Outstanding, Gutsy Crime Novel Read by a Master

Having just finished three of the best crime novels I've ever read, I never expected Cop Town to be as good, if not better than Mr Mercedes, Nesbo's The Son, and Bombproof.

Cop Town is a gritty story of the first police women to infiltrate the Atlanta PD in the early 70's. Someone called "the shooter" is killing cops at point blank range. The Atlanta PD of the 1970's was a force in turmoil with the integration of blacks and women into its ranks. No rock of bigotry is left unturned as the two main characters must dance around a smothering culture of racism, misogyny, homophobia to find the killer.

There are sophisticated and powerful family systems in place that greatly influence the police work of the two main characters. Karin Slaughter masterfully weaves them into the tale with a depth of emotion I've rarely found in any crime novel.

The reader, Kathleen Early is masterful, bringing every character to life and delivering the perfect pitch to every scene. This performance equals any effort of Ray Porter, Eduardo Ballerini and Will Patton.

Please read Cop Town. It is Slaughter's best work and puts her in rare company.

90 people found this helpful

Flashback to the seventies

If you could sum up Cop Town in three words, what would they be?

There were places in the story where i stopped to do a fact check. Was it really like that? Yes it was. great story and super characters.

10 people found this helpful

Women cops in bigoted 1974 Georgia

It's 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, and the city is sharply divided by class and ethnicity. The police force is ruled by white men and women and minorities have to fight bigotry, sexism, and "good old boy" politics. Maggie Lawson comes from a poor family of cops, and has been on the force for a few years. Kate Murphy is a widowed Jewish from a rich family who is determined to make it in the world on her own. She has just joined the force, learning the job, while experiencing humiliation and teasing from most of the other policemen. Kate and Maggie find themselves teamed up against great odds as they branch out on their own to catch a serial police murderer.

Though I love Slaughter's writing, I found this book a little disconcerting. I can definitely believe the bigotry of those times, but there were no nice people at all in this book, including Maggie's family, and everyone else involved in this story. I really liked Kate the best, as she had what Jews call hutzpah - (Yiddish) unbelievable gall; insolence; audacity) , and great bravery in many difficult situations. Calling the serial killer " the fox" throughout the story until the reveal at the end, definitely ratcheted up the terror and suspense. Good story but not one I'd want to repeat very often. Still love Slaughter's writing though!!

The audio version added another sense of reality to the story that I definitely believe added a great deal to the emotional feeling of the story. Very well done!!

41 people found this helpful

1970's 'Training Day' with Women!

One of the best books I've ever listened to, this book is gritty, honest, intense and as one previous reviewer perfectly stated 'GUTSY'! Please keep my headline in mind though because this book probably isn't for everyone.

First off, if you're on the fence because you typically avoid 'Police Procedural' books don't let the category fool you. This book is so much more! As a matter of fact about the only thing I would change is the title which in my opinion should have been "Cop Town: A Novel" because it's that well written.

Second, this is not a 'Will Trent' story, actually it's about as far from it as one could get. Had I read it without looking at the author I would have never guessed it came from K.S..

As much as I loved it I will say that I am not all that surprised by the negative reviews; I believe this is one of those books people will either love or hate. If you're sensitive to the harsh truth of what life was like in 1974 for women, blacks, whites, cops, criminals etc this book probably isn't for you. If you typically avoid books with vulgarity (including the 'f' word, 'n' word etc), violence, racism and bigotry as well as some 'make-you-cringe' (not in a good way) scenarios then again this one probably isn't for you. If on the other hand, used in the right context those things don't bother you and you enjoy listening to challenging, complicated, honest & suspenseful, stories with tough, intelligent characters you will probably love listening to this book as much as I did!

Lastly, not only is the story excellent but Kathleen Early is absolutely spot on as the narrator! A matter of fact as I anxiously await the next book in the Cop Town series I'm off to try and find other books Early has narrated.

20 people found this helpful

She does it again!

It's really hard not to like Karin Slaughter, although I'll admit I haven't tried that hard. Her books are just so tight and easy to listen to and Cop Town didn't disappoint.

As an Atlanta resident, it's so interesting to hear the clearly well researched history of the city. The Atlanta I moved back to 8 years ago bears little resemblance to the 1974 Atlanta of this book, but it's a good reminder that a mere 40 years can change so many things. It helps us all remember that fighting the good fight of racism, sexism and homophobia can yield results not in some distant future, but in our own lifetimes.

Like the early story of Amanda Wagner, this book follows the path of a young APD officer as she navigates 1974 Atlanta and the cataclysmic changes that were happening in the city at that time - changes that paved the way for the city I now live in.

If you've never read Karin Slaughter before, this book will send you back to her archive to listen to more. If you've heard all the rest, then you won't be disappointed.

One note on the narrator: While she's perfectly good with characterization albeit a little weak on southern (which I've simply come to expect in media), I'm really surprised that no one has ever bothered to correct her pronunciation of a few of the street names in Atlanta. I've noticed it in every book she's narrated for this author and it always takes me out of the book for a moment. Ponce de Leon has a correct pronunciation (the Spanish way), but only about 10 people out of Atlanta's 6 million use it (and they're either newbies or solely Spanish speakers). In Atlanta, the street is pronounced Ponce (one syllable) de Leon (like the man's name). And Cheshire Bridge Rd. is pronounced Che - sher with no long "i."

49 people found this helpful

Another hit

The only bad thing is there’s no more! I want more from Kate and Maggie!!
If I could I’d have every book read to me by Kathleen Early, she is the absolute best!

4 people found this helpful

Slow start

For the first few hours of this book I really could not get into it. In the end I was surprised with how the turmoil resolved.

4 people found this helpful

Cop Land is another great for Karin Slaughter

What made the experience of listening to Cop Town the most enjoyable?

The way the story grabs you and throws you back in time and keeps you there. I found myself loving some of the old catch phrases from "back in the day"..."Hey Mamma!" I love the character development and evolvement. At times the story had me so involved I got angry at certain characters and wanted yell.....Simply put Karin Slaughter can take me to 1970's era Atlanta GA anytime and it is always a great trip!

What did you like best about this story?

The time and place setting for the storyline. It was like getting in the TARDIS with Doctor Who and going back to 1970 in the deep "at times ugly" south. I grew up in this place and time so I can tell you she got it just right.

Have you listened to any of Kathleen Early’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. The author can write a great book but if the person reading it isn't talented, it can turn the book to poo. Kathleen Early takes a good book and turns it into a great book and a treat to enjoy. However this time she took a great book and made it supreme.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Policewoman in Atlanta during the early 70's

Any additional comments?

Simply put, it's a great read (listen). If you have enjoyed the William Trent series, you will love this book.

16 people found this helpful

Great structure!

If you could sum up Cop Town in three words, what would they be?

Great fem/cop story

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kate, naturally. Most of us have been there, new to a school, or a job, or a neighborhood,
Kate showed great courage.

What does Kathleen Early bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The trash talk was done so well, and added so much.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Almost did! Yes.

7 people found this helpful

Not an easy read

This book is not an easy read. Pretty much each character in this book is a complete asshole. It's full of racism, antisemitism, anti gay, anti feminism and everything else under the sun. It's properly going to drain you to read it.

But it's going to give you a glimpse of how life was in Atlanta in the early 70s and it was really an eye opener for me.

On top of all of the above, it's a really good story and has you read this book fast, even though it's not easy.

I listened to the Audible version of this and the narrator was excellent!

15 people found this helpful