Title: COP TOWN
Author: Karin Slaughter
ISBN: 9780099571377
Publisher: Arrow Books
Pages: 485
Source: Private Copy
Atlanta, 1974. As a brutal killing and a furious manhunt rock the city, Kate Murphy wonders if her first day on the police force will also be her last. For life is anything but easy in the male-dominated world of the Atlanta Police Department, where even the other female cops have little mercy for the new girl.
Kate isn’t the only woman on the force who is finding things tough. Maggie Lawson followed her uncle and brother into the ranks to prove her worth in their cynical eyes. When Maggie and Kate become partners and are sidelined in the search for the city’s cop killer, their fury, pain, and pride finally reach boiling point.
With the killer poised to strike again, will Kate and Maggie have the courage to pursue their own line of investigation? And are they prepared to risk everything as they venture into the city’s darkest heart?
Official Summary
05 June 2024
“Cop Town” is a gritty and compelling plunge into the turbulent streets of 1974 Atlanta. This book is much more than just a crime thriller; it’s a moving exploration of the challenges faced by women in a vehemently male-dominated profession and society.
Slaughter sets the stage with the palpable tension of a city on the edge. The brutal killing of a police officer and the ensuing manhunt serve as a powerful backdrop, but the heart of the story lies in the personal and professional struggles of the protagonists, Kate Murphy and Maggie Lawson. Their dynamic is the driving force of the novel, and Slaughter beautifully portrays their evolving relationship from wary colleagues to determined partners.
Kate Murphy’s journey is particularly engaging. Her first day on the force is a baptism by fire, revealing a world riddled with hostility and sexism. Kate’s initial fragility, compared with her underlying strength and determination, makes her an incredibly relatable and root-worthy character. Her resilience in the face of such overwhelming adversity is both inspiring and heartrending.
Maggie Lawson, on the other hand, is a character shaped by her environment and familial expectations. Her struggle for acceptance and respect within her own family mirrors the broader societal battles she faces. Maggie’s tough exterior conceals a profound vulnerability, and it’s through her partnership with Kate that she begins to confront and challenge her own limitations and fears.
The supporting characters add depth to the narrative, painting a vivid picture of the period’s societal and cultural landscape. The misogyny and racism that permeate the Atlanta Police Department are depicted with unflinching honesty, making the triumphs and setbacks of Kate and Maggie all the more impactful.
Slaughter’s writing is unrelenting. The city of Atlanta in 1974 comes alive with meticulous detail, from the gritty streets to the oppressive atmosphere within the police department. The suspense is finely tuned, keeping you on edge as Kate and Maggie navigate not only the hunt for a cop killer but also the treacherous waters of their personal and professional lives.
“Cop Town” is a bold and powerful narrative that challenges you to confront uncomfortable truths about gender, power, and justice. Slaughter’s ability to weave a thrilling plot with deep character studies makes this book a standout in the crime genre. It’s a testament to the resilience and courage of women who fight against the odds, and a stark reminder of the systemic obstacles that persist even today.
This is a must-read for those who appreciate a well-crafted crime story that also delves into the complexities of human relationships and societal issues. Karin Slaughter has delivered an emotional, gripping, and ultimately empowering novel that stays with you long after the last page is turned.
Also by Karin Slaughter
Unseen
Will Trent is a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent whose latest case has him posing as Bill Black, a scary ex-con who rides a motorcycle around Macon, Georgia, and trails an air of violence wherever he goes. The cover has worked and he has caught the eye of a wiry little drug dealer who thinks he might be a useful ally. But undercover and cut off from the support of the woman he loves, Sara Linton, Will finds his demons catching up with him.
Although she has no idea where Will has gone, or why, Sara herself has come to Macon because of a cop shooting: Her stepson, Jared, has been gunned down in his own home. Sara holds Lena, Jared’s wife, responsible: Lena, a detective, has been a magnet for trouble all her life, and Jared’s shooting is not the first time someone Sara loved got caught in the crossfire. Furious, Sara finds herself involved in the same case that Will is working without even knowing it, and soon danger is swirling around both of them.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Karin Slaughter is the author of more than twenty instant NEW YORK TIMES bestselling novels, including the Edgar–nominated COP TOWN and standalone novels THE GOOD DAUGHTER, PRETTY GIRLS, and GIRL, FORGOTTEN. She is published in 120 countries with more than 40 million copies sold across the globe. PIECES OF HER is a #1 Netflix original series starring Toni Collette. The Will Trent Series is on ABC (and streaming on Hulu in the U.S and Disney+ internationally). THE GOOD DAUGHTER and FALSE WITNESS are in development for film/tv. Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project—a non-profit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, she lives in Atlanta.
A big thank you to Alicia for gifting me this book. It’s been on my TBR shelf for far too long. Reading it reminded me just how much I enjoy Karin Slaughter’s writing. I’m excited to dive into her latest novel, *This is Why We Lied*, and will be sharing my review in June. Thank you for visiting the blog and for your continued support. Until next time… Happy Reading!
