After That Night by Karin Slaughter Narrator: Kathleen Early
Series: Will Trent #11
Published by Blackstone Audiobooks on August 22, 2023
Genres: Mystery
Length: 16 hours, 34 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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After that night, nothing was ever the same again
Fifteen years ago, Sara Linton's life changed forever when a celebratory night out ended in a violent attack that tore her world apart. Since then, Sara has remade her life. A successful doctor, engaged to a man she loves, she has finally managed to leave the past behind her.
Until one evening, on call in the ER, everything changes. Sara battles to save a broken young woman who's been brutally attacked. But as the investigation progresses, led by GBI Special Agent Will Trent, it becomes clear that Dani Cooper's assault is uncannily linked to Sara's.
And it seems the past isn't going to stay buried forever.
I love this Will Trent series and I’ve collected them all on audio over the past couple years. I sometimes worry when I start but that’s ridiculous because I am immediately hooked into the well-written characters and world. The main plots always seem timely but perhaps they are just timeless crimes. The topic of the day is rape. So these books are perhaps not for the squeamish or cozy reader.
Sara treats a women in the ER who has been raped and she dies. Sara feels this acutely because she was raped years ago when she was graduating. It abruptly changed her life. She does everything she can to help the woman’s parents prosecute the rapist. The rapist’s parents are wealthy and they use every cruel option to fight the charges or get them to settle.
The trial brings to mind Sara’s own history and then another girl is drugged and raped in a similar way. Although it is not a GBI case, of course, Will, Faith and Sara start investigating. It’s always a bit frightening dealing with the wealthy and entitled criminals. Faith’s son even helps a bit. And eventually, they have to tell Amanda, who is sharp as ever.
I love these characters, how they love and support each other. Will and Sara are nearing their wedding as this happens. Faith’s son, Jeremy, is graduating and planning his future. This found family really pulls it together to do the right thing even as it is so difficult. Will is such a good man. I was happy to hear about Betty.
Every book in this series is excellent. I would read / listen in order because of the development in the personal relationships and careers. I loved them all and highly recommend them if you enjoy this genre.
Narration:
I am so excited I was able to listen to all but one of the series with narration by Kathleen Early. I have truly enjoyed her performances. She is THE narrator of the series which might seem odd with the main character Will Trent being male. But Will is introspective and not very talkative. All the key people in his life are female: Angie, Amanda, Faith, and Sara. The primary points of view here are Will, Faith and Sara. Both male and female voices were comfortable for me and I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Kathleen Early
Kathleen Early has performed on Broadway, as well as performing off-Broadway and at a number of regional theaters. She has made forays into the film and television world, winning a Beverly Hills Film Festival Outstanding Female Performance Award for her part in Trip in a Summer Dress. She was most recently seen as Dr. Dasiy Pepman on Grey’s Anatomy, and will be Nurse Kathy on the upcoming series Miami Medical.
About Karin Slaughter
Karin Slaughter is one of the world’s most popular and acclaimed storytellers. Published in 120 countries with more than 35 million copies sold across the globe, her nineteen novels include the Grant County and Will Trent books, as well as the Edgar-nominated COP TOWN and the instant NEW YORK TIMES bestselling novels PRETTY GIRLS, THE GOOD DAUGHTER, and PIECES OF HER. Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project—a nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, Karin Slaughter lives in Atlanta. Her standalone novels PIECES OF HER, THE GOOD DAUGHTER, and COP TOWN are in development for film and television.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
We are sharing the love, Anne💜 So glad you were able to get to this. Tough but great story.
Thanks Jonetta. I always worry a little that it won’t be as good as I remember but it is so good. And Betty!
Oh, yes! Betty💜
I haven’t read any of these books, but it sounds like a series I would really like.
I hope you would love them but they are very gritty, with some horrible criminals. Even the good guys have flaws but it makes it realistic.
Wonderful review. I’ve enjoyed her books in the past.
Thank you. I really love this series. Although the first book in the series is just really weird.
I feel exactly the same way before I start one of Slaughter’s books! I’m a little worried, because I know it’ll be tense, but like you, I’m drawn in from the first page. I usually try and allow the whole day to get through the book because it’s one of those kinds of reads you need to to in one day/sitting. I’m looking forward to this one. I need to go buy it. I didn’t bother to request because it’s hit or miss with the publisher. I’ll buy a print for the bookshelf too.
Same. I bought the audio because I enjoy that. Plus it didn’t look like I could get it anytime soon at the library. I didn’t start until the first 5- were available. As difficult as some of the situations are, I really love these characters and the stories.
I’ve never read one of these books, but I really enjoyed the TV show last season. I’m looking forward to more.
Hmm I might try the tv show. I always say that and pretty much never do the tv. I do really love this series. It’s unlikely the tv version is as gritty and violent as the books though.
It’s pretty violent at times, but I’m sure not as much as the books. It’s my understanding that the show doesn’t follow the books but it more based on the books. Slaughter is a consultant on the show and is happy with it. I recommend giving it a try, if you won’t mind that it’s not exactly the books.
I may try it. Which platform is it? I’m doing something similar right now. I was reading Longmire and got interested in trying the Netflix show. I suggested it to my daughter and she’s totally hooked on it after we watched last night. The show has the characters and some of the plot but it isn’t the same story at all.
It’s on ABC, with streaming on HULU.
This is an author and a series I really need to try. Definitely looks like a tough read but a good one.
It’s excellent but it is violent with some really bad people.
This is definitely on my list. My only worry is that I won’t remember enough from the previous books and maybe feel a bit lost, but that won’t stop me. Great review.
That can be a problem with many series which only release a book a year. Luckily I started when there were several books available so I’ve only been reading the series for a few years instead of 10 years.
True, I also only started a few years ago, but the previous book feels like so long ago.
Awwww this sounds good. Haven’t heard of it I don’t think.
Karin Slaughter is another of my favorite authors. Apparently this series is a show on ABC now but I haven’t seen it and don’t watch much tv.