Unhappily Ever After
Karin Slaughter read this excerpt from her short story “Necessary Women” Jan. 26 at Mary Vinson Memorial Library.
Slaughter, author of eight internationally sold books, discussed the inspiration behind her crime stories and her most recent book, “Fractured.”
“Fractured” tells the story of Special Agent Will Trent and Detective Faith Mitchell’s search to find a killer targeting teenage girls in one of Atlanta’s wealthiest communities. Slaughter writes stories based in the South, typically taking place in Georgia.
“I love feeling like I’m standing where I’m from and I think that’s so important because every writer, no matter what they say, is a regional writer,” Slaughter said. “I’m writing about what I know, which is the South, and I’m also writing about what I want to know, which is why people commit the horrible crimes they do.”
Junior exercise science major, Amanda Smith listened to “Necessary Women” on the Internet and was intrigued by the plot.
“The story was heartbreaking yet humorous and really caught me off guard in the end,” Smith said. “The story got me hooked and left me wanting more.”
Getting the reader hooked is the key to any good series and Slaughter’s have done just that. They appeal to many ages and to people all over the world. Slaughter is a regional writer born and raised in Clayton County, Ga. Her love for crime began at a young age and only elevated once she began to write her novels.
“I grew up during the time of the Atlanta child murders and that really influenced my childhood. There was a definite before and after and we were completely terrified,” Slaughter said. “It was shocking to know that children could be harmed and that this sort of crime could be committed.”
Slaughter uses her past experiences and influences of other authors to publish The Grant County Series and the Atlanta Series. Both have received praise around the world and she has become a number one bestseller in the UK, Holland and Germany.
Since Slaughter writes about her southern background, many Milledgeville residents enjoy the familiarity with the culture and people portrayed in her novels. Cynthia Anderson has read all of Slaughter’s novels and was excited to meet her in person.
“I heard about her books from a friend. The books are very distracting, once I read one, I had to read the others,” Anderson said. “I really liked her in person; she doesn’t seem so dark. I liked her Southernism.”
Mary Helen Davis, GCSU alumna and Milledgeville resident, introduced Anderson to the novels.
“I’ve read all of her books but I found them by accident, I usually don’t read books that are quite so violent, but I got addicted,” Davis said.
The violence found in Slaughter’s novels is intense and further encouraged by her past.
“I took it personally that my life had changed so much [after the Atlanta child murders]. We couldn’t go out trick or treating. I couldn’t go past certain streets, and that sort of thing, and I think that’s where my interest in crime developed,” Slaughter said.
Another in attendance at the book signing was Elaine Whitaker the English department head.
“I particularly enjoy hearing a writer talk about her work, she was wonderfully direct, forthcoming and honest,” Whitaker said.
Slaughter visited Milledgeville thanks to Andalusia and its executive director Craig Amason.
“We pretty much sponsored this, and made all the arrangements for her to be here.” Amason said. “Her novels are like CSI, in print, it’s that kind of suspense.”
Slaughter’s books have been climbing the charts since they became published. Writing crime novels is her passion and being born with a name like Karin Slaughter, what else could be expected?
“Think about the novels that have endured; ‘The Great Gatsby,’ ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’; even ‘Gone with the Wind’ has a murder in it.” Slaughter said. “Crime stories are the kinds that really grip people.”
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Feb 6 2009. Filed under Features.
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