I just finished up the audio book Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter. I’ve long been a Karin Slaughter fan and am always anxiously awaiting any new material. She’s the author of my favorite Will Trent series.
I was so hopeful for this. I remember being so frustrated when I saw the new release of the book from my online library and found I was on a waiting list of 48 (or so) people. I thought I’d never be able to wait but I’m working on not spending so much on books so, I was patient and waited. Sadly, the book wasn’t worth the wait.
Ever since the author left the Will Trent series she’s been writing books but I don’t like them anymore. There is not a lovable enduring character in her books anymore. There is often too much violence (not in this one) and the books don’t “catch” me like they used to. Seriously, this book has a girl, her brothers, and friends and later her daughter. I never liked a single character. I could relate to NONE. Even the girl who later became good, I couldn’t warm up to.
Here’s what Amazon had to say:
“Andrea knows everything about her mother, Laura. She knows she’s spent her whole life in the small beachside town of Belle Isle; she knows she’s never wanted anything more than to live a quiet life as a pillar of the community; she knows she’s never kept a secret in her life. Because we all know our mothers, don’t we?
But all that changes when a trip to the mall explodes into violence and Andrea suddenly sees a completely different side to Laura. Because it turns out that before Laura was Laura, she was someone completely different. For nearly thirty years she’s been hiding from her previous identity, lying low in the hope that no one would ever find her. But now she’s been exposed, and nothing will ever be the same again.
The police want answers and Laura’s innocence is on the line, but she won’t speak to anyone, including her own daughter. Andrea is on a desperate journey following the breadcrumb trail of her mother’s past. And if she can’t uncover the secrets hidden there, there may be no future for either one of them. . . .”
Amazon readers give the book 3.7 stars. Most every reviewer said the same as me…”unrelated characters, wondered if it was the same author”. I’m totally agreeing with Amazon readers on this one. I can’t rate it any higher. If you are a Karin Slaughter fan, seriously, skip this one!
I agree! I was very disappointed.
Jo, put these on your request list:
Educated
Unwinding a Miracle
The Rosie Project
Every Note Played
And great light fiction is anything by Mary Kay Andrews
Thanks for the heads up. I have loved Karin Slaughter in the past also.
Oh, I’m sorry to hear this. I loved the Will Trent & Sara Linton Series. If you liked them, you might like Meg Gardiner’s two series, Jo Beckett and Evan Delaney. The stand-alone books are ok, but I preferred the two series. I just finished the last one in the Evan Delaney series and I’m sad she hasn’t written anymore in the last 11 years. Two more of our favorites are C.J. Box — Joe Pickett, a Wyoming game warden and Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire series (MUCH better than the tv series).
You might try The Last Act by Brad Parks. I just finished it and enjoyed it very much.
I also am a fan of CJ Box and his Joe Pickett books.
I just finished listening to _The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion_ by Fannie Flagg (She is also the reader.). I think you might enjoy it, too.
I found this book so so. I read it over a year ago so I might be remembering incorrectly but I think I thought it was a bit far fetched. I didn’t care for the Walt Longmire books. I preferred the TV show. Another author is Diane Mott Davidson who writes a series about culinary Mysteries as a caterer.
Thank you for letting us know. I’m always looking for a good book to read – and I’ll look into her Will Trent series.