Pleasant Valley Library Online Book Group discussion

Post your thoughts and comments about Things We Do in the Dark here -

"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."

I really enjoyed this book when I listened to it! I’m excited to see what others think

Stephanie wrote: "I really enjoyed this book when I listened to it! I’m excited to see what others think"

It looks so good, and it's a new author for me - looking forward to it!

Has anyone been reading - or finished - Things We Do in the Dark? If so, what do you think about it?

This is the first book I've read by Jennifer Hillier, and I think her author bio description is apt: "Jennifer Hillier imagines the worst about people, and then writes about it."

It's a pretty dark book, dealing with some topics that are so disturbing that I think the content warning on the copyright page is appropriate. Fortunately, most of the really harrowing stuff happened off-page.

And the main villain was one of the most despicable characters I've seen in a book. To me, the character was so over-the-top vile - nearly a "mustache-twirling" stereotype. And I thought the explanation for her behavior (view spoiler)[ (Ruby's own mother was a horrible, abusive person, so she became one, too) (hide spoiler)] could have been more detailed and complex - it could have made the villain seem more realistic to me.

I think Paris was an interesting character, and I could definitely see how her past affected her present. Some of the things she did didn't make sense to me, though. (view spoiler)[ Like, couldn't she have gotten new roommates when Drew and his girlfriend moved out, instead of getting involved in the dangerous world of the strip club? And, if it was so necessary to keep her secrets that she "killed off" her past self and took on a whole new persona, then why did she marry Jimmy, who (even though he was mostly retired) was a celebrity? (hide spoiler)]

I liked Jennifer Hillier's writing style - how she ended each chapter with a snappy, cliff-hanging line that made me want to go on to the next chapter - and how the story went back and forth between present and past, and was told from several of the characters' viewpoints. I did figure out the plot twists before they were revealed, though. But that didn't affect my enjoyment of the book.

And I have to add that I was really amused that Jimmy's old TV show was "The Prince of Poughkeepsie" - I've noticed that Poughkeepsie is mentioned in several of the books I've read, and movies and TV shows I've watched - I guess it could be because the name is so unique and memorable! But it's remarkable that the author - who lives in Ontario - knows about Poughkeepsie and referenced it in the book!

I could say a lot more, but let's hear what you all think of Things We Do In The Dark!