When the Moon Turns to Blood
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When the Moon Turns to Blood: Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell, and a Story of Murder, Wild Faith, and End Times is a work authored by Leah Sottile and released through Twelve Books.
Background
The book's title alludes to a prophecy from the Book of Revelation describing the moon turning blood-red. It explores the murders of Tylee Ryan and J. J. Vallow, emphasizing the radical Mormon ideology held by their mother Lori Vallow and her partner Chad Daybell. Both individuals were influenced by apocalyptic texts, which shaped their behavior. After the disappearance of the children, Vallow and Daybell were detained in Hawaii; subsequently, in June 2020, the remains were discovered buried in Daybell’s backyard in Idaho.
Reception
In 2023, the book was shortlisted for the Frances Fuller Victor Award for General Nonfiction at the Oregon Book Awards. John Dehlin from the Mormon Stories Podcast described it as "an essential work for grasping contemporary Mormonism," while Courtney Eathorne, writing for Booklist, praised it as an "exceptionally detailed account of LDS and its marginal sects." Ron Sylvester of the Spokesman-Review highlighted Sottile’s use of a mother's involvement in filicide to expose a pervasive fixation impacting both Christianity and right-wing politics. However, a review in Publishers Weekly noted that Sottile’s broader analyses "may not resonate with many readers."