Things We Do in the Dark

"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 I can’t believe I’m just realizing the brilliance of Jennifer Hillier. My favorite book of this year. Beware lots of TWs."

"I really like her writing! I can’t help but compare this to Jar of Hearts and that book was just so good. This was really good but not quite at that level. "

"Many thanks to @sher_free for this stellar recommendation! Paris Peralta is found at the center of the crime scene, a straight razor in hand, over the body of her famous husband. Is she being framed or did she murder in cold blood? With one or two secrets in her past, it’s anyone’s guess. While this did a great job of really digging in deep into trauma, it was definitely heavy and grew to wear on me a bit. The twists were also fairly predictable, the characters majorly unlikeable. However, the predictability didn’t detract too much from the story. It is less twisty but more genuinely details what it is to suffer and be abused so deeply over time that you can never return the same. The writing is strong and meaningful and really wades deep into the mess of human conflict and emotion. Paris’s past for one comes back to haunt her as she tries to distance herself from her old self and less-than-glamorous childhood. Nothing pretty happens in the dark as it’s raw, ugly, and immediately and more long-termly scarring. Ruby Reyes, the Ice Queen, comes to be yet another conflict for Paris. She reaches out to Paris demanding money to keep her quiet about a crime that happened a long time ago that Paris once again found herself at the center of. Are all these crimes swirling around Paris mere coincidence or is she the common denominator? Harrowing and true, this novel reminds that emotional and physical distress entwine and cause someone to build walls that may never come down. Hardened people are hurt people who got hurt one too many times and this story really achingly, poignantly speaks to that. "

"Really enjoyed! I don’t think I have ever hated a “villain” so much. Best book I have read so far in 2023. Recommend!"

"First time I read this author. She did a good job detailing the hidden secrets of a woman who was accused of killing her older, rich and famous comedian husband Will definitely read this authors next book "

"This was a really good “who dunnit”. With numerous twists and stories within stories, it keeps the reader guessing. I’m a little sad at how cruel life can be for some children growing up in terrible homes."

"This was a wild ride! I suspected one of the twists but it didn't make the story dull. Great, quick, thriller. "

"This book was SO GOOD I could not put it down. The twists and turns had me absolutely glued to my seat. 11/10. "

"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2"

"DNF 37%<br/>Listened on audio, which did not help the book. I lost interest when the section of the book devoted to introducing the main character, Paris Peralta, was pushed aside for a couple people who felt like intruders in the story. Audio did this book no favors."