Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

This novel was on Amazon's list of best books of the month.  I am warning you, it's not for the faint of heart.

I've read some of Slaughter's work before, but this one is definitely the creepiest and goriest (is that a word)?  There were a few spots I skipped ahead because I wasn't too keen on the details of sexual violence.  I also considered not writing a review for the blog, but I would bet the ALA would be disappointed in me.  The world ain't unicorns and rainbows.  The reality is that the violence against women portrayed here exists in our world.  Ignoring it doesn't make it go away. 

Julia was nineteen when she disappeared.  She was a college student, out for a few drinks with friends, when she vanished on the walk back to her dorm.  At the time, the police dismissed her disappearance as a free spirited girl off on her own adventure.  Her father never gave up looking for her.  His obsession led to his divorce and estrangement from his other daughters.

Lydia, the next oldest, is the troubled child.  Drugs, sex, alcohol.  She is hooking for drugs when she discovers she is pregnant.  Dee's birth straightens Lydia out.  She uses knowledge from her father's veterinary practice to get a job as an assistant groomer.  A few years later, she owns a home and her own mobile grooming business.  Her daughter Dee wins a scholarship to an elite prep school, she has a steady boyfriend (a mechanic named Rick), and a plethora of pets. 

Claire, the baby, is married to a wealthy businessman, Paul Scott.  He is more computer nerd than Wolf of Wall Street, and Claire finds him "safe" (compared to the men her sisters ran around with).  They do not have children nor pets in their gated mansion.  Claire need not work, but spends her time volunteering. 
   
The sisters have not spoken to each other in nearly twenty years, when Claire and Paul are held up leaving a bar.  Although they give the man their money, phones, and jewelry, he stabs Paul, who then dies.  It becomes clear to the reader something is really messed up when Lydia tells Rick she is happy Paul is dead and then attempts to urinate on his grave. 

Claire returns from the funeral to find her home broken into (as 300 guests are set to arrive for the memorial).  The FBI wants to question her, her husband's business partner is threatening her for files, and the local PD seems to be brushing her off.  As Claire digs into Paul's things, she begins to unravel a web of lies and discovers Paul is not who he says.  It is much, much worse than the embezzlement she suspects. 

I won't spoil anything further.  Just be aware there are some pretty gruesome scenes of sexual violence.  I am happy to say, though, karma wins in the end.

Follow me on Twitter @RamblingsLMS
Tweet what you're reading #whhs #read
Submit your reviews to "The Westie Review" in The Rostrum