The Last Widow
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Karin Slaughter
Will Trent, Book # 9
William Morrow
August 20th 2019
eBook
465
English
February 11, 2021 February 15, 2021
Beat the Backlist, Cloak and Dagger, Finishing The Series, The Backlist Reader, Virtual Mount TBR
A mysterious kidnapping
On a hot summer night, a scientist from the Centers for Disease Control is grabbed by unknown assailants in a shopping center parking lot. Vanished into thin air, the authorities are desperate to save the doctor.
A devastating explosion
One month later, the serenity of a sunny Sunday afternoon is shattered by the boom of a ground-shaking blast—followed by another seconds later. One of Atlanta’s busiest and most important neighborhood’s has been bombed—the location of Emory University, two major hospitals, the FBI headquarters, and the CDC.
A diabolical enemy
Medical examiner Sara Linton and her partner Will Trent, an investigator with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, rush to the scene—and into the heart of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to destroy thousands of innocent lives. When the assailants abduct Sara, Will goes undercover to save her and prevent a massacre—putting his own life on the line for the woman and the country he loves.
About the Book
Ninth book in the series dedicated to Will Trent of which among, other things, I have just reviewed book number eight (and 8.5). A quiet Sunday in August is shocked by a terrorist attack in an area in Atlanta known for hosting the FBI, the CDC and two hospitals, as well as Emory University. Will and Sara are about to have lunch with her family when they feel the tremors. As they rush to the site of the attack, an accident stops them, so they provide first aid, but they soon realise that this is not a normal accident. In fact, Will can’t help but watch the thugs kidnap Sara because she is a doctor. What do they want from her?
What I think
In this book, too, someone close to Will is in danger. Which I don’t really like since we just read about Will’s wife in the previous book. This is the only flaw of the book that made me give 4 stars instead of 5. The case is very interesting even if reading about CDC and contagious diseases in this period is not the best.
Furthermore, there is talk of a vaccine for a disease that would be practically eradicated if those idiots of the no-vax bothered to study a little more, but no, we must leave everything in the hands of God! Human ignorance is surprising. Then, I am also more and more stunned by American society. They believe they are the best of the world and then they have groups of militiamen who believe that God has given them a task from above. For heaven’s sake there are rotten apples everywhere but it seems to me that in America they are more than in the rest of the world. Maybe it’s their “I’m free to do what the hell I want such as not wear a mask during a pandemic”. The American dream has really fallen in recent years. Maybe it’s the 45th president’s fault.
One thing I don’t understand. Faith says Emma (2 years old) went upstairs and locked herself in her room. At 2 years old ??? Does this really happen in America? Now I understand many things…
I liked the fact that Sara talks about viruses and bacteria that are dangerous, but that they are difficult to use as biochemical weapons and she also explains why (the scientist in me always cheers when there are these explanations). And now we live in a time when the coronavirus, which has a lower mortality than the aforementioned viruses and bacteria, has created worldwide panic. Yes, it’s the right book to read in this period… Even if perhaps reading, it many people may also learn something.
Style
The chapters are too long for my personal pleasure even if they are not boring to the point of not being able to move forward. I like the fact that each chapter is dedicated to one person, mostly Sara, Will and Faith and that each chapter starts a little before the end of the previous one and therefore you have to be careful about the time.
The language is typical of Karin harsh and raw even if there are no visible scenes of violence and abuse, there is much talk of these two aspects.
Characters
I have to say I’m glad I read Blindsighted just before this, because I honestly didn’t remember at all what happened to Sara when she was in college.
I like Will and Sara too much and I’m glad their relationship is growing. In this book I also liked Amanda, even though I couldn’t stand her that much in the first books, now I’m liking her more and more. The maternal aspect of her only comes out with Will and I really like it.
Conclusion
In any case, leaving out the various linguistic gaps which I didn’t report here in English because they are about the Italian translation and the representation of American society that I believe I will no longer flatter, I liked the book very much, the fact that it talks about a sect (I have always liked them) and that for once the protagonists aren’t hurt, always attract me.
