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Cop Town
The critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling master of suspense delivers her first stand-alone novel, a thrilling tale of crime and struggle set in Atlanta in the mid-1970s.Atlanta, 1974. It's Kate Murphy's first day on the job, and the Atlanta Police Department is seething after the murder of an officer. Before the day has barely begun, she already suspects she's not cut out to be a cop. Her male uniform is too big, she can't handle a gun, and she's rapidly learning that the APD is hardly a place that welcomes women. Worse still, in the ensuing manhunt, she'll be partnered with Maggie Lawson, a cop with her own ax to grind (and a brother and uncle already on the force)--a strategy meant to isolate Kate and Maggie from the action. But the move will backfire, putting them right at the heart of it.Cop Town is an incredibly atmospheric nail-biter from the author the Huffington Post called an "exemplary storyteller" and "one of the great talents of the twenty-first century."
416 pages, Hardcover
First published June 24, 2014
About the author
Karin Slaughter
127 books73.8k followersKarin Slaughter is the author of more than twenty instant NEW YORK TIMES bestselling novels, including the Edgar–nominated COP TOWN and standalone novels THE GOOD DAUGHTER, PRETTY GIRLS, and GIRL, FORGOTTEN. She is published in 120 countries with more than 40 million copies sold across the globe. PIECES OF HER is a #1 Netflix original series starring Toni Collette. The Will Trent Series is on ABC (and streaming on Hulu in the U.S and Disney+ internationally). THE GOOD DAUGHTER and FALSE WITNESS are in development for film/tv. Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project—a nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, she lives in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,156 reviews
January 31, 2015
All new characters, set in 1975...I think my readers will really enjoy this one. It was a lot of fun to work on and I talked to a lot of interesting folks for research. Don't worry--another Will and Sara is around the corner. A girl has to have some fun!
October 30, 2017
Cop Town is a crime thriller set in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1974. It is a story of a city and state in a state of flux, a police department in open revolt against a black mayor, a black police commissioner, Reginald Eaves, and the changing face of communities with the growth in a range of minorities, with women and blacks working as police officers and more. Atlanta is a city festering with hatred and tension as a fifth white police officer has been shot dead on duty, with the shooter pegged as a black man by the police. If you are black, you better watch out. Jewish widow Kate Murphy is starting her first day as a police officer, only to face a baptism of fire from male cops. She is partnered with Maggie Lawson, determined to remain a cop in staunch opposition from her mother, and cops, brother Jimmy and Uncle Terry. Terry feels free to punch and knock Maggie around. Kate and Maggie are sidelined from the investigation into the cop murders, but nevertheless pursue the killer
The white male cops are angry, crude, drink heavily, openly racists and bigots, brutal, violent, misogynists, anti-gay, despise liberals, and struggle when it comes to the subtle and the more nuanced in their jobs. They plant evidence and threaten people with impunity. They deride, scorn, treat with contempt and sexually harass female police officers, and are of the firm opinion that women do not belong within the police department. The uniform that is given to Kate is a joke, every item is too big, including the shoes. The women are hard on each other, although as relationships develop, they look out for each other. The anti-semitic serial shooter is stalking and lusting after Kate, with a view to killing her and Jimmy Lawson. The police would rather shoot one of their own if he is gay than face public shame. As Jimmy's life comes under threat, Kate and Maggie race to find the killer, despite all the obstacles and danger they face.
There is not much, if any, difference between most police officers and the serial killer. This is story of a search for identity as the world shifts, the cosy bastions of white power in the police is beginning to crumble, societal demographics are changing, and women are acquiring influence in non traditional areas. There is a lot to be uneasy and afraid of. We see Kate come to terms with a different identity, and various versions of herself. 1970s Atlanta is a place you are glad we have moved on from....wait, I have a sense of deja vu, as history seems to be hell bent on repeating itself today. A darn good and suspenseful thriller from the talented Karin Slaughter. Brilliant read!!
The white male cops are angry, crude, drink heavily, openly racists and bigots, brutal, violent, misogynists, anti-gay, despise liberals, and struggle when it comes to the subtle and the more nuanced in their jobs. They plant evidence and threaten people with impunity. They deride, scorn, treat with contempt and sexually harass female police officers, and are of the firm opinion that women do not belong within the police department. The uniform that is given to Kate is a joke, every item is too big, including the shoes. The women are hard on each other, although as relationships develop, they look out for each other. The anti-semitic serial shooter is stalking and lusting after Kate, with a view to killing her and Jimmy Lawson. The police would rather shoot one of their own if he is gay than face public shame. As Jimmy's life comes under threat, Kate and Maggie race to find the killer, despite all the obstacles and danger they face.
There is not much, if any, difference between most police officers and the serial killer. This is story of a search for identity as the world shifts, the cosy bastions of white power in the police is beginning to crumble, societal demographics are changing, and women are acquiring influence in non traditional areas. There is a lot to be uneasy and afraid of. We see Kate come to terms with a different identity, and various versions of herself. 1970s Atlanta is a place you are glad we have moved on from....wait, I have a sense of deja vu, as history seems to be hell bent on repeating itself today. A darn good and suspenseful thriller from the talented Karin Slaughter. Brilliant read!!
November 22, 2017
I’m giving it up for Slaughter’s Cop Town. She got her hook in early and kept me tethered to that line throughout.
Dawn broke over Peachtree Street. The sun razored open the downtown corridor, slicing past the construction cranes waiting to dip into the earth and pull up skyscrapers, hotels, convention centers. Frost spiderwebbed across the parks. Fog drifted through the streets. Trees slowly straightened their spines. The wet, ripe meat of the city lurched toward the November light.
The only sound was footsteps.
Heavy slaps echoed between the buildings as Jimmy Lawson’s police-issue boots pounded the pavement. Sweat poured from his skin. His left knee wanted to give. His body was a symphony of pain. Every muscle was a plucked piano wire. His teeth gritted like a sand block. His heart was a snare drum.
His partner Don Wesley was thrown over his shoulder like a sack of flower. Jimmy did not know if he was alive or dead. He had just been shot. And he is not the first policeman to be gunned down.
Set in 1974 Atlanta during a time of significant social turbulence. Times were changing rapidly on all fronts, racial tension was at an all time high and minorities of all stripes were infiltrating Atlanta’s police force, most notably women from both sides of the racial divide. They are not welcomed by the old guard who will not quietly relinquish their former dominance and control.
But there is a shooter out there and he is taking down cops.
The story follows Maggie, Jimmy’s sister who is also a member of the police force and newcomer Kate Murphy, a beautiful young Jewish war widow who has led a life of shelter and privilege.
All of Slaughter's characters are well fleshed out in these pages. These women came alive for me and I was drawn into their story as they try to identify the shooter and do their jobs, all the while surrounded by misogynistic, homophobic men who are so busy defending the old days and ways that they are no longer interested in real police work. Their solution for the shooter, once apprehended would be faster, cheaper and much more satisfying.
The pacing is pitch perfect, the characters complex and authentic enough to invoke an emotional response, as the hunt for the killer escalates in a city teetering on the brink of upheaval.
Damn fine writing. :)
Dawn broke over Peachtree Street. The sun razored open the downtown corridor, slicing past the construction cranes waiting to dip into the earth and pull up skyscrapers, hotels, convention centers. Frost spiderwebbed across the parks. Fog drifted through the streets. Trees slowly straightened their spines. The wet, ripe meat of the city lurched toward the November light.
The only sound was footsteps.
Heavy slaps echoed between the buildings as Jimmy Lawson’s police-issue boots pounded the pavement. Sweat poured from his skin. His left knee wanted to give. His body was a symphony of pain. Every muscle was a plucked piano wire. His teeth gritted like a sand block. His heart was a snare drum.
His partner Don Wesley was thrown over his shoulder like a sack of flower. Jimmy did not know if he was alive or dead. He had just been shot. And he is not the first policeman to be gunned down.
Set in 1974 Atlanta during a time of significant social turbulence. Times were changing rapidly on all fronts, racial tension was at an all time high and minorities of all stripes were infiltrating Atlanta’s police force, most notably women from both sides of the racial divide. They are not welcomed by the old guard who will not quietly relinquish their former dominance and control.
But there is a shooter out there and he is taking down cops.
The story follows Maggie, Jimmy’s sister who is also a member of the police force and newcomer Kate Murphy, a beautiful young Jewish war widow who has led a life of shelter and privilege.
All of Slaughter's characters are well fleshed out in these pages. These women came alive for me and I was drawn into their story as they try to identify the shooter and do their jobs, all the while surrounded by misogynistic, homophobic men who are so busy defending the old days and ways that they are no longer interested in real police work. Their solution for the shooter, once apprehended would be faster, cheaper and much more satisfying.
The pacing is pitch perfect, the characters complex and authentic enough to invoke an emotional response, as the hunt for the killer escalates in a city teetering on the brink of upheaval.
Damn fine writing. :)
December 30, 2017
4 Fabulous Stars.
Maggie Lawson is a cop in the Atlanta Police Department. The Year is 1974. Things were different back then. Maggie is basically a beat cop, writing traffic tickets, as are all of the other women on the force, unless they are working undercover as Prostitutes that is. Women are after thoughts. After all, they aren’t allowed to buy a car or open their own bank accounts. Women on the force are mere numbers, meant to make the force look good. Yet Maggie Lawson wants more and she knows she has the brains to do the job.
Kate Murphy joins the force after her husband dies in the war. She is one heck of a beauty and she stops traffic too - always has, just in a different way than Maggie. The day of Kate’s first day on the job, Jimmy Lawson’s, partner gets shot and killed. Jimmy is Maggie’s brother and he was right there when it happened. He claims it had to be the Atlanta cop killer - who has taken the lives of several cops already that year. Everyone on the force believes Jimmy, including their Uncle Terry, who adores Jimmy and has nothing but disdain for Maggie. Maggie, however, can’t help but think something doesn’t seem right. She therefore takes it upon herself to investigate the death of Jimmy’s partner along with the help of Kate Murphy and an undercover officer who taught Maggie everything she knows.
“Cop Town” by Karin Slaughter kept me on my toes. I was engrossed from the first second to the last even though I had my suspicions early on and they were correct. Every characters was so well written, even those I disliked immensely. This is the second book I’ve picked up by Karin Slaughter and I have now become a huge fan. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Kathleen Early (who narrates all of her books apparently) did a splendid job. For those looking for an enjoyable thriller, I’d suggest checking this out as it was well worth it.
Published on Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter and Instagram on 12.30.17.
Maggie Lawson is a cop in the Atlanta Police Department. The Year is 1974. Things were different back then. Maggie is basically a beat cop, writing traffic tickets, as are all of the other women on the force, unless they are working undercover as Prostitutes that is. Women are after thoughts. After all, they aren’t allowed to buy a car or open their own bank accounts. Women on the force are mere numbers, meant to make the force look good. Yet Maggie Lawson wants more and she knows she has the brains to do the job.
Kate Murphy joins the force after her husband dies in the war. She is one heck of a beauty and she stops traffic too - always has, just in a different way than Maggie. The day of Kate’s first day on the job, Jimmy Lawson’s, partner gets shot and killed. Jimmy is Maggie’s brother and he was right there when it happened. He claims it had to be the Atlanta cop killer - who has taken the lives of several cops already that year. Everyone on the force believes Jimmy, including their Uncle Terry, who adores Jimmy and has nothing but disdain for Maggie. Maggie, however, can’t help but think something doesn’t seem right. She therefore takes it upon herself to investigate the death of Jimmy’s partner along with the help of Kate Murphy and an undercover officer who taught Maggie everything she knows.
“Cop Town” by Karin Slaughter kept me on my toes. I was engrossed from the first second to the last even though I had my suspicions early on and they were correct. Every characters was so well written, even those I disliked immensely. This is the second book I’ve picked up by Karin Slaughter and I have now become a huge fan. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Kathleen Early (who narrates all of her books apparently) did a splendid job. For those looking for an enjoyable thriller, I’d suggest checking this out as it was well worth it.
Published on Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter and Instagram on 12.30.17.
January 31, 2015
This book is now released. Run and get it!!
Cop Town is set in Atlanta, Georgia during the 1970's. Admittedly the south has suffered for our history and this book doesn't portray the people living in the south in a great light. Don't let that stop you though. I lived and live in Georgia and this book blew me away.
Atlanta GA 1970
Peachtree street. 1970's
Then Atlanta's Police Dept in the 70's.
Notice something there? No women. The Police department didn't really think women belonged on the force. The ones that had made it were tough and somewhat bitter.
Maggie Lawson is fairly new on the job. She has been there for four years. Working under her uncle Terry and brother Jimmy. Both of who are stars of the show. (Terry is a arsehole-just had to put that in).
Enter Kate Murphy widowed, first day on the job and Jewish. Not great in that time in history.
The story takes place in one week. A shooter has targeted the police officers and is shooting them down in cold blood. The male officers are in an uproar and crying for blood. Maggie and Kate will not step back and let the boys handle things.
These two women! I adored them both. They aren't perfect. They don't even think so themselves. Karin Slaughter might write like a man but damn it she makes me proud to be a woman.
Slaughter does not beat around the bush about the history of that time. There is physical abuse, racism, homophobia and violence. It happened as bad as I hate it. She does show that most people have good and bad sides and that "change it was a coming."
Ramble time:
Atlanta still has parts of it that are described in the book. Perry home like areas. My dumbbutt saw it first hand one time. I was looking for a friends new house and walked into a crack house. I think I just made it out without more happening just because they realized I was stupid. Atlanta does have wonderful parts too. I love the city. Bad history and all. This story could have happened in any town though. Corrupt police officers still exist today.
I love the Grant County/Will Trent books but this one I was floored by. I think it may have been even better than those.
I recieved an ARC of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
October 8, 2021
This standalone by Karin Slaughter is set in 1974 Atlanta, where a serial cop killer is on the loose. As the search for the killer is going on Kate Murphy, a beautiful young widow from Buckhead (a wealthy Atlanta neighborhood) has completed her police training and starts on the job.
She's soon partnered with working class Maggie Lawson, whose uncle Terry Lawson and brother Jimmy Lawson are both cops.
The job isn't easy for women however. The 1970s Atlanta Police Department is dominated by racist, homophobic, white men who have contempt for black cops and female cops.
The white males feel free to disrespect and grope their female colleagues, who are generally relegated to traffic duty or undercover work where they pose as hookers. Kate is even more ostracized because of her good looks and posh accent.
Before long Jimmy is wounded by the cop killer and his partner Don is killed. The Atlanta PD goes into high gear to catch the murderer and Maggie - who thinks Jimmy's hiding something - wants to help.
Uncle Terry is violently against this but Maggie uses personal sources to get information and she and Kate launch their own inquiry.
As the women investigate Kate becomes re-acquainted with an old friend who's now a doctor, able to provide important information about Jimmy's injuries. The doc, though married, is attracted to Kate and proceeds to pursue her.
The book has a wide array of interesting characters including a tough lady officer who's willing to torture witnesses, a transgender pimp, a creepy child rapist, Kate's courtly family, and a whole bunch of cops. The plot is fast-paced and leads to a dramatic, believable, and satisfying climax. I enjoyed this mystery thriller and highly recommend it.
(A note: I'm glad to think the bigoted male cops in this story would be thrown off the job immediately in this day and age.)
You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/
December 2, 2023
I have just re-read this book after first reading it around 2014. Karin Slaughter is one of my favourite all-time Authors. So far this is still my favourite book she’s ever written.
Cop Town is unlike ANY crime novel I have ever read before. It's an absolute stand out with it's plot, characters, message and depth. For me this was a six star read. It's so well written that it makes many other novels I have read in the past pale in comparison.
It's 1974, Atlanta, USA. The Atlanta police force has only recently been advertising for women to join the police force, so they are few and far between and they don't get it easy. Rampant sexism, racism, bullying, taunting and downright unethical behaviour is what the women in the Atlanta Police Department have to put up with. Tension runs high in the ranks between men and women, white and black police officers. This is not a place of equality or equal opportunity. You need to be tough, really tough to survive as a woman here.
Kate Murphy joins the ranks and is quickly faced with the hard initiations that every woman before her has faced. There is not many women, outnumbered on every corner and Kate has to prove herself to the women and men around her. Many won't even give her a chance.
Prejudice and fear is everywhere.
Kate's character is complex and surprising, just when you think you know what she is all about, she shows another element of her personality, there is more than meets the eye. She is thrown into some incredibly difficult and harrowing police situations from her first day on the job, many question if she will be back for more on day two. She's not a quitter though our Kate, oh no, she's certainly not that. You will like her a lot.
Then we have Maggie Lawson, who has been with the department for years longer than Kate. Maggie has followed in the very big footsteps of her brother and Uncle who are present also in the department. Again, Maggie is a character that is complex, surprising at times and so very well written. Heck, all the characters in this book are exceptional.
As white, female Police Officers these two women have a lot to prove. The men in the Atlanta Police Department in the 1970's did not always stick to procedure or protocol, in fact it seems just the opposite, it's as though there are unwritten rules everywhere.
The plot is tight, we get tastes of the private lives of Maggie and Kate as well as being on the job with them. Someone is killing Police Officers in Atlanta and Kate and Maggie figure that they have just as much chance of finding the killer as any of their male counterparts. They are jeered at for even thinking this way. This was an environment that set up harsh, impossible situations for them. They are risking a lot in teaming up and going after the killer that everyone wants to catch.
The prose is stunning, every single word is exceptional, I was literally transported back to the 1970's, it was painted with such clever descriptive paragraphs and emotion running through the sentences that you are just swept along. From the moment I started reading this novel I could not put it down, each word flowed so well and the plot got more and more interesting, at times it's dark, heck it's just so incredibly good.
There are some really clever, unexpected things thrown up along the way that I did not expect, some shocking, deep issues being tackled at the same time. This book does not hold back, it's gritty, in your face and challenging.
I can't rave enough, whether you are already a Karin Slaughter fan or not, read Cop Town and make up your own mind. It's a stunning work of fiction. Have I raved enough? I hope so. Happy reading.
Thanks so much for reading my review! If you’d like to connect you can send me a friend request. 🐱
She needed books like others need air to live.
Cop Town is unlike ANY crime novel I have ever read before. It's an absolute stand out with it's plot, characters, message and depth. For me this was a six star read. It's so well written that it makes many other novels I have read in the past pale in comparison.
It's 1974, Atlanta, USA. The Atlanta police force has only recently been advertising for women to join the police force, so they are few and far between and they don't get it easy. Rampant sexism, racism, bullying, taunting and downright unethical behaviour is what the women in the Atlanta Police Department have to put up with. Tension runs high in the ranks between men and women, white and black police officers. This is not a place of equality or equal opportunity. You need to be tough, really tough to survive as a woman here.
Kate Murphy joins the ranks and is quickly faced with the hard initiations that every woman before her has faced. There is not many women, outnumbered on every corner and Kate has to prove herself to the women and men around her. Many won't even give her a chance.
Prejudice and fear is everywhere.
Kate's character is complex and surprising, just when you think you know what she is all about, she shows another element of her personality, there is more than meets the eye. She is thrown into some incredibly difficult and harrowing police situations from her first day on the job, many question if she will be back for more on day two. She's not a quitter though our Kate, oh no, she's certainly not that. You will like her a lot.
Then we have Maggie Lawson, who has been with the department for years longer than Kate. Maggie has followed in the very big footsteps of her brother and Uncle who are present also in the department. Again, Maggie is a character that is complex, surprising at times and so very well written. Heck, all the characters in this book are exceptional.
As white, female Police Officers these two women have a lot to prove. The men in the Atlanta Police Department in the 1970's did not always stick to procedure or protocol, in fact it seems just the opposite, it's as though there are unwritten rules everywhere.
The plot is tight, we get tastes of the private lives of Maggie and Kate as well as being on the job with them. Someone is killing Police Officers in Atlanta and Kate and Maggie figure that they have just as much chance of finding the killer as any of their male counterparts. They are jeered at for even thinking this way. This was an environment that set up harsh, impossible situations for them. They are risking a lot in teaming up and going after the killer that everyone wants to catch.
The prose is stunning, every single word is exceptional, I was literally transported back to the 1970's, it was painted with such clever descriptive paragraphs and emotion running through the sentences that you are just swept along. From the moment I started reading this novel I could not put it down, each word flowed so well and the plot got more and more interesting, at times it's dark, heck it's just so incredibly good.
There are some really clever, unexpected things thrown up along the way that I did not expect, some shocking, deep issues being tackled at the same time. This book does not hold back, it's gritty, in your face and challenging.
I can't rave enough, whether you are already a Karin Slaughter fan or not, read Cop Town and make up your own mind. It's a stunning work of fiction. Have I raved enough? I hope so. Happy reading.
Thanks so much for reading my review! If you’d like to connect you can send me a friend request. 🐱
She needed books like others need air to live.
November 17, 2016
Unputdownable!
I can easily see why Karin Slaughter is one of my very favorite authors. "Cop Town" is her first stand-alone novel that I genuinely hope she will develop into a series.
Set in the 70's "Cop Town" is an epic story of a city in the midst of tumultuous turmoil, a serial cop killer, and a divided police force assigned with capturing this madman.
How can I do justice to this superbly written novel except to say it is fascinating, deeply moving, blatantly realistic and written by one of the best crime novelists today.
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for this arc.
Re-read and loved it just as much the 2nd time!
I can easily see why Karin Slaughter is one of my very favorite authors. "Cop Town" is her first stand-alone novel that I genuinely hope she will develop into a series.
Set in the 70's "Cop Town" is an epic story of a city in the midst of tumultuous turmoil, a serial cop killer, and a divided police force assigned with capturing this madman.
How can I do justice to this superbly written novel except to say it is fascinating, deeply moving, blatantly realistic and written by one of the best crime novelists today.
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for this arc.
Re-read and loved it just as much the 2nd time!
December 12, 2021
Harsh. But, it had to be.
March 4, 2021
A very engrossing read focusing on two female police officers trying to make their way in the male dominated field in 1974 Atlanta, GA, while hunting down a cop killer. The story was graphic in detail, dark, discriminatory, grim and brutal. I found myself completely immersed in the story and it was hard to put down.
September 22, 2018
Atlanta 1974. Kate Murphy is a rookie cop, and this is her first day on the job. Issued an ill-fitting uniform, she struggles with her utility belt, handsy and hostile male cops, and an utter dearth of respect from the whole force.
A cop killer is on the loose. Good story, standout characters. Some you will root for, some you will loathe. This author knows how to keep you reading.
A cop killer is on the loose. Good story, standout characters. Some you will root for, some you will loathe. This author knows how to keep you reading.
July 21, 2014
2.5 stars Karin Slaughter tops my list of favorite crime writers, and she's certainly the one who writes the most engrossing police procedurals, as well as the one who usually succeeds in leaving you gasping after she's punched you in the emotional gut. But while I was excited about the idea of a new book outside of the Georgia series, this one didn't quite work for me.
I appreciate the author's tackling a difficult time period in showing the rampant racism and sexism of the 1970s, but this book was so unrelentingly grim and violent that it was really difficult to read. I know Slaughter's been criticized for her portrayal of violence against women in the past, but I never thought that was fair--her Grant County and Will Trent series were unflinching about their gruesome crimes, sure, but that was tempered with gravity and humor and genuinely poignant relationships of all kinds.
In Cop Town, the moments of finer emotion are scarce, and it feels as though you're constantly on the verge of being backhanded across the face and called a filthy slit for daring to want more of that. ("Slit" is used many, many, many, many times, as are countless other appallingly derogatory terms for women and minorities. The point is hammered in pretty heavily.) The story is about the oppressed being further beaten down and follows Maggie and Kate, new partners who (eventually) take control of their lives, as they investigate a series of execution-style cop killings. But even the two main characters we're supposed to root for are often hard to relate to or care about. Kate's transformation from "fucking new girl" to hardened cop isn't as memorable as I'd hoped ( and her dumb personal choices often made me want to shake her), and Maggie goes through so much abuse that it overshadows everything else we know about her.
I did enjoy undercover officer Gail's batshit crazy story arc, and I'm perfectly fine with how things turned out for just about all the characters. It's not the most complex or engrossing of Slaughter's mysteries (the killer's motivations as well as his fixation on Kate are hastily explained in the end, which is disappointing after so much build-up, and I don't love an overabundance of killer POV chapters anyway), but her characters are so indelible that you hardly notice until it's all over. But given that there is so much violence in this story, and specifically so much violence against women, this was just extremely difficult to get through on a number of levels.
Cop Town is well-crafted, but was it an enjoyable read? Not really, at least for me. I'm feeling more tired and battered after finishing it than anything else. If you're curious about this author, I'd recommend her other series instead. The order in which they should be read is on my Blindsighted review.
I will still probably read the next book in this series out of curiosity since things are marginally getting better climate-wise in the end, and I also find it hard to resist any Slaughter novels. But in the meantime, I'm going to go wait quietly in the corner for the next Will and Sara book.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.
I appreciate the author's tackling a difficult time period in showing the rampant racism and sexism of the 1970s, but this book was so unrelentingly grim and violent that it was really difficult to read. I know Slaughter's been criticized for her portrayal of violence against women in the past, but I never thought that was fair--her Grant County and Will Trent series were unflinching about their gruesome crimes, sure, but that was tempered with gravity and humor and genuinely poignant relationships of all kinds.
In Cop Town, the moments of finer emotion are scarce, and it feels as though you're constantly on the verge of being backhanded across the face and called a filthy slit for daring to want more of that. ("Slit" is used many, many, many, many times, as are countless other appallingly derogatory terms for women and minorities. The point is hammered in pretty heavily.) The story is about the oppressed being further beaten down and follows Maggie and Kate, new partners who (eventually) take control of their lives, as they investigate a series of execution-style cop killings. But even the two main characters we're supposed to root for are often hard to relate to or care about. Kate's transformation from "fucking new girl" to hardened cop isn't as memorable as I'd hoped ( and her dumb personal choices often made me want to shake her), and Maggie goes through so much abuse that it overshadows everything else we know about her.
I did enjoy undercover officer Gail's batshit crazy story arc, and I'm perfectly fine with how things turned out for just about all the characters. It's not the most complex or engrossing of Slaughter's mysteries (the killer's motivations as well as his fixation on Kate are hastily explained in the end, which is disappointing after so much build-up, and I don't love an overabundance of killer POV chapters anyway), but her characters are so indelible that you hardly notice until it's all over. But given that there is so much violence in this story, and specifically so much violence against women, this was just extremely difficult to get through on a number of levels.
Cop Town is well-crafted, but was it an enjoyable read? Not really, at least for me. I'm feeling more tired and battered after finishing it than anything else. If you're curious about this author, I'd recommend her other series instead. The order in which they should be read is on my Blindsighted review.
I will still probably read the next book in this series out of curiosity since things are marginally getting better climate-wise in the end, and I also find it hard to resist any Slaughter novels. But in the meantime, I'm going to go wait quietly in the corner for the next Will and Sara book.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.
June 5, 2014
Karin Slaughter has been one of my favorite authors for some time now. Her Will Trent series has always placed her in a class all her own. Her gritty, descriptive, suspenseful crime novels make her a force to be reckoned with so it's no surprise that Cop Town, the first standalone novel, is as good as it is.
Maggie Lawson and Kate Murphy take center stage as two female officers for the Atlanta Police Department. Maggie comes from a family that eats, breathes, and dies by the blue. Although no one in her family is happy she's on the force, she can take care of her own. Her brother Jimmy, and uncle Terry, are on the force as well. They give her as much of a hard time as all the other animals... I mean men in blue.
Kate Murphy is the rookie officer who is barely managing her first day on the job when she partners up with Maggie. Kate decides to serve after her husband dies in Vietnam. At first she seems lost and unsure of herself, but eventually she discovers what she's made of.
Both women are investigating the death of Jimmy Lawson's partner Don Mosley. Someone has declared it open season on the APD. There have been seemingly random murders of officers while on duty which has turned the whole Atlanta Police Department on its head. They are out for blood and will not let this murderer have their day in court.
Maggie and Kate begin to investigate the latest murder of Don Mosley and begin piecing together the evidence and witness accounts. There is enough proving that Maggie's brother is hiding something and the murders may not have been so random after all.
Cop Town takes place during the 70s. Racism, homophobia, sexism and classism seems to permeate its way into the minds of every character. In some way, in some form, one person or another is faced with dealing with their own prejudices or ones thrown at them. Kate and Maggie battle not only the elements on the tough streets, but are constantly needing to prove themselves to their male counterparts. Kate is sexually harassed at least once every hour or so. I can't imagine what it was like for women who paved the way for current female police officers. Judging from this book they had a tough row to hoe.
Karin Slaughter writes a damn-good police procedural. She provides readers with great characters who have such depth I'd love to see them in future novels. (Please...maybe?) Both women trudge through the mud and find a whole lot more on the other side. I really enjoyed this journey with Maggie and Kate. Cop Town is a must read for all of Slaughter's fans. And for those living under a rock and haven't yet been acquainted her novels, make Cop Town your first.
Copy provided by Random House Publishing Group via Netgalley
Maggie Lawson and Kate Murphy take center stage as two female officers for the Atlanta Police Department. Maggie comes from a family that eats, breathes, and dies by the blue. Although no one in her family is happy she's on the force, she can take care of her own. Her brother Jimmy, and uncle Terry, are on the force as well. They give her as much of a hard time as all the other animals... I mean men in blue.
Kate Murphy is the rookie officer who is barely managing her first day on the job when she partners up with Maggie. Kate decides to serve after her husband dies in Vietnam. At first she seems lost and unsure of herself, but eventually she discovers what she's made of.
Both women are investigating the death of Jimmy Lawson's partner Don Mosley. Someone has declared it open season on the APD. There have been seemingly random murders of officers while on duty which has turned the whole Atlanta Police Department on its head. They are out for blood and will not let this murderer have their day in court.
Maggie and Kate begin to investigate the latest murder of Don Mosley and begin piecing together the evidence and witness accounts. There is enough proving that Maggie's brother is hiding something and the murders may not have been so random after all.
Cop Town takes place during the 70s. Racism, homophobia, sexism and classism seems to permeate its way into the minds of every character. In some way, in some form, one person or another is faced with dealing with their own prejudices or ones thrown at them. Kate and Maggie battle not only the elements on the tough streets, but are constantly needing to prove themselves to their male counterparts. Kate is sexually harassed at least once every hour or so. I can't imagine what it was like for women who paved the way for current female police officers. Judging from this book they had a tough row to hoe.
Karin Slaughter writes a damn-good police procedural. She provides readers with great characters who have such depth I'd love to see them in future novels. (Please...maybe?) Both women trudge through the mud and find a whole lot more on the other side. I really enjoyed this journey with Maggie and Kate. Cop Town is a must read for all of Slaughter's fans. And for those living under a rock and haven't yet been acquainted her novels, make Cop Town your first.
Copy provided by Random House Publishing Group via Netgalley
January 15, 2019
This book had just about everything. Racism, sexism, misogyny, bigotry, abuse, victim-blaming, homophobic slurs.. oh, and cheating. Everything I hate. Also it was just a constant stream of people being generically unpleasant or cruel. Fun times.
This was unrelentingly awful and uncomfortable and gross. I realize this is not an untrue picture of the 70s, particularly set amongst already toxic cop culture, but dear god. Just.. this is like living under the threat of a punch, cringing, cowering, curled up to protect one's self, for over four hundred pages.
I didn't love the mystery, I disliked all the characters (most of which, as indicated above, we aren't supposed to like), and yeah. If I hadn't already read some of the best that Slaughter has to offer, I highly doubt I would've picked her up again after COP TOWN. Or it's likely I would've just DNF'd this after chapter two. The last, maybe, 5% were good (or maybe just not terrible) but it far from redeems the rest of it.
Go read Will Trent. Give this one a pass.
(sorry Paula)
This was unrelentingly awful and uncomfortable and gross. I realize this is not an untrue picture of the 70s, particularly set amongst already toxic cop culture, but dear god. Just.. this is like living under the threat of a punch, cringing, cowering, curled up to protect one's self, for over four hundred pages.
I didn't love the mystery, I disliked all the characters (most of which, as indicated above, we aren't supposed to like), and yeah. If I hadn't already read some of the best that Slaughter has to offer, I highly doubt I would've picked her up again after COP TOWN. Or it's likely I would've just DNF'd this after chapter two. The last, maybe, 5% were good (or maybe just not terrible) but it far from redeems the rest of it.
Go read Will Trent. Give this one a pass.
(sorry Paula)
June 26, 2014
Atlanta, Georgia in 1974 was full of racial prejudice, bigotry, hatred and the belief that women should be in the home, not working toward a career – and this was just in the Atlanta Police Department. Maggie Lawson had been a raw recruit once – on the job now for twelve months, she was still in the shadow of her uncle and brother. Terry had a cruel streak and did his best to lower Maggie’s dwindling confidence with verbal abuse and beatings. Her brother Jimmy was growing up the same way, though they had been close as children and she loved him dearly.
Kate Murphy had lost her husband to the war in Vietnam and was still grieving. But she had decided a job in the police force was something she could do – helping people less fortunate was her naïve thoughts. When she discovered the uniform she’d been given was way too big, even though her measurements had been taken meticulously, she should have realized the tone of her near future. The catcalls, the derision, the leers from the male cops as she tried to make her way into the squad room on her first day were daunting to say the least; then she met the few women on the force….
When another cop was murdered on the night shift they were working and his partner lucky to survive, the ensuing manhunt was all consuming. A serial killer was targeting cops and the desperation of the department was escalating. Kate’s first day would not ease her gently into Atlanta PD, she was thrown into an outright war. But as Kate and her partner Maggie were told in no uncertain terms that they couldn’t do anything in the search – they were women after all – Maggie and Kate decided to do their own investigation; follow the paperwork, follow the clues – their determination was made stronger by the taunts of their male colleagues.
As the women ventured into the depths of the city’s dark side where murder and depravity were every day occurrences; where the colour of a person’s skin made a difference, a madman waited on the sidelines. Would they capture this twisted and psychotic maniac before he struck again? How many more cops would die before he was brought to justice?
I thoroughly enjoyed Karin Slaughter’s latest offer, the stand-alone Cop Town. The action was full on and intense, the twists and turns brilliant! The deep prejudices against women, gays, black people – all seemed extreme, but I’m sure it wasn’t back in 1974. Atlanta had the dubious reputation of being the worst area for crime in the US, and through this book, I can see why. Cop Town is a fantastic read, one which I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to NetGalley, TRR and Random House for my copy to read and review.
Kate Murphy had lost her husband to the war in Vietnam and was still grieving. But she had decided a job in the police force was something she could do – helping people less fortunate was her naïve thoughts. When she discovered the uniform she’d been given was way too big, even though her measurements had been taken meticulously, she should have realized the tone of her near future. The catcalls, the derision, the leers from the male cops as she tried to make her way into the squad room on her first day were daunting to say the least; then she met the few women on the force….
When another cop was murdered on the night shift they were working and his partner lucky to survive, the ensuing manhunt was all consuming. A serial killer was targeting cops and the desperation of the department was escalating. Kate’s first day would not ease her gently into Atlanta PD, she was thrown into an outright war. But as Kate and her partner Maggie were told in no uncertain terms that they couldn’t do anything in the search – they were women after all – Maggie and Kate decided to do their own investigation; follow the paperwork, follow the clues – their determination was made stronger by the taunts of their male colleagues.
As the women ventured into the depths of the city’s dark side where murder and depravity were every day occurrences; where the colour of a person’s skin made a difference, a madman waited on the sidelines. Would they capture this twisted and psychotic maniac before he struck again? How many more cops would die before he was brought to justice?
I thoroughly enjoyed Karin Slaughter’s latest offer, the stand-alone Cop Town. The action was full on and intense, the twists and turns brilliant! The deep prejudices against women, gays, black people – all seemed extreme, but I’m sure it wasn’t back in 1974. Atlanta had the dubious reputation of being the worst area for crime in the US, and through this book, I can see why. Cop Town is a fantastic read, one which I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to NetGalley, TRR and Random House for my copy to read and review.
March 15, 2018
WHY HAS IT TAKEN ME SO LONG TO READ KARIN SLAUGHTER? I loved most of it, but there was one aspect with the then that irritated me. Video review will be up next week :)
June 11, 2014
Sincere thanks to Netgalley and Random House for providing the e-galley of Cop Town to be published June 24, 2014.
Where have I been? This is my first experience with author Karin Slaughter. It certainly won't be my last.
Cop Town begins with a hit the ground running, grab your attention, prologue. Jimmy Lawson carries his partner, Don Wesley, over his shoulders, fireman style, to the hospital after a serial cop killer known as The Shooter shoots Don. Jimmy credits his own survival to the killer's gun jamming. Cop Town rushes to its conclusion in only a few days but what intense days these are.
Kate Murphy lost her husband to the Vietnam War two years ago. Her family has the means to cushion her from the real world. They'd love to see Kate get a nice, safe, secretarial job. Kate has other ideas. When Kate reads an article in The Atlanta Journal recruiting women police officers for motorcycle patrol she joins the Atlanta Police Department. This is 70's Atlanta and it's no stroll in the park. It's hard to know who is lowest in the pecking order, the blacks or whites divided by gender or possibly the Jews on the force. It's safe to say the rookies are way down on the list. Kate's first walk into the building in her "fitted" issue uniform might be comical if not planned at her expense. The top is swimming, the pants, so long they need to be stapled or clipped, the shoes so big she knows she'll have blisters by the end of the day, her hat falling so far down on her face so that her view is obstructed. This doesn't even account for the rest of her equipment, flashlight, nightstick, radio transmitter, gun, all which she has no clue how to manage. Where does her purse go? Add to this the man handling (pun intended) and catcalls. You get the picture. Making her way to the woman's dressing area is a human obstacle course which provides no sanctuary as even the veteran women cops haze the rookies.
Though I was pretty certain Kate had the guts to stick it out, it was quite exciting to watch her get there. Her acknowledgment of her own strengths makes for some of the most interesting passages in the book. Partnered with Maggie Lawson, a veteran with an uncle and a brother on the force, Katie and she seek common ground as they search for the cop killer. This killer, known as The Shooter, has targeted teams; making them kneel, lace their hands over their heads, killing them in execution style. Obviously the whole department is out to get this guy and there are lots of interpersonal stories to keep the plot moving.
At times the brutality and depravity left me with my mouth open but never seemed unrealistic. Gritty, but rang true. I loved it.
Karin Slaughter lives in Atlanta and she has given this city life and a unique voice of its own, if not everyone's Atlanta, at least one that is based on many truths a makes for a great setting.
Cop Town, Kate, Maggie and some other characters are just begging to be brought back. Let's hope so.
Where have I been? This is my first experience with author Karin Slaughter. It certainly won't be my last.
Cop Town begins with a hit the ground running, grab your attention, prologue. Jimmy Lawson carries his partner, Don Wesley, over his shoulders, fireman style, to the hospital after a serial cop killer known as The Shooter shoots Don. Jimmy credits his own survival to the killer's gun jamming. Cop Town rushes to its conclusion in only a few days but what intense days these are.
Kate Murphy lost her husband to the Vietnam War two years ago. Her family has the means to cushion her from the real world. They'd love to see Kate get a nice, safe, secretarial job. Kate has other ideas. When Kate reads an article in The Atlanta Journal recruiting women police officers for motorcycle patrol she joins the Atlanta Police Department. This is 70's Atlanta and it's no stroll in the park. It's hard to know who is lowest in the pecking order, the blacks or whites divided by gender or possibly the Jews on the force. It's safe to say the rookies are way down on the list. Kate's first walk into the building in her "fitted" issue uniform might be comical if not planned at her expense. The top is swimming, the pants, so long they need to be stapled or clipped, the shoes so big she knows she'll have blisters by the end of the day, her hat falling so far down on her face so that her view is obstructed. This doesn't even account for the rest of her equipment, flashlight, nightstick, radio transmitter, gun, all which she has no clue how to manage. Where does her purse go? Add to this the man handling (pun intended) and catcalls. You get the picture. Making her way to the woman's dressing area is a human obstacle course which provides no sanctuary as even the veteran women cops haze the rookies.
Though I was pretty certain Kate had the guts to stick it out, it was quite exciting to watch her get there. Her acknowledgment of her own strengths makes for some of the most interesting passages in the book. Partnered with Maggie Lawson, a veteran with an uncle and a brother on the force, Katie and she seek common ground as they search for the cop killer. This killer, known as The Shooter, has targeted teams; making them kneel, lace their hands over their heads, killing them in execution style. Obviously the whole department is out to get this guy and there are lots of interpersonal stories to keep the plot moving.
At times the brutality and depravity left me with my mouth open but never seemed unrealistic. Gritty, but rang true. I loved it.
Karin Slaughter lives in Atlanta and she has given this city life and a unique voice of its own, if not everyone's Atlanta, at least one that is based on many truths a makes for a great setting.
Cop Town, Kate, Maggie and some other characters are just begging to be brought back. Let's hope so.
October 21, 2017
Whenever I read a Karin Slaughter book I finish it and think I really should read more of her work. I always seem to enjoy her books and yet I still keep reading other authors work, well this is going to change. In my defence there are so many good authors and books out there and such little time to fit them all in.
This stand alone novel is set in Atlanta, 1974 and new recruit Kate Murphy is thrown into a brutal murder and a furious manhunt that is rocking the city. Kate is a good looking woman who comes from a privileged background and life in the force is not going to be easy, but her first day could not get any worse when a policeman is shot and the locals tempers are ready to boil over.
There are so many good characters in this novel and I particularly liked the interaction between Kate and another police woman Maggie who comes from a police family. Because the book is set in the 1970's there is an abundance of the prejudices that were particularly prevalent at that time such as racism and sexism. The two women face a constant fight to prove themselves not only keeping the city safe but also against the prejudices of their male colleagues.
Another good novel by a very good author who I intend to read a lot more of very soon.
This stand alone novel is set in Atlanta, 1974 and new recruit Kate Murphy is thrown into a brutal murder and a furious manhunt that is rocking the city. Kate is a good looking woman who comes from a privileged background and life in the force is not going to be easy, but her first day could not get any worse when a policeman is shot and the locals tempers are ready to boil over.
There are so many good characters in this novel and I particularly liked the interaction between Kate and another police woman Maggie who comes from a police family. Because the book is set in the 1970's there is an abundance of the prejudices that were particularly prevalent at that time such as racism and sexism. The two women face a constant fight to prove themselves not only keeping the city safe but also against the prejudices of their male colleagues.
Another good novel by a very good author who I intend to read a lot more of very soon.
March 10, 2017
Again this is prove of why Karin Slaughter is one of my favorite authors.
All the dedication in researcher that went into this book is mind baffling.
She capture the struggle and perseverance of these women so well. In 1975 women was meant to be at home raising the kids; and the men would not make you forget your place. Written as brutally honest as only Karin can be.
In Cop Town Karin just again show how brilliant she is at creating the perfect killer and then let them unravel in the end. Not a lot of writers can keep me in suspense like Karin does.
All the dedication in researcher that went into this book is mind baffling.
She capture the struggle and perseverance of these women so well. In 1975 women was meant to be at home raising the kids; and the men would not make you forget your place. Written as brutally honest as only Karin can be.
In Cop Town Karin just again show how brilliant she is at creating the perfect killer and then let them unravel in the end. Not a lot of writers can keep me in suspense like Karin does.
July 12, 2014
The good-ol-boy system was great so long as you were one of the boys.
So, this book. How to start with this book? I've never read Karin Slaughter before, but I was in the mood for an adult stand-alone when I was perusing Netgalley. I almost skipped over it. I'm so used to YA, with their dazzling covers of trickery, looking all beautiful on the outside, but oftentimes being so empty inside. Then I came across this. With it's unassuming cover, all quiet, contemplative, calculating, almost bland by comparison to what I usually read, that I almost zoomed right past it. Then I read the blurb. And as I suspected, this unassuming little book turned out to be all kinds of awesome. I want to burn my bra, start protesting shit, and run around with sandwich boards screaming girl power. If you're a dude who hates pigs (no pun intended), you might want to buy a bra just so you can burn it with me.
You know how some women, like me, will watch or read something you know will make you cry just so you can have "a good cry?" This is like the anger version of that. This is the "good anger" book. One of my notes - on page 52 - was: "God, is everybody racist? Were the 70s just completely racist?" If I hadn't known how vile our Nation has been at times, I would have thought this was a parody. And the answer to the question is, Yes. The 70s were fucking racist.
Make no mistake - many of the characters in this book are appalling in their prejudice. Even the characters you would think would be above it, being subjected to it themselves, aren't (namely the female officers). Somehow, though, as you continue to read, the constant slew of racial-epithets-I-shan't-repeat-here, become almost...normal. The racism and misogyny is so pervasive that basically got used to it after a while and it no longer shocked me. I found it oddly disconcerting because shouldn't I still feel angry reading these words and the way these characters treated each other? Shouldn't it piss me off still? Yet, I just came to accept that this is just how things are. Just like every character who had something to hide (their sexuality, femininity, or racial background) had come to accept the world. How is this ok?!
But you know what's great about it? Even some of of these characters, who you should find loathsome, aren't. Some of them appear on the surface to be these one-dimensional racist douchebags, but there's so much more there. They have many redeeming qualities. They are an unfortunate product of the society in which they live, yet some of them are pretty decent people. Like Gail. Gail can offend with the best, but hot damn if she's not the toughest bitch on the block, with a soft side to her that's almost matronly. She supports her fellow women on the force, even when their own families don't. She does it in a bitchy, steely way sometimes, but she offers the encouragement and approval that many of these girls need. As Kate later observes, "How can they be so awful, yet they do these good things?" Why can evil be good and good be evil? "Because it's Tuesday.
The story is basically about two female officers, and a slew of secondary characters, mostly officers, working in Atlanta as they all work to identify and capture the Atlanta Shooter, who has been assassinating officers for several months. As you can imagine, the men outnumber the women by a large amount. Most women wash out the first week, which is hard enough as it is without being compounded by the abuse inflicted by your fellow officers. Aside from getting no support from the other women, and the constant sexual harassment from men, they also get trolled by the department, which purposely provides them with uniforms that don't fit. The women get no real responsibility, are there for show, and really are meant to stay out of the way. The story switches POV from Maggie and Kate to an Atlanta Shooter, known as Fox, throughout the book. It's written in third person, but even if it had been in first person, the voices are so distinct that there would be no difficulty following along. Maggie and Kate are two very different women, from different upbringings.
Maggie grew up in a cop family, but as the only female on the force, her family doesn't think she belongs. Even her own mother wants her to get off her ass and find a husband before she loses her looks. And her uncle (Terry) and brother (Jimmy), who are thought of as gods on the force? They give her (and no woman) any real responsibility. They just want her to stay the hell out of harm's way and collect her paycheck, presumably to pay for Uncle Terry's drinking habit. Because Terry, wouldn't you know it, controls the family money. Because he's the man. (As an aside, I find this hilarious because I control the money in my household and my man has zero problems with it - he doesn't want the responsibility, snicker). Maggie gets no support from anyone, and she desperately seeks approval.
Terry, now he's a loathsome character. He might be the only one I never got used to, he's so vile. Aside from hating everyone not a white man, he also likes to beat women. But, that's ok, right? Since they are family? That's his right as a man. Now, go and fetch my coffee and a sandwich, woman. He is pretty one-dimensional, but not in the lazy writing kind of way. More like in the way that hyper-racists tend to be (no amount of debate will ever convince me that someone like that has depth IRL, so let's not even bother arguing the point). He is every bit as bad a cop as you would expect - framing people, planting evidence, giving not one shit about procedure of the actual law. Because "anything's legal if you can get away with it." Sure, he has gone through his trials, as many of the men have, and he is a Vietnam Vet, like many of them are, but none of that excuses his behavior. Ugh. I can't write much about him, he makes me so mad.
Jimmy is a bit of a conundrum for most of the book. A former football star whose career ended before it could begin, he's still an icon on the force. And he still brings with him the same prejudices that surround him daily. Like Maggie, he suffers from what I perceive as curable ignorance - the type of racism and prejudice that can actually be cured because they simply didn't know any better. Minor spoiler:
Kate, on the other hand, grew up very differently. She seems to harbor none of the prejudices of virtually everyone else around her. She did what most women at the time did - found herself a husband and was content to be happily married, maybe get a job as a secretary. Like all of her friends did. Except her husband was killed in Vietnam. And she sucks as a secretary. That she is now widowed and single is practically scandalous to the crowd she usually runs with.
Perhaps to empower herself, she signs up for the force. The book begins on her first day as an officer. The great thing about Kate is that she has several sides to her, all of which are acknowledged later on, and she can't easily be boxed at all. She's coming into herself, learning who she is without her husband, and learning how to be tough and take care of herself. Plus, she's getting on in age...she's in her mid- to late twenties (I snickered when I read this). Kate is a deft liar. She has to be to survive in this environment, but it also turns out to be a useful skill for numerous reasons I really shouldn't spoil. It surprised me, because she initially seems so feminine that she can't possibly be cut out for this job (see how this book makes you feel and believe the prejudice, even relate to it? It's scary).
The research in this book astounded me. The 70s dripped off the pages, even down to the decor. I felt what it was like to wear official officer gear (did you know that those utility belts and equipment weigh like 20 to 30 pounds? I didn't!). Slaughter really set a mood with this one and it was obvious to me that she spent time talking to people, researching Atlanta, and just getting a feel for the characters in this book. There is such attention to detail here, it's clear how carefully and seriously Slaughter takes her craft. Much 70s. So retro. Wow.
Books like this - with their vitriol, hatred, and all-encompassing prejudice, are important. I started reading it right around the time The Normal Heart premiered on HBO. After watching the movie, I came to GR to check out reviews of the original play. I noted a few who felt the play was dated because our society has come so far in terms of how we perceive and treat homosexuals, and we are so much more educated about AIDS now that there is little to learn from the story. I disagree (particularly because as someone who began growing up in the 80s, I actually remember a lot of it - I especially remember Ryan White, the poor child who had to die for people to realize AIDS isn't a damn gay plague).
I think histories like that - like how we handled AIDS in the 80s, how we treated slaves in the 19th century (see: Twelve Years a Slave), and, indeed, how we treated women, gays, blacks, Asians, Jews, and anyone not a white man in the 70s - need to be remembered. It needs to be shoved in our faces from time to time. I see these young female celebrities today eschewing feminism, like it's completely unnecessary, antiquated, and doesn't affect their lives at all, and it makes my blood boil. How can you so easily forget what it took to get here? What women went through so you could have the choices you have? I grew up in the 80s and 90s, so by the time I really came of age, their work was nearly done. The groundwork had been laid, barriers broken, and I had loads of choices laid at my feet. To dishonor that by pretending feminism is a bad word, or that it somehow has ceased to be important, is just ignorant.
Karin Slaughter is a skilled writer. She has great command of language and uses it effectively - to set a tone, elicit an emotion, stage a scene. It is distinctly adult in tone, yet easy to digest and with a very nice flow. She is consistent, too. For example, she made rules for interacting with perps - like "ask, tell, make" - and she consistently applied them. I think there was only one moment when I felt like there had been a bit of thesaurus abuse. This isn't something I actually look for while reading, and I don't typically watch for things like verb tense agreement, so a flaw really has to be glaring for me to actually notice it. I don't recall the word, and I can't be bothered to look through my highlights because it's just too trivial, but I recall one moment when I had to look up the word and it wasn't one I'd ever heard in my entire life. It felt out of place.
The only other time I was slightly confused was when Slaughter explained how the draft worked. It left me with questions that I had to Google for clarification. That tiny section could have been explained better, but, again, totally trivial in the scheme of this book.
This was a great book. The mystery and capture of the shooter was good, although to be honest, I was so entranced by this world she was unmasking that it almost felt secondary to me at times.
Special Thank You to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for granting me access to this advance review copy. I loved it. All quotes are taken from an unproofed galley subject to change before publication.
March 7, 2015
Sexism baby. It’s pretty-freakin’-ridiculous. But if you can’t move past it, or you’re going to start swearing from the mountaintop, you better just slide right on by, because you will not enjoy this novel. Let that sink in for a moment before we move on. And if you’re going to bitch and moan about it, keep in mind Karin Slaughter wrote a realistic historical novel. She did not set out to write a politically correct novel. And for cripes sakes, this is fiction people.
Atlanta is a wonderful southern city. There’s The Varsity and the College Football Hall of Fame and The World of Coke and Centennial Olympic Park and Stone Mountain Park. Yes, three out of the five attractions I’ve mentioned weren’t open in 1974, and yes, I am still going to mention them anyway, because all five are just plain cool. But if you want to ratchet up your confusion, try driving in downtown Atlanta. There are 71 streets with Peachtree in their name. Fuck me. That’s just crazy. Some city planner really wanted to fuck with tourists. Yeah, and I thought Boston was bad.
I did like COP TOWN. Actually, I really liked it. So why did it take me so long to finish? You might ask. My answer is simple: That first 15 percent or so nearly killed me. But once the train got rolling, it moved faster than a hamster on a wheel, and I was left clinging to the side for dear life. Had I stopped sooner, I would have missed out on one hell of a read. Was it the best novel I’ve read this year? No. Would I read it again? Probably not. But the atmosphere nearly caused me to inhale a carton of cigarettes, a bottle of Jack, and way too much hairspray.
I wanted to wave a red flag and a hand-painted sign for women’s rights, and yes, I really wanted to see what Kate Murphy had going on underneath her uniform. That woman could break a man in two, or serve up a heart attack to a twenty-five year old. Sure, her tits may have been mentioned more than once or twice, but if she’s got a pair that could make Susan Sarandon jealous, I want to hear about it. Yes, she was a blonde, and yes, that endeared her to me a little bit more, but again, I can’t stop that train because it’s already left the station.
This novel was locked and loaded better than a Glock 17. My only wish: there were a few more bullets in the chamber.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
Atlanta is a wonderful southern city. There’s The Varsity and the College Football Hall of Fame and The World of Coke and Centennial Olympic Park and Stone Mountain Park. Yes, three out of the five attractions I’ve mentioned weren’t open in 1974, and yes, I am still going to mention them anyway, because all five are just plain cool. But if you want to ratchet up your confusion, try driving in downtown Atlanta. There are 71 streets with Peachtree in their name. Fuck me. That’s just crazy. Some city planner really wanted to fuck with tourists. Yeah, and I thought Boston was bad.
I did like COP TOWN. Actually, I really liked it. So why did it take me so long to finish? You might ask. My answer is simple: That first 15 percent or so nearly killed me. But once the train got rolling, it moved faster than a hamster on a wheel, and I was left clinging to the side for dear life. Had I stopped sooner, I would have missed out on one hell of a read. Was it the best novel I’ve read this year? No. Would I read it again? Probably not. But the atmosphere nearly caused me to inhale a carton of cigarettes, a bottle of Jack, and way too much hairspray.
I wanted to wave a red flag and a hand-painted sign for women’s rights, and yes, I really wanted to see what Kate Murphy had going on underneath her uniform. That woman could break a man in two, or serve up a heart attack to a twenty-five year old. Sure, her tits may have been mentioned more than once or twice, but if she’s got a pair that could make Susan Sarandon jealous, I want to hear about it. Yes, she was a blonde, and yes, that endeared her to me a little bit more, but again, I can’t stop that train because it’s already left the station.
This novel was locked and loaded better than a Glock 17. My only wish: there were a few more bullets in the chamber.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
July 18, 2017
Ever since I read Darktown, my GR friends have been recommending I read Cop Town. 1974, Atlanta. A black chief of police has just been appointed but the old,white guard is not going down without a fight. Racism and sexism are rampant. Drinking on the job is so common you wonder how anything got done. And now there's a cop killer on the loose.
The book is told from the perspective of two young female cops, one brand new to the job and the other with a few years under her belt. Slaughter does a great job of evoking time and place, when being groped on the job was a given, not cause for filing a sexual harassment report.
This is a good, fast paced mystery with lots of twists and turns.
I listened to this one and had a weird experience. Disc 10 had the four chapters from 27-30 backwards. This was the only disc that was screwed up but it played a real number on my brain until I figured it out. I can't speak to whether this is universal for all audio editions.
The book is told from the perspective of two young female cops, one brand new to the job and the other with a few years under her belt. Slaughter does a great job of evoking time and place, when being groped on the job was a given, not cause for filing a sexual harassment report.
This is a good, fast paced mystery with lots of twists and turns.
I listened to this one and had a weird experience. Disc 10 had the four chapters from 27-30 backwards. This was the only disc that was screwed up but it played a real number on my brain until I figured it out. I can't speak to whether this is universal for all audio editions.
August 27, 2017
Dual review with Swedish first and then English!
SWEDISH REVIEW
De fördärvade är en fantastisk bok! Att läsa den här boken fick mig att inse att jag inte läser många kriminalromaner vars handling utspelas på 70-talet och det är synd eftersom det är en fascinerande tidsperiod. Särskilt, som i den här boken, för kvinnor som försöker hitta en plats i en mans värld
Jag verkligen älskade att läsa om Kate Murphy och Maggie Lawson, två mycket olika kvinnor från olika klasser. Kate kommer från en familj av poliser, både hennes farbror och bror arbetar på samma polisstation som hon gör. Men det är inte så att de gillar att hon är polis, särskilt inte hennes farbror. Maggie å andra sidan är änka, hennes man dog i Vietnam-kriget. Hon är också den nyaste polisen på polisstation, och hon lär sig snabbt att ingen, inte ens kvinnorna, kommer att hjälpa henne. Om hon vill jobba som polis, måste hon tuffa till sig och acceptera att bli mobbad. Och som kvinnor hålls de också borta från de verkliga fallen som jakten på polisens mördare. Inte för att det kommer att stoppa Maggie och Kate från att försöka ta reda på vem som dödar poliser.
De fördärvade är en träffsäker roman om en tid i förändring där kvinnor försöker bli mer självständiga. En sak som verkligen berörde mig var den skrämmande attityden gentemot kvinnor i den här boken. Även bland andra kvinnor, ja, även i en familj. Och sedan har vi den omaskerade rasismen och homofobin, särskilt bland manliga poliser. Men det är allt detta som gör den här boken så fascinerande att läsa. Karin Slaughter har verkligen fångat tidsandan och jag mentalt hejade jag på Kate och Maggie för att de våga stå upp mot männen och våga försöka hitta mördaren trots motstånd.
Detta är en av de bästa böcker jag har läst av Slaughter och hon har snabbt blivit en favoritförfattare!
Tack HarperCollins Nordic för recensionsexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
Cop Town is a fabulous book! Reading this book made me realize that I don't read many crime novels set in the 70s and that's a shame since it's a fascinating period of time. Especially for women that are trying to find a place in a man's world, as in this book.
I loved reading about Kate Murphy and Maggie Lawson, two very different women from different classes. Kate comes from a family of cops, with both her uncle and brother working on the same force as she does. Not that they like that she is a cop, especially her uncle. Maggie, on the other hand, is a widow, her husband died in the Vietnam war. She is also the newest cop on the force, and she quickly learns that no one, not even the women will help her out. If she wants to work as a cop, then she has to toughen up and accept being bullied. And, as women are they also being kept away from the real cases like the hunt for the cop killer. Not that that will stop Maggie and Kate from trying to find out who is offing cops.
Cop Town is a gritty crime novel about a time in changing, with women more and more trying to be independent. One thing that really struck me was the appalling attitude towards women in this book. Even among other women, hell, even in a family. And, then we have the undisguised racism and homophobia, especially among the male cops. But, it's just all of this that makes this book so fascinating to read. Karin Slaughter has really captured the spirit of the time and I found myself mentally cheering Kate and Maggie for daring to stand up to the men in this book and daring to try to find a killer.
This is one of the best books I have read by Slaughter and she is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine.
Thanks HarperCollins Nordic for the review copy!
SWEDISH REVIEW
De fördärvade är en fantastisk bok! Att läsa den här boken fick mig att inse att jag inte läser många kriminalromaner vars handling utspelas på 70-talet och det är synd eftersom det är en fascinerande tidsperiod. Särskilt, som i den här boken, för kvinnor som försöker hitta en plats i en mans värld
Jag verkligen älskade att läsa om Kate Murphy och Maggie Lawson, två mycket olika kvinnor från olika klasser. Kate kommer från en familj av poliser, både hennes farbror och bror arbetar på samma polisstation som hon gör. Men det är inte så att de gillar att hon är polis, särskilt inte hennes farbror. Maggie å andra sidan är änka, hennes man dog i Vietnam-kriget. Hon är också den nyaste polisen på polisstation, och hon lär sig snabbt att ingen, inte ens kvinnorna, kommer att hjälpa henne. Om hon vill jobba som polis, måste hon tuffa till sig och acceptera att bli mobbad. Och som kvinnor hålls de också borta från de verkliga fallen som jakten på polisens mördare. Inte för att det kommer att stoppa Maggie och Kate från att försöka ta reda på vem som dödar poliser.
De fördärvade är en träffsäker roman om en tid i förändring där kvinnor försöker bli mer självständiga. En sak som verkligen berörde mig var den skrämmande attityden gentemot kvinnor i den här boken. Även bland andra kvinnor, ja, även i en familj. Och sedan har vi den omaskerade rasismen och homofobin, särskilt bland manliga poliser. Men det är allt detta som gör den här boken så fascinerande att läsa. Karin Slaughter har verkligen fångat tidsandan och jag mentalt hejade jag på Kate och Maggie för att de våga stå upp mot männen och våga försöka hitta mördaren trots motstånd.
Detta är en av de bästa böcker jag har läst av Slaughter och hon har snabbt blivit en favoritförfattare!
Tack HarperCollins Nordic för recensionsexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
Cop Town is a fabulous book! Reading this book made me realize that I don't read many crime novels set in the 70s and that's a shame since it's a fascinating period of time. Especially for women that are trying to find a place in a man's world, as in this book.
I loved reading about Kate Murphy and Maggie Lawson, two very different women from different classes. Kate comes from a family of cops, with both her uncle and brother working on the same force as she does. Not that they like that she is a cop, especially her uncle. Maggie, on the other hand, is a widow, her husband died in the Vietnam war. She is also the newest cop on the force, and she quickly learns that no one, not even the women will help her out. If she wants to work as a cop, then she has to toughen up and accept being bullied. And, as women are they also being kept away from the real cases like the hunt for the cop killer. Not that that will stop Maggie and Kate from trying to find out who is offing cops.
Cop Town is a gritty crime novel about a time in changing, with women more and more trying to be independent. One thing that really struck me was the appalling attitude towards women in this book. Even among other women, hell, even in a family. And, then we have the undisguised racism and homophobia, especially among the male cops. But, it's just all of this that makes this book so fascinating to read. Karin Slaughter has really captured the spirit of the time and I found myself mentally cheering Kate and Maggie for daring to stand up to the men in this book and daring to try to find a killer.
This is one of the best books I have read by Slaughter and she is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine.
Thanks HarperCollins Nordic for the review copy!
May 16, 2016
5.5/10
This is a hard book to review. There were parts I liked but there were parts I didn't like, but taking two weeks to read this sort of book shows that I was struggling.
The soundtrack to this book has to be "Gimmie Shelter" by the Rolling Stones. Racism is rife, homosexuality is like a disease that needs to be eradicated, the backdrop of the Vietnam War and the general hatred of it ooze out of the pages. That is the highest praise I could give it by relating it to such a great song.
The plot is also good; cop killer hunting down and killing cops with a distinct M.O. Cops don't like this and try and capture said killer. I can get on board with that, it could be a really good narrative done in the right hands. I just couldn't get into this though, I didn't relate with any of the characters or care about any of them and by the end the writing style started to grate and I just needed to finish it so I could get on with something else.
As a book based mainly on a woman’s perspective I, a white middle aged male, found it hard to understand the battles they had to go through in their work and personal lives. I didn't live in this time so it seems alien to me, those of an older disposition may relate easier. It was sort of like a buddy cop movie in that one was down to earth with her own problems and the other is a rich kid whose husband died in the war and is looking to make it as a cop and both trying to solve this cop killer crime.
I've read 1 really good book by this author and 2 that were let downs. I'm starting to think that the 1st was a fluke. Worth a try though if you're more open to some of these ideas than I was, I think this is definitely a case of wrong book, wrong time.
I received a free copy from NetGalley for review.
If you like this try: "The Choirboys" by Joseph Wambaugh or listen to "Let it Bleed" by Mick & Co.
This is a hard book to review. There were parts I liked but there were parts I didn't like, but taking two weeks to read this sort of book shows that I was struggling.
The soundtrack to this book has to be "Gimmie Shelter" by the Rolling Stones. Racism is rife, homosexuality is like a disease that needs to be eradicated, the backdrop of the Vietnam War and the general hatred of it ooze out of the pages. That is the highest praise I could give it by relating it to such a great song.
The plot is also good; cop killer hunting down and killing cops with a distinct M.O. Cops don't like this and try and capture said killer. I can get on board with that, it could be a really good narrative done in the right hands. I just couldn't get into this though, I didn't relate with any of the characters or care about any of them and by the end the writing style started to grate and I just needed to finish it so I could get on with something else.
As a book based mainly on a woman’s perspective I, a white middle aged male, found it hard to understand the battles they had to go through in their work and personal lives. I didn't live in this time so it seems alien to me, those of an older disposition may relate easier. It was sort of like a buddy cop movie in that one was down to earth with her own problems and the other is a rich kid whose husband died in the war and is looking to make it as a cop and both trying to solve this cop killer crime.
I've read 1 really good book by this author and 2 that were let downs. I'm starting to think that the 1st was a fluke. Worth a try though if you're more open to some of these ideas than I was, I think this is definitely a case of wrong book, wrong time.
I received a free copy from NetGalley for review.
If you like this try: "The Choirboys" by Joseph Wambaugh or listen to "Let it Bleed" by Mick & Co.
June 26, 2014
The seventies, in Atlanta, women and black are just now being allowed on the police force, a police force of the good ol boys, used to running the city the way they see fit. I grew up in Chicago and in the seventies, I knew cops like this, they would often beat up the male teenagers whenever they felt like it and then deposit them on their front porches. They had no oversight and the kids had little recourse. This novel has that time period down pat.
Kate is a new cop and Maggie comes from a family of cops. The atmosphere they endure in the police station is horrific and yet they manage to deal with it and find ways to help in their own ways. This is a good standalone from this author and the storyline of a shooter after cops is a good one as well. Kate is easy to underestimate and I enjoyed watching her slowly come into her own. Maggie's treatment at the hands of her uncle, who is also a cop, is despicable. Of course there are secrets and the solution is not the apparent one but goes much deeper.
A good new start to what the author says will be a occasional series.
ARC from Netgalley.
Kate is a new cop and Maggie comes from a family of cops. The atmosphere they endure in the police station is horrific and yet they manage to deal with it and find ways to help in their own ways. This is a good standalone from this author and the storyline of a shooter after cops is a good one as well. Kate is easy to underestimate and I enjoyed watching her slowly come into her own. Maggie's treatment at the hands of her uncle, who is also a cop, is despicable. Of course there are secrets and the solution is not the apparent one but goes much deeper.
A good new start to what the author says will be a occasional series.
ARC from Netgalley.
June 2, 2018
2nd June 2018 update: read and loved it a second time. The characterisation is phenomenal.
4.5 stars.
I had read one of Slaughter's books in my early teens, and I can't remember why I didn't pick up another title of hers until now. I'm glad I did.
Cop Town is brilliant: not only is it a thrilling crime story, but it also highlights real problems in society: racism, sexism, homophobia, police brutality. Slaughter delivers a great crime novel with a window of what it was like in 1970s Atlanta, Georgia.
Not only is Cop Town a brilliant read, but it is also an educational one.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Slaughter's work.
4.5 stars.
I had read one of Slaughter's books in my early teens, and I can't remember why I didn't pick up another title of hers until now. I'm glad I did.
Cop Town is brilliant: not only is it a thrilling crime story, but it also highlights real problems in society: racism, sexism, homophobia, police brutality. Slaughter delivers a great crime novel with a window of what it was like in 1970s Atlanta, Georgia.
Not only is Cop Town a brilliant read, but it is also an educational one.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Slaughter's work.
September 22, 2021
Very intriguing plot following two female coops in the 70' on their hunt for a serial killer and have to deal with a lot of sexism as well. Fast paced and very engaging read with great characters. This is my 7th book by Karin Slaughter I think but I was happy to see she had written more books for me to either binge or have as a little murder treat. Sounds weird but it's fiction at least. Good crime novels are frightening as heck but your always calmed by it's "only fiction"
July 16, 2014
Absolutely excellent. The characters were vivid, and Slaughter's obvious research into the life of a female police officer in Atlanta in the 70s made the book one of the best I've read in a long time. I'm hoping she decides to make this one a series!
July 29, 2024
Karin Slaughter is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. The gritty streets of 1970’s Atlanta come to life in full force…pimps, hookers, rapists. Female cops are still fairly new and treated as inferior and don’t even think about being gay! Great audiobook!
July 17, 2014
A strong 4.5 stars for Cop Town. This was my first Karin Slaughter novel but it definitely won't be my last. It's a thriller about cops living in Atlanta in 1974. Boy does Slaughter do a good job portraying what life was like back then, especially for cops.
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