Criminal (with bonus novella Snatched): A Novel (Will Trent Book 6)

MY REVIEW 5-STARS*****In the latter part of 2017 I ran across a dated list [SERIAL KILLER NOVELS: 10 OF THE BEST] posted on Britain's Crime Fiction Lover.com. Silence Of The Lambs By Thomas Harris was prominently featured as 1. on the reviewer's list. I selected three titles penned by authors who were unfamiliar to me. Two of the three novels were simply outstanding, and the third one, not so much.But I digress... Karin Slaughter's Best-Selling Book CRIMINAL was slotted into 3. on the aforementioned selection "10 OF THE BEST". I was familiar with Karin Slaughter's novels and had listened to a number of her unabridged books on CD a few years back when my job dictated that I drive extensively throughout the state. I remembered her Special Agent Will Trent from the GBI, and recalled how much I thoroughly enjoyed her work. I decided to start at the beginning of her series which featured Will Trent, and read CRIMINAL only after I had refreshed my memory.I began my much needed refresher course with the literary masterpiece TRIPTYCH, and then eagerly devoured the subsequent Will Trent Books ( FRACTURED, UNDONE, BROKEN, and FALLEN) prior to tackling the criminally captivating tour de force that was christened CRIMINAL.It is my opinion that this novel was an incredibly ambitious undertaking and that it is deservedly the pinnacle of the Will Trent Series. The vast number of loyal readers who have followed the lives of her fictional characters will likely relish this special novel like no other, since it provides a long-anticipated, fulfilling, and yet thrilling back story into (particularly) our beloved flawed Will, his cold-blooded boss Amanda, and Faith's tough-as-nails mother Evelyn.It is inevitable that the author would need to use a writing technique that would share the past with us readers in addition to exposing us to real or present time.Flashbacks were deployed to brilliantly accomplish both goals, and for fans of her Will Trent Books, this doling out dollops of the past alternating with dishing out details of what was occurring in present day served to begin as a page-turner but morphed into an unputdownable book. It is worthwhile to note that Amanda and Evelyn's back story yield a shocking glimpse into the very real prejudices that female police officers faced in the 1970's.This best-selling novel nor the incredible talent behind the book need no accolades from this loyal fan. I initially thought that I was going to be patient while I read all five books that preceded this one. But you know what? It was the most enjoyable reading experience I have had in literally years. I just finished reading the incredible thriller UNSEEN but I thought before I dive into another book I should leave a few notes of praise about the incomparable CRIMINAL.By the way, CRIMINAL does not disappoint as a "serial killer thriller" but it is less about the hunt for a psychopathic sadistic killer's tracks, than it is about his initial capture by two unlikely heroes, and how society was both negatively and yes, positively effected by the killer's base acts of cruelty while on this earth.IOne final note, and it is not a criticism per se. In general, I am not a big fan of flashbacks as a technique in fiction, especially when the technique is used continuously throughout the novel. Having said that, I am a big Bull Riding Fan, love the PBR. If the bull leaving the chute does anything to change the momentum---"hip" himself coming out, stumbles, etc. then the cowboy is entitled to a re-ride. Flashbacks have the potential to alter the momentum of the story, give it a disjointed feel, annoy the reader. This is especially true if the reader is not committed to absorbing and attempting to incorporate the material into the story line. Diverging roads ultimately meet in meaningful and satisfying ways, that is if you have a master of the game like Slaughter at the helm.Here's what I think, and since I would rate this book 10 stars I certainly won't be taking one of my allotted 5 stars away! I am not positive that this novel is rock solid as a standalone book. If you are a fan of the Will Trent novels, then CRIMINAL is so solid that it could withstand the elements since prehistoric times. Just a thought.

Karin Slaughter is one of my very favorite authors, and few writers can weave a tale as well as she can. That said, I'm a little disappointed in Criminal.It's well written for sure -- BUT I didn't care for the jumping back and forth from present to past to present again, and that with little clarity for the reason behind it until much later in the story.I admit I almost lost interest and nearly quit a quarter of the way through the book. I told myself it had to get better because it's a Karin Slaughter book, for goodness sake! So I kept reading, and it did indeed pick up considerably half way through.However, even then there were a few annoying things that I largely ignored, one of them being the silly notion that one of "the girls" was a virgin because detectives found a box of tampons among their meager possessions.Really, Karin Slaughter? Twelve, thirteen, and fourteen year old virgin girls have been using tampons since they were first put on the market ages ago. Note to author and others who may not know: tampons aren't what causes a girl (or woman) to lose her virginity.I know the book is fiction, and the writer can dream up whatever, but that virgin-tampon thing was ridiculously absurd.However, once the story (finally) started to unfold, it turned into an interesting, exciting read. I was actually eager to finish it. So despite what I thought was a somewhat muddled beginning with a few quirks along the way, I enjoyed it and recommend it to others.There's also a bonus short story at the end of Criminal called Snatched. It was better than the book itself, and it's classic Karin Slaughter cleverness. Bravo! Well done!Of course I will continue to read Karin Slaughter books, and I do like poor ole Will Trent. I look forward to reading amore of his cases.

This book gives us all the information that’s been hovering on the edges for the first five books. In a series of flashbacks that alternate with present day events we see Amanda and Evelyn as police officers in the mid 70’s when women were not welcome as part of the brotherhood. It’s an interesting education for young men and women who are unaware of just how bad things were not that long ago.The book starts with a present day crime with shades of the past, specifically shades of Will’s past. As we jump back and forth between present day and 1975 we learn how Amanda and Evelyn became the tough broads they are now and we meet the members of the “Old Girls Network” referenced in book 5. There’s quite a bit of relevant social commentary. It’s amusing to see Amanda as a naive, young woman who has clearly lived a VERY sheltered life. A lot of the language is shocking as we think about how casually people used bigoted slurs just 40 years ago (in my lifetime, not ages ago!) and how segregated a lot of our society was.The crime itself, and the criminal, gives us more background on Will. We also learn how the relation between Amanda and Will began and developed. Will learns so much about himself.As far as Sara is concerned we see more development in their relationship and we also get some inkling of changes ahead for her. Angie continues to be a problem.While I’ve actively despised both Angie and Amanda throughout the first five books this book gives us a bit more insight. I can’t say it excuses them or makes them likeable by any means but I guess there is a glimmer of understanding.There is also a short story at the end of this book that isn’t connected to anything in this, or previous books, but it allows us to peer into Will’s thought processes and again witness how he is wracked by self-doubt and how he burdens himself with martyr levels of guilt.

If you read the previous books, you probably wondered about what happened to the main characters in their pasts. This book answers the question in gruesome clarity. Both perfectly executed, and at times, desperately uncomfortable journey that charts the evolution of Amanda Wagner, and Evelyn Mitchell, and of course, Will Trent.Set between 1975 and present day, this book is uncompromising in its detail, exposing both the glaring sexism of the past, and much things have thankfully changed...certainly not your typical crime thriller. Another must-read from the queen of crime writing.

The writing impressed me because of the story’s in-depth research of the crime scenes in Atlanta specifically in the male dominated police department in the 1970s.The story brought readers back and forth between the two eras, ie 1970s and present, with the same killing thread.Readers are getting to know the characters better, feel for each of them and empathize with their relationships. It is rare to find a series in crime novels that the author put in so much effort to make the characters weave their own stories.From book 1 to 6, we get to know Will (the star), Faith (his side-kick, we get to know her better from book 1-3), Amanda (the department head) and Evelyn (Amanda’s partner now retired). And Sara (Will’s girlfriend, a coroner), Angie (Will’s wife, not ex).The best part of the stories, from book 1-6, readers get to know how Will ended up in an orphanage and why is his relationship with Amanda is strained even though they are good at work? Is there a backend story?I like these stories. The characters have emotions. As the stories developed through the work they did, solving crimes, little by little we get to know who they were and how they ended up being together doing what they do best.Great storytelling. The research efforts are highly commendable.

I had forgotten now much I have read of Will Trent and his boss Amanda Duke and this book explains so much more of their histories. I have to confess I was shocked by the attitudes of the male police and their chauvinistic attitude to women in the police force. Amanda certainly seemed to embrace the idea that men were entitled to keeping women in their place until Evelyn took her under wing and Amanda started to think for herself. Will is faced with ghosts from his complicated history and also his relationship with Amanda. I really enjoyed this book.I'll be looking out for another Karen Slaughter.

I’ve read quite a few of this authors books but the last two have concentrated far to much on the love. Interest of the main character to the point of boring the reader. Updated 24th January 2021.. I stuck with this book out of respect for the author, The beginning 25% was very slow ( mills/boon) But please read on it gets more interesting/intriguing. So if you have this book stick with it.

Karin Slaughter is a brilliant author but has, in my mind, surpassed herself with the Will Trent series. I am reading them back to back and am mortified to find out that there are only 8. So can I please say to Karin “Get writing please, I need him to divorce Angie and marry Sara to start with and then I want lots more involved criminal cases please thank you ! “