Belmont Library Mystery Book Group

Cop Town by Karin Slaughter

May 2015

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

Born January 6, 1971, in GA. Avocational Interests: Rock climbing, fencing, running.Addresses: Home: Atlanta, GA

Karin Slaughter spent her childhood in rural Georgia and initially aspired to become a lawyer. Instead, she owned and operated a sign shop until she was twenty-five, when she left the business to begin writing novels. She has made a name for herself with the "Grant County" mystery series, which draws on her long association with the Deep South to depict the dark side of small-town life. Slaughter has also been praised for her "Will Trent" series and her stand-alone novellas.

WRITINGS:

(Editor) Like a Charm: A Novel in Voices, William Morrow (New York, NY), 2004.
Martin Misunderstood (novella), Random House (London, England), 2008.

"WILL TRENT" SERIES

Triptych, Delacorte Press (New York, NY), 2006.
Fractured, Delacorte Press (New York, NY), 2008.
Undone, Delacorte Press (New York, NY), 2009.
Broken, Delacorte Press (New York, NY), 2010.
Fallen, Delacorte Press (New York, NY), 2011.
Snatched (e-book novella), Dell (New York, NY), 2012.
Criminal, Delacorte Press (New York, NY), 2012.
Unseen, Delacorte Press (New York, NY), 2013.

"GRANT COUNTY" MYSTERY SERIES

Blindsighted, William Morrow (New York, NY), 2001.
Kisscut, William Morrow (New York, NY), 2002.
A Faint Cold Fear, William Morrow (New York, NY), 2003.
Indelible, William Morrow (New York, NY), 2004.
Faithless, Delacorte Press (New York, NY), 2005.
Beyond Reach, Delacorte Press (New York, NY), 2007.

Also author of short story, "The Unremarkable Heart." Contributor to the anthology Tart Noir, edited by Stella Duffy and Lauren Henderson, Berkley Prime Crime, 2002. Slaughter's works have been translated into more than thirty foreign languages

Cop Town : "Atlanta, 1974. It's Kate Murphy's first day on the job and the Atlanta Police Department is seething after the murder of an officer. Before the day has barely begun, she already suspects she's not cut out for the job as a cop. Her male uniform is too big, she can't handle a gun, and she's rapidly learning that the APD is hardly a place that welcomes women. Worse still, in the ensuing manhunt, he'll be partnered with Maggie Lawson, a cop with her own ax to grind (and a brother and uncle already on the force)a strategy meant to isolate Kate and Maggie from the action. But the move will backfire, putting them right at the heart of it" Provided by publisher.

Readalikes:

1. Hard revolution by Pelecanos, George P. Reason: Although Cop Town introduces two policewomen in 1974 Atlanta, Georgia, and Hard Revolution follows the career of an African American cop in 1960s Washington, D.C., both gritty mysteries depict the experiences of "outsiders" struggling to succeed in their careers despite discrimination. Gillian Speace

2. Open season by Miller, Maryann, Reason: Despite different settings Cop Town takes place in 1970s Atlanta, Georgia; Open Season is set in contemporary Dallas, Texas both gritty mysteries pair female police officers from different backgrounds who must solve politically sensitive cases with racial undertones. Gillian Speace

3. Forty acres by Smith, Dwayne Alexander Reason: Race relations are central to these provocative, fast paced suspense novels. While Cop Town focuses on the gritty realism of 1970s Atlanta and Forty Acres features a contemporary society of rich and powerful African Americans, both leave the reader with uncomfortable moral questions. Anthea Goffe

4. The poet by Connelly. Michael, Reason: Fast paced and gritty, these mysteries feature police officers hot on the trail of a cop killer who's equally clever and ruthless. Cop Town evokes the urban atmosphere of 1970s Atlanta, while The Poet takes readers on a contemporary, cross country manhunt. Gillian Speace

5. Crusader's cross by Burke, James Lee, Reason: These books are Gritty, and they share: the genre 'Mystery stories' and the subjects 'Serial murder investigation' and 'Violence'.

6. The traffickers by Griffin, W. E. B. Reason: These books are Compelling and Gritty, and they share: the genre 'Mystery stories' and the subjects '1970s' and 'Violence'.

website: http://www.karinslaughter.com/

TV series that takes a look back at police work circa 1973 : Life on Mars. Originally an UK series (2005), but there was an American remake in 2008. Both versions are available from the library.