Memoir • Available Now
All Who Believed
A Memoir of Life in the Twelve Tribes
In 2000, Tamara and her husband gave up everything to join the Twelve Tribes. Fourteen years and four children later, they found the courage to leave. This is her story of faith, survival, and the long road back to freedom.
About the Book
All Who Believed
“Come for a day or to stay!” beckons the maroon double-decker bus called The Peacemaker. One couple, searching for peace and a better life, did just that.
In August of 2000, Tamara Mathieu and her husband gave up everything they had and joined the Twelve Tribes — a worldwide religious organization — with their 17-month-old son. They were just 23 years old. Fourteen years and three more children later, they fled back to “the real world.”
All Who Believed gives an honest look behind the scenes of day-to-day life inside the Twelve Tribes, exposing the abuse and mind control that permeates their culture — as well as the controversial beliefs of this cult next door.
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“A powerful, haunting memoir that pulls readers deep inside a closed religious community and the quiet courage it takes to escape it. Unflinching, compassionate, and unforgettable — essential reading.”
★ Goodreads Review — 5 Stars
About the Author
Tamara Mathieu
Tamara Mathieu is a cult survivor, advocate, and published author based in Swanton, Vermont. In 2000, she and her husband joined the Twelve Tribes — a worldwide religious organization — at just 23 years old, with their infant son in tow. Over the next fourteen years, they had three more children while navigating the complex realities of life inside a high-control community.
In 2014, Tamara and her family made the courageous decision to leave the Twelve Tribes and start over from scratch. She now works as lead facilitator of a day program for adults with developmental disabilities at Northwestern Counseling and Support Services in St. Albans, Vermont.
All Who Believed is her debut book — a deeply honest account written to help others understand the realities of cult life, and to offer hope to those still searching for a way out. She resides in Swanton with her husband and children, and is a proud grandmother to Ella, Emersyn and Anavah.
Reader Reviews
What Readers Are Saying
“All Who Believed is a gripping memoir that pulls back the curtain on life inside the Twelve Tribes. Honest, raw, and courageous — a must-read for anyone curious about cult life, faith, and the journey to freedom.”
“Tamara Mathieu writes with raw honesty and emotional clarity, exposing the slow erosion of autonomy and the devastating cost of belief when faith is weaponized. Unflinching and unforgettable.”
“The author does a great service sharing her experience. An excellent book. Recommended to anyone who wants to understand what life inside the Twelve Tribes is really about.”
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Life After the Tribes
Tamara shares her ongoing journey of recovery, reflection, and advocacy on TikTok. From answering viewer questions about life inside the Twelve Tribes to sharing personal stories of healing and hard-won freedom, her videos have resonated with thousands across the country.
Follow along for cult awareness content, survivor stories, book updates, and events.
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@author.tamaramathieu
Cult Survivor and published author 📚
Read my memoir “All Who Believed”
7K+
Followers
42.9K
Likes