Girl, Forgotten

Author: Karin Slaughter
Genre: Psychological Thriller
400 pages
Publisher: William Morrow, 2022

Synopsis
A small town hides a big secret…

Who killed Emily Vaughn?

Prom Night. Longbill Beach, 1982. Emily Vaughn dresses carefully for what’s supposed to be the highlight of any high school career. But Emily has a secret. And by the end of the night, because of that secret, she will be dead.

Nearly forty years later, Andrea Oliver, newly qualified as a US Marshal, receives her first assignment: to go to Longbill Beach to protect a judge receiving death threats. But Andrea’s real focus isn’t the judge – it’s Emily Vaughn. Ever since she first heard Emily’s name a year ago, she’s been haunted by her brutal death. Nobody was ever convicted – her friends closed ranks, her family shut themselves off in their grief, the town moved on – so the killer is still out there. But now Andrea has a chance to find out what really happened…

My review
Girl, Forgotten is the second installment in the Andrea Oliver series and another strong crime/psychological thriller from Karin Slaughter. One of the reasons I consistently return to Slaughter’s work is her exceptional storytelling and her talent for crafting realistic, relatable characters. Girl, Forgotten delivers on that front, making it a solid four-star read for me!

Slaughter is a compelling storyteller, but it’s her characters that truly stand out in her novels. Andrea Oliver, now a newly minted U.S. Marshal, really grew on me throughout the story, and my favorite character might be her partner, Deputy Leonard “Catfish” Bible. I especially love his quirky rules and humor, which bring a welcome lightness to the otherwise dark plot. Most of the other characters are truly despicable, but their awfulness makes for an immersive and gripping read.

This narrative unfolds across two timelines, 1981 and forty years later, weaving a story of intrigue and deception. Decades have passed, yet the truth remains buried. With the Judge now battling cancer, her husband disabled by a stroke, and Oliver assigned to protect them following death threats, the timing feels perfect for uncovering whether Oliver’s own father, Clay Morrow, is truly guilty of Emily’s murder. Slaughter hooked me from the start and kept the tension high throughout. Although I haven’t read the first book in the series, Pieces of Her, Slaughter provided enough backstory that I never felt lost, making it easy to enjoy this installment as a standalone.

Slaughter’s books are often tough reads, as they frequently depict violence against women and children. There are several forms of abuse portrayed in the narrative, so keep that in mind before diving in. The plot is intricate but utterly engrossing. Emily was a mix of sharp intuition and startling naivety, yet I couldn’t help but root for justice on her behalf. I especially enjoyed her ‘Columbo’ moments—it was a brilliant touch. While the cult storyline feels secondary, it weaves seamlessly into the main plot through two key characters.

Girl, Forgotten is another gripping, absorbing read from Slaughter. While it may not be my top favorite of hers, it still easily outshines many thrillers on the shelf. Even when it’s not her best, Slaughter is always a cut above the rest and her books are well worth the read!

My recommendation: read it!