Pretty Girls: A Psychological Thriller Novel Exploring Secrets and Lies Among Sisters

There once were three sisters: Julia, Lydia and Claire. They were typical girls, and typical sisters. They pestered one another, stole one another's clothing, fought and loved one another. Then Julia disappeared without a trace at nineteen years of age, and the family was ripped asunder and it never healed. Now decades later, their father is dead, mother heartbroken, and surviving sisters Lydia and Claire haven't spoken with one another in a very long time after an incident involving the man that would become Claire's husband.

Claire's life seems perfect. She should be happy. She lives a life of which most people can only dream. She has a beautiful home, beautiful “things”, can afford to travel the world, spend her day playing tennis or shopping or whatever she wishes to do. So why is she so dissatisfied, cheating on her husband, and assaulting friends?

Lydia was the stereotypical middle child. She was the troublesome rebel as a teenager who became addicted to drugs and wound up running off everyone who ever really cared about her. Now as a middle-aged mother, she has straightened out her life, having fought and scratched out a good life for her and her daughter.

Claire's husband Paul has always been the perfect husband. He provides for Claire, and she can want for nothing. He is thoughtful-- he, in fact, seems to think of everything. Nothing is missed. Everything is organized and planned. He even decorated their house. But after his death, Claire discovers that Paul had secrets of his own, and there is so much that she didn't know about him.

I didn’t care too much for Claire initially. She seemed sad, self-absorbed, hard, cold, and a little whiny. But as time went on, I grew to like her more. However I never really warmed up to her.

Lydia is a different story. I liked her from the beginning, and that never changed. Strong, committed and devoted, I liked her straight-forward personality that suffers no fools.

This was my introduction to the author, and I have been converted to a Slaughter fan! I really enjoyed her writing style. Descriptive, easy to read, well-developed characters, suspenseful writing. Other than graphically disturbing violence and torture, what’s not to like?

My final word: As I mentioned before, this book is graphic and filled with disturbing images, but I found it really suspenseful. It kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what was coming down the pike next. The author is very readable, the characters well-developed, the storyline provocative. I really, really enjoyed this story, and that feels a little "wrong", given how violent the story was, but I just can't help it. The story could get a little preposterous at times and requires some "suspension of disbelief" to get through it, but it is really a great escape if you like mystery and suspense, and you aren't put off by graphic violence of a sexual nature. I'd give two thumbs up, if it weren't for the thumbscrews and shackles!

WOW, what a ride. Haven’t read many psychological thrillers but this one good. I was going back and forth on who could be trusted, who was a good person, bad person or just getting in the way. Paul…..Paul Paul Paul, where do I begin, I thought maybe you had a redeeming bone in your body at one point in the story but NO you totally suck! Completely deserved what you got in the end. Thank you, Claire! Not only for Paul but for not giving up on Lydia even when she gave up on herself. Oh, and the torture scenes, creative on the author’s part but… urine waterboarding… GROSS! I can’t even imagine. This was a very emotional, raw story and I felt all the grief, hope and rage intertwined throughout. The letters from Sam to his missing daughter had me in tears! Helen at the end being strong for and accepting of both her remaining daughters, tears again! Well Done Karen… Well Done!

I’m quite often disappointed by thrillers, but I will dare say that this was one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read. It was gripping, suspenseful and full of twists in all the ways you want a thriller to be. The characters and the story were both very well developed and the author truly did a masterful job with her writing. However, I cannot in good conscience omit the fact that this was a very hard/heavy read. The fact that I’m giving this book a 5-star rating does not take away from the fact that it is indeed messed up, dark, disturbing and definitely not for everyone. I had one too many emotions while reading it. Still do and probably always will. This book kept me on the edge of my seat.

Wow wow - it definitely took me a bit to finish but my stomach was churning the entire time.

Holy s&$t.