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Criminal - Karin Slaughter (Audio) When it comes to a series that features enigmatic characters, this one (officially called the "Will Trent Series") is right at the top of the list.  I've not read all of them, but the ones I have read have been outstanding.  The crimes in these novels are usually pretty graphic and grisly, but the real attraction is a cast of about six or seven that each gets a turn or two being the star of the show.  The females are true forces of nature...strong-willed, tenacious, professional, admirable.  You want to meet these women, you want to BE these women.

Last summer, AudioGo offered me the opportunity to review "Fallen" on audio.  They popped in this summer to once again allow me to review the next installment "Criminal" on audio as well.  They have also volunteered a giveaway as well, so stick around at the end for details!

Synopsis:  Will Trent is one of those guys who is tough to get to know.  He is an excellent agent for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, he grew up an orphan, he is still married to Angie (fellow orphan and whack job), he is dyslexic, and in love with Sara Linton, a pediatrician.  But of his past?  Will has always been very private about that.

Until now.  Will's history all comes bubbling to the surface when his father, a convicted murderer, is released from prison and a female student goes missing.  We travel back forty years to Atlanta's underbelly in the 1970's, when Will's boss Amanda Wagner and her colleague Evelyn Mitchell are just starting their careers in the police force.  Back to when women were supposed to be secretaries, when membership in the KKK is compulsory for police officers, and when missing prostitutes like Lucy Bennett are not a concern.  They ARE a concern for Amanda and Evelyn however, but little to they know that in their determination to carve out a place for themselves in a man's world, their first case will have implications for the rest of their lives.

My thoughts:  It seems like some of my favorite series (Jack Reacher and the Prey series for example) are turning our attention back to the genesis of the characters.  Which I absolutely love.  It is highly meaningful to find yourself suddenly privy to the backgrounds of protagonists that already feel like friends.  In this case, we not only learn about HOW Will became an orphan, and the significance of those who protected him while we was growing up, but the precarious ladder that Amanda and Evelyn had to climb to get where they are. It is a tribute to the women who battled and survived the sexism and discrimination during a time when feminism in the South was almost non-existent.

Slaughter has done a tremendous amount of research in order to effectively transport us back to the Atlanta of the mid-70's.  In fact, just to fuel our fire, she has even built a microsite that includes photos of various locations around Atlanta from the 70's and current day, advertisements and music from the 70's, and even interviews of female police officers back during that period.  Check it out, it is amazing.

Another attraction for me with this series is the palpable chemistry between Will and Sara.  Slaughter has really developed this story line well.  The interaction between the two is authentic and is a relationship you find yourself rooting for.

BY FAR, this is the best I've read in the series.  It is gripping from beginning to end, it is slimy and dark, and is inspirational and touching.  You could absolutely start the series with this novel, but will mean so much more to those who know and love Will, Sara, Amanda, Faith and Evelyn.

A few words about the audio production:  This is the first time I've listened to Kathleen Early as a narrator, but she did a phenomenal job.   There doesn't seem to be any consistency in the choice of narrators for Slaughter's books, but I'd be thrilled if they stuck with Early from here on out.  Here is a sample if you would like to hear what I'm talking about:

Listening length:  15 hours and 35 minutes (448 pages)

Giveaway:  For those in the US, I will be offering a giveaway of two copies of this audio book.  Please indicate your interest in the comments, as well as your e-mail address, and I will announce the winners on July 27th.
 
I haven't read Karin Slaughter's books but I have a few friends who love them. If this would be a good one to get me interested I'd love to try the audio. Thanks for the giveaway chance!

July 17, 2012 at 7:06 AM 
Here's my email: meah56ATgmailDOTcom

July 17, 2012 at 7:07 AM 
I did like FALLEN and I picked up a copy of CRIMINAL at BEA. Now I just need to find time. :)

July 17, 2012 at 8:08 AM 
Please include me in your give away. Thank you. email@example.com

July 17, 2012 at 9:36 AM 
CRIMINAL is getting a lot of good press lately and I am so glad to hear you liked it, Sandy! I have never read anything by Karin Slaughter. She's one of those authors I keep meaning to get to but haven't yet tried. One of these days!
 
I listened to Fallen and got a really good grip on the characters from that one, so I would love to see how we got to that place by looking backwards. This sounds like a phenomenal book, and one that I would really like. I am glad that you loved it too, and that it filled in a lot of gaps for you. Great review today. I would love to win this one, so please sign me up for the giveaway too!


July 17, 2012 at 12:15 PM 
want want want!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

July 17, 2012 at 12:44 PM 
This is a new one to me, but I'm always up for a good mystery!

avidreader25 [at] gmail [dot] com

July 17, 2012 at 1:21 PM 
Never tried her stuff before. Sounds like it would be good on audio. Thanks for the giveaway!

July 17, 2012 at 1:45 PM 
I'm glad they got a new narrator but I listened to some of the clip you posted and the Southern accent's still not right. Atlanta in the 70's would have a definite Georgia draw. Don't they have any Southern narrators?

July 17, 2012 at 2:06 PM 
I keep seeing raves about this author but haven't yet read one … though the name Sara Linton sounds familiar for some reason so maybe I did. I'll have to figure out where to start with her.

July 17, 2012 at 3:20 PM 
I've got Fallen from last year at BEA and I still need to listen to that one! I was really impressed with Karin Slaughter during the APA Audiobook and Author Tea. She and Brad Meltzer were pretty superb and extraordinary speakers.

July 17, 2012 at 10:12 PM 
I stopped reading when she killed off a certain someone. But I still remember how detailed and gory her crime scenes are...it takes a strong stomach to make it through a Slaughter book (also...perfect author name).

July 17, 2012 at 10:16 PM 
I am so interested I can not tell you. I love this series! and you say this is the best...oh, I must have it! lol

July 19, 2012 at 8:02 AM 
Just finished this one -- split between reading and audio and I thought it was excellent!

July 19, 2012 at 3:58 PM 
This sounds like it's right up my alley. Thanks for the chance to win.

nanze55 at hotmail dot com

July 21, 2012 at 7:53 PM 
This author has been on my radar screen for awhile. I need to check this one out and the ones before it!

August 14, 2012 at 3:04 PM