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, 9/16/2013Karin 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.