‘You don’t know how significant you are. We need you.’No matter where she is, Deirdre feels out of place. So when a cult known as the Center contacts her, wanting her join up, she’s intrigued. They say a terrible war is coming, humanity is in danger and without explaining why, say she’s needed for the fight. Suddenly the chance to be spectacular is within her grasp. With the charismatic Myra as … charismatic Myra as the cult leader, and talk of prophecies and psychic abilities, Deirdre is soon seduced and ditches her humdrum life to join up.
Once inside, her understanding of the world shifts. She learns the truth about the elite, a secret organisation that has meddled with humanity since the beginning of time. The elite use entertainment and the media as a constant distraction to stop people from reaching their true potential. To free themselves of this conditioning, the followers must give up ‘excessive’ food and sleep. They also carry out increasingly bizarre rituals under the critical eye of the Captain, a minor leader of the new followers. He seems to take pleasure from turning them against one another.
Tensions increase. The followers gain odd new abilities, but bullying and hysteria also grow. Meanwhile Myra’s prophecies become increasingly extreme. As paranoia intensifies, Deirdre questions where the belief ends, and delusion begins.
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Peddling Doomsday is a psychological thriller that centres of the recruitment of a young women by a cult called The Center. I can’t remember the last time, if ever, that I read a ‘cult’ book so I was excited to give this one a try. This was a really fantastic read and I will definitely be recommending it to others; I was hooked!
I’ll be honest, it did take me a little while to get into this book. I felt the pace was a little slow at first, but once it was going things really picked up. I totally understand why the start was a little slower, as the author had to build up the character’s backstory and provide some basic, foundation information. The book had such an interesting plot as we got to see the whole process of being recruited into a cult; from initial contact to being fully-integrated and beyond. While I can’t comment on it’s authenticity or accuracy, this was an exciting read nonetheless. It was creepy, mysterious and hopeful all at the same time and I loved learning all the little details about life inside the cult.
Our heroine in this book was Deirdre. Having felt out of place since the tragic death of her father, starting a new life with The Center came at the perfect time for her. But Deirdre soon learns that everything is not what it seems, both inside and outside of the cult. I grew to really like Deirdre’s character and the transformational journey she went on over the course of the story. She offers some brilliant comedic moments and light-relief during what can be described as a very intense book and storyline. I loved watching her relationships with other characters build-up and then sometimes, spectacularly crumble. By the end of the book, my brain was a little all over the place trying to comprehend all that had happened, so I can only imagine how Deirdre must have felt!
This was a great book with a fantastically shocking ending. Peddling Doomsday was able to capture my mind and keep me hooked until long after I had finished it. It had such a different plot and it’s left me wanting to read more books of a similar genre. An all-around great read!
Peddling Doomsday by Petra Jacob is a book that will get hold of you tight and not let you go. A unique story it is worth your time.
Imagine being part of a cult. And not just any cult but one that believes in a prophecy about humanity being in danger. Now imagine that prophecy going against everything you thought you knew to be true. What do you believe? Who do you trust?
I found this book to be highly entertaining. I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading but I soon found myself sinking into the story line. I couldn’t wait to read more of the book once I got started. I liked be authors writing style, it flowed well and moved the story along naturally. A very good read.
Peddling Doomsday
By Petra Jacob
4 stars
Wow, what an interesting and intriguing read. This is totally out of my comfort zone but I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was really hooked from beginning to end. I liked that I couldn’t guess what was going to happen and there were some great twists and turns. The authors writing style was exciting and engaging. There was quite a bit mixed up in this book so I think it does need reading carefully but it is absolutely worth a read. I found the characters really interesting, finding out what and why they believed things; I think it definitely made me think about things and how people really should be able to believe whatever they wish to.
Overall I thought that this was a unique and intriguing read one that I would definitely recommend if you are looking for something a little different to read.
Peddling Doomsday by Petra Jacob is a psychological thriller that was intriguing. This is the first book I have read by this author and I am glad I decided to give it a try. This book made me really think about how this could easily be a reality. There were times in this story that I was on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t put it down till I knew what was going to happen next, and will Deirdre go with what she’s being told or will she decide to walk away. I found this book so interesting!! I don’t usually read books about cults but I found that I really enjoyed reading this story. It drew me in and kept me interested throughout the entire book. I will be definitely looking to read more books by this author, I enjoyed her writing style and the characters she created. I recommend this book, it is a great read.
What a rollercoaster ride!
Peddling Doomsday is a psychological thriller that really makes you question cults and the culture around cults. It took me a bit to get into the storyline but once I got into it, I was HOOKED. I could not put this book down! My mind was blown.
I was fascinated about people who get recruited by cults and where everyone’s mentality while in. You feel like you’re really there but hidden in the background. It almost feels like you’re experiencing it yourself!
If your looking for a mind f*** this is it. Things you might no or catch onto, you don’t. The ending is shocking and one that has stuck to me for a couple of days.
This is my first book by this author. At first I wasn’t too sure about it but the more I read the more I become engaged in the story. This book is mystery and a thriller about a cult that is run by a woman. She is determined to teach those in the group that there are two important things to remember. Read this book to find out what those two things are. For the most part the characters are enjoyable and relateable. There are some twist and turns that you won’t see coming.
Peddling Doomsday by Petra Jacob is an intriguing, psychological thriller. This is my first read by this author and I was not disappointed. The novel’s story kept me up reading and the story has stayed with me since. The book deals with cults, media, and problems that are currently in society. The characters are well written and multi-dimensional. They helped to drive the story. The story is well written and definitely leaves you thinking about the story. I enjoyed how this was written and that there were times that I did not know where the story was going to go. There were interesting looks at social dynamics and how a person could be brought into a cult. I recommend this for a good read.
Peddling Doomsday by Petra Jacob was a thrill. I wasnt sure when I started the book if I was going to like it or not. But, by the first few pages, I couldn’t put it down. This is the first book I have read by this author and I was not disappointed in anyway from the characters to the story line. It was all great. I can’t wait to read more by this author. I’m definitely hooked. I give this book a solid 5 stars.
Deirdre has never felt like she fits in anywhere. She fixes other people’s mistakes at her job but gets no credit. People she has worked with everyday can’t even remember her name. Her father just passed and no one has even noticed or asked if she is doing alright. Then out of no where, Deirdre starts to get what she thinks are spam messages from The Center who tell her she is important and special. Even though she’s pretty sure it’s just a bad marketing ploy, it’s nice to think someone thinks she is important. As she receives more messages, she gets more and more curious about who the people at the Center are and makes the decision to give up her boring life and try out something new for a change. But change isn’t always as nice as it seems.
I have always had a fascination with cults and how they work psychologically so this book was extremely intriguing for me. I couldn’t help but compare Myra and the Captain to cult leaders like Jim Jones and Charles Manson and now I want to pick up Helter Sketer again and reread it.
I would describe this book as escapism fantasy with a chunk of true crime from the inside thrown in.
I was unsure what to expect when I began reading this book. But this psychological thriller grabbed my attention quickly. I couldn’t put it down. This was my first book from this author and I look forward to reading more.
Peddling Doomsday by Petra Jacob
4 Stars
Deidre lives a humdrum life. She’s not spectacular and lacks self confidence. While working in an advertising company, she suddenly starts getting emails from an unknown source wanting her to change her life. It offers her the chance to be someone and make a difference. Leaving her life behind, she joins a cult believing she can be a better person. The cult, through crazy rituals, makes a believer out of her. Not everything is as it seems and a full year later Deidre finally starts questioning things. She finally realizes that she’s in a very dangerous situation. The question is, can she make it out alive? You need to read the book to find out.
This book shows how easy it is to bend susceptible people. How easy it is to convince someone of something. The rituals and starvation and stimuli will break anyone. Add mass hysteria to that and it can get very dangerous. The book was well written but I did find it a little long. It was a bit repetitive with the craziness and rituals. I would have liked Deidre to figure things out a little sooner and try to bring the cult down more than she did. I found the ending left things somewhat unfinished.
I give Peddling Doomsday by Petra Jacob, 4 stars.
Deidre does not fit in anywhere. Everything is so boring and normal. She yearns for something different. So when she starts getting messages about joining a place where she is special and can make a difference, she is intrigued. Finally she relents, leaves everything she knows and joins the group. She quickly sees how different things are. But she feels important here, like she can make a difference. But is it all it’s cracked up to be?
This book is so good. The scary part is, the whole time I’m reading it, I can imagine this actually happening. A group led by a charismatic woman, claiming she has powers. Deirdre, a follower who just wants to belong and believe, is so believable. Sometimes you want to laugh at her for what she does and believes, yet you see why she does it. She also changes and grows as the story goes on. This book messes with your mind, which is the purpose.
If you like a book that is different and messes with your mind, this book is for you.
“THE CENTER OF TRUTH. Time to be free.”
“They speak through many of us,” said Myra, “we are learning all the time.” They Myra leaned close. “Be careful Deirdre, don’t allow yourself to get distracted by details, we need you to be focused. Every day they draw closer and we need to be ready.”
Peddling Doomsday by Petra Jacob was my first time reading anything by this author. I wasn’t disappointed. It kept me engaged through most of the book. Usually cult books tend to really capture my interest and this one did so as well. I really enjoyed the look behind the scenes of the cult that you don’t really grasp is what is happening. This is what keeps you wanting to read and see what this crazy cult will come up with next.
Deidre is lacking things in her basic boring life. She doesn’t really think very highly of herself at all and this really makes things hard for her on a daily basis. Then everything is about to change one day when she starts to get mysterious emails from someone that she doesn’t’ know. This unknown person wants to offer her a better life, one that she will know her purpose and fulfill it.
“We need to stop talking. It’s time to decide. Do you want to release your true potential? To start living? You need to be here.”
The twists that come are when Deirdre is confronted with weather she should believe what the cult is telling her. The insane rituals should make the normal average person run, but intrigue Deidre and keeps her coming back to see what will come next.
“They speak through many of us,” said Myra, “we are learning all the time.” They Myra leaned close. “Be careful Deirdre, don’t allow yourself to get distracted by details, we need you to be focused. Every day they draw closer and we need to be ready.”
When she does finally start to question what is happening in the cult, and whether it is a safe situation or not, she realizes it is more the not safe type of scenario. Will she make it out of this cult alive? Can she figure out how to be who she wants to be without this cult or will she be drawn in regardless of her questions being unanswered? This mindset is a main concept in the world of cults. Will this turn out to be a different situation though?
“Who contacted me? And not I’m here, why don’t they try to find me again?”
“This brave new world, do you think it will even want us?”
“I made a terrible mistake, this place is a cheap cult, and I fell for it. I’m hungry, and these people are mad.”
I was really pleased with how the story overall unfolded. I did find myself wanting a bit more, and maybe more of a dramatic twist here and there. The substance is there I just felt like it could have been elevated to a higher level with more pages. Overall a good and interesting four star read to devour. I will be checking out other books by Petra in the near future!
“In for a penny, in for a pound.”
Peddling Doomsday
By: Petra Jacob
5 out of 5 stars
The story Peddling Doomsday by Petra Jacob is a psychological thriller that I found myself not able to stop thinking about once I had finished. This is the first book that I have read by the author and enjoyed it. It tells the story of Myra who is sharing information that has been revealed to her. She says that she has the truth and that you have been lied to. She says that she has the answers that you need in order to know who is really running the world and why their way is failing. Who is Myra? How did she gain the information that she has? Is she the salvation that all have been looking for? This is a book that is suspenseful and at times had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. The story is a page-turner. This story also had me asking so many questions and wondering if I was going to get the answers. Besides Myra there are other characters that you meet. They are people who are searching for a better way of life. You read the way that they feel which can vary from doubt to belief. I grew to care about many of them. Will they find the better life that they are searching for? Is everything as it seems to be? This story is a look into a world that includes a woman whose speech can enthrall those who listen to her. It is a book that you will not be able to put down until you finish the last page.
This is a well written book. Not my usual cup of tea but still an interesting and thought-provoking story. The name alone gives the story a foreboding feel. But is it really something bad that will happen or is this the beginning of a new time? Can Deirdre save the world? Can she even save herself from her boring humdrum life? Will Myra prove to be all she says she is?
I liked that there was not a ton of characters to keep track of. This story has a few situations that made me wonder what the heck was really going on in the “community”. There certainly are cult like experiences happening but also a sense of the greater good struggling to be free. The first “psychic attack” made me wonder if everyone in this story was crazy. The adding of the tinfoil pretty much sealed the deal. Defiance, even with in their own minds, proves to me that many of the characters aren’t completely convinced about what is happening around them.
This story kept me on my toes because I never really knew what was going to happen. This is my first book by Petra Jacobs and I am interested in reading more by her.
4 Stars
Peddling Doomsday by Petra Jacob is a great psychological drama with prophecies, cults/secret organisations, rituals, conditioning, cover ups, lies, hidden agendas, control, suspense, and intrigue. Ms. Jacob is a new-to-me author whose work I have enjoyed exploring with this book.
The story was very intriguing and suspenseful- Ms. Jacob certainly turned up the dial on the tension and anticipation to HIGH. The story is complex, with a lot more going on between the covers than I was initially expecting. Things are definitely not what they seem.
Parallels can be drawn between this storyline and our society today, as well as the inner workings of a cult, and the many and varied conspiracy theories that abound on the subject of ‘media distraction’. The story gives us a front row seat to all of this and more, while drawing on mankind’s search for some meaning in our lives- and how many are looking to belong, for fulfilment, and a ‘better’ way of life.
The characters were really well thought out, and were many and varied, they all had their own quirks, traits and personalities- The characters really drove this story and made it more interesting. I was rooting for Deirdre, and others, the whole way through.
I look forward to reading more of Ms. Jacobs work.
Thank you, Ms. Jacob!
Well this novel certainly pulled me in filled with it’s suspense and just when i think I’m onto something everything changes the storyline certainly isn’t predictable it will absolutley keep you on your toes. I found myself able to visualise what i was reading and get a really full understanding of what was happening. I was most defiently was hooked unable to pull my eyes away from the pages i had to sit and read it all in one sitting!
This book is so awesome! It keeps you wondering and makes you turn that page even when you think your ready for bed. I like the main character, she plays a big role in this book. The group is not my favorite because they aren’t telling the whole story. I guess that’s what makes it such a good read. There is lots of twists and turns but I cant say any more. I would pick this book up first thing in the morning, with some coffee and read all morning! I would love to read more stories like this!
The topic of cults has always been a fascinating one for me, people want to feel like they belong and the psychological aspect of everything is just so intriguing. For this reason and my love for a good psychological thriller, I was really interested in what Petra Jacobs had to offer with Peddling Doomsday.
This was the first book I’ve read by Petra Jacobs and most definitely will not be my last. I felt as though the book was slow to start but once the storyline picked up it truly was addictive. The characters are complex and the development as the pages turn is remarkable. It is mind blowing to take a step back and think about how one can get caught up in such a world.
Petra Jacobs truly created an amazing story with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. I would certainly recommend if you enjoy psychological thrillers, mystery presented in a different light.
Peddling Doomsday written by Petra Jacob. Deirdre and Myra are the characters I liked most, they both have their strengths and quirks. Between the feelings of belonging, being needed and discovering lies where does one begin…. When you begin to question everything you thought you knew and have been told what do you do. Who do you trust. This story was interesting in so many ways. I’m not normally into cult type of books but I thought I would give Peddling Doomsday a try since it sounded intriguing.