Karin Slaughter's thriller "The Silent Wife" is the very highest quality crime fiction writing available.

"The Silent Wife" is a compulsive read from the first page to the very last. The story begins when a prisoner claims he has evidence that he has been framed in the aftermath of a prison riot. Will Trent and his partner Faith are obliged to investigate his claims to obtain information from him related to another prisoner's death during the riot. Initially this is expected to be a cursory review, but something convinces Will and Faith that they should probe deeper into the case which was originally investigated by Sara Linton's former husband, Jeffrey Tollison. Whilst Will and Faith investigate the events of eight years ago, we also have the parallel contemporary narrative of what happened during that investigation from Chief Tollison and Lena. Sarah is key in both investigations and of course has a relationship with both lead investigators.

It is a tale of a dark of a vicious killer which totally consumed me.

Loved the flash backs to when Jeffrey was still alive and the complexity of the case. I always look forward to a new Karin Slaughter and this does not disappoint.

A slow start to this book, as to begin with it doesn’t stand well on its own without knowledge of the previous books involving the characters Will, Faith, the Grant County Detective team, Sara and Jeffrey. In fact, I almost gave up on the conjecture involved in deciphering the characters and relationships, but the book slowly grabbed me and didn’t let me go until the final word! The story is absolutely brilliant and moves at a fast pace, with the alternate chapters of present time and eight years previously an intriguing and effective device, and an unpredictable, chilling ending. After the confusing start the characters are superbly drawn and the descriptions of place and action vividly and convincingly coloured. If I had read the previous books (which I will now do!) I think this book would be a 5 star read, but that confusing beginning brings it down to 4.

This is the latest Will Trent / Sara Linton novel and I still have a massive soft spot for Will. In this novel, he and Faith are investigating a murder at a prison. A convict offers information in exchange for them investigating the rape and murder that people attribute to him. This old case was originally investigated by Jeffrey Tolliver, Sara’s deceased ex-husband, As they investigate, the team discover there have been many more crimes by the same perpetrator who is still active. The description of the effect of rape on the women who have survived is really heartbreaking. Whilst the investigation is central to the story, this feels very much a story about Will and Sara’s relationship as the spectre of her dead husband looms and an unanswered question causes tension. For those who enjoy this series, I recommend you read this one but , if you haven’t, do yourself a favour and start at the beginning. Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Silent Wife is technically the tenth book in the Will Trent series but revisits Grant County and the beloved characters who lived and worked there. However, trust me when I say that it doesn't matter if you've never read any of either of those series. The story actually stands alone well without having to have read all of her back catalogue, the sign of an excellent book.

A young woman is brutally attacked on an early morning run and left for dead. Daryl Nesbitt, accused of the attack at the time, has been locked up for the eight years since the crime. Yet he's found a recent fatal attack that seemingly shares the same MO and there's no way he could have been responsible for it. The historic crime just so happens to have been handled by Sara Linton's deceased husband and Nesbitt is adamant he must have got it wrong. Needless to say this brings out all sorts of complicated emotions for Will and Sara, as well as requiring intense scrutiny of a dead cop's investigation. Switching between the original case from 8 years ago and the present hunt for a potential serial killer, this thriller keeps you on your toes throughout.

I am a huge Karin Slaughter fan - she is easily one of my favourite authors and has once again proved with The Silent Wife that she is a master of exploring violence against women. For anyone unfamiliar with Slaughter's books all of those I have read should come with a warning that they are not for the fainthearted, this one included. Her books often reflect on the impact of violence against women and therefore include graphic, gritty and sometimes quite simply gruesome descriptions of injuries, autopsies, violence etc. However what she does with such finesse is look beyond the violence to the hope, survival and strength that women are able to show. This book is a prime example of that.

I have to admit that I had figured out who the killer was just after the half-way point (I'm always disappointed rather than satisfied when this happens!) but that doesn't minimise the shock of who it was or what they did and there was an earlier twist that shocked me in true Slaughter fashion. What continues to amaze me is Slaughter's ability to write such powerful characters. I want to be friends with Faith, Lena continued to drive me m-a-d and I so often find myself wishing I could hug Will. And I rooted endlessly for Sara and Will. As Slaughter herself put it in the author's note at the end of the book, it is also secretly a love story, albeit a 'really gritty violent love [story]'.

For anyone who loves thrillers that are fast-paced, tense and entirely addictive, this is a must-read and I can't wait to have someone to discuss it with!

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot - there are plenty of other reviews out there if that's what you are looking for!

This is the latest in the "Will Trent" series (of which I've only read one other) - a gripping page turner, that switches between time and viewpoint to give us an insight into the background of the serial killing rapist. At the same time, the relationships between various characters are explored and developed further (Note: sometimes I found this annoying eg: various "exchanges" between Will and Sara - both of whom I find faintly annoying if I'm honest- but on the whole it didn't detract).

This is not a book for the squeamish. The descriptions of what happened to the victims are deeply disturbing; I only hope that they are not based on any actual real-life attacks.

Because I've read many books in this genre, I guessed the identity of the killer fairly early on, so was pleased to be proved right. However I think there is a hole in the plot re: how this person was able to carry out some of their activities without being noticed.

I'll definitely read more by this author - she's excellent at fast-moving page turners.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC.

Karin slaughter is one of my all time favourite authors.

I have read and consumed every single word she has written for the past 20 years.

This book was a continuation in the series and as always, a real page Turner.

She makes you feel like you can relate to the characters, their hopes and feelings.

This latest book in the series was to me the best yet.

Will Sarah and Jeffrey have been through it, but this time they all come through it, together. It's heartfelt, force and romantic. It scares you, makes you think, makes you cry.

I highly recommend this book, along with the entire series.

Thank you for continously creating amazing books.

*not for the faint hearted! The violence and gore could be quite disturbing to some. References to rape, abductions, mutilation and violence throughout*

Woohoo Will & Sara are back!!!

Another amazing addition to the Will Trent series and they just keep getting better! Can you believe it's been 14 years since the first in the series (Triptych)?

This is the one series I fully immerse myself in each time, I don't know any other series where the characters have evolved so deeply throughout. Karin writes in such a way that you feel like you are walking alongside each character, living, breathing and experiencing each feeling with them.

A fast paced, action packed, suspense filled, breathtaking, dark, twisted, disturbing read that will leave you on the very edge of your seat!

Ever since picking up my first ever Karin Slaughter book I have been a huge fan. Her writing style literally grabs you and sucks you in with the amazingly suspenseful, enthralling and brutal thrillers.

In this book we finally say goodbye to Jeffrey which in my opinion felt like the right move, it's time for Will and Sara to move on and start a new chapter. The way this was done (no spoilers) was brilliant and so cleverly written.

For the fans of this series (who isnt???) this is definitely the one for you, this story took us all the way back to Beyond Reach (no*6 in the series) which to me was the one that seriously left its mark, once again bringing the back story of Jeffrey and Lena together.

This novel does jump around a bit through time (past and present) but it's always clear as to which time period you are in at the time and is really easy to follow.

This could be read as a stand alone but personally I think it would have alot more meaning behind it if you read them in order as each character has a really deep back story which evolves throughout the series and is referred to within each book.

Huge thanks to netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC.

I love this authors work and have read all the other books in the series. The alternating timeline flowed well and kept me in suspense. Unfortunately the only thing for me is I felt it was a bit too long and dragged on more than was needed.

this author has always been on the must read list but it was so daunting because there are soo many different books out there that I just did not know where to start. I decided this was a good start and i worried since it is book 10 in the series and surprisingly it did not take anything away. I loved this book i loved Sara and WIll and I was ready for more more more. I cant wait for another book .. i will say... the title of the book.. not reallly a huge impact for me and I feel it had such a teeny part of the book and not an overarching moment for me. I would say if the title was different this would be a huge 5 * read but it is still a 5 star for me becuase i still really enjoy it!

Amazing! I absolutely adore Karin Slaughter books. I rarely read a series, and usually it puts me off, but not these books.

There is a serial killer on the loose, raping and killing women, but making it look like an accident. This book goes back to follow the story of Sara and Jeremy at the beginning of the murders, and then back to Sara and Will to follow the current situation. It goes back and forth in a way that enhanced the reading of the story, and it was good to go back to Jeremy and Sara, but also following the development of Will’s character and his relationship with Sara.

I honestly could not but the book down. I love the depth of the characters in these books, I really care about what happens to Will and Sara. The story was brilliant, it kept me guessing, I was totally engrossed. I can not recommend this series enough.

Will and Sarah are back!
I loved this book so much. It was so beautiful written with so many twists and turns, so much guessing who did it and how many secrets and pieces of the puzzle are unveiled with each chapter.
Trying to balance professional life and personal one is not always easy especially when there’s so much more to work on personal level.
I’m addicted to this series and I can’t recommend it enough.

This is a weirdly disturbing book because Karin Slaughter is such a good and true to life writer!! It is an excellent "who done it" and, even though I worked out "who did it", I was hooked to the end as I needed to know what made the villain tick. If you like truly imaginative writing that will keep you page turning then, like for me, this is a book for you.

The reason I found this book weirdly disturbing is because, although this a work of fiction, I understand there are crimes such as these and worse going on in our own non-fiction world.

A really dark and emotionally wrought combination of love story and murder mystery. Bringing the past and the present together, this is pretty graphic in places but brilliantly written. If you haven't previously read anything from this author then I recommend starting with Blindsighted.

I have been reading Karin Slaughter's books for the best part of 20 years and, in that time, her writing has gone from being as good as everything else I was reading, to something quite superior and special. Alongside these enthralling, suspenseful crime thrillers have been the most brutal, visceral love stories and The Silent Wife brings it all together in the most dramatic fashion.
Of all her books, this is one for the fans - this takes us all the way back to 'Skin Privilege' - a book which shook me like no other, and left an indelible mark.
Testament to Karin Slaughter's characterisation - my frustration with Will Trent is so real. I just want to sit him down with a cup of tea and work it all through, because he and Sara have become like old friends. I'm rooting for them, I hold my breath when they are threatened and I love that they have to work so hard for everything they have.

Karin slaughter does not disappoint. I've never disliked any of her books. The alternating chapters between the past and present were perfectly done.

Massive trigger warnings for graphic sexual assault. I did guess halfway through who the killer was but I still enjoyed the ride there. A must read.

What I love about Karen Slaughter is that she avoids the trap of precis as plot. Her writing is telescopic, the lens moving in and out across time and place and person. We never feel we're being 'brought up to speed' with past events; she weaves them in whilst maintaining a relentless forward movement.

This is such a good crime thriller. Highly recommend.

I have struggled with the past couple of karin s books,especially the last one involving will and Sarah Linton, this however is a brilliant book. It's extremely well written and has so many Twists and turns that I did not see the end coming at all. There is a slight typo in this book where the word pastafariann is used instead of what I assume is meant to be rastafarian. I also find the ongoing Sarah, Jeffery, will doesn't talk triangle a little tedious, however it doesn't distract from what is a book that shows how good an author karin slaughter is.

A gripping but disturbing story line about an unidentified serial killer. The story moves at a pace and gets you hooked from the start. It could be a stand alone novel if you have not read any of the previous books in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
The Silent Wife by Karin Slaughter is not an easy book to read because of the violence towards women in her books. Which is why she writes the books in the way that she does, to highlight violence towards women and the trauma they suffer. Having read her books over a number of years, I enjoyed the crossover between Sara’s marriage to Jeff and her relationship with Will. Particularly, when she says that many women would love Jeff but only Sara would love Will. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Highly recommended.