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.

93 people found this helpful

WOW a ONE star review already??? Impossible

Any additional comments?

I have not listened yet but this rating a book within 5 or 6 hours of release is ridiculous. There is NO WAY the person who rated this book 1 stars actually listened to the book in full and gave it a proper rating. Hell, even the reviews that are 5-Stars that show up within 2 hours of the audiobook release is ridiculous (think Mr. Mercedes). Audible should get the act together on this. It is giving unfair bias and review to both the buyers and the authors who worked hard on the novels. That is all

51 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

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!!

43 people found this helpful

Such terrible narration, I can't stand it!

What disappointed you about Cop Town?

This is the worst narrated book I have ever listened to on Audible, after listening happily to about 50 other titles. Every single sentence has the exact same inflection. I have begun talking like this and my husband threatens to divorce me. It is the worst thing ever. (I am reading these sentences to myself in the inflection of the narrator and I want to stab out my own eyes with a pencil.)

What was most disappointing about Karin Slaughter’s story?

I have not at all gotten emotionally invested in any of the characters, 7 hours in. I don't even know if I will finish it. It's hard to know whether that is Slaughter's fault or 100% Early's fault -- since I have loved other Slaughter books, I blame Early.

How could the performance have been better?

I honestly don't know how it could be worse, unless she read it in Chinese. At least I wouldn't have wasted 7 hours of my life listening to the Chinese version, though.

Any additional comments?

How does this narrator have a job, seriously?

27 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.

21 people found this helpful

GARBAGE!!!!

Would you try another book from Karin Slaughter and/or Kathleen Early?

I would. I am a fan of the "Will Trent" series. But....wow, Cop Town is making me think twice.

Has Cop Town turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not in this genre, but definitely by this author.

Would you be willing to try another one of Kathleen Early’s performances?

Her performance was fine. Her voice worked well with the characters.

What character would you cut from Cop Town?

Where would I begin, what a loaded question.

Any additional comments?

I understand where and when this book takes place and I understand that this book is a work of fiction. With that being the case I am still offended at how the author portrays her black characters in this book. How is it that all of the black characters are on heroin,dirty,filthy,pimps,mean,angry and "less than"....
The difference between slavery and the holocaust is representation in history approaches both atrocities differently. It doesn't mean that one group of people is better, cleaner and more deserving of understanding and respect. Karin Slaughter has managed to make all of her black characters regardless of time,place or setting seem like they aren't worth the shit on a shoe. I was offended by her portrayal of characters. This was a waste of my time and credit.

21 people found this helpful

It's awful

What would have made Cop Town better?

A plot would have helped. The storyline was obvious and a characterization of actual life. It was vulgar and depressing.

What could Karin Slaughter have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I have liked some of her other books. She was on a rampage when she wrote this book to prove sexism and discrimination was present and ugly past all imagination in the Atlanta police department during the 70's.

Any additional comments?

Don't waste your money.

18 people found this helpful

Terrible

This book was so bad I want to figure out a way to remove it from my library so no one can find out I read it - or should I say tried to read it. I couldn't finish it because it was so pathetically bad. The wiring was sophomoric and full of cliches. The dialog was embarrassingly juvenile. The facts are wrong - Who the hell shoots a 375 magnum? Whoever said this was like a Harry Bosch novel is 180° wrong. This book doesn't even come close to a Michael Connelly novel. Save your credit or your hard earned $$ and pick another book, any book but this one. I mourn the credit I wasted on this piece of literary trailer park trash.

18 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