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Grant County #3
A Faint Cold Fear
An apparent student suicide has brought medical examiner Sara Linton to the local college campus, along with her ex-husband, police chief Jeffrey Tolliver. But a horribly mutilated corpse yields up few answers. And a suspicious rash of subsequent "suicides" suggests that a different kind of terror is stalking the youth of Heartsdale, Georgia - a nightmare that is coming to prey on Sara Linton's loved ones.
A small town is being transformed into a killing ground. And the key to a sadistic murderer's motive and identity may be held in the unsteady hands of a campus security guard - a former police detective driven from the force by the hellish memories that will never leave her. Lena Adams survived the unthinkable and has paid a devastating price. Now the survival of future victims may depend upon her - when she can barely protect herself.
A small town is being transformed into a killing ground. And the key to a sadistic murderer's motive and identity may be held in the unsteady hands of a campus security guard - a former police detective driven from the force by the hellish memories that will never leave her. Lena Adams survived the unthinkable and has paid a devastating price. Now the survival of future victims may depend upon her - when she can barely protect herself.
14 pages, Audible Audio
First published July 28, 2003
3865 people are currently reading
18519 people want to read
About the author
Karin Slaughter
128 books85.4k followersKarin 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,855 reviews
August 28, 2019
“It might do you some good to remember that at the end of the day, no matter how smart that brain of yours is up there, it’s your heart that needs looking after.”
Subjectivity and personal preference aside, readers share a common goal, finding those rare books that manage to leave their mark. Or, as in this case, an entire series so monumental, the inspired feelings linger long after. The emotionality, dark themes, and vulnerability put on full display in Grant County have made it a place I deem worthy of revisiting.
It was back in college that I stumbled across Karin Slaughter’s work, at a time when only Blindsighted and Kisscut had met the world. Her ballsy approach and my ensuing love for the multi-faceted beings presented on the page, inspired a full read-through every summer in anticipation of her fall release. Now, even over a decade later, I still find myself enamored with Slaughter’s devious plotting. And, as I might’ve mentioned a time or two in previous reviews, a particular second-chance duo.
The countless times I’ve stepped foot in Grant County makes the fact that I remembered absolutely nothing going into A Faint Cold Fear this time around pretty surprising. No plotlines, character arcs, relationship details, nada. Leaving me to ponder what provoked the onset of temporary amnesia. My best guess, this hippocampus of mine only retaining so many plotlines before a data dump is imminent. The proof is in the pudding. Not only was my level of engagement on par with a first encounter, but A Faint Cold Fear substantiated itself as my favorite in the series thus far. So bloody good there’s no way I’m letting this third installment slip into oblivion again.
In typical Slaughter fashion, she opens with a jarring bloodbath. Working through the semantics of what appears to be a suicide, Jeffrey, the chief of police, and Sara, the medical examiner, find that something is amiss. The discovery of an additional crime scene in the same vicinity calls into question not only the suicide label but changes the trajectory of Sara’s family. The scene is gut-wrenchingly graphic, yet works in some twisted way to solidify feelings. As the bodies continue to pile up, Jeffrey and Sara work together to determine if one Grant Tech suicide is inspiring the next or if something far darker is happening around campus.
In Kisscut, the previous book, readers watched as Sara put forth her best effort to make Jeffrey whole. This time around, A Faint Cold Fear, finds Jeffrey laying it all on the line. Steadfast in his resolve to prove he’s the man Sara needs him to be—this time. Theirs is a second-chance love like no other.
For me, Lena has always been—and I assume always will be—the character I love to hate. Naturally, everything she’s faced lends her character sympathy. Although, my patience with her antics dwindles quite quickly. In all fairness, some of my gut-churning disdain likely stems from knowing where her storyline is ultimately heading. A complete and utter mess, A Faint Cold Fear finds Lena on a boozy spiral of bad choices. Refusing to partake in mandated therapy, left her with little choice but to trade in her police badge for a Grant Tech campus security uniform. Yeah, that’s right, she no longer works for Jeffrey. That doesn’t stop her from landing in the thick of it though.
The unnerving suicides, gory scenes, family ties, tumultuous relationships and unwavering intensity throughout, make for a flawless third edition to the Grant County series. All punctuated with a stellar ending that showcases the queen of crime’s skillful plotting.
April 2, 2018
3.5 to 4 stars
Slaughter continues to be brutal with the third installment of the Grant County series. Every character has skeletons in their closet. Every relationship is troubled. Nothing is as it seems to be.
I am not going higher with my rating on this because I still feel like this book, like the previous installments, is leaning heavily on shock factor over story to draw in the reader. Not that shock factor is a bad thing, but when every scene is gory of violently sexual, it does get to be a bit much.
I will be continuing reading Slaughter because the stories are interesting and, overall, they are improving. But, if you decide to give her a try - and I may have said this before - proceed with caution!
Slaughter continues to be brutal with the third installment of the Grant County series. Every character has skeletons in their closet. Every relationship is troubled. Nothing is as it seems to be.
I am not going higher with my rating on this because I still feel like this book, like the previous installments, is leaning heavily on shock factor over story to draw in the reader. Not that shock factor is a bad thing, but when every scene is gory of violently sexual, it does get to be a bit much.
I will be continuing reading Slaughter because the stories are interesting and, overall, they are improving. But, if you decide to give her a try - and I may have said this before - proceed with caution!
October 6, 2016
I started off really liking this book, but at some point along the way it started to feel like more of the same old, same old.
Sara and Jeffrey are still sort-of-estranged and still vacillating about their feelings for each other. Sara is a really prickly person! Lena is still getting it all wrong. It seems she has learnt nothing from her past. Frank is....well, Frank is Frank is Frank.
Sara rather stupidly takes her heavily pregnant sister Tess along for the ride when she attends the scene of an apparent suicide. Tess takes a walk to attend to the call of nature and is brutally attacked.
Doubt is thrown on whether the suicide is actually a suicide when another apparent suicide occurs. Lena becomes involved in another death on-campus, and really? It all gets a bit messy. There are plots, and sub-plots, and sub-sub plots.
Not the best Karin Slaughter I have read. And honestly? I think I prefer her stand alone books.
Sara and Jeffrey are still sort-of-estranged and still vacillating about their feelings for each other. Sara is a really prickly person! Lena is still getting it all wrong. It seems she has learnt nothing from her past. Frank is....well, Frank is Frank is Frank.
Sara rather stupidly takes her heavily pregnant sister Tess along for the ride when she attends the scene of an apparent suicide. Tess takes a walk to attend to the call of nature and is brutally attacked.
Doubt is thrown on whether the suicide is actually a suicide when another apparent suicide occurs. Lena becomes involved in another death on-campus, and really? It all gets a bit messy. There are plots, and sub-plots, and sub-sub plots.
Not the best Karin Slaughter I have read. And honestly? I think I prefer her stand alone books.
November 11, 2018
The third in the Grant County series is a fine addition. It continues the story of Sara (pediatrician and coroner) and Jeffrey (chief of police) and their volatile relationship and I sped through it quickly. The murderer was a surprise. I didn't see that coming , but all in all it was not as shocking as her first 2 books in the series. It was all wrapped up rather neatly, but it did seem as our murderer had been very busy (when does he have time for his day job?) until the final 3 paragraphs and then I was gobsmacked. WTF!!!???
October 13, 2017
I really struggled to finish this book for a number of reasons. Firstly there is practically no character development. In the last book, Lena was screwed up and Jeffrey and Sara were flirting about not knowing how to commit to their relationship. In this book, nothing had changed! I got bored of Lena shrugging people off and yelling for them not to touch her, and I got frustrated with Sara and Jeffrey falling in love and then arguing and running in the other direction! Either kill Lena off or get her fixed but don't keep dragging out the 'I'm screwed up!' theme.
Secondly I felt that though the book is quite substantial in size there wasn't really that much happening, a few people got killed but there didn't seem to be any real urgency in the investigation, and the sub plot of Tessa just kind of petered out but for a few haphazard phone calls to remind us about it chucked in.
Overall I read the book because I liked the first couple and I do like the characters (Except Lena) and I really want to see development but it just didn't happen in this book.
Secondly I felt that though the book is quite substantial in size there wasn't really that much happening, a few people got killed but there didn't seem to be any real urgency in the investigation, and the sub plot of Tessa just kind of petered out but for a few haphazard phone calls to remind us about it chucked in.
Overall I read the book because I liked the first couple and I do like the characters (Except Lena) and I really want to see development but it just didn't happen in this book.
July 15, 2020
Well, they do say "Practice makes Perfect" and I must say this was a vast improvement on the first two in the series.
Most of the characters are intriguing. I seriously don't know what to make of them. Sara, Jeffrey, Lena ... especially Lena.
Was in Vegas recently and visited Jimmy Buffet's restaurant! It wasn't five o'clock there but it was somewhere!!
Bit of a twist at the end...
No fucking idea but y'all need to get your act together.
Most of the characters are intriguing. I seriously don't know what to make of them. Sara, Jeffrey, Lena ... especially Lena.
No matter what Jill Rosen said, Lena had rules and one of them was that she never drank before eight at night.
Was in Vegas recently and visited Jimmy Buffet's restaurant! It wasn't five o'clock there but it was somewhere!!
"Ritalin, of course. His generation grew up on that. More Valium, lithium, amantadine, PXIL, Xanax ...
"How about that?"
Bit of a twist at the end...
"C'mon Sara, what are we doing here?
No fucking idea but y'all need to get your act together.
March 30, 2020
"Een sterk verhaal gecombineerd met de emoties van de verschillende personages en een goede vaart in het boek. Kortom, een lichte koude huivering was een toppertje van een boek en is absoluut een aanrader om te lezen!"
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2020...
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2020...
December 2, 2022
Sarah Linton is called to the scene of an apparent student suicide and allows her very pregnant sister, Tessa, to accompany her. What happens next sets off a series of tragic and mysterious events that calls into question whether the dead student was a suicide.
Most of the story was akin to watching a train about to wreck while standing by powerless to do anything about it other than scream at the deaf pages. Lena Adams drove me crazy and Jeffrey Tolliver doesn't help matters. The mystery was a good one, though, as I wasn't certain of the killer's identity because I couldn't figure out motive.
This is an extraordinary series with deeply flawed and troubled characters. No one comes out unscathed and sometimes it's difficult to define the good guys.
Most of the story was akin to watching a train about to wreck while standing by powerless to do anything about it other than scream at the deaf pages. Lena Adams drove me crazy and Jeffrey Tolliver doesn't help matters. The mystery was a good one, though, as I wasn't certain of the killer's identity because I couldn't figure out motive.
This is an extraordinary series with deeply flawed and troubled characters. No one comes out unscathed and sometimes it's difficult to define the good guys.
October 20, 2019
4 Stars
Wowza! Talk about Heart-stopping and Gut-wrenching!
When Sara Linton is called to a crime scene on a College campus, it appears to be an apparent death by suicide. Then another crime happens, right under her nose. This time it’s personal and it’s bad. Really bad and Sara can’t help but blame herself.
Lena Adams is now working at the University as Campus Security. Gone are the days of her being a Police Officer. After what happened to her a year ago, she just couldn’t hack it. Now, however, she’s back in the thick of investigating a crime, for better or worse.
What makes this book so darn good is that it’s a character driven mystery. Jeffrey Tolliver and Sara Linton’s dynamics are spot on, whether they are working together to try and solve a crime or trying to work on their relationship.. I just love them together! And what can I say.. Jeffrey is totally swoonworthy! As for Lena - there is something about her that gets me. She has been through the wringer and yet she hasn’t quite given up. Then there is the dynamics between Sara and her sister Tess. Talk about realistic! Here, in “Faint Cold Fear” the mystery is pulse pounding and the characterizations are fantabulous and I highly recommend this novel for those of you looking for a thrilling read.
Thanks to Hoopla for the audiobook.
Published on Goodreads on 10.20.19.
Wowza! Talk about Heart-stopping and Gut-wrenching!
When Sara Linton is called to a crime scene on a College campus, it appears to be an apparent death by suicide. Then another crime happens, right under her nose. This time it’s personal and it’s bad. Really bad and Sara can’t help but blame herself.
Lena Adams is now working at the University as Campus Security. Gone are the days of her being a Police Officer. After what happened to her a year ago, she just couldn’t hack it. Now, however, she’s back in the thick of investigating a crime, for better or worse.
What makes this book so darn good is that it’s a character driven mystery. Jeffrey Tolliver and Sara Linton’s dynamics are spot on, whether they are working together to try and solve a crime or trying to work on their relationship.. I just love them together! And what can I say.. Jeffrey is totally swoonworthy! As for Lena - there is something about her that gets me. She has been through the wringer and yet she hasn’t quite given up. Then there is the dynamics between Sara and her sister Tess. Talk about realistic! Here, in “Faint Cold Fear” the mystery is pulse pounding and the characterizations are fantabulous and I highly recommend this novel for those of you looking for a thrilling read.
Thanks to Hoopla for the audiobook.
Published on Goodreads on 10.20.19.
March 21, 2023
Medical examiner, Sara Linton, was called to an apparent suicide by Chief of Police, Jeffrey Tolliver, Sara's ex-husband and now sometime lover. But things didn't add up and although there seemed no evidence of murder, Jeffrey was sure it was, as was Sara. The following day another apparent suicide, another college student, this one a definite murder. Who was brutally killing college students?
Meanwhile ex-detective Lena Adams, was a security guard at the campus and saw things she couldn't unsee. But she also had information she should give to Jeffrey - her bitterness and anger saw her doing the opposite. Was Lena about to cross the line?
I read A Faint Cold Fear first in 2004, and gave it 5 stars. Now, nineteen years later, it's had a different impact on me. Karin Slaughter writes - or wrote when this was written - a brutal, in your face, gory and bloodthirsty thriller. Whether it's because of the violence in the world now, or whether I'm a lot older, I didn't like it like I once did. I'm really hoping the next in the series isn't so gruesome...
Meanwhile ex-detective Lena Adams, was a security guard at the campus and saw things she couldn't unsee. But she also had information she should give to Jeffrey - her bitterness and anger saw her doing the opposite. Was Lena about to cross the line?
I read A Faint Cold Fear first in 2004, and gave it 5 stars. Now, nineteen years later, it's had a different impact on me. Karin Slaughter writes - or wrote when this was written - a brutal, in your face, gory and bloodthirsty thriller. Whether it's because of the violence in the world now, or whether I'm a lot older, I didn't like it like I once did. I'm really hoping the next in the series isn't so gruesome...
July 9, 2018
Karin Slaughter can use this series to teach a class on character development. With every book in this series, these characters grow increasingly complex. With every punch, their resilience builds but not without considerable scarring which makes them oh so human. Slaughter's characters suffer so much. I can't even fathom it. But her lead characters are women and you all know we can overcome a lot. Well-done, Ms. Slaughter on another 5-star crime thriller. Grant County is a dark and graphic series, but if you can handle it, it's a winner. Check it out!
My favorite quote:
“Everybody had something horrible happen to them at one time or another in their life; it was part of the human condition. How they struggled through adversity proved what kind of people they were.”
The Grant County series consists of the following installments as of July 2018. Highly recommend reading in order as the main characters in this series have an ongoing storyline with significant backstory.
#1-Blindsighted
#2-Kisscut
#3-A Faint Cold Fear
#4-Indelible
#5-Faithless
#6-Beyond Reach
My favorite quote:
“Everybody had something horrible happen to them at one time or another in their life; it was part of the human condition. How they struggled through adversity proved what kind of people they were.”
The Grant County series consists of the following installments as of July 2018. Highly recommend reading in order as the main characters in this series have an ongoing storyline with significant backstory.
#1-Blindsighted
#2-Kisscut
#3-A Faint Cold Fear
#4-Indelible
#5-Faithless
#6-Beyond Reach
February 16, 2013
I think I'm going to have to give back my English Lit degree. I don't know how I got to book three in this series without realizing that half the characters are named after characters in Wuthering Heights. Really? Hareton Earnshaw? Cathy and "Eddie" Linton?
It's useless to argue that I'm just reading this series out of boredom because I am clearly working my way through the Grant county series. With this novel, however, I am losing some of my like and respect for the characters. I like Jeffrey a LOT less, regardless of his personal crises of faith in several characters. I am annoyed by Lena--fix her soon. Or as another reader suggested, kill her. Just stop the cycle of degradation. I had high hopes at the end of book two that she was turning things around.
The plot twist with Tessa's stabbing seemed tacked on and unresolved--seriously. After the hospital bed plea of "Find him" there was no conversation between Sara or her sister.
I hope this gets sorted out or I'll have to quit reading. I don't like to turn on characters in whom I've invested significant time.
It's useless to argue that I'm just reading this series out of boredom because I am clearly working my way through the Grant county series. With this novel, however, I am losing some of my like and respect for the characters. I like Jeffrey a LOT less, regardless of his personal crises of faith in several characters. I am annoyed by Lena--fix her soon. Or as another reader suggested, kill her. Just stop the cycle of degradation. I had high hopes at the end of book two that she was turning things around.
The plot twist with Tessa's stabbing seemed tacked on and unresolved--seriously. After the hospital bed plea of "Find him" there was no conversation between Sara or her sister.
I hope this gets sorted out or I'll have to quit reading. I don't like to turn on characters in whom I've invested significant time.
April 20, 2022
Another edge of your seat offering in this exciting series. I have been going through this quickly on audio so I can get to the Will Trent series, but may slow this down as I don't want to 'overkill'!
Sarah Linton, our ever capable and most adaptable pediatrician slash medical examiner of small town Heartsdale is called out to what looks like a suicide on the college campus. It's been mentioned many times that the town's reputation is important and this will need to be dealt with swiftly. Sarah's sister is almost due to give birth and unfortunately has been swept up in this crime, and ends up being terribly hurt also.
Jeffrey Tolliver, Sarah's ex husband and the police chief join forces again to get to the bottom of these crimes which seem to have a hate crime aspect, and poor Lena, the ex detective of the force who has suffered terribly in the prior two installments is dragged into this in more ways than one. She decided to give up her beloved job due to the pressures placed on her by Jeffrey to seek counselling for the atrocities she has previously faced. I like the relationship between these two characters; Jeffrey so clearly cares for her, but fumbles his way through, getting many things wrong. Poor Lena has accepted a job on the campus security division where she is working hard with no direction in her life.
I did not enjoy this book as much as the previous two, I found the storyline less engaging, but as always in series I enjoy I do love the characters and will be keen to see how they all continue to develop. I like that Nan is still involved, the widow of Lena's twin, she adds a nice touch of softness and really cares about Lena.
Again Sarah and Jeffrey's push pull complexities are evident, it's clear his indiscretions have hurt Sarah but their love for each other is clear, and she is willing to forgive him. It seems her close knit family is slowly becoming more accepting of him, too.
I was left wondering a little about Sarah's sister's frame of mind after her tragedy and found she was left out of this storyline somewhat.
I look forward to book number four to see what dramas unfold in this unlucky small community where lots of things go wrong, and I do hope Lena can start to heal.
Sarah Linton, our ever capable and most adaptable pediatrician slash medical examiner of small town Heartsdale is called out to what looks like a suicide on the college campus. It's been mentioned many times that the town's reputation is important and this will need to be dealt with swiftly. Sarah's sister is almost due to give birth and unfortunately has been swept up in this crime, and ends up being terribly hurt also.
Jeffrey Tolliver, Sarah's ex husband and the police chief join forces again to get to the bottom of these crimes which seem to have a hate crime aspect, and poor Lena, the ex detective of the force who has suffered terribly in the prior two installments is dragged into this in more ways than one. She decided to give up her beloved job due to the pressures placed on her by Jeffrey to seek counselling for the atrocities she has previously faced. I like the relationship between these two characters; Jeffrey so clearly cares for her, but fumbles his way through, getting many things wrong. Poor Lena has accepted a job on the campus security division where she is working hard with no direction in her life.
I did not enjoy this book as much as the previous two, I found the storyline less engaging, but as always in series I enjoy I do love the characters and will be keen to see how they all continue to develop. I like that Nan is still involved, the widow of Lena's twin, she adds a nice touch of softness and really cares about Lena.
Again Sarah and Jeffrey's push pull complexities are evident, it's clear his indiscretions have hurt Sarah but their love for each other is clear, and she is willing to forgive him. It seems her close knit family is slowly becoming more accepting of him, too.
I was left wondering a little about Sarah's sister's frame of mind after her tragedy and found she was left out of this storyline somewhat.
I look forward to book number four to see what dramas unfold in this unlucky small community where lots of things go wrong, and I do hope Lena can start to heal.
February 3, 2021
i’m always appreciative of how karin slaughter writes unconventional pairings—characters with quirks who end up forming relationships with other characters with different quirks. the alchemy of her usually impressive cast of characters is a marvel in and of itself! (not to mention… that doozy of an ending. omg.)
now you may be thinking: why the 3-star rating?
firstly, one of my 2020-2021 reading goals is to finish this goddamn series so i can move in peace on to the will trent books, which i've been dying to read for a while. and until i feel that one of these grant county novels is compelling me to read purely on their own merit (and not simply because i'm trying to tick a box), i won't be giving out anything higher than 3 stars.
second, i have a REALLY hard time reading the interiority of self-destructive characters. no surprise, then, that lena's head is a tough, tough place to be in. it's one thing if there's an end in sight—i do love me an ambivalent redemption arc—but there is no end in sight. this woman's been spiralling for the last 3 books and it doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon!
main takeaway: grant county is a BLEAAAAK place and i’m glad it only exists in the headspace of its author. people keep dropping like flies!
now you may be thinking: why the 3-star rating?
firstly, one of my 2020-2021 reading goals is to finish this goddamn series so i can move in peace on to the will trent books, which i've been dying to read for a while. and until i feel that one of these grant county novels is compelling me to read purely on their own merit (and not simply because i'm trying to tick a box), i won't be giving out anything higher than 3 stars.
second, i have a REALLY hard time reading the interiority of self-destructive characters. no surprise, then, that lena's head is a tough, tough place to be in. it's one thing if there's an end in sight—i do love me an ambivalent redemption arc—but there is no end in sight. this woman's been spiralling for the last 3 books and it doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon!
main takeaway: grant county is a BLEAAAAK place and i’m glad it only exists in the headspace of its author. people keep dropping like flies!
August 29, 2022
Another slam dunk for Karin Slaughter!
December 20, 2017
This particular installment of the Grant County series felt different than the other's I've read (including Slaughter's books that aren't part of this series). It was definitely more focused on the characters than it was on the murder, which I had mixed feelings about. On one hand, if we are going to be following these characters through a series, I want to know about them, but on the other hand I felt like after the opening of the book (which started off with a bang!) I was missing some of the seat gripping action.
I loved reading the book from Sara and Jeffrey's perspectives, but holy hell, did Lena make me want to punch her in the face. I want to like Lena so badly, really, I do, but this book make it so hard! I'm hoping in future books I'll like her more.
Despite all of that, I did love the book.
As for the story, it was fast moving, as are all of Slaughter's books, which kept me wanting to read it until I finished it and found out the end. The last chapter in this installment was excellent, and I can't wait to move onto the fourth book!
I loved reading the book from Sara and Jeffrey's perspectives, but holy hell, did Lena make me want to punch her in the face. I want to like Lena so badly, really, I do, but this book make it so hard! I'm hoping in future books I'll like her more.
Despite all of that, I did love the book.
As for the story, it was fast moving, as are all of Slaughter's books, which kept me wanting to read it until I finished it and found out the end. The last chapter in this installment was excellent, and I can't wait to move onto the fourth book!
January 1, 2021
4 college murder stars
I am slowly making my way through the Grant County series (this is #3 of #6) featuring pediatrician and medical examiner Sara Linton. Although I found this one to have quite a bit with Lena – what a flawed and complicated character!
The book starts out, as many Karin Slaughter books do, with a crime scene. In this case, an apparent suicide near the local college. Sara is called in as well as her ex-husband Jeffery Tolliver, the chief of police. Tragically, Sara’s sister is also drawn into the scene this time. The bodies keep piling up and Jeffery is scrambling to get to the bottom of the crime spree.
There were a few big twists in this one, especially a big one in the last pages. I had to go back and re-read it!!
I am a big fan of Karin Slaughter and I have more of her older ones to read. In the case of this series, I do think it’s good to start with #1 – “Blindsighted.” I appreciated having read the earlier books as I knew a lot more about the history of these characters. Plus, these books are easier to get from my local library.
I am slowly making my way through the Grant County series (this is #3 of #6) featuring pediatrician and medical examiner Sara Linton. Although I found this one to have quite a bit with Lena – what a flawed and complicated character!
The book starts out, as many Karin Slaughter books do, with a crime scene. In this case, an apparent suicide near the local college. Sara is called in as well as her ex-husband Jeffery Tolliver, the chief of police. Tragically, Sara’s sister is also drawn into the scene this time. The bodies keep piling up and Jeffery is scrambling to get to the bottom of the crime spree.
There were a few big twists in this one, especially a big one in the last pages. I had to go back and re-read it!!
I am a big fan of Karin Slaughter and I have more of her older ones to read. In the case of this series, I do think it’s good to start with #1 – “Blindsighted.” I appreciated having read the earlier books as I knew a lot more about the history of these characters. Plus, these books are easier to get from my local library.
January 28, 2019
I always enjoy reading Karin Slaughter. I read one of her newer books and then decided to read an older one. I do think she gets better with each book but completely enjoyed reading this book #3 in the series and enjoyed reconnecting with the characters. Did not figure it out until the end of the book which is something I always enjoy.
June 29, 2016
Sara and Jeffrey I love how you solve crimes together. Their character development continues to progress nicely. I love learning more about each as a person and as a couple.
An Apparent Suicide at a local college campus brings Sara to the scene but she is not alone, she has her pregnant sister in tow. What happens next is tragic. While Sara is examining the body, her sister wanders off to pee and is brutally attacked.
Lena continues to be a train wreck. She is working for the Campus and is conducting her own investigation. She continues down her path of self destruction. If you have read this series from the beginning, you know why.
I continue to root for Sara and Jeffrey while they investigate a series of "suicides" on campus. All while doing this Sara is dealing with her families grief, anger and her own self blame.
Another good one by Slaughter. I'm still hooked.
An Apparent Suicide at a local college campus brings Sara to the scene but she is not alone, she has her pregnant sister in tow. What happens next is tragic. While Sara is examining the body, her sister wanders off to pee and is brutally attacked.
Lena continues to be a train wreck. She is working for the Campus and is conducting her own investigation. She continues down her path of self destruction. If you have read this series from the beginning, you know why.
I continue to root for Sara and Jeffrey while they investigate a series of "suicides" on campus. All while doing this Sara is dealing with her families grief, anger and her own self blame.
Another good one by Slaughter. I'm still hooked.
August 10, 2018
I hate Lena
April 14, 2016
Karin Slaughters Grant County series is very good but, in my opinion, not as good as her Will Trent series. This book is proof of that.
Sarah, a medical examiner arrives on a murder scene and while she is examining the victim her pregnant sister, who she brought to the scene, wonders away from her car and is brutally attacked. What? A bit far fetched, but wait it gets worse. Lena, (a former detective and colleague of, Jeffery, the lead detective on the case and Sarah's ex-husband), just happens to work for the nearby college as a security guard and try's miserably to conduct her own investigation. She can't even navigate her own messed up existence after the brutal attack she experienced a year ago.
Please don't get me wrong, KS is an excellent writer, but this addition to this series was all over the place, not her best. I think she did pull it together in the end and left us with a "what the heck" ending, which is why the four stars, but a few of these characters are becoming a little ridiculous. I am hoping she reins in the soap opera dialogue between these three and gets back on track with the next in the series.
Sarah, a medical examiner arrives on a murder scene and while she is examining the victim her pregnant sister, who she brought to the scene, wonders away from her car and is brutally attacked. What? A bit far fetched, but wait it gets worse. Lena, (a former detective and colleague of, Jeffery, the lead detective on the case and Sarah's ex-husband), just happens to work for the nearby college as a security guard and try's miserably to conduct her own investigation. She can't even navigate her own messed up existence after the brutal attack she experienced a year ago.
Please don't get me wrong, KS is an excellent writer, but this addition to this series was all over the place, not her best. I think she did pull it together in the end and left us with a "what the heck" ending, which is why the four stars, but a few of these characters are becoming a little ridiculous. I am hoping she reins in the soap opera dialogue between these three and gets back on track with the next in the series.
July 22, 2020
Holy shit!
What the hell Lena! Can’t figure her out.
Jeffrey & Sara? Can’t figure them out either.
On to book #4.
What the hell Lena! Can’t figure her out.
Jeffrey & Sara? Can’t figure them out either.
On to book #4.
May 25, 2022
Reread 2022:
Ehm huh? Ik snap mezelf van 5 jaar terug even niet. Door en door spannend? Nee eerder door en door drama in dit deel haha! Lena is echt een vervelend personage en die neemt best wel veel ruimte in, in dit deel. Als ik dit vergelijk met de voorgaande delen is deze toch wel echt minder, dus ik ga mijn rating aanpassen naar 3 sterren.
Eerste read 2017:
Originele rating 5 sterren
Oké, mijn twijfels over Karin Slaughter zijn weg. Ze is goed! Dit deel bleef door en door spannend en ik wilde continu doorlezen!
Ehm huh? Ik snap mezelf van 5 jaar terug even niet. Door en door spannend? Nee eerder door en door drama in dit deel haha! Lena is echt een vervelend personage en die neemt best wel veel ruimte in, in dit deel. Als ik dit vergelijk met de voorgaande delen is deze toch wel echt minder, dus ik ga mijn rating aanpassen naar 3 sterren.
Eerste read 2017:
Originele rating 5 sterren
Oké, mijn twijfels over Karin Slaughter zijn weg. Ze is goed! Dit deel bleef door en door spannend en ik wilde continu doorlezen!
May 13, 2023
It was bound to happen. I did not really enjoy this installment of the Grant County series for a few reasons. The location and some of the disparaging side plots. I’ll get into that later, but this book focuses on a murderer who starts picking off students and faculty using questionable methods and setups. Are they all connected? Time will tell.
What makes this one unique is that Sara’s sister is also a victim. While Sara is assisting the police in finding the killer, she is also watching her sister cling to life and trying to mend relationships with her ex-husband at the same time. It’s panic-inducing, and it's hard not to feel sorrow for the family as the grisly story unfolds.
As I stated before, it is the college location that feels ordinary. We are introduced to stereotypical college kids, questionable faculty, parties, and those bending the law for a good time. It is fairly easy to figure out who to add to a list of possible suspects and who you can tick off and leave to indulge in their vices.
Do not get me wrong; this one is a dark book, but most of the content is much too obvious. There is no pizazz to the mystery, no exciting hook. The story's connective tissue (quite literally) is just dull. It definitely has that third-book or movie curse. i.e., Robocop 3, Superman 3, Terminator 3, Matrix 3, Godfather 3, etc., you get the point. I could have used more emphasis on Jeffery and Sara’s relationship and less on Lena’s constant downfall and noncommittal attitude to help with the murder investigation. I get why she is unwilling to help; believe me, it's horrible what she goes through, but it gets a bit much towards the end. I guess what I am getting at is that the story is just a bit thin. It has the usual trappings of the previous novels, but this one does not do too much more to lift the story to a new level.
The shocking ending will definitely rub most people the wrong way, and I don’t even truly know where I stand with the twist until I check out the next installment.
──∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗── 3 ★'s ──∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗──
What makes this one unique is that Sara’s sister is also a victim. While Sara is assisting the police in finding the killer, she is also watching her sister cling to life and trying to mend relationships with her ex-husband at the same time. It’s panic-inducing, and it's hard not to feel sorrow for the family as the grisly story unfolds.
As I stated before, it is the college location that feels ordinary. We are introduced to stereotypical college kids, questionable faculty, parties, and those bending the law for a good time. It is fairly easy to figure out who to add to a list of possible suspects and who you can tick off and leave to indulge in their vices.
Do not get me wrong; this one is a dark book, but most of the content is much too obvious. There is no pizazz to the mystery, no exciting hook. The story's connective tissue (quite literally) is just dull. It definitely has that third-book or movie curse. i.e., Robocop 3, Superman 3, Terminator 3, Matrix 3, Godfather 3, etc., you get the point. I could have used more emphasis on Jeffery and Sara’s relationship and less on Lena’s constant downfall and noncommittal attitude to help with the murder investigation. I get why she is unwilling to help; believe me, it's horrible what she goes through, but it gets a bit much towards the end. I guess what I am getting at is that the story is just a bit thin. It has the usual trappings of the previous novels, but this one does not do too much more to lift the story to a new level.
The shocking ending will definitely rub most people the wrong way, and I don’t even truly know where I stand with the twist until I check out the next installment.
──∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗── 3 ★'s ──∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗──
November 1, 2019
Audio 5 stars
Story 3.5 stars
Not my favorite of the series, but still well worth reading.
Story 3.5 stars
Not my favorite of the series, but still well worth reading.
March 21, 2024
Another week, another KS re-read :)
This is the third book in the Grant County series by Karin Slaughter. We catch up with Sara, Jeffrey and Lena and of course there’s a death in town.
I’ve read this book before and loved it back then, as much as now. It’s not the best in the series, but that in no way detracts from the awesomeness of Sara and Jeffrey’s case solving skills. Karin writes this like the rest of her books, with suspense, gore and mystery. It isn’t for the faint hearted – like nearly all her books – they are graphic and bloody. 🙂
So we start with a suspected suicide close to campus, and Sara gets called to the scene by Jeffrey to take a look at the body before it’s taken to the morgue. Sara’s just getting ice cream with her sister Tess, so she has to take her along too. Throughout the story, another two people ‘kill themselves’, one person is murdered and one is brutally attacked, causing devastating injuries and lifelong pain for the whole family (I won’t say anymore on that one). Sara and Jeffrey have a funny feeling about the suicides so investigate them as murders, until they find out the truth.
Now, this story is heavily focused on Lena, who after being attacked last year (in Kisscut), has left the police force, after refusing to seek therapeutic help, and has joined the security team at the college. I don’t like Lena. Never have, never will. Since I read this series way back when, she is just an idiot and I can’t stand her attitude to life and people in general. She makes problems when there doesn’t need to be any, she insults people, is stubborn and rude, and she won’t accept help. We see in this story that she is also now a borderline alcoholic, just about holding onto her job at the school.
Lena tries to help Jeffrey with the case, but because she is so cagey, she just makes things worse. She keeps secrets, doesn’t share information and generally doesn’t help herself when she gets implicated in one of the suspected suicides. A new character is introduced to us in this book – Ethan. He is an ‘ex’ Nazi skin head type of guy, with anger and control issues. He is, for some reason, attracted to Lena – Lord knows why – and he becomes a kind of stalker/lover of hers. He sticks around into the next book, so let’s not forget about him yet.
Quick update of Sara and Jeffrey’s situation : They are divorced. They were married once, Jeffrey cheated, they broke up got divorced and now they are kind of dating again. Sara is the town pathologist and paediatrician. Jeffrey is the town chief of police, so they work together a lot. We explore the relationship further in this book. We see how they are trying to move on and get over Jeffrey’s past infidelities, but it’s hard for Sara.
Jeff wants Lena back on the police force, but she was given an ultimatum last year – see a therapist and keep your job, or quit. She chose to quit because she is an idiot. This thread is further explored in the next book too.
Overall, this book is a good instalment in the Grant County series, and I’m glad to have read it again. Getting back to all those old ‘friends’ is why I love to read series’.
Pick this one up if you want a quick, thrilling read, with plenty of gory detail and some complex relationships thrown in too!
This is the third book in the Grant County series by Karin Slaughter. We catch up with Sara, Jeffrey and Lena and of course there’s a death in town.
I’ve read this book before and loved it back then, as much as now. It’s not the best in the series, but that in no way detracts from the awesomeness of Sara and Jeffrey’s case solving skills. Karin writes this like the rest of her books, with suspense, gore and mystery. It isn’t for the faint hearted – like nearly all her books – they are graphic and bloody. 🙂
So we start with a suspected suicide close to campus, and Sara gets called to the scene by Jeffrey to take a look at the body before it’s taken to the morgue. Sara’s just getting ice cream with her sister Tess, so she has to take her along too. Throughout the story, another two people ‘kill themselves’, one person is murdered and one is brutally attacked, causing devastating injuries and lifelong pain for the whole family (I won’t say anymore on that one). Sara and Jeffrey have a funny feeling about the suicides so investigate them as murders, until they find out the truth.
Now, this story is heavily focused on Lena, who after being attacked last year (in Kisscut), has left the police force, after refusing to seek therapeutic help, and has joined the security team at the college. I don’t like Lena. Never have, never will. Since I read this series way back when, she is just an idiot and I can’t stand her attitude to life and people in general. She makes problems when there doesn’t need to be any, she insults people, is stubborn and rude, and she won’t accept help. We see in this story that she is also now a borderline alcoholic, just about holding onto her job at the school.
Lena tries to help Jeffrey with the case, but because she is so cagey, she just makes things worse. She keeps secrets, doesn’t share information and generally doesn’t help herself when she gets implicated in one of the suspected suicides. A new character is introduced to us in this book – Ethan. He is an ‘ex’ Nazi skin head type of guy, with anger and control issues. He is, for some reason, attracted to Lena – Lord knows why – and he becomes a kind of stalker/lover of hers. He sticks around into the next book, so let’s not forget about him yet.
Quick update of Sara and Jeffrey’s situation : They are divorced. They were married once, Jeffrey cheated, they broke up got divorced and now they are kind of dating again. Sara is the town pathologist and paediatrician. Jeffrey is the town chief of police, so they work together a lot. We explore the relationship further in this book. We see how they are trying to move on and get over Jeffrey’s past infidelities, but it’s hard for Sara.
Jeff wants Lena back on the police force, but she was given an ultimatum last year – see a therapist and keep your job, or quit. She chose to quit because she is an idiot. This thread is further explored in the next book too.
Overall, this book is a good instalment in the Grant County series, and I’m glad to have read it again. Getting back to all those old ‘friends’ is why I love to read series’.
Pick this one up if you want a quick, thrilling read, with plenty of gory detail and some complex relationships thrown in too!
April 11, 2016
3.5 stars
August 28, 2019
Taking a break from this series for a romance buddy read but will be back. I love these characters! Sarah + Jeffery. Even Lena 🥴
February 1, 2024
While I am moving slowly through this series I do have every intention to finish this as well as the other books in this universe. The first two books blew me away with the graphic and brutal crimes that made the books feel different than other thrillers or police procedurals I’ve read. This mystery was no where near as compelling for me and I realized that left me with almost nothing to enjoy. The only character I have enjoyed up to this point is Sara and she was barely a footnote in this book. I have also not changed my mind about wanting the Sara/Jeffrey storyline to be over and most of Sara’s appearances were around that. This book centers mostly around Lena and Jeffrey. And while I have a lot of compassion for what Lena has been through I do not like her character. Jeffrey is called to a series of suicides connected to the local university but something doesn’t sit well with him or Sara the medical examiner. Slowly they piece together enough to see these were all murders. Lena is working security at that university these days and finds herself more involved in the investigation than she would have liked. This book was ok, but it didn’t impress like I know Karin Slaughter can do.
August 7, 2019
Warning: Domestic violence, suicides, drug use and abuse (prescription and OTC), racist slurs, gruesome killing scenes.
Loved this! Karin Slaughter always has me biting my fingernails. I have not read #1 or #2 in the series but the author does a good job of catching me up without overwhelming me about the past.
This book starts with a suicide and a stabbing right after. Lena is now off the force and working at the college as a security guard. Jeffrey and Sara are divorced but still trying to work it out for love's sake. It starts looking like a racist killing except one victim doesn't fit the theory.
So many twists and turns! I am invested in these characters.
Loved this! Karin Slaughter always has me biting my fingernails. I have not read #1 or #2 in the series but the author does a good job of catching me up without overwhelming me about the past.
This book starts with a suicide and a stabbing right after. Lena is now off the force and working at the college as a security guard. Jeffrey and Sara are divorced but still trying to work it out for love's sake. It starts looking like a racist killing except one victim doesn't fit the theory.
So many twists and turns! I am invested in these characters.
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