Rating: 
Summary: Very, very, very over-touted work
Review: While Blindsighted showed some promise, Slaughter's follow-up book loses points. She makes a number of mistakes. First, there's far too much time spent on truly unlikeable characters. Second, the two protagonists are cardboard cutouts. No? Try imagining them as friends for a minute ... Couldn't happen, as there's just not enough substance. Third, there's too little action and too much character background, one inner conflict after another, *endless* self-questioning, which is meant to show their depth I guess but only makes them look weak and unsure. Forth, I had A LOT of problems with sloppy, unrealistic procedures, as though the town wasn't staffed by professionals but was using the butcher to sub as the sheriff and the local school teacher as the doctor. Finally, a lot of the dialogue seemed forced, and some actually made me cringe. I'm not sure I'd even buy the paperback on this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Disgusting, and probably more accurate than we care to think
Review: Wow. I am left monosyllabic after reading Kisscut, the second volume in a new series by Karin Slaughter. First, let's discuss the writing. Slaughter has made great strides since her first novel, Blindsighted. Her writing has improved (sorry, it's too intangible to say just how). She plunges the reader right into the story, and rarely allows one to come up for air until the end. I read the first three chapters in about 3 seconds. She sets the tone very nicely, and the first dramatic confrontation is superbly written. Slaughter spends more time with Jeffery Tolliver, the police chief, and his exploration of the events than with the nominal main character, Dr Sara Linton. Detective Lena Adams, still recovering (?) from her difficulties in the previous novel, gets too much ink (in my opinion) dwelling on what has happened to her. Still, I have to say spreading the narrative between three main characters is a new approach. It's growing on me. Then there's the subject matter. A sensitive reader might wish to stop after the first few chapters, because the horrors begin to unfold quickly. Slaughter is either 1) a sick puppy, or 2) daring enough to present things other authors wouldn't touch on a bet. I'll go with 2). This book explores the darkest side of human nature. The details are truly sickening at times, and I will not discuss them here (I'm no spoiler). I'm very sad to realize these things likely happen in real life much as they do in Grant county: daily and right under our noses. For anyone with a strong constitution, this book is a must-read entry in what is becoming a fine new series.
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