Be not afraid or do is the sentiment this thriller leaves. The gore is bloody and detailed with trigger warnings before you open this novel. I was hesitant to read this because I have grown tired of procedurals, but this one truly stood out. The Angelic cult really accentuates the horrors of humanities and how humans become the devil in attempting to be this pure and perfect being. It is almost ironic that it centers around the murder of a young girl, because the most innocent became a victim of this cult. Blood in the Cradle gives Carrie if she were a detective the Craft in this shared psychosis of a cult. The dialogue was strong and really drove the narrative. The dialogue set the scene, the imagery, and the dark tone the investigation took with the cult. Love this piece. An absolute must with a cup of coffee on a chilly night at home.

Blood in the Cradle by Cobie LaJeanne is one of those rare books that grabs you by the throat from the first chapter and doesn’t let go. It’s dark, twisted, and utterly compelling. If you’re a fan of thrillers that don’t hold back and push you to the edge of your seat, this is the book you’ve been waiting for.

From the outset, the atmosphere is intense. LaJeanne wastes no time setting up a world full of tension, secrets, and chilling moments that will leave you second-guessing everything. The premise alone had me hooked—there’s something almost primal about the stakes, and as the mystery deepens, it pulls you further into a world that’s as dangerous as it is unpredictable.

What really made this book stand out for me, though, was the complexity of the characters. The main protagonist is deeply flawed, but that’s what makes them so compelling. Their journey isn’t just about solving the mystery—it’s about confronting their own demons, navigating trust, and surviving in a world that’s constantly throwing curveballs. I found myself rooting for them, even when they were making questionable decisions.

The pacing is relentless, never slowing down for too long. LaJeanne keeps you on your toes with clever twists and reveals, all while maintaining a strong emotional core. You’re not just invested in the mystery—you’re invested in the characters and their fates, which makes every moment feel heavier and more urgent.

By the end, Blood in the Cradle leaves you with a mix of satisfaction and a desire for more. It’s dark and gritty in all the right ways, but it’s also rich with character depth and psychological intrigue. If you love thrillers with a strong emotional pull and no shortage of suspense, this book is a must-read.

Thank you NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the opportunity!!

The cover and the blurb on this book drew me in immediately, and wow did I not expect this story to take the twist it did. Granted I'm not the person who can see twists coming or necessarily try to figure them out on my own but I actually would have never seen any of this and my jaw was slack the entire last hour of reading it.

The epilogue killed me and now I'm just like.... ok how and who can I talk to about this??? I need more!!

LaJeanne has created such a visceral interesting and haunting story here. Highly recommend!!

Loved this book so much. Everything was just brilliant, the plot, the characters, the twists. Told by dual POV. Highly recommend. Can't wait to contine this series with Chloe and her team. Please check TWs. Thank you to Netgalley and Tule Publishing for ARC.

Wow i literally loved this !!
I adored Chloe and can’t wait to see more of her! And her team
This kept me on my toes the twists were amazing!!
Fast paced amazing thriller with brilliant characters and twists you really don’t see coming
Absolutely fantastic!! Don’t think I could have enjoyed it more.

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.

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 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.

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!

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! 🩸👀

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.

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!

wow. im in constantly in awe when an author can come to a genre and totally knock it out the park with both newness and plot depth. this book is like no other. its unique and all on its own. i dont know quite how or why i feel this. or just how to describe why this is but it just is. its superb.
i was shaken and feeling unshed tears at one point.
this book is so hard and tough but make you feel tender and caring for the characters.
we mostly follow two sisters. very different sisters. but they both give you reason to want to know more about them and be both wary and protective of them too.
the shockers i was shocked with and did not see coming. not that reveal. no way. no how. and i love that.
the world of cults is so unstable and eerie. its so hard to see,witness or even read about. you get that whole sick feeling for those being taken in by it. whilst at the same time want to shake them to just see what they are being manipulated into!
this book added even more to it because one of the troubled people we would most likely see as a victim herself was the detective in charge of seeking out a murderer. and this case also then went to involve her sister. arrrgh! bring it on.
from start to finish i loved this book. fantastic.

Thank you Netgalley, Tule Publishing, and to the author for the opportunity.

Book Review

The title and book cover pulled me in. "Blood in The Cradle" turned out to be an exceptional Police Procedural! 

The plot centers around a case every detective dreads—the one that forces them to confront their traumatic past.

When decorated detective Chloe Van Belle receives a call about a severed limb in a fountain, she dreads returning to Encounters, a renowned angel-worshipping church tied to her dark childhood wounds. She’s further shocked to learn six-year-old Lillian vanished [from the congregation] without being reported.

Chloe’s half-sister Rosie, a devout believer engaged to the reverend’s son, remains unwavering that everything unfolds according to divine will, refusing to see the evil in front of her.

I really loved this book.
From the plot, characters and the twists. 

Cradle is a brilliant beginning to "The Halpin River Homicides" series. It's a safe bet I'll be locked in for the next installment.  
Kudos to Cobie La Jeanne for including a list of Trigger Warnings at the beginning of the book. Most authors don't do this. 

Fans of fast paced,  twisty and gritty police procedurals and psychological thrillers will enjoy "Blood in The Cradle".

Thank you for the arc!!!
Blood in the Cradle is a gripping, visceral thriller about two sisters divided by faith and bound by blood. When detective Chloe Van Belle investigates a child’s murder tied to a cult her sister Rosie still belongs to, the story unravels into a chilling exploration of loyalty, trauma, and belief. LaJeanne’s tense, haunting prose and a devastating twist make this a must-read for fans of dark, psychological mysteries.