Pretty Girls

PRETTY GIRLS [2015] By Karin Slaughter My Review Five Stars***** I was already a fan of Karin Slaughter's novels two decades ago when I was renting books on tape to “read” during the extensive driving that was required by my job at the time. It was more recently (2018) that I decided to read both her GRANT COUNTY and WILL TRENT series in chronological order. A few were re-reads but even those were exceptionally entertaining. Slaughter quickly ascended to the list of my top five authors on the planet Earth. I was “blown away” by the sheer power of Slaughter’s works, and as I commented in a review of her debut novel BLINDSIGHTED [2001] she is the author that set the new gold standard for excellence. I had already read the entire WILL TRENT series before I began the earlier GRANT COUNTY books. She did not stop writing after half a dozen novels, or continue to write but with diminishing returns. We refer to "Early Cornwell", "Early Patterson", "Early Koontz".. and at least in my case "Early Stephen King" for a reason. The NYT Bestseller PRETTY GIRLS was released six years ago but it was the first standalone novel I’ve read by Karin Slaughter. It was so riveting that I would have stayed up all night to finish it if I hadn’t had commitments. Even so, I finished it in two sittings. I absolutely LOVED it. That was hardly a surprise to me. I have commented in the past that I become so completely mesmerized by her novels that I become almost oblivious to my immediate environment. I think there could be a tornado roaring like a train, a home invasion in progress, or a house fire blazing and I would still be holding my Kindle in a death grip reading her words and turning pages. She has the power to invoke what I like to refer to as “immediacy”. As a reader I feel like I am right there in the moment. This doesn’t need to be a long or wordy review. Amazon has logged 8642 ratings so heaven only knows how many readers rated this bestseller on Goodreads. I just looked it up and the answer is a whopping 205,017 (to include 18,548 reviews)! Tess Gerritsen, also among my top five favorite writers, commented that Slaughter is “One of the boldest thriller writers working today”. Translated that means that Slaughter does in fact “write with a razor” and her characters and scenes cut to the quick. If a reader doesn’t want to encounter raw realism and brutal reality, then stay away from Slaughter. Her works slice to the bone and deliver a visceral punch to the gut and a precordial thump to the heart that sends our emotions in freefall. Like Gillian Flynn has been quoted so often “I’d follow her anywhere”. I have to read the rest of her standalone works on my Kindle. I intentionally wanted to parse them out to prolong the thrill, but PRETTY GIRLS was so d--- great I’m not sure I can wait. The most impressive characteristic of Karin Slaughter’s works IMO is that the creative genius she possesses does not seem to give any indication of waning. Her ability to take the reader into the darkest most depraved minds and acts of sadistic predation on women sets her apart from anyone writing today. She doesn’t hesitate to “pull the trigger” on the sickest and most shocking scenes with forensic details that are not for everyone. Slaughter’s peers are writing crime fiction that tackles the same underlying theme of violent crimes against women, and their works include riveting thrillers that knock my socks off. It isn’t that the works of giants like Gerritsen and prolific authors like Hoag cannot deliver the goods on this theme. There is just “something” about Slaughter that goes where no mainstream crime fiction queen has gone before. Gerritsen called it “bold” and I think that’s putting it mildly. I have to say as I am ready to post my own “two cents worth” that I am surprised by not only the number of negative reviews I see but also by their relevant fervor about the visceral impact and graphic depiction of violence in PRETTY GIRLS. This is a small percentage of readers when you consider the whole of course. In any case, I find it annoying those readers post reviews saying they cannot bear to finish the book…that there ought to be warnings about the content, and so on. Good heavens. If you don’t want your emotions and your sensibilities to be stripped raw then don’t read Karin Slaughter’s works.

This story dives headfirst into the darkest corners of human cruelty, grief, and obsession, and it does so with a slow intensity that can be genuinely difficult to read at times. The exploration of sisterhood and loss is powerful, grounding the violence in real emotional stakes rather than shock value alone. The pacing is strong, the twists are effective, and the mystery keeps you turning pages even when you desperately want to look away. That said, the graphic content might makes this a challenging read for more sensitive readers, and at times that could overshadow the emotional core of the story. For me, it was a compelling, well-crafted thriller—but one that demands a strong stomach and the right headspace. If you’re a fan of dark, unflinching crime thrillers that explore trauma and survival without sugarcoating the horror, Pretty Girls delivers. Disturbing, gripping, and unforgettable—just know what you’re walking into.

I don’t even know how to properly explain how much Pretty Girls kept me hanging on! Karen Slaughter wrote something that is so dark and disturbing, but also so emotional and deeply human. This isn’t just a thriller. It’s about the secrets families carry and what happens when the truth finally comes out. I felt so invested in the sisters and their relationship. It felt messy and real. The resentment, the distance, the love that never fully disappears. You can feel their pain on every page. And when the truth starts unraveling? I could not put it down. I stayed up way too late because I had to know. Even down loaded the audio for my car rides. Fair warning: it’s intense. There are parts that make you stop to take a breath, parts that make you pause and say, wait..........what?!?!. It's shock in all the best ways. The twists hit hard, and the emotional payoff is worth every uncomfortable moment. This book made me tense, teary eyed, angry, in awe, and completely hooked. If you like thrillers that actually make you feel the emotions of the characters, not just guess “whodunnit”, this one stays with you long after you finish. I also really appreciated the ending. It didn’t just cut off or leave you hanging for the sake of being dramatic. It brought everything full circle. It tied the past and present together in a way that felt complete and intentional. After such a heavy, layered story, that kind of closure mattered. Karen Slaughter really did that with this one!

Great read. Hard to read but great, not my us yr al type of book as very graphic and intense and yet I was glued to it all the way through .. Fabulous thriller keeping you on edge throughout it all

Well, at least the book made me be sure not to buy a thriller book that has more than 400 pages. I skimread last 200 pages (boring), mostly just conversations, just to get to the end. End was so predictable and poor. The book was not shocking or anything. Its as if written to promote a disturbing type of a murder, it felt me that way at least. She describes details like enjoyable, horrible but not-so-rare things. This is not thriller. This is not what average murder readers want (in my nonhumble opinion). The best thriller is the Agatha way, really. Agatha Christie writes nice twists, surprising ends and she doesnt make you feel between vomiting or wondering of the act. My special thanks to 5 star readers who helped me to buy this book.

Svårt att få en bra bild men framsidan liksom delar sig som om den blivit fuktskadad. Mycket tråkigt då jag köper en NY bok så vill jag ha en fin och hel bok… Har ej läst boken ännu. Detta är bara en recension på hantering och omslaget

الكتاب جاني معفط وتعبان كأنه مستخدم الخيار الي اخترته هو ال market mass. مب ارجعه لاني ميته ابي اقراه بس انتبهو اذا بتطلبون اختارو خيار ثاني افضل

Before you read this book, PLEASE check the trigger warnings. If you are ok with graphic themes and enjoy a twisted thriller, this book is incredible, however it is not for everyone and please proceed with caution if you are not ok with any of the themes depicted. Prepare to be captivated, shocked, and utterly enthralled by Karin Slaughter's masterful thriller. This dark and haunting tale will leave you breathless as you navigate the treacherous depths of human depravity and uncover secrets that will send shivers down your spine. I do not suggest reading this book while you are home alone as I did, it had me jumping at every little noise! Karin Slaughter's writing style is nothing short of brilliant. She weaves a complex web of suspense and intrigue, drawing you in from the very first page and refusing to let go until the final shocking revelation. Her ability to create vivid, gritty and realistic characters is astounding, making you feel as though you are intimately acquainted with every twist and turn of their lives. The story follows the lives of two sisters, Claire and Lydia, whose lives were shattered by the mysterious disappearance of their beloved sister, Julia, over twenty years ago. Slaughter paints a harrowing picture of their pain and grief, taking us on an emotional rollercoaster as we witness their desperate quest for answers and justice. The raw emotions portrayed in their journeys are palpable, tugging at your heartstrings with every revelation and setback. One of the most remarkable aspects of this book is Karin Slaughter's ability to delve deep into the darkest recesses of the human psyche. She fearlessly explores themes of violence, trauma, and the sinister underbelly of society, leaving you with a sense of unease long after you've turned the final page. The author's unflinching portrayal of evil and its consequences is chilling, reminding us that monsters can lurk in even the most ordinary of places. Throughout the narrative, Karin Slaughter expertly builds suspense, planting seeds of doubt and suspicion that keep you on the edge of your seat. The pacing is flawless, with each chapter unveiling new layers of the twisted puzzle, leaving you guessing and second-guessing until the shocking climax. The tension is palpable, and you'll find yourself rapidly flipping pages, unable to tear yourself away from the relentless suspense. While this book delves into the depths of darkness, Slaughter also injects moments of levity and wit that provide a much-needed respite from the intense atmosphere. Her skillful use of dark humor and sarcasm adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, making it all the more engaging and realistic. These moments of lightness serve as a stark contrast to the grim reality of the story, reminding us that even in the face of unimaginable horror, humanity can still find strength and resilience. Karin Slaughter's ability to create compelling characters, craft a chilling and suspenseful plot, and explore the depths of human darkness is unparalleled. With its gripping narrative, emotional depth, and expertly executed twists, this book will leave you both shaken and exhilarated. Brace yourself for an unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness.