Karin Slaughter's new book COP TOWN takes place in Atlanta
in 1974. It's important to understand that so you are ready
for an assault on your senses. Slaughter reminds us of a
time when abuse of authority regularly takes place in many
cities. Scary when you think of the disembodied acceptance
of this abuse. Be forewarned that Slaughter takes no
prisoners in this gritty gutsy crime novel. From the very
entre into this Atlanta COP TOWN we are forced to be open-
minded so that we can truly enjoy this gotcha police story
like none I've ever read or reviewed.
If you look up dysfunctional family in the dictionary I have
no doubt you will see a picture of the Lawson family. Here
is a group of people as uncomfortable in their own skins as
any I've ever read about or known. Everyone looks to go home
for rest and respite. Home is a safe place. But not for the
Lawson clan. Home is a place of stress and angst. As a cop
Maggie Lawson knows stress -- a patrol cop is thrust smack
in
the middle of the muck and mire of a city. Her brother Jimmy
is a detective.
This story revolves around the shooting and murder of
Jimmy's partner -- right in front of his eyes. For the most
part the police department whose sargeant is none other than
the Lawson's uncle Terry are quick to point the finger at
the Atlanta Shooter whose elusiveness is the bane of the
local authorities. The fact that the shooter targets cops
pretty much assures that their energy will be focused on
once again looking for him or her.
Maggie seems to be the sole member of her family with the
drive to look further into the incident where Jimmy's
partner is gun downed. Parts of the story bother her but
being a woman cop carries its own angst. The good old boy
club has no use for women cops. But you see Atlanta is
changing. The good old boys are just not embracing that
change.
Sargeant Terry Lawson runs an outfit that is basically
sexist
and racist. There is no room in their department for justice
of any kind. Heaven help you if you are a member of a
minority.
COP TOWN is too great a book to give away any more of its
storyline much less outline the graphic slurs and gritty
characters. With COP TOWN Karin Slaughter hits one out of
the park. Slaughter created an atmosphere of violence,
bigotry and indifference on a level of its own. COP TOWN is
an intriguing page turner that will in turn bother, excite,
disgust and delight the reader. Pretty tall order -- but COP
TOWN will definitely meet even the most discriminating crime
novel fan's expectations.
Atlanta, 1974: As a brutal murder and a furious manhunt rock
the city’s police department, Kate Murphy wonders if her
first day on the job will also be her last. She’s determined
to defy her privileged background by making her own
way—wearing a badge and carrying a gun. But for a beautiful
young woman, life will be anything but easy in the macho
world of the Atlanta PD, where even the female cops have
little mercy for rookies. It’s also the worst day possible
to start given that a beloved cop has been gunned down, his
brothers in blue are out for blood, and the city is on the
edge of war.
Kate isn’t the only woman on the force who’s feeling the
heat. Maggie Lawson followed her uncle and brother into the
ranks to prove her worth in their cynical eyes. When she and
Kate, her new partner, are pushed out of the citywide search
for a cop killer, their fury, pain, and pride finally reach
the boiling point. With a killer poised to strike again,
they will pursue their own line of investigation, risking
everything as they venture into the city’s darkest heart.
Relentlessly paced, acutely observed, wickedly funny, and
often heartbreaking, Cop Town is Karin Slaughter’s most
powerful novel yet—a tour de force of storytelling from our
foremost master of character, atmosphere, and suspense.
My first time ever commenting on my own review. I am always careful not to give away too much for fear that I would ruin it for the next reader. Cop Town is one of the most multi leveled story I've ever been blessed to review. Every page opens up another facet in Karin Slaughters genius as an author. What I originally pegged as a supporting cast of characters quickly became central to this amazing crime novel. Be prepared to be shocked, grossed out, angered and laugh out loud. If there was a star rating this book would blow it out of the roof. If you only get the chance to read one book this summer - Cop Town should be that book. Come back with your comments and let me know if you agree. (Sandra Wurman 9:40am July 17, 2014)
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