A fascinating, dark, twisted tale that is sure to excite fans of Karin Slaughter’s work, False Witness is full of truly interesting characters, dark secrets, trauma, and twists that you will never see coming! As most Karin Slaughter fans would agree, her books generally are a minefield of trigger warnings and may not be for sensitive readers. False Witness is no different in that aspect.
Two sisters who had already experienced childhood trauma and neglect find themselves facing an unimaginable situation as teenagers. Though they both believe they will be able to leave this traumatic experience in the past, that is (of course) not to be. Years later, one sister (Leigh) is a defense attorney at a prestigious Atlanta law firm and the other sister (Callie) is a heroin addict.
When a new, wealthy client of the law firm specifically requires that Leigh take his case, all of the secrets from their past, that Callie and Leigh both thought could stay buried, come roaring back to the present, threatening them both, each in the ways that will be the most devastating. Sometimes working together, but all too often working alone (with the best of intentions) each sister tries desperately to understand how this could have happened, as well as how to untangle their lives from the psychopath bent on what he believes is vengeance.
Slaughter’s characters are all so richly drawn that the reader can’t help but feel connected to the story, sympathising with some characters and being infuriated by others. One character touched me so deeply that I sat and cried, and then when telling someone about it after I finished the book, I cried all over again.
Purposely setting this story during the present day, Slaughter included the COVID pandemic and many of its effects on society within this story, which might be a turn-off for readers who like to use books to escape reality. It is used organically in False Witness, particularly how the pandemic has affected the American court system, and definitely serves a purpose within the events of the story.
Readers considering False Witness may wish to be aware that there are frequent mentions of sexual assault and drug use throughout the story, if these are issues that they attempt to avoid when selecting books. Conversely, those readers who enjoy dark themes and situations will find False Witness to be a completely engrossing, edge of your seat thriller that will remain with them long after the final page.
False Witness is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
AN ORDINARY LIFE
Leigh Coulton has worked hard to build what looks like a normal life. She has a good job as a defence attorney, a daughter doing well in school, and even her divorce is relatively civilised – her life is just as unremarkable as she’d always hoped it would be.
HIDES A DEVASTATING PAST
But Leigh’s ordinary life masks a childhood which was far from average… a childhood tarnished by secrets, broken by betrayal, and finally torn apart by a devastating act of violence.
BUT NOW THE PAST IS CATCHING UP
Then a case lands on her desk – defending a wealthy man accused of rape. It’s the highest profile case she’s ever been given – a case which could transform her career, if she wins. But when she meets the accused, she realises that it’s no coincidence that he’s chosen her as his attorney. She knows him. And he knows her. More to the point, he knows what happened twenty years ago, and why Leigh has spent two decades running.
AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT
If she can’t get him acquitted, she’ll lose much more than the case. The only person who can help her is her younger, estranged sister Calli, the last person Leigh would ever want to ask for help. But suddenly she has no choice…
