"Suiter Clarke paints a devastating portrait of a cultlike institution and a town in its thrall. It’s even worse than we imagined." — New York Times Book Review
A young woman returns to her rural Minnesota hometown, where a radical evangelical pastor has poisoned everyone’s minds—and may be covering up a murder.
After Del Walker fled her small hometown and its cult-like church, she vowed to never return. The man she loved, Lars, left her to marry the local golden girl Eve, and their romance is now the focus of Eve’s viral blog espousing the pastor’s conservative philosophy about women and marriage. But six years later, Lars is suddenly killed, and she’s convinced it couldn’t have been an accident.
When Del returns to her hometown for the funeral, she discovers the now mega-church—and the insidious, patriarchal teachings of Pastor Rick Franklin—has grown not only in size but in influence. Eve was clearly discontent in her marriage, despite the carefully constructed “Noble Wife” positivity of her blog posts, and Del knows better than anyone just how far she will go to get what she wants. Del is determined to cut through the church’s lies and corruption to find out who killed Lars—even if it means confronting the religious trauma she’s spent years trying to bury.
"There are midnight-snack-style thrillers, and those that stick with you. This one's the latter." —People magazine
Author Info
Amy Suiter Clarke is the author of psychological thrillers, including her debut Girl, 11. Originally from a small town in Minnesota, she completed an undergraduate degree in theater in the Twin Cities. She then moved to London and earned an MFA in creative writing with publishing at Kingston University. She currently lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband and twin sons.
Reviews
"Suiter Clarke paints a devastating portrait of a cultlike institution and a town in its thrall. It’s even worse than we imagined." — New York Times Book Review
“There are midnight-snack-style thrillers, and those that stick with you. This one’s the latter.” — People
"In Lay Your Body Down, Amy Suiter Clarke perfectly captures the stifling air of small towns and insular churches. More than a murder mystery, this is an excavation of betrayal, revealing the ugly truth that has propped up so many life-destroying lies." — Bryn Greenwood, New York Times bestselling author of All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
“Lay Your Body Down is an emotionally charged and unnerving thriller. Dangerous secrets, complex characters, and more than one ‘oh my God’ moment. You won’t see the twists coming.” — Samantha Downing, bestselling author of A Twisted Love Story
“Amy Suiter Clarke’s Lay Your Body Down has everything I love in a good thriller – family drama, a determined main character, and an unflinching look at a timely issue. The story of Del Walker returning home to confront her past– and members of the corrupt mega church that was once the center of her life – will stay with you long after you reach its gripping conclusion.” — Kellye Garrett, award-winning and Edgar-nominated author of Like A Sister
"Powerful and intricately nuanced, Lay Your Body Down is the kind of reading experience that stays with you long after the final page. Amy Suiter Clarke has created a novel as thought-provoking as it is propulsive. With a carefully winding plot and incisive commentary on religion, community, autonomy, and the long reach of the past, this story is perfect for book clubs, because it inspires so many conversations. A truly stunning sophomore novel." — Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here
"Lay Your Body Down is one part #tradwife sendup, one part megachurch murder mystery, and one part cathartic revenge by a woman scorned, peppered as expertly as a hotdish with Minnesotan flavor. Amy Suiter Clarke has written a fresh and irresistible mystery that pits a flawed underdog against the might of ‘respectable’ institutions and religious dogma. A brilliant, twisted, electrifying story about taking back control." — Ashley Winstead, author of The Last Housewife
“Propulsive . . . Not only is the book difficult to put down, it’s also an adroit exploration of the ethical quandaries of true crime storytelling, particularly in podcasts.” — New York Times Book Review on Girl, 11
“In this remarkable debut, Amy Suiter Clarke weaves together narratives from a true crime podcaster’s real life and her broadcasts as she tracks down a serial killer who may have returned after years of lying in wait. This compelling and skillfully crafted story will keep readers glued to the pages. Girl, 11 is current, twisty, and utterly irresistible!” — Wendy Walker, bestselling author of Don’t Look for Me
“Clarke deftly moves the narrative using transcripts of Elle’s podcasts, recordings of her thoughts that never air, and her actions outside the recording studio. This one is not-put-downable.” — St. Paul Pioneer Press on Girl, 11
“A masterful narrative . . . Elle’s remarkable poise throughout is a credit to Clarke’s style and makes her a highly engaging character. Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and Meg Gardiner.” — Booklist on Girl, 11
“Clarke’s nuanced narrative will keep readers hooked.” — Publishers Weekly on Girl, 11
“A masterful, heart-pounding suspense that ushers in an astonishing new voice in crime fiction.” — Samantha M. Bailey, internationally best-selling author of Woman on the Edge on Girl, 11
