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Guilt by Association
A provocative tale that mirrors today's headlines, this page-turning first novel is a gripping, intelligent and totally satisfying account of one woman's brave struggle to triumph over the pain of a vicious rape, her battle to rebuild her life and the ultimate, shocking confrontation with the man who nearly destroyed her.
544 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
January 24, 2016
I came across this one in a second hand book store. I had never heard about the author but got interested in it by reading the blurb.
The book starts with the brutal rape and assault of the protagonist Karen by Bob, a handsome Harvard law student. The incident took place in 1962. Unfortunately the law, her own mother, boyfriend everybody blames Karen for this incident and Bob goes scot-free. We come across the prejudices inherent in the minds of the people which vilify the victim rather than the perpetrator.
Denied of justice, Karen remains emotionally and physically scarred, but still manages to carry on with her life. She gets a job, makes friends, does really well and eventually marries.This part of the story just dragged on and on. I had to struggle to go through it. The author should not have dedicated so many pages for it. It only served to reduce the element of suspense in the story.
From the sixties the story proceeds to the nineties.In the meantime, Bob has become a senator who is now running for the President's office and comes out as a powerful contender. But, inside he still remains the pervert he was.
Karen accidentally sees him on TV and finds a highly successful character who is on the verge of achieving his ambitions while all her dreams had been cruelly taken away from her. Then she plots her revenge. The changed mind set of the people and changes in legal system help her in her quest to get even. This David vs Goliath scenario and how she had her revenge made up for all the time spent in going through tedious parts of the book.
This is indeed a decent book which could have been great if the author had made the story a bit more compact.
The book starts with the brutal rape and assault of the protagonist Karen by Bob, a handsome Harvard law student. The incident took place in 1962. Unfortunately the law, her own mother, boyfriend everybody blames Karen for this incident and Bob goes scot-free. We come across the prejudices inherent in the minds of the people which vilify the victim rather than the perpetrator.
Denied of justice, Karen remains emotionally and physically scarred, but still manages to carry on with her life. She gets a job, makes friends, does really well and eventually marries.This part of the story just dragged on and on. I had to struggle to go through it. The author should not have dedicated so many pages for it. It only served to reduce the element of suspense in the story.
From the sixties the story proceeds to the nineties.In the meantime, Bob has become a senator who is now running for the President's office and comes out as a powerful contender. But, inside he still remains the pervert he was.
Karen accidentally sees him on TV and finds a highly successful character who is on the verge of achieving his ambitions while all her dreams had been cruelly taken away from her. Then she plots her revenge. The changed mind set of the people and changes in legal system help her in her quest to get even. This David vs Goliath scenario and how she had her revenge made up for all the time spent in going through tedious parts of the book.
This is indeed a decent book which could have been great if the author had made the story a bit more compact.
February 8, 2017
December 22, 1962: A pretty young coed is found brutally beaten and sexually assaulted by her date - a handsome, wealthy Harvard law student. No one sees him do it and the police don't believe her story. Her life is entirely ruined while his flourishes. Now thirty years later, Senator Robert Drayton Wilmont has succeeded in becoming a suave, self-assured politician with aspirations of being America's next president, unless America learns the truth.
Karen Kern has suffered more than enough. Thirty years after she was brutally raped, beaten and left for dead by Bob - a charming Harvard law student whom she innocently allowed to escort her home from a friend's Christmas party - she is still tormented by nightmares, trapped by fear and rage, and held prisoner by her shame. It was ultimately her word against his, and as the privileged son of an affluent and extremely powerful family, his claims were believed. Justice was denied to her, and Karen's life was completely altered from its original course.
Fueled by three decades of horrific memories, secrets and lies, Karen will do what most victims never do. She will get even. Justice delayed won't be justice denied for much longer if Karen Kern has her way...
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was an excellent plot with a very satisfying twist at the end. In my opinion, Susan R. Sloan is a brilliant writer. I give this book a definite A+! and am eagerly searching for more books to read by this author.
Karen Kern has suffered more than enough. Thirty years after she was brutally raped, beaten and left for dead by Bob - a charming Harvard law student whom she innocently allowed to escort her home from a friend's Christmas party - she is still tormented by nightmares, trapped by fear and rage, and held prisoner by her shame. It was ultimately her word against his, and as the privileged son of an affluent and extremely powerful family, his claims were believed. Justice was denied to her, and Karen's life was completely altered from its original course.
Fueled by three decades of horrific memories, secrets and lies, Karen will do what most victims never do. She will get even. Justice delayed won't be justice denied for much longer if Karen Kern has her way...
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was an excellent plot with a very satisfying twist at the end. In my opinion, Susan R. Sloan is a brilliant writer. I give this book a definite A+! and am eagerly searching for more books to read by this author.
October 7, 2012
I loved this book. I read it years ago and had to do some Google research to find it again so I can read her other books as well. I just wish she had more time to write! I love her story telling. I am currently reading Behind Closed Doors and listening to An Isolated Incident when at the pool. I am hooked!!!
June 15, 2020
Er valt heel wat te zeggen over dit verhaal, maar ik zal proberen het kort te houden.
Het onderwerp is aangrijpend en frustrerend actueel. Het was actueel toen dit boek geschreven werd en dat is het nu nog. Nog steeds worden vrouwen verkracht en krijgen ze daar daarna de schuld van. Nog steeds gaan verkrachters en aanranders vrijuit.
De auteur weet de verschillende personages goed neer te zetten, maar het waren er zo veel dat ik zo nu en dan de kluts kwijtraakte. Meerdere personages kregen te veel aandacht, waardoor soms het verhaal traag werd.
Wel vond ik het goed dat de auteur beide kanten belichtte. Als lezer kijk je mee met de kant van het slachtoffer EN de kant van de dader. Dat maakt het boeiend en het zorgt ervoor dat ze allemaal mensen worden. (Op 1 na dan)
Ik heb met verbijstering en hoop zitten lezen. Soms duurde het me te lang. Waarom kregen we bijvoorbeeld zo veel jaren in Karens leven te zien, waarin niets gebeurde wat echt van belang was voor het verhaal? Dat stoorde me, maar tegelijkertijd waren die stukken niet saai.
Je blijft lezen, omdat je wilt weten of die akelige man ooit zijn verdiende loon krijgt. Of Karen er ooit bovenop komt.
Dan komt er een onverwachte wending en lees je geschokt verder. Je hoopt zo op een bevredigend einde.
En dan komt het laatste stuk, en zit je met open mond naar de pagina'ste staren...
Een frustrerend en aangrijpend boek, dat soms wat te veel van het pad dwaalt, maar zeker de moeite waard is.
3,5 ster
Het onderwerp is aangrijpend en frustrerend actueel. Het was actueel toen dit boek geschreven werd en dat is het nu nog. Nog steeds worden vrouwen verkracht en krijgen ze daar daarna de schuld van. Nog steeds gaan verkrachters en aanranders vrijuit.
De auteur weet de verschillende personages goed neer te zetten, maar het waren er zo veel dat ik zo nu en dan de kluts kwijtraakte. Meerdere personages kregen te veel aandacht, waardoor soms het verhaal traag werd.
Wel vond ik het goed dat de auteur beide kanten belichtte. Als lezer kijk je mee met de kant van het slachtoffer EN de kant van de dader. Dat maakt het boeiend en het zorgt ervoor dat ze allemaal mensen worden. (Op 1 na dan)
Ik heb met verbijstering en hoop zitten lezen. Soms duurde het me te lang. Waarom kregen we bijvoorbeeld zo veel jaren in Karens leven te zien, waarin niets gebeurde wat echt van belang was voor het verhaal? Dat stoorde me, maar tegelijkertijd waren die stukken niet saai.
Je blijft lezen, omdat je wilt weten of die akelige man ooit zijn verdiende loon krijgt. Of Karen er ooit bovenop komt.
Dan komt er een onverwachte wending en lees je geschokt verder. Je hoopt zo op een bevredigend einde.
En dan komt het laatste stuk, en zit je met open mond naar de pagina'ste staren...
Een frustrerend en aangrijpend boek, dat soms wat te veel van het pad dwaalt, maar zeker de moeite waard is.
3,5 ster
April 20, 2020
This was definitely written in a different era, and did not necessarily age well. I think it might have been progressive at the time but at time, but now there are too many cringe-causing comments. The author also has a habit of explaining the backstories of too many characters. The saving grace are that the characters are likable and there were some powerful, empowering moments.
December 8, 2010
I only forced myself to read this book past the first chapter on the recommendation of a friend. In general, most of the book consists of canned characters and a plot that can be seen miles in advance. The only reason for the two stars was that I've read worse books.
January 4, 2020
Wow. My heart is still racing!
This book is amazing! I was recommended this author by a fellow book-loving coworker. She said the books are hard to find, but well worth the effort. Man was she right! Great crime-legal thriller about revenge. I enjoyed the fact this covered different eras where the mindset was different over the same assault. It followed Karen before the initial attack, after and shows the tough process of recovery and how damaging such things can be, and into her late middle age. Well done and will be tracking down more of her books soon!
This book is amazing! I was recommended this author by a fellow book-loving coworker. She said the books are hard to find, but well worth the effort. Man was she right! Great crime-legal thriller about revenge. I enjoyed the fact this covered different eras where the mindset was different over the same assault. It followed Karen before the initial attack, after and shows the tough process of recovery and how damaging such things can be, and into her late middle age. Well done and will be tracking down more of her books soon!
March 16, 2020
I read this over 20 yrs ago and loved it. My copy survived every book cull I did over the years. It survived the last few not because I remembered the story but because I remembered it grabbing me and drawing me in. So it was time to reread it - and it did the same again! As I didn’t remember what unfolded I was hooked till the very last line.
December 27, 2024
A quick, enticing read about a woman raped by a Harvard Law student after a party in 1962. He raped and left her for dead in Central Park in the cold heart of winter. And when she survived and told the tale, nobody believed her. Not the police, not her parents. Everyone told her she must have instigated the come-on.
So Karen Dolinger buries the past. She tells everyone she was in an automobile accident and that’s why she suffered all of these injuries— including a hysterectomy.
But years later, her rapist who walked free is a powerful, successful Senator. And he plans to run for the office of President of the United States. Does he deserve that office? Has he been squeaky clean throughout his marriage? And what happens when Karen volunteers to work on his campaign staff?
A tale of revenge… and getting what you deserve. Good read!
So Karen Dolinger buries the past. She tells everyone she was in an automobile accident and that’s why she suffered all of these injuries— including a hysterectomy.
But years later, her rapist who walked free is a powerful, successful Senator. And he plans to run for the office of President of the United States. Does he deserve that office? Has he been squeaky clean throughout his marriage? And what happens when Karen volunteers to work on his campaign staff?
A tale of revenge… and getting what you deserve. Good read!
September 19, 2022
Really good legal tale. I highly recommend it for fans of the genre.
October 16, 2022
Oh, Karen, you genius woman! I was angry at you when you allowed him to drive you back home. I didn't know that you had such a beautiful plan. And it worked. I love that it worked. Robert doesn't believe it either. Oh, what a satisfying ending. Absolutely worth it!
January 3, 2025
An engrossing psychological suspense. I love it.
December 29, 2009
Ein junges Mädchen wird auf dem Heimweg von einer Party von einem anderen Gast vergewaltigt, der sie doch eigentlich nur sicher nach Hause begleiten sollte. Er ist ein Junge aus reichem Hause und behauptet, Karen habe es ja auch gewollt. Das ganze spielt in den 60ern, bevor CSI-Teams anhand von Indizien die Tat eindeutiger rekonstruiert hätten können. So gilt lediglich Aussage gegen Aussage und der Täter kommt ungeschoren davon! Selbst Karen's Eltern wollen ihr nicht so recht glauben, auch wenn sie nach dieser Nacht sogar im Krankenhaus liegt. Ihr Verlobter trennt sich von ihr, ihr gesamtes Leben und ihre Träume gehen den Bach runter. Beziehungen zu Männern mag sie fortan gar nicht mehr eingehen, etwas in ihrem Innern ist für immer gestört. Erst 30 Jahre später sieht sie ihre Chance gekommen, sich an dem Mann zu rächen, der ihr Leben auf derartige Weise ruiniert hat.
Ich habe mittlerweile schon einige Bücher gelesen, in denen die Schuld an Vergewaltigungen eher dem Opfer/dessen Familie zugeschoben werden ("Lucky", "We were the Mulvaneys") und dem dann ein Stigma anhaftet, dass es das restliche Leben anscheinend nicht mehr los wird. Erschütternd zu lesen, und es macht einen besonders als Frau auch sehr wütend. Für Karen gibt es zwar kein wirkliches Happy End, aber immerhin 'Payback Time'.
Ich habe mittlerweile schon einige Bücher gelesen, in denen die Schuld an Vergewaltigungen eher dem Opfer/dessen Familie zugeschoben werden ("Lucky", "We were the Mulvaneys") und dem dann ein Stigma anhaftet, dass es das restliche Leben anscheinend nicht mehr los wird. Erschütternd zu lesen, und es macht einen besonders als Frau auch sehr wütend. Für Karen gibt es zwar kein wirkliches Happy End, aber immerhin 'Payback Time'.
April 9, 2011
Sloan's powerfully scribbled debut is a compelling story that left me paralyzed w/ fear, filled w/ rage & empowered!
Sloan knows how to write dynamic novels. It is still one of my wishes, for Sloan to once again grab her laptop to share her gift w/ the world. It has been far too long since Sloan released a new page-turner.
Guilt by Association is a POWERFUL read. In 1962, Karen, an innocent, intelligent, beautiful collegian is barbarously assaulted in New York's City's Central Park by a Harvard Law student she has just met @ a Christmas party.
Sloan skillfully juxtaposes Karen's disturbed evolvement during the years w/ her professional triumphs & a candid peak behind-the-scenes of California political aspirant Robert Willmont, Karen's vile rapist.
Sloan's characters are inimitable & well developed. The supporting players have their own riveting voice.
Guilt by Association is absorbing from the beginning & remains tight as it winds to an enthralling finale.
March 15, 2016
Fantastisch dieses Buch! Zunächst gefiel mir der Schreibstil nicht allzu sehr, weil ich es lieber mag, wenn Geschichten aus der Ich-Perspektive geschrieben werden, aber dieses Buch hat mich trotzdem so gepackt!!!
Wie bereits schon im Klappentext steht, wird Karen nach einer Party vergewaltigt und weder Polizei noch ihre eigenen Eltern glauben ihr. Nach diesem ersten Abschnitt, musste ich erstmal eine Pause machen, weil mich die Geschichte einfach so mitgenommen hatte. Der weitere Verlauf der Handlung verlief anders als ich es mir vorstellte und er war an einigen Stellen etwas langatmig. Das Ende wiederum hat mich dafür einfach nicht mehr losgelassen..ich hatte mit etwas anderem gerechnet, als ich "Rache" gelesen hatte, aber diese Variante war perfekt. Als ich das Buch zu ca. 80% gelesen hatte, wollte ich ihm 4 Sterne geben, aber die letzte Seite hat mich dann noch so überzeugt ...lest selbst!
Wie bereits schon im Klappentext steht, wird Karen nach einer Party vergewaltigt und weder Polizei noch ihre eigenen Eltern glauben ihr. Nach diesem ersten Abschnitt, musste ich erstmal eine Pause machen, weil mich die Geschichte einfach so mitgenommen hatte. Der weitere Verlauf der Handlung verlief anders als ich es mir vorstellte und er war an einigen Stellen etwas langatmig. Das Ende wiederum hat mich dafür einfach nicht mehr losgelassen..ich hatte mit etwas anderem gerechnet, als ich "Rache" gelesen hatte, aber diese Variante war perfekt. Als ich das Buch zu ca. 80% gelesen hatte, wollte ich ihm 4 Sterne geben, aber die letzte Seite hat mich dann noch so überzeugt ...lest selbst!
February 23, 2009
I had a hard time reading this book, because I was so disgusted by the reactions of people, including the victim, her family, her doctor, to a victim of rape. It was truly repulsive how people blamed the victim. I'm sure the author was trying to point this out, and to empower the victim later on in the novel, but I just hated the way it was done. It was incredibly unrealistic, oversimplified (apparently the author thinks we're all morons who have no idea how a trial works), and pretty morally abhorent, even for the "best" of the characters. Although I'm certain the author would argue, I found the whole thing to be sexist and poorly informed, as well as completely misunderstanding of the human character. I admit that certain parts were page-turners, but overall, I really, really disliked the book. Plus, not a very good writer.
May 8, 2013
For most of this book I was really annoyed. Now I know, in 2013, our thinking about rape cases and rape victims has changed drastically, not only from when the book was written (mid-1990's) but when the book is supposed to take place (1962 and on). But I was so angry at the main character's parents for their attitude toward their daughter being raped (this is not a spoiler), and then the daughter allowing the crime to affect her life in the way it did, that it was squirmy reading for me until the last third of the book. I'll not give things away. I'll just say DO NOT LOOK AT THE LAST FIVE PAGES BEFOREHAND! Okay, that should do it. That being said, I really enjoyed the author's description of New York City in the 1970's as well as her understanding of the judicial system and how rape cases are handled. Its a fast read, good for a vacation on the beach.
January 25, 2018
Disturbing
I wasn't sure where this book would lead but I found it too descriptive of individual characters and boring at times. Rape is an evil happening and I did like how the ending was as it should be. Still, I wasn't impressed with the authors style. Over all its a depressing and anxiety-filled book.
I wasn't sure where this book would lead but I found it too descriptive of individual characters and boring at times. Rape is an evil happening and I did like how the ending was as it should be. Still, I wasn't impressed with the authors style. Over all its a depressing and anxiety-filled book.
December 1, 2020
I read this over 20 years ago, and just found it while clearing a book shelf. I was happy to find it because I have thought back many times about the plot of the book and couldn't remember the title. I may read it again, though I'm certain it will seem very different to me, as it was written for a past era, with harsh social expectations of rape allegations.
March 28, 2026
A Lifetime original movie script run amok. Preachy, incoherent, and in dire need of a good editor.
Sometimes my negative reactions are tempered after I attend the book discussion, but I cannot believe that anything is going to change my mind about this one.
Sometimes my negative reactions are tempered after I attend the book discussion, but I cannot believe that anything is going to change my mind about this one.
February 13, 2013
I couldn't finish this book because after a good start, it seemed to become very ordinary and tame. So, by the time I got to the concluding chapters my interest had seriously dwindled and I found myself frantically skipping through the pages to reach a predictable ending.
October 9, 2015
This book was simply awesome!
The story itself is stunning, but what makes it really special is the fact,
that the reader is able to see the development of the American society throughout
30 years. Highly interesting and fascinating.
More than highly recommendable!
The story itself is stunning, but what makes it really special is the fact,
that the reader is able to see the development of the American society throughout
30 years. Highly interesting and fascinating.
More than highly recommendable!
September 23, 2015
An excellent read that had my interest from page 1. Again this author takes on emotive women's issues in a forthright manner with an interesting story to keep us men occupied. Well developed story with excellent characterisation.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
February 22, 2009
I loved all of Susan's books. I just wish she would write some more! They always had me going up to the end, sometimes even up to the last sentence.
July 16, 2013
This was definitely written in a different era .... and frankly I found the twist at the end really really hard to believe
August 9, 2014
Loved it
September 30, 2014
I read this in 1 night, I couldn't put it down
May 11, 2015
nail biting at the end
September 11, 2017
This book is terrifying. It really made me think, ya know? But I didn't like that she ended up in the same situation again. I also hated the fact that everyone blamed her for being raped.
November 18, 2020
First situation is very plausible, the second not so. Author could have explored a different way for the criminal to be caught.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews