I am a fan of this Will Trent Series . Just from the prologue I was on the edge of my seat . I love a police procedural because it’s like you’re in the case yourself finding the details discovering clues that will bring you closer to solving the case but not without a twist here and there. It us I retry lengthy but the details are so good that you don’t really realize it.

RATING: 5 STARS
2020; William Morrow/Blackstone Audio

I still remember the night I started Blindsighted (book 1) and how hooked I was on the book. I shut the book and thought, "What did I just read?" This is one series I have read since the first book came out. This series has invoked so many emotions, and made each character seem so real. I will admit right off the bat, I had a crush on Jeffrey Tolliver, and at the same time was so exasperated with his relationship with Lena. She has always rubbed me the wrong way no matter how I try to see the good in her. These characters - some more flawed than others - seem real to me, so Slaughter ripped out my heart my Undone. I should have known when Will came on the scene something was up. Will is very different than Jeffery, but he has that same quality that just draws you to him. It made it easier to let Jeffery go, and stop watching Misery as a game plan.

In this book, we revisit with Jeffery in the past, and see Will and Sara in the present trying to be with one another. I was all over the place with this one - pausing the audiobook just to catch up to my emotions. Sometimes muttering to myself over a character's motivation or action. If you have read and loved this series, I think this one will be a treat...and if you haven't read the series, get back to book one. This series will wreck you in a way that your first favourite book did. I have listened to the last several books on audio, and highly recommend it.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss, and audiobook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

My Highly Caffeinated Thought: A dark, chilling, and gripping suspense which brings to the present a past that some of our favorite characters are trying to move on from.

This novel marks the tenth book in the Will Trent series! I cannot believe that I have been embarking on investigations with this cast of characters for ten books. Oh…what a ride it has been. In her latest, Slaughter instantly reminds us why she is so damn good. She shows the underbelly of society while still managing to give her readers the goodness we all possess.

THE SILENT WIFE mixes the past and the present in an investigation of a rapist and serial killer from years ago. If the criminal is telling the truth, the person who did these horrible crimes could still be out there and committing more. The twist is that the case was closed by medical examiner Sarah Linton’s deceased husband Jeffrey Tolliver. Needless to say, there is a whole lot of messy emotional things happening while the team is looking to see if the man convicted did commit the crimes.

As per usual, there is a lot of procedure within the GBI. By grounding the novel in the nitty-gritty of the investigation, it allows the tension to build as some of the twists and turns are thrown at our characters. Then, when you add in all the interpersonal relationships and interactions, it makes the story just that much better.

Honestly, I can see myself reading about Will Trent and the GBI crew for years to come and I truly hope that will be the case. I always get the perfect mix of darkness, suspense, bits of humor, and moments of compassion. No matter what, I am never disappointed.

I have always enjoyed Karin Slaughter. This book is no different. I really liked this book also. Sara and Will have gotten things worked out. Will can’t forget Thomas and wonders if Sara has gotten over him.
Although I don’t usually listen to audiobooks, this was very good. My mind tends to wander but didn’t so much this time.

This audiobook is another winner for Karin Slaughter. Another book in the Will Trent and Sara Linton series. The book starts with a prison riot that is investigated by Will's team. While interviewing the suspects after the riot, Will's team speaks to an inmate who claims he has been falsely imprisoned. This leads to the re-opening of several rape/murder cases that happened many years ago. Lots of twists in this page turner.

The Silent Wife by Karin Slaughter

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for a digital audio ARC for an honest review.

It was a gripping, action-packed story. It was gritty at times but well done. Looking forward to her next installment with her well developed characters and storyline.

The narrator Kathleen Early kept me on the edge of my seat with this thriller.

#TheSilentWife #NetGalley

If you have read Karin Slaughter “Will Trent” and “Grant County” series, than you will love this Book. Karin does a brilliant job blending past and current characters, while guiding you on a detailed journey through the story. The characters are so well described it feels like you are catching up with old friends. Can’t wait for the next book!

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

The Silent Wife is the first novel in the Will Trent series by Karin Slaughter that I have read. One would think coming in at book #10 might not be the smartest move, but I must say that I was not put off by not having the background. And the story was so good that I do not feel I missed a whole lot by entering the series at this time, except that dang…. I have missed out on a lot of good novels and I am going to have to make reading this series a priority in the future! This psychological thriller / police procedural was gripping, entertaining, a bit twisted and an all around fantastic read. I was brought into the story and the life of Will Trent and all that entailed right from the very beginning.

In The Silent Wife, we find Will Trent entrenched in the murder case of inmate Jesus Vasquez as a result of a prison riot. During the investigative stage, Will speaks with inmate Daryl Nesbit who has claimed his innocence of his crimes of rape and murder from the very beginning and attributes his incarceration as a result of “bad” cops. One of these “bad” cops is the deceased husband, Jeffrey Tolliver, of his girlfriend, Dr. Sara Linton. So Will and his partner Faith begin to question the old case in an effort to solve the new case. The storyline is tangled and weaved from the past and the present simultaneously. At the very beginning, I had to re-read the first few chapters to get a sense of what was really going on, but once it was solidified in my mind – I was good to go. The story just flowed.

I did find the crimes horrific and many times felt myself wanting to weep for those poor women victims. What a monster was all I could think – to perform the types of atrocities described on these innocent women was unconscionable. And how Will, Faith and Sarah dealt with that really gave me pause and thought for police and medical examiners everywhere – what a tough job. The dual timeline was intriguing and really a big part of capturing my interest (thought did take a bit of pause to have them come together in my mind given the lack of history with all the characters).

The author, Karin Slaughter, provided many potential “bad” guys while rooting through the investigations directed previously by former Chief Jeffrey Tolliver. I could not imagine the anguish that Sara had to go through while they were questioning her deceased husbands’ previous actions. What a strain that seemed to put on Sara Will’s relationship.

While I do not want to get into too much detail (as each reader must take this journey without my words in their head), I found the flow of the discovery of what really happened and who the good and bad guys were very engaging, I also found the relationship between Will and Sara just as enthralling. The evolution of each character kept my interest and I was constantly rooting for them to just sit down and have an honest conversation.

Happily, the conclusion was satisfactory and there was enough summation to leave me satisfied. Whew.

Now all I can think about, is beginning the series and the start and getting to eventually read this 10th book in the Will Trent Series by Karin Slaughter again in the future. And of course, lamenting on how long I have been missing out on the storytelling of Ms. Slaughter!!!

Another great book by Karin Slaughter! Suspenseful and the narrator was great and took you on a journey to find the killer the GB Investigator Will Trent is looking at all possibilities. Well written and will keep you listening or reading to the end.

I really enjoyed the narrator they did a great job reading this slaughter book. . Fast paced and packed full of action. Another wonderful thing is they always start out with a bang and this one is no different. It gets you hooked right away. There is the perfect amount of crime drama and relationship drama without one feeling too domineering. I have always loved the relationship between Will and Sara. The crimes are always so intricate and well thought out and I love how it ties together at the end. As I say with all Karin Slaughter books, just get it, you won’t be disappointed.

The past is brought to the present for Will Trent, Faith Evans, and the GBI are called in after a riot a the state pen. An inmate is claiming that he was framed by the late Jeffrey Linton. When Will and Faith start digging into the crimes that were attributed to the inmate. With the help of Sara Linton, they start to recognize that there are similarities between recent events and what happened to put him in prison. But he has been in prison, so is there a copycat killer stalking, raping, and killing women? Or did they have the wrong person all along?

I think that Will Trent is my favorite fictional detective. As I was listening to the audiobook of The Silent Wife, I wondered why his character hasn't been optioned for a television series. The Silent Wife is unique because the timeline jumps around. The past, when Jeffrey Linton was investigating the original crimes, and present-day when Will, Faith, and Sara are trying to determine if the new crimes are connected. It was great to get to "see" Jeffrey Linton again and watch the way he engaged with Sara, it explains a lot about how she engages with Will in the present-day. I will say that The Silent Wife is a story about crimes against women. Graphic and horrific crimes that may be difficult for some to read. I will say that the story ends on a high note with a surprise that will just delight longtime Will Trent fans! CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERS -

Bottom Line - Karin Slaughter has spent years developing Will Trent, Faith Evans, and Sara Linton. I look forward to every new book that allows us a chance to spend more time with them. The Silent Wife is just evidence at how much the characters have grown. And I patiently wait to see what happens next.

Details:
The Silent Wife by Karin Slaughter
On Instagram
Pages: 496
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: 8/4/2020
Buy it Here!
Thank you to NetGalley for the free book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my second Karin Slaughter book, and I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future. Even for having not read the other books in this series, the book gave enough backstory for this book to be completely enjoyable on its own. Slaughter's strong point I think is her characters. She puts so much life into her characters, and makes them fully 3-dimensional, which we don't always get to see in thriller/myster/suspense novels. I really love that she takes the time to not only flesh out her stories and her plot but also her characters. I really loved this one, and can't wait to read more by this author.

Karin Slaughter is known for her phenomenal storytelling. She shines with this book. The Silent Wift k is perfect for people that love domestic thrillers. This is a great book to cozy up with on a rainy day.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

I have been a fan of Karin Slaughter for some time now, but I have only read her stand-alones. I have loved them immensely, despite how dark and disturbing they tend to be, so when I was offered the chance to read/listen to this latest one, I jumped at it. I didn't realize at first that it was part of her series...a long-standing one at that. So, I did something that I am not really fond of doing, but have been doing more and more lately and that is jumping into a series midway.

While I always prefer starting a series at the beginning because I love getting all that character development, I know that it is not always possible, and as was the case here, time was not in my favor. On top of that, there is always the possibility that I might not like the series enough to even make it that far...I had book 10 and didn't even own the earlier books. So, throwing caution to the wind, I jumped in. And I found that I wasn't too lost. Most authors these days give just enough backstory to keep new readers engaged so that they understand what is going on and I felt I had a good handle on things. Do I want to go back to the beginning? ABSOLUTELY!!!

This story grabbed me from the beginning and never lets up. This book addresses violence against women and it's gritty, creepy and raw. These books are not for the feint of heart. I loved the police procedural/detective aspect of the story and even the slight romance part kept it from staying too dark the entire time. The multiple points of view and having the story move and back in time kept the story moving and as it is quite a long book, this helps! I never once felt that this book dragged and that's saying something - this book is close to 500 pages/over 18 hours of audio-time and I was totally captivated the entire time. I listened to the whole thing, but loved having the print book on hand as there were times I needed to go back to reference something or reread some section and it's always so much easier to do that in the print book than in an audiobook.

This story is complex and I loved that I never once knew where things were headed. I also loved that as the story moved back and forth in time, we would be left with little hints as to what might come next. This really kept me engaged and I had such a hard time putting the book down. While I tried to put the pieces together, I never saw the end coming and that's a good thing. I love being caught off guard. And this one completely shocked me in the best way possible.

I do not regret picking this book up mid-series. I enjoyed the story as I knew I would because I love Karin Slaughter's writing. And now I know I have a series I am looking forward to going back to reading from the beginning. I am eager to really getting to know these characters on a deeper level and seeing how they all fit together.

But now I am in a bit of a quandry...I want to go back to the beginning...but what beginning? Do I start at the beginning of the Will Trent series or do I need to go back further to the Grant County series? If you've read these series...let me know what you suggest I do!


Audio thoughts: This audiobook was fantastic! I have found a new series to binge. I will absolutely be going back to the beginning and will certainly be listening and I can only hope that Kathleen Early is the narrator for this whole series. She does a phenomenal job with the voices, giving each character their own distinct voice and personality. I am such a stickler for consistency when it comes to narrators and series when possible and I really hope there is some consistency here. Her pacing and intonation was spot on and she infused just the right amount of emotion and tension into her voice as needed.

I love Karin Slaughter's books. Her writing brings her characters to life as they race to solve the current crime and bring justice to the victims. I'm not a huge fan of audiobooks but I enjoyed this one. The narration was paced to bring out the best in the story while this narrator conveyed shock, surprise, dismay...all of the emotions that I usually get from the books. I may have to change my mind on audio books

This tenth novel in the Will Trent series is a great addition. Will and Sarah’s relationship is more closely examined, as is the reputation of Sarah’s deceased husband Jeffrey. Action packed thrills begin as the team investigates a prisoners claim that he was falsely accused of the brutal rapes of which he stands accused.. A strong series entry will please fans and leave them anxious for the next installment,
Unputdownable !

NOT the book for a Karin Slaughter newbie to start with (or an almost-newbie...I did read her very first Grant County book, though I remember more details about the crime than I do about the characters that show up again here). I spent much of the first half trying to keep straight who was whom and when that part of the book was taking place. (It would have been helpful if the audio version had added "x years earlier" or similar to the chapters from the past, just saying "Grant County, Tuesday" and similar didn't quite cut it for this reader, at least not while I was still trying to keep characters and timelines straight in my head.)

Still, this was one heck of a read, once I really got into it and could keep the Sara and Will storyline straight from the Sara and Jeffrey one. The villain is terrifying, his crimes horrific, and OMG how it all unfolds and he is revealed still has me reeling. Good grief, I don't know that I'll ever be able to casually touch my hair in public ever again without thinking of this book...thanks for that, Ms Slaughter.

I don't know yet if I'll go back and read all of the books between the first that I read and this one (really not a Jeffrey fan from things revealed here) but chances are excellent I may read the ones that come after--especially after how this one ends!

Rating: 4 stars / A-

(Though I really enjoyed the book, the listening experience through the app was less than ideal. It often stopped for no apparent reason, and none of the "chapters" were given unique names, so when it also kicked me out of the book it was very difficult to figure out where I was in it! They literally all said "chapter _ of 34" on them, with no number in place of the _. Hopefully these bugs will be worked out soon...I used the app on an Android.)

I love the character of Will Trent. As raw and real and flawed that he is, he is also kind and loving and determined. Pairing him with Sara Linton adds such emotional sophistication that is just the right blend of personalities to give this story of rape and its stigma the empathetic treatment as well as the police procedural elements to keep the reader satisfied.

It’s been a minute since I finished this. I actually listened to it when I was Covid testing, and it was the best distraction from the monotony of the job. But now I know, this is the tenth Will Trent book, and I’ve got book one on hold at the library. I’m ready to start at the beginning so I can be introduced to Will and Sara, Lena and Jeffrey (I’ll eventually figure out what all of that means).
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As a stand-alone, without knowing any of the main players, I thought this was fantastic. It involves an investigation of young women murdered at Grant Tech. The story itself is brilliant and I loved the writing.

This was my first Will Trent book, but I didn't feel like I missed much of the back story. I will definitely be reading more! Karin Slaughter is such a fun writer of dark material.