Karin Slaughter
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Hardback: 397 Pages
Publication: September 29, 2015
by William Morrow
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.
Julia, Lydia and Claire’s oldest sister, has been disappeared without a trace for 24 years. The family is torn apart and doesn’t feel complete. Their father Sam, a successful veterinarian, devotes his life to finding out what had really happened to his eldest daughter Julia. He loves his wife and daughters, and will do everything to keep his family together.
It is heart-breaking to read the determined father’s writing to Julia. Their mother Helen remarries since she can’t deal with Sam’s obsession. Lydia is no longer close to her family, and she has been struggle with her life since then. She also is a single mother of a teen daughter, Dee. Claire marries a successful rich architect Paul Scott and leads the perfect life until her husband is killed by a mugger in front of her eyes.
The death of Paul brings Lydia and Claire back together. When Claire is told that Paul embezzles millions of dollars from his company, she searches Paul’s computer files and finds files on women all across the country and the rape victims. She finds out her husband is not who she thought he was.
I love the characters grow through the book. Also, I enjoy how Claire and Lydia join forces to unravel what really happened to Julia. There are sadistic and dark aspects in the story, such as the power of money, corrupt law enforcement officers and greed. The plot twists are unexpected.
Pretty Girls is a thrilling, engaging, tension-filled read. I love the action and suspense of the story.
This post was made as part of the TLC Book Tour for Pretty Girls
Click here to see the full tour schedule
Author: alice
Alice is a stay-at-home mom of two children. Her favorite books are those send icy tingles down her spine, such as a good mystery or thriller, but she also enjoys a good hear-throbbing romance. She enjoys listening to music and drinking a cup of tea while reading and working.
Heather J @ TLC Book Tours says
It sounds like this author really keeps readers on their toes!
Thanks for being a part of the tour.
Ethan says
I really enjoyed this one as well. I though there was great character development that helped to balance out the darker elements. Thanks for the great review!