Overview

After being born into an evangelical religious cult that evolved into an abusive communal life, Deborah and her twin sister Esther experienced vastly different outcomes. Control issues for one, impulsivity for the other. Both attempted to self-heal by healing others. Deb spent thirty-four years in emergency nursing, Esther, sixteen years as an ER Tech. Esther's subsequent death in 2013, led Deb to write 'The Serpent's Tail', a memoir-in-verse detailing their first fourteen years in the cult and the devastating aftermath. She left the emergency to work with Veterans in recovery. Deb still lives in the Prescott Quad Cities.

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9781648734045

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The Serpent's Tail is a beautifully narrated memoir-in-verse that manages to be both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Told with unflinching honesty, childlike innocence, and with a deep desire to heal unconscionable wounds, Thibodeau's story glows with resilience and determination. She takes us places-emotional and physical-few will ever experience, or even fathom. Tragedy, abuse, betrayed trust, broken families, brainwashed communities, lost innocence...all are offset by Thibodeau's youthful courage and undeterred faith. Ultimately, The Serpent's Tail is a testament to the human spirit, a tale of hope against all odds. -John Sibley Williams, author of As One Fire Consumes Another and Skin Memory In the many decades that I have been researching the psychology of evil, the most inhumane cruelty is that of cult masters who order parents to abuse their own children, as God's will. We can now more fully understand how these evil men operate from an insider's personal perspective. The Serpent's Tail is Deborah Daulton Thibodeau's masterfully composed expose of how she survived physical and psychologic abuse growing up in such a misguided cult community. The good news is this inspiring tale of Deb's childhood victory, of her mental grit, to endure in her young life, this nightmare of religious fervor and distorted theology. She emerged battered but emboldened, books burned but now a book created. -Philip Zimbardo, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Psychology Stanford University author of The Lucifer Effect An absolutely brilliant way to describe a most horrific situation. Each and every phrase paints a thousand pictures, giving the reader a personal glimpse into the thoughts and emotions of the author. The result is a guided tour, a once-in-a-lifetime journey to experience the dark hidden secrets of a destructive cult from early childhood development through coming of age and escape. -John Andrew Collins Founder, William Branham Historical Research, author of Preacher Behind the White Hoods

The Serpent's Tail"" is a beautifully narrated memoir-in-verse that manages to be both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Told with unflinching honesty, childlike innocence, and with a deep desire to heal unconscionable wounds, Thibodeau's story glows with resilience and determination. She takes us places-emotional and physical-few will ever experience, or even fathom. Tragedy, abuse, betrayed trust, broken families, brainwashed communities, lost innocence...all are offset by Thibodeau's youthful courage and undeterred faith. Ultimately, The Serpent's Tail is a testament to the human spirit, a tale of hope against all odds. -John Sibley Williams, author of As One Fire Consumes Another and Skin Memory In the many decades that I have been researching the psychology of evil, the most inhumane cruelty is that of cult masters who order parents to abuse their own children, as ""God's will."" We can now more fully understand how these evil men operate from an insider's personal perspective. The Serpent's Tail is Deborah Daulton Thibodeau's masterfully composed expose of how she survived physical and psychologic abuse growing up in such a misguided cult community. The good news is this inspiring tale of Deb's childhood victory, of her mental grit, to endure in her young life, this nightmare of religious fervor and distorted theology. She emerged battered but emboldened, books burned but now a book created. -Philip Zimbardo, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Psychology Stanford University author of The Lucifer Effect An absolutely brilliant way to describe a most horrific situation. Each and every phrase paints a thousand pictures, giving the reader a personal glimpse into the thoughts and emotions of the author. The result is a guided tour, a once-in-a-lifetime journey to experience the dark hidden secrets of a destructive cult from early childhood development through coming of age and escape. -John Andrew Collins Founder, William Branham Historical Research, author of Preacher Behind the White Hoods

Author Information

Deborah Daulton Thibodeau's life, at first glance, seems typical: a large Southern family, a career in emergency nursing spanning over three decades, two marriages, children, grandchildren, and pets. However, her memoir, The Serpent's Tail, reveals a harrowing childhood spent in a religious cult.Born to Ed and Bessie Daulton in Pulaski County, Kentucky, Deborah was one of twelve children. The family, seeking spiritual purpose, joined a Pentecostal revival and moved to Prescott, Arizona. There, Brother Leo Mercier, a cult leader, took control, enforcing his doctrines and abusing the children. After thirteen years, the family relocated to Flagstaff, but the fundamentalist influence persisted.Determined to break free, Deborah secretly educated herself, eventually working as an ER Tech and pursuing college. Her choice to marry outside the church shocked her family. Meanwhile, her twin sister Esther, unable to overcome their past trauma, succumbed to self-medication and ultimately cancer in 2013.Grieving Esther's death, Deborah wrote The Serpent's Tail to amplify the voices of those silenced by similar experiences. Transitioning to work with veterans battling PTSD, she found new purpose. Today, Deborah resides in Prescott, Arizona, with her husband Ron, their children, grandchildren, and a cherished cat named Puma. Together, they enjoy the local community and outdoor adventures.

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