2 Bloggers 1 Series - Triptych (Will Trent #1)

 

After finally finishing Karin Slaughter's Grant County series last year, Stormi and I had always planned on starting the companion Will Trent series.  I never stopped to think how hard it would be to get my hands on a copy since the TV series recently started but I FINALLY managed to snag a large print copy at one of my local libraries.  So read on to see my thoughts and then hop over to Stormi's at Storm Reads to see her's.

TITLE: Triptych (Will Trent #1)

AUTHOR: Karin Slaughter

PUBLISHER:: Delacorte Press

PUBLISHING DATE: August 16, 2006

SOURCE: Library

PAGES: 393

FROM GOODREADS: In the city of Atlanta, women are dying—at the hands of a killer who signs his work with a single, chilling act of mutilation. Leaving behind enough evidence to fuel a frenzied police hunt, this cunning madman is bringing together dozens of lives, crossing the boundaries of wealth and race. And the people who are chasing him must cross those boundaries too. Among them is Michael Ormewood, a veteran detective whose marriage is hanging by a thread—and whose arrogance and explosive temper are threatening his career. And Angie Polaski, a beautiful vice cop who was once Michael's lover before she became his enemy.

But another player has entered the game: a loser ex-con who has stumbled upon the killer's trail in the most coincidental of ways—someone who may be the key to breaking the case wide open...

MY THOUGHTS: So Triptych is your basic police procedural mystery and as I have read quite a few Slaughter books by now, I expected it to be gory and full or twists and turns.  I wasn't wrong in that aspect but I was a bit shocked by how montonous I found this one.  Several women in Atlanta have been killed in similar ways hinting at a serial killer on the loose.  The local police officer. who I disliked right from the start, is looking into the matter and Will Trent, an famous or maybe infamous is a better description, is assigned to assist.  The men do not really like each other, possibly due to the fact they have both had a relationship with the same woman in the past, and lots of ego-filled posturing occurs.  The investigation is further complicated by the presence of an ex-con who may or may not be linked to the killings and possibly in more ways than one.

So, I have to ask.  Does Karin Slaughter have an issue with female law enforcement?  ANgie, the main female officer in this book, is almost a carbon copy of Lena, along with her hot-mess of a life, who was prominent in the Grant County series.  And I couldn't stand Lena so there was no hope for Angie right from the start.  I also found Will Trent kind of dull and reallly hope the series picks up in the next installment.  The mystery was decent but it was written as to where you pretty much see what is going on as it progresses and the narrative basically just explains what you've already been told.

As I mentioned, I do plan in continuing with a few more books because I know this series is well-loved.  I just hope some things change and that I find them more enjoyable that this one.

RATING: 3 PAWS

2 Bloggers 1 Book

 

So Stormi had another interesting pick for her thriller project this month and I jumped right on the bandwagon and picked up as copy as well.  I do believe I enjoyed this more than she did so she may be regretting her choice but I am glad she brought this book to my attention.  So, check out my review and then hop over to Stormi's at Storm Reads to see her's.

TITLE: One of the Girls

AUTHOR: Lucy Clarke

PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam's Sons

PUBLISHING DATE: June 28, 2022

SOURCE: Library    

PAGES: 432

FROM GOODREADS: It was supposed to be the perfect weekend away. Six very different women travel to a sun-soaked Greek island for a bachelorette trip, to celebrate Lexi’s upcoming wedding. From the glorious ocean views to the quaint tavernas and whitewashed streets, the vacation seems too good to be true. But dangerous undercurrents run beneath the sunset swims and midnight cocktails – because each of the women is hiding a secret. Someone is determined to make sure that Lexi’s marriage never happens – and that one of them doesn’t leave the island alive.

Gripping, twisty, and full of sun-soaked suspense, this timely thriller examines the joys of female friendship…as well as the deadly consequences when a relationship goes wrong.

MY THOUGHTS: At the beginning I didn't have high hopes for this book.  We are following 6 women who are headed to a Greek Island for Lexi's hen party prior to her impending wedding.  Some of the women are part of an old friend group and a few are new.  It took a while for my brain keep track of who was who at the beginning but since I had the physical copy, I easily caught on.  

From the start the reader is clued into the fact that someone has died, and the book unravels what leads to that incident without ever revealing the identity of the victim.  The reader is given back stories and clues and to be honest, I had a few candidates I desperately wanted to nominate for the role.  This book held plenty of twists and turns and even though in my opinion most were predictable, it was still a fun ride.  And at the end, I was pleasantly surprised and a bit shocked at the conclusion.  

My main complaint with this book is that I find it highly unbelievable that 6 people, especially some who are new to this long-established friend group, have lives that are so entwined that the plot is even possible.  At times I couldn't put this down and for me, it was a quick read.  I really liked that we got chapters from each of the girls' perspectives, some more than others, and was overall satisfied with the ending.  I don't think this book has gotten a lot of hype but for people who enjoy thrillers, I do think it's worth consideration.  

RATING: 4 PAWS