I read Layton's account non-stop through the night, unable to let go, struck by the realization that this is not simply an account of a bygone tragedy. “Seductive Poison is an absolutely riveting story, told as memoir but with the pulse-pounding suspense of a murder mystery. Truly unforgettable' - Kirkus Review (starred review) 'Even teens unfamiliar with Jonestown will find this a powerful memoir.' - Booklist a page turner to rival the best spy thriller.' - The Evening Standard UK 'A fascinating account of a debacle that continues to resonate' - Entertainment Weekly

'A suspenseful tale of escape that reads like a satisfying thriller, Layton's account is the most important personal testimony to emerge from the Jonestown tragedy.' - The Chicago Tribune Seductive Poison is both an unflinching historical document and a riveting story of intrigue, power, and murder. In this very personal account, Layton opens up the shadowy world of cults and shows how anyone can fall under their spell. But her pleas for help-and her sworn affidavit to the U.S. Jones constantly spoke of a revolutionary mass suicide, and Layton knew only too well that he had enough control over the minds of the Jonestown residents to carry it out. When she arrived, however, Layton saw that something was seriously wrong. Deborah Layton had been a member of the Peoples Temple for seven years when she departed for Jonestown, Guyana, the promised land nestled deep in the South American jungle. But none has been quite so dramatic or compelling as the Jonestown massacre of 1978, in which the Reverend Jim Jones and 913 of his disciples perished. Told by a former high-level member of the Peoples Temple and Jonestown survivor, Seductive Poison is the 'truly unforgettable' ( Kirkus Review) story of how one woman was seduced by one of the most notorious cults in recent memory and how she found her way back to sanity.įrom Waco to Heaven's Gate, the past decade has seen its share of cult tragedies.

Seductive Poison by Deborah Layton