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The Last Widow,
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Kendra
I never understand this question. Why would anyone even WANT to start in the middle of a series? Always go to the beginning. With this series, at least read the Will Trent books in order, but if you REALLY want a good understanding of Sara, start with the Grant County series first. For me, that would be a huge treat to have so many books lined up and ready to go. The most current one will still be here when you get to it!
Susan
You don't need to read the Grant County series, when Sara was married to Jeffrey Tolliver (not that you shouldn't, because they are a great read!)
Start with the first book of the Will Trent series, Triptych. Slaughter's characters are complex, especially Will Trent, and an understanding of his backstory will make you appreciate all the better what he has accomplished, why he and Faith are so close, and why his boss bullies him so.
You can enjoy this book without reading what came before, but you can enjoy it so much more with the knowledge you get from the series as a whole.
Start with the first book of the Will Trent series, Triptych. Slaughter's characters are complex, especially Will Trent, and an understanding of his backstory will make you appreciate all the better what he has accomplished, why he and Faith are so close, and why his boss bullies him so.
You can enjoy this book without reading what came before, but you can enjoy it so much more with the knowledge you get from the series as a whole.
Steve Batchelor
Karin builds her characters from book to book so I’d say yes, you need to start at the beginning. You won’t regret reading any and all of them. They’re all amazingly entertaining.
Heather Alderink
I've read them mostly out of order so I would say just jump right in, but be warned, you will be sucked in - they are all really good!
Kim Bo
HELPS TO SET UP THE NEW IDENTITIES STArts with two ends up with more , but mainly 4 this character group keeps you enthralled and probably will for another couple of books or so
Laura L.
You will be able to understand it without reading the others but you would really be missing out on a lot of backstory and character development. I would start at the beginning of the series.
Cari
Yes!! But not only Should you read the books but you GET to read the books! Her stand alone novels are amazing, but her Grant County and Will Trent books blow me away. I made the mistake of picking up The Kept Woman and reading that one first. I loved it so much I went back and started at the beginning and I'm so glad I did. The books were so amazing that I read both series over a summer.... seriously couldn't put them down. I HIGHLY recommend reading them, you won't be disappointed and you would be missing out on so much if you didn't. :)
DianeM
I'd say that when reading a writer of Slaughter's story-telling calibre that you don't need to begin at the beginning of the series to read any of her books. I just finished The Last Widow and, as it was a gift, have never read any of her other books. It wasn't a problem for me, not knowing back stories as the characters are so well written and developed. Indeed, I didn't even know 'Will' had his own series until I'd nearly finished the book! But, I did not feel like I'd just dropped into a story and, now having finished it, I don't feel the need to read the rest of the series. I am however looking forward to reading her 'stand alone' books.
Brenda
I have read her other books but missed that Trent was a series so never followed it as one. I recognized Will from a previous read years ago but never put it as a series. I read this one as a stand alone. I am sure I missed some interesting character development but this book handles their backgrounds quite nicely so I didn't feel I missed very much. I definitely hope this level of Troubled Will gets resolved soon. He could easily become a tragic hero.
Kenna Ford
It helps to read them in order so that you will have the context, which is so wonderfully developed. What I have learned from reading all of Karin Slaughter's books is that she connects her characters so beautifully, and is wonderful at weaving in backstory with the present day. Because you read the stand alone books first, you will notice that the Will Trent series references those characters from time to time. I just LOVE her books.
carol johnson
In my opinion you should at least read the Will Trent books because all of his (weird) behavior relates to his complicated past in which he was horribly abused. In this regard, I agree with Susan, below. Angie, who is referred to in The Last Widow by name and by reference, is a big part of his past, as are his police partner, his boss, and others. His relationship with current girlfriend Sarah is heavily tied into the book in which they meet, and it is in my opinion one of Slaughter's best. It is tension and drama brilliantly drawn. The Last Widow eventually explains what really happened in Jeffrey and Sarah's relationship but it takes almost the entire book; meanwhile all you know is that he died, and way too much time is spent on this fact. Sarah in fact to me is very annoying in the beginning of this book. She needs to cut Will some slack.
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