Pretty Girls: A Psychological Thriller Novel Exploring Secrets and Lies Among Sisters

I wasn’t going to write a review because I wasn’t sure what to write, BUT here are my thoughts: This book was so disturbing. Truly a punch to the gut and a heartbreak wrapped into one. This is one of those books that gets under your skin and stays there, long after you’ve put it down. Karin Slaughter doesn’t shy away from dark, graphic, or emotionally devastating material, and it shows on every page. It’s absolutely not for the faint of heart. Some scenes were so intense and brutal that I had to take a breath before continuing, but that rawness is also what made the story so gripping. It’s dark, twisted, and unflinching, but if you can handle the heaviness, it’s a powerful read that leaves an impact. Every Karin Slaughter book I’ve read so far has been emotionally devastating and Pretty Girls was no different.

This story dives headfirst into the darkest corners of human cruelty, grief, and obsession, and it does so with a slow intensity that can be genuinely difficult to read at times. The exploration of sisterhood and loss is powerful, grounding the violence in real emotional stakes rather than shock value alone. The pacing is strong, the twists are effective, and the mystery keeps you turning pages even when you desperately want to look away. That said, the graphic content might makes this a challenging read for more sensitive readers, and at times that could overshadow the emotional core of the story. For me, it was a compelling, well-crafted thriller—but one that demands a strong stomach and the right headspace. If you’re a fan of dark, unflinching crime thrillers that explore trauma and survival without sugarcoating the horror, Pretty Girls delivers. Disturbing, gripping, and unforgettable—just know what you’re walking into.

Dark, intense, and impossible to put down. Pretty Girls is a fast-paced thriller packed with constant twists and a tightly woven plot that kept me hooked throughout. The emotional depth really stands out, especially the complicated sisterly bond and family dynamics at the center of the story. Themes of betrayal add a chilling psychological edge, and the ending felt satisfying and well-earned. This book is extremely dark and violent and not for sensitive readers, but if you enjoy gritty, twist-filled thrillers, this one delivers.

i think i have to sit with this one for a little bit so i might come back and bump my rating up or down, but this is what i'm feeling for now. so. hmm. pretty girls was a tough read i gotta be honest. i spent a decent chunk of the book deeply disturbed, and almost an equal part of the book wildly bored. i liked it enough to finish and i can tell karin slaughter is a good writer so i think i'd like to try another one of her stories. but i just felt like the whiplash i was experiencing made it hard to get through. also take a shot for every tesla mention (eye roll). however, the part i especially loved was the inclusion of the journal entries. they were devastating and had me tearing up in the end. this is one where you'll want to listen to the trigger warnings and people telling you how dark it really is. i thought i was prepared and i consume a lot of horror/thriller content but it's not an exaggeration how sick some parts of this book made me. was it worth it? i think so. but proceed with caution.

Pretty Girls is a dark, brutal, and relentlessly tense psychological thriller that does not pull punches. It follows two estranged sisters brought back together by a shocking crime that reopens the mystery of their missing sister from decades earlier. • Deeply disturbing but gripping: This book goes to very uncomfortable places violence, misogyny, and cruelty are explored head-on. If you like thrillers that actually unsettle you, this delivers. • Strong emotional core: Beneath the horror is a story about grief, guilt, and sisterhood. The family trauma feels raw and real. • Twists that land: The reveals are layered and genuinely surprising not cheap shock twists, but slow, horrifying realizations. • Fast pacing: Once it gets going, it’s hard to put down. Chapters end with that “okay, one more” energy.

Really great and intriguing book, the pace is nice, you can't stop reading since the second chapter, I think it could be 100 pages short, because sometimes over explained everything a lot, it's a bit repetitive on some topics, but overall the story is good and has some great twists

This book was so much of "holy crap!", I loved it. Follows a missing girl and her sisters, then morphs into finding the killer and the screwed up ring they have going. Just wow. Great read!

I enjoyed this book a lot. My first read from Karin Slaughter. It did have some dark story lines and scenes. I liked the different POV chapters. I didn't figure out the twist until later which was nice. Definitely kept my attention and kept me interested. I will be reading more of her books for sure!