Filled with quoted conversations and indisputable facts, When the Moon Turns to Blood organizes the Lori Vallow/Chad Daybell case in a linear and chronological fashion that is much easier to follow than the various news stories. As someone who followed the case closely, I knew much of the information contained, but appreciated the author’s ability to present context and history to bring some clarity to this chaotic storyline.

This is a truly gripping read, especially since I didn't quite know how much Mormonism and the Church of the Latter Day Saints ideology was involved in Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow's horrific murder of her two children, Taylee and JJ. Once you learn about the history of Mormonism and the role it played in Chad and Lori's lives and motivations, the story becomes much more fleshed out and ultimately devastating because it's not just a story, it's real life. Leah Sottile is an excellent writer, she really placing the reader in the story--it's definitely not a dry, studious, heartless description of events like some other true crime books can be.

Thank you to NetGalley and Twelve Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I previously read The Doomsday Mother which is another book on this same subject but I actually enjoyed this one more. This version really gets into the Mormon Church and the impact that it played in the minds of Chad and Lori. I would have rated it five stars, however, there is a bit of repetition and the timeline skips around which can be a little confusing. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.