A review by dr_dr_olshakes
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Splatter punk skin in thriller clothing.

Horrifying, tense, and captivating. I didn't want to put it down. Though I did take a short break to get through my 72 hour migraine. Serial rapist killer isn't exactly healing. It was so easy to get right back into the flow and tension.

I really appreciate how easily each twist flowed into the next one without a break in logic or something so shocking it shoves you out of the story. It feels more like an inevitable progression of horrors. Claire and Lydia are complex, nuanced characters that keep you invested, both in their actions and development. 

There are some images that will stick around for a long time.

Breast mutilation always gets to me (If I Die in Juarez, Lisey's Story) and I keep thinking about the casual description of Julia's body.

I meant the comparison to splatter punk, but without the mean-spirited, masculine tang that tends to rest heavy on that genre. It didn't pull any punches and went a lot, lot further than I thought it would.

The Epstien-level ending was the only part that hit a little askew for me, but overall this is a top notch thriller.