As fans of the critically acclaimed Will Trent television series celebrate news of the show's renewal for another season, Author Karin Slaughter prepaAs fans of the critically acclaimed Will Trent television series celebrate news of the show's renewal for another season, Author Karin Slaughter prepares for the August release of THIS IS WHY WE LIED, Will Trent book #12, a locked room style murder mystery that derails the idyllic honeymoon Will Trent planned for his bride Sara Linton. As in previous series books, the subject matter is dark, disturbing and brutally in-your-face honest highlighting the life shattering effects of drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence and child abuse on victims and their families. Isolate yourself in your own locked room with minimum interruptions before diving into this one as it's a cover-to-cover, break your heart, edge of your seat thriller.
GBI Investigator Will Trent and his new bride Medical Examiner Sara Linton tell a trivial lie to conceal their real occupations when signing in at the McAlpine Lodge as a honeymooning mechanic and chemistry teacher. Will surprised Sara with the remote getaway, hoping to celebrate their marriage by leaving work behind for long days and nights in each other's arms. The secluded location boasts breathtaking scenery, private cabins, a large scenic lake for fishing and swimming, and a luxurious lodge where guests gather for drinks and meals. When their first lodge dinner ends in an ugly, threatening family quarrel, Will second-guesses his choice of venues. His reservations prove true later that night when his romantic skinny-dipping outing with Sara is shattered by a bloodcurdling scream, sending them scrambling to find a woman succumbing from fatal wounds. Will and Sara are sickened by the lack of grief exhibited for the victim and concerned when they discover each family member, as well as several guests, has a motive for wanting the victim dead. As ties to the outside world are severed by a raging storm, Will manages to send an SOS to Amanda receiving a reply indicating Faith and Amanda are on the way. Will they arrive in time to stop a psychotic killer before he/she strikes again?
THIS IS WHY WE LIED unfolds through the dual points of view from Will and Sara with Mercy's point of view and backstory revealed via journal entries written to her son over the years chronicling her mental and physical abuse as well as the resentment festering within her toxic family. Slaughter doesn't sugar coat anything as she expertly manipulates characters and readers through a complex, twisted plot line with the remote setting and fury of Mother Nature playing a key role in creating havoc while setting the stage for a highly volatile, locked room situation where every stranded character on the mountain is a viable suspect. An ill-fated, malignant tone saturates the air driving a frenzied pace through a minefield of shocking revelations waiting to detonate. While my suspicions on the identity of the killer proved true, reasons surrounding the savage stabbing left me reeling and heartsick. Warning triggers include domestic violence, addiction, child abuse, rape and incest with each one professionally managed within the context of the story by Author Karin Slaughter. The darkness is lightened with evidence of the power of love and trust to heal and reform woven throughout. Fans of the series will love seeing Will surrender to his love for Sara and enjoy the interaction between Will and his boss Amanda with comic relief provided by Faith's inner monologue soothing the heavy load.
THIS IS WHY WE LIED has it all. A secluded setting with a raging storm. A hate fueled murder. A malevolent, dysfunctional family. Eight conspiratorial guests. A race against time to unmask a deranged villain. Everyone has a reason why they lied in this gritty thriller by the queen of psychological thrillers. It’s up to readers and Will to sift through all the lies and red herrings to deduce which liar is also a killer. Intense, gripping, gutsy, multilayered and highly emotional, THIS IS WHY WE LIED is Karin Slaughter at her best. Highly recommended to fans of the series and all readers who enjoy a fast-paced, dark suspense thriller. Many thanks to the publisher for an arc of THIS IS WHY WE LIED and to Author Karin Slaughter for graciously granting me an interview. This book is scheduled for release on August 20, 2024. All opinions expressed are my own. This review is published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and my interview with the author will be available in the magazine at a future date. My review is also available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews. ...more
After That Night is the highly anticipated eleventh book in the award winning Will Trent series featuring GBI Special Agent Will Trent and Medical ExaAfter That Night is the highly anticipated eleventh book in the award winning Will Trent series featuring GBI Special Agent Will Trent and Medical Examiner Dr. Sara Linton. It's the story fans of the series may not have realized they've been waiting for - the gruesome, heartbreaking story of Sara's attack fifteen years ago. Through alternating chapters of past and present and a multifaceted plot line, readers are pulled back into the darkness alongside Sara as she learns the truth of that heinous night that changed the course of her life. After That Night is an explicit, shocking and emotionally charged addition to the Will Trent series - a series with an ongoing character story arc which is why I recommend reading the series in order for the character and relationship development. Having said that, Karin Slaughter delivers a complete story with needed background information in each book.
Dr. Sara Linton's on duty in the emergency room when rape victim Dani Cooper is brought in barely clinging to life, having been horribly beaten and violated. Tending the broken woman as she lies dying in the ER sends Sara spiraling back into the nightmare of her own brutal assault fifteen years prior. Cooper's dying plea for justice is heard only by Sara, and later she's called to testify in a civil court case against a well-known, wealthy surgeon's son who's accused of the crime. After her testimony, Sara's cornered in the ladies room by the accused's mother who verbally lashes out at Sara in a spiteful drunken rage with taunts about Sara's past attack being connected to Cooper's . . . a revelation that renders Sara speechless. Her attacker was convicted so how can her case possibly be connected to Dani Cooper's? If it proves to be true will learning the whole abhorrent truth finally set Sara free . . . or destroy her all over again? Sara turns to fiance GBI Special Agent Will Trent for support and with assistance from Will's partner Faith Mitchel, they begin looking for any link between past and present.
Slaughter's a master at setting a torrid pace plummeting characters and readers reeling through one perplexing revelation after another as After That Night races toward a blistering climax. Sugar coating nothing, the author's signature multidimensional scenes are graphic and painfully detailed, but like a wreck on the highway it's impossible to look away or stop reading. Fortunately, Slaughter tempers some of the horror with deeply personal, intimate and sometimes humorous scenes between Sara and Will that afford readers mini-breaks to regroup. Characters are so well defined and developed, so believable that readers absorb every hit personally. Many series favorites like Faith Mitchell play major roles in this raw, gritty story all delivering star performances. As a fan of the series, I enjoyed seeing Faith's son Jeremy clash with his mom over the direction his future may take as he manages to steal some scenes in this one in support of Sara.
After That Night is a gripping, tautly plotted, gut wrenching story that this reader couldn't put down. I tore through the pages of this emotionally powerful story seeking answers with a prayer on my lips and a burning desire for revenge for every woman who's ever suffered at the hands of a monster in my heart. Again, I find myself in awe of Slaughter's brilliant story telling skills especially her ability to finesse weary, storm battered characters through insanely entangled plot lines with the shock factor. While After That Night isn't an easy read by any stretch of the imagination, it's a must read for fans of the series and one I highly recommend to all readers who enjoy masterfully rendered suspense thrillers. It just doesn't get any better than this five star story.
Many thanks to William Morrow Publ. for a complimentary advanced readers' copy of this book. After That Night is scheduled for release in the US on August 22, 2023. My review originally published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is also available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews. All opinions expressed are my own....more
Spoiler Free Review: Eight years ago, most Grant County authorities were confident they had locked a serial rapist and murderer away for life. Recent bSpoiler Free Review: Eight years ago, most Grant County authorities were confident they had locked a serial rapist and murderer away for life. Recent brutal cases of misogynistic attacks on women bearing the same horrifying MO suggest the serial killer is still out there preying on women. The convicted inmate's declaration of innocence and disturbing accusations of dirty cops add fuel to the flame indicating a deadly mistake and gross injustice may have occurred. In a race against time, GBI Agent Will Trent and team, including girlfriend Medical Examiner Sara Linton, begin the monumental task of sifting through disturbing past GC cases in search of an illusive missed detail that links past with present. As a result, ghosts from the past escape, old wounds flare, and painful memories surface straining the fragile relationship between Will and Sara. That is all I can say about this story without huge spoilers. Do yourself a favor by going into this story blind. It'll spear you straight through the heart if you do!
The Silent Wife is another raw, gutsy, graphic, glorious addition to the Will Trent series. The riveting story unfolds through alternating periods of past and present that served to keep me burning through pages to reach the end. I admire and appreciate Slaughter's gift for setting scenes that pull readers in via all five senses, but consider yourself forewarned that graphic crime scenes may be disturbing to read as they are brutally realistic leaving no doubt the author has once again done her homework right down to the most meticulous detail. This author's signature sharp prose and intimately woven plot lines propel characters and readers forward at a frantic life or death pace. Readers can count on being plummeted into the chaos of characters' minds while finding themselves charged with unmasking a deadly predator hiding in plain sight . . . before he kills again. Those familiar with the Grant County series will recognize past characters they love . . . or love to hate. There's not much more I can say about this author's characterizations without sounding like a broken record. They're amazingly accurate, detailed, dimensional, and alive with main characters who are deeply flawed, vulnerable and so unbelievably real that my heart aches for them whenever I'm back in their world.
The Silent Wife is everything I hoped it would be and more. I started it with anticipation, read with trepidation, and finished it with cautious optimism. It's gritty, graphic, emotional, heartbreaking, and what does it say about me that I can't wait for the next book? I applaud Slaughter for shining a light on assault survivors who struggle to escape the darkness and overwhelming sense of loss and grief to find their path forward again. Their strength and will to live are an amazing inspiration to all. Needless to say, The Silent Wife has a place of honor on my All-Time Favorites Shelf. I'll even venture to say it's the best of the series thus far! This story embodies everything I love about suspense thrillers . . . and complicated love stories. Highly Recommended! *Special thanks to publisher William Morrow for an arc of this book via edelweiss.plus **Review posted at: Cross My Heart Reviews...more
Two of my favorite authors bring two of my favorite characters ever together in a short story jam-packed with good-to-know details and suspense. Part Two of my favorite authors bring two of my favorite characters ever together in a short story jam-packed with good-to-know details and suspense. Part of the case stems from an event in Reacher's past, and Trent is undercover & hot on his trail...even as Reacher is undercover working another case. Loved this novella with Trent & Reacher! I just wish it was a full length book! Oh the possibilities! Think about it Slaughter & Child! A Must Read!...more
The Last Widow is one of my most anticipated books of 2019. After reading it, I can say it's a powerful, relevant story that I won't soon forget. SlauThe Last Widow is one of my most anticipated books of 2019. After reading it, I can say it's a powerful, relevant story that I won't soon forget. Slaughter clearly spent a great deal of time researching social and political issues of our time as well as the radical, militia style groups that emerge, along with the idealistic views of people who tend to join them. The author captures the atmosphere and essence of a cult group practicing segregation as they believe it their duty and right to do whatever it takes to keep their bloodlines pure. This is the type group that is at the center of the story in The Last Widow.
First let me say, The Last Widow is part of a fantastic series, but this author includes everything you need to read and enjoy this book as a standalone. However, the character and character relationship development are huge in this series so I highly recommend you read them in order. The setup is clear from the blurb so I'll only touch briefly on it. A month after a scientist working for the Center of Disease Control is kidnapped, Sara and Will are spending an afternoon with her family. Some of these early "domestic" scenes play out through both Will and Sara's eyes which fascinated me as it clearly demonstrates how they still have different views and manners of coping with their developing relationship. Well done, KS! When their afternoon is interrupted by explosions in a nearby city, Sara and Will race toward the scene to assist, running straight into a situation that results in Will being badly injured and Sara being kidnapped by a group of radical domestic terrorists. In a race against time, Will works with his partner Faith Mitchell and other law enforcement led by Amanda Wagner to find and infiltrate the group to free Sara and save society.
The Last Widow is intense, graphic, and rich in detail as can be expected from this author. It emphasizes the practice and horrors of pedophilia, the superiority of males over females, senseless murder, and biological warfare as well as the dangerous atmosphere that breeds militia-style cults. The suspense builds at a frantic pace as the story unfolds from two narrators - Will and Sara. Through Will's eyes, the focus is on the efforts of law enforcement to find the cult, the dangers of going undercover, and his panicked frame of mind which includes major guilt over what he perceives as his failure to keep Sara safe. There are interactions with Will and Sara's mother/family during this time that are priceless gems for readers of the series. Fantastic, telling scenes! Through Sara's eyes, readers view life within the terrorist camp, and it's there that the depravity of their leader and horror of their plan become apparent.
Slaughter's ability to manipulate characters through a highly visual, atmospheric setting is key to the rising, menacing tone throughout. Her mastery of plot, character, and character relationship development is brilliant, as always, as she pulls every single thread together by the end. The Last Widow is a taut, fast-paced, graphic thriller with a timely message that people everywhere should heed. And by the way, I read the last page several times over before closing the book with a smile on my face. Great setup for the next book in one of my favorite series ever! May our wait be short! For suspense and thriller fans, this is one you don't want to miss.
*With special thanks to the publisher for an arc of this book! **Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
A quiet birthday celebration at a local mall turns deadly in the opening pages of Slaughter's new standalone book, Pieces of Her. A gunman opens fire A quiet birthday celebration at a local mall turns deadly in the opening pages of Slaughter's new standalone book, Pieces of Her. A gunman opens fire killing one woman and then turning his sights on a mother, Laura Cooper and her 31 year old daughter, Andrea (Andy). In the middle of the ensuing chaos, Andy watches, paralyzed by fear and shock, as her mother calmly and coldly not only faces down a killer but overcomes him. Like most of us, Andy thought she knew everything there was to know about her mother, but in the aftermath of this tragedy, she's left scared, confused, and devastated . . . wondering who this woman she calls "mother" really is.
Pieces of Her explores Andy's search for the truth, as she goes on the run and begins digging into her mother's past - uncovering deadly secrets that threaten several lives. The story unfolds through dual timelines, affording readers an opportunity to witness events as they happen in both the past and present. I've come to really enjoy this method of story-telling as it makes me feel present in the moment and thus more vested in the character's lives. As always, Slaughter delivers an intricately woven plot with some twists and turns that will leave you reeling even as she maneuvers the sometimes unsettling minefield of mother/daughter relationships. The mystery and deadly secrets cast an immense shadow of imminent doom over the characters and story. I found the "past" chapters to be intriguing and fast-paced, while the "present", much of which places the reader in Andy's head, was a bit convoluted and slow moving for me. Having read most of this author's work, I can say that I didn't find this book to be as dark and graphic as many of her other books. For some readers that may be a plus, for others a minus. While it won't make my Favorite's List from this author, I still found Pieces of Her to be a complex, compelling thriller that mystery/suspense/thriller fans will enjoy. A Must Read!
*Many thanks to publisher William Morrow for a copy of this arc via Edelweiss+. **Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews....more
The Kept Woman - Very fitting title for this raw, gritty, emotional monster of a read! I've tried to writReviewed at Cross My Heart Writings & Reviews
The Kept Woman - Very fitting title for this raw, gritty, emotional monster of a read! I've tried to write this review several times since reading it and still can't seem to find the words to do this story justice. It ran me through a mine field of highs and lows - at times making both my head and heart feel like they would literally explode as I rode out the waves of intense emotional turmoil radiating through these characters. Some, like Agent Will Trent and Sara Linton, find themselves and their relationship strained and very nearly destroyed by the fiery hell storm brought about with the reappearance of Angela (Angie) Polaski. While it is no secret that she returns in a big way in this book, I won't discuss particulars of the story as to do so would reveal spoilers that need to be experienced first hand by each reader. I will say there are some questions answered and some shocking revelations as the story plays out.
Needless to say, Angie wreaks havoc on the lives of everyone she touches. Her brutally tragic backstory is revealed in "real-time" as the book's timeline swings between past and present. Her horrifying past molded a young girl into a cold-hearted, uncaring, dangerous, psychotic madwoman - one hellbent on destroying anyone and everyone who crosses her path. Angie uses dark secrets and half-truths like daggers, piercing the heart of her target over and over with her malicious lies as she stalks her prey and leaves a bloodbath in her wake. She hasn't a clue what love and happiness should feel like - and if she can't have it, she'll make d*mn sure that Will doesn't either. Every time I felt even an inkling of sympathy for Angie, she threw another of her poisonous daggers - intentionally destroying lives with her vicious manipulation. The depth of this character's derangement is truly frightening at times - as is her pain.
Will Trent is . . . Will. Fans of the series know what I'm talking about. It's impossible not to care about this damaged, haunted man-of-few-words as he struggles to accept the idea that he might actually deserve the love and support of a woman like Sara Linton. He knows their relationship is fragile and dependent upon him trusting her with the truth and upon breaking the powerful, destructive, magnetic pull that Angie holds over him. For the past 30 years, he's been there for Angie every time she returned, allowing her to manipulate him, to walk all over him, always helping her, no questions asked. Can he finally find the strength to tell Angie "No" or will he allow Angie to manipulate her way back into his life and destroy the happiness he's found with Sara? Sara learns Will hasn't shared all his secrets with her . . . will this be the straw that finally breaks the camel's back? Has she finally had enough of this whole nightmare to call it quits?
The Kept Woman is INTENSE - cover to cover can't stop reading intense, hyperventilating, heart stopping intense, sit up all night to finish reading intense. For me, it ranks up there with the last Grant County book, Beyond Reach, in intensity and emotional overload. The story is graphic & raw (rubbing chest) - it made me hurt and wish for "more" for these characters - all of them. The action is high, the case a mystery, the plot twisted and then twisted again, the story shocking & riveting, and the characters so d*mn real - dark, damaged, fallible - some evoke hate and contempt, others love and caring. Brilliant addition to the series, Karin Slaughter! Thank you for another Must Read! A burn the house down Page Turner! 5 Psychotic Stars and then some!!...more
Dec. 9, 2022 - Rereading on audio - Even better the second time around! And so many small details that I'd forgotten. Still 5 Stars!
What an amazing auDec. 9, 2022 - Rereading on audio - Even better the second time around! And so many small details that I'd forgotten. Still 5 Stars!
What an amazing author & book! As always, Slaughter delivers several shockers as she weaves a story that will have you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out how these characters are connected and who the villain really is. Murder, betrayal, deceit, horrific crimes against innocents...Triptych has it all. A Must Read! One that will shock you again & again....more
Utterly speechless after finishing Criminal. My heart is still racing as my mind tries to process all I learned about Will and Amanda . . .finally somUtterly speechless after finishing Criminal. My heart is still racing as my mind tries to process all I learned about Will and Amanda . . .finally some answers - the truth about their past history and the ties that bind them together. I finally "get" Amanda, now better understanding her treatment of Will that often boggled & infuriated me. Slaughter alternates the past (mid 1970's) with the present to tell the story, and it's one hell of a ride. What does a murder case that a young Amanda & Evelyn worked in the 70's have to do with a present day case? The answer is devastating to Will Trent, and it may cost him everything. Another great read by the masterful Karin Slaughter! There are none better at doing what she does....more
This has to be the weirdest story I've ever read. Insane. Karin Slaughter is my favorite Romance/Suspense author...I love her Grant County & Will TrenThis has to be the weirdest story I've ever read. Insane. Karin Slaughter is my favorite Romance/Suspense author...I love her Grant County & Will Trent series. I picked Thorn in My Side up simply because it was written by her. I guess I expected something similar to her other books . . . but I don't have words for this story. There is no way to talk about it without giving away the big secret that is at the core of the entire story so I won't even try. It's weird. It's insane. It's crazy. I was almost speechless while reading it and afterwards. I even created a special shelf because I didn't know how to shelf it. It's called: Simply Insane. Enough said....more
Will Trent aka Bill Black is on assignment infiltrating one of the most corrupt towns/counties in the South when he stops at the Lil' Dixie Gas-n-Go cWill Trent aka Bill Black is on assignment infiltrating one of the most corrupt towns/counties in the South when he stops at the Lil' Dixie Gas-n-Go convenience store to battle with a frozen Icee machine. Before he can take his first sip, all hell breaks loose. Nothing/no one is as it/they seem as a robbery goes horribly wrong. Only Slaughter could pack so much into a novella as Will, Amanda, & Faith do what they do best - follow the evidence to unravel a tangled web of deceit, corruption, and murder. Another great story! A Must Read!...more
Short read but pure Karin Slaughter!! Will is on toilet duty . . .yes, toilet duty! Obviously, he fell out of favor with his boss, Amanda. He's in a sShort read but pure Karin Slaughter!! Will is on toilet duty . . .yes, toilet duty! Obviously, he fell out of favor with his boss, Amanda. He's in a stall in a public restroom in the airport when he hears a small voice in the next stall say, "I want to go home." The hairs on the back of Will's neck stand up. A man drags the little girl out of the restroom and Will follows. Is this man her father? Her step-father? Will's gut is screaming at him that something's not right. As I said, this is a short one, but it's as intense as Slaughter's full-length books. My only regret is that there wasn't more. Another Must Read!...more
As usual, Slaughter wastes no time diving right into the deep end - and dragging me with her! The chaos begins right away in Chapter one - my heart isAs usual, Slaughter wastes no time diving right into the deep end - and dragging me with her! The chaos begins right away in Chapter one - my heart is already breaking, racing out of my chest. Stepping inside one of these books is like stepping on to the train tracks, with the train racing straight at you. It's insanely intense, graphic, and yet totally mesmerizing, hypnotic. Even with the train running you down, you can not look away or get out of the way.
Will, Sara, Faith, Amanda, Lena, as well as some other familiar and also new characters are all caught up in a Perfect Storm - the kind that surrounds you on all sides and pounds you over & over, on and on, leaving devastation and destruction in its wake. All hell breaks loose. Lives are irrevocably changed, family members are buried and still no one can figure out who's running the show. There's so many layers to this story - just when you think you might have a handle on it, something changes and another piece of the puzzle drops into place.
Unseen is shocking & intense, as revelations are revealed. There are strange moments of kindness between some odd bedfellows, and there are moments of unforgivable betrayals and unbelievable cruelty delved out at the hands of a monster. Who is Mr. Whitey? What kind of cruel game is he playing? Who brought this horrible devastation down on them? Who will survive it?!
In my opinion, some of the best, life altering scenes of the series occur in Unseen: Lena & Sara - OMG! It's been a long time coming! Will & Sara - Wow...left me speechless & hurt my heart while others made me smile - nothing comes easy for this couple! Lena & Jared - heartbreaking, what in the world happened? Before I finished this story, a few characters really stepped up to surprise me - a few hatchets are buried, a little forgiveness is offered, and some declarations of love are made.
The only thing I could find wrong with this book is that now I have to wait for the next release in the series. Unseen goes on my Favorites shelf. A Page Burner. A Must Read. This series ranks in my top 5 series of all time. It touches me in so many different ways. Full review @ Cross My Heart Writings & Reviews
Another amazing read by Karin Slaughter. This author never fails to deliver the suspense, the stunning shockers, the emotionally damaged characters anAnother amazing read by Karin Slaughter. This author never fails to deliver the suspense, the stunning shockers, the emotionally damaged characters and once again, she had me reeling in this one. Undone marks the first appearance by a character from the Grant County series in the Will Trent series. I won't say who or why because of major spoilers. I can't emphasize enough that these books should be experienced first hand by reading, and in my opinion, must be read in order starting with the Grant County series. The character & relationship development is huge from book to book, and there are major spoilers that will result if read out of order. Both series are a Must Read! ...more
4.5 stars - Slaughter never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat, heart racing, turning pages as fast as I can read. Pay attention to details - eve4.5 stars - Slaughter never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat, heart racing, turning pages as fast as I can read. Pay attention to details - every word, sentence, paragraph - all should be scrutinized in a Slaughter book, as they all inevitably prove to be important later. And navigate the twists & turns with care...you never know what surprise this author will have waiting on the next page...but you can be sure there will be at least a couple of shockers. Loved it! A Page Burner! ...more
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