Library Mini Reviews: We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter & Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop

 

We are All Guilty Here (North Falls #1) by Karin Slaughter

Publication Date: August 12th 2025 by Harper Audio

Pages: 439

Audio Book Length: 16hrs 33min

Narrator: Kathleen Early

Source: Purchased

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Karin Slaughter did it again! One of my favorites of 2025! I was completely riveted by the story and stayed up well into the night to finish!

I noticed something that made one twist not completely surprising, but I like it when an author writes in clues for the audience to notice so you sort of feel like you're solving the case with the detectives. Another twist I should've picked up on, but was totally surprised! I wonder how it'll factor in the coming books!

I've read reviews that this was a gritty read, which always makes me hesitate, so I wanted to point out that yes, the subject matter/crimes are disturbing, but none of the violence takes place on the page. It's referred to or after the fact. I hope that makes sense. If I would've known that I would've read this sooner.

I listened to the audio version narrated by Kathleen Early. Her performance was fantastic as usual! She also narrates KS's Will Trent series. A definite recommend!

5 Stars

Turns of Fate (Isle of Wyrd #1) by Anne Bishop

Publication Date: August 12th 2025 by Penguin Audio

Pages: 511

Audio Book Length: 17hrs 45min

Narrator: Jesse Vilinsky

Source: Library

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed Turns of Fate! Fans of Bishop’s The Others’ series will find it similar in tone with the Arcana (magical creatures) and humans co-existing but not always getting along ending with some severe consequences.

 

Beth Fahey, a police officer is assigned to the precinct closest to Destiny Park/Island and right away has an easier relationship with the Arcana. It doesn’t go well for humans causing trouble there.

 

The Arcana often help humans at risk from other humans, endearing me to them right away. You can’t help but cheer them on when the meet out justice to some of these awful people! There’s several POVs and story threads, each gripping and suspenseful at times as I worried for the character and the dangers they faced!

 

The story was over 500 pages (17 hrs 45 min audiobook length) but I breezed right through in two days, the story grabbed my attention, and I needed to know how it’d all turn out! I’m eager for the next installment!

 

I listened at 1.75x normal speed and enjoyed Jesse Vilinsky’s performance! She did well with the many characters, a range of ages and a few accents!

4.5 Stars

Audio Review: False Witness by Karin Slaughter

 

False Witness by Karin Slaughter

Publication Date: July 20th 2021 by Blackstone Publishing

Pages: 448

Audio Book Length: 18 hrs 39 min

Narrator: Kathleen Early

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads | Libro.fm 

My Thoughts:

Leigh and her sister Callie seem like a lesson in opposites, Leigh is a successful defense attorney with a beautiful daughter and a sort of ex-husband, Walter, she still gets along with (I was rooting for them!). Callie is a junkie, and has been for years, doing anything to chase that next high, but they’ve been forever bonded by more than just blood.  While Leigh seems to have it all together, and Callie’s life has leveled out a bit, all could unravel when Leigh’s is forced into defending Andrew Tenant, the accused, in a brutal rape case. These sisters, while estranged would do anything for each other, but that’s put to the test when Leigh discovers just who Andrew is and what he knows about their past.  

I love Karin Slaughter’s stories; I’m enthralled and in awe of her talent every time I pick up one of her stories! False Witness was a pulse-pounding, suspenseful plot, and I didn’t want to stop listening! Even when I’d have to (since I need sleep to work!) I spent a good amount of time lying awake and thinking about Leigh, and Callie and how it would all turn out! Their story broke my heart in parts, but even with the intensity and grittiness of the story the love between these sisters and their people (Walter, Maddy, and Dr. Jerry) warmed my heart. There was even a bit of humor to offset some of the tension.  I wanted these two to kick some ass and conquer!  

Kathleen Early’s performance was fantastic! She narrates Karin Slaughter’s Will Trent series, and several of her standalone novels so I’m familiar and a big fan. Will Trent is one of my all-time favorite mystery/thriller series’ and it wouldn’t be the same without her narration!

5 Stars

Book Description:

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...