thames, who was both close to Tom’s wife, Alle, and Rain the cult leader.
I found the book to be entertaining and thought the wrap-up was done nicely. I also enjoyed the addition of the documentary, I like podcast type books so that was a nice touch.
I was fascinated by the premise of this book; I mean how could you not be? A cult commits mass suicide and everyone points the finger at the sole survivor, Tom Duncan. The book follows Tom as he struggles to deal with not only the fallout of the mass suicide, but the aftermath of a poorly done documentary on Netflix. After an incident at a park, Tom meets up with 3 other members of the cult for a reunion. During his time at the reunion, we find out that Tom has been holding on to trauma (of course) he has yet to share with anyone. He discloses some events with a member, Thames, who was both close to Tom’s wife, Alle, and Rain the cult leader.
I found the book to be entertaining and thought the wrap-up was done nicely. I also enjoyed the addition of the documentary, I like podcast type books so that was a nice touch.
September 13, 2021
Tom Duncan is the sole survivor of the Good weather Cult mass suicide. After a Netflix documentary portrays him as a perpetrator in the terrible massacre and not a victim he goes into hiding but an invitation from a few other Good Weather exiles that left before the terrible incident occurred pulls him out and back into the past where he will have to face the not only the decisions he made the the uncover the truth of what really happened.
This was a gripping and addictive story; the Netflix elements made this feel like an actual documentary or true crime podcast. Tom's survivors guilt and his slow revelations of what happened in the leading up to the suicides was so interesting and the focus on the reunion group allowed the reader to see all of the varying emotions from those left behind after a truly horrific event.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review
This was a gripping and addictive story; the Netflix elements made this feel like an actual documentary or true crime podcast. Tom's survivors guilt and his slow revelations of what happened in the leading up to the suicides was so interesting and the focus on the reunion group allowed the reader to see all of the varying emotions from those left behind after a truly horrific event.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review
August 24, 2021
I've been a fan of Kyle McCord for years - longer than much of his published writing career. His move from poetry to prose is smooth and inspired in this new novel. He has always been an expert storyteller. This novel introduces us to interesting and dynamic characters who are brought together because of a strong story they share together.
The elements of faith and community and cohesion ring true. Our culture is easily obsessed and distracted by the latest tell-all streaming documentary, and in the midst of the mindless binging that these offer it is easy to forget that real people are a part of the plot. And that caricatures, no matter how much they seem warranted, never tell the whole story.
I was so glad to be introduced to this cast of characters, and to have the opportunity to glimpse into their inner workings as they strive for fulfillment and a sense of purpose.
The elements of faith and community and cohesion ring true. Our culture is easily obsessed and distracted by the latest tell-all streaming documentary, and in the midst of the mindless binging that these offer it is easy to forget that real people are a part of the plot. And that caricatures, no matter how much they seem warranted, never tell the whole story.
I was so glad to be introduced to this cast of characters, and to have the opportunity to glimpse into their inner workings as they strive for fulfillment and a sense of purpose.
December 11, 2021
In Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult by Kyle McCord, we see how well-meaning people seeking spiritual community can become ensnared in webs of intrigue and deadly manipulation. Through the lens of a Netflix documentary as well as Tom's personal struggle, this book takes readers on a journey through the dark heart of a simple Iowa commune gone horribly wrong. (less)
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I really wanted to love this one! I am fascinated by cults and I love this trend of "faux documentary" books lately. However, this one just didn't work for me. I didn't feel connected to the characters or feel the pull to keep reading after putting it down.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my ARC!
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I really wanted to love this one! I am fascinated by cults and I love this trend of "faux documentary" books lately. However, this one just didn't work for me. I didn't feel connected to the characters or feel the pull to keep reading after putting it down.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my ARC!
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