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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
fascinating look at a cult, September 30, 2008
This review is from: The Black Cloister: A Novel (Paperback)
In 1991 when Elise Friedman turned eight her mom Catrina suddenly died. Raised by an adoptive father Steve, she grew up wondering about her biological dad and her mom's life in Germany before coming to the States. She especially thought about reasons her mom left her homeland.
Now seventeen years later, Elise obsesses over knowing the truth. In Berlin Elise meets her mom's best friend Ambassador Addison Wade, showing the stunned older woman a photo of Addison with Catrina. Addison wants to ignore Elise as she has buried the past especially since her next post will be American Ambassador to the UN. Elise explains discrepancies in her mom's past and Steve's story. Reluctantly Addison, understanding the resolute visitor and fearing for her going solo, takes her to Heidelberg where the quest of the Chosen began.
THE BLACK CLOISTER is a fascinating look at a cult from several perspectives. The story line is fast-paced from the moment a determined Elise arrives in Berlin and never slows with one twist after another as the danger mounts. Steve's refusal to explain anything leaves Elise taking risks that turn her into a target; yet remaining true to his vows just seems wrong. Still this exhilarating thriller will hook the audience as the present inquiry into the past turns dangerous.
Harriet Klausner
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredibly engaging and suspenseful tale!, May 21, 2008
This review is from: The Black Cloister: A Novel (Paperback)
This brilliantly written novel is sure to educate and inspire readers. The insight Dobson demonstrates regarding the minds of cult leaders and their victims is incredibly accurate. In fact, this is the by far best book I've read that addresses this important issue. I've worked with abused children and pedophiles for nearly two decades and the way perpetrators view the world is clearly skewed by their own twisted desires. The author brings that out in The Black Cloister and shows why women stay in situations that are obviously abusive and why they often don't tell anyone who can help them get out. Dobson weaves a powerful and emotionally gripping tale that at times was so suspenseful that I would rather read the story than eat or sleep. The conclusion is also satisfying as it shows the power of true Godly love and how truth is more powerful than evil when you cling to His promises and minister to His children. I would love to read a sequel to this story.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top-drawer suspense, November 17, 2008
This review is from: The Black Cloister: A Novel (Paperback)
Oh my good book, yawl! Don't even finish reading my thoughts, put this one first on your reading list.
This is so my type of story. Here I learned about cults while trying to unravel the mystery surrounding Catrina's death. There is political cover-up and a smidgen of romance added to just make an overall riveting read.
The story wasn't depressing nor graphic, just tense at times. The author offered enough cult information to make me uneasy but not grossed out. To borrow a book blogger's overused phrase: I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. So true, so true.
Not to be missed! What I can't shake even today is how easily someone can twist bible passages to manipulate vulnerable people. Shoot, you don't have to be vulnerable, just unlearned in bible truths. That's why we have to search the scriptures for ourselves and not leave it all up to our pastors.
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