Who Would Like This Book:
If you're after a dark, twisty thriller packed with jaw-dropping twists, Pretty Girls is a wild ride that refuses to let go. Karin Slaughter delivers relentless suspense with genuinely unpredictable turns, bruising family drama, and characters who are messy, flawed, and incredibly real. Fans of gritty psychological thrillers - especially those who love the likes of Gillian Flynn or Lisa Jewell - will devour this one. Bonus: it's got that Southern gothic atmosphere and a look at how tragedy lingers in a family for decades.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found Pretty Girls too graphic, unsettling, or just plain disturbing - the violence (including sexual violence) and dark subject matter is front and center. It’s not a cozy mystery, and there are detailed scenes that will be tough for anyone squeamish or sensitive to violence against women. Others felt parts of the plot stretched believability or that the depravity overshadowed subtlety. If you dislike long thrillers, books that are relentless in their darkness, or need everything to feel 100% realistic, this might not be your cup of tea.
About:
"Pretty Girls" by Karin Slaughter is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the story of a family grappling with the disappearance and tragic fate of their daughter and sister. As the family navigates through harrowing discoveries and attempts to keep dark secrets hidden, the narrative unfolds as a sustained psychological crisis. intricately weaves together themes of survival, familial bonds, and the struggle to retain humanity amidst violence and deception. With a roller coaster of emotions, the story is described as frightening, disturbing, and poignant, exploring the depths of human nature and the consequences of hidden truths.
The plot of "Pretty Girls" revolves around missing teenagers, estranged siblings, and the uncovering of long-held secrets. The narrative is praised for its suspenseful nature, unexpected twists, and masterful depiction of dark characters and their distorted desires. delves into the psychological complexities of psychopaths and the gruesome acts they commit, making it a chilling yet engrossing read. Through a series of shocking revelations and heart-wrenching discoveries, the characters embark on a quest for truth, leading to a narrative filled with suspense, intrigue, and unforgettable moments.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains high levels of graphic content, including violence, sexual assault, and descriptions that may be triggering for some readers.
From The Publisher:
Lee Child says it's "stunning… certain to be a book of the year."
Kathy Reichs calls it "extraordinary… a major achievement."
Jeffery Deaver says that "fiction doesn't get any better than this."
Gillian Flynn says of Karin Slaughter: "I'd follow her anywhere."
See for yourself what these #1 New York Times-bestselling authors are talking about.
Sisters. Strangers. Survivors.
More than twenty years ago, Claire and Lydia's teenaged sister Julia vanished without a trace. The two women have not spoken since, and now their lives could not be more different. Claire is the glamorous trophy wife of an Atlanta millionaire. Lydia, a single mother, dates an ex-con and struggles to make ends meet. But neither has recovered from the horror and heartbreak of their shared loss-a devastating wound that's cruelly ripped open when Claire's husband is killed.
The disappearance of a teenage girl and the murder of a middle-aged man, almost a quarter-century apart: what could connect them? Forming a wary truce, the surviving sisters look to the past to find the truth, unearthing the secrets that destroyed their family all those years ago . . . and uncovering the possibility of redemption, and revenge, where they least expect it.
Powerful, poignant, and utterly gripping, packed with indelible characters and unforgettable twists, Pretty Girls is a masterful novel from one of the finest writers working today.
Ratings (265)
Incredible (58) | |
Loved It (91) | |
Liked It (63) | |
It Was OK (28) | |
Did Not Like (13) | |
Hated It (12) |
Reader Stats (571):
Read It (276) | |
Currently Reading (7) | |
Want To Read (220) | |
Did Not Finish (13) | |
Not Interested (55) |
11 comment(s)
Twas okay, very slow for me and I was so confused on the back and forth of the POVs. Didn’t really like the first person to third person switches. Liked the ending but man I really had to power through
It was graphic and used over the top violence and torture for the sake of it. It was difficult to read and you felt like you needed a shower afterwards. Never never read this.
I didn’t connect to any of the characters. The drama felt gratuitous and didn’t build in any emotional way. Felt empty to me, and I don’t have the stomach for that kind of violence I guess!
Gross graphic. Shocking. Binge able
I read this book based upon a suggestion. I was warned it would be gruesome, have torture, and not be for everyone. I like to read 'extreme horrors' and understand they are not for everyone. I mostly enjoyed this book, I was extremely tired of hearing how pretty Claire was. This book contains a lot of serial violence, violence against women/youg girls, and torture.
Such a good thriller! Really kept me going. Hoping the rest of her books are just as good stumbling upon this author.
SYNOPSIS:
Julia vanished twenty years ago. Her sisters, Lydia and Claire, reunite after the death of Claire’s husband, Paul.
The sisters search for answers about what happened to Julia, mysteries about Paul, and many other things as well.
MY THOUGHTS
This book felt very slow-paced to me. I typically get through books very quickly, and this book just crept long for me.
I am in the minority here, but I thought this book was just “meh” — lots of torture porn and graphic violence for no apparent reason.
As a woman, I would love it if authors, especially women authors, could stop using gratuitous violence against women as a plot device. Do something creative. Raping and murdering women, which is described incessantly and in great detail, should not be entertainment.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 stars. Stop using gratuitous violence against women as a plot device.
I was really horrified with this book. Caught me by surprise and it was gory and dark. I took breaks before progressing to another chapter but I couldn't stop reading it. It peaked my interest and it was twisted.
I was really horrified with this book. Caught me by surprise and it was gory and dark. I took breaks before progressing to another chapter but I couldn't stop reading it. It peaked my interest and it was twisted.
Super violent book. There were times I could not hardly listen to it (audiobook). But the story hooked me from the beginning and I could not stop listening even when I arrived at my destinations (listened to in the car)
What can you read after
Pretty Girls?
About the Author:
Karin Slaughter is one of the world's most popular and acclaimed storytellers. Published in 120 countries with more than 35 million copies sold across the globe, her nineteen novels include the Grant County and Will Trent books, as well as the Edgar-nominated Cop Town and the instant New York Times bestselling novels Pretty Girls, The Good Daughter, and Pieces of Her. This summer, Slaughter returns with her latest Will Trent instalment, The Last Widow. Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project-a nonprofit organisation established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, Karin Slaughter lives in Atlanta. Her standalone novels Pieces of Her, The Good Daughter and Cop Town are in development for film and television. For more information visit KarinSlaughter.com AuthorKarinSlaughter @SlaughterKarin
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