pretty girls book

Pretty Girls Book by Karin Slaughter

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Claire’s life changed drastically when her older sister, Julia, disappeared at the age of nineteen, twenty-four years ago. The Carroll family fell apart; her parents split up, and her other sister, Lydia, spiraled into drug abuse and reckless behavior. Tragedy struck again when Claire’s father took his own life. 

In between all this turmoil, Claire learned to fade into the background, barely noticeable even when present in a room. She married Paul Scott, a wealthy businessman who could provide for her many times over. This was despite Lydia’s accusation that Paul had assaulted her. Sometimes love blinds us, and Claire would soon regret choosing her husband over her sister’s words.

The plot thickens when a young girl named Anna Kilpatrick vanishes, and Paul is killed on a night that Claire witnesses but cannot prevent. Lydia feels a sense of justice at his death, but for Claire, it is the start of a living nightmare. She endures such terror that she wishes she had been the one to die. On the day of Paul’s funeral, someone tries to break into her house. 

That night, Claire finds horrifying videos on Paul’s computer showing young women being violently attacked. She thinks one might be Anna, but she is not sure. Her life unravels as she realizes the man she loved is a stranger to her. As she uncovers more truths, she understands that her entire life has been a lie, and this is just the beginning of her discoveries.

“Pretty Girls Book” by Karin Slaughter is a gripping thriller that keeps you guessing from start to finish. The suspense starts early and never lets up, making it a thrilling read for those who love fast-paced stories. The characters are well-developed, with Claire growing from a sheltered and dependent woman into someone strong and assertive. 

Lydia also changes, becoming more open to showing her softer side. The story is full of twists and turns, but it is easy to follow, with flashbacks from Claire’s father adding depth to the narrative. The ending is both surprising and satisfying.

However, the book’s graphic depiction of violence against women was difficult for me, especially as someone who has survived an assault. The detailed scenes were too much, and I had to take a break from reading. Despite this, I decided to finish the book and was rewarded with unexpected twists.

In summary, Claire’s world is shattered when her sister disappears, leading to family breakdowns and personal tragedies. She marries a man who turns out to be very different from what she believed, and her life falls apart as she uncovers dark secrets. “Pretty Girls Book” is a thrilling novel with strong character growth and a plot that keeps you hooked, despite its intense themes.

The story in “Pretty Girls Book” is crafted with many surprises, and it is easy to keep up with the twists and turns. Claire’s father, Carroll, shares memories from the past, which are crucial to understanding the story. These flashbacks are like arrows that give direction; without them, the story would feel empty. The ending is especially surprising and leaves you feeling content.

On the other hand, the book’s graphic scenes of violence against women were too much for me, as someone who has faced an assault. These parts of the book were so upsetting that I had to stop reading for a while. I even shared my frustration online. Eventually, I decided to finish the book, and I am glad I did because the story had many more shocks in store.

Claire’s life was turned upside down when her sister Julia vanished. Her family broke apart, and her other sister, Lydia, got caught up in drugs. After their father’s death, Claire tried to stay out of the way. She married Paul Scott, a rich man, even though Lydia said he had hurt her. Love can make us overlook warnings, and Claire would soon wish she had listened to her sister.

The mystery deepens when a girl named Anna Kilpatrick disappears, and Paul is killed while Claire watches, unable to do anything. Lydia feels justice has been done, but for Claire, the worst is just starting. She faces such terror that she wishes she had been the one to die. On the day of Paul’s funeral, someone tries to break into her house. 

That night, Claire finds videos on Paul’s computer that show terrible acts against young women. She thinks one might be Anna, but she is not sure. Her life falls apart as she realizes she did not really know the man she loved. As she learns more, she sees that her whole life has been a lie, and this is just the beginning of her discoveries.

The book kept me hooked from start to finish. It is full of suspense and keeps you guessing. Claire changes from a sheltered woman to someone strong and independent. Lydia also changes, becoming more open to showing her feelings. The story is full of unexpected events, but it is still easy to follow. The flashbacks from Claire’s father add depth to the story. The ending is both surprising and satisfying.

However, the intense violence in the book was hard for me to read, as someone who has survived an attack. The detailed descriptions were overwhelming, and I had to take a break from reading. I shared my feelings online. After some thought, I decided to finish the book, and I am glad I did because there were more surprises to come.

What other books has Karin Slaughter written?

Karin Slaughter, the American crime writer, has penned 24 novels that have sold more than 40 million copies and have been published in 120 countries. Here are some of her notable works:

  • Grant County Series:
    • Blindsighted (2001)
    • Kisscut (2002)
    • A Faint Cold Fear (2003)
    • Indelible (2004)
    • Faithless (2005)
    • Beyond Reach / Skin Privilege (2007)
  • Will Trent Series (set in Atlanta, Georgia):Triptych (2006)
    • Fractured (2008)
    • Undone (2009)
    • Broken (2010)
    • Fallen (2011)
    • Criminal (2012)
    • Unseen (2013)
    • The Kept Woman (2016)
    • The Last Widow (2019)
    • The Silent Wife (2020)
    • After That Night (2023)

Standalone Novels:

Cop Town (2014)

  • Pretty Girls (2015)
  • False Witness (2021)

Short Stories/Novellas:Cold, Cold Heart (2006)

  • The Unremarkable Heart (2010)
  • Thorn in My Side (2011)
  • Blonde Hair, Blue Eyes (2015)
  • Cleaning the Gold (with Lee Child) (2019)

Other Works:Like a Charm (short story anthology featuring several thriller authors)

  • Martin Misunderstood (2008)

FAQs

What is ‘Pretty Girls’ about? 

“Pretty Girls Book” is a thriller novel that follows the story of Claire Scott, whose sister Julia went missing twenty years ago. The mystery was never solved and it deeply affected her family. When another girl disappears under similar circumstances, Claire is determined to find out if there’s a connection to her sister’s case.

Who is the author of ‘Pretty Girls’? 

The author of “Pretty Girls Book” is Karin Slaughter, a well-known writer of crime novels. She has written more than twenty books and is popular for her gripping storytelling.