Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Dell
Pages
484
Description
From Atlanta's wealthiest suburbs to its stark inner-city housing projects, a killer has crossed the boundaries of wealth and race. And the people who are chasing him must cross those boundaries, too. Among them is Michael Ormewood, a veteran detective whose marriage is hanging by a thread-and whose arrogance and explosive temper are threatening his career. And Angie Polaski, a beautiful vice cop who was once Michael's lover before she became his enemy. But unbeknownst to both of them, another player has entered the game: a loser ex-con who has stumbled upon the killer's trail in the most coincidental of ways-and who may be the key to breaking the case wide open. In this gritty, gripping firecracker of a novel, the author of the bestselling Grant County, Georgia, series breaks thrilling new ground, weaving together the threads of a complex, multilayered story with the skill of a master craftsman. Packed with body-bending switchbacks, searing psychological suspense and human emotions, Triptych ratchets up the tension one revelation at a time as it races to a shattering and unforgettable climax.… (more)
Series
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2006-08-03
Physical description
484 p.; 6.9 inches
ISBN
0440242924 / 9780440242925
Media reviews
Tríptico – primeiro volume da série Will Trent de Karin Slaughter – é um thriller policial de tirar o fôlego. Com livros traduzidos para mais de 30 idiomas e 25 milhões de exemplares vendidos, Karin Slaughter se tornou uma das mais importantes autoras de thrillers dos Estados Unidos.
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Sucesso mais do que merecido, pois Tríptico é um exemplo de thriller engenhoso. Personagens intrigantes e com personalidades repletas de matizes; trama inteligente – construída de forma a provocar tensão – e com reviravoltas instigantes.
O livro é dividido em três partes. Na primeira, o leitor é levado a acreditar que o enredo tomará um rumo comum, pois somos apresentados a um homicídio e ao início da investigação. Porém, logo em seguida Slaughter deita por terra toda crença que o leitor construiu até o momento. A autora foi ardilosa... Ela nos dá pistas desde o início, mas que não chamam nossa atenção em um primeiro momento. Só vão fazer sentido quando começamos a organizar a peças apresentadas.
A grande sacada da trama não é descobrir a identidade do assassino, pois esta nos é apresentada pouco a pouco, numa sequencia de relatos e pistas. O que torna Tríptico tão instigante é a tensão de saber os contornos do crime, pois a história é contada sob pontos de vista variados, e perceber que os personagens não têm a mesma perspectiva e ainda não perceberam o que realmente está acontecendo.
A autora foca o enredo no desenvolvimento psicológico e emocional dos personagens, deixando um pouco de lado a ação. Entretanto, esse aspecto foi o que me seduziu, pois todo o contexto da trama está diretamente ligado à intimidade dos personagens. A autora tem um estilo próprio, tanto de construção quanto de escrita, e são essas diferenças que não me deixam enjoar do gênero.
Leia o texto original no Lendo nas Entrelinhas: http://www.lendonasentrelinhas.com.br/2013/06/triptico-karin-slaughter.html#ixzz2zXJZ3rH7
por Hérida Ruyz. Plágio é crime previsto em lei: Nunca publique cópias não autorizadas.
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member julie10reads
From Atlanta’s wealthiest suburbs to its stark inner-city housing projects, a killer has crossed the boundaries of wealth and race. And the people who are chasing him must cross those boundaries, too. Among them is Michael Ormewood, a veteran detective whose marriage is hanging by a thread—and
Interesting for the backstory on Angie Polaski who pops up in several other Slaughter novels. Again, stands alone on its own feet but part of Ms Slaughter’s Atlanta series.
7.5 out of 10. For fans of Ms Slaughter, detective and crime fiction, and detailed characterization.
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whose arrogance and explosive temper are threatening his career. And Angie Polaski, a beautiful vice cop who was once Michael’s lover before she became his enemy. But unbeknownst to both of them, another player has entered the game: a loser ex-con who has stumbled upon the killer’s trail in the most coincidental of ways—and who may be the key to breaking the case wide open. Summary BPLInteresting for the backstory on Angie Polaski who pops up in several other Slaughter novels. Again, stands alone on its own feet but part of Ms Slaughter’s Atlanta series.
7.5 out of 10. For fans of Ms Slaughter, detective and crime fiction, and detailed characterization.
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LibraryThing member nbmars
Americans seem to require/expect/need/like perverted sex and horrific mutilation in their crime mysteries. Karin Slaughter doesn’t deviate from this pattern, but nevertheless manages to inject much more intelligence into her stories than the average American mystery writer. In particular, her
In Atlanta, someone is preying mostly on young teenaged girls, and mutilating them in a characteristic and bizarre manner. A group of flawed investigators is trying to catch the killer before he strikes again: Detective Michael Ormewood, former vice cop and former Gulf War veteran; Angie Polaski, vice cop who works undercover (albeit barely covered) as a prostitute; and Special Agent Will Trent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation who records everything on tape to hide his dyslexia. An ex-con, John Shelley, gets involved as well. We also meet Michael’s wife Gina, his neighbor Cynthia, John’s sister Joyce, some of John’s ex-prison mates, and Will’s dog Betty.
Slaughter’s sympathy for the poor, the abused, and the victimized is a consistent theme in her books. In this passage, for example, Angie is thinking about the prostitutes with whom she works everyday:
“No one was interested in getting to the root of the problem. Angie had spent the last six years getting to know these women. They all had the same stories of sexual abuse and neglect in their pasts; they all had run away from something. It didn’t take a Harvard economist to figure out that it’d be a hell of a lot cheaper spending money on helping keep kids safe when they were younger than it was to put them in jail when they were older. That was the American way, though. Spend a million dollars rescuing some kid who’s fallen down a well, but God forbid you spend a hundred bucks up front to cap the well so the kid never falls down it in the first place.”
Slaughter’s stimulating book will keep you both scared and entertained.
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chapters don’t read as if they are designed for television segments interrupted by commercial breaks. Her twists and turns are clever and thrilling. Best of all, none of her characters are perfect: no “strong yet gentle” hero, no gorgeous, sexy, well-adjusted love interest. In Atlanta, someone is preying mostly on young teenaged girls, and mutilating them in a characteristic and bizarre manner. A group of flawed investigators is trying to catch the killer before he strikes again: Detective Michael Ormewood, former vice cop and former Gulf War veteran; Angie Polaski, vice cop who works undercover (albeit barely covered) as a prostitute; and Special Agent Will Trent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation who records everything on tape to hide his dyslexia. An ex-con, John Shelley, gets involved as well. We also meet Michael’s wife Gina, his neighbor Cynthia, John’s sister Joyce, some of John’s ex-prison mates, and Will’s dog Betty.
Slaughter’s sympathy for the poor, the abused, and the victimized is a consistent theme in her books. In this passage, for example, Angie is thinking about the prostitutes with whom she works everyday:
“No one was interested in getting to the root of the problem. Angie had spent the last six years getting to know these women. They all had the same stories of sexual abuse and neglect in their pasts; they all had run away from something. It didn’t take a Harvard economist to figure out that it’d be a hell of a lot cheaper spending money on helping keep kids safe when they were younger than it was to put them in jail when they were older. That was the American way, though. Spend a million dollars rescuing some kid who’s fallen down a well, but God forbid you spend a hundred bucks up front to cap the well so the kid never falls down it in the first place.”
Slaughter’s stimulating book will keep you both scared and entertained.
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LibraryThing member emhromp2
While I had a little difficulty getting into the story (it has a depressing beginning) and was intrigued soon enough. This is the kind of book anyone would like to have written. I loved the intertwining stories and I liked the characters a lot. I'm glad Slaughter decided to write a sequel.
LibraryThing member LoriHedgpeth
"TripTych" is my first book by Karin Slaughter, but if it is any indication of the types of books that Ms. Slaughter authors, it won't be the last.
The basic plotline of "TripTych" could be formulaic (is a dead prostitute in Atlanta connected to a serial rapist/killer?) but thankfully it is not.
Ms. Slaughter hooked me from the first chapter and reeled me in thru several days of reading thru my lunch hour and staying up, trying to read as much as I could before bed, looking forward eagerly to the next page. A huge plotline twist mid-book caught me by pleasant surprise and the story didn't let up until the very end.
My only complaint about "TripTych" was the end - - it seemed a bit too tidy but perhaps that was simply due to the adrenaline rush the rest of the book throws at you.
Overall, I found the book addictive and totally absorbing. I will be looking for other books by Ms. Slaughter my next trip to the library.
Highly recommended.
The basic plotline of "TripTych" could be formulaic (is a dead prostitute in Atlanta connected to a serial rapist/killer?) but thankfully it is not.
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The discovery of the prostitute in the first chapter is only the springboard to introduce us to a plethora of characters and a brutal murder from 20 years prior. While none of the primary characters are wholly sympathetic, they are gritty, original and real. Ms. Slaughter hooked me from the first chapter and reeled me in thru several days of reading thru my lunch hour and staying up, trying to read as much as I could before bed, looking forward eagerly to the next page. A huge plotline twist mid-book caught me by pleasant surprise and the story didn't let up until the very end.
My only complaint about "TripTych" was the end - - it seemed a bit too tidy but perhaps that was simply due to the adrenaline rush the rest of the book throws at you.
Overall, I found the book addictive and totally absorbing. I will be looking for other books by Ms. Slaughter my next trip to the library.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member hcnewton
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S TRIPTYCH ABOUT?
I’m going to start off by saying it took me far, far, far too long to figure out how the title was appropriate. I cannot express how clueless I felt once the light bulb went on. I should stress that I wasn’t sitting
Anyway, there’s a serial killer/rapist afoot in the Atlanta area—the ages, races, and socio-economic status are varied enough that the typical pattern doesn’t fit. The novel shows the hunt for the killer from three overlapping perspectives (with a fourth for a significant portion of the book, too).
The first is from APD Homicide Detective Michael Ormewood, who might be a perfectly adequate detective (it’s hard to tell at the beginning, but you have to assume he is). He is a terrible person however. I know the two aren’t related, but…ick. You want the killer to be stopped, but you really don’t want him to be the one who stops him. So, it’s nice that an agent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Will Trent, comes along to consult on the murder investigation Ormewood’s involved with—and shows him that it’s connected to others.
The second perspective is that of an ex-con, who has been out for only a few months. You can’t help but like him—in sharp contrast to Ormewood—but he’s a convicted murderer and is a registered sex offender, so it’s hard to generate a lot of sympathy for him. The part of the novel focused on him includes so much backstory you’d be well within your rights to forget that you’re supposed to be worried about a killer in the present. He’s clearly reformed (but honestly, doesn’t remember committing the crime he’s convicted of), he’s a rare success story for the Criminal Justice system—sadly, the world isn’t going to recognize that anytime soon. Connecting him to the present case takes a long time, but proves to be pretty important.
The third perspective is that of Will Trent. I don’t know if this was supposed to be a stand-alone, or if the whole point of the novel was to introduce Trent as central character of the series. In the end, that was the result, though. Trent’s an oddball of a detective—but he’s incredibly good at what he does. Eventually he, and his on-again-off-again lover/lifelong best friend (a detective in Vice with an ugly history with Ormewood) start to put the pieces together.
ALLLLLLMOST DNFed
I didn’t like this novel much at all—and was pushing myself through it for at least the first half. Why? I don’t know—I just wasn’t in the mood for any other audiobook I had my hands on, I guess. Kramer’s narration, Slaughter’s style, the characters, and the experience as a whole, just left a sour taste in my mouth.
Eventually, while I still didn’t enjoy the book, I got to the point that I was going to listen just to see how the ex-con’s storyline ended up. Still, I almost returned this to the library at least eight times before that point (and once or twice after).
When Trent’s perspective took over, I enjoyed it enough to start thinking about getting book 2. Also, I wanted to see how Slaughter took this particular book and turned it into a series that’s gone on into eleven books (as of later this year) and spawned a TV series.
THE NARRATION
Kramer does a capable job, I guess, but it just didn’t work for me. I’ve listened to other books by him before (have only written about one of them, though) and I’ve felt the same way. His name didn’t trigger anything for me, but that voice and delivery sure did.
Kramer has a list of credits that can only be described as “enviable,” and keeps getting work—so clearly I’m in the minority when it comes to him. His name isn’t enough to keep me from listening to a book—but it sure won’t convince me to give something a try if I’m on the fence about it.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT TRIPTYCH?
Huh. What do you know? I said pretty much everything I have to say already.
I actually think I’d have been better off walking away from it. The ending was satisfying and my curiosity about the ex-con was satiated. But I’m not happy with myself about it.
Trent and his friend (or whatever), Angie, are interesting enough that I do think I’ll come back for another ride, but I don’t think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. They’re the reason the book gets that 1/2 star.
---
WHAT'S TRIPTYCH ABOUT?
I’m going to start off by saying it took me far, far, far too long to figure out how the title was appropriate. I cannot express how clueless I felt once the light bulb went on. I should stress that I wasn’t sitting
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around pondering it—and had essentially forgotten the title. I’m pretty sure I’d have sussed it out earlier. The more I think about it, however, the less I think it’s appropriate—Polyptych would be better—Tetraptych or Quadriptych would be even more accurate. But who even knows those terms anymore?Anyway, there’s a serial killer/rapist afoot in the Atlanta area—the ages, races, and socio-economic status are varied enough that the typical pattern doesn’t fit. The novel shows the hunt for the killer from three overlapping perspectives (with a fourth for a significant portion of the book, too).
The first is from APD Homicide Detective Michael Ormewood, who might be a perfectly adequate detective (it’s hard to tell at the beginning, but you have to assume he is). He is a terrible person however. I know the two aren’t related, but…ick. You want the killer to be stopped, but you really don’t want him to be the one who stops him. So, it’s nice that an agent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Will Trent, comes along to consult on the murder investigation Ormewood’s involved with—and shows him that it’s connected to others.
The second perspective is that of an ex-con, who has been out for only a few months. You can’t help but like him—in sharp contrast to Ormewood—but he’s a convicted murderer and is a registered sex offender, so it’s hard to generate a lot of sympathy for him. The part of the novel focused on him includes so much backstory you’d be well within your rights to forget that you’re supposed to be worried about a killer in the present. He’s clearly reformed (but honestly, doesn’t remember committing the crime he’s convicted of), he’s a rare success story for the Criminal Justice system—sadly, the world isn’t going to recognize that anytime soon. Connecting him to the present case takes a long time, but proves to be pretty important.
The third perspective is that of Will Trent. I don’t know if this was supposed to be a stand-alone, or if the whole point of the novel was to introduce Trent as central character of the series. In the end, that was the result, though. Trent’s an oddball of a detective—but he’s incredibly good at what he does. Eventually he, and his on-again-off-again lover/lifelong best friend (a detective in Vice with an ugly history with Ormewood) start to put the pieces together.
ALLLLLLMOST DNFed
I didn’t like this novel much at all—and was pushing myself through it for at least the first half. Why? I don’t know—I just wasn’t in the mood for any other audiobook I had my hands on, I guess. Kramer’s narration, Slaughter’s style, the characters, and the experience as a whole, just left a sour taste in my mouth.
Eventually, while I still didn’t enjoy the book, I got to the point that I was going to listen just to see how the ex-con’s storyline ended up. Still, I almost returned this to the library at least eight times before that point (and once or twice after).
When Trent’s perspective took over, I enjoyed it enough to start thinking about getting book 2. Also, I wanted to see how Slaughter took this particular book and turned it into a series that’s gone on into eleven books (as of later this year) and spawned a TV series.
THE NARRATION
Kramer does a capable job, I guess, but it just didn’t work for me. I’ve listened to other books by him before (have only written about one of them, though) and I’ve felt the same way. His name didn’t trigger anything for me, but that voice and delivery sure did.
Kramer has a list of credits that can only be described as “enviable,” and keeps getting work—so clearly I’m in the minority when it comes to him. His name isn’t enough to keep me from listening to a book—but it sure won’t convince me to give something a try if I’m on the fence about it.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT TRIPTYCH?
Huh. What do you know? I said pretty much everything I have to say already.
I actually think I’d have been better off walking away from it. The ending was satisfying and my curiosity about the ex-con was satiated. But I’m not happy with myself about it.
Trent and his friend (or whatever), Angie, are interesting enough that I do think I’ll come back for another ride, but I don’t think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. They’re the reason the book gets that 1/2 star.
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LibraryThing member moukayedr
My digital Collins says:
triptych [ˈtrɪptɪk:]
n 1. a set of three pictures or panels, usually hinged so that the two wing panels fold over the larger central one: often used as an altarpiece
2. a set of three hinged writing tablets
From Greek triptukhos, from tri- + ptux plate.
One of the story's
I bought this book after I read Fractured by the same author because I liked the character of Special Agent Will Trent and wanted to read more about his personal story. This book did not disappoint, as the plot moved at a cracking pace. There were plenty of unexpected twists that kept me turning the pages, and re-reading some parts to discover how the author expertly wove the pattern of deception.
I love the way Karin Slaughter handles her characters. Unlike clean predictable sleuths like Temperance Brennan (Kathy Reich's forensic anthropologist), Karin Slaughter comes up with more vulnerable and gritty characters for her police force. They show many human frailties that anyone can relate to and sympathize with. Her characters fight their private battles as they are fighting crime, and this makes them all the more appealing.
The story starts with the murder and mutilation of Aleesha Munroe, a prostitute and a drug addict living in one of Atlanta's rough neighborhood. Detective Michael Ormwood is in charge, but he soon finds out that he needs to work with Special Agent Will Trent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Will Trent is helping out because the murder has some similarities with other attacks around the state. Within 24 hours Michael's next door neighbor is found dead in his backyard and in order to solve the mystery the two men need to look back into a past that refuses to stay buried.
I will not elaborate more on this excellent thriller in order not to spoil it for future readers. More than just a good thriller the story challenges the perceptions of right and wrong, justice and injustice. It gave me a a pause about the grim reality of prison and why a convicted felons almost always end up back in prison.
I will remember many characters in this book. For example there is the mother character who fought bravely and unrelentingly for her son, it was a character I related to. She stands in contrast to the mother who fought blindly for her son doing a lot of damage to people's lives in the process.
Another character later in the book spoke poignantly about her children: "It's the most wonderful blessing God has given us, our ability to bring a child into the world. You hold them in our arms that first time, and they are more precious than gold. Every breath you take after that is only for your child". This is so true.
triptych [ˈtrɪptɪk:]
n 1. a set of three pictures or panels, usually hinged so that the two wing panels fold over the larger central one: often used as an altarpiece
2. a set of three hinged writing tablets
From Greek triptukhos, from tri- + ptux plate.
One of the story's
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characters has a triptych on her mantelpiece. When the two side panels fold over the central one a new image or canvas is formed. There is a blurb on the book cover: Three people with something to hide. One killer with nothing to lose. I believe the Triptych reference is to these three people and the way their deception makes things take different forms at different times.I bought this book after I read Fractured by the same author because I liked the character of Special Agent Will Trent and wanted to read more about his personal story. This book did not disappoint, as the plot moved at a cracking pace. There were plenty of unexpected twists that kept me turning the pages, and re-reading some parts to discover how the author expertly wove the pattern of deception.
I love the way Karin Slaughter handles her characters. Unlike clean predictable sleuths like Temperance Brennan (Kathy Reich's forensic anthropologist), Karin Slaughter comes up with more vulnerable and gritty characters for her police force. They show many human frailties that anyone can relate to and sympathize with. Her characters fight their private battles as they are fighting crime, and this makes them all the more appealing.
The story starts with the murder and mutilation of Aleesha Munroe, a prostitute and a drug addict living in one of Atlanta's rough neighborhood. Detective Michael Ormwood is in charge, but he soon finds out that he needs to work with Special Agent Will Trent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Will Trent is helping out because the murder has some similarities with other attacks around the state. Within 24 hours Michael's next door neighbor is found dead in his backyard and in order to solve the mystery the two men need to look back into a past that refuses to stay buried.
I will not elaborate more on this excellent thriller in order not to spoil it for future readers. More than just a good thriller the story challenges the perceptions of right and wrong, justice and injustice. It gave me a a pause about the grim reality of prison and why a convicted felons almost always end up back in prison.
I will remember many characters in this book. For example there is the mother character who fought bravely and unrelentingly for her son, it was a character I related to. She stands in contrast to the mother who fought blindly for her son doing a lot of damage to people's lives in the process.
Another character later in the book spoke poignantly about her children: "It's the most wonderful blessing God has given us, our ability to bring a child into the world. You hold them in our arms that first time, and they are more precious than gold. Every breath you take after that is only for your child". This is so true.
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LibraryThing member PhoenixTerran
Triptych is the second book by Karin Slaughter that I have read. I started it immediately after finishing Undone, one of her more recent novels, which I enjoyed so much that I couldn't wait to read another. Triptych is the first book in her second series and features Will Trent as a primary
Early in February, Atlanta Detective Michael Ormewood is called to investigate the death of Aleesha Monroe. She is found the staircase to her apartment, an anonymous tip called in, brutally beaten and raped, her tongue bitten off by the attacker. The investigation is soon joined by Will Trent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations; more cases have been identified across the state over the last year that may be connected. Only, no definite pattern has emerged except that each of the victims' tongues were mutilated. Nearly two decades earlier, Jonathan Shelley was incarcerated for the murder of Mary Alice Finney under similar circumstances. Tried as an adult, he has served more time in prison than he has lived outside of it. Recently paroled, he discovers by chance that someone has stolen his identity and that it won't it won't take much to send him back to jail--a connection with the current serial murders is undeniable. Three men, all with very good reasons to track down the murderer before someone else can.
A very important part of Triptych is the timeline; the story isn't told strictly chronologically. It is crucial to pay special attention to the dates given at the beginning of chapters to avoid any confusion--sometimes it even seems like the flashbacks have flashbacks. But despite this, it actually works pretty well, showing both past and recent events until it all crashes together to form the current situation. Nothing really surprised me much plot-wise; I saw most of the connections and reveals coming, but I still found Triptych to be an addicting read. Some things are never explained fully, but this may have been deliberate. The reasons behind the serial murders and attacks are never given, making the killer all the more ominous and terrifying, if of a somewhat incongruous personality.
I think that I probably liked Triptych even more than I liked Undone. Part of the reason is that it focuses a bit more on Will and his background, who I still find to be a fantastic character, but I actually feel that it is a better book all around (which is not to say Undone was at all bad). However, if I had to name one person as the main character, it would be John Shelley, who makes a compelling yet ambiguous protagonist. This ambiguity spreads to the rest of the book and is what impressed me so much about Triptych. Slaughter's skill in handling her plot and characters is impressive--she doesn't really hide anything from her readers but at the same time leaves them wondering if what is going on is actually true. I think I'm officially addicted to Slaughter and will definitely be picking up the second Will Trent book, Fractured, very soon.
Experiments in Reading
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investigator. Undone is technically the third book in the Atlanta sequence. Another intense and gruesome crime novel, I was not disappointed by Triptych. And seeing as the book was shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association's Ian Fleming Steel Dagger award in 2007, I'm guessing that others weren't too disappointed either.Early in February, Atlanta Detective Michael Ormewood is called to investigate the death of Aleesha Monroe. She is found the staircase to her apartment, an anonymous tip called in, brutally beaten and raped, her tongue bitten off by the attacker. The investigation is soon joined by Will Trent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations; more cases have been identified across the state over the last year that may be connected. Only, no definite pattern has emerged except that each of the victims' tongues were mutilated. Nearly two decades earlier, Jonathan Shelley was incarcerated for the murder of Mary Alice Finney under similar circumstances. Tried as an adult, he has served more time in prison than he has lived outside of it. Recently paroled, he discovers by chance that someone has stolen his identity and that it won't it won't take much to send him back to jail--a connection with the current serial murders is undeniable. Three men, all with very good reasons to track down the murderer before someone else can.
A very important part of Triptych is the timeline; the story isn't told strictly chronologically. It is crucial to pay special attention to the dates given at the beginning of chapters to avoid any confusion--sometimes it even seems like the flashbacks have flashbacks. But despite this, it actually works pretty well, showing both past and recent events until it all crashes together to form the current situation. Nothing really surprised me much plot-wise; I saw most of the connections and reveals coming, but I still found Triptych to be an addicting read. Some things are never explained fully, but this may have been deliberate. The reasons behind the serial murders and attacks are never given, making the killer all the more ominous and terrifying, if of a somewhat incongruous personality.
I think that I probably liked Triptych even more than I liked Undone. Part of the reason is that it focuses a bit more on Will and his background, who I still find to be a fantastic character, but I actually feel that it is a better book all around (which is not to say Undone was at all bad). However, if I had to name one person as the main character, it would be John Shelley, who makes a compelling yet ambiguous protagonist. This ambiguity spreads to the rest of the book and is what impressed me so much about Triptych. Slaughter's skill in handling her plot and characters is impressive--she doesn't really hide anything from her readers but at the same time leaves them wondering if what is going on is actually true. I think I'm officially addicted to Slaughter and will definitely be picking up the second Will Trent book, Fractured, very soon.
Experiments in Reading
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LibraryThing member mrtall
Triptych, by the aptly surnamed Karin Slaughter, is a serial killer-potboiler with pretensions to being something more.
The plot is claustrophobic, and I don’t mean this in a good way. Rather, the story – a convicted-but-recently-released rapist/murderer seeks exoneration after serving two
So what are we left with for characters here? There’s just one actual character: jaded vice cop Angie comes across pretty well, although she too is exaggerated for effect. That I can live with. But the main male 'characters' are uniformly unbelievable bundles of characteristics – Will, the dyslexic vulnerablesensitivecuddly Georgia Bureau of Investigations agent who’s Angie’s long-term snugglebunny; John, the childlike, innocent, and equally hugalicious ex-con; and our colossally boring bad guy, whom I won’t name, but who never comes to life at all.
Karin Slaughter is not a bad writer, but this effort has way too many flaws to recommend.
The plot is claustrophobic, and I don’t mean this in a good way. Rather, the story – a convicted-but-recently-released rapist/murderer seeks exoneration after serving two
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decades in the slammer; meanwhile, a series of similar crimes breaks out in Atlanta – comprises a set of characters who are tied to each other at every turn. Every plot development further compresses the circle of possibilities until even the densest of the principals can no longer avoid the obvious. This 'everything is personal' approach means all of the crimes intimately affect each character. Some people must love this style of storytelling, because it’s become so very, very common in crime fiction. I’m heartily sick of it, myself. It leads to long, leaden passages setting up characters’ backstories, especially assigning them highly unlikely personality quirks, and to cheap emotional tricks like making characters victims of abuse (spread on with a trowel here) in order to wring out some quick readerly sympathy.So what are we left with for characters here? There’s just one actual character: jaded vice cop Angie comes across pretty well, although she too is exaggerated for effect. That I can live with. But the main male 'characters' are uniformly unbelievable bundles of characteristics – Will, the dyslexic vulnerablesensitivecuddly Georgia Bureau of Investigations agent who’s Angie’s long-term snugglebunny; John, the childlike, innocent, and equally hugalicious ex-con; and our colossally boring bad guy, whom I won’t name, but who never comes to life at all.
Karin Slaughter is not a bad writer, but this effort has way too many flaws to recommend.
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LibraryThing member techeditor
The many reviews that praise the thriller TRIPTYCH by Karin Slaughter must be based, I think, on the second half of the book. (You may disagree. More on that later.) If so, then the praise is justified. But a book review should be based on a book’s entirety, and Slaughter paints a picture of
TRIPTYCH is the first book in a series about Will Trent, an agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. But the book doesn't begin with him. It begins with a newspaper clipping from 1985 about the murder of a 15-year-old girl in Georgia. This is why you may disagree with my opinion. Because the book begins with a murder, you might say, it begins with suspense. Maybe. But that little clipping wasn't enough for me.
Next, TRIPTYCH fast forwards to 2006, when a detective, Michael, begins an investigation of a murder similar to the 1985 murder, although no one yet links the two. Then the book takes us back to 1985 when a teenager, John, is accused of the murder; then it goes forward again to 2005 and 2006, when we meet Trent; then we're back to 1985, then forward, and so on until we have what appears to be the complete picture of crimes occurring in 2006 that are similar to that first one in 1985.
Probably the first 180 pages are Slaughter's effort to give depth to the characters so that this novel is not simply plot driven and to show that the 1985 murder and characters are connected to the 2005 and 2006 murders and characters. But, especially in the case of the 1985 murder, the details are hard to read because they are so infuriating and frustrating. What needs to be said is never said, what needs to happen never happens.
But after a surprise about one of the character's identity is revealed, TRIPTYCH does get really good. Now it's a thriller.
One reader review of this book complains that the murderer is apparent halfway through the book. That person doesn't get it. True, we can figure out the mystery 200 or so pages in, but the suspense is just beginning. After we know who the murderer is, the book gets un-put-downable. Believe it, this book WILL grab you.
The publisher of Slaughter's novels, Random House, gave me this copy of TRIPTYCH, they said, to interest me in the rest of the series. TRIPTYCH is a 2006 book. Because it gets so thrilling, I plan to try another to see if she is faster with the thrills nowadays.
I really did read this entire book, and this review of it is honest.
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characters and background for almost 200 pages before she gets to the suspense. She risks losing readers after page 50. But if you stick with it, it not only gets better; it gets great.TRIPTYCH is the first book in a series about Will Trent, an agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. But the book doesn't begin with him. It begins with a newspaper clipping from 1985 about the murder of a 15-year-old girl in Georgia. This is why you may disagree with my opinion. Because the book begins with a murder, you might say, it begins with suspense. Maybe. But that little clipping wasn't enough for me.
Next, TRIPTYCH fast forwards to 2006, when a detective, Michael, begins an investigation of a murder similar to the 1985 murder, although no one yet links the two. Then the book takes us back to 1985 when a teenager, John, is accused of the murder; then it goes forward again to 2005 and 2006, when we meet Trent; then we're back to 1985, then forward, and so on until we have what appears to be the complete picture of crimes occurring in 2006 that are similar to that first one in 1985.
Probably the first 180 pages are Slaughter's effort to give depth to the characters so that this novel is not simply plot driven and to show that the 1985 murder and characters are connected to the 2005 and 2006 murders and characters. But, especially in the case of the 1985 murder, the details are hard to read because they are so infuriating and frustrating. What needs to be said is never said, what needs to happen never happens.
But after a surprise about one of the character's identity is revealed, TRIPTYCH does get really good. Now it's a thriller.
One reader review of this book complains that the murderer is apparent halfway through the book. That person doesn't get it. True, we can figure out the mystery 200 or so pages in, but the suspense is just beginning. After we know who the murderer is, the book gets un-put-downable. Believe it, this book WILL grab you.
The publisher of Slaughter's novels, Random House, gave me this copy of TRIPTYCH, they said, to interest me in the rest of the series. TRIPTYCH is a 2006 book. Because it gets so thrilling, I plan to try another to see if she is faster with the thrills nowadays.
I really did read this entire book, and this review of it is honest.
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LibraryThing member miyurose
I thought this was brilliant, and I’m going to try to express that without giving too much away! When you start the book, it’s like a giant jigsaw puzzle that you’re trying to put together without the picture. When the pieces started falling into place, I almost felt betrayed, because
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you’re set up to like one character and then you begin to see that he’s not what he appears to be. It’s been a while since I read a book whose title was so apropos. By the time the final picture is revealed, you’ve been left breathless. Show Less
LibraryThing member cal8769
Good mystery. Lots of twists for awhile but then became predictable. I would reccommend to any mystery lover.
LibraryThing member debavp
I read this after reading Blindsighted. This was a bit more graphic, but again, where the graphic sex and violence appear it is quite necessary and effective and doesn't last long. I think this would definitely be a great series as well, maybe not to see the main characters as they were, but see
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how these battered and bruised people fare in the future. This one has several OMG moments that you did not see coming. Show Less
LibraryThing member Heptonj
An excellent book which holds the interest without interruption all the way through. The guy you meet in the begining who seems to be set up to be the hero isn't at all what you expect as you get to know him throughout the story. The real 'heroes' Angie and Will are flawed, mixed-up characters who
Young girls and prostitutes are being horrifically murdered and mutilated and the person who you think is the villain slowly grows on you until you realise he isn't the bad guy at all. There are lots of twists and turns to this novel which holds more than one surprise, a great story line and a very satisfying ending. I would highly recommend this one.
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have a lot of 'past' and it would be interesting to see how their characters fare if this was ever turned into a series. Young girls and prostitutes are being horrifically murdered and mutilated and the person who you think is the villain slowly grows on you until you realise he isn't the bad guy at all. There are lots of twists and turns to this novel which holds more than one surprise, a great story line and a very satisfying ending. I would highly recommend this one.
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LibraryThing member mazda502001
This really is an explosive thriller with plenty of twists. It's a long time since I've read one of her books but it didn't disappoint. A good read.
Back Cover Blurb:
When Atlanta police detective Michael Ormewood is called out to a murder scene at the notorious Grady Homes, he finds himself faced
As a one-off killing it's shocking, but when it becomes clear that this is the latest in a series of similar attacks, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is called in, and Michael is forced into working with Special Agent Will Trent of the Criminal Apprehension Team - a man he instinctively dislikes.
Twenty-four hours later, the violence Michael sees around him every day explodes in his own back yard. And it seems the mystery behind Monroe's death is inextricably entangled with a past that refuses to stay buried....
Back Cover Blurb:
When Atlanta police detective Michael Ormewood is called out to a murder scene at the notorious Grady Homes, he finds himself faced
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with one of the most brutal killings of his career: Aleesha Monroe is found in the stairwell in a pool of her own blood, her body horribly mutilated.As a one-off killing it's shocking, but when it becomes clear that this is the latest in a series of similar attacks, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is called in, and Michael is forced into working with Special Agent Will Trent of the Criminal Apprehension Team - a man he instinctively dislikes.
Twenty-four hours later, the violence Michael sees around him every day explodes in his own back yard. And it seems the mystery behind Monroe's death is inextricably entangled with a past that refuses to stay buried....
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LibraryThing member MikeLancaster
Pleasantly surprised by my first Karin Slaughter. I found the book to be cleverly plotted, the characters were complex and interesting, and the twists were engaging.The book was a whole lot darker than I was expecting and I think I will be tempted to read another Slaughter soon.
LibraryThing member tulikangaroo
I'm glad to have finally read the first Will Trent book to learn more about his beginnings. Another great story.
LibraryThing member sareiner
very will said
"The many reviews that praise the thriller TRIPTYCH by Karin Slaughter must be based, I think, on the second half of the book. (You may disagree. More on that later.) If so, then the praise is justified. But a book review should be based on a book’s entirety, and Slaughter paints a
TRIPTYCH is the first book in a series about Will Trent, an agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. But the book doesn't begin with him. It begins with a newspaper clipping from 1985 about the murder of a 15-year-old girl in Georgia. This is why you may disagree with my opinion. Because the book begins with a murder, you might say, it begins with suspense. Maybe. But that little clipping wasn't enough for me.
Next, TRIPTYCH fast forwards to 2006, when a detective, Michael, begins an investigation of a murder similar to the 1985 murder, although no one yet links the two. Then the book takes us back to 1985 when a teenager, John, is accused of the murder; then it goes forward again to 2005 and 2006, when we meet Trent; then we're back to 1985, then forward, and so on until we have what appears to be the complete picture of crimes occurring in 2006 that are similar to that first one in 1985.
Probably the first 180 pages are Slaughter's effort to give depth to the characters so that this novel is not simply plot driven and to show that the 1985 murder and characters are connected to the 2005 and 2006 murders and characters. But, especially in the case of the 1985 murder, the details are hard to read because they are so infuriating and frustrating. What needs to be said is never said, what needs to happen never happens.
But after a surprise about one of the character's identity is revealed, TRIPTYCH does get really good. Now it's a thriller.
One reader review of this book complains that the murderer is apparent halfway through the book. That person doesn't get it. True, we can figure out the mystery 200 or so pages in, but the suspense is just beginning. After we know who the murderer is, the book gets un-put-downable. Believe it, this book WILL grab you."
"The many reviews that praise the thriller TRIPTYCH by Karin Slaughter must be based, I think, on the second half of the book. (You may disagree. More on that later.) If so, then the praise is justified. But a book review should be based on a book’s entirety, and Slaughter paints a
Show More
picture of characters and background for almost 200 pages before she gets to the suspense. She risks losing readers after page 50. But if you stick with it, it not only gets better; it gets great.TRIPTYCH is the first book in a series about Will Trent, an agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. But the book doesn't begin with him. It begins with a newspaper clipping from 1985 about the murder of a 15-year-old girl in Georgia. This is why you may disagree with my opinion. Because the book begins with a murder, you might say, it begins with suspense. Maybe. But that little clipping wasn't enough for me.
Next, TRIPTYCH fast forwards to 2006, when a detective, Michael, begins an investigation of a murder similar to the 1985 murder, although no one yet links the two. Then the book takes us back to 1985 when a teenager, John, is accused of the murder; then it goes forward again to 2005 and 2006, when we meet Trent; then we're back to 1985, then forward, and so on until we have what appears to be the complete picture of crimes occurring in 2006 that are similar to that first one in 1985.
Probably the first 180 pages are Slaughter's effort to give depth to the characters so that this novel is not simply plot driven and to show that the 1985 murder and characters are connected to the 2005 and 2006 murders and characters. But, especially in the case of the 1985 murder, the details are hard to read because they are so infuriating and frustrating. What needs to be said is never said, what needs to happen never happens.
But after a surprise about one of the character's identity is revealed, TRIPTYCH does get really good. Now it's a thriller.
One reader review of this book complains that the murderer is apparent halfway through the book. That person doesn't get it. True, we can figure out the mystery 200 or so pages in, but the suspense is just beginning. After we know who the murderer is, the book gets un-put-downable. Believe it, this book WILL grab you."
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LibraryThing member louisianagirl91
This is the first book I've read by Ms. slaughter and I don't know what took me so long to find out about her. I was just scanning the shelves in the library and thought her books sounded interesting. What an understatement! This woman is good! Why hasn't she received more attention? I love crime
The basics of Triptych...there is someone evil raping, killing and ripping out the tongues of young women. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason or no apparent connection. At least, that's how it SEEMED. Ms. Slaughter has a way of writing that makes one feel a tad sorry for the convicted criminal and she allows us to understand what happened from his point of view. Three detectives and one criminal all seem to have some kind of connection, but do they? To explain it more would spoil it. So I will just say this...READ THIS BOOK PLEASE! It was SOOO good that I stayed up to finished it. I was exhausted but it was oh so worth it! I plan to read all of her books now and I hope others will discover her and appreciate her like I do.
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and suspense novels and I know that there are a lot of writers in this genre. But not many of them are good. Ms. Slaughter finds a way to get you caught up in the story and you're thinking one thing is gonna happen when, in reality, she takes you in a totally different direction! And you had no idea how you got there only that it was a wild ride! The basics of Triptych...there is someone evil raping, killing and ripping out the tongues of young women. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason or no apparent connection. At least, that's how it SEEMED. Ms. Slaughter has a way of writing that makes one feel a tad sorry for the convicted criminal and she allows us to understand what happened from his point of view. Three detectives and one criminal all seem to have some kind of connection, but do they? To explain it more would spoil it. So I will just say this...READ THIS BOOK PLEASE! It was SOOO good that I stayed up to finished it. I was exhausted but it was oh so worth it! I plan to read all of her books now and I hope others will discover her and appreciate her like I do.
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LibraryThing member bsquaredinoz
This book has all you could want in a whodunit: complex characters, twist-filled plot and an unexpected ending. It's a terrific stand-alone mystery.
LibraryThing member Balthazar-Lawson
This book is written in three parts and the first two were great. I was really enjoying this book.
Then the third part came along and it went down hill from there. The third part dragged and didn't flow in a captivating manner. It featured two aspects of writing that I dislike. Trying to represent
Disappointing in the end.
Then the third part came along and it went down hill from there. The third part dragged and didn't flow in a captivating manner. It featured two aspects of writing that I dislike. Trying to represent
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the happenings of a dream and trying to write the words of the stroke affected. It is so easy to get these wrong, as in this book. Plus the story just didn't gel, there appeared to parts missing to make it coherent.Disappointing in the end.
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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 Gatorhater
An action packed mystery thriller involving an accused 15 year old boy, John Shelley of raping and murdering a 14 year old girl, Mary Alice Finney. John gets convicted and sentenced to serve 20 years in prison, but when he's released questions arise whether he was falsely accused. It begins when
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John realizes that someone has stolen his identity and is trying to put him back behind bars, the new murders take on a whole new mystery of responsibility by using similar modes of operations. Show Less
LibraryThing member LivelyLady
I found this better than the last book I read by her but I am beginning to see a formula to her writing. Anyway, taking place in rural Georgia, an agent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation comes to a small town to investigate a rash of missing girls. Despite the writing pattern, it did hold my
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interest. I would read this again. The main character is dyslexic and she does a good job of incorporating his behavior into how he has to do his job. Show Less
LibraryThing member Conkie
Excellent, excellent storytelling!
LibraryThing member Carl_Alves
Triptych trots out the tired and worn sub-genre of the serial killer. Based on their treatment in thriller fictions, one would think serial killers represent about a third of the country’s population. In this case the subject is a serial killer from Atlanta, who bites off the tongues of his
Although this isn’t one of my favorite sub-genres, Karin Slaughter does a nice job with this novel. It helps that she is quality professional writer, who showcases her talent in this novel. The book also doesn’t suffer from a ridiculously unbelievable villain that normally plagues thrillers. The novel has a good bit of tension and page-turning ability and generally moves along quite nicely. It’s not a great novel, but it is satisfyingly entertaining.
Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
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victims. On the case is Will Trent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations who is working with local detective Michael Ormewood. Also involved in the case is Trent’s love interest undercover vice agent Angie Polaski. Their investigation leads them to an ex-con recently released from prison.Although this isn’t one of my favorite sub-genres, Karin Slaughter does a nice job with this novel. It helps that she is quality professional writer, who showcases her talent in this novel. The book also doesn’t suffer from a ridiculously unbelievable villain that normally plagues thrillers. The novel has a good bit of tension and page-turning ability and generally moves along quite nicely. It’s not a great novel, but it is satisfyingly entertaining.
Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
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Awards
Call number
FIC F Sla