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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This book is set in Atlanta in 1974. The author has done alot of research on what it was like in that time and reading this book I felt like I was stepping right into the city and experiencing it all. Atlanta was rife with sexism, racism, homophobia, violence and corupt cops. This is all portrayed so well that the descriptions and derogatory language used made me feel uncomfortable.
The story focusses around Kate, a new recruit in her first week on the job. The big case at this time is a cop killer.
I recieved this book free from NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.
The story focusses around Kate, a new recruit in her first week on the job. The big case at this time is a cop killer.
I recieved this book free from NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This is my 2nd Karin Slaughter book. I read Pretty Girls first and felt that I needed to give KS another shot. The first book was so sick that I had a hard time reading it and therefore couldn't decide if I liked the author or if she was too twisted to read. This second book gave me a better understanding of her writing. Cop Town still involves a mentally disturbed main character, but this one seems to have less sexual deviance (not none, but less- although he does mention some of the twisted ideas more prevalent in Pretty Girls, it's not his, main focus).
This was not a favorite book, but I can respect the writing style and the suspense and mystery did keep me guessing until the end. It was a quick read as I was trying to figure out the mystery and wanted to keep going. Other than the psychopath, the main character are well developed, believable, relatable and even likable. I may try one of the KS series next to see what they are like.
This was not a favorite book, but I can respect the writing style and the suspense and mystery did keep me guessing until the end. It was a quick read as I was trying to figure out the mystery and wanted to keep going. Other than the psychopath, the main character are well developed, believable, relatable and even likable. I may try one of the KS series next to see what they are like.
Absolutely great book. A good balance between procedure and character interaction. I purchased a Will Trent book on a fluke and have now finished every book Karin has written. They were on the shelf waiting for me and now I waiting for Karin.
I inhaled Cop Town by Karin Slaughter. I haven’t previously read anything else by Slaughter but heard good reviews about this book. They were right. Cop Town is a tense novel set in 1970’s Atlanta during a time when cops are being killed on the streets.
Another book with a gripping Prologue. Jimmy Lawson is a cop running through town with his partner over his shoulder. Enough details are provided to know that someone shot his partner and tried to shot Jimmy but the gun jammed. He makes it to the hospital.
We next meet his sister, Maggie, also a cop. She learns about the shooting when she wakes up. Her uncle, Terry Lawson, arrives. He’s another cop bent on catching whoever tried to kill his nephew. Over Maggie’s shoulder we see her life is difficult for a myriad of reasons – her family, her gender, her profession. Terry doesn’t want to hear her theories about The Shooter, the uncaught man who has killed other cops in the same manner. Terry doesn’t really think Maggie should be a cop.
That same day, a new recruit joins the force. Kate Murphy is a widow trying to find a purpose in her life. The hazing for a rookie begins before she even walks in the door. Her official uniform is too large as are the hat and shoes assigned to her. Walking through the station to the women’s locker room is a gauntlet of men touching her and making rude comments. The women aren’t any better. There are rules she can’t even begin to know.
Using a rookie as a central character was a keen choice by Slaughter. It provides two things: a reason for information to be provided about the world the newbie has entered as well as an outsider’s perspective. Some of the best scenes are Kate being schooled by Maggie or any number of other female cops and detectives.
Here’s the breakdown so far:
•Prologue: Jimmy’s partner is shot.
•Chapter One: Maggie thinks it’s the shooter.
•Chapter Two: Kate arrives at the station.
•Chapter Three: We meet a man named Fox who is stalking Kate.
What?!?
Exactly. That’s why I enjoyed this book so much. Everything moves so quickly. Those first couple of chapters are illuminating but also tell us very little about the depths of the characters and their motivations. That will be flushed out during the investigation into The Shooter which has many twists and reveals and fascinating characters. Even the supporting cast has an energy to all its own.
While the two protagonists are white females, they are very different. And I say this because this is integral to the book. So much of Cop Town is about how there are many cities within one city. Everyone thinks Atlanta is their city and by everyone I mean the whites in the crappy part of town, the whites in the fancy part of town, the blacks and their various neighborhoods, the college within Atlanta, the cops, the pimps and their girls. There is a lot of rough language in the book coming from certain characters’ mouths. While it may be after the peak of the civil rights movement, there are still many people who don’t want change.
I appreciated being pushed by the language. It forced me to consider my reactions. What bothered me and why? What didn’t bother me and why? It is a testament to Karin Slaughter’s skill that she was able to write a hard core thriller that kept me wanting more while layering in piercing questions about race and diversity and tolerance.
Another book with a gripping Prologue. Jimmy Lawson is a cop running through town with his partner over his shoulder. Enough details are provided to know that someone shot his partner and tried to shot Jimmy but the gun jammed. He makes it to the hospital.
We next meet his sister, Maggie, also a cop. She learns about the shooting when she wakes up. Her uncle, Terry Lawson, arrives. He’s another cop bent on catching whoever tried to kill his nephew. Over Maggie’s shoulder we see her life is difficult for a myriad of reasons – her family, her gender, her profession. Terry doesn’t want to hear her theories about The Shooter, the uncaught man who has killed other cops in the same manner. Terry doesn’t really think Maggie should be a cop.
That same day, a new recruit joins the force. Kate Murphy is a widow trying to find a purpose in her life. The hazing for a rookie begins before she even walks in the door. Her official uniform is too large as are the hat and shoes assigned to her. Walking through the station to the women’s locker room is a gauntlet of men touching her and making rude comments. The women aren’t any better. There are rules she can’t even begin to know.
Using a rookie as a central character was a keen choice by Slaughter. It provides two things: a reason for information to be provided about the world the newbie has entered as well as an outsider’s perspective. Some of the best scenes are Kate being schooled by Maggie or any number of other female cops and detectives.
Here’s the breakdown so far:
•Prologue: Jimmy’s partner is shot.
•Chapter One: Maggie thinks it’s the shooter.
•Chapter Two: Kate arrives at the station.
•Chapter Three: We meet a man named Fox who is stalking Kate.
What?!?
Exactly. That’s why I enjoyed this book so much. Everything moves so quickly. Those first couple of chapters are illuminating but also tell us very little about the depths of the characters and their motivations. That will be flushed out during the investigation into The Shooter which has many twists and reveals and fascinating characters. Even the supporting cast has an energy to all its own.
While the two protagonists are white females, they are very different. And I say this because this is integral to the book. So much of Cop Town is about how there are many cities within one city. Everyone thinks Atlanta is their city and by everyone I mean the whites in the crappy part of town, the whites in the fancy part of town, the blacks and their various neighborhoods, the college within Atlanta, the cops, the pimps and their girls. There is a lot of rough language in the book coming from certain characters’ mouths. While it may be after the peak of the civil rights movement, there are still many people who don’t want change.
I appreciated being pushed by the language. It forced me to consider my reactions. What bothered me and why? What didn’t bother me and why? It is a testament to Karin Slaughter’s skill that she was able to write a hard core thriller that kept me wanting more while layering in piercing questions about race and diversity and tolerance.
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Antisemitism, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion
This was a lot to unpack: racism, homophobia, misogynistic characters, cheating, loss of spouse. But holy hell did it keep me enthralled. I hated so many characters, but it didn’t change the fact that I needed to know how it was going to end. Definitely packed a punch
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
I won't rate a book I did not finish. The plot just wasn't for me. I like this author and I like this character but being set in the 70s and rehashing all the racism and sexism of the era was not what I wanted to read. I'm sure this is just a personal issue and has nothing to do with the author's talent.
I thought this book started out fairly strong. A wealthy woman, recently widowed, begins a new career as a police officer in 1974 Atlanta. Add a liberal dose of male sexual harassment (would open harassment, of this magnitude, be condoned in the Atlanta Police Department, even in 1974?), a serial killer that concentrates on cops, and a cop family with some of the most plentiful antisocial mental disorders that have ever graced the printed page. So far, I'm digging it. But then the two female protagonist officers; one with little experience except for issuing parking tickets and typing out police reports; the other, a rookie with literally hours of experience, team up to track down a killer who has terrorized the city for five years. Can you say, "Whaaaaat?" Sorry, I ain't buying it.
The writing was good, and the dialog seemed fairly realistic. Of course, the only police conversations that I've ever actually heard have been on TV. (Actually heard?) There were some real dialog failures too. The serial killer (seven dead police officers to date) is holding three officers, on the roof of a deserted building, at gun point. As he aims this pistol at the head of one of the kneeling officers, one of our heroes, Kate, says, "Wait. Can't we talk about this?" Are you kidding me? Wait, can't we talk about this?
If you're into police and crime novels, this will do ya until something good comes along. Would I recommend that you check to see if your local bookstore has it on sale, or if Amazon is selling the digital version for $2.99? Nope, I would not. I would recommend you borrow it from a friend, or check it out from your local library like I did.
The writing was good, and the dialog seemed fairly realistic. Of course, the only police conversations that I've ever actually heard have been on TV. (Actually heard?) There were some real dialog failures too. The serial killer (seven dead police officers to date) is holding three officers, on the roof of a deserted building, at gun point. As he aims this pistol at the head of one of the kneeling officers, one of our heroes, Kate, says, "Wait. Can't we talk about this?" Are you kidding me? Wait, can't we talk about this?
If you're into police and crime novels, this will do ya until something good comes along. Would I recommend that you check to see if your local bookstore has it on sale, or if Amazon is selling the digital version for $2.99? Nope, I would not. I would recommend you borrow it from a friend, or check it out from your local library like I did.