Justin Foster’s A Clique to a Cult is an absolutely wild ride through the underbelly of small-town corruption. The book follows Carter Smalls, a ruthless lawyer-turned-judge who slowly tightens his grip on the town of Haven Springs, Mississippi, alongside his equally twisted wife, Emmylou. What starts as a power-hungry clique of business elites morphs into something far more sinister—an exclusive club of deceit, blackmail, drugs, and, ultimately, cult-like control. It’s a story of power gone unchecked, with each chapter diving deeper into the excess, arrogance, and moral decay of those at the top.

Foster’s writing is bold and unapologetic. He doesn’t sugarcoat the depravity of these characters, and that’s what makes it so compelling. From the very first chapter, where Carter miraculously survives a car explosion and reminisces about all the people he’s wronged, the book sets itself up as a dramatic, no-holds-barred exposé of power gone wild. The Halloween party scene, where Carter pressures school board members into doing cocaine while their wives trade husbands for the night, is one of those moments where you almost can’t believe what you’re reading—but that’s exactly what makes it so gripping. The absurdity is part of the appeal, making it feel like a Southern gothic soap opera on steroids.

The novel’s strongest point is its ability to make readers feel something—disgust, anger, even dark amusement at how far these characters will go. Carter’s violent outbursts, particularly towards his son Zach, are some of the hardest parts to read. The scene where he punches his own child in front of the team after a football game is gut-wrenching. And yet, Foster doesn’t let up, instead pulling readers deeper into this toxic world where appearances matter more than integrity. The power dynamics, the fear that keeps everyone in check, and the slow realization from outsiders like Winston Ferris, the school principal, that they’re trapped in something much darker than they signed up for—it all adds up to a suffocating, tense read that keeps you turning pages.

The over-the-top debauchery, the outlandishness of some situations can make it feel less like a serious drama and more like a fever dream of corruption. But maybe that’s the point. Foster doesn’t just tell you about unchecked power—he shoves your face in it and dares you to look away. If anything, it’s a cautionary tale about what happens when people with too much influence stop caring about consequences.

If you love stories about corruption, scandal, and deeply flawed characters, A Clique to a Cult is for you. Fans of dark satire and books that expose the twisted realities behind closed doors will eat this up. It’s uncomfortable, it’s shocking, and it’s impossible to put down.

Pages: 130 | ASIN : B0DSJTZ89L