Sandra Hoover's Reviews > The Silent Wife

Spoiler 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