Scan barcode
marenlade's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
krissy_booking's review against another edition
4.0
My first read from this author - and would be keen to read others that are as good a read, but not the same story line plot, does that make sense?
Reading only a handful of reviews before selecting a book (to see if it aligns on what my thoughts for a book may be after reading description, cover art, etc) an overarching theme in reviews was the graphic details/gore - whether you liked them or not.
I won't get into advocating whether I like it or not - for reviewers out there that don't necessarily care about an opinion for that.
I will however share that the graphic descriptions, are a necessary evil for the story telling. The main character themselves (can you tell, I like to do the no spoiler thing) is a salacious, disturbed, inhumane individual. The best way to submerse yourself into the book and the character(s), is to really receive those sordid details. It allows you to feel as if wow - this is really those people's lives!!
Reading only a handful of reviews before selecting a book (to see if it aligns on what my thoughts for a book may be after reading description, cover art, etc) an overarching theme in reviews was the graphic details/gore - whether you liked them or not.
I won't get into advocating whether I like it or not - for reviewers out there that don't necessarily care about an opinion for that.
I will however share that the graphic descriptions, are a necessary evil for the story telling. The main character themselves (can you tell, I like to do the no spoiler thing) is a salacious, disturbed, inhumane individual. The best way to submerse yourself into the book and the character(s), is to really receive those sordid details. It allows you to feel as if wow - this is really those people's lives!!
becinneverland's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
nishhreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lisa_butler79's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
5.0
I read this book for one of 12 books recommended by a friend to read in 2024. Recommended by Olivia May Bradshaw
This book has sure got me out of the slump I was in.
Karin Slaughter is one of my favourite authors. She is definitely Slaughter by name, Slaughter by genre.
This book is absolutely shocking, upsetting, disturbing, gory, and absolutely brilliant. I couldn't put it down. There is no hiding from the disturbing content, and just when you think it can't get worse, it does. The writing, the plot, keeps you wanting more.
If you are going to read this book, please be prepared that it is horribly graphic and portrays violence against women. It is not for the faint-hearted, but realistically, this is happening every day to women across the world.
This book is one hell of a ride. Just when you think that the book should be over, another unexpected twist shocks you.
This book will have you on the edge of your seat the whole way through.
mysticpagemage's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Book Review
Pretty Girls
Karin Slaughter
2.25 stars
Im 1991 the oldest of three sisters goes missing. This leaves a family to question what happened, could something have been done to prevent it, how do they move on, and ultimately they each find their own paths forward. The father never gives up his search, the mother remarries after leaving because she feels trapped by the weight of the mystery, the second daughter is constantly trying new ways to dull the pain, and the youngest seeks love from anyone she can until she meets the one man that gives her everything she has ever needed, Paul.
Twenty years later Paul is murdered in a robbery gone wrong. His death brings the two remaining sisters back together in ways that they never dreamed possible. As they begin to reconnect the learn that there are secrets that they never even thought were possible for someone they were so close to to have. How vile human nature can actually be and the true depths of depravity one person will go to to be in control.
To be straightforward with anyone who picks this book up to read, be ready for some graphic writing. It is not going to sugar coat the horrendous crimes that the book entails. There are scenes within the book that will turn most people's stomachs if they have a powerful imagination. So always check the warning on books before diving in blindly unless you are emotionally mature enough to know what you can handle.
The characters were basic level characters: a mothrr who had checked out, a daughter who let the man do everything for her, the black sheep who didn't wanna try to repair her connection with her family, the cocky FBI agent and the fumbling local law enforcement. They weren't really any that you would be rooting for at any moment in the book. However, the weaving connections of all the characters within the plot was interesting.
I will have to admit there was a reveal in the plot that I did not see coming that I literally said out loud "what the actual f***" but then once it was all put together I felt like it was quiet interesting. The torture scenes as I said could be a bit much for some people and to me I think they could have been done a bit differently to not come across as petty in some aspects, speciffically the 'waterboarding' which just felt immature.
Some aspects of the writing felt sluggish especially when the story itself felt like it could have been condensed a bit more. However, I greatly enjoyed the exerts from the father's diary to his oldest daughter that was a great touch. Overall I don't think I would recommend or reread this book. It feels like a one time thing for me and I don't think people I know would enjoy it at all.
• Initial Response: 3/5 (neither good nor bad an average read for me)
• Recommendation: 1/5 (would not recommend most people I know would not enjoy)
• Re-Readability: 1/5 (once you read I don't see the need for a reread)
• Writing Style: 2/5 (easy to read but sluggish at times)
• Engagement w/ Plot: 4/5 (I wanted to know who did and there was some good wtf moments)
• Character Likeability/Relatability: 2/5 (basic characters)
Pretty Girls
Karin Slaughter
2.25 stars
Im 1991 the oldest of three sisters goes missing. This leaves a family to question what happened, could something have been done to prevent it, how do they move on, and ultimately they each find their own paths forward. The father never gives up his search, the mother remarries after leaving because she feels trapped by the weight of the mystery, the second daughter is constantly trying new ways to dull the pain, and the youngest seeks love from anyone she can until she meets the one man that gives her everything she has ever needed, Paul.
Twenty years later Paul is murdered in a robbery gone wrong. His death brings the two remaining sisters back together in ways that they never dreamed possible. As they begin to reconnect the learn that there are secrets that they never even thought were possible for someone they were so close to to have. How vile human nature can actually be and the true depths of depravity one person will go to to be in control.
To be straightforward with anyone who picks this book up to read, be ready for some graphic writing. It is not going to sugar coat the horrendous crimes that the book entails. There are scenes within the book that will turn most people's stomachs if they have a powerful imagination. So always check the warning on books before diving in blindly unless you are emotionally mature enough to know what you can handle.
The characters were basic level characters: a mothrr who had checked out, a daughter who let the man do everything for her, the black sheep who didn't wanna try to repair her connection with her family, the cocky FBI agent and the fumbling local law enforcement. They weren't really any that you would be rooting for at any moment in the book. However, the weaving connections of all the characters within the plot was interesting.
I will have to admit there was a reveal in the plot that I did not see coming that I literally said out loud "what the actual f***" but then once it was all put together I felt like it was quiet interesting. The torture scenes as I said could be a bit much for some people and to me I think they could have been done a bit differently to not come across as petty in some aspects, speciffically the 'waterboarding' which just felt immature.
Some aspects of the writing felt sluggish especially when the story itself felt like it could have been condensed a bit more. However, I greatly enjoyed the exerts from the father's diary to his oldest daughter that was a great touch. Overall I don't think I would recommend or reread this book. It feels like a one time thing for me and I don't think people I know would enjoy it at all.
• Initial Response: 3/5 (neither good nor bad an average read for me)
• Recommendation: 1/5 (would not recommend most people I know would not enjoy)
• Re-Readability: 1/5 (once you read I don't see the need for a reread)
• Writing Style: 2/5 (easy to read but sluggish at times)
• Engagement w/ Plot: 4/5 (I wanted to know who did and there was some good wtf moments)
• Character Likeability/Relatability: 2/5 (basic characters)
lizzy125's review against another edition
5.0
It’s a good story, simple to read, the chapters go back and forth between main characters so you get to see different points of view. But some parts are definitely gore porn which are unnecessary to the story. But I will give credit where credit is due, it’s a good book the story just had more potential.
allison_alex4's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
crystalnicole219's review against another edition
4.0
A twisty, emotional, horrific thriller about two sisters who somehow find their way back to one another. I loved Claire as a character. She was honest, transparent, strong. Just all around good book.
quillwielder's review against another edition
5.0
EASILY ONE OF MY FAVORITE THRILLERS THIS YEAR SKSKSKSSK