I'll be honest - I struggled with this one and nearly put it down a few times. The religious themes in the beginning didn't really grab me, and it took a while for me to get interested in the story.

While I am glad I stuck with it and gave it a fair shot, Blood in the Cradle just didn't click with me overall. I usually enjoy books with multiple POVs, but in this case, the structure felt jumpy. I found myself getting lost - whether it was from the constant jumping around or with the twists themselves, I'm still not sure.

That said, I can absolutely see this appealing to readers who love complex mysteries and have the focus to keep up with a twisty, layered narrative. It wasn't for me, but it might be a hit for someone who loves an intricate plot and doesn't mind a slower start.

This is the first book I have read by this author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was a multi-layered, slow burning, emotional read, which deals with the consequences of repressed secrets, an angel worshiping cult, devotion and trauma. I enjoyed the fact that the story is told from the point of view of both Chloe and her sister, Rosie. The two women are very different, so the reader experiences different sides of the same tale.

However, I did find that book jumps around a lot, switching from place to place and/or person to person without explanation, and this confused me in places. There are also periods where the narrative feels unnecessarily drawn out, which allowed my attention to drift. All in all, the premise is good and there are many twists and turns – some which floored me, but I did struggle with the author's slightly chaotic style of writing.

Clocking in at around 248 pages, the novel reads briskly but thoughtfully. Scenes alternate between grisly investigation, inner turmoil, flashbacks, and spiritual flashpoints—all converging toward a suspense-filled climax. The final acts weave their personal revelations into the killer’s identity, making the psychological unraveling feel central to the expose.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

After finishing this book, it has taken me a while to put pen to paper to write the review. This is down to I wasn't sure what to say, the book left me quite unsettled and the climactic ending of the book felt like I had just stepped off a rollercoaster.

The book follows two sisters, Chloe and Rosie. Chloe is a police officer investigating a missing child case that turns into a murder investigation following the finding of the child's body. Rosie is marrying into a very religious family, a very strict religious sect, ran from a cathedral and have very strict rules about what is allowed and what isn't.

The book, I found, jumped around a lot, one minute they are sitting drinking tea in a cafe and the next it says about grabbing the wheel of the car to avoid an accident, without anything being said of them moving from the café to a car. (That is just an example, but explains my point.)

The plot of the book is good, and has many twists and turns. I struggled with the writer's style of writing with all the jumping around.

Overall I also found the story quite unsettling, I haven't read many books where the murder has been of a child, and the descriptions upset me, which I haven't found before with other murder mysteries of which I have read lots.

One word: wow.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the eARC of Blood in the Cradle! What a roller coaster! 🎢

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ . 5 / 5

4.5 stars rounded up’ This book had me at the edge of my seat the WHOLE time. The pacing was great, I never felt bored at any point. This storyline was tragic, dark, and thrilling but incredibly original. The characters were individually unique, which I loved, of course. One second, it felt like an episode of Law and Order, then the next second, it felt like an episode of The Twilight Zone. I couldn’t figure out if I was looking over my shoulder for a serial killer or a ghost. 😮‍💨 Sometimes, it felt like there was a lot of information to keep up with, but it all fell together in the end and blew me away! Those plot twists LITERALLY made my jaw drop. And that epilogue? Amazing. I won’t be able to stop thinking about it. This book thoroughly creeped me out, which I happily welcomed with open arms. 🤗

If you’re okay with reading about heavy subject matters and enjoy psychological thrillers that’ll make you question everyone and everything, I highly recommend this book! 🩸👀

Great mixture of themes. Curiosity was piqued until the very end. Characters are relatable and well developed.

A haunting and atmospheric thriller that delves into the complexities of family, faith, and the shadows of the past. Detective Chloe Van Belle is drawn back to the angel-worshipping church of her traumatic childhood when a severed limb is discovered in its fountain. The case intensifies with the disappearance of a young girl and unsettling ties to a decades-old murder. LaJeanne masterfully weaves dual perspectives—Chloe’s relentless pursuit of truth and her half-sister Rosie’s devout entanglement in the church—creating a narrative rich in psychological depth and suspense. The novel’s Southern Gothic ambiance and unexpected twists keep readers engaged until the chilling conclusion.

I was given an early copy of this debut novel by Cobie as a member of her street team as well as through Netgalley.

I’ve been so eager to read this book and it did not disappoint. It is dark and moody and Cobie does a fantastic job at drawing you in through the macabre imagery, while sprinkling in just enough humor to keep you from spiraling from the rough subject matter. It also helps that her characters feel so real with flaws and distinct personalities (Esker better be protected at all costs!).

I loved Chloe and her relationship with her sister Rosie. It’s complex, real, and raw, and I found myself caring a lot about what was going happen between them.

I love reading horror/mysteries and this book still kept me on my toes throughout, so if you’re looking for a book that will keep you guessing, and maybe keep you up at night, definitely pick this up.

This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I couldn’t put it down. How everything come together in the end didn’t leave me hanging but I wouldn’t mind a sequel to see what happens.

A slow-burning thriller steeped in grief, loyalty, and the deep scars of faith, Blood in the Cradle keeps you guessing until its shocking final twist.

Sisters Chloe and Rosie Van Belle face a harrowing test of trust when a child is murdered, and the trail leads to a chilling religious cult, one Rosie is still connected to. Told through both their perspectives, the novel contrasts Chloe’s relentless drive with Rosie’s quiet vulnerability, weaving emotional depth into the suspense. The religious themes amplify the creepiness, making the mystery feel all the more sinister.

The story unravels masterfully, tying past and present tragedies together in a way that will leave you stunned. Dark, gritty, and psychologically rich, Blood in the Cradle isn’t just a murder mystery, it’s an exploration of trauma, devotion, and belief pushed to its breaking point.

If you love thrillers that balance emotional intensity with gripping suspense, this is a must-read.

I think it’s largely possible detective mystery stories simply aren’t for me. This was my first of the sort, I had anticipated enjoying it. I enjoy horror, and this is a well rated book already. However it just didn’t grasp me. I found myself having to push to keep reading. Eventually I just decided it wasn’t for me.

Blood in the Cradle is the kind of novel that doesn’t just pull you in—it holds you captive. From the first chapter, LaJeanne builds a slow-burning, emotionally rich mystery layered with grief, loyalty, and the deep scars of family and faith. The story follows sisters Chloe and Rosie Van Belle, whose bond is tested when a child is found murdered and the trail leads to a chilling religious cult—one Rosie is still connected to.

Told through both their perspectives, the book contrasts Chloe’s gritty determination with Rosie’s quiet, unsettling vulnerability. The religious aspects in particular added a whole new level of creepiness to the story, giving the investigation a haunting undercurrent that stuck with me. It’s not just a murder mystery—it’s an exploration of devotion, trauma, and how far belief can bend before it breaks.

And just when you think you have it figured out, there’s a twist that hits like a gut punch. Smart, unsettling, and deeply affecting—this one’s a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for providing an ARC for my honest review.

WOW, this book had me on the edge of my seat, I never saw the twists coming.

Blood in the Cradle follows detective Chloe Van Belle through an investigation of a murdered child, who disappeared from her church and was only found when her dismembered arm was left in the church fountain. If that doesn’t have you hooked I don’t know what would. This novel has mystery, thrillers, horror and gore. If religion and cult activities are triggering for you I would take caution to reading.

Through Chloe’s flashbacks of her childhood and the insanity of the current world and people around her, can she decipher what truly happened to her as a child and solve the mystery case before another child is killed? You will have to read to find out!

I wanted to love this! I loved the main character’s development and the small town culty vibes. I guessed the twists pretty early on and I was just irritated with some of the characters’ decisions. The religious aspect was the best/creepiest part and I would read more by this author, but I just didn’t love love this story.

I really enjoyed this book. I was trying my hardest to work it out but there was twists and turns all over. I truely loved reading it. Great job

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
🔪⛪️🐇
When a gruesome child murder is discovered in Encounters Church, a dangerous cult who worships angels, Detective Van Belle is drawn into a deadly game where all her darkest trauma and secrets come to light.
🔪⛪️🐇
This book was incredibly hard for me to read….in the BEST way possible! As someone who grew up in a religious cult, this book had a lot of trigger points for me. But that truly shows how well done it was! Seeing other people have survived the same experiences as me on paper, was actually very healing. The story itself was propelling and VISCERAL. I could not read fast enough! I will 100% be looking for the next book from LaJeanne!!

A detective noir that I adored. It was dark, delicious (idk what else to call). The backstory of the MC only made this story better. Most of the times I don't care too much about the background of the detective. It is so overdone, the emotionally scarred trope, thta it is kind of boring. But this book's take on this was surprisingly fresh with lots of nuance. The mystery had me by the throat. It was truly frightening from time to time. A great mix of horror and mystery.

When I first started Blood in the Cradle, I wasn’t sure it was going to be for me. The religious elements felt a bit heavy at first, and that’s just not really my vibe. But I’m so glad I stuck with it, because once I got about 100 pages in, the story completely took off.

The book follows Detective Chloe Van Belle as she’s drawn back to a church tied to her traumatic childhood after a severed limb is found in its fountain. Things get even darker when a young girl, Lillian, disappears without anyone noticing—except Chloe. The eerie mystery, the emotional tension between Chloe and her half-sister Rosie (a devout member of the church), and the discovery of a second, eerily similar murder make for a gripping and unpredictable ride.

Chloe is a fascinating character—strong but haunted, and dealing with a strange condition that causes her to literally taste sweetness around death. That detail added a unique, eerie twist to an already chilling story. The plot is full of twists and kept me guessing all the way through. I also loved the hints of romance that gave a little softness to the otherwise intense storyline.

What started off feeling slow and too focused on themes I don’t usually enjoy turned into a rollercoaster thriller I couldn’t put down. If you’re into dark mysteries with psychological depth, unexpected twists, and a strong female lead, Blood in the Cradle is definitely worth the read.

I loved this fast paced, twisty and edge of your seat book! The plot was built perfectly, the character development seemed like it took some time to pull together but came together amazingly, and the twists left me gasping! Cannot wait for more!

Chloe and Rosie are half sisters who live very different lives. One sister escaped a cult and now works as a detective and the other is still stuck in that cult and doesn’t realize she’s been manipulated and brainwashed. When the murder of a young girl takes place at the cathedral, Chloe is assigned to solve that case.

This was a good story that’s is full of many twist, gruesome discovery of some body’s, and characters with vastly different lives and personalities. I really enjoyed getting to read through both of the sister’s POV and seeing how different they viewed the situation. The way the story unravels keeps you guessing until the very end who is the one responsible for the murder and how it’s tied to the one that happened many years ago. The ending took a huge turn that I was not expecting. I was completely shocked by it!

Even though the romance was present for short periods of time, I really liked the relationship between Chloe and Nelson. It was so cute.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.