Criminal

Secrets That Refuse to Stay Buried

In Karin Slaughter’s gripping novel Criminal, past and present intertwine in a harrowing narrative that exposes the darkest corners of human nature and the devastating cost of silence. Set in Atlanta, this electrifying thriller takes readers deep into the heart of a decades-old case that resurfaces with haunting urgency. When a brutal murder rocks the city, Special Agent Will Trent finds himself drawn into a case with personal ties — and a trail that leads back to the very institution that trained him. But he’s not the only one haunted by history: his boss and occasional ally, Amanda Wagner, is fighting battles of her own, and the truth they both seek could destroy everything they believe in.

From Cold Case to Scorching Truth

Criminal masterfully shifts between two timelines — one in the gritty 1970s Atlanta, where a young Amanda Wagner begins her career in a police department infected with corruption and sexism, and the other in the present day, where Amanda and Will confront demons they thought had long been buried. What begins as a simple investigation into a woman’s disappearance becomes a labyrinth of cover-ups, institutional betrayal, and broken trust. As layers of deception peel away, Karin Slaughter reveals the deeply personal stakes that make this case different: for Amanda, it's a reckoning; for Will, a revelation; for both, it’s a test of loyalty that will alter their relationship forever.

Intense, Intelligent, and Inescapable

Criminal is more than just a crime novel — it is a poignant meditation on justice, legacy, and the wounds we carry through life. Slaughter’s signature style is in full force here: taut prose, complex characters, and a relentless pace that grips the reader from the first page to the shocking final twist. Fans of psychological suspense and emotional depth will find themselves fully immersed in this layered, character-driven story that not only delivers thrills, but also explores how past sins cast long shadows.

Karin Slaughter is an internationally bestselling author known for her emotionally charged thrillers that blend forensic detail with strong female leads and intricate plots. With Criminal, she delivers one of her most personal and powerful works to date.