I’ll be honest, I got a bit lost in the political-side of this book and I’m not entirely sure I really understood it to a point where these people would collaborate in such a way to commit murder.

The weathly family sucked into a battle or wealth vs morals - nothing new there. Lies, corruption, a love story (or two) and a family based on a hidden past. The journey we take through Andy’s eyes is a fast and furious affair spanning many states and getting into all manner of situations that no one would want to experience. Whilst reading you can feel your heart quicken to ensure that she’s safe, that she gets where she needs to go and she gets out alive. It’s a fast-paced exhilarating journey to discover her mum’s true identity and past demeanours.

Apart from the reasoning, I loved the book and couldn’t wait to read every page - I love getting half-way through a gritty book to find there’s still more drama and excitement to come!

Well worth a read - a great book for one sitting! Expect to get your heart-rate racing with the adventure.

Andreia (Andy) came home from New York to nurse her mother, Laura, who was suffering from breast cancer. Although her mother wasn’t aware of it, this was no great wrench for Andy, who was, literally, drowning in New York; struggling to pay rent on a shared apartment she hated and with dead end jobs. Now, her mother is recovered, but Andy is still something of a drifter. She has a fairly low paid, undemanding job and is just beginning to come under pressure to move out – she is thirty-one – and to get her career together.

One day, after an arduous night shift, Andy and her mother are sitting in a diner, when an incident occurs which changes everything. It makes Andy see her mother as a completely new person and results in her having to go on the run, her former life shaken to the core.

It is, to be honest, hard to review this book without giving spoilers. This is a fast moving and exciting novel, which explores Laura’s past, while also following Andy’s journey. It is a novel which also looks at the relationship between mother’s and daughter’s and moves into a dual time frame. I am never really that fond of novels which take place during two different times, as I think the whole dual time frame idea has been incredibly over-used. However, I would say that the author manages to weave the storylines together well, so that she keeps Andy’s point of view at the forefront of the novel. Overall, an interesting and exciting read. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

WOW! Two thrillers for the price of one! Well-written, well-constructed, well-paced. Explores the relationship between mother (Laura) and daughter (Andy/Andrea and how each relies on the other. Explores what you will do for the people you love, how far you will go and what happens when you reach your limit. The story is well-balanced between the past and the present - a cliff-hanger is reached in one time frame and then left hanging while we are returned to the present. Cleverly done.
Karin Slaughter always gives a good tale but this is another step up.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Karin Slaughter/Harper Collins for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Andrea knows everything about her mother Laura. They’ve lived in the idyllic seaside town of Belle Isle for most of Andy’s life. She’s seen her mum through breast cancer and divorce and watched her become a much loved speech therapist at the centre of the small community.

Meeting Laura for brunch at the mall takes them both into the path of a lovelorn armed teenager desperate to take revenge on the girl who dumped him. Laura’s heroic attack on the killer to save her daughter is filmed on a mobile phone and goes viral. Life will never be the same again. The life that she escaped thirty years ago threatens to catch up with both Laura and Andy with devastating results.

I’m always a bit nervous when I pick up a Karin Slaughter book that doesn’t feature the enigmatic Will Trent. Over the past decade I’ve loved the stories with him and Sara Linton and there is a certain comfort in falling into the arms of much loved characters and “old friends”. I needn’t have worried on that score though. Andy is a sassy character who really comes into her own as the book goes on. She’s got a heart of gold and loves her family but hasn’t found the life that makes her happy yet. It is a complex story with some pretty dark and disturbing characters.

Slaughter has a marvellous way of writing that makes you feel like you are on the run with Andy, keeping pace with her attempt to escape and helping her to piece together the real woman behind Laura. It is an intense thriller, often violent and a little graphic but that realism is the key to what makes Andy tick. If you’re looking for something a bit more engaging for your holiday read you won’t be disappointed by Pieces of Her.

Supplied by Net Galley and Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review.

When I pick up a Karin Slaughter book, I know before I start reading that it's going to be thrilling, and that I'm going to love it.

Andy is in her 30's. She tried and failed to make it on her own, and returned to the open arms of her loving mother - lost and deflated. Her mother, Laura, was happy for Andy to stay in the apartment above her garage and take as long as she needed to find her feet.

Andy and Laura are in a diner, when a troubled man starts shooting people. All of a sudden, Andy's caring mother becomes a different person. She kills the man, and it seems like she knows what she is doing. She becomes distant and uncaring. She tells Andy to move out. Andy is confused, she doesn't know who her mother is anymore. The book follows her journey to find out who Laura really is, and what secrets she is keeping from her only daughter, who spent the last 30 years believing her mother was just a normal wife and mother.

This book is a continuous chase - Andy is chasing the truth, and someone may be chasing her, too. There is constant tension, but it isn't a mindless action thriller and the pace is quite steady. As I would expect from the author, it's both psychologically and emotionally challenging. There's plenty of confusion and uncertainty, but the plot unravels beautifully.

Andy makes a great protagonist because she is easy to like, and she's so unsure of what's happening I felt like she was going through the same journey as me. I enjoyed the way a lot of the characters seemed mysterious and sinister, until Andy discovers who they really are and their true personalities come out.

I wouldn't say this is my favourite Karin Slaughter novel, but it's riveting and very well written. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or thriller.

I have been a huge Karen Slaughter fan for many years and read most of her books.
This is the first one that I have to say I really didn’t like or enjoy.
I found the characters particularly unlikeable. Andrea is one of the most irritating characters I’ve come across although during the flashbacks, Laura is just as bad. I couldn’t see what Mike adds to the story other than to add a little bit of titivation or to suggest history repeating itself.
I’m assuming the idea behind the plot is to show how people can be sucked into doing horrific acts because of one charismatic person. I can see the logic in this, it has happened throughout history, it should work.
But I really couldn’t have cared less what happened to any of them, except maybe Gordon, he seems to have got a raw deal.
May thanks to Netgalley for this copy but I’m afraid it wasn’t for me.

I loved the author' s last book, so started this with high hopes. The beginning part is brilliant; a daughter discovers that her mother has a secret past. Sadly though, the rest of the book doesn't live up to expectations, with little suspense. Maybe if it had all been written from the daughter's timeline, the plot would have had more of an edge. From halfway through there are no surprises. Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jane is besotted with Nick to the point where she would do anything he asked of her. His plans test her to her very core, his powers of manipulation know no bounds as he sweeps vulnerable people into his cult like army. This book is cleverly written and weaves a story of emotional depravity and deception, it starts in the present day and snatches back intermittently to fill in the back story which unwinds slowly and leads you to a thrilling conclusion.
Interesting and compelling although earlier chapters feel unrelated, I was at 50% before I made a connection, it is worth sticking with it as it reveals itself beautifully.

I would like to thank HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Pieces Of Her’ by Karin Slaughter in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Andy is dining in a shopping mall with her mother Laura when a gunman, Jonah Lee Helsinger, comes in and starts shooting. Laura appears to deliberately stab the gunman in the neck then tells Andy to go, move out of their home and live her own life. This begins her search to discover who her mother really is and her secrets.
‘Pieces Of Her’ is completely different to Karin Slaughter’s previous novels and I’m not sure I like it. It has a strong fast-paced plot and plenty of action but the story is very involved and I found it confusing with the number of characters and events that happened in 1986 and the present time. I didn’t like the character of Andy who I thought was weak and indecisive, but maybe that’s how she’s supposed to come over. I’ve always enjoyed reading any thriller written by this author but this one didn’t do anything for me which is a pity. I’m sure there are lots of readers who’ll love it but I’m sorry Karin, it just wasn’t for me.

Fantastic book which kept me gripped throughout. A thriller of a ride from a top-notch author. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. A compelling plot with incredible characters. Definitely would recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

Karin Slaughter is one of my favourite authors, and I was extremely grateful to have the chance to read this book early. It became clear quite early on that this story would be different to many of her other works, and it took me a few chapters to get into the rhythm. Once I did I really enjoyed the story. The back and forth between timelines, and blurring of lines between good guy and bad guy. The characters felt vivid and real, which is a skill Slaughter never fails to amaze me with. Another great stand alone from one of the genre’s best.

This is a stand-alone book and is a clever and complex thriller.
Andrea is with her Mum when there is an attack in the mall and her mum's reaction is a massive shock to Andrea.
After the attack her Mum tells her to leave and head towards a storage unit, and not come back until she tells her to.
Andrea is confused and angry that her mum seems to be pushing her away but begrudgingly follows her instructions.
Alongside this story we have flashbacks to 1986 where another shocking event took place and shaped the lives of a small group of people.
The two stories tie in together at the end and build up to a breath taking conclusion.
This is a really clever story and I highly recommend it.
Thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

What if the person you thought you knew best turns out to be someone you never knew at all?
Andrea Cooper knows everything about her mother Laura. She knows she's spent her whole life in the small town of Gullaway Island; she knows she's never had any more ambition than to live a quiet life as a pillar of the community; she knows she's never kept a secret in her life.
But one day, a trip to the mall explodes into violence and Andrea suddenly sees a completely different side to Laura.
Twenty-four hours later, Laura is in hospital, shot by an intruder who's spent thirty years trying to track her down. Now, Andrea must go on a desperate journey to follow the breadcrumbs of her mother's past. If she can't uncover the secrets hidden there, there may be no future for either of them…

Wow!! What a story..... I didn't know what was going to happen next!

I felt that the book gave enough background to make me feel that I was going though what Andy (Andrea) was experiencing with her. I genuinely couldn't wait to see how this ended and I can honestly say that I wasn't expecting it.

The storyline is great, it is written from two points of view at times but it is not in the least bit confusing and helps to build the story up to come together.

Honestly loved it!

My thanks to Harper Collins U.K. for the opportunity to read and review this novel in advance of publication.

I have loved Karin Slaugher’s novels for some years including her series and more recent stand -alone novels. Once again she has written a novel that grabbed my attention from the outset and held it. Her characters are very vivid and while flawed (there were times I was yelling at Andy for some choices she made) very easy to care about. There were also quite relevant themes linked to aspects of business and politics.

So yes it certainly is bound to be topping bestseller lists. Given the plot I would recommend readers avoid spoilers. I would guarantee it will be a thrilling ride.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
Pieces of Her is a masterclass in storytelling, written by Karin Slaughter. The book is a totally engrossing read, the best parts are the way the story goes backwards and forwards to 1986 and then 2018 and you suddenly realise what the book is about.
I will let the next reader find out for themselves.
Highly recommended.

Andy (Andrea) sees her mother Laura commit a public act of violence and cannot reconcile this with the woman she knows. After further events, Andy goes on the run to find out exactly who her mother is.

Up to now, I've only read one Karin Slaughter book that I haven't liked (The Good Daughter). I love the Grant County series but unfortunately this one was more in the vein of TGD. I found it difficult to have any empathy with the main characters and, although the flashback chapters were more interesting than the contemporary ones, that's not saying much. Having read Pretty Girls by the author earlier this year, which is a nail-bitingly compulsive read, this one fell a little flat.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, HarperCollins UK, for the opportunity to review an ARC.

A perfectly written book by Karin Slaughter.
A Daughter uncovering her mother's past, plenty of lies, secrets, twists and turns to keep you captivated.

Not my favourite from the author, but definitely worth a read.
Thank you netgalley, HarperCollins and Karin Slaughter for allowing me to read and review this book.

I was really excited to start this book by Karin Slaughter, set in the 1980's and the present day told in two parts.

This tells the story of mother and daughter, Laura and Andrea, who whilst out together are caught up in a shooting in a coffee shop. Their whole life is turned upside down and Andrea soon realises her life as she knew it was a lie.
A bit of a slow starter it soon picked up pace and kept me reading until the end.
Thank you to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read in return for a review.

I had high expectations of this book as l have always enjoyed this Author and l was not disappointed a real complex tale told in retrospect and present lots of characters needing concentration but great storyline and worthy of 5 star ⭐️

I love Karin Slaughter and have read all her books. This book was slightly slow and repetitive in parts but a rollercoaster most of the way through. Took me a little longer than usual to get into than her other novels but once the pace picked up I was hooked and very much look forward to her next one. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.