Pretty Girls

4/5 - enjoyed this more the 2nd time round! First half of this book is definitely pure gold, absolutely fantastic, leaves you on the each of your seat. It is everything you want from a mystery thiller.
Second half doesn't quite meet the mark of the first half but doesn't take away from the overall story. First time round my main issue was with Claire and a lot of decisions she made in the second half. But this time, I didn't find her nearly as annoying but at certian points I did still want to shake her by the shoulders.
Still just as heart breaking during the second read as it was in the first!

Original Review:
3.5/5 - I am so conflicted with this book! For the most part this is a really fast paced thriller/mystery novel that pacts quite a punch with its very disturbing subject matters. Considering the length of the novel the pace at which the majority of it seemed to go really made for a more gripping story which I really enjoyed.
However, in certain parts I found it slowed up, where there seemed to be endless inner dialogue with one of the main characters which I found a bit long winded. Furthermore, I found Claire and some of decisions she made slightly frustrating and irritating.
But would all this stop me from recommending this book? No, I enjoyed around 70% and the mystery overall had me hooked throughout the majority. Although this book is very dark and deals with some pretty disturbing content, so do assume all the trigger warnings!

I've read over a dozen of Slaughter's books and I am a big fan. I'm not crazy about this one. It was deeply unpleasant, and the exhaustive detail of unspeakable acts is no fun to read. I also think it lacked the pace and drive of her other books.

I enjoyed the character development and the unraveling of the plot. I did not like the excessive internal monologues of the protagonists. I think the last 50-75 pages needed an editor's red pen. and the last chapter was absolutely unnecessary or misplaced.

I heard mixed things about this book so I went in blind like I usually do. I followed along with the audiobook and as the book continued I was like what the f am I listening to lol...It was twisted, dark, suspenseful and I definitely was at the edge of my seat with this one. It was hard to put down but I did pull away from time to time. I have never read anything of Karin Slaughter and I'm really glad I did. The way she builds within this book is so well done and many of the twists I was jaw dropped. Definitely will be picking up more from her.

I am broken

The plot twists in the beginning were fantastic and compelling. However, they set up a momentum that the book couldn't keep up with, so it became least captivating and more predictable towards the end.

I was debating between a 4.5 and a 5 so this rating is subject to change. All I honestly have to say right now is that I'm actually sick. Most of the book didn't really phase me but there is one description that got me and it's living in my head rent free. Not in a good way either lol any book that could make me sick deserves a round of applause.

Pretty Girls was a thrill from the start! So many ups, downs, and dramatic turns. It definitely deals with some morbid topics, so beware, but totally worth the read!

Pretty Girls was a thrill from the start! So many ups, downs, and dramatic turns. It definitely deals with some morbid topics, so beware, but totally worth the read!

This was probably the hardest book I've ever gotten through. Not because it was badly written or had a boring plot, no, on the contrary, it was everything that a great mystery thriller should be. I can easily say that it's probably the best mystery thriller I have read so far and Karin Slaughter will forever be one of my favorite authors and I will be reading everything else by her shortly. I had a hard time getting through it because I was so invested in the characters and I was worried about what was going to happen to them. This novel is definitely not for the faint of heart and it will give me nightmares probably but it was also beautiful and very meaningful in so many profound ways. It follows the story of Claire and Lydia, who's sister disappeared a long time ago and when Clair's husband dies everything begins to unwind and things start becoming clear. It was turn after twist after turn and even though it was one of the longer books I have read, I couldn't put it down from beginning to end.

To begin with, Slaughter has created one of the most intricate, complicated yet exciting plots I have ever come across in my reading experience so far. There are just so many levels to the plots intricacy and the characters are beautifully interwoven into it and also to each other as well. We don't only get a sense into the main characters as stand alone individuals but also in relationship to each other and what significance that truly holds. The twists and turns didn't let up until I finished the book and I was on the edge of my seat, holding my breath the whole time because I was anxious about the characters' fates. They became deeply rooted in me and will not be letting up anytime soon. Shortly put, they weren't just characters on a page, they felt like tangible, real people and that made this book even harder to get through without being completely anxious.

In addition, the writing style is what I would call “sophisticated” but to the point. The sentences weren't too drawn out and long but they also weren't the shortest sentences I have ever come across as well. This made for a really vivid, heart wrenching reading experience and even though there were over 500 pages in this book, they flew by. As I have already stated, I will be reading all of Slaughter's other works. I am coming to the conclusion that booktube really gets my tastes and likes and I am beyond glad that I gave this novel a try.

In conclusion, this book is one of a kind. If you love mystery, thriller, suspense novels and aren't triggered by very heavy topics (torture, rape...etc.), you really should check this book out. It's definitely not light reading but I felt like I got a lot out of this novel and it will stay with me for sure. I may have to read something lighter next but I will be returning to this author.

Tense and taut and twisty. This book was perfect. Finished most of it in the course of a day because you just want it to keep going. I loved every minute of the ride. Well worth it.

This is my first Karin Slaughter book and it will definitely not be my last. Within the first few pages the action was already starting and I loved that! There were so many twists that left me shocked and parts that made me physically flinch. This book was so disturbing in a good way (if that even exists). Overall, this book was great. Very close to a five star.

I mean, maybe I was expecting too much out of it, but it's really just meh...

3.5 stars. Well that was harrowing. Karin Slaughter definitely does not hold back.

This book is not for the faint of heart, but it's so well-written and good that you will want to stay up all night reading.. which I did both times I read it -well with one exception this time (thank you, Benadryl). I own the Audible copy and borrowed the eBook from Kindle Unlimited this time so I could read & listen, which is my favorite way to devour a book.
Unfortunately, I had to take Benadryl because my allergies were really bad and I zonked out with Kathleen Early's calming voice in my ears. I had to rewind back to where I fell asleep to pick it back up again. Thankfully I already knew the ending from reading it before and nothing was spoiled, but it was just as good the second time around.

I always recommend Karin Slaughter, to readers who like the same books I do, especially this book in particular. However, this one has been read by just about everyone, it seems. If you love thrillers and haven't read this book, where have you been? There are trigger warnings for this book and it's very graphic and dark.. like deep dark to the depth of the most-depraved minds I've ever read in this genre so if you can't handle the themes outlined in this book's description, it might be why you're one of the small percentage of thriller readers who hasn't read or finished it.
I'm on the Will Trent train now and can't wait for August 2024 when Karin Slaughter releases the next Will Trent book here in the U.S.

So disturbing - very twisted, hard to listen to in parts. Made me want to vomit several times. The narrator was awesome. I needed a palette cleanser after this book so went to a SciFi YA. I feel like I will read another book of hers - if I'm brave enough.

Too much. Too disturbing. Taking too long.

Normally I don't like to read 2 books by the same author at the same time, but I'd already started Indelible and my hold for this one became available so here we are.

While I liked the story I did feel like it was rushed (though at the same time I felt like Claire was taking forever to get anything done!) and not enough time was spent on building the background. The story was heartbreaking and very graphic in the nature of the murders.

This also included a short story from Julia's perspective the night she's abducted and honestly, I did not need it. It explains away things that they questioned throughout the book, but it was just so sad to flesh out a character you only know as brutally murdered in the main novel. If this had been included as a chapter somewhere early in the book it wouldn't have bothered me so much.

Wow...this book was a twisted and fast-paced story mixing mystery along with suspense. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives and the satisfying ending. This book is very dark and graphic in its depictions of violence. Thus, I recommend it to mystery/suspense readers with caution as it may not be for everyone.

This book was great at the start, but got distasteful towards the end. The evolvement of the relationship between the two sisters was interesting and well done. But the crimes in the book were so horrific they sort of turned me off. Give me a great psychological thriller anytime, but spare me the gruesomer and gruesomer things the villains do. You can write really good books without them, too.

Oh this is so tense! It's twisted and disturbing and totally worth a read.

Wow. I read a few reviews, and knew this was a little.... dark, but I was not expecting such graphic detail! But would the book have been as good without it? I dont know. I was engrossed in this story once the shock factor kicked in anyway.

The chapters that were the fathers POV were beautifully written. They were filled with so much emotion, It almost felt like I shouldn't be reading them.

Can I admit to you that I am lonely?

This is definitely a thriller. I love the way this author can write. Her descriptions and structure are a solid 5 STAR review. The first half of this book was a solid 5 Star winner. So...why then have I dropped my rating to a tepid 3 STARS?
There are some evils in this world I simply do not need described to me in order to be taken into a psychological thriller..There are some evils I do not need recited in detail to terrify me...There are some evils I simply do not need repeated with a novel in depth and description over and over again.
This novel literally gave me nightmares. The “crime” aspect was pounded home too graphically and too frequently for my liking. In terms of ability to paint a visual picture Karin Slaughter is a genius. In fairness she not only painted visual pictures of the crimes, but also the characters and emotions throughout the novel. Again a 5 STAR read.
So....now you understand that I bumped it down for its “gratuitous violence” if that can be noted in a written novel.
The second knock down of a star comes from the inability for this novel to end. I was finished with it when the mystery was revealed......then I was finished again many pages later when it appeared the bad guy or guys would get their comeuppance....
But....the book dragged on...telling us the story of what happened moving forward in the lives of the victim or victims. (No spoilers here).
So....another lost star for lack of editing.
I still suggest giving this book a shot....violence and length are a bit of a personal taste issue. You may love this book. The writing was definitely captivating.

If you're looking for a gripping thriller to shake you out of a reading rut, this is it. But be forewarned that it makes The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Gone Girl seem like light reading by comparison.

BLUF: Pretty Girls a rough story: It is far more realistic than many I have read and it will stay with you (even if in a haunting manner) after you finish it.

Forewarning: I don't know how to review this without giving anything away and I am sorry if this review reveals too much as is.

Plot: From start to finish, Pretty Girls brings together and tears apart a family. One deception after another is brought to light and you can't help, but feel emotionally connected (and drained) for the sisters.

Thoughts: I have to hand it to Karin Slaughter: she holds nothing back when it comes the darkest parts of humanity. It's impressive and a bit traumatizing.

After the first twist, Pretty Girls went exactly how I thought it would go up until it's end. While I may not have been exactly spot on (can you be?), nothing read came as a shock. Imagine my surprise when I realized this “ending” hit halfway into the book. What else could this book offer? The complete and utter destruction of the sisters' sanity.

I know I've said this already, but Karin Slaughter brings Pretty Girls across a line that many authors avoid. It's brutal and will (should) make your stomach squirm. It's a place I've never been to in a book (or real life, thankfully) and I don't know how to feel about it.

I do know that I was compelled to listen to this audiobook outside of work, which is something I very rarely do.

Audiotape: I listed to Pretty Girls as an audiotape. I was hesitant at first with the narrator (I have a hard time with higher pitched voices), but she did a wonderful job. I look forward to listening to her narrations in the future.