Disclosure: Post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn commission.  Opinions shared are mine.

I’d had The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter on hold at the library for weeks, and the book arrived just before the Parkland incident in Florida. I had not read the summary before starting the book, so it really took me aback to realize that a school shooting is at the heart of the novel.

This is the first book I’ve read by Karin Slaughter, and it will not be the last! I thought The Good Daughter would be a thriller, but it was more of a family drama slash legal mystery. Be prepared for very descriptive scenes that detail terribly dark horrors. It was often too much for me to stomach; I took frequent breaks because it was a bit too graphic for me. Similar details are rehashed in certain parts of the novel (through different lenses) so it’s not as though you can skim over the icky parts.

Told from a third-person perspective, it was interesting to follow the history of the Quinn family in their small town. If you’ve ever lived in such a town, you’ll recognize it in this book. Everyone remembers their neighbors’ sins and shortcomings. Favors and betrayals go hand in hand. Though he reminded me a bit of Saul from Breaking Bad, Rusty Quinn was charming in his own way. His endearing qualities made me like his daughters more. Though I wondered why the characters didn’t figure out the situation a little sooner, it was a well written book that I’m glad I read.

Do you like books with a small town setting?