New York Times best selling author Karin Slaughter is one of the best thriller authors of our time. She recently released her novel “Pretty Girls” in June of this year and it’s already beloved by many. The thriller tells the story of two estranged sisters whose oldest sister went missing when she was a teenager and what ultimately unites them over 20 years later.
Karin Slaughter was kind enough to join me for an interview this week to discuss her new book “Pretty Girls”. She dished on what inspired her to write it, how she researched relationships for the novel, the relationship between the two estranged sisters and what causes them to unite. Karin also discussed her next Will Trent novel “The Kept Woman” which will be released in 2016.
Watch Candace Interview Karin Slaughter
Watch journalist and blogger, Candace Rose Anderson of the website Candie Anderson interview New York Times best selling author, Karin Slaughter. She discussed her newest thriller “Pretty Girls”, and her next Will Trend novel titled “The Kept Woman.”
Karin Slaughter Talks Pretty Girls & Inspiration Behind It
Candace Rose Anderson: Can you tell us about your book “Pretty Girls” and what inspired you to write the thriller?
Karin Slaughter: “Well, I was inspired by a dream, which is sort of odd because usually I have no idea where my ideas come from. But I had this dream that’s basically the kernel of the story and I woke up and I thought wow, I think that’s something that I can turn into a novel and this might be my opportunity to write a story from the perspective of the family impacted by a crime as opposed to what I do with my Will Trent novels which is write about crime from the investigator’s point of view.”
Karen On Researching Relationships For The Book
Candace Rose Anderson: What was your experience like researching relationships for the book?
Karin Slaughter: “Well, I’m the youngest of three girls so I sort of had my shorthand down on what it’s like to be the youngest of three girls. I had to project a little to figure out what my middle sister would think about all this. I didn’t want to get her opinion because I think we both have the opinion that if something bad happened to my older sister we would basically hunt down that person and kill them ourselves. It was mostly just looking into how these types of crimes are committed and what happens when what happens in the book occurs, which a 19 year old girl is walking down the street in a college town and she disappears.”
Karin Dishes On The Relationship Between Two Estranged Sisters
Candace Rose Anderson: Can you tell us about the relationship between the two estranged sisters in the book and the special bonds that ultimately unite them?
Karin Slaughter: “The two sisters (the youngest and the middle sister) are estranged because of something that happened during college that – first they lose their sister and they get into this horrible argument that tears them apart. In the opening the book it’s 24 years later after the oldest sister has disappeared and Claire is sitting in a bar waiting for her husband; they have a little conversation and they go outside and she sees him violently murdered during the process of a mugging. This is something that really shakes up her life and makes her reexamine what’s going on and some of the choices she’s made. Of course it brings her sister Lydia into the picture again and they have to work through this thing that tore them apart so many years ago.”
Karin Slaughter On Returning To William Morrow
Candace Rose Anderson: After a decade away you’re returning to your first publisher. What’s that experience like?
Karin Slaughter: “It’s been wonderful! I can’t complain about my last publisher, they did a fantastic job but sometimes you just need a change. It’s good to be back at William Morrow. I’m real happy with what they’re doing for me.”
Karin Dishes On Her Next Will Trent Novel
Candace Rose Anderson: What’s next for you, Karin?
Karin Slaughter: “I’m working on the next Will Trent novel, which will be out this time next year and it’s called ‘The Kept Woman’. Like most Will Trent novels, it starts out with Will being extremely happy and then something horrible happens.”
How To Find More Information
Candace Rose Anderson: Well, thank you so much, Karin. Where can we go for more information and to purchase the book “Pretty Girls.”
Karin Slaughter: “Well, you can find me on Facebook or at my website KarinSlaughter.com. To purchase the book you can go to anywhere you usually buy books.”