4.5 stars
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TW; Child Abuse, Sexual Assault, Murder, Cancer, Suicide, Blood, Emotional Abuse, Physical Abuse, Racial Slurs.
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What a dark and twisted book! Jennifer Hillier has done it again, just when I had things figured out another twist was thrown into the plot that would leave my jaw dropping to the floor. Paris Peralta is arrested in her own home for the murder of her comedian-husband, Jimmy Peralta. All clues point to her doing it, but she's insistent on not being able to murder her husband. I will admit, I had doubts about her story and about what she is capable of. What makes things worse, is she's being blackmailed by Ice Queen, Ruby Reyes - who knows one secret that could ruin Paris even more.

On the opposite side of the world, Drew Malcolm - podcast host of "Things We Do in the Dark" starts an in-depth investigation on Ruby Reyes as she gears up for her big prison release. Drew plays a huge part in the story as he used to be roommates with Ruby's daughter pretty much up until her death. Drew will stop at nothing for revenge on Ruby and redemption for his friend who he let down many, many years ago. I really enjoy how Jennifer Hillier nods to her Canadian roots and incorporated Toronto into the narrative. At first, I was wondering where Drew came into the story, but it became clear very fast where he played part in it.

I really enjoyed the ending of the book, although I had figured some of the plot out it was still super interesting to see where the story went. I read this in a day, because I just couldn't put it down!
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the 2nd book I’ve read by Jennifer Hillier (the first being Little Secrets) and it did 👏 not 👏 disappoint 👏

This book starts with a BANG 💥 and the pacing is fast the entire way through. I flew through this one and while I thought I had everything figured out…….. I definitely didn’t 🤯

I found myself about 80% of the way through this book and had sooooo many unanswered questions. I was making myself frustrated because I couldn’t imagine how I was so close to the end and felt like there was 500 pages worth of explanations I still needed. But, of course, by the end I had every question answered. This book left me wanting more and more. I was so invested in multiple characters that I wouldn’t mind a follow up of what everyone’s lives are like 5 years later

This book was chaotic the entire time, but I say that in the BEST possible way!!!! I thought I knew what to expect along the way and then there was a twist that was done so perfectly I didn’t see it coming. I love books that answer all my questions but DON’T end in a tied up little bow that’s seems unreasonably perfect.

If you’re looking for a book that’s going to keep you hooked the whole way through, put this one on your radar!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Jennifer Hillier has yet to let me down and this is no exception!

Paris wakes up with a bump on her head and surrounded by police while she’s holding what appears to be the weapon used to murder her husband.

But, Paris has a huge secret and that secret is seemingly drawing nearer and about to reveal itself to the world if she’s not careful.

Told in 6 points and different POV, this one grabbed me from the start and had me up late finishing it! Some twists I saw coming, but not all.

If you’ve loved other JH books, this one is a must read!

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a thriller! This was a fun and exciting read. Lots of curveballs and layers that kept me from putting the book down. Some things I saw coming, some I didn’t. Clever plot with great characters. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

I know this book is labeled a “thriller,” but it’s so much more than that because all of the characters are so well drawn and there is so much happening outside of the actual mystery. I was sucked into the story from the first page and didn’t really put it down until the last, which is the mark of not only a great storyteller, but also a great writer. I enjoyed the author’s prose almost as much as the twisting storyline and underlined quite a few passages.

All that said, this book is very dark with trigger warnings of violence, murder, rape, child abuse and neglect, drugs, and sociopathic ideology. I felt the author did justice to the main character’s horrific childhood with strings satisfyingly tied up at the end. I was rooting for her, even if the circumstances and her choices were often not ideal.

Big thanks to Netgalley and Jennifer Hillier for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Jennifer Hillier’s gritty Jar of Hearts was unforgettable, so when I heard about this new book I knew that this was a MUST read for me.

Paris Peralta is jolted from her idyllic, peaceful life by waking up on the bathroom floor with her dead, older, celebrity husband Jimmy laying in a tub full of blood. She can’t remember how she got there, and this starts a chain of events that leaves her never the same.

The story is told in 6 different points in time from various characters. Jennifer Hillier masterfully writes a suspenseful, twisty and shocking story that will tear your heartstrings out for her vulnerable characters. suspenseful, twisted and shocking. Hillier’s writing is phenomenal and sucks the reader into the story immediately; she brings you down one path, leads you to believe certain things and then pulls the rug from under you many times. You never know what to expect in her books.

The book has dark themes such as abuse, rape, murder, drugs, trafficking, and bad family dynamics. These are normally cringe-worthy topics; however, I couldn’t stop reading because each mini-storyline came together to tell a fascinating mystery. Every character is flawed and complex, and many are likeable. I rooted for Paris to overcome her circumstances and succeed.

This book is about love, marriage, motherhood, relationships, survival, and murder. Jennifer Hillier is one of my very favorite authors due to her suspense-building plots, complex characters, and atmospheric settings. Her storytelling abilities are the stuff of legends. I highly recommend this book!

3.5 / 5 Stars
Pub date: July 19, 2022

Jimmy Peralta, a famous comedian, is found dead in his tub. The police find his wife, Paris, on the floor next to him holding a straight razor. When Paris is arrested for his murder, she is more worried about her past than the impending conviction. Because Paris is a woman with secrets… and a woman named Ruby, a convicted murderer, knows them.

I liked that the book was divided into parts and told in alternating viewpoints. I also liked that it spanned over 25 years. I figured out one of the twists early on, so that was a little disappointing, but it was still a very well thought out plot.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Things We Do in the Dark is the third book I've read by Jennifer Hillier, and she's become an author who has cemented herself on my must-read thriller/mystery genre author list. I've come to greatly appreciate the way she writes thrillers. I loved the way this book, and her last two, have captured my attention from the very first page and never let it go. The pace of her books is fast and furious. I was riveted by Paris's arrest and the death of her husband. I couldn't wait to find out what the truth was. Then, there was the Ice Queen murderess Ruby Reyes stuff and all the characters surrounding that. I was just as into that part of the story. I loved how Hillier gave us little clues and pieces to assemble throughout the entire book. The revelations didn't all come at the end in one big moment but were served up in a way that made the story fly by. I liked that. It was different but no less intense. There were so many pieces of the puzzle and I loved them all. The only thing I would have liked more involvement of was Drew's podcast, and that is such a small thing in the scope of what was happening in this book. It was a fun thriller to read. I can't wait to find out what is next from Hillier.

What an absolute world wind!!
I will be having nightmares about Rudy “the Ice Queen” tonight.
Though Paris has had a hard life, losing someone you love is incredibly painful and Paris has lost a lot of loved ones.

*spoiler
Very happy to hear that she stepped all over Charles neck!!

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

This was the creeptastic, twisty, raw, and mesmerizing thriller. Jennifer Hillier is one of the best in this genre and I will read everything she writes. Do not miss this thriller with characters you'll love and hate and settings and past stories that weave into a huge ending! WOWZA! I didn't want it to end.

Jennifer Hillier writes literary thrillers with a feminist center. Things We Do In The Dark is another winner from one of my favorite authors. Cleverly structured with just enough not explained to keep you invested in the story and the plot keeps revealing the twists as we rush through the pages. Bold bright characters you can see in your mind as you learn of their lives and the secrets that shape them. A murder mystery wrapped around a domestic noir - what could be better?

Wow ! This book has everything I love about thrillers. Perfect amount of suspense and mystery. Lots of great characters and a great story ! This is the story of Ruby and Joey . I love the flipping between past and present . The twists in this book!!! OMG!!! Love!! I actually didn't want to do anything but read this book because it just stays in your head and you have to finish! If I could I would give 10 stars I would it is by far the best book I have read in awhile. Highly recommend to suspense fans that love twists!

I’m happy to say, 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙒𝙚 𝘿𝙤 𝙄𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠 is the book that finally broke my two-month long aversion to third-person narratives! Yay!

That said, I really really really wish it had been a first-person narrative. 🤪 I just find thrillers so much more thrilling when it feels like I’m in the mind of the killer or whomever the narrator happens to be in the story. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Overall though, this was a great read and my first Jennifer Hillier novel (I know, I know…). The story was captivating from the start and I didn’t want to put it down—always a good indication of well-written novel. Hillier’s prose is addicting, making it easy to get sucked into a “just one more chapter” day of reading.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for the gifted eARC!

Shout out to Net Galley for the advanced copy of The Things We Do In The Dark. This book releases in May!

Full of twists and turns, different POVs, based in Canada, and page-turning excitement, This book will keep you on your toes.

Jennifer Hillier is quickly becoming a favorite author. This book isn't as gory as Jar Of Hearts but still has the same level of excitement.
The reader should go into this book knowing nothing. It is hard to write a review without spoiling this. I will just say one of the best books of 2022! (less)

Hillier’s books are always SOO well thought out and plotted meticulously and Things We Do in the Dark is no exception.

Even though the big twist happens halfway through the book, it doesn’t make it any less putdownable. And there are plenty of little twists along the way. Her storytelling is so smart, I never feel cheated as a reader.

I don’t read thrillers as often as I used too, but I am so glad I picked this one up and will continue to read all of her books!

As a GTAer as well, I loved all the local references!

Thank you Minotaur and NetGalley for this galley.

You need to put this on your TBR list for 2022 RIGHT NOW!

What does a murder in Toronto in the 90s have to do with a recent murder in Seattle. Read this book to find out!

The way this book is written sucks you right in and you will not be able to put it to down. Really enjoyed the different POVs and twists and turns.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an advanced digital copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Un-put-downable. Amazing story, and characters that grab ahold of you and refuse to let go until the last page.

Another dark and twisted thriller thanks to Jennifer Hillier and Minotaur Books. Things We Do in the Dark is about a famous comedian’s wife, Paris, who is found covered in blood holding a razor by her dead husband’s body. Though this looks bad, it’s not the only thing on her mind. She is really worried about all the media attention surrounding his death and the media attention it will bring her. Paris has spent years running from her past and building a new life. 25 years before, Ruby, a convicted murderer, was sent to prison for a similar crime. She knows who Paris really is, and threatens to expose all her secrets.

Thoughts: Hillier’s writing is phenomenal and sucks the reader into the story immediately. The different perspectives kept my attention the whole time and I loved hearing about Paris as the main character. I read the book in a few hours and loved the progression of the story. It was super dark and has trigger warnings of child abuse, violence, rape, and drugs. The characters are ones you can root for and want to learn more about.

All the components of the story came together to create a great narrative and wonderful mystery. I predicted all of the twists in this story which was too bad, but it was still fun to see my guesses played out. I was hoping for a big twist or reveal, but even though that didn’t happen, I liked the twists that did happen. If you read a lot of thrillers you will know exactly where this book is going but you will love the build of the story. As always, Hillier writes amazing characters, a compelling story, and a twisted mystery. 4-stars!

Jennifer Hillier has done it again! I’ve been a huge fan of hers since I read Jar of Hearts a few years ago, so when I saw this listed, I immediately snapped it up. I was not disappointed! Although Little Secrets remains my favorite of her novels, Things We Do in the Dark is a close second. The pacing of the story was perfect as usual. Hillier is really great at giving her readers just enough to keep them hooked, but not one bit more, so you’re always at a 9 out of 10 on the urgency scale. I can never put her novels down, which explains why I finished this one so quickly. Although I did see one major twist coming, it was handled so artfully that I didn’t mind at all. This was a near-perfect thriller and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read it early. I already can’t wait to read what she puts out next.