Thorn in My Side

by Karin Slaughter

It could have been just any night, and they could have just been any two brothers -- but it wasn't, and they weren't. The scene is an Atlanta bar. The music is loud and the dance floor is packed. The good-looking brother picks up a girl. But when dark deeds ensue out in the parking lot, what happens next can only be described in two vintage Slaughter.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Short Stories, Mystery, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2011

About the author

Karin Slaughter is one of the world’s most popular storytellers. She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty- five novels, including the Edgar nominated COP TOWN and standalone novels PRETTY GIRLS and FALSE WITNESS. An international bestseller, Slaughter is published in 120 countries with more than 40 million copies sold across the globe. PIECES OF HER, based on her novel, debuted at #1 worldwide on Netflix as an original series in 2022. Her bestselling thriller series, Will Trent, is now a television and streaming sensation in its 4th season. THE GOOD DAUGHTER will soon be a limited series starring Rose Byrne and Meghann Fahy, and further projects are currently in development for film/TV. Karin 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.

Facebook: Facebook.com/AuthorKarinSlaughter

Website: http://www.karinslaughter.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinslaugh...

Reviews

[Selene · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time reading this author's work and this was such an odd story! I liked it but didn't love it. At the same time, it was so humorous that I couldn't look away!



◆ Wayne and Kirk Edgerton are thirty-eight year-old twins with some interesting physical characteristics. They're also polar opposites in terms of personality, mannerism, ethics, and humor. One of the twins makes a poor choice in judgement one evening and the repercussions affect them both.

Ultimately, this book served up:

• A great writing style
• Some hillbilly-ish realness
• A God-fearing narrator
• A twisted and startling ending!

◆ Enjoyed!

[Karin Slaughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved writing this story. It gave me a chance to step outside of myself and have a little fun, which as Martin Misunderstood will tell you is not something that all my readers appreciate. I should also add that none of the proceeds from this story went to me. It was used solely to give grants to libraries in the US and the Reading Agency in the UK, so if you hate this story, then you basically hate libraries.

That being said, I am very glad to see that so many people got the joke in this one. (Amazon reviewers drank my milkshake) Everybody always tells me at my events that I should consider writing humor, but then when I do, not everybody is happy. Thanks for giving me all those stars, y'all!

[jenny✨ · Rating 1 out of 5]

so weird and uncomfy 😭 the only reason i powered through this one is because i'm trying to get through all of karin slaughter's canon—but gosh, this one was NOT my cup of tea.

[STEPH · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG. Why is this so funny? Never thought Karin wrote something like this. Haha.

I didn’t know what I was getting into when I picked this up. The events in the book escalated so quickly, my jaw was on the floor the whole time I was reading it. This is dark, with a bit of black comedy thrown in.

And that ending? I don’t know whether to laugh or be miserable. Damn you, Kirk.

If you want a quick but crazy read, this one’s for you.

[Isabela. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me esperaba ciertas cosas pero el final si que me dejó con un sabor bastante amargo. Básicamente es una lucha entre dos personas, dos mentes totalmente diferentes que deben funcionar bajo el mismo cuerpo. Creo que, es una idea bien ejecutada por más corta que sea y que deja a quien lo lee con bastantes preguntas, todas rodando sobre qué se haría de estar en una situación como esa. ¿Cómo saber hasta qué parte formaste parte del acto? Es bueno, una lectura rápida que se va volando.

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique storyline?

[Rosa Dracos99 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lo he encontrado un poco repugnante, aunque no puedo decir el motivo para no hacer spoiler. Además de esto, me ha decepcionado; me esperaba más de la autora, ya que soy seguidora suya del personaje de Will Trent. Pero ya me ha pasado antes, Karin no me convence como escritora de relatos o novelas cortas.

[Maarten · Rating 3 out of 5]

...what the FUCK?

[sage · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

”What happens next can only be described in two words: vintage Slaughter”

nah cuz that was a plot twist to drop that they are conjoined twins
crazy story nonetheless
also them killing someone OKAYYY

“Whoever said that bad deeds keep you up at night had never met Kirk. He was sleeping like a baby. The sleep of the guiltless. The sleep of the content.”

[Nuria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me ha decepcionado. Me esperaba más

[Marnie (Enchanted Bibliophile) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this!

I know Karin Slaughter self admits that this isn't her usual run of the mile; and I am extremely thankful for that. The writing and characters was great, the subject topic was different; but this just wasn't for me.

[Marichu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nunca me había parado a pensar como sería el día a día de unos gemelos siameses, no tengo ningún caso cercano, había oído y visto en la tele cosas pero claro no con el detalle del libro. Cosas tan triviales como ir al baño, comer, escribir, el sexo... dependiendo de tu grado se puede hacer mas o menos complicado.

Aquí los protagonistas son dos hermanos siameses que mas bien se reparten los órganos para que cada uno los gestione. Puede afectar tanto tu enfermedad como para cambiarte el carácter? Los protagonistas fueron abandonados por sus padres para que la ciencia investigara. Los compañeros en clase fueron crueles con ellos.

Pueden llegar a ser tan distinto el uno del otro? Es un relato muy muy corto, unas 45 páginas pero muy concentradas. Te enseña una realidad que pocos conocemos y que sinceramente me alegro de no tener que gestionar porque su día a día es durísimo a mi forma de ver.

En mi blog: https://lecturasdemarichu.blogspot.co...

[Fiona (Titch) Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another short Kindle and OMG Karin Slaughter at her best. Even in a short story she has packed a punch in a story that will make you want more. But very confusing with the story of Conjoined twins who want to be normal. But I think it's funny in places as if you're reading about 2 different twins who are feeling different stuff.

Not sure what I think really, but just love the way Karin Slaughter writes her Thrillers.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting subject matter! Not what I was expecting at all. I've not read a Slaughter book for years, and while this short story wasn't great, I'd still go and read more from this author!

[Jules (Never enough time to read) · Rating 2 out of 5]

What did I just read?!?!

Well that was weird and kind of disturbing.

[Caty Hespel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helemaal anders dan wat je van Karin Slaughter zou verwachten. Dit verhaal komt zo uit de X-Files en bezorgt je kippenvel...

[Susy · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars
What in the ….?

Characters 3
Atmosphere 2
Writing Style 4
Premise /Plot 4
Execution/Setup 4
Enjoyment/Engrossment 2
Narration 3

[Eloy Nogueira · Rating 4 out of 5]

El relato me ha gustado pero también me ha parecido algo bizarro. De entrada no te dicen que los protagonistas son siameses y cuando te lo sueltan te quedas en shock porque es algo muy poco común. A pesar de que se produce un crimen, el relato tiene un toque de humor cínico y es bastante ameno.

[KarelyRh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una historia que nos hace preguntarnos como sería compartir cuerpo con otra persona, que sus decisiones influyan directamente en ti y que en gran medida no puedas hacer nada por impedir sus actos.

Esta fue una lectura muuuuy extraña y no se como sentirme al respecto, estoy incómoda por la situación que pasan y ese final que no sé que me hizo, muy incómodo todo, esta sensación va a perdurar un rato y admiro a la autora por eso.

[Beth (bibliobeth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so I think regular visitors to my blog are aware that Karin Slaughter can't do much wrong in my eyes and I always get a little bit excited when one of her short stories rolls around on my Short Stories Challenge. As the synopsis suggests, "vintage Slaughter," is perfect terminology to use as what happens during this story is shocking, compelling and disturbing, everything I've come to expect from the author and yet she still manages to surprise me, every single time.

This very dark, twisted little tale involves two brothers who have a very interesting relationship with each other and a are a bit different from the norm. I do want to veer away from spoilers as I really enjoyed the surprise myself when the reader finds out what makes them special but it might make writing this review quite tough, apologies for any vagueness! The brothers are called Kirk and Wayne and are as different as chalk and cheese. Kirk is the more confident, wise-cracking, brash brother that has a bit of an eye for the ladies and Wayne is the softer, more unassuming, shy brother of the two which causes its own problems for Kirk for reasons I simply cannot divulge. However, one night they pay a prostitute to ahem... service Kirk in the back of their van at a club and things go very badly. This is the tale of the relationship between a very unique set of brothers that has been simmering just below boiling point for so long, but one catastrophic set of events tips things right over the edge and changes both brothers lives forever.

Doesn't sound too very shocking in the grand scheme of things? Think again. There's a lot of things I'm not able to say in this review for fear of ruining the shock factor that I myself felt when I realised the direction Slaughter was taking the narrative. She has a fantastic way of writing the most loathsome characters, like Kirk, the self-assured yet incredibly dangerous brother who I loved reading about but made my skin crawl with his actions and the decisions he makes. The author describes it herself on GoodReads as a bit of a departure story for her from what she usually writes and there are a couple of lower starred reviews that may reflect this. For me however, I thought it was a disturbing yet intriguing read with many of her classic trademarks that I appreciated. Maybe it's not a story for everyone sure, especially the more sensitive or easily offended but personally, I think she's knocked it out of the park once again.

For my full review and many more please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com

[Karla Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ya necesitaba leer algo más sobre la autora, aunque es un relato bastante corto, me gusto lo retorcido y lo sarcástico que es a la vez, no me esperaba nada de el, no sabia absolutamente sobre que trataba; simplemente decidí leerlo y me sorprendió y termino gustándome. Sin duda alguna quiero leer más de Karin Slaughter.

[Wanda Hartzenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Karin Slaughter Thorn in my Side

Eek, ok, so I am a Karin Slaughter fan, that said this is not my favorite book by the author.

It may not be my favorite but it is one I will remember.
A short story with 1 and a half protagonists or two protagonists or two halves depending on your pov it was a story of extremes. Black vs White, Good vs Evil. Brother against brother and brothers standing together.

The book is a fast read and the ending is as shocking as is the main points of scene development. The world building is one that is build via the protagonists and it gives the story a more intimate and a more shock worthy approach.

I loved the psychology that was explored behind conjoined twins.

Unique read that is for sure.

WaAr

[Conrad Toft · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird. I didn't really enjoy the story but I'd be willing to give the author another go.

[Fatima · Rating 3 out of 5]

extrana pero entretenida

[Linz · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mom told me to give this short story a read. Haha 😂 very unique and I can say I’ve never thought about the what if’s of conjoined twins. This was a fun short read.

[Lakis Fourouklas · Rating 3 out of 5]

In whichever way one looks at this, it is indeed a unique or, rather, somewhat strange story.
The protagonists in Thorn in My Side are the conjoined twins Kirk and Wayne. They share between them the most important body parts, however the goddess of luck has decided to bless the one and fail the other. So Kirk is charming, tough and cunning, while Wayne is graceless, shy and weak. Having to share the same body makes them both unhappy, but just the one, the former, can openly express his feelings, and thus he has no problem calling his brother a parasite. The weakling thinks the same thing about Kirk as well, but he just keeps his mouth shut, because he knows his place. However, once there’ll come a night that will change everything and scar their lives forever.
That night is here and is now. The two of them are at a nightclub, where Kirk is dancing with pride and joy, while Wayne just feels bored. If it was up to him he’d be someplace else, but he has no choice since tonight it’s his brother’s turn to do whatever he wants. And what he wants is to make love. Knowing pretty well though that no “normal” woman would ever go to bed with them, they, or rather he, Kirk, has to hire the services of a pro called Mindy.
The events that are about to follow can only be described as tragic and during them all the differences between the two brothers will come to surface. And it is these differences exactly that brightly illuminate the spot on selection of the particular title for this story, since each one of them is indeed a thorn in the side of the other.
The author describes, with not so light touches of humor, the darkness that lurks into the psyches of two men that feel trapped in their common body. It’s like the two of them together combine everything that is really good and awfully bad in people. In this case one plus one doesn’t equal two; it just equals a shared misery.
This is a story that is part-funny part-bleak and so I can’t really say that it will be to everyone’s taste; in my eyes though it is worth reading.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review Taken From The Pewter Wolf

This short story tells the story of conjoined twins Kirk and Wayne. One night, Kirk picks up a random girl in a bar, while Wayne has to pretend he's not there. Expect dark deeds happen in the car park that night...

Now, in theory, this should be an interesting story. The idea of what would happen if a brother did a terrible thing while his conjoined twin tried to stop him and whether the law would convict one brother for the sin of another would have made interesting and gripping reading. Instead, out of the 68% that was the story, the second chapter (there was three in total) was the most interesting. It was very much an three act - crime, aftermath, consequence. And for the price of this short story - £1.83 - while Karen's other short story, The Unmarkable Heart was 47p, a tiny part of me thought I kinda got rip-off.

It has faults, but it wasn't awful either. I just feel that, unless you're a true crime or a Karin Slaughter fan, you might want to wait till this becomes free or cheaper than it is now...

[Kipp Poe · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first taste of Karin Slaughter’s work came when I read her novel Fallen in May, I was thrilled when I heard about her new Kindle Single coming out and Pre-Ordered it when it was announced.

This Kindle Single has 880 location that is 33 pages. The story is a twisted and disturbing tale of to male thoraco-omphalopagus twins fused from the upper chest to the lower chest.

Each one has a conflicting personality from the brother who he is harnessed to. Kirk is the aggressive and violent, and Wayne the soft spoken religious persona that we receive the narrative from.

The story is a fast entertaining read as the two try to find their way out of some trouble very serious trouble Kirk got them into. It plays with the fact that even they are two separate people with different morals, they are still one body that must face consequences for the others actions.

The Single also includes a bonus chapter of her book Fallen. I really enjoyed this Single that give you background into the conjoined twins I give it a 5 star for originality, and twisted entertainment.

[Daisy Oltmans]

Erg kort boekje. Bijzonder verhaal

[Tina Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Karin Slaughter's "Thorn in my Side" is about conjoined twins, one good, one not so much. The author did an excellent job of tuning into things that two people sharing one body might be thinking, like resentment issues, bodily functions, what it would be like to be free of the other. The problem I had with this story is that Wayne and Kirk (Or at least one of them) are held accountable for an awful crime, but though some of their history and thoughts are shown, things could have been shown in more depth. The ending was not at all satisfying for me, and was predictable.

Overall it was an okay story. My favorite parts were about the inner workings of the twins' relationship and physicality and the infor about the original 'Siamese Twins'.