Jennifer Hillier is a new-to-me-author, and this was a thriller with a lot of twists and turns. I figured out several things early on, but it was still an enjoyable read. Child abuse, rape, neglect, lies, secrets, jealousy, murder, drama, suspense, and more! You want to root for Paris and hope things go in her favor.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Despite being a fan of Little Secrets, I didn’t get into this one for some reason. While I usually favour a calm start and a clever and subtle build up to any drama. This book starts straight away before you’ve got your bearings. It asked for investment from me that I just couldn’t give. Crime, prison, drama- and all from, more or less, the first page. I’ve already seen lots of rave reviews for it on Goodreads but unfortunately, it didn’t work out for me.

Three deaths, all connected by one woman. Did she kill any of them? Is she innocent? Were they even murders?! This was a WILD ride. I loved the pacing of this book. Hints were dropped pretty quickly so you could start piecing clues together early on while also adding more questions. (But you’re never left utterly confused or bored by lack of action or details.) The ending was SO satisfying to me. The pieces came together in a way that made sense and I was left feeling content. Even a little happy. (As happy as a book about murder can leave you.)

I’m grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Like one of her previous novels, “Jar of Hearts”, Jennifer Hiller’s newest book, “Things We Do in the Dark” is complex and multi-layered, told from multiple points of view that eventually converge to reveal a larger narrative.

There are four main characters:
Paris Peralta, Filipina fifth wife of a not quite retired comedian husband (“the chick who married the old guy”) and now accused of killing her rich husband;
Ruby Reyes, aka the Ice Queen, who killed her married lover 25 years ago and was convicted by her abused teen daughter’s diaries;
Drew, an investigative podcaster, incensed that this infamous inmate is getting out of prison early by now saying it was a #MeToo self-defense;
and Joey, the surviving teen daughter and former roommate of Drew, who did not get a happily ever after, became a stripper and later died in a fire before turning 21.

Ms. Hiller deftly weaves together threads that make these 4 initially separate stories into a compelling and tense thriller. The connections between the main characters are slowly revealed — there’s many relationships we can guess about ahead of time without surprising big reveals later on. As a reader, I had some self-satisfaction of realizing connections before they were verified, but I was still at a loss to guess the ultimate whodunnit about the very first death in chapter one. To any inevitable reviewers who claim that they had it figured out halfway — nope, not possible. 4.5 stars for this layered psychological thriller.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Although it’s just the cheap imitation, not Garfield, stuffed cat Chesterfield.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO The plants and landscaping fit in Seattle and Toronto. No palm trees were transplanted.

Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier

This is my third from the author and my third straight from her!!! Jennifer Hillier never disappoints and her suspense, characters, and multiple  timelines are just fantastic.

This book hooked me right away and never quit! The suspense never dulls and I was flipping pages so quickly! This felt fresh and original and has so many pieces - murder, glamour, romance, and mystery! Paris' character was interesting at the beginning but once she starts to reveal her history in slow and horrific details, you feel so many emotions for her and what she perseveres through.
This book publishes July 19. HUGE thank you to @minotaurbooks for my advanced copy!

Terrible...in the very best ways. Because this was such a heart wrenching, emotional read.

Jennifer Hillier's latest, Things We Do in the Dark, starts with the arrest of Paris Peralta, the decades-younger wife of Jimmy Peralta. Jimmy, an aging comic on the comeback trail, is in his bathtub, lying dead in a pool of water and his own blood. When the cops arrive, Paris is on the floor next to him, covered in his blood and clutching his straight razor--which was presumably used to kill him.

But for Paris, the arrest is not the worst thing. It's being thrown into the media spotlight. Because she's got a past she's been running from, and she'd rather spend the rest of her life in prison than have her former life resurrected.

Meanwhile, Ruby Reyes, convicted to life in prison herself for a crime eerily similar to Paris's, is being released early. And Ruby's claiming to know certain secrets about Paris that she'd rather keep buried.

The only question left is what will Paris do to avoid *another* murder charge?

Having only read Hillier's last book, Little Secrets, which I loved, I was eager to read her latest. And boy did it ever surpass my expectations. When I say the book was "terrible," I only mean that when we're introduced to Joey, an integral character in this novel, we're given a story so heartbreaking and tragic that's told with such emotion, empathy, and realism, it's hard not to think of so many girls living in her situation all around us. I was moved to tears more than once. Joey and Paris are survivors, full stop.

There' s plenty to love here, the hard content (there's much abuse of the page, though it's rarely graphic and written so as not to be exploitative) notwithstanding. My biggest complaint is that it's over and I'm suffering from a little book hangover.

This is a huge recommendation for me--for genre fans and for those of the author. It's solidified her as an auto-buy for me, and I'm looking forward to more in the future.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me to read this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Jennifer Hillier never disappoints and this is my favorite yet. There was never a dull point and the suspense kept me turning the page way past when I should’ve been asleep. I love thrillers and I feel like this had a fresh take and in a good way. The story flowed so well between the different timelines and the characters felt so genuine that you couldn’t help but root for Paris. I will be recommending it to anyone and everyone. I am so incredibly thankful to get this ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press!

This book has it all - a little seedy underbelly, a little glamour, a little murder, a little romance, a big mystery- I loved it. Paris' character seems a bit flat until she starts to tell her story, and her history of trauma reveals she thinks deep and says little - except when she needs to.

Especially revealing, as always, is Jennifer Hillier adding Filipino flair and history into every scene. It makes it especially personal and resonant.

Thanks for the early review copy, Net Galley!

Jennifer hillier is an auto-buy author for me and I was immediately intrigued by the plot of this story - the celebrity husband of a woman with her own secrets to hide is found murdered and she is accused of the crime, thus beginning to unravel the truth about her own dark past. I generally liked the pacing of this story, little bits from the past slowly leading to the revelation of who Paris Peralta is. Sometimes it felt a tiny bit scattered, the story of character Joey could have unfolded in a slightly more linear way, but ultimately this was a fun and satisfying read. And just when you think you have worked out the reveal, there is a final surprise in the last pages. This was an enjoyable thriller from an author I can always count on. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me this advanced copy for review.

NO SPOILERS

Have you ever read a book that you took your time reading because it was so good you didn't want it to ever end? That's exactly how I felt about this book!! Hillier is a fantastic writer and this book is no exception! There was never a dull point in the book. Her writing flowed beautifully! The story is told from different points of view weaving a suspense-filled thriller that will keep you up reading late into the night.

Thank you to Net Galley & St. Martin's Press for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.

Another engaging pageturner from Hillier. A recommended purchase for collections where thrillers and her previous titles are popular.

Jennifer Hillier is such a great author that while each book is different you can expect the same great attention to detail in the story line. The story here was also fantastic. Paris Peralta is finally living a quiet, safe life with the man she loves. But when she wakes up one morning to police pointing guns at her and accusing her of murdering her husband, she has to prepare for not just a murder trial, but also all of her secrets to get spilled for public consumption. Because hundreds of miles away in a Canadian women’s prison is Ruby Reyes, and Ruby knows a thing or two she shouldn’t. And she’s about to get out of prison. This is told In 5 parts and at different times reveals Paris’s past in slow, horrific detail. But just because she was raised in violence doesn’t mean she’s meant to repeat it…does it?

JH fans: you’re going to love this next hit!

Several different story lines and narrators work together to tell about Joelle and her abusive mother Ruby; Drew, the investigative reporter; Paris and her husband, Jimmy; and the ladies in his life. Dark and raw, this novel will keep you reading late into the night. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my review.

Paris Peralta is married to a wealthy older man. Her husband is a celebrity and she has managed to stay out of the spotlight for several years in spite of being married to him. Paris has a past that she would like to keep hidden. When Paris returns home early from a trip, she finds her husband dead in the bathtub. She is soon arrested, covered in blood and charged with his murder.

Twenty-five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, was arrested and is serving time in prison for a similar murder. Ruby knows all about Paris and her past and who she really is. When Ruby is released from prison early, she threatens to expose all of Paris's secrets. Paris has no other choice than to confront her past that she escaped. Will the truth be exposed? Will it destroy everything Paris has worked so hard to bury? OR will this all come crashing down and ruin her life forever.

Absolutely another great book from this author. She never seems to disappoint. I am very thankful to get this ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press! Be sure to add this to your list for its release on July 19, 2022.

( tw: physical abuse, implied sexual assault, slight gore, child abuse )

Things We Do In the Dark is a well written thriller that provides excellent representation of a well written character of color. The author does an excellent job of making the characters personable. You’re rooting for some of them, because you can’t be rooting for them all.

The writing is poignant and draws you in. You’re invested in this case because somehow it matters to you to. It’s somehow reminiscent of “Punisher” by Phoebe Bridgers. You feel pity and rage and sadness and it’s all in the span of a few minutes.

I read this on a flight and the turbulence properly reflected my thoughts and response to this novel. The twists are done well and paced immaculately. The only setback was the slowness of the beginning but you just have to be patient.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this free arc to me in exchange for an honest review.

Things We Do in the Dark
by Jennifer Hillier
Pub Date: 19 Jul 2022
4.5/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan for the ARC of this book.

Ever since I read Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier I’ve been obsessed. I was elated to be given this ARC of her upcoming book release.

Paris Peralta wakes up to find herself covered in blood, holding a straight razor, and arrested for the murder of her famous husband. This story is told in multiple POVs and flashbacks to Paris’ past. She’s a survivor and used to lying to protect herself. She’s willing to do anything to keep her past life secret. This book is a thrilling ride from start to finish, reminding us that revenge is, indeed, a dish best served cold.

I enjoyed this suspenseful story, and I would highly recommend it.

Paris Peralta is arrested for the murder of her celebrity husband, Jimmy, but did she really do it? And what secrets is she hiding? Paris is also being blackmailed by a convicted murderer, Ruby Reyes "The Ice Queen", who is about to get out of prison. So what does Ruby have on Paris? This is a really good mystery/suspense that has multiple POVs and weaves the past and present together seamlessly. Although not my favorite Hillier book (Jar of Hearts!!), I would recommend Things We Do in the Dark for anyone wanting a dark read.

This was a fun to read mystery. The book was filled with enough suspense to keep the reader turning the pages to see what happens next. Some interesting twists add to the enjoyment of the book. This is a book which I would recommend to others who like a good mystery.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

WOW. Firstly, I want to mention that I love Jennifer HIllier novels, so when I saw her newest on NetGalley, I knew I had to request it (VERY grateful to have been given a copy to read and review).

I devoured this book. I don't even really know where to start - the story line itself was so twisted and something new that I haven't seen in other thrillers I've read, it was a good break from your typical husband / wife murder. Paris, the main character, was easy to like and believe, although you knew from the get go she had her fair share of secrets.

The novel switched between a few different story lines, all intertwined, and all wrapped up quite nicely at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed how everything worked together. I definitely saw 1 of the major twists coming (well I had more of a hunch than anything), however everything else was played out so well, I wasn't expecting the twists presented.

I highly recommend adding this to your TBR.

This was a well written book, jumping between POVs and time periods pretty seamlessly. This felt like a book where the narrative didn't really rely on the twists so even when you saw them coming it didn't take away from the overall story. Paris was an incredibly sympathetic character too and I loved that you never once had to doubt that she did in fact love her husband; that being taken out of the narrative and not questioning that made it much more than just a murder-mystery/girl with a past story and the way it trickled out really led you to understand them.