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Things We Do in the Dark
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2022)Things We Do in the Dark is a brilliant new thriller from Jennifer Hillier, the award-winning author of the breakout novels Little Secrets and Jar of Hearts. Paris Peralta is suspected of killing her celebrity husband, and her long-hidden past now threatens to destroy her future.
When Paris Peralta is arrested in her own bathroom—covered in blood, holding a straight razor, her celebrity husband dead in the bathtub behind her—she knows she'll be charged with murder. But as bad as this looks, it's not what worries her the most. With the unwanted media attention now surrounding her, it's only a matter of time before someone from her long hidden past recognizes her and destroys the new life she's worked so hard to build, along with any chance of a future.
Twenty-five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, known as the Ice Queen, was convicted of a similar murder in a trial that riveted Canada in the early nineties. Reyes knows who Paris really is, and when she's unexpectedly released from prison, she threatens to expose all of Paris's secrets. Left with no other choice, Paris must finally confront the dark past she escaped, once and for all.
Because the only thing worse than a murder charge are two murder charges.
When Paris Peralta is arrested in her own bathroom—covered in blood, holding a straight razor, her celebrity husband dead in the bathtub behind her—she knows she'll be charged with murder. But as bad as this looks, it's not what worries her the most. With the unwanted media attention now surrounding her, it's only a matter of time before someone from her long hidden past recognizes her and destroys the new life she's worked so hard to build, along with any chance of a future.
Twenty-five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, known as the Ice Queen, was convicted of a similar murder in a trial that riveted Canada in the early nineties. Reyes knows who Paris really is, and when she's unexpectedly released from prison, she threatens to expose all of Paris's secrets. Left with no other choice, Paris must finally confront the dark past she escaped, once and for all.
Because the only thing worse than a murder charge are two murder charges.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published July 19, 2022
4,621 people are currently reading
181k people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Hillier
14 books14.6k followersJennifer Hillier imagines the worst about people, and then writes about it.
She’s the USA Today, Toronto Star, and The Globe and Mail bestselling author of Things We Do in the Dark, described as “an intoxicating thrill ride” by the New York Times and “propulsive and chilling” by People magazine. It was a Book of the Month Club selection, an Indigo Top Ten Best Book of the Year, an Amazon Editor’s Spotlight Pick, a Goodreads Choice Award nominee, a Loan Stars pick, and a her third consecutive novel to be honored as a LibraryReads pick, which places her in their Hall of Fame.
Jennifer is also the author of six other psychological thrillers. Her USA Today bestselling novel Little Secrets is currently being adapted for Peacock by Tish Cyrus’s Hopetown Entertainment, writer Melissa Scrivner Love and Universal Television, and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Anthony Award. Jar of Hearts won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel and was also shortlisted for the Anthony and Macavity Awards. Her earlier novels are Creep, Freak, The Butcher, and Wonderland, the last of which will be published in mass market paperback and audiobook for the very first time in April 2023. Her books have been published in twenty-three languages so far.
Jennifer is Filipino-Canadian, born and raised in Toronto. She spent eight amazing years in Seattle which is where she first became a published writer. She’s a Seahawks fan who married to a Packers guy. They have a young son who looks most like her when he’s crying. She’s afraid of the dark and can’t sleep unless she’s checked the locks on the doors several times. She loves writing when it’s raining, sleeping when it’s sunny, and reading after everyone else has gone to bed. She cherishes her family (those who read, and those who don’t), and her friends (those who write, and those who don’t). She’s a cat person without a cat, which makes her sad. But she’s now back in the Toronto area permanently with her family, which makes her happy.
Her next novel is coming in 2024.
She’s the USA Today, Toronto Star, and The Globe and Mail bestselling author of Things We Do in the Dark, described as “an intoxicating thrill ride” by the New York Times and “propulsive and chilling” by People magazine. It was a Book of the Month Club selection, an Indigo Top Ten Best Book of the Year, an Amazon Editor’s Spotlight Pick, a Goodreads Choice Award nominee, a Loan Stars pick, and a her third consecutive novel to be honored as a LibraryReads pick, which places her in their Hall of Fame.
Jennifer is also the author of six other psychological thrillers. Her USA Today bestselling novel Little Secrets is currently being adapted for Peacock by Tish Cyrus’s Hopetown Entertainment, writer Melissa Scrivner Love and Universal Television, and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Anthony Award. Jar of Hearts won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel and was also shortlisted for the Anthony and Macavity Awards. Her earlier novels are Creep, Freak, The Butcher, and Wonderland, the last of which will be published in mass market paperback and audiobook for the very first time in April 2023. Her books have been published in twenty-three languages so far.
Jennifer is Filipino-Canadian, born and raised in Toronto. She spent eight amazing years in Seattle which is where she first became a published writer. She’s a Seahawks fan who married to a Packers guy. They have a young son who looks most like her when he’s crying. She’s afraid of the dark and can’t sleep unless she’s checked the locks on the doors several times. She loves writing when it’s raining, sleeping when it’s sunny, and reading after everyone else has gone to bed. She cherishes her family (those who read, and those who don’t), and her friends (those who write, and those who don’t). She’s a cat person without a cat, which makes her sad. But she’s now back in the Toronto area permanently with her family, which makes her happy.
Her next novel is coming in 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 11,384 reviews
May 25, 2023
Dear Jennifer Hillier did it again! She literally blew my heart and mind away at the same time! What an impeccable, gripping, nail biting, emotional, unputdownable and also wildest- darkest ride!
I have to admit when I started reading Paris’ Peralta’s conviction story for killing her thirty years older, famous comedian/ also billionaire husband, I had some second thoughts but when I reached the second part about Drew Malcolm, a journalist, who actually becomes famous with his podcast called “Things we do in the dark”, dedicated himself to make a special episode about Ice Queen Ruby Reyes who was about to get out of the prison, my entire opinions have changed.
The very same Ice Queen threatens Paris for her past crime she’s committed. What is the real connection between those women?
Drew still deals with his guilt feelings about losing love of his life at the house fire. Joey Reyes is the girl who died at young age, psychically and verbally abused by her evil mother Ruby for years and she got molested by her boyfriends which forced her to choose a painful life choices! She was a pole dancer, saving money for better life but her unexpected death changed everything!
Drew still blames himself not to save the girl he loved. What if she didn’t die in a traumatic accident, what if her death was connected with another pole dancer Filipino girl who looked so similar with Joey: the same girl who had connections with dangerous Asian gangs.
Does Paris know something about how Joey died? Is she responsible of both her husband and Joey’s death? What kind of leverage Ruby has on her?
Well, Joey’s heartbreaking, angsty story, her diaries, trauma she’s been through ripped my apart! The development of the characters, the author’s talented approach to show us the thin line between good and evil were impressively executed.
Reading Joey’s story made me cry a lot!
This book is more than just a psychological thriller or smart, heart wrenching mystery! It’s perfectly written character driven, one of the darkest stories I’ve ever read! In my opinion this is so far best work of the author.
Her realistic and well researched approach to poll dancers’ world was also well reflected, sad and elaborated.
No more words! Giving my five billion stars! I loved it so much!
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
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I have to admit when I started reading Paris’ Peralta’s conviction story for killing her thirty years older, famous comedian/ also billionaire husband, I had some second thoughts but when I reached the second part about Drew Malcolm, a journalist, who actually becomes famous with his podcast called “Things we do in the dark”, dedicated himself to make a special episode about Ice Queen Ruby Reyes who was about to get out of the prison, my entire opinions have changed.
The very same Ice Queen threatens Paris for her past crime she’s committed. What is the real connection between those women?
Drew still deals with his guilt feelings about losing love of his life at the house fire. Joey Reyes is the girl who died at young age, psychically and verbally abused by her evil mother Ruby for years and she got molested by her boyfriends which forced her to choose a painful life choices! She was a pole dancer, saving money for better life but her unexpected death changed everything!
Drew still blames himself not to save the girl he loved. What if she didn’t die in a traumatic accident, what if her death was connected with another pole dancer Filipino girl who looked so similar with Joey: the same girl who had connections with dangerous Asian gangs.
Does Paris know something about how Joey died? Is she responsible of both her husband and Joey’s death? What kind of leverage Ruby has on her?
Well, Joey’s heartbreaking, angsty story, her diaries, trauma she’s been through ripped my apart! The development of the characters, the author’s talented approach to show us the thin line between good and evil were impressively executed.
Reading Joey’s story made me cry a lot!
This book is more than just a psychological thriller or smart, heart wrenching mystery! It’s perfectly written character driven, one of the darkest stories I’ve ever read! In my opinion this is so far best work of the author.
Her realistic and well researched approach to poll dancers’ world was also well reflected, sad and elaborated.
No more words! Giving my five billion stars! I loved it so much!
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
medium blog
February 24, 2022
I didn't love this as much as everyone else, but I still enjoyed it.
3.5 stars
"While you can reinvent yourself, you can't outrun yourself."
Things We Do in the Dark is a dark thriller about the wife of a famous comedian who was murdered and her dark and secretive past.
Paris Peralta becomes front-page news when her old and very famous husband, Jimmy, is found stabbed to death, and she is found by the police holding the murder weapon. Now an accused murderer, Paris' perfectly crafted life is in shambles, and she is in danger of not only facing murder charges but also being exposed for who she really is: Paris has a dark and dirty past.
Three main narrative threads comprise this book:
The novel begins with Paris’ story, which is the foundation for the first 20% of the book. Then there is an abrupt switch to Drew’s point of view, and this is where the novel lost some points for me. Drew, a former investigative journalist in Toronto, now hosts a true-crime podcast. He is jarred to learn Ruby Reyes, the NAME KILLER is going to be paroled. Drew is interested in Ruby’s story for personal reasons, as he was close friends with Ruby’s daughter, Joey. Joey’s POV makes up the third narrative.
All three storylines are entwined, but the change of POV was jolting, and it always took me a bit to adjust after the change. Three mysteries are connected to each storyline: Who murdered Jimmy Peralta, What happened the night Ruby Reyes committed murder, who is Paris Peralta, and what is she hiding from? A few other mysteries are mixed in.
There are two main twists--I guessed both of them.
This is an entertaining and good read, but I found it a little lackluster, and there was too much going on. My biggest issue was that the suspense and tension levels were lacking. I also found some sections of the book repetitive. However, I liked more elements than I disliked. All of the characters were intriguing; I found Ruby fascinating and would have loved more of her backstory. Joey's chapters were the most painful to read, but she is also the most developed character.
Overall, this is a solid thriller with compelling characters, but it was missing the wow factor.
TW: child abuse, sexual abuse
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
"While you can reinvent yourself, you can't outrun yourself."
Things We Do in the Dark is a dark thriller about the wife of a famous comedian who was murdered and her dark and secretive past.
Paris Peralta becomes front-page news when her old and very famous husband, Jimmy, is found stabbed to death, and she is found by the police holding the murder weapon. Now an accused murderer, Paris' perfectly crafted life is in shambles, and she is in danger of not only facing murder charges but also being exposed for who she really is: Paris has a dark and dirty past.
Three main narrative threads comprise this book:
The novel begins with Paris’ story, which is the foundation for the first 20% of the book. Then there is an abrupt switch to Drew’s point of view, and this is where the novel lost some points for me. Drew, a former investigative journalist in Toronto, now hosts a true-crime podcast. He is jarred to learn Ruby Reyes, the NAME KILLER is going to be paroled. Drew is interested in Ruby’s story for personal reasons, as he was close friends with Ruby’s daughter, Joey. Joey’s POV makes up the third narrative.
All three storylines are entwined, but the change of POV was jolting, and it always took me a bit to adjust after the change. Three mysteries are connected to each storyline: Who murdered Jimmy Peralta, What happened the night Ruby Reyes committed murder, who is Paris Peralta, and what is she hiding from? A few other mysteries are mixed in.
There are two main twists--I guessed both of them.
This is an entertaining and good read, but I found it a little lackluster, and there was too much going on. My biggest issue was that the suspense and tension levels were lacking. I also found some sections of the book repetitive. However, I liked more elements than I disliked. All of the characters were intriguing; I found Ruby fascinating and would have loved more of her backstory. Joey's chapters were the most painful to read, but she is also the most developed character.
Overall, this is a solid thriller with compelling characters, but it was missing the wow factor.
TW: child abuse, sexual abuse
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2022
Blurb
When Paris Peralta is arrested in her own bathroom—covered in blood, holding a straight razor, her celebrity husband dead in the bathtub behind her—she knows she'll be charged with murder. But as bad as this looks, it's not what worries her the most. With the unwanted media attention now surrounding her, it's only a matter of time before someone from her long hidden past recognizes her and destroys the new life she's worked so hard to build, along with any chance of a future.
Twenty-five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, known as the Ice Queen, was convicted of a similar murder in a trial that riveted Canada in the early nineties. Reyes knows who Paris really is, and when she's unexpectedly released from prison, she threatens to expose all of Paris's secrets. Left with no other choice, Paris must finally confront the dark past she escaped, once and for all.
I am not going to go into the plot. I suggest that you go blindly into this book. That is what I did. I am going to just put the blurb down and then put my thoughts how I felt about the book.I love how the blurb is done.
This is one crazy thriller. It will blow your mind. I am utterly in awe. It lived up to all the hype for me. This has everything that I love in a thriller. I loved everything about this book. It definitely will be one of my favorites for this year. I was immediately drawn into this story. I could not put this down.
Before you open up this book make sure you have no plans for the day. Don't answer the telephone, and don't answer the door, because all you will want to do is to read this book. I am serious. At least that is how I thought. I did not want it to end. I raced through this book and if I had more time to read it, I would of finished it in 2 days.
I loved the ending. Right when I thought I had figured this one out, a big twist comes along that wasn't expected at all and it left me speechless. It was a big surprise. This one kept me on the edge of my seat. It is not a predictable read and I thought it was mind blowing and AMAZING! This one is one of my favorites for this year. Crazy good!
I loved the character development and I thought it was very well written. I liked Drew a lot and I felt so sad for Joey. She had so many monsters in her life. Her Mom was such a terrible Mom!
I can't wait to read her next book. I noticed that I have not read her book, The Butcher and I am excited to read it because I really love this author. All of her books have been 4 and 5 stars for me.
I highly recommend this book for those that love dark and disturbing books.
This was a buddy read with Jayme and DeAnn. Make sure you check out their reviews too.
I want to thank Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Comes out July 19 2022
When Paris Peralta is arrested in her own bathroom—covered in blood, holding a straight razor, her celebrity husband dead in the bathtub behind her—she knows she'll be charged with murder. But as bad as this looks, it's not what worries her the most. With the unwanted media attention now surrounding her, it's only a matter of time before someone from her long hidden past recognizes her and destroys the new life she's worked so hard to build, along with any chance of a future.
Twenty-five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, known as the Ice Queen, was convicted of a similar murder in a trial that riveted Canada in the early nineties. Reyes knows who Paris really is, and when she's unexpectedly released from prison, she threatens to expose all of Paris's secrets. Left with no other choice, Paris must finally confront the dark past she escaped, once and for all.
I am not going to go into the plot. I suggest that you go blindly into this book. That is what I did. I am going to just put the blurb down and then put my thoughts how I felt about the book.I love how the blurb is done.
This is one crazy thriller. It will blow your mind. I am utterly in awe. It lived up to all the hype for me. This has everything that I love in a thriller. I loved everything about this book. It definitely will be one of my favorites for this year. I was immediately drawn into this story. I could not put this down.
Before you open up this book make sure you have no plans for the day. Don't answer the telephone, and don't answer the door, because all you will want to do is to read this book. I am serious. At least that is how I thought. I did not want it to end. I raced through this book and if I had more time to read it, I would of finished it in 2 days.
I loved the ending. Right when I thought I had figured this one out, a big twist comes along that wasn't expected at all and it left me speechless. It was a big surprise. This one kept me on the edge of my seat. It is not a predictable read and I thought it was mind blowing and AMAZING! This one is one of my favorites for this year. Crazy good!
I loved the character development and I thought it was very well written. I liked Drew a lot and I felt so sad for Joey. She had so many monsters in her life. Her Mom was such a terrible Mom!
I can't wait to read her next book. I noticed that I have not read her book, The Butcher and I am excited to read it because I really love this author. All of her books have been 4 and 5 stars for me.
I highly recommend this book for those that love dark and disturbing books.
This was a buddy read with Jayme and DeAnn. Make sure you check out their reviews too.
I want to thank Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Comes out July 19 2022
September 19, 2022
Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier
This story was too dark and too dull for me. But also things seemed much too obvious to me, when I don't think they were meant to be so obvious. We have Paris, almost forty, married to a famous comedian, almost thirty years older than Paris. The story begins with Paris standing over her bloody, dead husband, holding his straight edged razor. It certainly looks like she must have murdered him, but did she?
Twenty five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, mother of Joey, was convicted of murdering a wealthy man. That murder was similar to the murder of Paris's husband. Now, Rudy is about to get out of prison, she knows Paris's secrets, and Paris is going to pay her not to tell them. But Paris knows Ruby is a liar and nothing is ever over with Ruby.
There is also Drew, who knew Joey back when she got out of foster care. In the present day, Drew, a journalist, is working on pulling together what he needs for a podcast on Ruby. He knows what a monster Ruby was and he wants to make sure the public knows, even though Ruby is being released from prison.
This story is dark and dirty and it was hard to care about much of it. Bad people doing bad things. A few good people but still, we don't really get to know them. Things happen that I don't think could happen in real life. Things get covered up in ways that I don't think are plausible. The last book I read by this author was a 5 star story for me so I look forward to more from this author, in the future. This one just didn't thrill me at all.
Pub July 19th 2022
Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
This story was too dark and too dull for me. But also things seemed much too obvious to me, when I don't think they were meant to be so obvious. We have Paris, almost forty, married to a famous comedian, almost thirty years older than Paris. The story begins with Paris standing over her bloody, dead husband, holding his straight edged razor. It certainly looks like she must have murdered him, but did she?
Twenty five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, mother of Joey, was convicted of murdering a wealthy man. That murder was similar to the murder of Paris's husband. Now, Rudy is about to get out of prison, she knows Paris's secrets, and Paris is going to pay her not to tell them. But Paris knows Ruby is a liar and nothing is ever over with Ruby.
There is also Drew, who knew Joey back when she got out of foster care. In the present day, Drew, a journalist, is working on pulling together what he needs for a podcast on Ruby. He knows what a monster Ruby was and he wants to make sure the public knows, even though Ruby is being released from prison.
This story is dark and dirty and it was hard to care about much of it. Bad people doing bad things. A few good people but still, we don't really get to know them. Things happen that I don't think could happen in real life. Things get covered up in ways that I don't think are plausible. The last book I read by this author was a 5 star story for me so I look forward to more from this author, in the future. This one just didn't thrill me at all.
Pub July 19th 2022
Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
March 8, 2022
The story started out strong, with Charles lying dead in a bathtub in a pool of blood, and his wife, Paris, holding the murder weapon and covered in blood. Unfortunately, it all goes downhill from there.
I won’t waste time going into the plot, because you can read that in the GR blurb.
What didn’t work for me:
• It was boring, repetitive, and tedious. I raced through it not because I was intrigued, but so I could be done and move on.
• There were no thrills, and no suspense.
• After the murder and Paris’s arrest, the majority of the book is spent on backstory. Lots and lots and lots of backstory.
• The backstory is icky and distasteful with much of the narrative focusing on childhood abuse and the life of an exotic dancer/stripper with graphic descriptions of “going beyond the call of duty”
• I knew the “twist” from the very beginning. I read a lot of mystery/thrillers and I’m always wrong so that tells you how obvious this one is.
• The implausibility of nearly everything. The most egregious is the lack of an autopsy in a suspicious accidental death, which is required by law. I expect to suspend disbelief in this genre but there’s a tipping point.
• I disliked every single character and could not have cared less what happened to any of them. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, I love character-driven stories and I don’t mind unlikable characters if they are funny, relatable, or if the journey to the end is well-done and compelling.
• The story would have benefitted from the perspective of a police investigation to break up the endless backstory.
I gave her last book Little Secrets 5 stars, but this one was not for me.
Edited to add: I think a reader's response to this one will depend on their tolerance level for descriptions of abuse and strip club scenes. If your tolerance is high, then you will probably enjoy this more than I did. No book is for every reader. Just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean it won't be for you.
This was a buddy read with Marialyce and Dorie, so do please check out their reviews and see if we all agree :)
I received a digital copy for review from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
*publishes July 19, 2022 by St Martin's Press
I won’t waste time going into the plot, because you can read that in the GR blurb.
What didn’t work for me:
• It was boring, repetitive, and tedious. I raced through it not because I was intrigued, but so I could be done and move on.
• There were no thrills, and no suspense.
• After the murder and Paris’s arrest, the majority of the book is spent on backstory. Lots and lots and lots of backstory.
• The backstory is icky and distasteful with much of the narrative focusing on childhood abuse and the life of an exotic dancer/stripper with graphic descriptions of “going beyond the call of duty”
• I knew the “twist” from the very beginning. I read a lot of mystery/thrillers and I’m always wrong so that tells you how obvious this one is.
• The implausibility of nearly everything. The most egregious is the lack of an autopsy in a suspicious accidental death, which is required by law. I expect to suspend disbelief in this genre but there’s a tipping point.
• I disliked every single character and could not have cared less what happened to any of them. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, I love character-driven stories and I don’t mind unlikable characters if they are funny, relatable, or if the journey to the end is well-done and compelling.
• The story would have benefitted from the perspective of a police investigation to break up the endless backstory.
I gave her last book Little Secrets 5 stars, but this one was not for me.
Edited to add: I think a reader's response to this one will depend on their tolerance level for descriptions of abuse and strip club scenes. If your tolerance is high, then you will probably enjoy this more than I did. No book is for every reader. Just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean it won't be for you.
This was a buddy read with Marialyce and Dorie, so do please check out their reviews and see if we all agree :)
I received a digital copy for review from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
*publishes July 19, 2022 by St Martin's Press
February 24, 2022
Author Jennifer Hillier is back with a new thriller that will have you throwing caution to the wind in regards to your sleep schedule so you can plow ahead!
Paris Peralta wakes up one morning in her husband’s bathroom. She’s covered in blood. He’s dead in the bathtub, luxuriating in blood. He has a fatal cut. She’s holding the straight razor. That’s how the police find them.
However, Paris didn’t kill him…and yet she’s arrested on suspicion of murder.
Elsewhere in the world, Investigative Journalist Drew Malcolm is getting ready to produce a new season of his podcast…focusing on convicted killer Ruby Reyes. She’s about to be released from prison.
It seems that Ruby knows who Paris is, but how?
What’s done in the dark will come to light.
This is a smart and captivating psychological thriller that is…dare I say it…unputdownable. Hillier has done it again! She always manages to grip me and keep me turning the pages late into the night. Her characters, as well as the atmosphere she creates, are enthralling.
I will say that there are two major twists in this book. I suspected the first one, but it took a lot of red herrings to determine that I was right. Well played, Jennifer. 👏 The second one was surprising, but maybe not super exciting. However, it worked! So don’t let that deter you.
I couldn’t stop reading until the very last page, and it’s a rare occasion when I don’t want a book to end…but that was the case here!
Suspenseful and mysterious, with intriguing characters and whip-smart timelines and POVs. Highly recommended.
There are TWs, but I’m not sure if listing them would be a bit spoiler-ish in this case. Just know that there are some dark themes.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 7/19/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Paris Peralta wakes up one morning in her husband’s bathroom. She’s covered in blood. He’s dead in the bathtub, luxuriating in blood. He has a fatal cut. She’s holding the straight razor. That’s how the police find them.
However, Paris didn’t kill him…and yet she’s arrested on suspicion of murder.
Elsewhere in the world, Investigative Journalist Drew Malcolm is getting ready to produce a new season of his podcast…focusing on convicted killer Ruby Reyes. She’s about to be released from prison.
It seems that Ruby knows who Paris is, but how?
What’s done in the dark will come to light.
This is a smart and captivating psychological thriller that is…dare I say it…unputdownable. Hillier has done it again! She always manages to grip me and keep me turning the pages late into the night. Her characters, as well as the atmosphere she creates, are enthralling.
I will say that there are two major twists in this book. I suspected the first one, but it took a lot of red herrings to determine that I was right. Well played, Jennifer. 👏 The second one was surprising, but maybe not super exciting. However, it worked! So don’t let that deter you.
I couldn’t stop reading until the very last page, and it’s a rare occasion when I don’t want a book to end…but that was the case here!
Suspenseful and mysterious, with intriguing characters and whip-smart timelines and POVs. Highly recommended.
There are TWs, but I’m not sure if listing them would be a bit spoiler-ish in this case. Just know that there are some dark themes.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 7/19/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
July 19, 2022
Little Secrets” by Jennifer Hillier made my 2020 FAVORITES list…..so, when I received an early copy of this book-it went straight to the top of my overflowing TBR pile!
And, clearly from early reviews, most people are enjoying it….so, nobody is more surprised than I am, that I didn’t love it!!
⚠️ OUTLIER OPINION
Jimmy Peralta, best known for his role as “The Prince of Poughkeepsie” has been found lying in a pool of blood in his own bathroom tub.
Accused of his murder-his fifth wife-who is found beside him, holding a straight razor, covered in blood.
She is 30 years his junior, so everyone assumes, she married the aging celebrity for his money. But, Paris has been running from a troubled past and the last thing she would want is this kind of publicity.
Did she take his life?
Jimmy has struggled with addiction and depression in the past-has had multiple stints in rehab, overdosed twice, and attempted suicide once before, and now he is frustrated by memory loss-and it doesn’t help that he watched Alzheimer’s take his mother’s memories.
Could this be a decision that he made?
The podcast “Things We Do In The Dark” is about to feature a woman, Ruby Reyes-The Ice Queen-convicted of murdering a man in a similar fashion, twenty five years earlier.
The timing couldn’t be worse.
Ruby knows Paris-and the secrets she has been hiding, and she wants something in exchange for her silence.
This is about as suspenseful as this gets.
It is NOT an edge of your seat kind of thriller with multiple twists.
Instead almost all of the book tells us the backstories of Paris and a woman named Joey-a study of their dysfunctional childhoods- which is something that I just don’t PERSONALLY enjoy reading about.
And, it was obvious to me, how Ruby knew Paris.
Maybe, I just read too many thrillers?
Eventually the PAST catches up with the PRESENT, and the truth is revealed in the last 15% or so-wrapping up the present tense TOO quickly and TOO easily-and without enough of a payoff for me after slogging through all of the family dysfunction.
Did my friends DeAnn and Mary Beth, leave me alone on Outlier Island during this buddy read? Check out their amazing reviews for additional opinions.
Will I be auto-requesting the author’s next? Absolutely!
Available NOW!
Thank You to Minotaur books for my gifted copy, in exchange for a candid review!
And, clearly from early reviews, most people are enjoying it….so, nobody is more surprised than I am, that I didn’t love it!!
⚠️ OUTLIER OPINION
Jimmy Peralta, best known for his role as “The Prince of Poughkeepsie” has been found lying in a pool of blood in his own bathroom tub.
Accused of his murder-his fifth wife-who is found beside him, holding a straight razor, covered in blood.
She is 30 years his junior, so everyone assumes, she married the aging celebrity for his money. But, Paris has been running from a troubled past and the last thing she would want is this kind of publicity.
Did she take his life?
Jimmy has struggled with addiction and depression in the past-has had multiple stints in rehab, overdosed twice, and attempted suicide once before, and now he is frustrated by memory loss-and it doesn’t help that he watched Alzheimer’s take his mother’s memories.
Could this be a decision that he made?
The podcast “Things We Do In The Dark” is about to feature a woman, Ruby Reyes-The Ice Queen-convicted of murdering a man in a similar fashion, twenty five years earlier.
The timing couldn’t be worse.
Ruby knows Paris-and the secrets she has been hiding, and she wants something in exchange for her silence.
This is about as suspenseful as this gets.
It is NOT an edge of your seat kind of thriller with multiple twists.
Instead almost all of the book tells us the backstories of Paris and a woman named Joey-a study of their dysfunctional childhoods- which is something that I just don’t PERSONALLY enjoy reading about.
And, it was obvious to me, how Ruby knew Paris.
Maybe, I just read too many thrillers?
Eventually the PAST catches up with the PRESENT, and the truth is revealed in the last 15% or so-wrapping up the present tense TOO quickly and TOO easily-and without enough of a payoff for me after slogging through all of the family dysfunction.
Did my friends DeAnn and Mary Beth, leave me alone on Outlier Island during this buddy read? Check out their amazing reviews for additional opinions.
Will I be auto-requesting the author’s next? Absolutely!
Available NOW!
Thank You to Minotaur books for my gifted copy, in exchange for a candid review!
February 23, 2025
Paris Peralta is in trouble. After being discovered in a pool of blood on the bathroom floor, with a straight razor in her hand, her celebrity-husband, Jimmy, dead in the bathtub behind her, she's promptly arrested for his murder.
Not a great way to start a day, following a night she can hardly remember. It appears Paris suffered a head injury at some point during the night. This must be why she can't remember what happened.
A flurry of media activity immediately flocks to the action. Jimmy Peralta was a well-loved comedic actor, who had recently made a giant comeback. His death is big news.
Paris is devastated and swears that she is innocent. In spite of everything happening around her, Paris actually has bigger worries.
When Paris and Jimmy met, she was a yoga instructor and he attended her classes. He was smitten fairly quickly and she was as well, but she was never truly honest with Jimmy.
She never told him about her past. A past she has been hiding from for years.
Twenty-five years ago, Ruby Reyes, dubbed the 'Ice Queen' by the media, was convicted for the murder of a man in Canada. It was a very high profile case, with people still discussing it to this day.
Ruby feels like she knows who Paris really is and she spends the final days of her prison stay writing Paris threatening letters. Apparently, blackmail is a hobby you can participate in from anywhere.
Drew Malcolm is an investigative journalist turned podcaster. His specialty happens to be my favorite: true crime. When he hears that Ruby Reyes is going to be released from prison, he can hardly believe it.
Drew grew up in the same area where Ruby lived and committed her infamous crime. He feels personally connected to the case and decides to make it the next hot topic for his podcast.
Using alternating perspectives, as well as both past and present timelines, the Reader gets taken on a real journey in Things We Do in the Dark.
I didn't pay much attention to the synopsis before I started this, Jennifer Hillier's name on the cover was enough to get me to read it, and I'm happy I went into this pretty much blind. I was so surprised each time the direction and perspective of this story shifted.
Unsurprisingly, Hillier's writing drew me in from the very start. I loved Paris as a character and her relationship with Jimmy. I found it completely fascinating.
For me, Jimmy was that quintessential stand-up comedian turned actor, who suffers from depression and substance abuse issues. He found this beautiful young lady who truly seemed to make him happy and he started to turn his life around. I loved that aspect.
I felt like I knew him, even though he really didn't play a role in this story.
As far as Paris was concerned, I just got her. I liked her. Learning about her past, I truly felt for all she had been through in her life, all she had overcome and achieved in spite of it.
Additionally, Drew was a fantastic character. I liked how much his investigative journalist background contributed to the story. This man was on a mission.
I had so much fun with the reveals in this, as the three threads begin to weave together. I felt this was expertly-plotted and a great way to escape the world for a while.
I did listen to the audiobook and felt that is was super well done. I was enchanted by the narration. Once I started, it was really hard to put it down for anything.
Dinner, that can wait. Sleep, who needs it? Work, it will be there tomorrow.
In short, I loved this. Fast-paced, compelling and with so many elements that I tend to enjoy, Hillier won big for me with this one!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. It's clear I am a huge fan of Hillier's work and this one is no exception.
I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!!
Not a great way to start a day, following a night she can hardly remember. It appears Paris suffered a head injury at some point during the night. This must be why she can't remember what happened.
A flurry of media activity immediately flocks to the action. Jimmy Peralta was a well-loved comedic actor, who had recently made a giant comeback. His death is big news.
Paris is devastated and swears that she is innocent. In spite of everything happening around her, Paris actually has bigger worries.
When Paris and Jimmy met, she was a yoga instructor and he attended her classes. He was smitten fairly quickly and she was as well, but she was never truly honest with Jimmy.
She never told him about her past. A past she has been hiding from for years.
Twenty-five years ago, Ruby Reyes, dubbed the 'Ice Queen' by the media, was convicted for the murder of a man in Canada. It was a very high profile case, with people still discussing it to this day.
Ruby feels like she knows who Paris really is and she spends the final days of her prison stay writing Paris threatening letters. Apparently, blackmail is a hobby you can participate in from anywhere.
Drew Malcolm is an investigative journalist turned podcaster. His specialty happens to be my favorite: true crime. When he hears that Ruby Reyes is going to be released from prison, he can hardly believe it.
Drew grew up in the same area where Ruby lived and committed her infamous crime. He feels personally connected to the case and decides to make it the next hot topic for his podcast.
Using alternating perspectives, as well as both past and present timelines, the Reader gets taken on a real journey in Things We Do in the Dark.
I didn't pay much attention to the synopsis before I started this, Jennifer Hillier's name on the cover was enough to get me to read it, and I'm happy I went into this pretty much blind. I was so surprised each time the direction and perspective of this story shifted.
Unsurprisingly, Hillier's writing drew me in from the very start. I loved Paris as a character and her relationship with Jimmy. I found it completely fascinating.
For me, Jimmy was that quintessential stand-up comedian turned actor, who suffers from depression and substance abuse issues. He found this beautiful young lady who truly seemed to make him happy and he started to turn his life around. I loved that aspect.
I felt like I knew him, even though he really didn't play a role in this story.
As far as Paris was concerned, I just got her. I liked her. Learning about her past, I truly felt for all she had been through in her life, all she had overcome and achieved in spite of it.
Additionally, Drew was a fantastic character. I liked how much his investigative journalist background contributed to the story. This man was on a mission.
I had so much fun with the reveals in this, as the three threads begin to weave together. I felt this was expertly-plotted and a great way to escape the world for a while.
I did listen to the audiobook and felt that is was super well done. I was enchanted by the narration. Once I started, it was really hard to put it down for anything.
Dinner, that can wait. Sleep, who needs it? Work, it will be there tomorrow.
In short, I loved this. Fast-paced, compelling and with so many elements that I tend to enjoy, Hillier won big for me with this one!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. It's clear I am a huge fan of Hillier's work and this one is no exception.
I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!!
June 11, 2022
‘while you can reinvent yourself, you cant outrun yourself.’
not quite as thrilling or suspenseful as JHs previous books, but man. this is a captivating story about a young woman running from her past and the lengths she takes to make sure it doesnt catch up to her.
i really enjoyed how the narrative is structured - the shifts between present and past, as well as the different POVs, make sure the reader is given as much information as possible to really understand the characters and their motives. one might argue that a little too much information is given, as its very easy to figure out the halfway point “twist” very early on. but that didnt bother me because i was just so invested in the characters.
this is a great addition to JHs bibliography. if you enjoy in-depth characters, crime stories and murder plots, and compelling storytelling, then this is a book you can look forward to!
thanks so much for the ARC, st. martins press/minotaur books!
↠ 4 stars
not quite as thrilling or suspenseful as JHs previous books, but man. this is a captivating story about a young woman running from her past and the lengths she takes to make sure it doesnt catch up to her.
i really enjoyed how the narrative is structured - the shifts between present and past, as well as the different POVs, make sure the reader is given as much information as possible to really understand the characters and their motives. one might argue that a little too much information is given, as its very easy to figure out the halfway point “twist” very early on. but that didnt bother me because i was just so invested in the characters.
this is a great addition to JHs bibliography. if you enjoy in-depth characters, crime stories and murder plots, and compelling storytelling, then this is a book you can look forward to!
thanks so much for the ARC, st. martins press/minotaur books!
↠ 4 stars
December 21, 2022
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur/St. Martin's Press, and Jennifer Hillier for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 7.19!!**
Think back to the Wizard of Oz.
(I know, it may be a minute since you've seen it...but HOPEFULLY you have. If not, skim the next paragraph or two for mini-spoilers)
Remember the scene with the 'big reveal' that the Oz wasn't a Great and Powerful green floating head, but just some unlucky guy behind a curtain, working a janky control panel?
Now imagine that each time the Wizard was seen on screen PRIOR to this scene, that the audience watched said man operating the controls, even if the other characters in the film were unaware.
That is EXACTLY the feeling I got while reading Jennifer Hillier's latest, Things We Do in the Dark.
For a quick bit of background before we get to THAT explanation...Paris Peralta, wife of Jimmy Peralta, is found in quite a sticky spot, literally. She is in the bathroom with her husband's straight razor in her hand, covered in blood...and Jimmy is dead in the tub, ex-sanguinated. Of course, since Jimmy has just come back into fame after a lull in his career and Paris is younger and flashier than he, this looks like an obvious case of gold digging gone deadly. But Paris has worked hard to revamp her life and has a dark and murky past that few know...except her blackmailer:
Ruby Reyes, the "Ice Queen", who HERSELF has been convicted of murder, twenty-five years ago…
She knows all of Paris' secrets and now that she's out of prison, she's ready to either tell all, collect...or possibly strike again. Can Paris continue on her new path, or at least remember what happened that fateful night with Jimmy? Or will the Ice Queen bring a blizzard of scrutiny down upon her and cast her into the tundra for good?
So WHY Wizard of Oz, do you ask? As a pretty devout thriller lover as well as a certified fangirl of Jennifer Hillier, I was a bit confused by how this book was set up from the jump. It's purported to be like many other Hillier books, a 'twisty' psychological thriller.
However...there just weren't really any twists.
The audience was basically clued in on EVERY twist AS it was unfolding, which was a strange experience. With such a prolonged glimpse 'behind the curtain' throughout, the twists arguably weren't twists at all. You sort of knew exactly what was going to happen and it was simply a matter of when. Toss in the investigative angle where yet ANOTHER character walks us through exactly what's happening...and this thriller felt much less like a thriller.
There's also the fact that most of the story takes place in the past...and this works to some extent, until it no longer serves the story. One section in the middle in particular slowed to a near-crawl for me, so if you can't handle reading long passages about the life and times of a stripper, you might be a bit fidgety too. Having so much backstory sort of made the PAST the important part and the main through line, and left Paris' current situation on the back burner. In some ways, I felt like this is the book Hillier ACTUALLY wanted to write--an emotional, somewhat suspenseful domestic-type plot, rather than trying to fit this narrative into the typical thriller box.
And YET...there was just something about this book. The first 40% or so, I absolutely flew through. Hillier's writing chops drove everything forward, and she is so talented in terms of character and world building that all of the plot problems seemed to sort of melt away and I was able to truly lose myself in the narrative for a while. I did experience some hiccups when I hit the aforementioned slow strip-club scenes, but after this, I was able to hop back into the rhythm of her writing and keep plugging away. Granted, things never quite got back to the page-flipping frenzy I experienced at the beginning of the novel, but it didn't matter.
I stopped looking to be surprised, stopped waiting for a twist that was going to blow me away, and focused all of my attention on looking at the pictures Hillier painted with her words and the pain she explored through these characters. This simple change of perspective took my reading experience from frustrating to more of an emotional place, where I felt I was able to glean a lot more from the book framed in this way.
Though most thrillers require a simple suspension of disbelief on some level, the most important attributes you can have going into this Hillier read are probably patience and tempered expectations.
And if you're fresh out?
You can always ask the wizard! 😉 🧙♂️
3.5 stars, rounded up
Nominated for Best Mystery/Thriller in the Goodreads Choice Awards!
Think back to the Wizard of Oz.
(I know, it may be a minute since you've seen it...but HOPEFULLY you have. If not, skim the next paragraph or two for mini-spoilers)
Remember the scene with the 'big reveal' that the Oz wasn't a Great and Powerful green floating head, but just some unlucky guy behind a curtain, working a janky control panel?
Now imagine that each time the Wizard was seen on screen PRIOR to this scene, that the audience watched said man operating the controls, even if the other characters in the film were unaware.
That is EXACTLY the feeling I got while reading Jennifer Hillier's latest, Things We Do in the Dark.
For a quick bit of background before we get to THAT explanation...Paris Peralta, wife of Jimmy Peralta, is found in quite a sticky spot, literally. She is in the bathroom with her husband's straight razor in her hand, covered in blood...and Jimmy is dead in the tub, ex-sanguinated. Of course, since Jimmy has just come back into fame after a lull in his career and Paris is younger and flashier than he, this looks like an obvious case of gold digging gone deadly. But Paris has worked hard to revamp her life and has a dark and murky past that few know...except her blackmailer:
Ruby Reyes, the "Ice Queen", who HERSELF has been convicted of murder, twenty-five years ago…
She knows all of Paris' secrets and now that she's out of prison, she's ready to either tell all, collect...or possibly strike again. Can Paris continue on her new path, or at least remember what happened that fateful night with Jimmy? Or will the Ice Queen bring a blizzard of scrutiny down upon her and cast her into the tundra for good?
So WHY Wizard of Oz, do you ask? As a pretty devout thriller lover as well as a certified fangirl of Jennifer Hillier, I was a bit confused by how this book was set up from the jump. It's purported to be like many other Hillier books, a 'twisty' psychological thriller.
However...there just weren't really any twists.
The audience was basically clued in on EVERY twist AS it was unfolding, which was a strange experience. With such a prolonged glimpse 'behind the curtain' throughout, the twists arguably weren't twists at all. You sort of knew exactly what was going to happen and it was simply a matter of when. Toss in the investigative angle where yet ANOTHER character walks us through exactly what's happening...and this thriller felt much less like a thriller.
There's also the fact that most of the story takes place in the past...and this works to some extent, until it no longer serves the story. One section in the middle in particular slowed to a near-crawl for me, so if you can't handle reading long passages about the life and times of a stripper, you might be a bit fidgety too. Having so much backstory sort of made the PAST the important part and the main through line, and left Paris' current situation on the back burner. In some ways, I felt like this is the book Hillier ACTUALLY wanted to write--an emotional, somewhat suspenseful domestic-type plot, rather than trying to fit this narrative into the typical thriller box.
And YET...there was just something about this book. The first 40% or so, I absolutely flew through. Hillier's writing chops drove everything forward, and she is so talented in terms of character and world building that all of the plot problems seemed to sort of melt away and I was able to truly lose myself in the narrative for a while. I did experience some hiccups when I hit the aforementioned slow strip-club scenes, but after this, I was able to hop back into the rhythm of her writing and keep plugging away. Granted, things never quite got back to the page-flipping frenzy I experienced at the beginning of the novel, but it didn't matter.
I stopped looking to be surprised, stopped waiting for a twist that was going to blow me away, and focused all of my attention on looking at the pictures Hillier painted with her words and the pain she explored through these characters. This simple change of perspective took my reading experience from frustrating to more of an emotional place, where I felt I was able to glean a lot more from the book framed in this way.
Though most thrillers require a simple suspension of disbelief on some level, the most important attributes you can have going into this Hillier read are probably patience and tempered expectations.
And if you're fresh out?
You can always ask the wizard! 😉 🧙♂️
3.5 stars, rounded up
Nominated for Best Mystery/Thriller in the Goodreads Choice Awards!
June 23, 2022
I went in blind because I've really enjoyed two of Hillier's novels and was excited to get my hands on this one!
Started off pretty good, but got bogged down in short order. The flashbacks and backstory were a bit long winded and I wasn't invested in the characters. The only character I liked was Drew and he wasn't a major player. I also didn't connect with the celebrity scene. The two timelines felt somewhat disconnected. I wanted to be engaged, but it wasn't happening!
Ultimately, this one turned out to be a predictable read for me, though there are some twists. All these things combined, made for a bit of a slog with some gaping plot holes.
Many others have had a better reading experience, so check out higher reviews.
She is a talented author that I look forward to reading again even though this wasn't one for me to rave about. Fingers crossed for next time!!
Thanks to NG/ and the publisher for my arc! OUT July 19, 2022
Started off pretty good, but got bogged down in short order. The flashbacks and backstory were a bit long winded and I wasn't invested in the characters. The only character I liked was Drew and he wasn't a major player. I also didn't connect with the celebrity scene. The two timelines felt somewhat disconnected. I wanted to be engaged, but it wasn't happening!
Ultimately, this one turned out to be a predictable read for me, though there are some twists. All these things combined, made for a bit of a slog with some gaping plot holes.
Many others have had a better reading experience, so check out higher reviews.
She is a talented author that I look forward to reading again even though this wasn't one for me to rave about. Fingers crossed for next time!!
Thanks to NG/ and the publisher for my arc! OUT July 19, 2022
July 19, 2022
**HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY**
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Child abuse, explicit sexual content
This is one of those times when I think I read a different book than everyone else!!! 4* for the first 50% of the book 2* for the second half, I still end up with a 2* read!!
I have never read this author before but read so many great reviews I was settling in for a great read!! It was not to be!!
The novel opens with Paris Peralta in the back of a police car. She is shivering in only her blood stained tank top and doesn’t understand what is happening. She has a feeling of “disassociation”, she feels as though she is watching all of this happening to someone else.
Paris Peralta had a horrible childhood. She had a mother who didn’t care about her, abused her and let others abuse her. When her mother was finally arrested for child abuse she is sent to live with her aunt and uncle who also don’t want her.
But Paris wasn’t Paris back then, she was someone else. In order to move forward with her life, she felt that she needed a new identity and a new home. She left Toronto and moved to Seattle.
Finally she has a good life. She fell in love with a much loved comedian, Jimmy Peralta. Paris has a yoga studio that does well and Jimmy was set to retire – they got married, even though Paris was several decades younger. She loves Jimmy and can’t understand why anyone would think she killed him.
SO ALL OF THIS WAS A GOOD SET UP, WHAT WENT WRONG FOR ME:
The backstory of Paris goes on and on and on. I couldn’t blame all of the mistakes that Paris made on her childhood, a lot of it was her own doing.
I wasn’t prepared for the child sexual abuse or the descriptions of all that went on in the strip club that Paris worked in for a few years. I didn’t think the abuse was told in a sensitive manner.
I guessed who Paris really was quite early on and that ruined the mystery for me. I didn’t feel the tension or suspense that others seem to have enjoyed.
This was a trio read with my friends Jan and Marialyce and we all felt the same about this one.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Child abuse, explicit sexual content
This is one of those times when I think I read a different book than everyone else!!! 4* for the first 50% of the book 2* for the second half, I still end up with a 2* read!!
I have never read this author before but read so many great reviews I was settling in for a great read!! It was not to be!!
The novel opens with Paris Peralta in the back of a police car. She is shivering in only her blood stained tank top and doesn’t understand what is happening. She has a feeling of “disassociation”, she feels as though she is watching all of this happening to someone else.
Paris Peralta had a horrible childhood. She had a mother who didn’t care about her, abused her and let others abuse her. When her mother was finally arrested for child abuse she is sent to live with her aunt and uncle who also don’t want her.
But Paris wasn’t Paris back then, she was someone else. In order to move forward with her life, she felt that she needed a new identity and a new home. She left Toronto and moved to Seattle.
Finally she has a good life. She fell in love with a much loved comedian, Jimmy Peralta. Paris has a yoga studio that does well and Jimmy was set to retire – they got married, even though Paris was several decades younger. She loves Jimmy and can’t understand why anyone would think she killed him.
SO ALL OF THIS WAS A GOOD SET UP, WHAT WENT WRONG FOR ME:
The backstory of Paris goes on and on and on. I couldn’t blame all of the mistakes that Paris made on her childhood, a lot of it was her own doing.
I wasn’t prepared for the child sexual abuse or the descriptions of all that went on in the strip club that Paris worked in for a few years. I didn’t think the abuse was told in a sensitive manner.
I guessed who Paris really was quite early on and that ruined the mystery for me. I didn’t feel the tension or suspense that others seem to have enjoyed.
This was a trio read with my friends Jan and Marialyce and we all felt the same about this one.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
May 4, 2022
Maybe this is a case of “it’s just me” and not the book. But…
I’m a huge Jennifer Hillier fan and loved all her previous works. So my question is…what happened here?🏻♀️. A question I kept asking myself while reading this latest release.
Paris’ husband is dead in the bathtub. Paris herself is covered in his blood, gripping a straight razor. She has no memory of killing him. WOW! Right!?💁🏻♀️ You’ve got my attention! But then things took a hard turn. The focus and point of view changed to exploring Paris’ backstory. At this point the pace slowed and I quickly lost interest.
I held out hope for a twist, an OMG jaw-dropping moment, the shocks, this author usually delivers. Unfortunately if felt like straight up fiction with no thrills.🥱
There are many mixed reviews with plenty of five-star reviews here. Hoping your experience will deliver all the stars!⭐️💞
A buddy read with Susanne that left us both underwhelmed.😕
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press
I’m a huge Jennifer Hillier fan and loved all her previous works. So my question is…what happened here?🏻♀️. A question I kept asking myself while reading this latest release.
Paris’ husband is dead in the bathtub. Paris herself is covered in his blood, gripping a straight razor. She has no memory of killing him. WOW! Right!?💁🏻♀️ You’ve got my attention! But then things took a hard turn. The focus and point of view changed to exploring Paris’ backstory. At this point the pace slowed and I quickly lost interest.
I held out hope for a twist, an OMG jaw-dropping moment, the shocks, this author usually delivers. Unfortunately if felt like straight up fiction with no thrills.🥱
There are many mixed reviews with plenty of five-star reviews here. Hoping your experience will deliver all the stars!⭐️💞
A buddy read with Susanne that left us both underwhelmed.😕
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press
July 19, 2022
After loving my first Jennifer Hillier book Little Secrets, it's a no-brainer that I must read her newest offering.
Things We Do in the Dark has a gripping start and completely caught my attention. Paris Peralta married a much older millionaire comedian who is dead in their bathtub. She was arrested while covered in his blood with a murder weapon still in her hands. Moreover, Paris has a secret past that she left behind. Being on the front page news is not the attention she wants.
This is a dual timeline story. I had a hard time with the past section. There's too much backstory and dark stuff that instead of empathizing with the character, I actually felt bored. I think the story lost steam because of it. I do like how things concluded in the end, but the big reveal was not much of a surprise.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this DRC.
Available July 19, 2022!
Things We Do in the Dark has a gripping start and completely caught my attention. Paris Peralta married a much older millionaire comedian who is dead in their bathtub. She was arrested while covered in his blood with a murder weapon still in her hands. Moreover, Paris has a secret past that she left behind. Being on the front page news is not the attention she wants.
This is a dual timeline story. I had a hard time with the past section. There's too much backstory and dark stuff that instead of empathizing with the character, I actually felt bored. I think the story lost steam because of it. I do like how things concluded in the end, but the big reveal was not much of a surprise.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this DRC.
Available July 19, 2022!
July 6, 2022
I’ll cut to the chase (no story-related pun intended): This was perfectly good, but I hoped for great!
Paris Peralta is found by police holding a bloody straight razor next to the tub holding her now-deceased and much older husband, famous comedian Jimmy Peralta. Did she do it or is there another explanation?
This scenario looks similar to a murder committed 25 years prior by a woman named Ruby Reyes, better known as The Ice Queen, who was found guilty and imprisoned for killing her older lover. Funny thing is: Ruby somehow knows Paris, and she wants a share of Paris’ potentially huge inheritance to keep old secrets quiet.
There’s SO much potential in that premise, and that’s the story I wanted to read. I wanted the razzle dazzle twists, nail-biting suspense and big thrills one might expect with such an intriguing set-up! What I got was more of a long, sad backstory for Paris, alternating with her present day legal troubles. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it. It had enough twists and red herrings to satisfy my inner detective and keep me turning the pages.
This was my first Hillier book, and I genuinely liked her writing, and for the most part, the story. When I put aside my thriller hopes and just read it as a mystery with some psychological head games and family dysfunction, it was a good story. There were some heavy topics explored, though, so read the trigger warnings below if you're concerned.
My biggest issue with the book is that I felt a general lack of connection to Paris. I felt sympathetic to her circumstances, but I didn’t feel that emotionally invested in her as a person. What I LOVED is that she was Filipina, rather than another homogeneously white female MC so common in the genre.
All things said, I will absolutely be reading Hillier’s previous and future titles. The talent is clearly there, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
★★★ ½ (rounded to 3)
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley and author Jennifer Hillier for the opportunity to honestly review this ARC. It will be published July 19, 2022.
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TWs:
Paris Peralta is found by police holding a bloody straight razor next to the tub holding her now-deceased and much older husband, famous comedian Jimmy Peralta. Did she do it or is there another explanation?
This scenario looks similar to a murder committed 25 years prior by a woman named Ruby Reyes, better known as The Ice Queen, who was found guilty and imprisoned for killing her older lover. Funny thing is: Ruby somehow knows Paris, and she wants a share of Paris’ potentially huge inheritance to keep old secrets quiet.
There’s SO much potential in that premise, and that’s the story I wanted to read. I wanted the razzle dazzle twists, nail-biting suspense and big thrills one might expect with such an intriguing set-up! What I got was more of a long, sad backstory for Paris, alternating with her present day legal troubles. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it. It had enough twists and red herrings to satisfy my inner detective and keep me turning the pages.
This was my first Hillier book, and I genuinely liked her writing, and for the most part, the story. When I put aside my thriller hopes and just read it as a mystery with some psychological head games and family dysfunction, it was a good story. There were some heavy topics explored, though, so read the trigger warnings below if you're concerned.
My biggest issue with the book is that I felt a general lack of connection to Paris. I felt sympathetic to her circumstances, but I didn’t feel that emotionally invested in her as a person. What I LOVED is that she was Filipina, rather than another homogeneously white female MC so common in the genre.
All things said, I will absolutely be reading Hillier’s previous and future titles. The talent is clearly there, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
★★★ ½ (rounded to 3)
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley and author Jennifer Hillier for the opportunity to honestly review this ARC. It will be published July 19, 2022.
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TWs:
July 20, 2022
After thinking about what I was going to say, I decided to give this a 2 because I couldn't think of much about it that I liked.
Very underwhelmed. Quite disappointed as I adored Little Secrets. Filled with unlikable characters, no real mystery, and I had to force myself to keep reading because I was so bored.
There are multiple storylines, some in the present, some in the past. I don't know if the author thought that we wouldn't figure out how the two were related but it was quite obvious from the beginning. In the end, there is only one actual mystery (Did Jimmy commit suicide or did Paris or someone else kill him?) and the way it is solved is both laughable and eye rolling.
Another part that made this book head scratching
I did listen to most of this book as an audiobook, and Carla Vega's narration kept me engaged when reading it on the page probably wouldn't have done the same thing. However, when I got to the parts about stripping and some of the sexual/child abuse situations--now, those were difficult to listen to and I wish I had been reading the print copy in order to gloss over them. Hearing them was painful.
Let's just say that this book didn't do it for me. I love Hillier's writing and will chalk this up to a one off and I'll be here for the next one hoping for the mystery/thriller I know she can write.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Very underwhelmed. Quite disappointed as I adored Little Secrets. Filled with unlikable characters, no real mystery, and I had to force myself to keep reading because I was so bored.
There are multiple storylines, some in the present, some in the past. I don't know if the author thought that we wouldn't figure out how the two were related but it was quite obvious from the beginning. In the end, there is only one actual mystery (Did Jimmy commit suicide or did Paris or someone else kill him?) and the way it is solved is both laughable and eye rolling.
Another part that made this book head scratching
I did listen to most of this book as an audiobook, and Carla Vega's narration kept me engaged when reading it on the page probably wouldn't have done the same thing. However, when I got to the parts about stripping and some of the sexual/child abuse situations--now, those were difficult to listen to and I wish I had been reading the print copy in order to gloss over them. Hearing them was painful.
Let's just say that this book didn't do it for me. I love Hillier's writing and will chalk this up to a one off and I'll be here for the next one hoping for the mystery/thriller I know she can write.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
July 12, 2022
3.25 Stars
This was a bit of a mixed bag for me...although I definitely enjoyed it overall.
Let's break it down.
What I liked:
1) Call me a creeper, but I really like stories about about childhood trauma...
...especially ones that don't feel like they are manufactured merely for shock value. And this book definitely delivered on this front. Things here felt severe without feeling contrived.
In fact, I should note here that this element of the story might understandably make it unpalatable to many readers as this book contains FYI.
2) I also seem to enjoy books about fairly narcissistic mothers a la White Oleander.
To make it clear, I am NOT comparing this book to WO (they aren't even in the same league)...
Stop glaring at me Ingrid...but like I said: narcissistic mother figure. In this case, an abusive one to boot.
3) The pacing; while the tone sometimes felt a little uneven, it was still decent enough, and I enjoyed the speed at which the story unfolded.
Things I Didn't Love:
1) This sounds completely counterintuitive in light of my last point, buy hey, nobody's perfect.
As much as I loved the pacing, the speed at which some of the events fell into place (namely a lot of the legal stuff) felt a little fast and I sometimes struggled to suspend my disbelief on that front. Things just don't move that fast in the American legal system.
2) I also feel like, realistically, there would have been a lot more investigation into the burned body of a stripper with a now missing close friend/co-worker. Cause, I mean...
4) How quickly and easily Drew was able to unravel everything and how easy and fast it was for him to set meetings with all the players involved...how willing everyone was to cooperate. Frankly, I just don't see that happening. Because, let's be real. Travel takes a minute. And, well...
This is neither a negative nor a positive for me, but I saw all the twists coming. But I mean, what can I say, when you're a genius, you're a genius.
Anyhow, as I said, I enjoyed this overall. It was entertaining and I will definitely read more from this author...but if you ask me in a week what this was about, I'm not 100% sure I could tell you.
If I can? A rating upgrade might be in order. Until then...onward.
This was a bit of a mixed bag for me...although I definitely enjoyed it overall.
Let's break it down.
What I liked:
1) Call me a creeper, but I really like stories about about childhood trauma...
...especially ones that don't feel like they are manufactured merely for shock value. And this book definitely delivered on this front. Things here felt severe without feeling contrived.
In fact, I should note here that this element of the story might understandably make it unpalatable to many readers as this book contains FYI.
2) I also seem to enjoy books about fairly narcissistic mothers a la White Oleander.
To make it clear, I am NOT comparing this book to WO (they aren't even in the same league)...
Stop glaring at me Ingrid...but like I said: narcissistic mother figure. In this case, an abusive one to boot.
3) The pacing; while the tone sometimes felt a little uneven, it was still decent enough, and I enjoyed the speed at which the story unfolded.
Things I Didn't Love:
1) This sounds completely counterintuitive in light of my last point, buy hey, nobody's perfect.
As much as I loved the pacing, the speed at which some of the events fell into place (namely a lot of the legal stuff) felt a little fast and I sometimes struggled to suspend my disbelief on that front. Things just don't move that fast in the American legal system.
2) I also feel like, realistically, there would have been a lot more investigation into the burned body of a stripper with a now missing close friend/co-worker. Cause, I mean...
4) How quickly and easily Drew was able to unravel everything and how easy and fast it was for him to set meetings with all the players involved...how willing everyone was to cooperate. Frankly, I just don't see that happening. Because, let's be real. Travel takes a minute. And, well...
This is neither a negative nor a positive for me, but I saw all the twists coming. But I mean, what can I say, when you're a genius, you're a genius.
Anyhow, as I said, I enjoyed this overall. It was entertaining and I will definitely read more from this author...but if you ask me in a week what this was about, I'm not 100% sure I could tell you.
If I can? A rating upgrade might be in order. Until then...onward.
February 8, 2022
The title alone brings a riveting, suspenseful thrill. Opening with a quote from Billy Joel,
"She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes."... Each chapter begins with a song quote.
After reading Jennifer Hillier's Jar of Hearts, this was a MUST read.
Paris Peralta awakens to police warning her to drop her weapon. Startled by the sight, she is covered in blood as well as her dead husband soaking in a bloody tub. Her multi-millionaire husband Jimmy is a celebrity on Netflix and is 30 years older than her. With less than a year married, probable cause paves the way to a guilty scene. Although she claims her innocence that she found him that way, the assumption is there waiting to tear her story apart.
Hillier creates so many avenues this could go in. Paris with her dark abusive history is running from a past that is delivered late in the book that will haunt you. She is threatened by Ruby Reyes tagged as the Ice Queen Killer soon to be released after 25 years in prison. She knows who Paris really is and writes letters of bribery to keep her from revealing another murder Paris was involved in.
A lot of interesting characters are introduced that drive the story to a shocking, twisted ending. Even if you guess the setup, it will still deliver a fantastic punch. A creative scheme with things that can only happen in the dark. I cannot lie that I had a moment of hum-drum with the back story, but it was necessary to fulfill the affect of this journey with Paris. It ranked a 5 star even through that.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this incredible copy in exchange for my honest review.
"She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes."... Each chapter begins with a song quote.
After reading Jennifer Hillier's Jar of Hearts, this was a MUST read.
Paris Peralta awakens to police warning her to drop her weapon. Startled by the sight, she is covered in blood as well as her dead husband soaking in a bloody tub. Her multi-millionaire husband Jimmy is a celebrity on Netflix and is 30 years older than her. With less than a year married, probable cause paves the way to a guilty scene. Although she claims her innocence that she found him that way, the assumption is there waiting to tear her story apart.
Hillier creates so many avenues this could go in. Paris with her dark abusive history is running from a past that is delivered late in the book that will haunt you. She is threatened by Ruby Reyes tagged as the Ice Queen Killer soon to be released after 25 years in prison. She knows who Paris really is and writes letters of bribery to keep her from revealing another murder Paris was involved in.
A lot of interesting characters are introduced that drive the story to a shocking, twisted ending. Even if you guess the setup, it will still deliver a fantastic punch. A creative scheme with things that can only happen in the dark. I cannot lie that I had a moment of hum-drum with the back story, but it was necessary to fulfill the affect of this journey with Paris. It ranked a 5 star even through that.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this incredible copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 22, 2022
My thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minataur books, Jennifer Hillier and Netgalley.
This was a very readable story. I finished it in a day and a half. But, I honestly can't say that I liked this story or the characters. I had a difficult time keeping the characters straight. To me, they all sounded alike. So I would end up having to constantly remind myself of who was speaking.
The story was fairly predictable. I didn't hate it, but it was more of a palette cleanser for me.
This was a very readable story. I finished it in a day and a half. But, I honestly can't say that I liked this story or the characters. I had a difficult time keeping the characters straight. To me, they all sounded alike. So I would end up having to constantly remind myself of who was speaking.
The story was fairly predictable. I didn't hate it, but it was more of a palette cleanser for me.
June 23, 2022
I have read two previous books by Hillier, Jar of Hearts and Little Secrets, both of which I enjoyed immensely. Imagine this book nerds joy when I was approved for her latest offering, Things We Do in the Dark. Yippee!
Sadly my approval was the most exciting part of this entire experience.
"There is a time and place for erect nipples, but the back of a Seattle police car definitely isn't it."
That is the first line of this novel and it set an unpleasant tone that I just couldn't shake. She could have simply said she had goosebumps especially seeing as this woman is in the back of a police car covered in her husbands blood and is accused of his murder. This may not have been the most appropriate time for humor or snark or whatever it is she was going for - it didn't work.
Not to mention there were NO surprises in the book. It was almost embarrassingly easy to figure out the connections between the characters.
Do you like backstory? Do I have a book for you! You get chapters upon chapters upon chapters of Paris' more than unpleasant childhood. If you're a sensitive reader then this is most definitely not a book for you.
Boring, plodding, and predictable.
This will undoubtedly be a hit for die-hard Hillier fans, and I'm so happy for them, but my final conclusion is that this is not Hillier's finest moment. In fact, it's far from it and I'm relieved to be moving on.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my complimentary copy.
Sadly my approval was the most exciting part of this entire experience.
"There is a time and place for erect nipples, but the back of a Seattle police car definitely isn't it."
That is the first line of this novel and it set an unpleasant tone that I just couldn't shake. She could have simply said she had goosebumps especially seeing as this woman is in the back of a police car covered in her husbands blood and is accused of his murder. This may not have been the most appropriate time for humor or snark or whatever it is she was going for - it didn't work.
Not to mention there were NO surprises in the book. It was almost embarrassingly easy to figure out the connections between the characters.
Do you like backstory? Do I have a book for you! You get chapters upon chapters upon chapters of Paris' more than unpleasant childhood. If you're a sensitive reader then this is most definitely not a book for you.
Boring, plodding, and predictable.
This will undoubtedly be a hit for die-hard Hillier fans, and I'm so happy for them, but my final conclusion is that this is not Hillier's finest moment. In fact, it's far from it and I'm relieved to be moving on.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my complimentary copy.
March 13, 2022
Blood doesn't lie.....
You'll find that it has a definite presence here in more ways than one.
Paris Peralta has been smacked into reality when the police arrive and demand that she drop the straight razor from her hand. She's staring into the dead eyes of her famous husband, comedian Jimmy Peralta, who lays lifeless in the bathtub. In a nano second, she's hauled off to the police station in cuffs with "I'm innocent" trailing from her lips.
Paris is a complicated soul. She and Jimmy are the least likely couple. Jimmy is thirty years older than Paris. Jimmy was always the darling of comedy until his career started to fizzle with the changing times. But Netflix bought into a new platform for Jimmy and a new generation was lit on fire. Paris was never enticed by the promise of new money. Their relationship seemed to work. But then why was Paris caught "red-handed" with the straight razor? Stay tuned.
Drew Malcolm took his previous investigative journalist background and turned it into a successful podcast followed by over 3 million viewers. He's gotten word that Ruby Reyes, the infamous Ice Queen murderer, is being released from prison. Ol' Ruby has been there since 1992 after a heinous crime. Drew is driven by a desire that Ruby shouldn't be going anywhere. And he's going to make it his latest pod topic.
Here's where I'm at. I have loved all things Jennifer Hillier including her Jar of Hearts and Little Secrets. (Be sure to check these out.) But Things We Do in the Dark suffers from intense overkill. (Yup, pun intended.) We'll take a trip riding a metronome back and forth through time with fill-ins on these main characters. The reader becomes knee deep in backstories at the expense of the actual storyline. In fact, Things We Do in the Dark is filleted into six actual parts in its telling. It also takes on heavy-duty topics that would flip a social worker's stomach. I like "complicated" plots, but this one just suffered from extraneous plot devices. There was no build-up of excitement happening. We pretty much figured out everything from the get-go.
I would encourage you to take this one out for a spin yourselves. There have been many 4 and 5 Star reviews out there. But dedicated Jennifer Hillier fans know what she is capable of through her previous books. And please know: I'm already anxious for her next one to get here. Always will be.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Minotaur Books and to the talented Jennifer Hillier for the opportunity.
You'll find that it has a definite presence here in more ways than one.
Paris Peralta has been smacked into reality when the police arrive and demand that she drop the straight razor from her hand. She's staring into the dead eyes of her famous husband, comedian Jimmy Peralta, who lays lifeless in the bathtub. In a nano second, she's hauled off to the police station in cuffs with "I'm innocent" trailing from her lips.
Paris is a complicated soul. She and Jimmy are the least likely couple. Jimmy is thirty years older than Paris. Jimmy was always the darling of comedy until his career started to fizzle with the changing times. But Netflix bought into a new platform for Jimmy and a new generation was lit on fire. Paris was never enticed by the promise of new money. Their relationship seemed to work. But then why was Paris caught "red-handed" with the straight razor? Stay tuned.
Drew Malcolm took his previous investigative journalist background and turned it into a successful podcast followed by over 3 million viewers. He's gotten word that Ruby Reyes, the infamous Ice Queen murderer, is being released from prison. Ol' Ruby has been there since 1992 after a heinous crime. Drew is driven by a desire that Ruby shouldn't be going anywhere. And he's going to make it his latest pod topic.
Here's where I'm at. I have loved all things Jennifer Hillier including her Jar of Hearts and Little Secrets. (Be sure to check these out.) But Things We Do in the Dark suffers from intense overkill. (Yup, pun intended.) We'll take a trip riding a metronome back and forth through time with fill-ins on these main characters. The reader becomes knee deep in backstories at the expense of the actual storyline. In fact, Things We Do in the Dark is filleted into six actual parts in its telling. It also takes on heavy-duty topics that would flip a social worker's stomach. I like "complicated" plots, but this one just suffered from extraneous plot devices. There was no build-up of excitement happening. We pretty much figured out everything from the get-go.
I would encourage you to take this one out for a spin yourselves. There have been many 4 and 5 Star reviews out there. But dedicated Jennifer Hillier fans know what she is capable of through her previous books. And please know: I'm already anxious for her next one to get here. Always will be.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Minotaur Books and to the talented Jennifer Hillier for the opportunity.
July 11, 2022
All the stars!!
Another great read from Jennifer Hillier!
"Jar of Hearts" was my first Jennifer Hillier novel. I thought it was terrific. Then I read "Little Secrets" and LOVED it. So I was super excited to read "Things We Do in the Dark". I'd hoped I wouldn't be let down.
I wasn't let down at all. There are mixed reviews for this novel and of course we all have a right to our own opinion. In my opinion, this was a very good read.
I thought the story flowed well and I thought the characters were complex and dynamic.
An excellent psychological suspense novel from one of my favorite authors!
Another great read from Jennifer Hillier!
"Jar of Hearts" was my first Jennifer Hillier novel. I thought it was terrific. Then I read "Little Secrets" and LOVED it. So I was super excited to read "Things We Do in the Dark". I'd hoped I wouldn't be let down.
I wasn't let down at all. There are mixed reviews for this novel and of course we all have a right to our own opinion. In my opinion, this was a very good read.
I thought the story flowed well and I thought the characters were complex and dynamic.
An excellent psychological suspense novel from one of my favorite authors!
July 3, 2022
2.5/3
Nope.
Paris Peralta was arrested while covered in blood and holding a straight razor while her husband’s dead body was found in the tub. She knows she will be arrested. She knows what this looks like so why is so more worried about her past coming back to haunt her. What if someone sees her on TV and recognizes her?
Ruby Reyes a.k.a. the Ice Queen was arrested for similar murder. Reyes knows who Paris is and upon being released from prison threatens to expose her.
This sounded so juicy and having loved Hillier's other books, I thought this would be a no-brainer for me. But it was slow, dragged, and failed to wow me. While listening to the audiobook, I wondered if it was my mood, the narrator (I don't think so) or something else, but this one just failed to hit the mark with me.
Others are enjoying this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Nope.
Paris Peralta was arrested while covered in blood and holding a straight razor while her husband’s dead body was found in the tub. She knows she will be arrested. She knows what this looks like so why is so more worried about her past coming back to haunt her. What if someone sees her on TV and recognizes her?
Ruby Reyes a.k.a. the Ice Queen was arrested for similar murder. Reyes knows who Paris is and upon being released from prison threatens to expose her.
This sounded so juicy and having loved Hillier's other books, I thought this would be a no-brainer for me. But it was slow, dragged, and failed to wow me. While listening to the audiobook, I wondered if it was my mood, the narrator (I don't think so) or something else, but this one just failed to hit the mark with me.
Others are enjoying this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
January 13, 2024
This is a Psychological Thriller. I found this book to be a wild read, and I really enjoyed seeing this story come together as I read this book. I did guess some of the reveals, but that did not take away from my enjoyment of this book. The characters were slowly developed, and I really enjoyed getting to know these characters. I really loved the ending of this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Minotaur Books) or author (Jennifer Hillier) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
January 22, 2022
I was so excited to read this! It was thrilling and exciting, and had unexpected dramatic moments as well. The story is told in six parts with different POV’s. Although I did figure out the plot twist early on, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.
After waking up on the bathroom floor with a bump on her head, Paris Peralta is horrified to find her celebrity husband dead. Covered in blood and holding the supposed murder weapon it’s obvious the police think that she did it. Paris can’t help but think about all the unwanted media attention this will bring. That’s not the only thing she’s worried about.
Twenty five years earlier the Ice Queen Ruby Reyes was in a similar situation. Convicted of murdering her significant other, her story was widely popular. Ruby has a connection to Paris. She knows who she really is and what she’s done. Ruby threatens to expose Paris and with her unexpected release from prison, Paris scrambles to figure out how to handle the situation. She has worked too long and hard for everything to fall apart now. Will Paris be able to confront her haunted past without shattering her chance for a better future?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review
July 21, 2022
4 dark stars - now available
You know that a book is going to be interesting when it opens with one of the main characters covered in blood and arrested for murder. In this one, we have Paris Peralta, much younger wife of comic husband Jimmy, as the character in the back of the police car. Along with the murder charge, Paris is really worried about what other secrets the police will dig up about her from her past.
Another character in this one is Joey, and she has a horrifying childhood with a mother who abuses her. Trigger warning that some of these details are hard to read. Her mother, Ruby, is currently behind bars for murder.
We also meet Drew, he’s a reporter with a podcast – “Things We Do in the Dark” – and he’s decided to devote his next season to the story of Ruby Reyes when word gets out that she is going to be paroled. Drew has his own personal reasons to expose Ruby.
I really like this author but had to deduct a bit in this one for the very slow burn and low level of suspense. I would have liked to hear more about the love story of Paris and Jimmy. I guessed a few of the twists, however still very much enjoyed the read!
This made for an excellent buddy read with Jayme, Mary Beth, and Marilyn. I'm afraid that Jayme is on outlier island without me for this one.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the early copy of this one to read and review.
You know that a book is going to be interesting when it opens with one of the main characters covered in blood and arrested for murder. In this one, we have Paris Peralta, much younger wife of comic husband Jimmy, as the character in the back of the police car. Along with the murder charge, Paris is really worried about what other secrets the police will dig up about her from her past.
Another character in this one is Joey, and she has a horrifying childhood with a mother who abuses her. Trigger warning that some of these details are hard to read. Her mother, Ruby, is currently behind bars for murder.
We also meet Drew, he’s a reporter with a podcast – “Things We Do in the Dark” – and he’s decided to devote his next season to the story of Ruby Reyes when word gets out that she is going to be paroled. Drew has his own personal reasons to expose Ruby.
I really like this author but had to deduct a bit in this one for the very slow burn and low level of suspense. I would have liked to hear more about the love story of Paris and Jimmy. I guessed a few of the twists, however still very much enjoyed the read!
This made for an excellent buddy read with Jayme, Mary Beth, and Marilyn. I'm afraid that Jayme is on outlier island without me for this one.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the early copy of this one to read and review.
July 8, 2022
Things We Do in the Dark is a slow-burn, but overall gripping thriller.
It opens with Paris Peralta, dazed and confused, in the back of a police car, trying to recall the events of the night before. The police found her in the bathroom covered in blood, holding a straight razor with her famous husband dead in the tub behind her.
Though alarming, a murder charge is not the only concern on Paris’ mind. Paris married Jimmy with the understanding that they would live a quiet life. Now with her face splashed across the media, Paris fears her past may catch up with her.
This gripping thriller has dual perspectives and alternates between the past and present timeline.
I think most thriller readers will guess the first big reveal. For the most part, I enjoyed the journey of figuring everything out, but the plot did start to drag in Part Two. It spends a lot of time building up to the big reveal, but it was kind of unnecessary since the twist was fairly obvious by the end of Part One.
I did enjoy the conclusion. It ended on the perfect note. It didn’t feel rushed or like it was trying to do too much.
There is a lot of abuse and graphic content that may be triggering for some.
This was my first time reading Jennifer Hillier. I’m not sure why I haven’t read her books until now, but I’ll definitely try more in the future.
3.5
Thank you to Minotaur Books for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
It opens with Paris Peralta, dazed and confused, in the back of a police car, trying to recall the events of the night before. The police found her in the bathroom covered in blood, holding a straight razor with her famous husband dead in the tub behind her.
Though alarming, a murder charge is not the only concern on Paris’ mind. Paris married Jimmy with the understanding that they would live a quiet life. Now with her face splashed across the media, Paris fears her past may catch up with her.
This gripping thriller has dual perspectives and alternates between the past and present timeline.
I think most thriller readers will guess the first big reveal. For the most part, I enjoyed the journey of figuring everything out, but the plot did start to drag in Part Two. It spends a lot of time building up to the big reveal, but it was kind of unnecessary since the twist was fairly obvious by the end of Part One.
I did enjoy the conclusion. It ended on the perfect note. It didn’t feel rushed or like it was trying to do too much.
There is a lot of abuse and graphic content that may be triggering for some.
This was my first time reading Jennifer Hillier. I’m not sure why I haven’t read her books until now, but I’ll definitely try more in the future.
3.5
Thank you to Minotaur Books for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
June 7, 2022
“The only thing worse than a murder charge? Two murder charges.”
This story of a much younger wife charged with the murder of her famous comedian husband grabbed me from the very beginning. And as it went on, I was drawn further and further in. And boy, did I need a good mystery to break me out of my slump.
Paris Peralta had managed to stay under the radar despite being married to Jimmy until his assistant released a picture of their wedding picture. Now, someone from her past is threatening to expose all her secrets. Because Paris wasn’t always Paris. Ruby Reyes has just been released from prison after twenty five years. And she’s threatening to blackmail Paris.
The Things We Do in the Dark is Drew Malcolm’s podcast. He was a reporter at the time of Ruby’s murder trial and knows what she did to her daughter. Hillier does a great job of bringing together the different storylines, told from various POVs and shooting back and forth between past and present. This isn’t a fast paced story, but it kept up a nice steady pace with new clues being given out at regular intervals. I liked the way the ending came together even if I didn’t quite buy the believability of the final chapter.
Hillier has presented a very sympathetic main character in Paris. She was fully developed. Drew was less defined and Ruby was more a cliche of the bad mother.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
This story of a much younger wife charged with the murder of her famous comedian husband grabbed me from the very beginning. And as it went on, I was drawn further and further in. And boy, did I need a good mystery to break me out of my slump.
Paris Peralta had managed to stay under the radar despite being married to Jimmy until his assistant released a picture of their wedding picture. Now, someone from her past is threatening to expose all her secrets. Because Paris wasn’t always Paris. Ruby Reyes has just been released from prison after twenty five years. And she’s threatening to blackmail Paris.
The Things We Do in the Dark is Drew Malcolm’s podcast. He was a reporter at the time of Ruby’s murder trial and knows what she did to her daughter. Hillier does a great job of bringing together the different storylines, told from various POVs and shooting back and forth between past and present. This isn’t a fast paced story, but it kept up a nice steady pace with new clues being given out at regular intervals. I liked the way the ending came together even if I didn’t quite buy the believability of the final chapter.
Hillier has presented a very sympathetic main character in Paris. She was fully developed. Drew was less defined and Ruby was more a cliche of the bad mother.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
July 28, 2022
The hype around this book left me very disappointed. I found it slow and boring which is sad because I loved some of her other books.
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