Bestselling Author Karin Slaughter Dishes on New Will Trent Book ‘This is Why We Lied’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Known for her complex, chilling crime thrillers, bestselling author Karin Slaughter has sold more than 40 million books worldwide and many of her novels have been adapted into hit TV shows, from Netflix’s ‘Pieces of Her’ starring Toni Collette to ABC’s ‘Will Trent.’ Slaughter’s forthcoming novel, This is Why We Lied, out August 20th, is the 12th installment of her fan-favorite Will Trent book series, which follows Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent Will Trent. Throughout Slaughter’s long-running series Trent is usually solving cases in Atlanta, but her upcoming book transports readers to an entirely new setting: McAlpine Lodge. This remote backdrop is partly inspired by Slaughter’s own real-life experience living in a secluded cabin in the North Georgia Mountains where she says she does all of her writing.

Yesterday, FIRST’s editor-in-chief, Liz Vaccariello, learned all this and more when she sat down with Slaughter ahead of her book’s release later this month. They discussed her beloved Will Trent character, her first favorite mystery book and how she prepares when writing a new novel.

Keep scrolling for all the details and to find out more about This is Why We Lied — plus, watch what Karin has to say about the next Will Trent installment in our exclusive video interview, above!

Interested in reading an exclusive first chapter of the book before it goes on sale? Pick up or order this week’s copy of FIRST, on sale now, to read part one of a two-part sneak peek of This is Why We Lied.

What is This is Why We Lied about?

Packed with nail-biting suspense and gruesome twists, the 12th installment of Karin Slaughter’s long-running series follows GBI investigator Will Trent and medical examiner Sara Linton as they head off to McAlpine Lodge for their honeymoon.

The secluded, serene mountain area provides the perfect backdrop for time spent together…until they hear a blood-curdling scream pierce the mountain air. To Will’s horror, he discovers Mercy McAlpine, the manager of the Lodge, dead. As a vicious storm descends on the lodge, it becomes clear that it’s unlikely this was done by someone outside the property. But who? As Will and his team begin to investigate the McAlpine family, they notice two things: Something deeply sinister is at play — and everyone is lying. Trapped at the remote resort, they race the clock to crack the case before the killer strikes again.

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What does Karin Slaughter think readers will like about this book?

“It’s a good balance between light and dark,” says Slaughter. “It’s a great way to start if you’ve never read Will Trent before. Will is usually solving crimes in Atlanta and this story takes him out of his comfort zone and I think readers are going to have a lot of fun reading it.”

How involved is Karin Slaughter in the Will Trent TV show?

“I’m an executive producer, so I get to read the scripts — they’re so generous,” Karin tells FIRST.” They invite me to the set all the time. I met the actors and had dinner with them and Liz, the executive producer. She’s amazing. She loves storytelling. She worked on ‘Friday Night Lights.’ She’s done some really great shows since then and she is a real character fan. So I think with her at the helm, she was very invested in making sure the characters were true to themselves. And Dan Thompson, who’s the showrunner, he’s really into the books and he’s a great guy. So I feel like it’s been a really fairytale situation. I know sometimes authors like to complain, but I think they’re doing a terrific job.

A round of quick-fire “fast firsts” with FIRST for Women and Karin Slaughter!

• FIRST: First book you remember reading?
• Karin Slaughter: “Encyclopedia Brown.”
• FIRST: First book series you remember being obsessed by?
• KS: “Flowers in The Attic.”
• FIRST: First character you ever created?
• KS: “Sara Linton.”
• FIRST: First thing you do when you start writing a new book?
• KS: “I take a two-hour drive to the cabin and just clear my mind. I don’t even have the radio on — I just focus on the story.”
• FIRST: First impression when you saw Will Trent on TV?
• KS: “That is a freaking sexy man.”

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Pre-order your copy of This is Why We Lie now (out August 20th) — and to read an exclusive preview of the first chapter, pick up this week’s issue of FIRST on sale everywhere today!