Inside the Mind of Karin Slaughter: Writing Crime, Tackling Trauma, and Crafting Page-Turning Thrillers

Bestselling author Karin Slaughter has made a name for herself in the world of crime fiction, captivating readers with her gripping novels, complex characters, and ability to weave in themes of trauma and survival. In this episode of the What to Read Next Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Karin about her journey as a writer, her approach to crime fiction, and how the pandemic influenced her latest release, False Witness. Get ready for an in-depth look into the mind of one of today’s most compelling thriller writers.

Meet Karin Slaughter

Karin Slaughter’s path to becoming a bestselling author started at a young age. She recalls her early writing endeavors, crafting stories about murder and mayhem involving her sisters. Encouraged by her father, who rewarded her efforts with quarters, Karin’s passion for writing only grew. As she developed her craft, she found a way to blend dark storytelling with humor, setting the stage for her future success in the crime fiction genre.

From her first published novel Blindsighted to her latest release False Witness, Karin has never shied away from the tough topics. Her stories often center on trauma, survival, and crime, and she’s made it her mission to bring a woman’s perspective to the forefront of the traditionally male-dominated thriller genre.

Writing Crime Fiction with a Female Perspective

Karin’s approach to crime fiction is unique in that she centers her stories on women, challenging the tropes often found in the genre. Instead of focusing on women as victims or plot devices, her characters are multidimensional, resilient, and, most importantly, survivors.

In our conversation, Karin reflected on how early crime fiction often portrayed women as passive characters who were either saved or victimized. She turned this on its head, writing crime thrillers where women’s experiences, particularly trauma, take center stage. This fresh perspective has made her books resonate with so many readers.

The Pandemic and Fiction: Incorporating Real Life into False Witness

Karin’s latest novel False Witness takes place during the pandemic—a decision that wasn’t easy to make. While the book isn’t solely about the pandemic, it serves as a backdrop, reflecting the collective anxiety and trauma that the world experienced. As Karin explained, the pandemic allowed her to explore the effects of trauma more deeply, creating a parallel between the personal trauma experienced by her characters and the global trauma we all lived through.

Writing during the pandemic wasn’t without its challenges. As events unfolded in real-time, Karin had to adjust parts of the book to keep it relevant. From the introduction of vaccines to how we interacted with each other during the height of the pandemic, she worked hard to capture the chaos, uncertainty, and fear that marked this time in our lives.

Themes of Trauma in Karin Slaughter’s Work

A recurring theme in Karin’s novels is trauma—particularly childhood trauma and its long-term effects on her characters. In False Witness, the two main characters, sisters Lee and Callie, are haunted by a traumatic event from their past. As the story unfolds, readers witness how deeply this trauma has shaped their lives.

During our conversation, Karin emphasized the importance of understanding how trauma can manifest physically and emotionally over time. She drew parallels between the personal trauma of her characters and the trauma many of us experienced during the pandemic. Through her storytelling, she hopes to shed light on how unresolved trauma can impact our lives long after the event itself has passed.

From Historical Fiction to Crime Novels

Interestingly, Karin’s journey to writing crime fiction wasn’t direct. She initially wrote historical fiction, but after receiving feedback from publishers who liked her voice but not the story, she switched to crime. Her love for thrillers and her determination to tell stories from a female perspective resulted in her debut crime novel Blindsighted—and the rest is history.

Karin’s shift to crime fiction allowed her to explore the genre she loved reading, while bringing a fresh perspective that has captured the attention of readers worldwide. She credits her early failures as learning experiences that helped her refine her voice and ultimately led her to success.

Behind the Scenes of False Witness

Karin’s latest release, False Witness, is a gripping thriller that revolves around two sisters who share a dark secret from their past. The novel explores the impact of this secret on their lives 20 years later as their past comes back to haunt them. Without giving too much away, it’s safe to say this page-turner will leave you breathless.

Set during the pandemic, the book tackles issues of trauma, survival, and the complexities of sisterhood. As Karin shared in the interview, she wanted to explore how the pandemic amplified these themes, showing how the trauma of our past shapes who we become in the future.

Karin Slaughter’s Book Recommendations

Karin is not just an incredible author; she’s also an avid reader with some fantastic book recommendations. Here are a few of her current favorites:

1. Last Girl Ghosted by Lisa Unger – A gripping psychological thriller that will keep you guessing.
2. The Fiancée by Kate White – A page-turning mystery perfect for fans of domestic suspense.
3. Roar by Cecelia Ahern – A delightful collection of short stories showcasing women’s strength and resilience.
4. How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith – A powerful nonfiction book that examines the history and legacy of slavery in America.

If you want to add new books to your reading list, these are must-reads!

Where to Find Karin Slaughter

Want to stay updated on Karin’s latest projects or see adorable photos of her cats? You can follow her on:

• Website: KarinSlaughter.com
• Facebook: Karin Slaughter
• Instagram: @karinslaughterauthor
• Twitter: @SlaughterKarin