Rating: 
Summary: Intense
Review: This book is not about dead and bloated bodies. It is lush and vibrant. The scenery is touchable, the conversations palpable, as if you are an unseen observer and always afraid you might be caught. It takes you to another place where time and reality mingle, tighten around you and then disappear. I was there. Not many books can do that. Impressed in Boston.
Rating:
Summary: A True Life Mystery and Thriller
Review: Great weekend reading. Got through it in one night, of course that meant going to sleep at 3am. But really, it is a page-turner and provocative. It is not what you think from the title or cover. You will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Truly a sincerely remarkable piece of literature
Review: I cannot say it better than the Chicago Tribune on the cover of the book: 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.Why, I wonder has this book not received more coverage? I guess other potential reviewers never bothered to read Amazon's own critic who eloquently proclaims that this memoir takes the story of what happened to those who were involved in the People's Temple ABOVE the bargain basement freak-show reputation and depicts the members with the power of great tragedy. I agree, it is absolutely extraordinary! I will recommend this book on and on to everyone I know and meet. Truly unparalleled.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating
Review: I just had to say something even before reading this book! I heard this author on the radio in Los Angeles and had to pull off the freeway to listen-- I was so mesmerized by the story she was telling I could not concentrate on my driving. This woman has a fascinating story and I've just bought the book to find out "what happened next"! I hope the Kelly Lange LA Show has Layton on again it was just too short of an interview for such an immensly important and riveting topic!
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Summary: The most moving book I have EVER read!
Review: Very few authors have been able to move me in the way that Ms Layton has in Seductive Poison. I feel as though I view my life, the freedom I have and my family differently. One never knows when all of the above can be taken away from them. My admiration and sympathies to you Ms Layton for your hard work, your innocent mistakes and the pain you must deal with to this day knowing you left your mother in Jonestown (even though there was no other option for you) and that your brother remains, to this day, behind bars. Tragedy heaped upon tragedy
Rating:
Summary: Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Review: Thank you for putting into words and scenes what I thought had happenend to my grandparenets. All the other books on this subject were by non members and seemed to degrade the followers and their reasons for joining. My grandparents were good, honest, hard working, kind Christians and I'm ever thankful for your explaining what took them away from me. Everyone inside the Temple became a prisoner. You were brave to tell this story and I am forever in your debt for setting me free from the mystery surrounding my grandparents deaths.
Rating:
Summary: Yup--it's good reading and entertaining as hell
Review: It's definately a misunderstood part of American history and this book puts a face on the tragedy as well as a soul. I had no idea I could relate to any of these folks, but through Layton's voice I was able to identify with and feel for many of the people destroyed by their naivete.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, powerful and sad
Review: I remember when this happened and my parents shooed me from the living room so that I could not see the dead and bloated bodies on the television. I had always wondered what had happened and why. This book explained it to me and gave me much more: 1. an understanding of how 2. a grasp of why 3. a belief that we should not jump to conclusions about other poeples lives so quickly 4. a respect for those courageous enough to come forward and tell their story. I am deeply appreciative of Deborah Layton's belief that her life's story was one that needed to to heard. It is a very sad story, but at least she did make it out and lived long enough to become strong enough to write it down for her daughter's sake. I hope I get the chance to meet the author someday and get her to sign my book.
Rating:
Summary: Superb page turner
Review: I found this very personal story powerful, courageous and heartwrenching. The author is a superb story teller and every word of it rings painfully true. My heart aches for Layton and her family's unending tragedy.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional, but is there more?
Review: This book, like many of the reviewers have said, is exceptional. But when I read the author's acknowledgements (which is a novella) I wanted to know more.
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