“It's been ages since you've read anything by Karin Slaughter,” I thought to myself. “You should change that — and this standalone book sounds promising!”

Well, as it turns out, this is in fact the eleventh book of a series, something I wasn't aware of. But at least I can now attest that it's entirely possible to read «After that Night» without prior knowledge, even though I undoubtedly missed many of the fine nuances. My bad! I pledge to catch up on the earlier volumes.

The plot begins with a high level of tension, and it maintains that suspense until it reaches an ending that ticks all the right boxes, with surprising twists and a dramatic finale. Addressing themes that are brutal and cruel in real life, the thriller doesn't hold back or sugarcoat anything. It's intense, it's realistic — and often hard to stomach, though in my opinion, never sensationalized.

The narrative is logically structured, offering an insightful and shocking glimpse into the depths of human nature, be it raw violence or organized crime. At the same time, the novel explores the more delicate elements of the human psyche with subtlety and sensitivity. The writing skillfully navigates this tightrope, making the reading experience both gripping and emotionally moving.

The addressed themes are simultaneously current and timeless, particularly (sexual) violence against women, incel culture, and the MeToo movement.

The characters are proof that this isn't the first book in the series: they all have their personal histories, sometimes subtly hinted at and sometimes explicitly referenced. The relationships among the recurring characters are complex and multifaceted, providing fertile ground for convincing character development. Sara Linton, in particular, undergoes a profound heroic journey.

Conclusion:

The thriller impresses with its suspenseful build-up, engaging narrative pace, and successful portrayal of sensitive themes. The pleasant writing style adeptly weaves together the various threads of the complex storyline.