The Vicious Circle
A Novel
Katherine St. John
320 pages
William Morrow
published September 27, 2022
About the book:
For fans of Lucy Foley and Liane Moriarty, a twisty, escapist suspense about a mysterious retreat center harboring violent secrets.
A perfect paradise? Or a perfect nightmare?
On a river deep in the Mexican jungle stands the colossal villa Xanadu, a wellness center that’s home an ardent spiritual group devoted to self-help guru Paul Bentzen and his enigmatic wife Kali. But when Paul mysteriously dies, his entire estate—including Xanadu—is left not to Kali, but to his estranged
niece Sveta.
Shocked and confused, Sveta travels from New York City to Mexico to pay her respects. At first, Xanadu seems like a secluded paradise with its tumbling gardens, beautiful people, and transcendent vibe. But soon the mystical façade wears thin, revealing a group of brainwashed members drunk on
promises of an impossible utopia, guided by a disturbing belief system and a charismatic, dangerously capable leader.
As the sinister forces surrounding Sveta become apparent, she realizes, too late, she can’t escape. Frantic and terrified, she discovers her only chance of survival is to put her confidence in the very person she trusts the least.
My Review:
This is a new to me author and glad I jumped on this blog tour. I’ve been seeing a lot of buzz for this book and was intrigued. Taking place deep in the Mexican jungle, the author does a great job of making you feel you are there. I really liked and rooted for Sveta. I loved the cult theme and at times I was holding my breath as I read. It is very quick paced through the first half of the book, but then the pace slowed a little. I saw a few of the twists coming but some I did not. I wish there would have been a little more description at the end, but otherwise an enjoyable read.
I this one appeals to those liking cult themes and exotic settings.
About the author:
Katherine St. John is a native of Mississippi, graduate of the University of Southern California, and author of The Lion’s Den and The Siren. When she’s not writing, she can be found hiking or on the beach with a good book. Katherine lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and two children.
Anne Cater
Thanks for the blog tour support x