Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. Karin Slaughter can do no wrong in my eyes. I will read anything she writes! And this was another fast pace thriller that I couldn't put down.

The Queen of crime thrillers Karin Slaughter (favorite) returns with her popular Will Trent Series with #11 AFTER THAT NIGHT featuring pediatrician/Medical examiner for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Sara Linton. Sara takes center stage where the past and present collide in this emotional, electrifying thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat!

OUTSTANDING! Buckle up, the two heroes—Sara Linton and Will Trent, are back! I love this TV series and have read all the books. Sara and Will are planning their upcoming wedding, and things go off the rails, bringing Sara's horrific past to the present.

Dr. Sara Linton happened to be the attendant at Grady Memorial Hospital Atlanta in Emergency when patient 19-year-old Dani Cooper was brought in. She is an assault victim and tells Sara she was drugged and raped. Sara does everything to try and save her. Sara sympathizes with her since she was a victim of rape herself; however, little does she know how their cases will connect.

Since she is the only one to hear this confession, Sara is the star witness and has to testify at the trial. This is stressful because the rapist is the son of Sara's former colleague, who knows what happened to her fifteen years ago.

Michael McAllister IV is on trial for her assault. Pediatric surgeon Mac McAllister and his wife Britt hire a shark for an attorney to protect their son. Sara was raped fifteen years ago, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy that ended her chance for children in the future. What did this family have to do with her rape?

The trial is grueling, and in the process, the victim's family, whom Sara knows all too well, gets more complex when she discovers how sinister and far-reaching it goes.

Slaughter PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS in this riveting horror of events, from misogyny to rape, and the atrocities from the monsters and law enforcement impacting innocent women. The restroom scene with Britt and Sara was jaw-dropping and shocking. The last play was wicked and satisfying! We also get appearances from Will and the gang to support Sara.

Matches made in heaven:
~Karin Slaughter and Kathleen Early: Always a given. Early's performance was award-winning for all voices. Highly recommend the audiobook!
~Will Trent and Sara Linton (sorry, Angie, you need to move on)

AUDIOBOOK: Kathleen Early is a favorite narrator and makes all the characters come alive. Years ago, I started pre-ordering the audiobook (Slaughter/Early) and was delighted to receive an ALC after I was declined the ARC. I was so excited I listened in one sitting. The emotion in Sara's character was exceptional—you will be hanging on her every word. Slaughter and Trent fans will devour AFTER THAT NIGHT!

A huge fan of Karin (having read all her books) and all TV series episodes (anxiously awaiting the next season)—AFTER THAT NIGHT is one of her BEST! A first-class thriller by a first-class author. Powerful, emotional, and gripping, yet told with compassion.

Dark, gritty, and horrifying. I cannot wait to see this one played out on screen and to see the casting choice for Sara. CASTING: I want to see LANA PARRILLA (from Michael Connelly's Lincoln Lawyer season two, who played Lisa Trammell). She and Will would be dazzling together.

Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an ALC for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
Pub Date: Aug 22, 2023
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Soooo, this was my first encounter with Will and Sara and it was a pleasure to read...it was at the behest of NetGalley and Ms. Slaughter that I read the book and give my honest opinion ahead of publication. Let's just say that the storyline was as surprising to me as how much I ended up liking Will and Sara... I'm not going to give away plot here but the ability to be envious of another and feel an overwhelming need to 'put them in their place' is a foreign thing to me. I will say that I would have NEVER thought that Britt played the part that she did in the 'debacle' and I am horrified at how banged up Sara got by the end. Britt's final act did shed some light on Sara and some of her idiosyncracies so there is that. Look forward to another book featuring Will and Sara. #AfterThatNight #NetGalley #KarinSlaughter #crime #drama #trauma #privilege #dysfunction

The Will Trent series is a true hit both in book and tv form; but the books are better, of course. This one scratched an itch for me after following this series. Would recommend for anyone who loves the series.

I’m a big fan of Karin Slaughter, but this was my first Will Trent book. After That Night is about trauma, how it changes us, and the will to overcome. One night changed the life of many people. Some for good, some for bad. ME Sarah has to decide which for not only herself, but the girl she couldn’t save.

My first Will Trent novel, and I'm wondering how these books haven't been on my radar before.

Nabbing the audiobook, I was at first slightly daunted by the 16+hr duration, but I bumped to my normal 2x narration and took off. The narrator utilized a few different voices to help keep the various characters straight, and while her voice was soothing, it didn't allow me space to zone out. Instead, I found myself seeking out mini-pockets of time to go back for more.

This is definitely a darker story with some moments of levity throughout. Not humor itself, but more lightness that showcases that life is a mix of ups and downs, darks and lights. I appreciated all the threads that weaved together at the end. While it did have my personal detested villian-confesses-all-at-the-end moment, it was less upsetting than normal for me based on the many other intricacies of the plot. This is definitely a book I'd recommend more to adults than students, but a solid read that I quickly devoured.

Overall: 4+ stars

I'll tell my students about: alcohol, language, sex, rape, violence/gore, trauma, death/murder, drugs, graphic descriptions/events/sex

**Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing Audiobooks for the free ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

Well Karin Slaughter did it again. There were moments where I gasped, laughed, and said “what?!” (Yes out loud). I was pulled in very quickly thinking “oh shit! What?!” There was one scene where I was flat out astonished but also felt like I shouldn’t have been. Very much a duh moment for me. And ultimately went in a direction I was not expecting. The side character are so vivid. Even the new ones that we just meet. I kinda liked Eliza even though you’re not really meant to.
Karin Slaughter is one of my auto buy authors. I have read ALL previous Will Trent books before this. While this could be read as a stand-alone I think it’s so much better not to. If crime cop thrillers are your thing you must check her out.

I got this as an audiobook through netgalley for an honest review

I freaking love Karin Slaughter. No one does a dark and twisted thriller better than her. I have read every book she’s ever written, and her Grant County and Will Trent series are hands down my favourite (Will and Sara forever).

After That Night felt like OG Slaughter.

I loved how this novel dug deeper into Sara’s tragic back story, tying current rape cases to her own. One of my favourite aspects of this series is the strong supporting cast, and many of my favourite characters play a pivotal role. The plot was fast paced, action packed and incredibly twisted, which is exactly what I expect for Slaughter.

This isn’t a standalone novel and if you’re easily triggered, this one probably isn’t for you, but if you’re not and are a fan of KS, buckle up baby! You won’t be disappointed!

I won’t bore you with the synopsis because it is everywhere. This book isn’t as dark as Pretty Girls, but on par with the level of darkness the Will Trent series provides.

As expected from Slaughter, this novel delves into the shadows with its dark and graphic narrative. The seamless interplay of plot and character development, along with a heart-stopping plot twist, makes it a truly delightful read. Every aspect of the story had me clutching my non-existent pearls. I was heartbroken learning details of Sarah’s past, and cheering when justice was served.

I’ve only read 1 other book from this series, and I believe this book can be enjoyed as a standalone. I didn’t miss anything or feel lost, although I did learn about the fates of other characters.

Kathleen Early is an exceptional narrator. I’ve listened to 2 other of her narrated works and I can count on her to keep me engaged during my long commute to work. Definitely recommend this audiobook!

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook arc.

Karin Slaughter and narrator Kathleen Early have done it again. The latest installment of the Will Trent series tackles the tough topic of rape. As always Early’s narration was spot on. The difference between characters is phenomenal. I love her Amanda and Faith and the distinction she gives each character. As always, Karin Slaughter takes a difficult subject and makes a thrilling story. I could not wait to get in the car to drive to work and hear a bit more of the story. That’s the most positive review of anything. The evil of humanity that comes out in each book is heartbreaking. This story had more the few surprises for more than a few characters. This is an audiobook worth the time. Thank to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to this 5 star Karin Slaughter book.

Ah Karin Slaughter, one of my all-time favorite authors. I can’t tell you how and long I tried to get an early copy of the newest Will Trent installment. I almost didn’t manage it but I ended up with an audiobook, and I am not mad about it because Kathleen Early, who narrates the series, is one of my favorite audiobook narrators. While it’s been a few years since I started reading Slaughter’s books, I didn’t dive into the Will Trent world until this year. I HIGHLY recommend reading these books in order, though it’s not required. I also recommend reading the Grant County series first, which is the story of Sarah Linton and her husband Jeffrey. The Will Trent series is by far my favorite, but the amount of world building and character development you get by reading them in order is worth it.

After That Night focuses heavily on Sara Linton and the events that are unraveling after Sara gives her testimony for a sexual assault victim that came into the Grady ER. As the current investigation goes deeper, Sara is convinced that it may have been connected to events that happened to her 15 years prior at Grady. As the links between the two cases increases, Will, Sara, and Faith will stop at nothing to ensure the victims get justice.

Honestly, Karin Slaughter can do no wrong in my book. As all her books are, these are not for the faint of heart. Slaughter’s writing is honest and can be graphic, though it’s not done in a showy way. She just has a knack for capturing the twisted underbelly of society and weaves that reality into a page-turning mystery. While I prefer a focus on Will and Faith, getting a glimpse into Sara’s life pre-Will and pre-Jeffrey was interesting. I also loved the added focus on Faith’s son, Jeremy, and I’m interested to know if KS might be thinking about making a new spin off with him as lead?! While I hope the Will Trent series continues for 40 more books, I would love another series in this world.

If you love well written and addictive mysteries, highly recommend grabbing either this series or one of Karin Slaughter’s other books!

After That Night comes out August 22, 2023. Huge thank you to William Morrow and McMillan Audio for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof.books.

I knew as soon as I started this that I wouldn't want to put it down, and I didn't. I had to force myself to stop listening and actually be an adult. Each book in this series continues to build and the momentum never slows down. Sara, Will and Faith have their hands full on this one, but it is personal. It brings up all of Sara's past and old wounds that will never heal, but she would like to at least keep bandages on.
Will hates to see what this is doing to Sara, but they both know this is the only way she can keep her promise to do everything in her power to punish the men who victimized her patient. It will take her on a journey that she wasn't prepared for.
As with any of Karin's books, don't go in expecting anything light, but this one will be particularly triggering for some as there is talk and depictions of SA. The scenarios in this book are wildly real and even if you don't want to believe it could happen to you, or someone you know, you will find parts of this book you will relate to. I can't wait for what's next.
As always, the narator was phenomenal and did a great job bringing me into this story.
Thanks to Blackstone, Netgalley and Karin Slaughter for an early copy.

From my blog: Always With a Book

This is book we didn’t know we needed but man am I glad we got! And once again, I cannot get over what a plotting genius Karin Slaughter is!

While this book can certainly be read as a standalone, if you have read both the Grant County series and all the Will Trent books up to this point, you know there have been hints about this storyline that have been dropped all along. We knew something happened to Sara, we’ve gotten bits and pieces of it but not the whole history and I’m so glad to finally have gotten the entire story. All along I’ve said one of my favorite parts of these two series has been the phenomenal character development that has been an integral part of this series. This is part of Sara’s story that makes her who she is today.

As usual, we have a dark and gritty story, made all the more intense because part of it involves what happened to Sara, having her have to relive that horrible trauma over and over again. What I love about these books is that Karin Slaughter doesn’t hold anything back, yet she also doesn’t do anything gratuitously. Yes, these books can be graphic and they do involve violence against women, especially this one. But I love how she is able to also balance the heavy with the light – there are moments of humor thrown in to break things up at just the right time.

This has easily become one of my favorite series. While it’s not always an easy read, I find I am completely captivated by the story. It’s an intense read, one I cannot put down once I start it and then once I finish, I’m already looking forward to the next one!


Audio thoughts: I absolutely love the narration of this series, especially since Kathleen Early continues to narrate! She manages to be so consistent with the voices from book to book that I feel like reconnecting with old friends when I pick up a new book in this series. It’s amazing and I do hope she continues to narrate for as long as the series goes on. Her pacing is spot on and she infuses just the right amount of tension and emotion into her voice as needed.

I am a big fan of Karin Slaughter’s work especially her Will Trent series. Sara in her role as doctor/medical examiner is in court giving evidence to a rape case and the accused is the son of a well known doctor she went to medical school with. The rape case is similar to Sara’s own rape 15 years ago. This is the story I never knew I wanted. It fills in the blanks of the people she hung around with in medical school and comes to a chilling discovery at the end of the book. I listened to the audiobook and Kathleen Early does a fantastic job as the narrator. I highly recommend reading the Grant County series first as this is Sara’s story. A big thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to review this audio. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I first started reading this book I didn’t realize that it was part of a series. This is book 11 in the Will Trent series by Karin Slaughter. Even though it’s part of a series the book can stand alone.

I was intrigued by the concept. Dr. Sarah finds herself ingrained in a civil lawsuit for a trial where the girl, Dani, is raped and dies. The boy on trial is the son of her old classmates. At the trial the mother of the boy lets it slip that Sarah’s rape in school is connected to Dani’s. With the help of her fiance, Will, Sarah starts to investigate her rape and a group of her old classmates, all prominent doctors.

While the plot intrigued me I ultimately found the book to be slow paced, long and predictable. I had a hard time getting into it due to the pacing. It felt slow to me and dragged on. I only kept reading because I wanted to know how it ended but unfortunately the ending is what I predicted early on.

Die hard fans of the Will Trent series and Karin Slaughter may enjoy this book.

I received a copy of the audiobook from NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The audiobook was well done. I enjoyed listening to the narrator, Kathleen Early.

There are a lot of trigger warnings - rape, stalking, domestic abuse, suicide and more I’m probably not thinking of.

Another great installment of Will Trent!

I think that her standalones hold up better. But, if you like detective novels, this is a great read!

This is my first book by this author and was hoping to find another gritty detective series to dive into. Some series you can just jump into, but I felt like I needed to know more of the ins and outs of the characters' development from previous books in the series. I kept wondering if everyone in law enforcement in Georgia were related to Will Trent in some way.
As far as the plot goes, this story felt too similar to a very good Renée Ballard book I recently read by Michael Connelly. Also, I knew this plot involved rape, but did there need to be so many? It was just so many rapes.
Another flaw in the book involves the undercover elements. It's inconceivable that people would not recognize Will Trent, especially if the people being investigated were rightfully suspicious of any outsiders getting close to their group.
I did enjoy the parts of the book that were directly related to crime investigation in general, especially when the characters were discussing the evidence and connections between the victims.
The audio narration was very good but in the end I don't think I will be trying any others in the Will Trent series.
I would like to thank Blackstone and NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I always enjoy Karin Slaughter books, she just has such a great way of writing thriller/procedural novels that just rope you in. This one was no different for me! Definitely check trigger warnings for this one first though because there were some REALLY heavy topics going on

This one gave on cult vibes with the "r*pe club" and i really enjoy a good cult thriller. very heavy topics but i thought they were written so well and created such good suspense that i had to keep listening to find out what happend

there was great character development in this and watching Sarah face a horrible thing that happened in her past and move forward to take this "club" on head-on was really amazing. this was a great story line that i enjoyed listening to!

as always with the Will Trent novels, there was a side romance plot that i really liked seeing how that side played out as well. overall really enjoyable book

A solid 4.5 star!

Karin Slaughter’s writing I have found to be so captivating, it’s literally like a movie playing out in my mind! The book was on the long side (as typical of her) but with all the descriptives, that’s to be expected. Sometimes over descriptive books can leave me bored, but Slaughter has a way about her it keeps me engaged.

I couldn’t put it down, waiting to see how the crime/suspense was all going to come together, and what the actual truth would be. As always with a few good twists added in!

Check trigger warnings before reading!! Vulgarity and sexual assault in detail

Really enjoyed this book! Great tension throughout, amazing characters and not for the faint of heart. The subject matter is tough to get through sometimes, a page-turner that is unrelenting and intense.

The book starts off great, and you don't really need to have read other Will Trent books ( I have not). The book is a bit on the longer side and does drag at some points in the middle.

There are so many twists and turns and characters, you really need to focus throughout. The narration was great and very engaging. I highly recommend this book.