Book Review- Jackie K Cooper
THE KEPT WOMAN by Karin Slaughter
There is nobody, and I do mean nobody, who writes the kind of books Karin Slaughter does. Her novels are heavily plotted with twists and turns we never expect and never predict. She creates characters readers love to love, and love to hate. She writes about real people, not some glossy type of imagined characters. With her brand of talent she makes the reader feel enriched after having finished her stories. Slaughter's latest novel, THE KEPT WOMAN, is saturated with all of these elements which makes it one of her most engrossing thrillers yet.
This book picks up the characters from her Will Trent series of novels. Will is a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent who gets called to the scene of a brutal crime. Also there is Sara Linton, who is now a GBI medical examiner. Sara is also Will's girlfriend. They have a complicated relationship because technically Will is a still married to Angie Polaski, a girl he met when he was in the "foster care system".
Angie has been a thorn in Will's side. He has been protective of her, but she has always known just how to cause him the most pain. The more she hurts him, the more he loves her. At least it was this way until Sara arrived on the scene. She brought a sense of stability into Will's life and seems to have redeemed him through her love.
This new crime will bring Will, Sara and Angie into a deadly triangle and will threaten to destroy each one of the three. Will and Sara's involvement in the investigation of the crime makes up the first part of the book; Angie's involvement makes up the second half.
Slaughter manipulates her readers in just the right way. She gives enough clues to make them know that something about the murders involved at the crime scene are not exactly what they appear to be. There are some surprises ahead and this makes each reader turn the pages faster.
Yes, there is a big reveal coming and it is a major one. Still Slaughter makes sure that everything that occurs at the end of the story was set up with precision and detail. Once you know the entire story you will want to go back and reread it so that you can enjoy it while knowing what the involvement of each major character, and some minor ones, is.
THE KEPT WOMAN is set in Atlanta, a city Slaughter knows like the back of her hand. It's contrasting seamy sides and high money areas play into this story about those on the streets and those in the palatial mansions. These contrasting elements are joined together in this story of abuse, corruption, and just plain evil.
It is amazing to witness the raw talent Slaughter brings to this book. There is an earthiness that fills the pages and the stench of wasted lives wafts in the breeze. The dirt of corruption is there for all to see and and a hot, cleansing shower is recommended upon completion of the book.
Karin Slaughter is one of a kind. Do not miss this opportunity to enjoy her talents once again. She writes a different kind of story and does it as only she can. Once you read THE KEPT WOMAN, you won't forget it.
THE KEPT WOMAN is published by William Morrow. It contains 461 pages and sells for $27.99.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com