Criminal/Karin Slaughter/436 pgs

I was fortunate enough to attend Karin Slaughter's talk and book signing at Spencer Road Branch Library. She was interesting and entertaining--and spoke about the book she was signing: Criminal.  In Criminal, Slaughter gives the reader an inside into Amanda Wagner's background, and also, Will Trent's. It begins with an old case in the 1970s when Amanda Wagner was just a rookie cop in Atlanta. Women were barely allowed on the police force, and were hardly respected. She, and fellow officer Evelyn Mitchell, become involved in a case of missing prostitutes--even though they have been warned off by their fellow male officers. The story shifts to the present day when women are again being murdered in the same manner as the prostitutes in the 70s. Amanda becomes involved in this case, and the story shifts between the past and present, along the way giving the reader insight into Amanda's character. For readers who have followed this series, it is great to learn a little more of what makes both Amanda and Will tick.  The solving of the murder cases is almost secondary, but equally compelling.