Redemption.jpg
Redemption.jpg

Redemption by Lawrence Wright

from $13.99
Hardcover:

A powerful and startling account of the unsparing connection between a convent of cloistered nuns and the condemned women on Texas’s death row, exploring questions around crime and punishment, faith, and retribution in America as only Lawrence Wright can.

“Redemption gripped me like the best crime novel and left me fundamentally changed. The relationship between two groups of isolated women teaches us the most elusive of values: true empathy." —Belle Burden, author of Strangers

Lawrence Wright tells the story of an unlikely alliance between the Sisters of Mary Morning Star, a convent of cloistered nuns in Waco, Texas, and seven condemned women on death row at a prison in Gatesville. It began in fall 2014, when a deacon started arranging weekly visits to bring communion and spiritual support to the women.

Wright follows the individual cases of these women, some of whom acknowledge their guilt while others maintain their innocence.

Along the way, Redemption raises hard questions about the criminal justice system, including unethical police practices and improper forensic methods that cast doubt on some convictions.

Wright is a staff writer for The New Yorker and a Pulitzer Prize winner for The Looming Tower, and Kirkus Reviews described him as one of the best narrative journalists in the business taking on the death penalty.

It suits readers who want a reported, character-driven account of faith, retribution, and absolution set inside two very different kinds of confinement.

A powerful and startling account of the unsparing connection between a convent of cloistered nuns and the condemned women on Texas’s death row, exploring questions around crime and punishment, faith, and retribution in America as only Lawrence Wright can.

“Redemption gripped me like the best crime novel and left me fundamentally changed. The relationship between two groups of isolated women teaches us the most elusive of values: true empathy." —Belle Burden, author of Strangers

Lawrence Wright tells the story of an unlikely alliance between the Sisters of Mary Morning Star, a convent of cloistered nuns in Waco, Texas, and seven condemned women on death row at a prison in Gatesville. It began in fall 2014, when a deacon started arranging weekly visits to bring communion and spiritual support to the women.

Wright follows the individual cases of these women, some of whom acknowledge their guilt while others maintain their innocence.

Along the way, Redemption raises hard questions about the criminal justice system, including unethical police practices and improper forensic methods that cast doubt on some convictions.

Wright is a staff writer for The New Yorker and a Pulitzer Prize winner for The Looming Tower, and Kirkus Reviews described him as one of the best narrative journalists in the business taking on the death penalty.

It suits readers who want a reported, character-driven account of faith, retribution, and absolution set inside two very different kinds of confinement.

  • Publisher: Knopf

    Title: Redemption: Faith, Justice, and Sisterhood on Death Row

    Author: Lawrence Wright

    On Sale Date: October 20, 2026

    ISBN 13: 978-0-593-80508-4

    ISBN 10: 0593805089

    Format: Hardcover

    Retail Price: $35.00

    Page Count: 272

    Dimensions: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 inches

  • Lawrence Wright is a staff writer for The New Yorker, a playwright and screenwriter, and the author of ten nonfiction books, including The Looming Tower, Going Clear, and God Save Texas, as well as four novels. His work has received numerous honors, including a Pulitzer Prize for The Looming Tower.

  • Pre-release readers are calling it captivating, inspiring, and powerful:

    • Belle Burden, author of Strangers, said it gripped her like the best crime novel and left her fundamentally changed.

    • John Grisham found the story of nuns in rural Texas ministering to seven women on death row both captivating and inspiring.

    • Dan Rather described a deep and powerful story, told with Wright's usual excellence.

    • Kirkus Reviews called it a deftly told story of crime, punishment, and hope.

This book is for you if

  • You're drawn to narrative nonfiction about crime, punishment, and the death penalty.

  • You're interested in how faith and spiritual practice play out inside a prison.

  • You want to read about a cloistered convent in Waco and the women it visits on death row in Gatesville.

  • You appreciate reporting that questions police practices and forensic methods behind contested convictions.

  • You've read Lawrence Wright's earlier work, such as The Looming Tower or Going Clear, and want to see him take on a new subject.

“★★★★★ You’re renting a brand-new hardcover for $12 instead of paying $30+. Even if you keep it, you come in under what you’d pay elsewhere.”
— Andrew B., Google review

Reviews from Trove customers

“★★★★★ With Trove the ordering and delivery process is quick and easy! Definitely recommend!”
— Caroline J., Google review

Trove is different.

We rent new books.

How renting works

Step 1

Rent this Book

Rent this book for ~60% off retail.

Keep it for 30 days and return it easily with the return kit provided!

No box, no label — just show the QR code at a USPS location.

Step 2

Receive it

Trove makes shipping simple and hassle-free.

Arrives in about a week or less, straight to your door.

Free shipping is offered from Trove Plus.

Step 3

Read and Decide

If you want to return it — great!

We’ll send you a free return label and QR code with instructions for an easy return.

Simply ship it back using the return kit at your local USPS. 

Step 4

Return it

Love it? Keep it — we’ll charge the difference between your rental and the cover price, as if you bought it new (plus tax).

And we'll always email you before your billing date, so there are no surprises.

Learn more about renting

Frequently asked questions

  • We believe hardcover books are too expensive, especially new releases. Trove gives you a better option to read new books immediately. Rent a book, then return it for free — or keep it if you love it!

  • Choose Rent New, read the book, then return it using the book return kit. If you end up keeping the book, then the remaining balance applies as if you bought it at retail plus tax.

  • Renting a book is kept for 30 days, two books for 60 days, and three or more books for 90 days. Trove provides a return kit with every book rental — simply pack and return the book(s) at your local USPS, and they will scan the QR code label Trove provides.

  • Keeping the book past your billing date automatically charges the payment method we have on file.

    Trove Bookstore complies with all local and federal laws. Should you have any questions, please reach out to hello@trovebookstore.com.

  • Running a few days late? No worries — just let us know by emailing Trove at hello@trovebookstore.com and we will work with you. Trove will send several email reminders before the billing date, so just let us know if you need any extensions!

  • The book(s) should be returned in very good condition so another reader can enjoy it! However, if a rental book is lost or returned with major damage, the remaining purchase balance may still apply.

    If something happens to your rental, please contact Trove at hello@trovebookstore.com as soon as possible so we can work with you to resolve the issue.

  • It’s yours! If you rent a book and decide you want to keep it, the remaining balance will apply. No action is needed. Trove gives readers the option to try out a book for a discounted rental price and only pay the rest if you feel the book belongs on your shelf.

Have more questions?

Reach out to us and someone will get back to you shortly.

More FAQs
Contact us