Stephen King Says This 'Terrifying' True Story Would Make 'One Hell of a Movie'

Stephen King has given a major endorsement to a nonfiction book that's been generating buzz among readers and critics alike.

Writing on X, the bestselling horror author praised Harrison Hill's "The Oracle's Daughter: The Rise and Fall of an American Cult," a deeply reported account of a woman-led religious cult that operated in the American Southwest.

"'The Oracle's Daughter' by Harrison Hill: This story about the rise and fall of an evangelical cult is terrifying…gripping…all true. I couldn't put it down, and it would make one hell of a movie," wrote King.

Hill responded with gratitude, writing, "Omg thank you @stephenking - the most extraordinarily generous words… thank you SO much for reading! ('On Writing' is one of my writing Bibles!) very, very grateful."

The mention of "On Writing" is particularly meaningful coming from a fellow author. King's influential 2000 memoir and guide to the craft of writing remains one of the most widely recommended books for aspiring writers.

Published by Scribner, "The Oracle's Daughter" tells the story of the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps, a paramilitary religious cult that eventually settled in the New Mexico desert. At the center of the book is Sarah Green, who escaped the group in 1999 after years of living under the control of its founder, Deborah Green, who was also her mother.

According to Barnes & Noble, the book traces the cult's evolution from its roots in the counterculture movements of the 1960s and 1970s through its descent into conspiracy-fueled extremism, abuse and criminal behavior. Hill examines the lives of three women connected to the group: Deborah, the self-proclaimed oracle who led the cult; Maura, one of its earliest members; and Sarah, whose escape would eventually help expose the group's darker realities.

The book has earned widespread acclaim from critics. The New York Times Book Review called it "excellent" and praised Hill's vivid storytelling, saying he creates scenes with "the propulsive feel of a novel." NPR highlighted the book's "extraordinary" twists and turns, while Oprah Daily named it one of its Best Books of Spring and said it provides readers with "a bracing sense of how mainstream the fringe can get."

Other reviewers have emphasized the book's broader cultural significance. Publishers Weekly described it as a "hair-raising chronicle" that will haunt readers, while Kirkus Reviews called it a compelling examination of religious zealotry and cults of personality. Booklist praised the work as a "deeply compelling" exploration of religious extremism and compared it to Jon Krakauer's bestselling "Under the Banner of Heaven."

The origins of the project are almost as remarkable as the story itself. In a guest essay for Barnes & Noble, Hill explained that he first learned about Sarah Green through his younger brother and sister-in-law, who had become friends with her after she moved into their Brooklyn apartment building. When they introduced Hill to Green, she revealed that she had grown up in a cult run by her mother.

Hill met Green for a drink in 2019 and immediately sensed there was a larger story waiting to be told.

"I remember so clearly the excitement I felt as I walked home after that first conversation," Hill wrote. He was struck not only by the shocking details but also by what he described as the story's narrative elegance, from the cult's creation in California to Green's dramatic escape and the eventual trial that exposed the group's alleged crimes.

Hill initially explored the subject in a 2021 article for The Cut, but he soon realized there was much more to uncover. The result was "The Oracle's Daughter," which has quickly become one of the most talked-about nonfiction books of the year.

Reflecting on the writing process, Hill said one of the biggest surprises was how much joy he found in the work itself.

"I think we do ourselves a disservice when we emphasize the difficulty or even the pain of writing," he wrote. "Of course, writing is often difficult or even painful. But it's also a source of great pleasure. What a privilege, to spend a day making words dance across a page!"

With glowing reviews from critics and an enthusiastic endorsement from one of the world's most famous authors, "The Oracle's Daughter" may soon find an even larger audience. And if King's prediction proves correct, Hollywood could come calling next.

Related: Stephen King Says This Twisty Mystery Could Be the Best of 2026

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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 11:57 AM.