Karin Slaughter’s After That Night, the latest in the Will Trent series, left me cold. The novel dives into the lives of Sara Linton, Will Trent, and Faith Mitchell as they navigate a chilling web of privilege and abuse in Atlanta’s elite circles. Fifteen years after Sara’s own trauma, she witnesses the death of a young woman named Dani Cooper, whose brutal assault draws eerie parallels to Sara’s own and she must confront her demons once again.
Despite the promising premise, I found myself unable to connect with the story. The narrative felt overly long and failed to maintain my interest beyond the halfway mark. While some may find the twists intriguing, I struggled to engage with the characters or their motivations.
While the audiobook narration added a commendable layer to the experience, it wasn’t enough to overcome my overall dissatisfaction. The novel’s excessive violence and disturbing themes left me unsettled. For readers sensitive to sexual violence, I strongly advise caution, as it is a central theme throughout.
Overall, After That Night didn’t live up to my expectations of Slaughter’s gripping storytelling. While it may appeal to fans of police procedurals and intense psychological dramas, it simply wasn’t the right fit for me. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. The opinions are solely my own.