Breakaway Books

Authored by Karin Slaughter; Published in 2006; Mystery

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🏖️🏖️

Triptych defied my expectations. The way it shifted perspectives, built up empathy for unexpected characters, plunged me into the daily routine of policing in Atlanta—all of it came together for a compelling mystery.

As state and federal authorities pursue a serial killer in Georgia, the novel plays with the concept of who we see as the good guys and the bad guys in a clever way. As the perspective is passed from cop to ex-con to victim, the idea that we understand who people are just by looking at their resumes is tested. The people we want to sympathize with, the people we understand: it turns out they may not be the heroes we want them to be.

Will Trent, the federal agent, is an odd protagonist, but one that I would certainly want to read more about. I left curious about him, the man who would take a chihuahua on walks with little regard for how he looked and manages to empathize with the citizens he encounters across the spectrum of class and wealth. His relationship with his colleague Angie also broke the mold, leaving me wanting to know more.

But, Triptych is gruesome, and at times gratuitously so. If you’re squeamish, this probably is not the book for you (or, you can skip through a few chapters). Suffice it to say, a major plot point in these murders is that each victim loses their tongue. I tried not to think about it too hard, but if you don’t want that image swimming through your brain, consider yourself warned.

Overall, it is a promising start to the series! #2 is certainly on my TBR list.