Skin Privilege (Grant County, #6)

Title: Skin Privilege (Grant County, #6)

Author: Karin Slaughter

Published in: 2007

Date read: 18th July 2023

Score: 5/5

Genre: Crime, Detective, Thriller, Psychological

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Skin Privilege" by Karin Slaughter is a standalone novella that acts as a bridge between the Grant County series and the Will Trent series, directly following the events of "Faithless." While it features Sara Linton, it's notably from the perspective of Lena Adams, and it's where we first encounter Will Trent.

The story picks up with Lena Adams, still reeling from the trauma and personal demons that have plagued her throughout the Grant County series, particularly after the events of "Faithless." She's attempting to escape her past and the scrutiny of her colleagues in Heartsdale. She flees to Atlanta, hoping for a fresh start and anonymity.

However, Lena's attempt at a new life quickly unravels when she becomes involved in a violent incident. Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, she finds herself tangled in a brutal crime, becoming both a suspect and potentially a witness. Her erratic behaviour and history make it difficult for anyone to believe her, and she finds herself in a desperate situation, with no one to turn to.

This is where Special Agent Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) enters the narrative. He is assigned to the case involving Lena. Will, who is dealing with his own personal struggles, including severe dyslexia and a difficult past, must navigate Lena's volatile personality and the conflicting accounts to piece together the truth. He's tasked with determining whether Lena is a victim, a perpetrator, or a combination of both.

"Skin Privilege" is a dark and intense exploration of redemption, justice, and the deep-seated impact of trauma. It highlights Lena's fractured state and introduces Will Trent as a keen, albeit socially awkward, investigator with a unique approach to solving crimes. The novella is a crucial transitional piece for readers, showing the tragic path Lena continues to walk and setting the stage for Will Trent's role in future novels, particularly his eventual connection to Sara Linton.

Comments:
I am not going to spoil anything here. I just need to say that as well as enjoying this book, the ending certainly knocked me for six.

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)