The Kept Woman: A Novel by Karin Slaughter Series: Will Trent #8
Published by William Morrow on January 3rd 2017
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Pages: 480
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
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Rating:
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Husbands and wives. Mothers and daughters. The past and the future.
Secrets bind them. And secrets can destroy them.
The author of Pretty Girls returns with an electrifying, emotionally complex thriller that plunges its fascinating protagonist into the darkest depths of a mystery that just might destroy him.
With the discovery of a murder at an abandoned construction site, Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is brought in on a case that becomes much more dangerous when the dead man is identified as an ex-cop.
Studying the body, Sara Linton—the GBI’s newest medical examiner and Will’s lover—realizes that the extensive blood loss didn't belong to the corpse. Sure enough, bloody footprints leading away from the scene indicate there is another victim—a woman—who has vanished . . . and who will die soon if she isn’t found.
Will is already compromised, because the site belongs to the city’s most popular citizen: a wealthy, powerful, and politically connected athlete protected by the world’s most expensive lawyers—a man who’s already gotten away with rape, despite Will’s exhaustive efforts to put him away.
But the worst is yet to come. Evidence soon links Will’s troubled past to the case . . . and the consequences will tear through his life with the force of a tornado, wreaking havoc for Will and everyone around him, including his colleagues, family, friends—and even the suspects he pursues.
Relentlessly suspenseful and furiously paced, peopled with conflicted, fallible characters who leap from the page, The Kept Woman is a seamless blend of twisty police procedural and ingenious psychological thriller -- a searing, unforgettable novel of love, loss, and redemption.
Okay, I am kicking myself for not giving Karin Slaughter a try sooner. If you love Crime, Thriller or gritty Mystery and you have not read this author before, you really need to give her a try. This was my first book by Karin Slaughter, but it will not be my last.
The story follows a murder of an ex-cop at an abandoned construction site. A murder that might also be linked to a very wealthy, very powerful and politically connected athlete that has all the money in the world to protect him. A man that Will has already tried to put away due to a rape and has used that power to get away with.
But things are not always what they seem and the crew is about to step into something a lot more dangerous. When a ton of blood at the crime scene implicated Will’s “ex” wife, not only is this case a lot more personal, but a lot more is riding on it.
Wow.. Oh…Wow… I totally adored this. I loved the way the book started with a sneak peak into a scene that sets up the entire investigation. Just as Will, his boss Amanda and partner Faith start to uncover something - there is a brief pause as the author goes back and reveals what had actually transpired through Will wife Angie’s side of the story. It was so messy that it’s scary to think what people with enough money and power can get away with. Angie was a fixer, who got herself involved with the wrong group of people in order to save her daughter. I didn’t know how to feel about Angie, her character was seriously messed up. She had good intentions for sure, but her weird stalking of Sarah (Will’s new girlfriend) and possession of Will was a bit uncomfortable.
That being said, Slaughter is really good at making you feel uncomfortable. The book is definitely not for the faint of heart. The author is really good at the dark and gritty and messy murders. She has really amazing skill at unfolding the story and making the pieces fit together like a great big puzzle. I was left gaping by the end of the book because just as I was starting to think I knew what was going on, nope, she threw in a curve ball.
Her characters are amazing and so human. So flawed, but they feel super real and believable. The entire book was just enjoyable.
I did take a star off only because despite me loving the curve ball and the ending - I was a bit reserved on the plausibility of it.
Regardless, I am looking forward to more from this author and definitely revisiting her other books. Because her writing is great and just hooks you from the very first page.
I definitely haven’t read this author before but I definitely want to now!! Thanks for putting her on my radar!
I really enjoyed it, I hope you give her a shot 😀 you might enjoy her writing
You sold me on this one.. I’ve not tried her books, either. Thanks, Lily!
I hear good things about her other books too, so already on wait list in the library and she does have a new book coming out I would check it out
I’m planning to read mystery/thriller books next month. This sounds SO good. I’m gonna put it on my TBR list. Which ones of this genre do recommend for me other than this one?
Awesome review, Lily. 😁👍🏻❤️
Geybie I would def try City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong, also a book by Clare Mackintosh. I also read and really liked I’M TRAVELING ALONE BY SAMUEL BJØRK but it was honestly really hard to read due to children being the victims in this one. Other than that I am looking for new and interesting thrillers myself 🙂 I found that I am actually really enjoying this genre and want more of.
Thank you for the recommendation, hon. I’ll check them out. 😘
This sounds great! I know Kim at Caffeinated Book Reviewer is always raving about her books too, so I know I have to pick up something by her. I love the sound of the murder mystery here.
Great review!
If you enjoy thrillers Nick I would def recommend her, her writing style i found extremely enjoyable the way she creates her characters and unfolds the mystery
I have a friend who *loves* Slaughter and is always recommending her books to me. Unfortunately I’m not much on mystery/thrillers. I’m glad this was such a hit for you, though! I always get so excited at discovering a new-to-me author!
Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
hah I think I heard someone mention that she is the best at thrillers on the darker side of things, but her writing style is super good
I’ve been binge reading this series over the last couple of weeks. I just finished Criminal last week. I HATE Angie with a passion! She’s cruel, manipulative and horrible. I don’t care if she’s had a messed up past, because a lot of people do and don’t act like her. You should read the previous books. I love Will and Sara! 🙂
yeah kind of kicking myself that I read the last book in this series. Also not 100% sure if there is going to be another? I know she has a new series coming out and my hands already nabbed it on edelweiss. Angie is the worse. I felt sorry for her at times, but jeez the woman has MAJOR problems and what she did to Will and Sara - I really disliked the way she always puts him down and calls him stupid
I keep meaning to try this author but I am worried about the dark, gristly parts. I really need light and fluffy still to keep me going.
It’s not all dark and gristly but it does have some really messy moments. As for light and fluffy xD I guess all I can say is that you do get some break from the messy parts
Lily, I have wanted to try her, but was hesitant to jump into a series…apparently I have nothing to fear!
I think you would enjoy her 🙂
I like that she writes thrillers and her last name is Slaughter. 🙂
I loved flawed characters they are more enjoyable to read about. Great review! ~Aleen
This actually sounds exactly like the kind of book that I would love. I have tried Karin Salughter yet but I think I have a few of her books around here. Now I want to kick myself. I am so glad that you enjoyed it. Great review!
I’ve seen this one around and I’ve been in the mood for a Crime/Thriller so I might give it a try, great review!
Karin Slaughter… that name does not ring a bell, sadly. I can tell that you really liked this book! I’m not usually one for books that make me feel uncomfortable. O_O I’m glad you enjoyed the book so much - great review, Lily!
Have a fantastic weekend. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
I h ave wanted to try this author, but was a bit skeptical. You have given me hope. Great review.
Nadene @ totally addicted to reading
I have not read anything by Karin Slaughter, but I think you have sold me on reading this one. I do love a thriller that keeps you on your toes. I also like that the author took time to really develop the characters. I also like that the characters felt real that always makes a thriller more imaginable to me. Great review!!
First time I hear about this one, but I’m getting a good feeling based on your review, so I’ll probably end up giving it a go!
Karin Slaughter is an author I’ve heard of a few times and I know my mom has read and enjoyed a few of her books but I’ve never given her a chance. This may not be one for me as the ex wife sounds a little crazy and that might put me off. I’m intrigued from your review, though, so there is that.
It is the first time I hear about this one but it’s always nice tohear of new thillers!
I love a good mystery and this one sounds like something I would absolutely love. I’ve heard of Pretty Girls by the same author a long time ago but haven’t tried it yet, but I guess I’ll try The Kept Woman first 🙂
You know, you made me ask yourself why I haven’t read her either — I don’t know why i haven’t. You certainly have convinced me I need to rectify that!
Oh good! I just skimmed because I got sent this one randomly and was like herm maybe but then put it on the shelf for later. I’ll have to move it up the list now 🙂
Oh, I love all those things, but I haven’t had a chance to try this author yet. I really need to give her a go!
Great review!
I love that we both tried this author for the first time at the same time, though with different books! You left me a comment about this one on my Pretty Girls review, so of course I immediately had to grab it. I noticed a lot of her regular fans weren’t as thrilled with Pretty Girls as I was; and from everything you say, it sounds as though The Kept Woman might be even better. I’m so excited! This is an excellent review, and you have me wanting to drop everything to read this one.
Oh wow, I’ve tentatively had her on my TBR and now you’ve really made me more interested. Great review!