The Last Widow (Will Trent, #9)

Title: The Last Widow (Will Trent, #9)

Author: Karin Slaughter

Published in: 2019

Date read: 10th July 2024

Score: 4/5

Genre: Crime, Detective

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Last Widow," published in 2019, is the ninth novel in Karin Slaughter's highly acclaimed Will Trent series, bringing back GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) agent Will Trent and medical examiner Dr. Sara Linton into a terrifying and high-stakes investigation involving domestic terrorism.

The story begins innocently enough, with Will and Sara on a much-needed break from their intense careers, enjoying a peaceful day at the beach. Their respite is violently shattered when a woman is brutally abducted right in front of them, an event that propels them into a frantic, large-scale search.

The abduction quickly leads Will and Sara into the dark world of white supremacy and domestic extremism. The kidnapping is revealed to be connected to a violent, anti-government militia group operating in the deep South. This group, driven by radical ideologies and armed to the teeth, is planning a devastating act of terror, and the kidnapped woman, a scientist, seems to be central to their plot.

As Will and Sara delve deeper, they uncover a terrifying conspiracy aimed at unleashing a biological weapon or a similar catastrophic event. The investigation is not just about finding the kidnapped woman; it's a race against time to prevent a widespread attack that could claim countless innocent lives. They find themselves navigating a dangerous network of heavily armed extremists, who are deeply entrenched and willing to commit extreme violence to achieve their aims.

The novel is characterised by its intense pace, unflinching depiction of violence, and its exploration of the disturbing ideologies behind radical groups. Will Trent, with his sharp analytical mind and unique background, finds himself deeply challenged by the extremist mindset. Sara Linton, a compassionate and resilient medical professional, grapples with the horrors they encounter and the moral dilemmas of their pursuit. Their personal relationship is also put under immense strain as they face down this pervasive evil.

"The Last Widow" is a gritty and timely thriller that exposes the sinister underbelly of extremist movements in America. The climax is an explosive and terrifying confrontation where Will and Sara must infiltrate the heart of the militia's operations, facing overwhelming odds in a desperate attempt to rescue the victim and thwart the impending attack, pushing them to their physical and psychological limits.

Comments:
Great story, lots of action and pace.

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)