Faithless (Grant County, #5)

Title: Faithless (Grant County, #5)

Author: Karin Slaughter

Published in: 2005

Date read: 8th July 2023

Score: 5/5

Genre: Crime, Detective, Thriller, Psychological

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Faithless," the fifth novel in Karin Slaughter's Grant County series, plunges Medical Examiner Sara Linton and Police Chief Jeffrey Tolliver into a disturbing case that hits close to home, questioning the very foundations of faith and family.

The story begins when the mummified body of a young woman is discovered in a shallow grave on the property of a remote, ultra-religious commune known as the "Children of God." The commune is led by a charismatic, yet enigmatic, figure named Abel Goins. The victim is identified as Abigail Campano, a former member of the commune who had disappeared years earlier.

As Sara and Jeffrey investigate, they find themselves facing a community deeply suspicious of outsiders, governed by strict, insular rules, and seemingly hiding dark secrets. The commune's members claim that Abigail left of her own free will and was a "lapsed" soul. However, the evidence at the grave site suggests foul play and a long-hidden crime.

Adding to the complexity, the investigation reveals a connection between the commune and Lena Adams, Jeffrey's troubled detective. Lena has a personal history with some members of the commune, and her past entanglements threaten to compromise the investigation and put her in further jeopardy.

As Sara meticulously uncovers the gruesome details of Abigail's death and Jeffrey navigates the commune's resistance, they are forced to confront the darker side of religious fervour, the psychological manipulation within such groups, and the devastating consequences of blind faith. "Faithless" explores themes of cults, abuse, the nature of belief, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their secrets, all while further straining the already complex relationship between Sara and Jeffrey.

Comments:
There are some truly evil people in Karin's head. Excellent story, couldn't put it down...as always.

Books that we've read by Karin Slaughter (18):
Blindsighted (Grant County, #1) (2001), Kisscut (Grant County, #2) (2002), A Faint Cold Fear (Grant County, #3) (2003), Indelible (Grant County, #4) (2004), Faithless (Grant County, #5) (2005), Triptych (Will Trent, #1) (2006), Skin Privilege (Grant County, #6) (2007), Fractured (Will Trent, #2) (2008), Genesis (Will Trent, #3) (2009), Broken (Will Trent, #4) (2010), Fallen (Will Trent, #5) (2011), Criminal (Will Trent, #6) (2012), Unseen (Will Trent, #7) (2013), The Kept Woman (Will Trent, #8) (2016), The Last Widow (Will Trent, #9) (2019), The Silent Wife (Will Trent, #10) (2020), After That Night (Will Trent, #11) (2023), This Is Why We Lied (Will Trent, #12) (2024)