Dark Places

by Gillian Flynn

Libby Day was seven when her family was murdered: she survived by hiding in a closet - and famously testified that her older brother Ben was the killer.

Twenty-five years later the Kill Club - a secret society obsessed with notorious crimes - gets in touch with Libby to try to discover proof that may free Ben. Almost broke, Libby agrees to go back to her hometown to investigate - for a fee.

But when Libby's search uncovers an unimaginable truth, she finds herself right back where she started: on the run from a killer.

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Gillian 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

Reviews

[Kavonne Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn kept me intrigued enough to find out who was behind it all, but the pacing felt slow at times. While the twists were solid, the story dragged in places and didn’t fully grip me. Overall, an okay read.

[Dalton Akos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very grimey/gritty, shot through a blue lens. A really interesting mystery that takes time to unpack, throwing you for a loop at the end. Not lazy writing by any means, but maybe revealing of the nonsensical nature of crime.

[Chantal Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giving it 4* as this girls writing skills are 👌🏻 however I was torn between giving it a 3 or 4 just based on those skills as I was quite disturbed

[Renea King · Rating 4 out of 5]

a gripping, twisted mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish. The writing is sharp and the characters are incredibly well-developed, especially Libby, whose brokenness feels raw and real. Flynn does an amazing job creating a haunting atmosphere and weaving together timelines to slowly reveal the truth.

The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is that it felt a bit too dark at times—some scenes were heavier than I expected. Still, it’s a powerful, chilling read that I couldn’t put down.

[Theresa Leone Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. I only read Gillian Flynn once (Sharp Objects) and though I don’t remember it, I know I liked it. But this one, about one of only two members who survive the slaughter of their family, is told mostly through the eyes of the woman who lost her family and whose brother is in prison for the crime. She decides to look further into what happened that night, and secret after secret is revealed. A perfect mystery. HIGHLY recommend!

[Devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second time reading - Still a 5 star read. One of my absolute favorite thrillers.

[Kristy Tomasello · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.50 stars rounded up! I really enjoyed this, lots of twists and one of the twists really got me!! 👏👏
definitely recommend this!!

[jada · Rating 3 out of 5]

three and a half**

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pacing felt slow and the story dragged in places.

[Jerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Solid story. Good twist. ended well. just good.