Genres
Publication
Arrow Books (2011)
Description
The internationally bestselling author shows off her superb talent with this brilliantly conceived, skillfully executed tale of suspense. In Karin Slaughter's exciting new thriller, an officer is shot point-blank in the Grant County police station and police chief Jeffrey Tolliver is wounded, setting off a terrifying hostage situation with medical examiner Sara Linton at the center. Working outside the station, Lena Adams, newly reinstated to the force, and Frank Wallace, Jeffrey's second in command, must try to piece together who the shooter is and how to rescue their friends before Jeffrey dies. For the sins of the past have caught up with Sara and Jeffrey-with a vengeance ... Deftly interweaving present and past, Slaughter-dubbed "the new face of crime" by Book magazine-offers another brilliant knife-edge tale of suspense that cements her place among the most outstanding practitioners of crime fiction today.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member NWADEL
Just started reading it, Aug 8, 2007 and it starts out with a "bang" (no pun intended!)
Great read so far.
Finished, enjoyed it very much, would read others by this author.
Great read so far.
Finished, enjoyed it very much, would read others by this author.
LibraryThing member golfjr
I have to admit this is the first book I've read by the author, so I had no background on the characters of Grant County. Apparently there are 3 previous stories which introduce them and give you greater regard for them. This book is rather poorly written and the characters don't stand within the
I am reminded of the late night talk shows where we find ourselves laughing along with Letterman or Carson because we like him, not because he is being uproareously funny. The same is true here, this book does not stand on its own. Hopefully it is better when you read the earlier books.
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context of the book itself. No character is particularly interesting or sympathetic. All seem unwise and secretive to the point of stupidity. The construction of the novel flipping between the past and the present is not an uncommon device and handled in a very ordinary way of alternating chapters. The sense of weaving two stories together through the memories of one participant is not very successful. I am reminded of the late night talk shows where we find ourselves laughing along with Letterman or Carson because we like him, not because he is being uproareously funny. The same is true here, this book does not stand on its own. Hopefully it is better when you read the earlier books.
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LibraryThing member kingsportlibrary
A hostage situation results when two men enter the police station, shooting a police officer and wounding others. Story has flashbacks of the meeting and romance of Police Chief Jeffrey Tolliver and medical examiner Sara Linton. A can't put down mystery that shows it is not always a good thing to
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return home. Show Less
LibraryThing member Molleo
Karin Slaughter is such a great author, but this book I didn't enjoy as much as her others.
LibraryThing member Darrol
Needed a different mood to really like this book. A couple (if not more) implausibilities: They would have kept shooting until all were dead; they would have never gone to his hometown; no one would have looked in the cave?
LibraryThing member Heptonj
What a masterpiece! This is one of the best books of its genre I have read. The characters have been developed superbly and the changes from present to past make this an intriguing read and Jeffrey and Saras' story comes brilliantly together right at the end. Keep them coming please!
LibraryThing member melydia
I would like to start by sharing something that I didn't learn until the author's note at the very end of the book: this is a sequel. I imagine much of my confusion regarding the plot of this novel can be attributed to that fact. In short, Sara the pediatrician and her ex-husband Jeffrey the police
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chief are held hostage by a couple of gunmen who raid the police station. Much of the book is spent in flashbacks to the early 1990s when Jeffrey took his then-girlfriend Sara to his tiny backwater hometown in Alabama, where they witness more dirty laundry in one day than most people accumulate in an entire lifetime. People die, secrets are revealed, bodies are found. Lena, the only female cop on Jeffrey's present-day force, is part of the rescue detail and has vague issues of her own that are presumably covered in the previous book. It's a pretty good story, if a wee bit predictable. I got a little tired of waiting for the characters to get around to actually talking to each other instead of running off and looking pensive again, but if everyone were forthcoming and honest there wouldn't be nearly as much drama. While this book was a nice diversion on its own, I would have preferred to have known about (and read) its predecessors first. Show Less
LibraryThing member emhromp2
Again, a decent thriller by Slaughter. Very clever of her to intertwine past and present like this. I like knowing a bit about Jeffrey's past. Of course, it's deep and troublesome :D and it makes the series more interesting! It won't be long before I grab part five of the series. Slaughter writes
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addictive stories! Show Less
LibraryThing member debavp
Another good one from Slaughter. This was a bit different in both style and substance, but it gives the background of Sara and Jeffrey, in the midst of a horrendous situation. While it was nice to finally learn the how and why, it still left questions unanswered and maybe that's a good thing.
LibraryThing member eejjennings
Figured I should read a book by this author since she's so popular. Glad I did, but I don't feel the need to read any more.
LibraryThing member hamiltonpam
I thought there were characters & pieces of this book that could have been left out. I wish they would have told the story in segments instead of jumping back and forth. Lost the connection.
LibraryThing member RavenswoodPublishing
Karin Slaughter is the absolute best crime/mystery writer I have come across in this day and age. Her novels will simply astound you with their heart-racing moments and intrigue. Every time I pick one of her novels up I cannot stop reading until I'm done and I still find myself begging for more.
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She's a writer with no fear! She wields her instruments like a knife ready to dig in deep and take you by surprise at every turn! Show Less
LibraryThing member tulikangaroo
So suspenseful! The narrator is absolutely fantastic. I listened to it while driving, and my shoulders are sore from the tension of gripping the steering wheel. Loved hearing about Sarah and Jeffery's early days.
LibraryThing member julie10reads
Two armed men enter the police station in tiny Heartsdale, Georgia, and open fire. When the shooting stops, an officer is dead, Police Chief Jeffrey Tolliver is seriously wounded, and the survivors -- including a class of grade-school children and medical examiner Sara Linton -- are held hostage.
Although I am reading this Sara Linton-Jeffrey Tolliver series by Karin Slaughter out of order, I have no trouble becoming engrossed in the tangled plotlines. Ms Slaughter is a super puzzlemaker and she manages a double-dutch arrangement: two crimes several years apart but involving the same characters! As always, suspense strains the reader's nerves until Ms Slaughter decides it's time to put you out of your misery.
7.5 out of 10 For mystery and crime fans, particularly of the American genre.
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In a tense standoff that could erupt at any moment into more bloodletting -- with her ex-husband on the threshold of death -- Sara must search for answers and an escape in the memories of a time at the start of their relationship when another brutal, shocking crime shattered their small-town world. Because the sins of the past have caught up with Sara and Jeffrey ... with a vengeance. Summary BPLAlthough I am reading this Sara Linton-Jeffrey Tolliver series by Karin Slaughter out of order, I have no trouble becoming engrossed in the tangled plotlines. Ms Slaughter is a super puzzlemaker and she manages a double-dutch arrangement: two crimes several years apart but involving the same characters! As always, suspense strains the reader's nerves until Ms Slaughter decides it's time to put you out of your misery.
7.5 out of 10 For mystery and crime fans, particularly of the American genre.
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LibraryThing member Carl_Alves
Indelible starts off with a bang as a group of armed men storm a police station, kill a couple of people and take hostages. Instead of a story that is a seige and negotiation, much of the story is told in the form of flashback in a trip back home for Chief of Police Jeffrey Toliver and his ex-wife
Carl Alves - author of Two For Eternity
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Sara as he introduced her to his family and the people he grew up with. The initial flashbacks were jarring becuase they completely removed the reader from the action. The flashback uncovered a sordid tale of statutory rape, homosexuality, suicide and murder. in the end, there are very few redeemable characters left in the novel. On the positive side, the long flashbacks directly relate to what is happening in the present, but also rob it of mystery and drama. What's left is a solid read, but nothing spectacular.Carl Alves - author of Two For Eternity
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
I admit to having mixed feelings about Indelible by Karin Slaughter. This is the fourth book in her Grant County series and this one delves into both Jeffrey’s past and the beginning stages of Sara and Jeffrey’s relationship. The story jumps back in forth from a present day hostage situation to
Of course, that difficult past of Jeffrey’s was brought home to roost in the part of the book that was set in the present and I thought the whole hostage situation was well done, and suspenseful.
After now having read four books in this series I will definitely continue on with the series as I do, on the most part, want to see what these characters get up to.
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the past. My main quibble is that it seems this author cannot help but give her characters rather sordid pasts. I found it difficult to believe that Sara, with her own difficult memories, would have stood by and accepted Jeffrey’s antics. Overall I felt the part of the book that was set in Jeffrey’s home town felt forced and the story didn’t seem to flow naturally, Of course, that difficult past of Jeffrey’s was brought home to roost in the part of the book that was set in the present and I thought the whole hostage situation was well done, and suspenseful.
After now having read four books in this series I will definitely continue on with the series as I do, on the most part, want to see what these characters get up to.
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LibraryThing member wareagle78
This book is the fourth of the Grant County series, and I really recommend they be read in order. This one is different from the others, however, in that the story is split between a time early in Sara and Jeffrey's relationship and the present. A pair of young armed gunmen take over the police
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station, killing or injuring most of the officers. Were they looking for Jeffrey, and if so why? The characterizations remain true and the story riveting. I've enjoyed all four Grant County stories by Slaughter. Show Less
LibraryThing member cintay46
I really enjoyed this book. It went back and showed us things that happened in the early stages of Sara and Jeffrey's relationship. They are one of my favorite literary couples, because they are like the rest of us. They are both so afraid of getting hurt, that they hurt each other without even
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trying. But you just know they love each other beyond reason, and they belong together. I'm kind of iffy on Lena at the moment. In a way, I feel sorry for her, and all she's been through, but at the same time, I just want her to pull herself up by the bootstraps, get away from that loser Ethan, and be the bad-ass cop we all know she can be. She's beginning to go that way by the end of this book, but she is still irritating as heck. Show Less
LibraryThing member bhabeck
Indelible is the 4th book in the Grant County series by Karin Slaughter and my favorite so far.
Sara Linton, the town's pediatrician and part-time ME, is at the police station dropping off an autopsy report. While there, she stops to talk to Jeffrey Tolliver, the Chief of Police - as well as her
The hostage storyline alternates with the story of the early days of Jeffrey and Sara's romance. After dating for 3 months, Jeffrey has taken Sara to his hometown of Sylacauga, AL where she learns about Jeffrey's past. The reader (and Sara) sees Jeffrey grow from the small town troublemaker to the man he is today and that is what makes him so interesting.
The author does a great job in bringing the 2 storylines together. The hostage situation is tense and scary - the hometown story is frustrating, sad and enlightening. I've been listening to these books on unabridged audio books and the narrator, Kathleen Early, is wonderful in her portrayal of the various characters and sets the tone with her reading. (reviews of the abridged version indicate that the narration is lacking). I will definitely be continuing with the remaining 2 books in this series.
Rating: 4.5
Sara Linton, the town's pediatrician and part-time ME, is at the police station dropping off an autopsy report. While there, she stops to talk to Jeffrey Tolliver, the Chief of Police - as well as her
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ex-husband and current lover. While there, 2 young men enter the station and begin shooting the police officers, including Jeffrey. This begins a tense hostage situation.The hostage storyline alternates with the story of the early days of Jeffrey and Sara's romance. After dating for 3 months, Jeffrey has taken Sara to his hometown of Sylacauga, AL where she learns about Jeffrey's past. The reader (and Sara) sees Jeffrey grow from the small town troublemaker to the man he is today and that is what makes him so interesting.
The author does a great job in bringing the 2 storylines together. The hostage situation is tense and scary - the hometown story is frustrating, sad and enlightening. I've been listening to these books on unabridged audio books and the narrator, Kathleen Early, is wonderful in her portrayal of the various characters and sets the tone with her reading. (reviews of the abridged version indicate that the narration is lacking). I will definitely be continuing with the remaining 2 books in this series.
Rating: 4.5
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LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
When the book starts off, pediatrician and part-time medical examiner Sara Linton stops by the police station in her small Georgia town. She's dropping off an autopsy report, but she's also hoping to check in with police chief Jeffrey Tolliver, her ex-husband and current lover. While talking to
We then switch the narrative to 1991 where we meet Sara and Jeffrey at the beginning of their relationship. Jeffrey decides to stop by Sylacauga, a tiny town in Alabama, where he grew up. The reader knows what is happening in the past will have some sort of bearing on the future, but it remains unclear for the majority of the book.
I thought the author did a great job of taking the reader between the present and the past in a successful way. The trip back to 1991 shows fans of this series how far Jeffrey has come from the small town troublemaker he was in his early days. I'm currently revisiting his series in audio and it's been a great series to reread.
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Jeffrey, two young men rush into the police station and start shooting, killing several officers, wounding others, and taking everyone else hostage. Sara realizes almost immediately that this is more than a random act of violence. These killers are targeting Jeffrey. We then switch the narrative to 1991 where we meet Sara and Jeffrey at the beginning of their relationship. Jeffrey decides to stop by Sylacauga, a tiny town in Alabama, where he grew up. The reader knows what is happening in the past will have some sort of bearing on the future, but it remains unclear for the majority of the book.
I thought the author did a great job of taking the reader between the present and the past in a successful way. The trip back to 1991 shows fans of this series how far Jeffrey has come from the small town troublemaker he was in his early days. I'm currently revisiting his series in audio and it's been a great series to reread.
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LibraryThing member Lauren2013
Indelible
4 Stars
A brutal attack on the Heartsdale police station leaves several officers dead, the Chief of Police, Jeffrey Tolliver, critically wounded and his ex-wife and town coroner, Dr. Sara Linton, taken hostage along with several children. As events unfold in Grant County, it soon becomes
Series note: This is the fourth installment in Slaughter’s Grant County series and it is necessary to read the first book for the backstory to Sara and Jeffrey’s current relationship.
The plot is comprised of three separate threads that come together to form a cohesive whole. 2/3s of the book are told via flashback and while the transitions between past and present are clear, the connections between the two time periods are not always obvious.
The mysteries are pretty straightforward and it is quite easy to figure out the culprits and their motivations. The focus, therefore, is on the characters and their development rather than the actual crimes.
Slaughter’s characters are definitely not of the warm and fuzzy variety. They are all deeply flawed and psychologically damaged, which makes it virtually impossible to like them as people. That said, it is precisely these very human characteristics that makes them so compelling and the stories surrounding them grab you by the throat and don’t let go.
In sum, Indelible is a fascinating character study that contributes significantly to fleshing out Sara and Jeffrey both as individuals and as a couple, and provides insight into their actions in previous books. It will be interesting to see what happens with them next.
4 Stars
A brutal attack on the Heartsdale police station leaves several officers dead, the Chief of Police, Jeffrey Tolliver, critically wounded and his ex-wife and town coroner, Dr. Sara Linton, taken hostage along with several children. As events unfold in Grant County, it soon becomes
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clear that they are inextricably linked to Sara and Jeffrey’s past and a crime they investigated in Jeffrey’s hometown of Sylacauga, Alabama. A crime that may have a lasting effect on their future … Series note: This is the fourth installment in Slaughter’s Grant County series and it is necessary to read the first book for the backstory to Sara and Jeffrey’s current relationship.
The plot is comprised of three separate threads that come together to form a cohesive whole. 2/3s of the book are told via flashback and while the transitions between past and present are clear, the connections between the two time periods are not always obvious.
The mysteries are pretty straightforward and it is quite easy to figure out the culprits and their motivations. The focus, therefore, is on the characters and their development rather than the actual crimes.
Slaughter’s characters are definitely not of the warm and fuzzy variety. They are all deeply flawed and psychologically damaged, which makes it virtually impossible to like them as people. That said, it is precisely these very human characteristics that makes them so compelling and the stories surrounding them grab you by the throat and don’t let go.
In sum, Indelible is a fascinating character study that contributes significantly to fleshing out Sara and Jeffrey both as individuals and as a couple, and provides insight into their actions in previous books. It will be interesting to see what happens with them next.
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LibraryThing member Andrew-theQM
This was a very enjoyable read, but it did take me quite a while to get into the book with the two different stories from the different timelines. However once I did get into the book it was well worth it. It was good to find out more about the backstory of Jeffery and the early days of the Jeffrey
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and Sara story. Show Less
LibraryThing member bah195
I wish I could have given this book more than 5 stars.
Indelible is book 4 in the author's Grant County series. It gives the reader background info about the two main characters. I don't usually like books that skip back and forth but the author did such a good job of going from present to past
I can't believe that there are only 2 books left in the series. I'm going to miss Sara and Jeffery.
Indelible is book 4 in the author's Grant County series. It gives the reader background info about the two main characters. I don't usually like books that skip back and forth but the author did such a good job of going from present to past
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through out the book that I didn't mind.I can't believe that there are only 2 books left in the series. I'm going to miss Sara and Jeffery.
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LibraryThing member techeditor
Fourth in Karin Slaughter's Grant County series, INDELIBLE is two stories. Both are about Jeffrey Tolliver, chief of Grant County police, and Sara Linton, pediatrician and Grant County coroner. A little more than halfway through the book you’ll learn that one other person is common to both
Sara is visiting Jeffrey at the police station when two armed men suddenly appear and hold hostage everyone there. No one knows why.
Now cut to another story 10 years ago. Sara and Jeffrey had not been seeing each other for long. They decided to vacation together in Florida, but on the way Jeffrey decided to stop by the town where he grew up. And what a nightmare that turned out to be!
Both stories are told at the same time in alternating chapters. Both stories are tense and make this a true mystery/thriller. My only criticism is that, in one of the stories, in three instances, someone gives a full confession. That felt a little contrived to me, although I guess you could say that all fiction is contrived.
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stories as well. Sara is visiting Jeffrey at the police station when two armed men suddenly appear and hold hostage everyone there. No one knows why.
Now cut to another story 10 years ago. Sara and Jeffrey had not been seeing each other for long. They decided to vacation together in Florida, but on the way Jeffrey decided to stop by the town where he grew up. And what a nightmare that turned out to be!
Both stories are told at the same time in alternating chapters. Both stories are tense and make this a true mystery/thriller. My only criticism is that, in one of the stories, in three instances, someone gives a full confession. That felt a little contrived to me, although I guess you could say that all fiction is contrived.
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LibraryThing member Lcmcsr
"When medical examine Sara Linton and police chief Jeffrey Tolliver take a trip away from the small town of Heartsdale, should be a straightforward weekend at the beach. But they decide to take a detour via Jeffrey's hometown and things go violently wrong when Jeffrey's best friend Robert shoots
I am a big fan of Ms. Slaughter's work but found this particular book difficult to get through. It may be the constant flashbacks to when Sara and Jeffrey first began dating then flashing forward to the current state of affairs. It was a compelling story but just did not like the way it was put together.
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dead an intruder who breaks into his home."I am a big fan of Ms. Slaughter's work but found this particular book difficult to get through. It may be the constant flashbacks to when Sara and Jeffrey first began dating then flashing forward to the current state of affairs. It was a compelling story but just did not like the way it was put together.
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Subjects
Language
Original publication date
2004-08-01
ISBN
0099548194 / 9780099548195
Other editions
Indelible - Grant County series Book 4 by Karin Slaughter (Paperback)
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