The Ascent

A Novel

By: Allison Buccola

Narrated by: Carlotta Brentan

What would you do if the past showed up on your doorstep?

A woman who grew up in a cult must decide if she can trust the stranger claiming to have answers to the dark mysteries of her childhood in “a standout thriller with something deeper on its mind: how the past doesn’t just haunt you, it reshapes you” (The Seattle Times).

“I tore through this book and was genuinely shocked by its ending!”—Ana Reyes, New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Pines

A WASHINGTON POST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

For decades, the whereabouts of The Fifteen has been an unsolved mystery. All the members of this reclusive commune outside Philadelphia vanished twenty years ago, except for one: a twelve-year-old girl found wandering alone on the side of the road.

In the years since that morning, Ophelia “Lee” Burton has tried to put the pain of her past behind her, building a new identity for herself with a doting husband and seven-month-old daughter, Lucy. But motherhood is proving a bigger challenge than she anticipated. She doesn’t want to let Lucy out of her sight even for a moment. She can’t return to work. She’s not sleeping, and she has started spiraling into paranoia.

Then a stranger shows up on her doorstep, offering answers to all of Lee’s questions about her past—if Lee could only trust that this woman is who she says she is. Can Lee keep her safe, stable life? Or will new revelations about “the cult that went missing” shatter everything? In The Ascent, Allison Buccola has crafted a nerve-rattling thriller about motherhood, identity, and the truths we think we know about our families.

The perfect slow burn that doesn't let go

This was hard to put down! The hold it gets on you is subtle, you don't notice it at first. Next thing I knew, I was half way through. It took some will power to put it down but as soon as I could pick it up again I grabbed it! If you like slow burn suspense this is it!

Narration was great

Loved the cult vibe. Narration was awesome. Ending was decent but I wanted a little twistier

The novel was raw and an honest look at motherhood as well as the mystery of a cult. Twists and turns throughout

This was one of the best novels I’ve listened to in a while! When I finished it, I was sad that there wasn’t more to read, it was so good! The writing is masterful and lays out the story of a mother struggling to be a good mother who was raised in a cult beautifully. There are twists and turns throughout the novel which made me not want to put it down! Instead I listened to it straight through only pausing to sleep; it was so great. I suggest this novel to anyone looking for a suspenseful, thriller to read! I just loved the whole story and will be looking forward to more books by this brilliant new author!

What an emotional listening rollercoaster ride, with so many twist and turns. A hook, line and a major catch!

I love a story that pulls and tugs at my thoughts and heart causing me to imagine and grapple with so many different outcomes, and then just when I have that ah ha moment, thinking I have it figured out, it takes me somewhere I never even saw coming.

The goosebumps I experienced at the end of this book will stay with me for quite some time.

Worth every minute

The best part of the novel was how everything twist was unexpected but never unbelievable. Of course you must buy into the premise but after that it felt based in reality. It was even more chilling and gripping because of this.

The protagonist is both complex and pure at heart. Maybe not logical but exciting. Sometimes I’m annoyed with her and other times I’m completely on her side.

The ending is perfect and feels like a good pay off for this mystery. It’s not spoon feeding metaphors here but it feels deep while also being entertaining.