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Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Pregnancy
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Self harm, Slavery, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Alcohol
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Terminal illness, Vomit, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Outing
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Abortion, Suicide attempt
So if I were basing this off just Emily’s parts of the book this would be so much higher. I was so engaged with those chapters and I loved Emily so dearly - it almost sucks how we see what happens in the beginning of this book, because I was heartbroken wanting the absolute best for her and knowing that just wasn’t going to happen was rough. I thought the views around her pregnancy and the stigma she faced felt a little 50s than 80s to me? But this is also a small town in the 80s and it’s not like I have experience in either decade to really discern that - but things like the doctor scene, or how they kept talking about her, felt very dated to me while I read.
For me where this book lagged was with Andrea. This is a sequel - something I wish was mentioned in the book description because as I read this I kept thinking I had to have been missing information about Andrea. Where other times I have picked up a later book in the series and become interested, however, I just didn’t really care about Andrea or the current cast of characters all that much. I was incredibly impatient because every time I wanted to get back to the Emily scenes. I did appreciate them trying to stress proper police procedures though - it’s like a bare minimum but unfortunately a pleasant surprise with main characters in law enforcement, so I really appreciate that in this book.
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Rape, Sexual content, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Dementia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
In typical Slaughter fashion, this is a brutal high-octane murder thriller with strong female characters and a wild plot. It is at times incredibly difficult to read, but hard to put down. You’ll find yourself shouting at and cheering on different characters.
Slaughter is known for dark details and unflinching portrayals of the worst of humanity. This book has a lot of that. In my opinion, this story flirts with having a bit too much. I recommend extreme caution to anyone sensitive to rape and sexual assault. (There are further trigger warnings
That said, I really enjoyed the direction she took Andy’s character in. You can tell there’s a lot of growth from the previous book and she is really starting to settle into herself. I also adored her partner on the Marshall’s force. He brought some much needed humor to the story. The villains in this story are also very evil. There is no doubt about who you’re supposed to root for in this one.
All in all, if you like dark reads and are not easily triggered, you may enjoy this one. It is well written and engaging, but not for the faint of heart.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
I'm most thankful to have taken part in the Tandem Collective readalong of Karin Slaughter's newest thriller, Girl, Forgotten!
(Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for my AD-PR Product for review!)
Girl, Forgotten is the second book to feature the character of Andrea Oliver from Pieces Of Her, though each can absolutely be read as standalones.
Andrea is a recent graduate of the U.S. Marshals training academy and assigned with new partner Bible to provide security for a judge receiving death threats.
She becomes interested in a murder case from 40 years earlier, that of 17-year-old Emily Vaughn. Who was pregnant by unknown means while drugged at a party, and daughter to the aforementioned judge, Esther Vaughn.
In true Slaughter fashion, this is a complex and dark story, with cliffhangers at every chapter. Timelines alternate from Emily's story in the early 80s, to Andrea's in present day.
As a longtime fan of Slaughter's books (I've read every single one except False Witness - must get on that!!), Girl, Forgotten is a definite favourite. While not as dark as some of her work, the story is absolutely enthralling from the first chapter.
For fans of superbly-crafted police procedurals with layers of reveals and twists awaiting, this one is definitely recommended!
Released on Aug. 23.
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Dementia, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol