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The Novels of Gillian Flynn: Sharp Objects, Dark Places
"Gillian Flynn is the real deal, a sharp, acerbic, and compelling storyteller with a knack for the macabre." —Stephen King
This collection, available exclusively as an ebook, brings together the first two novels of Gillian Flynn, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Gone Girl. In Sharp Objects, Flynn’s debut novel, a young journalist returns home to cover a dark assignment—and to face her own damaged family history. With its taut, crafted writing, Sharp Objects is addictive, haunting, and unforgettable. Flynn’s second novel, Dark Places, is an intricately orchestrated thriller that ravages a family's past to unearth the truth behind a horrifying crime. A New York Times bestseller and Weekend Today Top Summer Read, Dark Places solidified Flynn’s status as one of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time.
This collection, available exclusively as an ebook, brings together the first two novels of Gillian Flynn, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Gone Girl. In Sharp Objects, Flynn’s debut novel, a young journalist returns home to cover a dark assignment—and to face her own damaged family history. With its taut, crafted writing, Sharp Objects is addictive, haunting, and unforgettable. Flynn’s second novel, Dark Places, is an intricately orchestrated thriller that ravages a family's past to unearth the truth behind a horrifying crime. A New York Times bestseller and Weekend Today Top Summer Read, Dark Places solidified Flynn’s status as one of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time.
709 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2012
1341 people are currently reading
2750 people want to read
About the author
Gillian Flynn
29 books95.1k followersGillian Flynn is an American author and television critic for Entertainment Weekly. She has so far written three novels, Sharp Objects, for which she won the 2007 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for the best thriller; Dark Places; and her best-selling third novel Gone Girl.
Her book has received wide praise, including from authors such as Stephen King. The dark plot revolves around a serial killer in a Missouri town, and the reporter who has returned from Chicago to cover the event. Themes include dysfunctional families,violence and self-harm.
In 2007 the novel was shortlisted for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar for Best First Novel by an American Writer, Crime Writers' Association Duncan Lawrie, CWA New Blood and Ian Fleming Steel Daggers, winning in the last two categories.
Flynn, who lives in Chicago, grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated at the University of Kansas, and qualified for a Master's degree from Northwestern University.
Review Quotes:
"Gillian Flynn is the real deal, a sharp, acerbic, and compelling storyteller with a knack for the macabre."
–Stephen King
Her book has received wide praise, including from authors such as Stephen King. The dark plot revolves around a serial killer in a Missouri town, and the reporter who has returned from Chicago to cover the event. Themes include dysfunctional families,violence and self-harm.
In 2007 the novel was shortlisted for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar for Best First Novel by an American Writer, Crime Writers' Association Duncan Lawrie, CWA New Blood and Ian Fleming Steel Daggers, winning in the last two categories.
Flynn, who lives in Chicago, grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated at the University of Kansas, and qualified for a Master's degree from Northwestern University.
Review Quotes:
"Gillian Flynn is the real deal, a sharp, acerbic, and compelling storyteller with a knack for the macabre."
–Stephen King
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
May 26, 2013
I don't even know what to say. I regret reading two of Flynns books back to back. I feel like I need therapy now.
September 10, 2014
OMG! I have read all three of these novels by Gillian Flynn and I must say that they are some of the best stories I've read in my life. First of all, I accidentally read them in reverse starting with Gone Girl, then Dark Places and Sharp Objects, but if I had to list an order of my favorite to least favorite it would be: Gone Girl (Can't wait for the movie), Sharp Objects (which I finished today) and then Dark Places. It's hard to write good reviews without spoilers so I'll just be as basic and brief as possible. Gone Girl had the best plot, it hit close to home for me. Sharp Objects was a pretty easy to solve mystery from the beginning even though it seems that the characters themselves weren't able to see what I saw until the very end. (I guess that's how books work though) and then Dark Places had the most surprising outcome for me. I mean I never would have guessed......anywho, these are definitely must reads. I want more from this author. ASAP!
August 30, 2014
Started July 23rd 2014 with Dark Places as Sharp Objects might be the BOTM August 2014 read of the Goodreads-Group Psychological Thrillers.
Hopefully I will have finished Dark Places until then.
Well, Sharp Objects did not become the BOTM read.
But I finished Dark Places July 30th, 2014. Nearly tl;dr. The different POVs where expertly concluded, with me guessing the whole time what might have happened at the night of the massacre - and guessing wrong (mostly). The twists up to the conclusion where pure genius.
Solid 4 stars, highly recommended.
But why only 4 stars? It could and should have been shorter, for me about 20 %. The descriptions of places, animals and plants where sometimes ok, but sometimes too long and too many for me to be satisfying or needed. The suspense was decreased for me and I sometimes had to push myself to not abandon the book or take a break by reading a different book in between.
As this is combined with the other books I will hold off with rating till I have read the first book ( Sharp Objects ) which is much shorter, luckily.
But it might be a while until I read it.
#-> Link reminder edt. out https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... BOTM of Dark Places < -
Hopefully I will have finished Dark Places until then.
Well, Sharp Objects did not become the BOTM read.
But I finished Dark Places July 30th, 2014. Nearly tl;dr. The different POVs where expertly concluded, with me guessing the whole time what might have happened at the night of the massacre - and guessing wrong (mostly). The twists up to the conclusion where pure genius.
Solid 4 stars, highly recommended.
But why only 4 stars? It could and should have been shorter, for me about 20 %. The descriptions of places, animals and plants where sometimes ok, but sometimes too long and too many for me to be satisfying or needed. The suspense was decreased for me and I sometimes had to push myself to not abandon the book or take a break by reading a different book in between.
As this is combined with the other books I will hold off with rating till I have read the first book ( Sharp Objects ) which is much shorter, luckily.
But it might be a while until I read it.
#-> Link reminder edt. out https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... BOTM of Dark Places < -
January 17, 2013
This book was dark and very troubling, but I enjoyed it. A little disappointed at the end, but still happy I read it. At multiple points in the book I wondered how it was possible that a story like this occurs in someone's imagination.
February 15, 2021
I have finished Sharp Objects but haven’t started Dark Places. It’s hard to separate the two since they are combined in one book.
Sharp Objects does follow suit with the author’s ability to twist tales from what seems “normal” into something so completely insane! There’s always some speculation about “who did it” with the police always pointing a finger at the most obvious person. Of course, the perpetrator is rarely the most obvious person but rather someone with whom the victim trusts.
Sharp Objects does follow suit with the author’s ability to twist tales from what seems “normal” into something so completely insane! There’s always some speculation about “who did it” with the police always pointing a finger at the most obvious person. Of course, the perpetrator is rarely the most obvious person but rather someone with whom the victim trusts.
April 7, 2013
This is Gillian Flynn's chilling debut novel, set in the small suffocating town of Wind Gap. Camille returns to her home town on a journalistic assignment to cover two child murders for her Chicago paper. The penetrating descriptions of the town and its inhabitants create an atmosphere at once surreal and menacing. However the chief success of the book lies in the exploration of destructive family relationships. Flynn has a talent for injecting unease into her narratives, never allowing her readers the security of guessing the next step in her plot.
August 21, 2012
Whew! Both of these are so dark! but still, excellent reads. I didn't figure out the "whodunit" on Dark Places.
April 18, 2013
I loved both of these novels. I preferred Sharp Objects, as I can understand addiction so could better relate to Camille Preaker. I had to devour these books as did not want to stay in the "dark places" too long. All her books are twisted, and even when I thought I knew "whodunit" I was mistaken. Not light hearted reading, but absolutely fabulous!
May 20, 2015
These books do not have bad plot lines - they are actually quite creative and each could have lent itself to a novel that was truly above bar. However, both books entirely fall apart in the delivery. Sorry GF, but the writing just isn't there in either story. I'd definitely give Sharp Objects the edge between the two, but I could have lived without ever picking either up.
November 3, 2013
Her style "recipe" holds true in these two books and are just as enjoyable as Gone Girl.
April 21, 2015
Her best book...very disturbing...loved it
February 8, 2013
I tried to give these books a 3.5 rating, but apparently that isn't possible. I enjoyed Sharp Objects more, although when I reflect upon them both, I think the plot and twists of Dark Places are better. Maybe because I read them back to back and was getting tired of Flynn's uber-dysfunctional families?
Flynn really is a master of the psychological thriller, with evocative writing that backs up her Byzantine plots.
Flynn really is a master of the psychological thriller, with evocative writing that backs up her Byzantine plots.
October 1, 2019
Both books in this collection are disturbing, and both are interesting detective thrillers in their own way.
I almost gave up on Dark Places because I thought it started too violent.
Then I kept reading and wondering, who did it?
I really like Gillian's writing style and care for writing credible characters, no matter how insane they are.
I almost gave up on Dark Places because I thought it started too violent.
Then I kept reading and wondering, who did it?
I really like Gillian's writing style and care for writing credible characters, no matter how insane they are.
May 27, 2020
Didn't see that coming
Found this to be very gripping. Couldn't put the book down. Quite a few twists. Enjoy reading the author's books do far, even though her characters have issues. Would definitely recommend reading, just carve out some time as you won't be able to put it down.
Found this to be very gripping. Couldn't put the book down. Quite a few twists. Enjoy reading the author's books do far, even though her characters have issues. Would definitely recommend reading, just carve out some time as you won't be able to put it down.
December 31, 2012
Very disappointed with this book. I picked it up with high expectations as I enjoyed Gone Girl so much. The "mystery" in this story was very easy to guess and the characters were easy to care about.
May 27, 2013
SHARP OBJECTS;
Well - flew through the book, very readable and fast-paced. But also very dark, not for the faint-hearted (me) .... In desperate need of a Disney fix if I'm to have any chance of sleeping tonight.
Preferred Gone Girl, as it was more polished and slick.
Well - flew through the book, very readable and fast-paced. But also very dark, not for the faint-hearted (me) .... In desperate need of a Disney fix if I'm to have any chance of sleeping tonight.
Preferred Gone Girl, as it was more polished and slick.
August 14, 2012
Both dark and twisted but in a can't stop reading kind of way.
December 27, 2012
I liked 'sharp objects' better than 'dark places' but still liked both books. Very dark stories but interesting
April 17, 2013
Out of all three of her books I've read, this one was my favorite. So many twist and turns.
January 20, 2016
Gone Girl her best. I was not overly fond of Sharp Objects in the least. Just didn't have the climatic tone Gone Girl and Dark Places did.
June 23, 2025
Dark spaces :
This is the story of the dysfunctional family and poor Libby Day who survived at age 7 the day when her mother, Patty Day, and sisters, Michelle and Debby, 11 and 9 were brutally murdered in there farm home by Ben, her strange brother, in the lonely rundown farmhouse that night which put him behind prison for 24 years.Libby is now 31, but she can't put it behind her, despite years of therapy.
But the pity money, that was holding her up is depleted immensely. She either has to find a job or sell the boxed up items her sisters and mother had until their murders, to 'kill clubs' - organized by mystery fans of serial killings and famous mass murders, offer came from Kill Club President Lyle Wirth, despite the hostility of the members towards her.
Lyle and friends supporting their belief Ben is innocent through info collected by them, when Libby looks at their information, she begins to have doubts.
In alternating chapters ,shifting between Ben and Patty in 1985 and Libby in Now, the past is lived and remembered once again. Her memories stirred by the boxed memorable of her sisters, as well as discovering her sister's Michelle's diaries, leads Libby to join with Lyle and begin to half-heartedly track down people who knew her family before they were murdered. After all, Libby had been 7. But first, she must go see Ben in prison, the first time since he was convicted, she still thinks he is guilty. But he is all she has left, and so she realizes she wants to find out what really happened that night.
As she re-interviews witnesses from the trial, Libby does not really consider what it might mean if she proves Ben did not do it. Because if he didn't, someone else did it.....and whoever that was may not like anything new being dug up now - unless it's to bury Libby. The night in question in novel is dark because whole family have something to hide from one another before the tragedy strikes.
Sharp objects:
This is a truly unique book, not only because of the plot, but main character and the story link up of timelines . This book made readers uncomfortable many times. My discomfort mainly from the actions of the main character and the choices she made. Camille is the kind of person, I had the urge to shake quite often while yelling at her to act like an adult. I believe that she is a well constructed character from the point of view of character psychology.
The plot was also fascinating yet typical. Two girls are brutally murdered in a small town and everything points to a serial killer. Camille, the main character, returns after many years to the town where she grew up to describe these crimes. It sounds like a typical story But here's what the author has done with this simple idea is truly unique. A small town turns out to be saturated with dark secrets and small crimes. Bored rich ladies raise their little ideal children who continue the family tradition of maintaining a strict hierarchy.
We see all this through the eyes of the main character, Camille, who, being daughter of one of the most important women in the town, is a part of this society and, due to her profession as a reporter and an escape from the town many years ago and people labelled her a rebel. At the same time, Camille has her own problems related to both alcohol abuse and deep mental problems. Her problems sometimes prevent her from discovering the truth, but amazingly, sometimes they help her put things into perspective. When truth of the murder came to light and people were put behind bars that was a satisfactory point in the novel.
This is the story of the dysfunctional family and poor Libby Day who survived at age 7 the day when her mother, Patty Day, and sisters, Michelle and Debby, 11 and 9 were brutally murdered in there farm home by Ben, her strange brother, in the lonely rundown farmhouse that night which put him behind prison for 24 years.Libby is now 31, but she can't put it behind her, despite years of therapy.
But the pity money, that was holding her up is depleted immensely. She either has to find a job or sell the boxed up items her sisters and mother had until their murders, to 'kill clubs' - organized by mystery fans of serial killings and famous mass murders, offer came from Kill Club President Lyle Wirth, despite the hostility of the members towards her.
Lyle and friends supporting their belief Ben is innocent through info collected by them, when Libby looks at their information, she begins to have doubts.
In alternating chapters ,shifting between Ben and Patty in 1985 and Libby in Now, the past is lived and remembered once again. Her memories stirred by the boxed memorable of her sisters, as well as discovering her sister's Michelle's diaries, leads Libby to join with Lyle and begin to half-heartedly track down people who knew her family before they were murdered. After all, Libby had been 7. But first, she must go see Ben in prison, the first time since he was convicted, she still thinks he is guilty. But he is all she has left, and so she realizes she wants to find out what really happened that night.
As she re-interviews witnesses from the trial, Libby does not really consider what it might mean if she proves Ben did not do it. Because if he didn't, someone else did it.....and whoever that was may not like anything new being dug up now - unless it's to bury Libby. The night in question in novel is dark because whole family have something to hide from one another before the tragedy strikes.
Sharp objects:
This is a truly unique book, not only because of the plot, but main character and the story link up of timelines . This book made readers uncomfortable many times. My discomfort mainly from the actions of the main character and the choices she made. Camille is the kind of person, I had the urge to shake quite often while yelling at her to act like an adult. I believe that she is a well constructed character from the point of view of character psychology.
The plot was also fascinating yet typical. Two girls are brutally murdered in a small town and everything points to a serial killer. Camille, the main character, returns after many years to the town where she grew up to describe these crimes. It sounds like a typical story But here's what the author has done with this simple idea is truly unique. A small town turns out to be saturated with dark secrets and small crimes. Bored rich ladies raise their little ideal children who continue the family tradition of maintaining a strict hierarchy.
We see all this through the eyes of the main character, Camille, who, being daughter of one of the most important women in the town, is a part of this society and, due to her profession as a reporter and an escape from the town many years ago and people labelled her a rebel. At the same time, Camille has her own problems related to both alcohol abuse and deep mental problems. Her problems sometimes prevent her from discovering the truth, but amazingly, sometimes they help her put things into perspective. When truth of the murder came to light and people were put behind bars that was a satisfactory point in the novel.
August 24, 2018
Avid Reader
I have finally finished reading book novels. Sharp Objects was excellent. I wanted to make sure that I finished reading it before I saw the series on HBO. I wasn't disappointed! The final episode airs this Sunday. If course,the book is better than the series, but that is expected. Any Adams does an excellent job as the haunted and traumatized protagonist who is also a cutter. Her mother and half-sis ter are two less in a pod. The ending is totally unexpected. I had a difficult time reading Dark Places because it drags at the beginning. The main character, Libby, simply turned me off because she made no effort to live life to the fullest. As a young girl her family was murdered, and she blamed her brother. He spent 24 years in prison for the crime, but he was not the killer. A group of supporters calling themselves The Kill Club met with Libby to discuss getting him out since he never appealed his conviction. This is when the story gets interesting. I had put it down prior to this point. The story is told from three perspectives: Libby, Ben,and Patty. We move from 1985 back to the present. If course, Patty is always in 1985 because that is when she was murdered.The real murderers are a surprise. Yes, there are two of them.
I have finally finished reading book novels. Sharp Objects was excellent. I wanted to make sure that I finished reading it before I saw the series on HBO. I wasn't disappointed! The final episode airs this Sunday. If course,the book is better than the series, but that is expected. Any Adams does an excellent job as the haunted and traumatized protagonist who is also a cutter. Her mother and half-sis ter are two less in a pod. The ending is totally unexpected. I had a difficult time reading Dark Places because it drags at the beginning. The main character, Libby, simply turned me off because she made no effort to live life to the fullest. As a young girl her family was murdered, and she blamed her brother. He spent 24 years in prison for the crime, but he was not the killer. A group of supporters calling themselves The Kill Club met with Libby to discuss getting him out since he never appealed his conviction. This is when the story gets interesting. I had put it down prior to this point. The story is told from three perspectives: Libby, Ben,and Patty. We move from 1985 back to the present. If course, Patty is always in 1985 because that is when she was murdered.The real murderers are a surprise. Yes, there are two of them.
July 27, 2018
I only read Sharp Objects in this -- I didn't realize it also had Dark Places in it until I had to return it, so this review is just for the former. It was definitely attention-grabbing, but more in a sensationalist way than because of anything substantive or truly interesting. I had also read repeatedly that Flynn's work is very feminist in its tone and approach, but if this book is any indication, that is really super not correct. Aside from the weird undertones of sexism from the protagonist (which, sure, maybe it's just internalized from her childhood, I could buy that), there's this pervasive message of "men aren't the only people who are bad! Women are also bad! Look how bad women are!" I was really disappointed at how this was handled. I think the typical assumption that a woman couldn't be the killer/villain/etc is definitely a rich vein to explore, but ignoring all of the shit that the men around them do just to highlight that WOMEN ARE BAD TOO left a really bad taste in my mouth.
March 6, 2025
Fast paced and well read.
Many will talk about how dark it is, but I think that's what pulls me in the most. By calling these characters dark, it glosses over the reality that so many people struggle with the issues in this book. And Gillian Flynn is not afraid to write about them and she writes about them very well. I've never read a more accurate description of alcoholism. I've heard the same about the self harm.
The characters are hard to love, but they're very well written, and very well thought out. The setting is palpable, I could feel the heat and smell the booze.
The crimey/detectivey part of the story is somewhat light. It doesn't take much time to put the pieces together, which can make the rest of the book slog a bit, and the ending wraps up rather cleanly, despite the messiness of the world within.
Small flaws in an otherwise excellent read.
Many will talk about how dark it is, but I think that's what pulls me in the most. By calling these characters dark, it glosses over the reality that so many people struggle with the issues in this book. And Gillian Flynn is not afraid to write about them and she writes about them very well. I've never read a more accurate description of alcoholism. I've heard the same about the self harm.
The characters are hard to love, but they're very well written, and very well thought out. The setting is palpable, I could feel the heat and smell the booze.
The crimey/detectivey part of the story is somewhat light. It doesn't take much time to put the pieces together, which can make the rest of the book slog a bit, and the ending wraps up rather cleanly, despite the messiness of the world within.
Small flaws in an otherwise excellent read.
April 28, 2020
Draws you in as the plot becomes increasinly sinister, but not my kind of story. Well written, but I don't care much for the boozing, self-harming main character. Too depressing. Started the second novel included, but think I'll just give it a pass. Don't need any more darkness in our lives right now.
Book was recommended by my library's e-book system after I started reading Simone St. James ghost stories. I was looking for something new, mysterious, and fairly light reading to take my mind off things.
Book was recommended by my library's e-book system after I started reading Simone St. James ghost stories. I was looking for something new, mysterious, and fairly light reading to take my mind off things.
July 12, 2018
Caution
If you enjoy reading about the dark places of humanity and feeling nauseated from the first word to the last, Gillian Flynn is your author. I strong-armed my gritting teeth through these two books. Never will I choose to read her again. Having said that, Ms. Flynn can weave a tail so completely and honestly it physically hurts. Obviously this style appeals to many, just not to me.
If you enjoy reading about the dark places of humanity and feeling nauseated from the first word to the last, Gillian Flynn is your author. I strong-armed my gritting teeth through these two books. Never will I choose to read her again. Having said that, Ms. Flynn can weave a tail so completely and honestly it physically hurts. Obviously this style appeals to many, just not to me.
November 7, 2024
This book was overly descriptive, drawn out, and it ultimately led to a painfully predictable and unsatisfying ending. The entire read felt grimy and the main character was utterly unlikable. I gave it a star because the author did a good job making everything absolutely disgusting, which I'm sure was the intention. To me, this book smells like unwashed feet and hot rotten vegetables in the bottom of a dirty kitchen sink.
November 8, 2018
After reading all three novels, I have definitely added a new favorite author to my list. Sometimes I saw the movie/series first, sometimes I read the book first. Very well done in any case.
A mind that conceives of Diondra and Amazing Amy is a storyteller i want to follow. The author doesn't get stuck in any class, and can tell a story from many perspectives. Love it!!
A mind that conceives of Diondra and Amazing Amy is a storyteller i want to follow. The author doesn't get stuck in any class, and can tell a story from many perspectives. Love it!!
July 2, 2018
Two for one ebook. Both books were psychological thrillers, had somewhat predictable twists, both were quick reads. I’m kind of tired of this genre though, the ruined-woman trope is overdone at this point. I feel like I’ve read quite a few of these and they all kind of play out the same.
August 10, 2018
I enjoyed both stories but sharp objects was definitely better in my opinion. The ending seems like more could have been said though in sharp objects. And the same with dark places. Dark places was hard to read because the main character is written to be so unlikable but relatable in a way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews