Book Summary and Reviews of We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter

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Janine_S

Exceptional mystery/procedural crime novel
I'm not sure what it is about this book (my first Karen Slaughter) read, but I simply couldn't put the book down and I was honing in on every word! This is the first in a new series, so it makes sense that character building should be the focus - it's less about North Falls, GA, and more about the Cliftons, the family whose name is on just about everything! And these are such great characters especially Emmy, her dad, Gerald, estranged sister, Jude, Emmy's son, Cory, to mention the best (to me) in the book. The Cliftons are big into policing! The book is divided into two parts separated by 12 years. The first part deals with the disappearance of two girls: Cheyenne and Madison, stepdaughter to Emmy's best friend, Hannah. Twelve years later another girl disappears and the anguish and guilt of the previous disappearances returns with a vengeance. Really liked this book. I definitely will consider the next book in this series.

She Treads Softly

exceptional investigative thriller/police procedural
We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter is an exceptional, very highly recommended investigative thriller/police procedural. This is one of the best procedurals I've read this year and I'm thrilled that it is the first book of a new series set in the small town of North Falls, Georgia. Slaughter always writes excellent novels and continues to be an automatic go-to author for me.

Officer Emmy Clifton, 30, and her father Sheriff Gerald Clifton, 74, are on duty during the Fourth of July fireworks celebration in North Falls when two 15-year-old girls, Cheyenne Baker and Madison Dalrymple, disappear. The crime scene immediately points to violence and abduction. The FBI is called in and the investigation begins in earnest as every passing minute means it is less likely the girls will be found alive. Everyone works tirelessly to uncover any clue or person with a tie to the girls as well as exposing some dark secrets. The investigation results in two men being sent to prison, one of them for the death of the girls.

Next the plot jumps twelve years into the future when the man imprisoned for the earlier crimes is released after a true crime podcaster reported on the case. He returns to North Falls and then 14-year-old Paisley Walker goes missing under similar circumstances. An angry crowd gathered, someone is shot, and the tension becomes explosive as again the FBI is called in and an investigation ensues. Adding to the intrigue a recently retired FBI special agent, psychologist Jude Archer, arrives on the scene to assist. Jude has secret ties to both the town and the Clifton family.

The writing is excellent and the plot is fast-paced with unwavering stress as each investigation unfolds. The relentless tension and dread remains red-level high throughout the whole detailed, gripping, gritty, suspenseful and unpredictable plot. There are many dark secrets, unexpected twists, and new clues. While natural instincts are in doubt and grief is an overbearing burden, the tenacity, intelligence, and resilience of Emmy is in full display. Clues are logical followed in the investigation. The novel is a procedural first, but is also a family drama.

All the characters are well-developed and fully realized. They are portrayed as believable, realistic individuals with both strengths and weaknesses. The characters all experience growth, but it always comes at great cost. Along with the individual characters, the dynamics between family members and the community also play a role in the plot.

We Are All Guilty Here is a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys complex, gritty procedurals and is one of the best books I've read this year. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Cloggie Downunder

Unbelievably good crime fiction!
We Are All Guilty Here is the first book in the North Falls series by award-winning, bestselling American author, Karin Slaughter. In North Falls, Georgia, it’s said that everybody who isn’t a Clifton either works for the Cliftons or has been arrested by the Cliftons. Emmy Lou Clifton-Lang is a deputy for her father, Sheriff Gerald Clifton, when two fifteen-year-old girls go missing during the town’s 4th of July fireworks. Emmy knows them both well: Madison Dalrymple is like a niece to her, the step-daughter of her best friend, Hannah; the other is Mad’s best friend, Cheyenne Baker.

Emmy Lou feels guilty over how she handled her last encounter with Madison, and while much of the town looks for the girls, she and all in the Sheriff’s department work tirelessly, digging deep into everyone with even the faintest connection to them. After a few missteps, it looks like they have their man.

Twelve years on, thanks to a true crime podcast, a North Falls man on death row is free and, two days later, fourteen-year-old Paisley Walker goes missing under eerily similar circumstances. In the angry crowd outside the parolee’s home, there’s a tragic shooting that has far-reaching consequences for the whole town.

With each hour that passes, all involved: the Sheriff’s department, the GBI, the FBI, are acutely aware of the statistics, the fast-diminishing chance of bringing Paisley home alive. In California, on the brink of retirement, a criminal psychologist with the FBI, known for her expertise in finding missing children, catches wind of the Paisley Walker case and immediately sets out for Georgia. But will her presence be welcomed by all in North Falls?

Once again, Slaughter gives the reader a gripping tale, filled with action, suspense, and yes, some graphic detail. There are twists, turns and red herrings before the final, satisfying conclusion. Even the most astute reader will have barely an inkling about one of the perpetrators until the final chapters. Slaughter’s characters are believably flawed, but also grow and develop; characters with depth and wisdom refer to past mistakes and lessons learned.

Fans who may wonder, with each new work, if Slaughter can maintain her matchless standard, can rest assured that her latest is another winner: almost impossible to put down. More of this cast will be most welcome. Unbelievably good crime fiction!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins UK.

jillg

A Character-Driven Suspense
Narrated by Kathleen Early

There are no clean hands—

This is a character-driven suspense/mystery centered on the Clifton family in the small town of North Falls. When two teenage girls go missing, the case becomes personal for Officer Emmy Clifton, as one of the girls is her best friend’s daughter. As Emmy begins to dig into the evidence, it becomes clear she never truly knew these girls. The investigation slowly uncovers the secrets of the teens, as well as the secrets buried within the town.

Karin Slaughter’s writing is harsh and emotionally intense, making readers face uncomfortable truths about responsibility, silence, and shared blame.

The narration by Kathleen Early was excellent and really elevated the tone and emotional impact of the story.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, and I can’t wait for the second book in the North Falls series to see how the Clifton family—and the town—handle what’s coming next.

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