Broken

Synopsis:

When Special Agent Will Trent arrives in Grant County, he finds a police department determined to protect its own and far too many unanswered questions about a prisoner’s death. He doesn’t understand why Officer Lena Adams is hiding secrets from him. He doesn’t understand her role in the death of Grant County’s popular police chief. He doesn’t understand why that man’s widow, Dr. Sara Linton, needs him now more than ever to help her crack this case.

While the police force investigates the murder of a young woman pulled from a frigid lake, Trent investigates the police force, putting pressure on Adams just when she’s already about to crack. Caught between two complicated and determined women, trying to understand Linton’s passionate distrust of Adams, the facts surrounding Chief Tolliver’s death, and the complexities of this insular town, Trent will unleash a case filled with explosive secrets—and encounter a thin blue line that could be murderous if crossed.

Spellbinding and keenly paced, Broken is Karin Slaughter at her best. Here is an unforgettable story of raw emotions, dangerous assumptions, the deadly and layered game of betrayal, and a man’s determination to expose the most painful of human truths—no matter how deeply they’re hidden . . . or how devastating.

My Opinion:

Karin Slaughter always gives a pretty good thrill, but I'm getting a little tired of the whole Grant County scene. I absolutely love Will Trent, and I'd like to see him well away from Angie and preferably with Sarah, but all these serial killer-type situations in one tiny, minuscule, happy, joyous (as Slaughter delights in reminding us) town is getting a bit old, frankly.

It was entertaining, especially the interaction between Lena and Frank in the beginning. I was really sort of looking forward to a showdown between Sarah and Lena, but I think it was a good call on Slaughter's part to just leave out all the drama that would have ensued. In short, I like Slaughter's writing, I just really wish she'd branch out a bit more. Maybe change up the characters and the setting. I really like Will, but if dropping him is what it takes to add some spark to this constant whirlwind of Lena-Sarah-Jeffrey's issues, then I wish she'd just get on with it. Strangely enough, I don't like the stories about Will and Faith, either; she reminds me too much of Lena - harsh and forceful. You can certainly see how these characters have personality and come alive, but Will and Sarah by contrast come across as sweet, innocent angels to Faith and Lena's unhinged, unexpected rage. It's just kind of cynical and depressing to read. Amanda Wagner (Will's boss) could be added to this number too. Why can't the girls be more... balanced?

But I digress. 'Broken' is quite good if you're reading this author for the first time; not so good if this is your eighth experience with the books in this series.