Product Description

Lena Adams has spent her life struggling to escape her past. She has only unhappy memories of Reece, the small town which nearly destroyed her. She's made a new life for herself as a police detective in Heartsdale, a hundred miles away - but nothing could prepare her for the violence which explodes when she is forced to return. A vicious murder leaves a young woman incinerated beyond recognition. And Lena is the only suspect.When Heartsdale police chief Jeffrey Tolliver, Lena's boss, receives word that his detective has been arrested, he has no choice but to go to Lena's aid - taking with him his wife, medical examiner Sara Linton. But soon after their arrival, a second victim is found. The town closes ranks. And both Jeffrey and Sara find themselves entangled in a horrifying underground world of bigotry and rage - a violent world which shocks even them. A world which puts their own lives in jeopardy. Only Jeffrey and Sara can free Lena from the web of lies, betrayal and brutality that has trapped her. But can they discover the truth before the killer strikes again?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5489 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-27
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 576 pages

From the Inside Flap
IT’S NO SIMPLE CASE OF MURDER

Lena Adams has spent her life struggling to escape her past.She has only unhappy memories of Reece, the small town which nearly destroyed her.She’s made a new life for herself as a police detective in Heartsdale, a hundred miles away - but nothing could prepare her for the violence which explodes when she is forced to return.A vicious murder leaves a young woman incinerated beyond recognition.And Lena is the only suspect.

When Heartsdale police chief Jeffrey Tolliver, Lena’s boss, receives word that his detective has been arrested, he has no choice but to go to Lena’s aid – taking with him his wife, medical examiner Sara Linton.But soon after their arrival, a second victim is found.The town closes ranks.And both Jeffrey and Sara find themselves entangled in a horrifying underground world of bigotry and rage – a violent world which shocks even them.A world which puts their own lives in jeopardy.

Only Jeffrey and Sara can free Lena from the web of lies, betrayal and brutality that has trapped her.But can they discover the truth before the killer strikes again?

From the Back Cover
IT’S NO SIMPLE CASE OF MURDER

Lena Adams has spent her life struggling to escape her past.She has only unhappy memories of Reece, the small town which nearly destroyed her.She’s made a new life for herself as a police detective in Heartsdale, a hundred miles away - but nothing could prepare her for the violence which explodes when she is forced to return.A vicious murder leaves a young woman incinerated beyond recognition.And Lena is the only suspect.

When Heartsdale police chief Jeffrey Tolliver, Lena’s boss, receives word that his detective has been arrested, he has no choice but to go to Lena’s aid – taking with him his wife, medical examiner Sara Linton.But soon after their arrival, a second victim is found.The town closes ranks.And both Jeffrey and Sara find themselves entangled in a horrifying underground world of bigotry and rage – a violent world which shocks even them.A world which puts their own lives in jeopardy.

Only Jeffrey and Sara can free Lena from the web of lies, betrayal and brutality that has trapped her.But can they discover the truth before the killer strikes again?

About the Author
Karin Slaughter grew up in a small south Georgia town and has been writing since she was a child. She is the author of the Grant County series of international bestsellers Blindsighted, Kisscut, A Faint Cold Fear, Indelible, Faithless and Skin Privilege, and the bestselling thriller set in Atlanta, Triptych. She is also the editor of Like a Charm, a collaboration of British and American crime fiction writers. She lives in Atlanta.

Customer Reviews

Beyond sad
Skin PrivilegeEnjoyed this book greatly but was saddened and horrified by the ending. Found the switching between characters a bit confusing. Nonetheless a rivetting read. Hopefully there will be a follow on but not sure how she will manage this.

Great book - shocking ending
Like others on here, I too have read all of Karin Slaughters books and, in my humble opinion, she just keeps getting better and better.
This book centres around Lena the hard boiled police officer from Heartsdale. The book starts with the violence we are used to expecting from Ms Slaughters books and draws you further and further into the murky underworld of the storyline. The story is spun from both the viewpoints of both Lena and the joint team of Jeffrey Tolliver and Sara Linton, husband and wife police chief and town paediatrician.
Skilfully wrapped together, the story draws you deeper into ever more bloody violence and human intolerance to others.
A fabulous book that never lets up from start to finish and OMG what a finish! Totally unexpected, totally shocking. Truly a superb book. Dont miss it!!

I won't be reading Karin Slaughter again
Like others, I was extremely disappointed, and I admit, a tad upset, at the ending. So bothered in fact, that I won't read any more of her books.