⭐⭐⭐
Pretty Girls is a book I finished out of stubbornness, not enjoyment.
I like a solid thriller. I can handle dark subject matter. But this one pushed straight past dark into twisted, gory, gruesome, and deeply disturbing territory. The violence is graphic to an almost numbing degree, with explicit depictions of torture, sexual assault, and murder that felt excessive rather than necessary. Instead of heightening suspense, it often pulled me out of the story.
That said, Slaughter can write. The novel is complex, the characters are well developed, and the emotional fallout within the family feels authentic. There’s a strong foundation here, even if it’s buried under layers of brutality. I also rolled my eyes at the mishmash of clichés and the way Claire suddenly puts everything together with near-superhuman insight. It didn’t ring true.
This book also could have used a firmer editorial hand. It’s long, dense, and would have benefited from trimming. I enjoyed the narration by Kathleen Early, though.
I can see why fans of extreme thrillers praise it. If I had known it is also classified as horror, I would have skipped it.
** Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudioAdult for a complimentary review copy of the audiobook. Opinions are my own.