So the book does a lot of Past & Present that can at first seem a bit confusing at times but it all comes together & plays out so nicely. Let me just say, this story was not what I was expecting when I decided to read it. I was in for a welcomed surprise & It completely Gutted Me. I will admit, it starts off slow & there are parts that drag on. Why do we need to know all those details? Believe it or not, it paints the perfect picture & you can see the scenes play out. Though it does seem a bit longer than I feel it needed to be. There were a few times I was yelling, "duh! Why am I the only one who knows this?" Haha The protagonist can be a bit dense at times. The details were very graphic. As someone who listens to true crime podcasts myself, this Author definitely painted the crime scene in my mind, a little too well but I wouldn't have it any other way. If you are Squamish with blood & such, this book is not for you. It can be very triggering as well. However! This story was so good & if you like edge of your seat, heart wrenching, murder mystery, You'll love this one. Some of the details are brutal, fair warning. I give it a 5 Star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lena 🫶🏽

Suspenseful and twisty story that comes together nicely. It is a little graphic but that didn't bother me too much. Towards the end it got a little wordy and ran on a little longer than I thought necessary. It was my first KS book but I'll be looking for more from her.

Karin Slaughter’s Pretty Girls is, without a doubt, one of the most gripping, intense, and brilliantly crafted novels I have ever read. From the very first page, this book hooks you with its raw emotion, shocking twists, and relentless pace. It’s the kind of story that sinks its teeth into you and doesn’t let go—even after the last page. At its core, Pretty Girls is a chilling exploration of loss, family secrets, and the darkness lurking just beneath the surface of everyday life. The story follows Claire and Lydia, estranged sisters brought back together by a shared tragedy and a long-buried mystery surrounding their sister Julia’s disappearance decades earlier. What starts as a familial drama quickly spirals into a deeply disturbing thriller as the sisters uncover horrifying truths about their past and the people closest to them. Slaughter’s writing is nothing short of masterful. Her ability to build tension is unparalleled, and her vivid descriptions make every scene—whether tender or terrifying—feel real and visceral. The characters are so deeply layered that you feel every ounce of their pain, confusion, and determination. Claire and Lydia are flawed, raw, and real, and their journey is both heartbreaking and empowering. This book is not for the faint of heart. It’s dark, gritty, and unflinching in its depiction of violence and the psychological scars it leaves behind. But it’s also a testament to resilience, the power of sisterhood, and the strength it takes to face unimaginable horrors. Pretty Girls is not just a thriller—it’s an experience. It’s a book that will stay with you, haunt you, and make you question everything you thought you knew about the people around you. Karin Slaughter has set a new standard for psychological thrillers with this masterpiece, and I can confidently say it’s the most amazing book I’ve ever read. If you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favor and dive in—but brace yourself. This isn’t just a book; it’s a rollercoaster of emotions that you’ll never forget.

This book came highly recommended. It’s a good psychological thriller/mystery. The reason for the 3.5 ⭐️ rating is it was very drawn out. The book starts out slow, then catches up. Then it gets very twisty and takes a dark turn. It’s about the grief and domino effect of a beloved daughter/sister/college student who gets taken one night and is never seen again. It details the how the grief of not knowing and hoping for a miracle tears the once happy / healthy family to shreds. There are three main characters the book highlights throughout and it can be confusing at first until you realize who they’re all connected to and why certain events happened. Some parts of the book I was unable to read bc it gets quite dark. Being a visual person, those were not images I wanted in my head. Around 80% of the book is where it really started to drag on. I skimmed through much of the last chapters bc it was getting frustrating- in my opinion. It’s a book worth reading if you enjoy slow paced and don’t mind all the extra details stuffed into the story. To me some questions weren’t really answered. All in all a good read just not my personal favorite.

Before you read this book, PLEASE check the trigger warnings. If you are ok with graphic themes and enjoy a twisted thriller, this book is incredible, however it is not for everyone and please proceed with caution if you are not ok with any of the themes depicted. Prepare to be captivated, shocked, and utterly enthralled by Karin Slaughter's masterful thriller. This dark and haunting tale will leave you breathless as you navigate the treacherous depths of human depravity and uncover secrets that will send shivers down your spine. I do not suggest reading this book while you are home alone as I did, it had me jumping at every little noise! Karin Slaughter's writing style is nothing short of brilliant. She weaves a complex web of suspense and intrigue, drawing you in from the very first page and refusing to let go until the final shocking revelation. Her ability to create vivid, gritty and realistic characters is astounding, making you feel as though you are intimately acquainted with every twist and turn of their lives. The story follows the lives of two sisters, Claire and Lydia, whose lives were shattered by the mysterious disappearance of their beloved sister, Julia, over twenty years ago. Slaughter paints a harrowing picture of their pain and grief, taking us on an emotional rollercoaster as we witness their desperate quest for answers and justice. The raw emotions portrayed in their journeys are palpable, tugging at your heartstrings with every revelation and setback. One of the most remarkable aspects of this book is Karin Slaughter's ability to delve deep into the darkest recesses of the human psyche. She fearlessly explores themes of violence, trauma, and the sinister underbelly of society, leaving you with a sense of unease long after you've turned the final page. The author's unflinching portrayal of evil and its consequences is chilling, reminding us that monsters can lurk in even the most ordinary of places. Throughout the narrative, Karin Slaughter expertly builds suspense, planting seeds of doubt and suspicion that keep you on the edge of your seat. The pacing is flawless, with each chapter unveiling new layers of the twisted puzzle, leaving you guessing and second-guessing until the shocking climax. The tension is palpable, and you'll find yourself rapidly flipping pages, unable to tear yourself away from the relentless suspense. While this book delves into the depths of darkness, Slaughter also injects moments of levity and wit that provide a much-needed respite from the intense atmosphere. Her skillful use of dark humor and sarcasm adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, making it all the more engaging and realistic. These moments of lightness serve as a stark contrast to the grim reality of the story, reminding us that even in the face of unimaginable horror, humanity can still find strength and resilience. Karin Slaughter's ability to create compelling characters, craft a chilling and suspenseful plot, and explore the depths of human darkness is unparalleled. With its gripping narrative, emotional depth, and expertly executed twists, this book will leave you both shaken and exhilarated. Brace yourself for an unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness.

There is so much going on in this book. I'd describe it as an onion with lots of layers that Slaughter expertly peels back inch-by-inch throughout the narrative as each layer reveals another connection or revelation. It's such an immersive read that I felt like a character in the book. The emotions at times are so raw that you have to stop to take a breath. The story centres around two estranged sisters, Lydia and Claire, and their family's grief after the disappearance of their sister Julia 20 years ago. I love Slaughter's dark, graphic style. This book is not for the faint of heart, as the crimes are depicted in detail. Her stories are so much more than that, though. You feel this book from every angle: a father's pain, a mother's loss, sisters grief, and so much more that I can't mention without spoiling the surprises! The letters written by the father to his missing daughter were some of my favourite chapters. Without sounding corny, you can feel the love and loss. The detailed chapters alternate in speed; sometimes I'd need to take a break to process the amount of information, and at times I couldn't read fast enough as the intensity ramped up. Everything is not always as it seems. With another teenage girl missing, who can they trust? There's so many lies unravelling at every twist and turn. You take a path of discovery with Claire, and it opens doors that can never be closed ever again.

5 Stars - This is not a police procedural nor a book about detective trying to solve a mystery. It's a story of two sisters who have experienced a tragic crime in their family, and now the same pattern of crimes is seemingly continuing. This is not a book about a novel, clever twist, or long breathless action. Nonetheless, it is page-turning once it progressed beyond a certain point. What is compelling are the characters. Miss Slaughter writes them very well, and narrates the story very well. Though I do not like some introspective chapters that curtailed the speed of the plot, understandably, they're there for a good reason. It's been quite a while since I gave a book 5 stars and Pretty Girls deserves it.

الكتاب جاني معفط وتعبان كأنه مستخدم الخيار الي اخترته هو ال market mass. مب ارجعه لاني ميته ابي اقراه بس انتبهو اذا بتطلبون اختارو خيار ثاني افضل

Loved reading this.