Seductive Poison

By: Deborah Layton

Narrated by: Kathe Mazur

Length: 14 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

From Waco to Heaven's Gate, the late 20th century saw its share of cult tragedies. But none was quite so dramatic or compelling as the Jonestown massacre of 1978, in which the Reverend Jim Jones and 913 of his disciples perished. 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.

When she arrived, however, Layton saw that something was seriously wrong. 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. But her pleas for help - and her sworn affidavit to the U.S. government - fell on skeptical ears.

In this very personal account, Layton opens up the shadowy world of cults and shows how anyone can fall under their spell. Seductive Poison is both an unflinching historical document and a riveting story of intrigue, power, and murder.

©1999 Deborah Layton (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

"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)

"A fascinating account of a debacle that continues to resonate" ( Entertainment Weekly)

"A chilling account... Truly unforgettable" ( Kirkus Review, starred review)

Brilliant, Haunting, Chilling

Would you listen to Seductive Poison again? Why?

Definitely! For years I have been curious about Jonestown - more about the people who followed Jim Jones to their deaths than about the man himself. A couple of years back I read Julia Scheeres' "A Thousand Lives" (a brilliant book in its own right), a thorough journalistic look at Jones and his followers. Deborah Layton laid herself bare in "Seductive Poison," detailing how she herself got drawn in to Jones' orbit, her rise to power in Peoples' Temple, her disillusion, escape, and putting her life back together.

I must also say that Kathe Mazur's performance was superb! Her depiction of Jones - in either his caring or brutal persona - was chilling and believable. Deborah's fear, sorrow, and fumbling are portrayed realistically.

What other book might you compare Seductive Poison to and why?

it is a great companion piece to "A Thousand Lives". ATL is more journalistic and deals more with the suicides themselves; "Seductive Poison" is more personal, about one woman's own journey of self-discovery and deprogramming. But these together and you have a comprehensive look at Jonestown!

What does Kathe Mazur bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her performance was superb here and turned a great memoir into a terrific audiobook

Any additional comments?

If you have any interest in Jonestown specifically, or indoctrination in general, or if you like to read about resilience against impossible odds, read this book!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

This Book Kept My Attention For 14Hrs Straight!!!

Has Seductive Poison turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. Not at all. I loved it completely. But it wasn't just the story. It was just a very good quality book.
Not even a world class seminar could hold my attention for fourteen whole hours!!! I mean, like...C'mon now?

What didn’t you like about Kathe Mazur’s performance?

Kathe Mazur's performance was sssssooooo incredible!!! I couldn't believe that she WASN'T the author of the book. She'd totally embraced every single nuance of the protagonist's experience. Great job Kathe!!!

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

This book is for anyone who thinks that it could (being swept up in a cult...even for just a few Sundays) NEVER happen to them. In this case, the author was entangled in this (Jim Jones) cult/culture for over five years. We're talking seven days a week; practically twenty+ hours a day!!! That's commitment. How sad that it was so full of deception and criminal activity.

One thing that this book has proven to me for sure is that: Jim Jones had pretty much duplicated himself through the naivete of his followers. He kept his own filthy hands out almost every dirty deed that was done (baring all his sexual assaults). It amazes me how much one man could've spent so much time under the proverbial radar, and leave the country with over nine-hundred members in tow; temporarily unscathed .

Any additional comments?

When I review all the things this woman went through...And all the things that she's put herself through, it causes me to pale in comparison when I think of just how LITTLE I actually contribute to my own organization. And it's not even a cult.

This book was definitely an eye opener for me: this book has "revolutionized" the very core of my ho-hum church life.

What a courageous woman!!!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Self-Analysis on why "Normal" People Join Cults

If you could sum up Seductive Poison in three words, what would they be?

Self-Analysis, Juicy, Sobering

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's a first person narrative of a member of Jim Jones's cult, so the word "favorite" is a bit odd. Her insights into Jim himself are compelling--I've listened to quite a good number of cult books and it is clear that he didn't believe what he was peddling. He was hungry for power.

Have you listened to any of Kathe Mazur’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but she was a great narrator.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! It was a perfect combination of colorful details and sobering self-analysis.

Any additional comments?

WARNING: Book contains scenes of rape; descriptions are necessary to the book's core, but do keep this in mind

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

One of the best books I have listened !

Would you consider the audio edition of Seductive Poison to be better than the print version?

No

Who was your favorite character and why?

Debbie of course

Which scene was your favorite?

When she's trying to escape people's temple , so heart stopping !

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Madness Utter Madness

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would recommend this audiobook. I would recommend it for the purpose of enlightening any individual that is skeptical of the influence of mad men. I suppose there are many examples of people who in history have brainwashed whole congregations and still do to this day.

What did you like best about this story?

The inside view of Jim Jones ability to brainwash his following under the guise of helping the downtrodden. Not only that the political clout he managed to pull is frightening.

Have you listened to any of Kathe Mazur’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Just a sense of awe that this happened in America, very sad for all the people that did not escape.

Any additional comments?

The reader did a great job.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

A memoir that grips and thrills!

A story of innocence, courage & a strong sense of ‘Self’ triumphing over evil...

My book group read Layton's affecting memoir a while ago. It was compelling then but with this remarkable new audio version what I missed while reading is made far more real and powerful.

Hearing the author read her open the recording transported me immediately into the story. Although most is narrated by the wonderful Kathe Mazur, the author’s voice set the tone, creating a haunting sense of urgency.

Filled with innocent yearnings, Layton's gradual realization that she was used and misled and might die for her naiveté propels this story into its heart pounding, edge of your seat escape.

In the end, our seemingly unsophisticated protagonist outwits the warped megalomaniacal psychopath in the jungle and wins her freedom, though at a terrible cost

Layton’s lovely voice returns to read her last two chapters. Unlike the book, the Audible version has a new Afterword which brings the story full circle.

An honest, beautifully written & Essential Audible Listen.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Gripping

Any additional comments?

Hard to believe that so much suspense could be generated by a book that tells a story that is known so well. We all know how it ends, as we all knew what happened at Little Big Horn and on the Titanic. Yet Deborah Layton's first hand telling of the tale breathes life into the lurid headlines and puts a face, so many faces to the victims of this horrendous tragedy. Touching and chilling, "Seductive Poison" is a true cautionary tale that reads like a thriller. A must-read.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A whole look at the Jonestown nightmare

There aren't many first-hand accounts of what life was like in Jonestown so this book is much more than a a memoir but a portal that takes us to the everyday life of a people and way of life that faded away in just one afternoon. With that said, this book is haunting in its details. Even for those who frequently read "true crime" books or the like may struggle to finish this book, I know I did...
The author takes very hard looks at Jim Jones, cult madness and herself/ mother in an attempt to explain how something like this did happen. I do recommend but beware it's a gripping and heartbreaking story that will stay with you like it or not.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Insight I needed

I have questioned for years how it would be possible for someone to fall into the grasp of a cult. I've secretly always believed that I could see myself being swooped into one if the conditions were "right." I now know after hearing the words of one who was lucky on all levels to have survived that I was right in my secret. Anyone could fall prey to a monster when he first appears to be the only one who can understand you.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Heart Breaking

Heart Breaking. Amazed anyone could survive this tragedy and go on to build a life. This is one very strong woman.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Haunting

Bought on audible. I was transfixed from the get go. A lesson for us all. So sad.

Honest memoir

It's hard to review someone's personal experience. Overall I enjoyed the book as it gave a personal account of what the author experienced when she was a troubled teen, looking for help and was introduced to a church by her brother. I found the narrative slow to start but gripping later. What spoilt it a little for me was the introduction which tells the reader what happens at the end. Although I knew a little of the history this revealed a lot of details I didn't know. I would rather have read the memoir and then have a commentary filling in the details. Also there wasn't any attempt to analyse what happened, it is simply one person telling her story which I think made it more powerful for me.

Stunning!

Truly harrowing in places. This account of Layton's experiences left me aghast at how easily we can be mislead and betray our friends and family.