Saturday night dates at the skating rink have been a tradition in the small southern town of Heartsdale for as long as anyone can remember, but when a teenage quarrel explodes into a deadly shoot-out, Sara Linton -- the town's pediatrician and medical examiner -- finds herself entangled in a terrible tragedy.
What seemed at first to be a horrific individual catastrophe proves to have wider implications. The autopsy reveals evidence of long-term abuse, of ritualistic self-mutilation, but when Sara and police chief Jeffrey Tolliver start to investigate, they are frustrated at every turn.
The children surrounding the victim close ranks. The families turn their backs. Then a young girl is abducted and it becomes clear that the first death is linked to an even more brutal crime, one far more shocking than anyone could have imagined. Meanwhile, detective Lena Adams, still recovering from her sister's death and her own brutal attack, finds herself drawn to a young man who might hold the answers. But unless Lena, Sara, and Jeffrey can uncover the deadly secrets the children hide, it's going to happen again.
Performed by Patricia Kalember
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"Equally interesting compared to book 1. There is a lot of reflection back to the crimes in book 1 along with a whole new, equally graphic crime plot that focused on crimes against children. I enjoyed the return of all the characters from book 1, and the crime investigating in this one was a little more predictable making for a pretty quick read."
— Vicki (4 out of 5 stars)
“Engrossing…[with] meticulous characterizations.”
— People“Few young writers show more promise than the thirty-year-old Slaughter. She writes…with skill, anger, sensitivity, and compassion.”
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution“Slaughter has again written a fast-paced thriller for those not faint of heart.”
— Library Journal“It’s not easy to transcend a model like Patricia Cornwell, but Slaughter does so in a thriller whose breakneck plotting and not-for-the-squeamish forensics provide grim manifestations of a deeper evil her mystery trumpets without ever quite containing.
— Kirkus Reviews" Yes, the central theme of this book isn't easy to take, but it's wonderfully written. "
— Charlotte, 2/13/2014" This is the second book in this series. I really enjoyed it. IMO the first one was much better. I'm curious to see what the third will be like. It does have alot of twists and turns and definitely keeps you quessing. The major characters really stand out, but I would've like to see some of the lesser major ones in this book described and their feelings show up more. All in all a very satisfying read. "
— Karendenice, 2/4/2014" I thoroughly enjoyed the 2nd book in the Grant Series. I evened liked it better than Blindsighted. This story is more twisted, and we get more into the main characters back stories. Karin Slaughter is a great storyteller and really draws the reader into the story. I cannot wait to read #3! "
— Betsy, 1/16/2014" This series really gets under the skin! "
— Lee, 1/14/2014" Graphic in the murder scenes, but what murder isn't grisly and senseless. She just makes it real, the atrocities that we perpetrate on one another. All of her books are really good. Its a great mystery and I like the realtionship between Sara and Jefferey. I like the fact that she doesn't make it easy for him to get back in her life. "
— Stacy, 1/12/2014" well.....another good book from Karin slaughter! I will say I'm a bit horrified with the story line,that book will stick in my head till no end. debating on whether I will read the next book. "
— Kerrence, 1/7/2014" This was a very good book, probably worthy of 4 stars, but the crime was so awful that I don't want to give it any more. "
— Clbplym, 11/27/2013" I don't like people who sexually abuse children, nor do I like to read about it. I didn't like this book because of it. "
— Dean, 11/26/2013" good second entry in the sara linton series. "
— Sherry, 11/25/2013" She is sooooo good, if you read only one book a year, you have to read one of Karin Slaughter. "
— Vera, 11/15/2013" Wow after I read this book Karin slaughter became my favorite author! "
— Kristen, 9/16/2013" Not bad. Sometimes her books are terribly goary. "
— Nancy, 7/12/2013" Really enjoying Karin Slaughter's well-written crime novels. The subject matter on this one was really tough, but well-done. "
— Margaret, 6/9/2013" Ik vind dit boek spannender dan het eerste deel. Ik zat meer in het verhaal en had moeite om het boek weg te leggen. Zo graag wilde ik weten hoe het af zou laten. Ik ben benieuwd naar deel 3. Ook heb ik Triptiek van haar bij de bieb geleend. "
— Hannie, 10/7/2012" I sometimes felt a bit uncomfortable with this book because of the main crime and themes running through it but it was well written and i loved it! "
— Vicky, 7/30/2012" Such a terrible story so well written. I love the characters in Slaughter's Grant County series but the things they have to deal with are just terrible. Nevertheless, I did enjoy every horrifying page and can't wait to dive into book #3. "
— Frankie, 5/11/2012" Very Good; Continuing character: Sara Linton/Jeff Tolliver; brutal child pornography is at the center of this story, as the pediatrician and her ex-husband police chief look to stop further harm "
— Joe, 11/2/2011" I liked it, but I think Blindsighted was much better...still, will be getting the next book in this series on my kindle later today. I do like having the continuity of the same main characters in sequential books. "
— Grace, 6/28/2011" I think all my reviews of Karin Slaughter's books are going to basically say the same thing - excellent, original plots, well-crafted believable characters, unexpected endings, gripping page turners than make you want to read more. "
— Craftersapprentice, 4/10/2011" Love the book. Definately a good mystery. Although there were lots of horrifing, and graphic details, they made the mystery that much more suspensful and terrorfying. "
— Melissa, 2/24/2011" A very good new author. Best to read series in order. "
— Julie, 2/5/2011" Again great book really loving this author & when you think things couldn't get worse they do! My kinda book! x x "
— Caroline, 1/20/2011" Enjoyed reading this, although I wasn't fond of the subject matter. But I still like the characters and how some more than others are being developed from the previous book - Blindsighted. "
— Curlyhair, 12/20/2010" I love the main characters though I find it hard to believe a peds doc would do autopsies. "
— Jacquelynn, 11/21/2010" This book was disturbing to say the least. I found it hard to put down, because I just had to know what was going to happen. I Love Slaughter's books, and can't wait to read the next one, but based on the content of this one.....I definitely wouldn't recommend it to the faint. "
— Tawnie, 11/15/2010Karin Slaughter is one of the world's most popular storytellers. She is the author of more than twenty instant Sunday Times bestselling novels, including the Edgar-nominated Cop Town. She is an international bestseller, with her novels published in 120 countries with more than forty million copies sold across the globe. Pieces of Her is now a #1 Netflix original series starring Toni Collette, Will Trent is now a television series starring Ramon Rodríguez on ABC, and further projects are in development for television. She is the founder of the Save the Libraries project, a nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming.
Patricia Kathryn Kalember is an American actress best known for her role as Georgiana “Georgie” Reed Whitsig in the NBC drama series, Sisters. Kalember also had the leading roles in a number of television films and co-starred in several feature films including Fletch Lives, Signs, The Company Men, and Limitless, as well as recurring roles in the TV show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.