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Girl, Forgotten    by Karin Slaughter Amazon.com order for
Girl, Forgotten
by Karin Slaughter
Order:  USA  Can
William Morrow, 2022 (2022)
Hardcover, Softcover, e-Book
* * *   Reviewed by Hilary Williamson

Here's an extraordinary new offering from Karin Slaughter, author of a long list of masterfully written psychological thrillers. I particularly enjoyed her many Georgia mysteries starring pediatrician/medical examiner Dr. Sara Linton, as well as Detectives Will Trent and Lena Adams. Now she brings us Girl, Forgotten, featuring US Marshal Andrea Oliver on her first assignment.

It takes her to Longbill Beach, where she's assigned to protect Judge Esther Vaughan, who's received death threats. But Andrea has another goal in mind. In 1982, Emily Vaughn went to prom - and didn't survive the experience. She was a smart, pretty, well-liked athlete from a wealthy family, and her murder has never been solved. Andrea is determined to find out what happened.

The story moves back and forth in time, gradually revealing what led up to Emily's murder. We see her heading to the prom, visibly pregnant, against her parents' wishes. Readers feel for her as they see how badly she's treated - by parents, teachers, chaperones, and past friends. The mood is 'pitchforks and scarlet 'A's.' Emily is attacked and dies but her baby survives.

Fast forward forty years to Andrea's graduation. She grew up in Witness Security (her biological father, Clayton Morrow a killer) and now is a US Marshal herself. She had dated Inspector Mike Vargas and there's still a strong attraction. Morrow grew up in Longbill Beach - did he kill Emily? When Andrea arrives, she's partnered with Deputy Bible, but doesn't share her off duty plans with him.

What follows is a typically engrossing Slaughter thriller, with a variety of plot threads, constant action, surprises, vulnerability and romance. Andrea solves both past and very present crimes. Don't miss this one!

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