The Kept Woman

I absolutely love the Will Trent series, so of course I loved this book. Karen Slaughter is one of my favorite authors because her characters are so well developed and her plots are so intricately structured. This book has both of those qualities.

There is a lot going on in this book. There is a basketball player accused of rape, an abused woman looking to escape her husband, a damaged woman trying to save the daughter she abandoned while also vengefully reeking havoc in her soon to be ex-husband's new relationship, a woman trying to decide if she should fight for the man she loves, and a couple murders along the way. It seems like it could get confusing, but Slaughter ties it all together expertly.

Will Trent is one of my favorite detective characters in books. He is damaged, but he is also noble and kind. His flaws are endearing rather than off-putting. His complicated relationships with the women in his life make for interesting reading. When his story is combined with that of Sara Linton, count me in! I love both of these characters.

I completely enjoyed the experience of reading this book. It is dark and twisty, which I love. It has great characters. What more could I ask for in a book? I look forward to continuing the series.

This was the first Karin Slaughter book I have read and I was excited about it. Unfortunately, this story didn't do it for me. I like a good mystery/police serial, but to capture me, there has to be a strong protagonist. Will Trent was not that. To me, he was the typical Beta male who was pining over his abusive and manipulative soon-to-be ex-wife...who also happens to be a criminal. I was waiting for him to “grow a pair”, which didn't happen until about 400 pages in. Definitely disappointing. I might try one of Slaughter's other books in the future, just not one involving Will Trent.