Pieces of Her— by Karin Slaughter
(William Morrow & Company)
Karin Slaughter, internationally bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including the Will Trent and Grant County series as well as “Cop Town” and “Pretty Girls,” is back with another standalone thriller. Andy’s life certainly isn’t turning out the way she expected. Stuck back in her small hometown, working the night shift as a 911 operator, she’s even envious of her former NYC roommate’s death, just because it took place on a magnificent yacht. Her mom, Laura Cooper, is nudging her, gently suggesting she shouldn’t have come home for her sake (Laura was recently diagnosed with breast cancer), but should instead focus on pursuing her dreams. That familiar tale is upended when a gunman bursts into the mall restaurant where they are enjoying Andy’s birthday lunch, and Laura reveals (to everyone; it was captured on a bystander’s phone) that she has some remarkable survival skills, to say the least. Now she really wants Andy to go, move out of the house, and, in fact, not even speak to her. Andy, baffled by this disorienting turn of events, is determined to find out why, and that is where this novel takes you. Electrifying, provocative, highly suspenseful, and very well-written, a fine late night companion.
— Reviewed by Jenny Lyons of The Vermont Book Shop in Middlebury.
 
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