Andrea (Andy) Oliver was living in New York, trying to make it in the theater world when her mother Laura was diagnosed with cancer. She returned home to Bell Isle, Georgia to help during her treatment and recovery. It’s been three years and she’s still there, struggling to figure out a career direction. She and her mother meet one morning at a diner and find themselves in an explosive situation that changes their lives forever. Andy thought she knew everything about her mother but now she’s discovering that woman had another life before she became the suburban one she’s known. Laura’s freedom is on the line and she pushes Andrea out the door with a few cryptic instructions and the command to “run.”
What did I just read? I thought the story was going in one direction and then it pulled up stakes and took me on a journey I struggled a long time to understand. It took a bit to put the “pieces” together to form a somewhat clearer picture of Laura but not with much help from Andy who made so many mistakes along the road I wearied of yelling at her. The story transitions back and forth between July 1986 and August 2018 and I felt completely lost when it made that first pivot. But it got pretty clear after that and it was a race to figure out who was trying get to Laura in the present day.
I’ve had this audiobook for a while and decided to listen to it before watching the new Netflix series. It is completely different than what I expected, in a good way. Andy’s odyssey to figure out her family’s identity while following Laura’s instructions was a haphazard one that covered a lot of geography and confrontations with people I wasn’t certain were friends or foes. The narrator delivered a great performance, providing wonderful distinctions for a host of characters, so much so that I always knew who was front and center. It’s a complicated, twisty path with a provocative ending. I enjoyed this story, even when it was most uncomfortable.
Book Info
- Release Date: August 21, 2018
- Narrator: Kathleen Early
- Audio Length: 16 hours, 5 minutes
- Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Blue Mood Café 
Fab review Jo! Just watched the trailer and really want to watch it!
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Thanks, Nicki💜 A group of us decided to read the book together before watching the series. Can’t wait to start now.
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I enjoyed it but it’s not one of my Slaughter favourites. I gave up on the Netflix series after two episodes. I forgot how much I disliked Andy 😄. Of all Slaughter’s awesome books they went with this one. Boggles my mind.
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Oh, doesn’t even come close to my love for Grant County & Will Trent. However! Did you hear that ABC is developing the pilot for Will Trent?!!!
I thought Andy had too many TSTL (too stupid to live) moments. She made me tired. Sorry the Netflix series didn’t work out. I’m going to try to make it through because they changed the ending, which means there might be a second book.
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I did hear that, yes! It’s about time!
However, I didn’t know about the Pieces of Her ending and now I feel I should watch on anyway. I’m shaking my fist at you! 🙄😂
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Heh,heh, heh😏
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same. I have it and need to read before I would watch on Netflix.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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You can’t read the book after watching the movie/TV either! Get ready because this one’s a long one.
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I really want to find the time to go back and read all of the Karin Slaughter books that I haven’t yet – which is most of them. And now this one is on Netflix!!!! Excellent review, Jo!
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Thank you, Tessa💜 Her books take a lot out of me so I have to pace myself😏
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I watched for awhile the netflix show based on this book, but was disappointed. Have to try the book. Great review, Jo!
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Thanks, Marialyce💜 I’ve heard this from a number of folks who haven’t read the book. When the story makes that pivot back in time, it was terribly confusing. I can’t imagine how that translates on the screen. It’s my weekend project.
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Great review Jonetta! I have enjoyed the books, I’ve read from this author, but not sure I am tempted by this one. Protagonists you feel like yelling at all the time can be a bit exhausting! 😉
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Thank you, Stargazer💜 You know, it was exhausting! But, my patience was rewarded with a nice payoff at the end.
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I read this back when it first came out and although I liked it, it was not memorable for me. I heard the series was loosely based on the story, but lots of artistic license taken. I haven’t watched it yet, but hope to. Great review.
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Reblogged this on Angie Dokos.
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