I’ll start by admitting that I love Karin Slaughter’s books. I’ve been an avid reader of hers since the Grant County series began way back in 2001. Check out “Blindsighted” and you’ll be on the right path. She just has a way of writing about damaged Southern folk that is so vivid that you feel like you’re right there in the dustbowl with them.
The Good Daughter is a new standalone novel. Set in a small town called Pikeville, the book begins with a tragedy. A mother is killed in her own kitchen. Her two daughters are forced out into the woodland surrounding the house at gunpoint. One daughter makes a run for it and escapes. The older daughter is shot in the head and buried in the forest.
Twenty eight years later Charlie works with her father at his law practice in Pikeville. Rusty is still ornery and unpredictable – loved and hated by his neighbours – defending abortion centres and convicted killers alike he has made his mark on the area.
Charlie has rebuilt her life in the town after recovering from her dreadful childhood ordeal. Estranged from her husband Ben she is questioning everything and not finding many answers. An early morning errand stop at a local middle school finds Charlie in the middle of another blood bath. A student with a gun shooting at staff and students alike leaves the whole town devastated. When Rusty takes on the role of the spree killer’s defence attorney all of the carefully erected psychological barriers start to fall away. Can Charlie cope when the truth about what happened to her starts to emerge?
This is a gripping thriller, full of twists and turns. I had guessed part of the twist but the main denouement knocks you for six. Its a shame that it is a one off novel because I was really enjoying the characters and the setting. Pick it up for your holiday reading now. You won’t regret it.
Supplied by Net Galley and Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review.
UK Publication Date: July 13 2017. 512 pages.
Categories: 5 Stars Book Review
angelnet69
Prolific reader, enthusiastic theatre and movie-goer and ex-Olivier Awards judge who spent twenty years working in the music industry in London. Sharing my house with a gorgeous cockapoo called Harry who has taken over completely.
I love sharing my favourite books with friends - nearly always spoiler-free as I hate reading a synopsis of the whole book in other reviews.
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