🩸 Horror Fiction

The Cleansing

✍️ Cal Neubert
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$14.00
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A Portland murder unravels a marriage and exposes a global cult conspiracy.

Lewis Nelson’s obsession with a cold case threatens his marriage to Karissa. As he works with Agent Bolton, the line between justice and paranoia blurs. The couple must decide whom to trust while a hidden organization tightens its control. This story explores how trauma can drive individuals toward dangerous truths. It highlights the fragility of relationships when faced with unseen evil. The narrative stays close to the protagonists’ internal struggles rather than broad world-building.

Key Themes
domestic suspense cult investigation marital trust
Literary Context

Set in Portland, Oregon, this 2022 release by Cal Neubert taps into modern anxieties about hidden networks and institutional power. It reflects a contemporary interest in psychological horror where the threat is both personal and pervasive, grounding supernatural fears in realistic urban settings.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Stephen King · Paul Tremblay · Tana French
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Cal Neubert 📅 2022 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781088055106

📝 Description: The Cleansing

Professor Lewis Nelson and his wife Karissa face a sudden crisis when a Portland murder reaches their home. Karissa retreats into self-healing to manage her trauma, while Lewis becomes obsessed with reopening the closed case. He joins forces with FBI Agent Andrew Bolton to investigate the growing threat. The narrative follows the trio as they expose a chilling cult with global reach. The story examines the tension between personal grief and professional duty. Lewis must determine if Bolton is an ally or part of the conspiracy. The Nelsons also struggle to maintain trust in each other while navigating this dangerous path. Cal Neubert writes this psychological thriller for readers who enjoy domestic suspense mixed with supernatural elements. It suits those interested in stories about cults and marital strain under pressure. Readers seeking lighthearted romance or pure action may find the tone too heavy. The book focuses on the psychological unraveling of its characters rather than external spectacle.

💎 Our verdict on The Cleansing

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Neubert delivers a tightly wound psychological study where the true horror lies in the disintegration of trust between Lewis and Karissa. The narrative excels at maintaining claustrophobic tension, keeping the focus on the protagonists' internal struggles rather than broad world-building. By blurring the lines between justice and paranoia, the story effectively explores how trauma drives individuals toward dangerous truths. While the tone is undeniably heavy, it suits readers who enjoy domestic suspense with supernatural undertones. Those seeking action may find the pace deliberate, but fans of marital strain under pressure will appreciate the nuanced examination of grief and unseen evil.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate psychological thrillers that prioritize internal character dynamics over external spectacle will find this narrative compelling. Those interested in the intersection of trauma and obsession, particularly how grief can distort perception and strain marriages, will gain from the intense focus on Lewis and Karissa’s unraveling. Fans of domestic suspense mixed with supernatural or cult elements will enjoy the tension between personal duty and professional investigation. The book offers a heavy, introspective experience for those willing to engage with deep emotional struggles and paranoid undertones rather than seeking lighthearted romance or pure action.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Neubert delivers a tightly wound psychological study where the true horror lies in the disintegration of trust between Lewis and Karissa. The narrative excels at maintaining claustrophobic tension, keeping the focus on the protagonists' internal struggles rather than broad world-building. By blurring the lines between justice and paranoia, the story effectively explores how trauma drives individuals toward dangerous truths. While the tone is undeniably heavy, it suits readers who enjoy domestic suspense with supernatural undertones. Those seeking action may find the pace deliberate, but fans of marital strain under pressure will appreciate the nuanced examination of grief and unseen evil.

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