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Fallen A Novel Will Trent Karin Slaughter Books

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Fallen A Novel Will Trent Karin Slaughter Books

MY REVIEW 5-STARS*****

In the latter part of 2017 I ran across a dated list [SERIAL KILLER NOVELS: 10 OF THE BEST] posted on Britain's Crime Fiction Lover.com. Silence Of The Lambs By Thomas Harris was prominently featured as 1. on the reviewer's list. I selected three titles penned by authors who were unfamiliar to me. Two of the three novels were simply outstanding, and the third one, not so much.

But I digress... Karin Slaughter's Best-Selling Book CRIMINAL was slotted into 3. on the aforementioned selection "10 OF THE BEST". I was familiar with Karin Slaughter's novels and had listened to a number of her unabridged books on CD a few years back when my job dictated that I drive extensively throughout the state. I remembered her Special Agent Will Trent from the GBI, and recalled how much I thoroughly enjoyed her work. I decided to start at the beginning of her series which featured Will Trent, and read CRIMINAL only after I had refreshed my memory.

I began my much needed refresher course with the literary masterpiece TRIPTYCH, and then eagerly devoured the subsequent Will Trent Books ( FRACTURED, UNDONE, BROKEN, and FALLEN) prior to tackling the criminally captivating tour de force that was christened CRIMINAL.

It is my opinion that this novel was an incredibly ambitious undertaking and that it is deservedly the pinnacle of the Will Trent Series. The vast number of loyal readers who have followed the lives of her fictional characters will likely relish this special novel like no other, since it provides a long-anticipated, fulfilling, and yet thrilling back story into (particularly) our beloved flawed Will, his cold-blooded boss Amanda, and Faith's tough-as-nails mother Evelyn.
It is inevitable that the author would need to use a writing technique that would share the past with us readers in addition to exposing us to real or present time.

Flashbacks were deployed to brilliantly accomplish both goals, and for fans of her Will Trent Books, this doling out dollops of the past alternating with dishing out details of what was occurring in present day served to begin as a page-turner but morphed into an unputdownable book. It is worthwhile to note that Amanda and Evelyn's back story yield a shocking glimpse into the very real prejudices that female police officers faced in the 1970's.

This best-selling novel nor the incredible talent behind the book need no accolades from this loyal fan. I initially thought that I was going to be patient while I read all five books that preceded this one. But you know what? It was the most enjoyable reading experience I have had in literally years. I just finished reading the incredible thriller UNSEEN but I thought before I dive into another book I should leave a few notes of praise about the incomparable CRIMINAL.

By the way, CRIMINAL does not disappoint as a "serial killer thriller" but it is less about the hunt for a psychopathic sadistic killer's tracks, than it is about his initial capture by two unlikely heroes, and how society was both negatively and yes, positively effected by the killer's base acts of cruelty while on this earth.
I
One final note, and it is not a criticism per se. In general, I am not a big fan of flashbacks as a technique in fiction, especially when the technique is used continuously throughout the novel. Having said that, I am a big Bull Riding Fan, love the PBR. If the bull leaving the chute does anything to change the momentum---"hip" himself coming out, stumbles, etc. then the cowboy is entitled to a re-ride. Flashbacks have the potential to alter the momentum of the story, give it a disjointed feel, annoy the reader. This is especially true if the reader is not committed to absorbing and attempting to incorporate the material into the story line. Diverging roads ultimately meet in meaningful and satisfying ways, that is if you have a master of the game like Slaughter at the helm.

Here's what I think, and since I would rate this book 10 stars I certainly won't be taking one of my allotted 5 stars away! I am not positive that this novel is rock solid as a standalone book. If you are a fan of the Will Trent novels, then CRIMINAL is so solid that it could withstand the elements since prehistoric times. Just a thought.


Tags : Amazon.com: Fallen: A Novel (Will Trent) (9780345528209): Karin Slaughter: Books,Karin Slaughter,Fallen: A Novel (Will Trent),Delacorte Press,0345528204,Crime,Thrillers - General,Kidnapping;Fiction.,Mothers and daughters;Fiction.,Policewomen;Fiction.,AMERICAN MYSTERY & SUSPENSE FICTION,FICTION Crime,Fiction,Fiction - Mystery Detective,Fiction Mystery & Detective General,Fiction Thrillers General,Fiction Thrillers Suspense,Fiction-Thriller,GENERAL,General Adult,Georgia,Kidnapping,MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE FICTION,Mothers and daughters,Mystery & Detective - General,Policewomen,Suspense,Thrillers,United States

Fallen A Novel Will Trent Karin Slaughter Books Reviews

Fallen A Novel (Will Trent series Book 5)
MY REVIEW 5 STARS *****

GBI Special Agent Will Trent's partner Faith Mitchell was kept on the periphery of the story in Book 4 of this superior series, but returns front and center in this unforgettable fifth installment. Readers became acquainted with Faith Mitchell when Will's boss Amanda Wagner partnered the reluctant APD Homicide Detective with a decidedly "un-Will-ing" Agent Trent. The "odd couple" turned out to make a terrific team during the sensational crime thriller FRACTURED. The conclusion of Book 2 finds Faith Mitchell leaves the Atlanta PD and joining Will to pursue a career with the Georgia Bureau Of Investigation. We are given a few tidbits about the early retirement of Faith's mother, Evelyn Mitchell, the former decorated Captain of the Atlanta PD's Vice Squad. It is revealed that Will was assigned to investigate the corruption in the department and was successful in bringing down several dirty cops under Captain Mitchell's watch. It is also revealed that Amanda was in fact close to Evelyn Mitchell and the two had a long history.

In the opening pages of "Fallen" Faith is going to her mom's house to pick up her little girl Emma when she drives off a cliff into what can only be described as a chasm of heart-stopping terror. Her mother's house has become a ransacked and damaged battle field where Faith trips over dead bodies and encounters armed gang members, fights for her own life, and finds out to her horror that her mother has been taken by God only knows who, and a bigger burning question WHY?

It is only natural that the police suspect a connection between Evelyn's disappearance, her former high position in the department, and the scandal that accompanied her retirement. Does she really have nearly a million dollars squirreled away as some bad guys believe?

FALLEN is a simply outstanding mystery thriller, but also a no-holds-barred depiction of the harsh reality that all of the participants in this story face...from the kidnap victim to the members of her family who love her, to the dedicated agents investigating this puzzling, unfathomable kidnapping, and even a glimpse into the mindset of the puppet-master behind the scenes pulling the strings.

I loved this book, and asked myself if maybe this was the BEST Karin Slaughter novel yet. It ranked right up there for sure, and the ending was a shock more than just a "surprise ending".

One of the reasons I loved this novel was that the author allowed the reader a glimpse into the background and the psyche of Will Trent's personal puppet master (his boss Amanda). I know...I know...Angie is also one of the master persuader's in Will's universe as well. The reader gets a chance to watch when an angry Angie attempts some of the best manipulative methods in her considerable arsenal to pull Will back in line. In any case, the title is derived from the concept of "FALLEN". I see this play out in two basic ways in this complex tale.

1- Will has never seen his boss Amanda without her "mask" and invisible suit of armor. In the story Will sees this mask crack and then finally break when Amanda must face a horrible truth that threatens to penetrate if not potentially shatter her shield of denial.
This is evidenced by Will's desire to call Sara ("...he wanted to describe to her the way it felt to see Amanda brought so low. That it scared him to see her fallen so far from her pedestal.")

2-Sara reaches a point where she is confused and disappointed in Will's failure to remove his wedding ring and to articulate his love for her alone. Her desire for Will to fight for her, to envelop her in his arms and to declare his love for her, becomes an all-consuming need. Thus Sara confronts Will...and he gives her that charming crooked smile of his and says goodbye. It is a tribute to this author's uncanny ability to render a fictional character so real that you find yourself forgetting that he is not flesh and blood. The climax of this book's message to the reader about the concept of fallen is apparent with Sara's epiphany after Will had walked away. ("Will had taken it as a given that nothing good in his life would ever last. That was why he had sounded so relieved. His toes had been dangling over the edge. He was too afraid to take the leap because he'd never really fallen." In effect Will was waiting for someone to fight for him. The ultimate coming together of Sara Linton and Will Trent is so beautifully written that the pararagrahs are the most poignant I believe that I have ever read, and yes, the tears did flow.
What I love about this book in the series are the very different female characters that Karin Slaughter is developing with each new book. In Fallen, Faith Mitchell is the primary focus of the story. Faith is Will Trent's partner. She is also the daughter of the captain involved in an investigation of bad cops that Will headed awhile ago. Evelyn Mitchell is the best friend of Will's boss, Amanda Wagner.

What I like most about Slaughter's Will Trent series (and Grant County series) is that every character has a troubled or damaged past. They all have a mountain of issues to resolve. Some characters work tirelessly to improve the way they deal with their past and decisions for the future. Some, Angie in this series, can't get past their history and continually make bad choices that hurt others.

The crime and the police procedural are captivating and challenging, for me anyway, to solve. Many horrible criminals are vicious and scary. Will is becoming one of my favorite characters. I love how he is committed to his job. His dyslexia adds a unique character trait to this character.

The mystery and the characters' development are well done. The story keeps me turning the pages from beginning to end. I worry about how Angie is going to ruin Will and Sara's relationship, but again, it adds to the need to find out what happens next. I love participating in the buddy read. The insight I gain from the other members adds tremendously to my enjoyment of the series. I recommend this series to any mystery fan. However, it works better if Grant County series is read first.
MY REVIEW 5-STARS*****

In the latter part of 2017 I ran across a dated list [SERIAL KILLER NOVELS 10 OF THE BEST] posted on Britain's Crime Fiction Lover.com. Silence Of The Lambs By Thomas Harris was prominently featured as 1. on the reviewer's list. I selected three titles penned by authors who were unfamiliar to me. Two of the three novels were simply outstanding, and the third one, not so much.

But I digress... Karin Slaughter's Best-Selling Book CRIMINAL was slotted into 3. on the aforementioned selection "10 OF THE BEST". I was familiar with Karin Slaughter's novels and had listened to a number of her unabridged books on CD a few years back when my job dictated that I drive extensively throughout the state. I remembered her Special Agent Will Trent from the GBI, and recalled how much I thoroughly enjoyed her work. I decided to start at the beginning of her series which featured Will Trent, and read CRIMINAL only after I had refreshed my memory.

I began my much needed refresher course with the literary masterpiece TRIPTYCH, and then eagerly devoured the subsequent Will Trent Books ( FRACTURED, UNDONE, BROKEN, and FALLEN) prior to tackling the criminally captivating tour de force that was christened CRIMINAL.

It is my opinion that this novel was an incredibly ambitious undertaking and that it is deservedly the pinnacle of the Will Trent Series. The vast number of loyal readers who have followed the lives of her fictional characters will likely relish this special novel like no other, since it provides a long-anticipated, fulfilling, and yet thrilling back story into (particularly) our beloved flawed Will, his cold-blooded boss Amanda, and Faith's tough-as-nails mother Evelyn.
It is inevitable that the author would need to use a writing technique that would share the past with us readers in addition to exposing us to real or present time.

Flashbacks were deployed to brilliantly accomplish both goals, and for fans of her Will Trent Books, this doling out dollops of the past alternating with dishing out details of what was occurring in present day served to begin as a page-turner but morphed into an unputdownable book. It is worthwhile to note that Amanda and Evelyn's back story yield a shocking glimpse into the very real prejudices that female police officers faced in the 1970's.

This best-selling novel nor the incredible talent behind the book need no accolades from this loyal fan. I initially thought that I was going to be patient while I read all five books that preceded this one. But you know what? It was the most enjoyable reading experience I have had in literally years. I just finished reading the incredible thriller UNSEEN but I thought before I dive into another book I should leave a few notes of praise about the incomparable CRIMINAL.

By the way, CRIMINAL does not disappoint as a "serial killer thriller" but it is less about the hunt for a psychopathic sadistic killer's tracks, than it is about his initial capture by two unlikely heroes, and how society was both negatively and yes, positively effected by the killer's base acts of cruelty while on this earth.
I
One final note, and it is not a criticism per se. In general, I am not a big fan of flashbacks as a technique in fiction, especially when the technique is used continuously throughout the novel. Having said that, I am a big Bull Riding Fan, love the PBR. If the bull leaving the chute does anything to change the momentum---"hip" himself coming out, stumbles, etc. then the cowboy is entitled to a re-ride. Flashbacks have the potential to alter the momentum of the story, give it a disjointed feel, annoy the reader. This is especially true if the reader is not committed to absorbing and attempting to incorporate the material into the story line. Diverging roads ultimately meet in meaningful and satisfying ways, that is if you have a master of the game like Slaughter at the helm.

Here's what I think, and since I would rate this book 10 stars I certainly won't be taking one of my allotted 5 stars away! I am not positive that this novel is rock solid as a standalone book. If you are a fan of the Will Trent novels, then CRIMINAL is so solid that it could withstand the elements since prehistoric times. Just a thought.