Cop Town - Karin Slaughter

Cop Town

By Karin Slaughter

  • Release Date: 2014-06-24
  • Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Score: 4
4
From 709 Ratings
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Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Karin Slaughter, author of the bestselling Will Trent novels, is widely acclaimed as “one of the best crime novelists in America” (The Washington Post). Now she delivers her first stand-alone novel: an epic story of a city in the midst of seismic upheaval, a serial killer targeting cops, and a divided police force tasked with bringing a madman to justice.

Atlanta, 1974: As a brutal murder and a furious manhunt rock the city’s police department, Kate Murphy wonders if her first day on the job will also be her last. She’s determined to defy her privileged background by making her own way—wearing a badge and carrying a gun. But for a beautiful young woman, life will be anything but easy in the macho world of the Atlanta PD, where even the female cops have little mercy for rookies. It’s also the worst day possible to start given that a beloved cop has been gunned down, his brothers in blue are out for blood, and the city is on the edge of war.

Kate isn’t the only woman on the force who’s feeling the heat. Maggie Lawson followed her uncle and brother into the ranks to prove her worth in their cynical eyes. When she and Kate, her new partner, are pushed out of the citywide search for a cop killer, their fury, pain, and pride finally reach the boiling point. With a killer poised to strike again, they will pursue their own line of investigation, risking everything as they venture into the city’s darkest heart.

Relentlessly paced, acutely observed, wickedly funny, and often heartbreaking, Cop Town is Karin Slaughter’s most powerful novel yet—a tour de force of storytelling from our foremost master of character, atmosphere, and suspense.

Features a preview of Karin Slaughter’s next novel, Pretty Girls

“Karin Slaughter is simply one of the best thriller writers working today, and Cop Town shows the author at the top of her game—relentless pacing, complex characters, and gritty realism, all set against the backdrop of a city on the edge. Slaughter’s eye for detail and truth is unmatched. . . . I’d follow her anywhere.”—Gillian Flynn

“Cop Town proves Karin Slaughter is one of America’s best writers. . . . She pulls her readers into a twisted tale of mystery and keeps them fascinated from start to finish.”—The Huffington Post

“Stunning . . . Karin Slaughter breaks new ground with this riveting story. If you haven’t yet read her, this is the moment.”—Michael Connelly

“Compulsively readable . . . will have your heart racing.”—O: The Oprah Magazine

“Intense . . . engrossing . . . evocative . . . [Karin Slaughter’s] first stand-alone novel [has] a gritty, action-packed plot and strong, believable characters.”—Associated Press

“Slaughter graphically exposes the rampant racism, homophobia, and misogyny of cop culture in the 1970s. . . . Winning leads, the retro setting, and a riveting plot make this one of Slaughter’s best.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Superb . . . explosive . . . [Cop Town] is sure to win over readers new to Slaughter’s work while reminding old fans of her enormous talent.”—Library Journal (starred review)

Reviews

  • Soooooo good!

    5
    By Josie's Pop
    Slaughter’s books are great, but difficult to stomach due to the graphic nature of her style. Cop Town has her excellent ability without the uncomfortable details. Great great read!

  • Great read...but it IS Karin Slaughter...

    5
    By Can't remember jack
    Karin knows how to spin a yarn, and this book doesn't disappoint. Being from Atlanta and having lived here during the 70's, I love the attention to detail regarding the landmarks and what was in the 70's. There is even a reference to a "Mr. Coffee"! The writing is typical Slaughter ...acerbic, quick wit and the terrible moments that you don't want to happen in the story, but understand that this is necessary for the story to be meaty and real. Loved it! I did not see the culprit until the very end, and I love that! Read it! You will be glad for your time investment.

  • Cop Town

    5
    By PeachLegal
    I could not stop reading this book - and I had so many other things to do! Just read it.

  • Great as always

    5
    By Karebear1234yyuiioo
    Karin knows how to keep readers on their toes!

  • Karin Slaughter's best!

    5
    By Sio8han
    I have enjoyed all of her books but this is by far her best yet. Her character development is amazing. While you will hate almost all of them, misogynists, homophobes, racists, anti Semites you will understand what makes them tick. Plot is compelling I didn't know until the end and that's what makes a great story. I loved the main characters and hope she will continue the story. Well done. Must read.

  • Trip Back in Time

    5
    By Maryeos
    Set in 1974 Atlanta, Karin Slaughter's Cop Town transports you back to the time where segregation was still an everyday occurrence, women were just starting to be allowed to perform the same job duties as men, and people were so homophobic that no one ever divulged the fact that they were anything but heterosexual. The book is told from the viewpoints of three characters: Kate Murphy, a brand new police officer, trying to make it through her first week on the force; Maggie Lawson, a young woman from a family of police officers- yet they don't support her in her career choice; and The Shooter, the killer who is trying to rid the city of what he thinks are people who are not worthy. When Maggie's brother's partner is killed, the whole town is on the hunt for The Shooter. Maggie ends up partnered with Kate and as different as the two of them are, they make a strong team as they both seem to have better detective skills than the men on the police force. Maggie immediately sees holes in the story Jimmy tells of the night his partner is shot. The two women end up chasing down leads all over Atlanta and getting answers to the puzzle they don't necessarily want to hear. And all the while The Shooter is keeping an eye on everyone, especially Kate. Slaughter builds a wonderful picture of the lives of these people. Maggie is from a dysfunctional family with an abusive uncle. Kate is the opposite- she is a wealthy young Jewish woman looking for something to fill her life after losing her husband in the war. We get snippets of their lives, good and bad, as the story progresses until their full personalities are revealed. It was amazing to me the racism, the sexism, and pure hatred that is described in this book, yet in 1974 Atlanta, I am sure this was the case. Some of the scenes left me speechless while others had me laughing out loud. Overall, I gave the book the whole 5 stars mainly for the originality of the book and the way Slaughter told the story.

  • Cop Town

    5
    By Nightread
    So good! Missed my hair appt. I could not put this book down. I was a young woman during the 60's and 70's and fortunately my daughters are spared the powerlessness we often did not recognize at the time. Thank you for your good work. Linda Lou :)

  • Intense

    4
    By Always Tracking
    Have read all of Karin Slaughter's novels. Her character development is at the top of the game. Her writing just keeps getting better. I was curious about what was going to happen to the characters but not attached to them as I have been in her series novels. Her use of gutter language was too much and her point would have been made just as easily with less of it. While not my favorite Slaughter novel, it was an intense read and would recommend it.

  • Cop Town

    5
    By Mlm1043
    Great book loved the story line and could not hardly put it down. Would enjoy another book on these characters also.Loved story line on police life.

  • Cop Town

    4
    By AustinReader
    I'm a big fan of Karin Slaughter, and I liked "Cop Town", but I like Will Trent better, and truth be told, I've never gotten over Sara and Jeffery.

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