In
her latest standalone thriller, US bestselling author Karin Slaughter takes us
to the dark heart of 1970s Atlanta — one of the most violent cities in America
where ten cops are killed a year and most of the city is a no-go area — even
for male officers. It’s also a time of great change and yet for many the fierce
desire to keep things exactly the same is still strong.
Slaughter,
who’s celebrated for her impeccable research, evokes a confronting cop culture
but she believes the themes she’s exploring remain just as relevant to today.
They may not be as obvious but they are certainly still there.
“The
issues people were struggling with back then are very reminiscent of the ones
we are facing now: income inequality, the erosion of the middle class, sexism,
racism, xenophobia,” says Slaughter.
Karin
Slaughter will be touring New Zealand next week for “in conversation”
library events in Auckland (11 August) and Wellington (12 August).
Called
‘Cop Town’, Slaughter brings us two new leads in her latest absolutely
compelling and gritty offering which Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help, has
already described as one of the most powerful and moving reads of recent
memory.
Kate
Murphy is a new cop on the force and we follow her through her first day and her
integration into the Atlanta police force. The other is Maggie Lawson — an old
hand. She’s been on the force for five years, comes from a cop family and is
blue collar. The story is about their journey as well as about a serial killer
who’s on the loose, shooting police officers.
For
officers like seasoned Maggie, and fresh-faced new recruit, Kate, every day is
a battle and that’s not just on the streets.
From
different side of the tracks they are united in their determination to be good
cops. But they have to fight the prejudice of people who are convinced a
woman’s place is in the home. Sometimes the prejudice is subtle and sometimes
is glares right at them.
Another
cop is shot dead. Maggie and Kate find themselves caught up in a case that
forces them to make choices. Choices that have far reaching consequences — for
them, for the police force and for the community as a whole.
As the brutal
killings and furious manhunt rock the city, Kate wonders if her first day on
the police force will also be her last. For life is anything but easy in the
male-dominated world of the Atlanta Police Department, where even the other
female cops have little mercy for the new girl.
Maggie is also
finding things tough. She followed her uncle and brother into the ranks to
prove her worth in their cynical eyes.
When Maggie and Kate
become partners, and are side lined in the search for the city’s cop killer,
their fury, pain, and pride finally reach boiling point.
With
the killer poised to strike again, will Kate and Maggie have the courage to
pursue their own line of investigation? And are they prepared to risk
everything as they venture into the city’s darkest heart?
ABOUT
KARIN SLAUGHTER:
Karin Slaughter grew up in a small south Georgia town and has been writing
since she was a child. She is the author of thirteen books that have sold over
30 million copies worldwide in 32 languages. A passionate advocate of reading
and the invaluable part public libraries play in local communities, Karin
spearheaded the Save The Libraries project (www. savethelibraries.com). She
lives in Atlanta. To find out more about Karin Slaughter visit her website at www.karinslaughter.com and on
Facebook.
Don’t
miss Karin Slaughter in conversation:
AUCKLAND:
Karin
Slaughter in conversation with Karen Craig
Date: Monday, 11
August
Time: 5:30pm –
7.30pm
Level 2, Whare
Wananga, Central City Library, Lorne St, Auckland
Free entry
WELLINGTON:
Karin
Slaughter in conversation with Craig Sisterson
Date: Tuesday, 12
August
6pm-7.30pm
Ground Floor, Wellington City Library, 65 Victoria
Street, Wellington
Free entry
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