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Pretty Girls

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"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.

Characters:

Characters are intricately developed, showcasing complex emotions and relationships shaped by trauma and loss, making them relatable and flawed.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging, utilizing a blend of humor and chilling details, effectively conveying the psychological toll of the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately weaves the lives of three sisters impacted by the traumatic disappearance of one, exploring themes of grief, family dysfunction, and dark secrets.

Setting:

The setting plays a crucial role, contrasting the wealthy suburbs with the darker undercurrents of violence and crime.

Pacing:

The pacing accelerates as the story unfolds, shifting from slower setups to rapid, gripping developments that keep readers engaged.
The downtown Atlanta restaurant was empty except for a lone businessman in a corner booth and a bartender who seemed to think he had mastered the art of flirty conversation. The predinner rush was sta...

Notes:

The novel centers on three sisters, one of whom, Julia, went missing years ago.
The family's dynamics are deeply affected by Julia's disappearance, leading to estrangements and tragedy.
Set in Atlanta, Georgia, the story explores themes of grief, betrayal, and redemption.
Claire, one of the sisters, discovers dark secrets about her recently murdered husband.
Graphic depictions of violence and sexual assault are present throughout the novel, which some readers find disturbing.
The story alternates perspectives, including entries from their father, Sam, who writes letters to Julia after her disappearance.
Lydia, the rebellious sister, struggles with addiction but seeks to rebuild her life after Julia's disappearance.
The book's pacing and twists keep readers engaged, with frequent shocking revelations about characters.
Karin Slaughter explores the psychological impact of trauma on siblings and family members in the aftermath of crime.

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 (141)

Incredible (25)
Loved It (57)
Liked It (30)
It Was OK (15)
Did Not Like (6)
Hated It (8)

Reader Stats (300):

Read It (144)
Currently Reading (4)
Want To Read (122)
Did Not Finish (6)
Not Interested (24)

8 comment(s)

Loved It
4 days

Gross graphic. Shocking. Binge able

 
Loved It
3 weeks

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.

 
Incredible
1 month

Such a good thriller! Really kept me going. Hoping the rest of her books are just as good stumbling upon this author.

 
Liked It
3 months

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.

 
Liked It
5 months

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.

 
Liked It
5 months

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.

 
Incredible
5 months

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)

 
Loved It
7 months

This book is bonkers. Crazy twists, gory violence, lots of tension. Two sisters, already having lost their other sister when she went missing one night, haven’t talked for basically twenty years after an accusation about one’s boyfriend tore them apart. When the boyfriend-turned-husband dies in a mugging, the sisters end up coming back together and learn some hard truths about their pasts. The family dynamics were pretty interesting- how some people hold on and others move on, how people revert into familiar roles.

 

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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