Bharath's Reviews > After That Night

A disturbing story, but the best crime novel I have read this year. Only, I have read this book out of sequence, and it would have been even better to read the series in order.

Sara Lincoln, a medical examiner, attends to Dani Cooper who is brought into hospital in a critical condition. In a heart-breaking moment, Dani implores her to find whoever sexually assaulted her before she passes away. The evidence against Tommy McAllister is circumstantial, and hence it is a civil trial, where Sara testifies. Tommy’s dad Mac McAllister was Sara’s classmate, getting a one-up over her by winning a key scholarship. In the restroom, Britt McAllister, Mac’s wife, seeming intoxicated and barely coherent tells Sara that what happened to Dani and Sara (many years back) are connected. Sara was raped 15 years back, a janitor Jack Allen Wright was arrested and served prison term. Sara finds the trauma she has lived with ever since that night rushing back full force to overpower her once again. Will Trent, who is engaged to Sara and Faith Mitchell pursue an investigation on their own. They uncover a sinister and nauseating plot where victims are chosen & sexual assaults planned & executed.

While the underlying theme is very disturbing, this story combines a strong plot with gradual & methodical build-up, great characters and good procedural work exceptionally well. This story explores the consequences of a regressive view of women, violence and the resultant scars as well as Beartown by Fredrick Backman did, in a very different style and context. The trauma & inner turmoil of the victims, especially Sara, is extremely well-written and moving.

A book I strongly recommend. I must read the other books in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins, and the author for a free electronic review copy.