REVIEW: THE GOOD DAUGHTER By Karin Slaughter

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by Renee (Itsbooktalk)

33230889

Published Aug.8th, 2017 by William Morrow

Two girls are forced into the woods at gunpoint. One runs for her life. One is left behind…

Twenty-eight years ago, Charlotte and Samantha Quinn’s happy small-town family life was torn apart by a terrifying attack on their family home.  And it left the family fractured beyond repair, consumed by secrets from that terrible night.

Twenty-eight years later, and Charlie has followed in her father’s footsteps to become a lawyer herself — the ideal good daughter. But when violence comes to Pikeville again — and a shocking tragedy leaves the whole town traumatized — Charlie is plunged into a nightmare. Not only is she the first witness on the scene, but it’s a case that unleashes the terrible memories she’s spent so long trying to suppress. Because the shocking truth about the crime that destroyed her family nearly thirty years ago won’t stay buried forever…

******

This book should really come with a warning…BEWARE…once you start reading this small town secret filled thriller, you will likely avoid your friends, family, exercise and oh yeah, sleep! I should know because I pretty much ignored everyone and stayed up until after 1:00am because I couldn’t possibly sleep without knowing how this puzzle turned out. I do have to say I was a little hesitant to start this because my last Slaughter book was Pretty Girls which I found just too violently graphic and all who know Karin’s wonderful writing know that she writes so realistically that it’s often hard to get those images out of your head. That’s not to say there isn’t violence in this story, there is, and quite a lot, so if you’re a reader that struggles with that you should take note.

If you haven’t read Karin Slaughter before I think this would be the absolute perfect book to pick up to experience a level of writing that is really so far above so many others in terms of characterization and making readers FEEL that they know these characters. In the beginning of this story we meet Samantha, her sister Charlotte and their parents, Gamma and Rusty Quinn, and within the first few pages I felt like they were real people and I was witnessing their conversations and their heartache over having to move because their home had been firebombed due to Rusty’s job as a defense lawyer in town. I mean, this is where I think Karin Slaughter is light years above other writers…how did she manage to make me feel SO invested in these people so quickly?? Sorry, I digress from my actual review….

The story is structured in such a way that we get to know the characters starting in 1989 in their small Pikeville, Ga town. Before this section closes Slaughter will have managed to toss in a twist that caused me to virtual buckle up for what I predicted was going to be a wild ride. The narration then shifts as we fast forward 28 years and Charlotte is now a defense attorney in the same building as Rusty (who’s still practicing) and trying to navigate the rocky waters of her marriage. I found Rusty to be an absolutely fascinating character. On the one hand, I felt like shaking him for being abrupt and emotionally unavailable for his daughter and on the other, I found him funny and witty. That’s top notch writing for you…characters who are FLAWED are characters we can relate to, root for, and mourn when we close the book and realize their story is over.

I haven’t even touched on the the crimes in the past and present and that’s because the less you know starting out as far as the plot, the more surprises you’ll get to experience!  To put it simply, there’s a devastating crime (home invasion) committed in 1989 and there’s an equally devastating one (school shooting) committed 28 years later; both occurring in Pikeville and both involving the Quinns. BUT, here’s what you need to remember…no matter how things appear on the surface, nothing is as it seems dear reader.  I felt my anxiety rising in so many places trying to figure out what happened, who might be involved, how does it all fit together…that I finally took the advice of my  friend Annie (The Misstery) who said…”don’t even try to figure it out!” So I’ll pass this good advice on to you…just sit back and enjoy being enthralled by some of the most gripping writing you’re likely to read all year. If you’re in the mood for a character driven story that includes plenty of mystery and quite a few thrills, I think you’ve found your next read!

Many thanks to William Morrow via Edelweiss for my copy, I’m happy to provide an honest review  

 

 

 

 

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Renee (Itsbooktalk)

24 thoughts on “REVIEW: THE GOOD DAUGHTER By Karin Slaughter”

  5. Awesome review, Renee! I felt exactly the same way about this book. I was so invested in the characters. I also had some trouble with Pretty Girls…loved the story but had a really hard time with the violence. However, like you said this one does have violence but not nearly as much and the story-line and characters were just so good!! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it and I love your review!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Great review! I cringed a little before clicking on your review and thought to myself…please like this book, please like this book…lol. I’m really glad you liked it! This will be my first Karin Slaughter book. With any luck I will be reading it in the next few weeks!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Absolutely LOVE this review Renee! Its my favorite so far! I can’t bear to have “graphic images” in my head. I’m one to overly think about them. So, I think I’ll start with this book (not Pretty Girls). I own The Kept Woman, but haven’t read yet. Hoping it is not too violent for me!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Holly, that makes my day for you to say that! This was actually a fun review to write. I think this is the perfect first book to read if you’re new to Karin Slaughter. I really want to start her Will Trent series it’s just finding the time to start it!!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. I feel like I am the only one yet to read this. I have heard some great things about the book and your review has definitely convinced me to add it to my TBR. I like the sound of the unpredictability and the character development. Thanks for the warning too 🙂

    Like

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