Step into the shadowy, suspense-filled world of the Righteous series, where a polygamist enclave in Utah hides dark secrets and chilling mysteries! Written by Michael Wallace, this mystery-thriller saga follows Jacob Christianson, a medical student torn between his rational mind and his roots in a fundamentalist cult. With gripping plots and a unique setting, Righteous hooks readers who crave smart, heart-pounding stories.
Blending crime, religious extremism, and family drama, the series offers a fresh take on the thriller genre. Ready to unravel the mysteries of Blister Creek? Let’s dive into what makes Righteous a must-read!
How Righteous Began
Michael Wallace, raised in a small religious community in Utah, drew from his Mormon upbringing and polygamist ancestry to craft Righteous. His debut novel, The Righteous, published in 2012, introduced readers to Blister Creek, a fictional polygamist enclave inspired by real fundamentalist groups like the FLDS. Wallace’s intimate knowledge of the culture, paired with his knack for suspense, birthed a series that feels both authentic and electrifying.
With no formal research, Wallace leaned on childhood memories and family stories, weaving rituals and power struggles into a thrilling narrative. His goal? To create a “thinking man’s thriller” that explores faith, loyalty, and morality without judgment, as he shared in a 2013 interview.
The Heart of Righteous
The series kicks off with The Righteous, where Jacob Christianson returns to Blister Creek to investigate his cousin Amanda’s brutal murder, tied to secret blood oaths. Alongside his sister Eliza, who faces pressure to marry an older church elder, Jacob uncovers a plot to topple the church’s leadership. The stakes soar as the conspiracy spills into the “gentile” world beyond the enclave.
Subsequent books, like Mighty and Strong, see Jacob recruited by the FBI to infiltrate a rival cult, grappling with his skepticism and family ties. The Wicked follows Eliza as she rescues a girl from a doomsday sect, while The Gates of Babylon pits the community against an apocalyptic world collapse. Themes of religious extremism, personal identity, and the tension between tradition and modernity run deep, set against Utah’s stark desert landscape.
Wallace’s spare, evocative style balances vivid cultural details with fast-paced plots. Readers praise the complex characters—Jacob’s analytical mind clashes with his loyalty, while Eliza’s defiance challenges patriarchal norms. The series’ nuanced portrayal of polygamy, neither glorifying nor vilifying it, invites reflection on belief and power.
Why Righteous Resonates
Righteous stands out in the thriller genre for its bold setting and moral complexity. Fans on Goodreads rave about its “riveting” action and “eye-opening” glimpse into a secretive world, with over 199 reviews for the first book alone. Its exploration of faith versus reason resonates with readers who enjoy psychological depth in their mysteries, akin to Lisa Gardner’s suspense novels.
The series’ lasting appeal lies in its ability to humanize a misunderstood subculture while delivering pulse-pounding suspense. By series’ end in 2015 with Blood of the Faithful, Wallace had crafted a saga that lingers, sparking curiosity about the intersections of faith, family, and justice.
- First Published: 2012
- Number of Books: 8, plus a novella
- Setting: Blister Creek, Utah
- Genre: Mystery Thriller
Grab The Righteous and dive into a world of secrets, suspense, and soul-searching. Your next binge-read awaits!