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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I'll read anything written by one of my favorite authors, Karin Slaughter. However, I really thought the author took a fatal misstep with Cop Town...until I became totally engrossed by the lead female characters, Maggie and Kate, and utterly obsessed with trying to identify the serial killer. The author had me cringing with the all-too-well written descriptions of the blatant and casual physical and mental brutality that female cops endured in that time and place. Gritty and shocking, Cop Town is a coming of age story for both Maggie and Kate as they battle through nearly unimaginable trials and challenges and emerge stronger for it. Yup, Karin Slaughter is one of my favorite authors for a good reason...she can WRITE!
This was a selection for our mystery book club. I have not read anything else by Slaughter, and this is a stand alone, so I didn't need knowledge of other characters.
I felt that, sadly, the attitudes held by the police in this 1970s novel were accurately represented in light of the incidents in our country of late, especially in Ferguson.
I didn't find any of the characters likeable. They seemed to be stereotypes of different unpleasant people we have all encountered in our lives. Every male character is an almost cartoon version of some type: a racist, a woman beater, a sexual predator, an anti-Semite, a woman hater, a homophobe, you name it, it's here. The female characters are just as one dimensional in their "I'm a woman, but I am a police officer, so please respect me, but remember that I'm here because my husband died and I have to support myself" fashion.
The reader had insights into the thoughts and actions of the killer known as Fox. The final reveal left me dissatisfied, trying to join the insights with the actualities of the real person. I don't want to give spoilers, so this might just have to sound confusing.
I know that the first page seemed to use the author's quota of descriptive words. She did calm down after that first spillage.
I wonder if she spent time with Patricia Cornwell; perhaps this book and Cornwell's The Bone Bed were written to see if the readers would notice and call the authors to task for this trick.
I may try one of her other books in future, but right now, I have too many books in the "to read" pile. I am sorry I didn't enjoy this one.
I felt that, sadly, the attitudes held by the police in this 1970s novel were accurately represented in light of the incidents in our country of late, especially in Ferguson.
I didn't find any of the characters likeable. They seemed to be stereotypes of different unpleasant people we have all encountered in our lives. Every male character is an almost cartoon version of some type: a racist, a woman beater, a sexual predator, an anti-Semite, a woman hater, a homophobe, you name it, it's here. The female characters are just as one dimensional in their "I'm a woman, but I am a police officer, so please respect me, but remember that I'm here because my husband died and I have to support myself" fashion.
The reader had insights into the thoughts and actions of the killer known as Fox. The final reveal left me dissatisfied, trying to join the insights with the actualities of the real person. I don't want to give spoilers, so this might just have to sound confusing.
I know that the first page seemed to use the author's quota of descriptive words. She did calm down after that first spillage.
I wonder if she spent time with Patricia Cornwell; perhaps this book and Cornwell's The Bone Bed were written to see if the readers would notice and call the authors to task for this trick.
I may try one of her other books in future, but right now, I have too many books in the "to read" pile. I am sorry I didn't enjoy this one.
Great writing.
1970s Atlanta GA.
Maggie comes from a family of soldiers and cops. Her uncle and brother are both on the police force at the same station as Maggie. Her father was a soldier durring WWII and came home with shell shock (PTSD).
Kate is a widow who lost her husband to the Vietnam war. Being a secretary wasnt for her, and so Kate decides to join the police force, knowing that being a female would already make her a target she hides the fact that she comes from a privileged life, and is also Jewish.
1970s Atlanta GA.
Maggie comes from a family of soldiers and cops. Her uncle and brother are both on the police force at the same station as Maggie. Her father was a soldier durring WWII and came home with shell shock (PTSD).
Kate is a widow who lost her husband to the Vietnam war. Being a secretary wasnt for her, and so Kate decides to join the police force, knowing that being a female would already make her a target she hides the fact that she comes from a privileged life, and is also Jewish.
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I never understood the motivation of one of the two main characters. She didn't make much sense to me, and the author offering a jointed version of her interpretation of self seemed insincere. I also didn't care for the mistreatment of the women in the book regardless of if was accurate of the time frame. Despite this, it was exciting.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
3.5 stars. I’m so torn on this one. While I loved the writing—as usual—I found it incredibly difficult to read through all the racism and sexism. Going into the book, I knew the story was set during the 1970s and the majority of the characters were trash but it was still hard to overlook. And Philip and Kate? GAG.
That being said, I was hooked from the first page and enjoyed the story at the center of the novel.
That being said, I was hooked from the first page and enjoyed the story at the center of the novel.
The physical and violent attitude towards women was brutal and depressing even for me