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The Good Daughter

The Good Daughter is a psychological thriller novel by American author , serving as the first book in her Good Daughter series. Set in the fictional town of Pikeville, , the story centers on sisters "Charlie" and , whose lives were shattered by a brutal twenty-eight years earlier that left their mother critically injured and their father imprisoned; decades later, , now a , becomes entangled in a that forces the sisters to confront buried family secrets and the lingering of their past. Published by William Morrow on August 8, 2017, the spans 528 pages in its edition and explores themes of family loyalty, justice, and redemption through Slaughter's signature blend of suspense and emotional depth. It debuted as an instant New York Times bestseller, reaching number two on the list and earning praise for its gripping narrative and character development from critics and readers alike, with over 232,000 ratings averaging 4.1 stars on (as of November 2025). Slaughter, a #1 internationally bestselling author known for her and series, drew on her Southern roots to craft the novel's authentic rural setting and complex interpersonal dynamics. The book received acclaim for its intense pacing and exploration of moral ambiguity, with endorsements from authors like , who called it "Slaughter's most ambitious, most emotional, and best novel. So far, anyway.," and , who described it as "Raw, powerful, and utterly gripping." It was selected as a theSkimm Book Club pick, highlighting its appeal as a standalone thriller with crossover elements reminiscent of legal dramas like . The Good Daughter series continued with the prequel novella Last Breath (2019) and the sequel The Last Widow (2019), though the original novel remains the most prominent entry. In December 2024, Peacock announced a limited television series adaptation of The Good Daughter, starring as Samantha Quinn and as Charlie, with additional cast members including , , Audrey Grace Marshall, and Drew Cheek; produced by Fifth Season, the series is slated for release in 2026 on Peacock in the U.S. and /NOW internationally, promising a faithful yet expanded take on the novel's suspenseful family drama.

Overview

Premise

The Good Daughter follows sisters Charlotte "Charlie" and Samantha Quinn, whose family was devastated by a violent 28 years earlier in the of Pikeville, . Their mother, Gamma, was left in a , and their father, Rusty, was imprisoned for his involvement as a radical lawyer defending controversial clients. Now, Charlie works as a defense attorney in her father's law firm, while Samantha has built a successful life away from the past. The story reignites when Charlie witnesses a and becomes involved in the case, forcing the sisters to unearth long-buried family secrets, confront their trauma, and question the events of that fateful night. The novel delves into themes of , , and the impact of past on present lives, blending elements with deep emotional exploration of the sisters' fractured relationship. As revelations unfold, the narrative examines moral complexities and the quest for in a still haunted by the original crime.

Structure

The novel is structured in three main parts, spanning dual timelines: the present day and flashbacks to the night of the 28 years prior. It comprises 37 chapters, building suspense through alternating perspectives primarily from and , with escalating tension leading to interconnected climaxes that resolve the central mysteries. The 528-page hardcover edition uses a non-linear format to layer psychological depth and plot twists, characteristic of Slaughter's .

Production

Development

The television adaptation of The Good Daughter was initially ordered by Peacock as a limited series on March 19, 2024, with set to star as Charlotte Quinn and executive produce through her Iron Ocean Films banner. The project is written by , who also serves as an executive producer, alongside , Steve Hutensky, and Casey Haver of Made Up Stories, and Jada Miranda. Emmy-nominated director is attached to direct all episodes and executive produce. In September 2024, Biel exited the project, and on December 19, 2024, Peacock announced as Samantha Quinn and replacing Biel as Charlotte Quinn. began in March 2025 in , , under the working title "Gamma," and continued through July 2025. The series is produced by Made Up Stories and distributed internationally by Fifth Season, with a planned release in 2026 on Peacock in the United States and /NOW in select international markets. The eight-episode limited series aims to faithfully adapt the novel's elements while expanding on themes of and redemption.

Casting

was cast as Samantha "Sam" Quinn, the elder sister and defense attorney, in December 2024. joined as Charlotte "Charlie" Quinn, the younger sister and , replacing who had been attached earlier. In February 2025, additional series regulars were announced: , Harper Steele, , and .) In March 2025, , , Audrey Grace Marshall (as young Sam), and Drew Cheek rounded out the cast. The ensemble was selected through standard industry casting processes to capture the complex family dynamics central to the story.

Cast and characters

Lead roles

Rose Byrne portrays Samantha "Sam" Quinn, the older Quinn sister and a successful patent lawyer whose life was upended by a traumatic in her youth. Now living a polished existence, Sam is drawn back into her family's past when current events force her to confront long-buried secrets. Meghann Fahy plays Charlotte "Charlie" Quinn, Sam's younger sister and a defense attorney in . Haunted by the same that left their mother critically injured and father imprisoned, Charlie becomes involved in a incident that reopens old wounds. Brendan Gleeson stars as Rusty Quinn, the sisters' father and a tenacious defense lawyer whose radical activism and past decisions continue to impact his daughters' lives.

Supporting roles

appears as Harriet "Gamma" Quinn, the Quinn sisters' mother, whose role explores the family's foundational trauma through flashbacks or memories.) Harper Steele plays Lenore, a key figure in the Quinn family dynamics. portrays Judith, contributing to the narrative's exploration of justice and personal conflicts. is cast as Mason, also known as Huck, a character involved in the unfolding legal and suspense elements. Michael Dorman plays Ben, adding to the series' web of relationships and secrets.) depicts a younger version of Sam Quinn, highlighting the childhood events central to the story. Additional supporting cast includes , whose role has yet to be detailed publicly as of 2025. These characters draw from the novel's core ensemble, emphasizing themes of , , and in the limited series .

Broadcast and release

Airing details

The Good Daughter is an upcoming limited television series of Karin Slaughter's , produced by Fifth Season and Made Up Stories. The 8-episode series is scheduled to premiere in 2026 on Peacock in the United States. Internationally, it will air on and the streaming service NOW in the and other regions. As of November 2025, no specific premiere date has been announced. The series is described as a event series, expanding on the novel's themes of family trauma and .

Ratings

As the series has not yet premiered, no viewership ratings are available.

Reception

Critical response

The Good Daughter received widespread critical acclaim for its intense , emotional depth, and exploration of family trauma and moral complexity. Reviewers praised Slaughter's gripping narrative and character development, with calling it "one of the best crime novels of the year" and describing its "heart-pounding" twists. It was named one of the best mystery novels of 2017 by SouthFlorida.com and selected as a theSkimm Book Club pick. Critics highlighted the novel's dark, unflinching portrayal of and psychological , though some noted its could be challenging. Crime by the Book described it as a "dark, gritty, gut-wrenching psychological —a Summer 2017 must-read." Literary Elephant commended the "completely engaging and virtually unforgettable" and their interconnections. On , the novel holds an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars from over 232,000 ratings as of 2025, reflecting strong reader appreciation for its twists and emotional impact.

Commercial performance

The Good Daughter debuted as an instant Times bestseller, reaching number two on the list. It achieved commercial success internationally, topping bestseller charts in the UK with over 20,000 copies sold in its first week in 2018. The novel contributed to Slaughter's overall sales exceeding 40 million copies worldwide. The book's popularity led to its development as a limited television series announced by Peacock in December 2024.

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