Title: Girl, Forgotten
Author: Karin Slaughter
ISBN: 978 0008 3035 70
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 392
Source: Private Copy
A small town hides a big secret… Who killed Emily Vaughn? A girl with a secret… Longbill Beach, 1982. Emily Vaughn gets ready for the prom. For an athlete, who is smart, pretty and well-liked, this night should be the highlight of her high school career. But Emily has a secret. And by the end of the evening, that secret will be silenced forever. An unsolved murder… Forty years later, Emily’s murder remains a mystery. Her tight-knit group of friends closed ranks; her respected, wealthy family retreated inwards; the small town moved on from her grisly attack. But all that’s about to change. One final chance to uncover a killer… US Marshal Andrea Oliver arrives in Longbill Beach on her first to protect a judge receiving death threats. But, in reality, Andrea is there to find justice for Emily. The killer is still out there—and Andrea must discover the truth before she gets silenced, too…
Official Summary
03 April 2024
I have not read or reviewed a Karin Slaughter book in ages. I spent a lot of time reading her books before starting the blog, yet for some reason, I have not reviewed too many of them. Something I do need to address. I truly enjoy this author’s work and she deserves a lot more mention on the blog.
This was a gift from Alicia – only my child would travel halfway around the world and have a book delivered to me within a month of her departure. Thank you for the book my love – and for the record – you will never be a Girl, Forgotten! (Yes, I did notice….)
When you reach for this book, you can expect a masterful blend of mystery, suspense, and small-town intrigue that grips readers from the very first page. Set in the picturesque yet mysterious town of Longbill Beach, the novel unravels the haunting mystery surrounding the unsolved murder of Emily Vaughn, a girl with a secret, on her prom night in 1982.
The author includes multiple timelines, seamlessly transitioning between the past and present, as you are drawn into the lives of Emily and her tight-knit group of friends, as well as the determined US Marshal Andrea Oliver, who arrives in Longbill Beach forty years later on a mission to uncover the truth behind Emily’s tragic death.
The author’s character development brings the vibrant yet flawed inhabitants of Longbill Beach to life, from Emily herself—a smart, athletic, and well-liked teenager with a hidden truth—to Andrea, a tenacious marshal driven by her demons as she seeks justice for a long-forgotten crime. Karin Slaughter’s intricate plotting keeps you on the edge of your seat, as layers of secrets and deception are gradually peeled away, revealing shocking truths and unexpected twists. The palpable sense of tension and unease flows off every page, as the past and present collide in a gripping race against time to uncover the identity of Emily’s killer before they strike again. Girl, Forgotten is not just a compelling murder mystery; it is also a touching exploration of the lasting impact of secrets, betrayal, and the bonds of friendship. The author’s evocative style immerses you in the atmospheric setting of Longbill Beach, where dark secrets lurk beneath the surface of idyllic small-town life.
This is a gripping and emotional thriller that showcases Karin Slaughter’s talent for crafting intricate mysteries and complex characters. Fans of suspenseful, twist-filled narratives will find themselves captivated by this unforgettable tale of secrets, lies, and the quest for justice. I cannot recommend this one highly enough. If you have not read it yet, you must add it to your TBR.
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 nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, she lives in Atlanta.
A big thanks to Alicia for this amazing read – I appreciate the gift, my love. Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. Your continued support is always appreciated. What is your favourite Karin Slaughter book? Leave a comment below and I will work it into my upcoming reviews. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
