Book review: Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
Book review: Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
Are you ready to dive into the darkest parts of human behaviour?
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter plunges readers into a heartbreaking tale of unresolved mysteries and shattered lives.
Claire Scott and her sister, Lydia, are tormented by the disappearance of their sibling, Julia. Julia’s unexplained disappearance tore them apart, leaving behind a fractured family unable to put the pieces back together. Two decades later, Claire is thrust back into the past when another girl goes missing. As Claire navigates her daily life, shocking events unravel her carefully constructed world, forcing her to confront buried truths about Julia’s disappearance that redefine everything she thought she knew.
I have become a fan of Karin Slaughter’s books since stumbling across her Will Trent series many years ago. I was immediately drawn to how authentic Slaughter’s characters felt. Not all of them are particularly likeable, but that’s the point. Slaughter has a talent for creating worlds of complex characters that simply act as they are intended to, so we as readers understand why they make the choices they do. Instead of using them as mere tools to convey moral lessons, Slaughter respects them as real people with the capacity to grow and change. And this, at the end of the day, is rather lovely.
Optimism is a sliver of glass in your heart.
In Pretty Girls, Slaughter skillfully combines suspense with raw, undiluted emotion in a gut-punching domestic noir thriller. The story delves into the darkest aspects of human behaviour, touching on themes of obsession, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to uncover the truth. At its heart are two sisters, Claire and Lydia, whose lives are changed forever when Julia vanishes. Claire, initially depicted as living a seemingly ‘perfect life’, is thrown into chaos as new revelations about Julia come to life. Her journey becomes a quest for answers and personal redemption as she grapples with the trauma that has shaped her life since Julia's disappearance.
One of the most compelling aspects of Pretty Girls is its unflinching exploration of grief and trauma. Claire reflects, "The truth was, losing Julia had shattered the family, and the pieces never fit back together quite right. There was always a jagged edge, a sharp corner, ready to draw blood." The novel sensitively portrays how the unresolved grief over Julia's disappearance left a lasting impact on her two sisters, shaping their lives in profound ways. Claire and Lydia’s quest for truth becomes intertwined with their need for closure and a chance to heal, demonstrating remarkable resilience amidst unimaginable horror.
I know you're an adult, but adults are like vampires. The older ones are much more powerful.
Slaughter's narrative in Pretty Girls goes beyond the mystery of Julia's disappearance. The reader is unapologetically immersed in the psychological trauma left by immense violence and loss.
The violence depicted in the novel is graphic and unsettling, serving as a stark reminder of the real-world horrors many women face. This book doesn't shy away from the explicit details of murder and violence towards young women, which may be too overwhelming for some readers. However, through these harrowing scenes, Slaughter forces us to confront the harsh realities of abuse and its lasting impact on victims and their families.
By depicting crime realistically - without taking shortcuts - Slaughter pulls us out of the shadows and into a stark reality. She believes that since people don't experience muted versions of crime, readers should not shy away from it either. Yet, her books are not a constant descent into darkness. She also aims to showcase the redemptive beauty in human nature, particularly through the bonds of family and friendship. This is evident in the relationship between the sisters, highlighting the strength and resilience that can arise from shared trauma and the pursuit of truth.
The world stops for you when you’re pretty. That’s why women spend billions on crap for their faces. Their whole life, they’re the centre of attention. People want to be around them just because they’re attractive. Their jokes are funnier. Their lives are better.
Slaughter's ability to balance the brutal realities of crime with moments of profound human connection makes Pretty Girls a compelling and emotionally powerful read. Her characters are not merely vessels driving the story forward, they are deeply flawed individuals who evolve, engaging readers on a visceral level.
Beyond its suspenseful plot, Pretty Girls delves into the complexities of familial relationships and the bonds between siblings. Claire and Lydia's evolving dynamic - from estrangement to solidarity - is a testament to Slaughter's skill in creating multi-dimensional characters. For example, early on we understand that the two sisters are grappling with the complexities of genuine forgiveness, and we are right there with them, willing them on.
This book isn’t a pit of despair. Yes, the narrative is punctuated by a significant amount of violence, but it also resonates with moments of profound tenderness. Alongside the sisters, we witness a father's unwavering love for his daughters and a mother's earnest attempts to mend broken relationships. These moments offer much-needed signals of hope and light in the darkness.
Claire had realised a long time ago that if you lie with enough conviction, you can usually fool yourself.
While Pretty Girls is undeniably gripping, it's not perfect and comes with a warning for those who have a low threshold for brutality. The graphic violence, while integral to the narrative's exploration of trauma, can be overwhelming, but it does serve a purpose as it prevents the reader from simply being a passive observer. Additionally, some plot twists feel predictable, detracting slightly from the overall impact of the story. Nevertheless, Slaughter's ability to evoke empathy and provoke reflection through her vivid descriptions and intricate character development makes Pretty Girls an unforgettable read.
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter is a story that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished it. It uncovers the darkest corners of human nature while celebrating the resilience of women in the face of adversity. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers and intense character-driven stories, Pretty Girls is a must-read that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
Bookshop.org | Waterstones | Amazon
Have you read Pretty Girls? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
As always, happy reading!
Until next time,
Sian | Criminally Creepy Books
Any links mentioned above are non-affiliated and I do not make any money from these companies. These are the places I shop at regularly. No affiliations, just recommendations!