Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier #bookreview

Thank you Minotaur Books, #partner, for the advanced copy of Things We Do in the Dark in exchange for my honest review.

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Published: July 19, 2022

Summary:

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.

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.

My thoughts:

Jennifer Hillier is another author that has become a favorite and I look forward to reading whatever it is she writes. Her thrillers are just so addictive and binge-worthy and this latest one is no exception!

I loved the way this one was told, outlined in chunks and really allowing us to get to know the characters involved. I felt that the pacing was spot on here and while I did guess one of the twists early on, I did not know the motivations or how it would all come together and so nothing was taken away from me guessing at all. In fact, it made me read closer because I was trying to see if I could in fact see how it would come together – if I was indeed correct. And that was just one of the twists – there were still many that left me shocked!

I loved how in some parts this book was a slow-burn, but in other parts it was nonstop action…the plot was really so expertly woven together and I found that once I started reading it, I just didn’t want to put the book down. I became very invested in the characters’ lives and the unfortunate situations they found themselves in. I love that while I didn’t always like the characters, I still wanted the best for them – and that is definitely a tribute to Hillier’s writing. She really crafts such dynamic characters.

This is one layered story that really packs a punch. It’s dark and definitely not for everyone, but I loved it and cannot wait to see what comes next from this talented author. Until then, I have a few backlist titles that I still need to read of hers – The Butcher, Creep, Freak, and Wonderland. Then I will have read all her books!