Seductive Poison

A Jonestown Survivor's Story of Life and Death in the Peoples Temple

By: Deborah Layton

Narrated by: Kathe Mazur, Deborah Layton

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 past decade has seen its share of cult tragedies. 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. 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 Seductive Poison is both an unflinching historical document and a riveting story of intrigue, power, and murder.


PRAISE:
"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

"Layton is scrupulous and honest... A terrific read... a page turner to rival the best spy thriller." --The Evening Standard UK

"Even teens unfamiliar with Jonestown will find this a powerful memoir." --Booklist

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

“Seductive Poison is an absolutely riveting story, told as memoir but with the pulse-pounding suspense of a murder mystery. 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. It has great relevance to many of the terrible events we see unfolding today, for this is a story about those who seek a better world and are then inextricably caught in a plan to end it. This is a universal tale about ideology gone awry.” --Amy Tan

“Cults are multiplying and growing in this country. Why do apparently normal people surrender in body and soul to a charismatic egomaniac? Deborah Layton knows. This haunting book, written with candor and passion reads like a thriller. I could not put it down.” --Isabel Allende

"Shattering." --The Boston Globe

"Vividly written and powerfully told." --Librarby Journal

"An emotionally articulate and gripping account." --The Nation

heart breaking on so many levels

this book should be part of the high school academia around the world to bear witness to what is possible if you are only seeking and not fully realizing you own worth and value.

Awesome

Horrific story that is fascinating , thorough, honest, and captivating. Deborah Layton is a brave and courageous survivor .

What a view to such a mesmerizing story.

Deborah's story from her standpoint is a must read for all. Enlightening, captivating, and educational. Unfortunately, not everyone will feel compelled to do so, thus the astounding irony of "Those who do not remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" will at some point ring true again.
I enjoyed this book tremendously!

Tragic & Heartwrenching

Well written! Informative and enlightening. I learned so much more about the devastating Jonestown massacre.

Honesty

The honesty of the author about her misguided thoughts and feelings under Jones’ indoctrination came across as both humble and brave. It is truly an amazing look into humans’ tendency to trust the doctrine in front of them fully, without the ability to be swayed by basic reasoning. We see it today with people claiming to “trust the science” even when science is not being applied, only peer-pressuring and the careful increase of social inertia to turn up the temperature on individuals so they won’t point out obvious wrongs for fear of social rejection and even retribution. I would recommend this book to anyone, it is very insightful and interesting as well as tragic and heart-breaking.

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.

Excellent

Everyone should read this book to know what the warning signs are of cults. The book gives a powerful honest account of paradise gone wrong.

Tearful and Real

What made the experience of listening to Seductive Poison the most enjoyable?

I was not yet 3 years old when the massacre in Jonestown occurred. I understood, from my Gran (an extremely religious woman), that Jim Jones was a madman, and an evil person, but I, of course, didn't really understand the events which had transpired. Over the years, I have been increasingly intrigued with better understanding: these folks were very much like people in domestic violence situation...they were in an abusive relationship with Jim Jones and they began to believe that they didn't deserve any better treatment, and to view his abuse of them as normal behaviour. Jim Jones was a bully, a manipulator, and a monster.

What did you like best about this story?

Ms. Layton wanted only to be a good person and to help others. She, temporarily, became monstrous, under Jones' influence, and was able to break free.

Which character – as performed by Kathe Mazur – was your favorite?

She did a very creepy and convincing Jim Jones.

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

It was pretty lengthy, so it took me a few days. I listened doing yard work, in the office, and in the car.

Any additional comments?

I appreciate Ms. Layton's bravery to expose herself to scrutiny and vulnerability. I once read a great little inspirational clip, from Iyanla Vanzant, which said, "When you stand and share your story in an empowering way, your story will heal you and your story will heal somebody else." I hope sharing her story helped her to heal, helped other Jonestown survivors, and others. It definitely helped me to better understand an event that scarred the 1970s and brought us to the realization that cultism is real and affects even "normal" people. My gratitude to Ms. Layton for sharing her experience, so that we may learn, grow, and heal.

Only flaw is the narration.

Because apparently people from Indiana have pure Rhett Butler southern accents and all black folks speak the same. Ugh. Should've gotten it on kindle instead.

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.