Book Club: The Good Daughter

Image Via Chapters Indigo

Book: The Good Daughter

Author: Karen Slaughter

Indigo Summary:

Two girls are forced into the woods at gunpoint.
One runs for her life. One is left behind . . .

The stunning new novel from the international #1 bestselling author—a searing, spellbinding blend of cold-case thriller and psychological suspense.

Twenty-eight years ago, Charlotte and Samantha Quinn’s happy small-town family life was torn apart by a terrifying attack on their family home. It left their mother dead. It left their father—Pikeville’s notorious defense attorney—devastated. And it left the family fractured beyond repair, consumed by secrets from that terrible night.

Twenty-eight years later, Charlie has followed in her father’s footsteps to become a lawyer herself—the ideal good daughter. But when violence comes to Pikeville again—and a shocking tragedy leaves the whole town traumatized—Charlie is plunged into a nightmare. Not only is she the first witness on the scene, but it’s a case that unleashes the terrible memories she’s spent so long trying to suppress. Because the shocking truth about the crime that destroyed her family nearly thirty years ago won’t stay buried forever . . .

What I have to say:

This book was the April pick for my Book Club. While there were some slow parts, there were also some really interesting parts. The storyline of Sam and Charlie reuniting and working together was sometimes a challenge to get through. We see the long term effects of the night their mother died, and we see how different the sisters are. The book starts with the murder of their mother, moves forward 28 years to the high school shooting. Throughout the story, we see how the two violent events are connected by the characters that were part of both shootings.

We also learn what really happened the night their mother died, and how much the father knew and kept from his daughters. Of course the story also deals with the 'present day' shooting in the high school, again we learn why the shooting happened and the different events that lead up to the shooting. I really didn't like how the book resolved both 'mysteries'.

I feel like the author decided to...kind of take the easy way out to solve the mysteries/wrap up the story lines. Without giving anything away, it was like the suspect was wearing a blue shirt, but the witness said the shooter was wearing a green shirt. At the end of the story, we learn the witness is colour blind. Without having many clues in the book, the author just throws in an out of nowhere new detail, which explains everything- mystery solved! Didn't like that at all. 

Final Verdict:

Even though I don't like how the story ended/mystery resolved, and the sister relationship storyline was boring and slow moving, I did like this book and would recommend it- but would make my thoughts on how the ending was handled known.