The Tribes

A Novel

By: Mari Howes

Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik, Piper Goodeve

Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

A dark and daring debut novel exploring power, control and resilience against all odds, The Tribes tells the story of a cult member accused of a shocking crime and the lawyer who chooses to defend her.

One quiet night in a rural Vermont town, a panicked woman calls 9-1-1 on a gas station payphone to report that a newborn baby has died. Local police respond to the call and charge Heather Garner, a college drop-out who’s been a member of fringe religious community The Messiah’s Tribes since the 1990s, with the murder of her infant son. Heather’s future is left in the hands of a family who hasn’t seen or heard from her in almost 20 years. 

Abby Harris’s friends and colleagues are puzzled by her choice to take on a child homicide case, but Abby is convinced that there’s more to Heather’s story than meets the eye. Putting her own pregnancy at risk, Abby’s investigations lead her to understand that The Messiah’s Tribes may not be a peaceful, eccentric bunch of hippies, but a well-organized, exploitative criminal enterprise.

Engrossing and suspenseful, the mystery of Heather’s past is revealed piece by terrifying piece, until a jury must decide: Are Heather and her dead child just collateral damage, or is the dead-eyed woman a willing participant in the cult’s sinister agenda?

Please note: This audio contains strong language, distressing situations, and descriptions of abuse and violence that some listeners may find upsetting. Discretion is advised.

©2020 Mari Howes (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

I couldn’t put it down!

Riveting page-turner. I usually lose interest in audiobooks but this one held my attention like no other. The story was excellent and I loved the way the author told it, through more than one perspective. This is a must read!

So Sad

It's so hard to listen to because it is so sad. But it is real and goes on today. A good listen.

Drew Me In!

I was rapidly drawn into this powerful story. I can see how the commune could seem like an oasis to those struggling to find their place in a culture that is rife with confusion and mixed signals. We have a strict Christian Commune locally and I couldn't help wondering how different it may be on the inside compared to its appearances to those on the outside.
Narration was excellent!

Well researched

An excellent riveting read. Much research went in this book.
Waiting for more from this author

Hard to believe it was fictional.

A story that made you feel the fictional story and characters were real. It made me feel so much compassion and anger.

Disturbing truths

The story takes the reader on a disturbing journey along paths of longing for a place to belong.

Another book that tells you how women are abused!

This was as troubling as a story about sex trafficking.
I know that both things are done too young girls every day. I guess it is important to hear about these things too. It is a sham to drag the name of God in it , but it shows what people will do to corrupt our world. I think it was a sad book but very well written. Thank goodness it turned out the way I wanted it too.

I couldn't stop listening

I don't know where to begin, I really couldn't stop listening and that is rare for me. I went back over parts where I was distracted and I had a long conversation with my adult son about this book since he was around while I was listening and I had to share and discuss it with someone. This book is well written and insightful, it does an exemplary job of helping those of us who don't understand how someone from a loving family could enter a cult, see how that can happen. I found the characters realistic and sympathetic and their motivations believable. Loved the narrators too. Thank you Audible for this original.

Excellent book

This is the first time I’ve listened to a book by Mary Howes, but I can guarantee there will be another. The narration was also very good!

What a journey!!

This book The Tribes by Mari Howes was nothing short of incredible.
You have murder, you have cults, you have an attorney taking on the case of her life and the horror of a young woman’s 20 years of being brainwashed.
It was nonstop and thrilling.
5 stars!