False Witness by Karin Slaughter @SlaughterKarin @BlackstoneAudio #suspense #thriller #fiction #legalthriller #bookreviewers

Kaceey’s Review:

Brutal…raw… 

Be prepared for a deeply disturbing read! A dark story that delves deep into the topics of pedophilia, rape, and drug abuse. And Karin Slaughter is not one to hold anything back. She pulls back the curtains… exposing the gritty, harsh brutality of life. 

Leigh and Callie are two sisters who’ve grown up together. But that’s where the similarity ends. Their futures would hold far different paths. 

While Leigh goes on to become a successful lawyer, Callie is consumed fighting her demons, lost in the world of drugs.   

After taking the case of defending a potential rapist, Leigh realizes she may no longer be able to outrun her past and protect Callie at the same time. 

Karin Slaughter pens a chilling thriller, certain to draw you in right from the start. Both sisters demonstrating amazing strength. But of course, my heart broke for poor Callie and her desperate struggles throughout her life. 

I‘ve been reading Karin Slaughter’s books for years, enjoying her series just as much as her stand-alone. And this is no exception. Yet another fabulous addition!  

A buddy read with Susanne  

Thank you to Samantha Benson at Blackstone Publishing for the audiobook via Netgalley. 

Susanne’s Review:

Incredibly Gruesome and Wholly Intense.

Let’s get right to it, shall we folks?  First off, I really like Karin Slaughter’s books. If you look at my bookshelves, that should be obvious as I’ve read the entire Grant County and Will Trent series (save maybe one Will Trent book) and have read several standalones.

That said, I’ve held off reading a few of her standalones for a reason.  They are simply too gruesome.  I’d say that most of her serial novels are not as gruesome as her standalones, but when it comes to her standalones, she doesn’t hold back.  There were times when listening to False Witness when I had to walk away and put the audiobook down simply because I just couldn’t take it.  That said, the storyline itself was quite good – if only.

Leigh Collier is a defense attorney, hired to represent Andrew Tenant, who as it turns out, she and her sister Callie used to babysit.  Andrew Tenant is now a powerful, wealthy man, who just happens to have dirt on both sisters and unfortunately for them, he plans to use it to his advantage.  

A desperate, haunting, gruesome tale of cat and mouse.  As a disclaimer, this book includes themes of sexual abuse, addiction, assault, and murder.

While I enjoyed this novel and adored the narration by Kathleen Earle (who is stellar), I would have enjoyed this much more had the storyline itself not been so violent.  What I did appreciate however, was the fact that this book took place during Covid and the fact that the storyline centered around it.  I thought it was fairly realistic and quite well done. Kudos to Karin Slaughter for the realistic storyline.

This was another buddy read/listen with Kaceey.

Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, Karin Slaughter, and Kathleen Earle. for the audiobook.

Published on Goodreads and Twitter.