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.

This is my third Hillier book and I’m freaking RUNNING to buy her others! This woman can WRITE!!! I truly enjoy the way the story flows between characters and timelines. I love learning a little about each character over time. Mostly though I love the story itself. Interesting and intriguing and sometimes I wonder if I’m meant to like, dislike, love, or hate each character and my thoughts and feelings change throughout the book. I loved the way this book ended just like I loved the endings of her other books. Sometimes I love the writing in a book only to hate the ending. Hillier has a talent for writing endings that are so strong. Brilliant author!

Hillier’s best yet! Paris Peralta has had a rough life. With an abusive uncaring mother, who let her be abused by many others, Paris is happy to live a quiet life with the man she has fallen in love with. When her husband gets murdered and she is blamed, Paris is afraid that the anonymity she has worked to protect is now in jeopardy. With this murder charge, people from her past are coming back to haunt her, especially her mother who is being released from prison after being convicted on her own murder charge. Excellent, fast paced, multilayered story that is impossible to put down. I have read all of Hillier’s books and this one is her best!

Intergenerational trauma and its harrowing legacy is explored as we race along a well crafted plot. We are guided by an incredible survivor of a protagonist who shows us how to be a phoenix: with courage. An excellent thriller with a duo who I'd love to see show up in a subsequent novel.

Wow! Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier was a page-turner that kept me up way too late. If you enjoy thrillers with twists, this book is for you. Very engaging and exciting! I look forward to more by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC copy of this book! Jennifer Hillier is one of my must read authors.

This whole book screams Destiny’s Child-“Survivor.” I thought the book was well written. I learned a few things about the Filipino culture as well.
This was a slow burn mystery, and even though I figured out most of the twists, it didn’t bother me at all! I loved the blurbs of song lyrics before each part of the book. It really tied in with what was about to happen.
I would definitely recommend this book!

I was beyond excited to get the chance to read Jennifer Hilliers latest book!! She is one of my top 10 authors and I had just finished reading The Butcher to be caught up on all her books! Things We Do In The Dark was amazing start t finish! Paris charged with the murder of her famous husband was just the start of the story with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat until the last word!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is a must read!! Thanks netgalley!! Publish date July 19,2022

It’s so unfair. Had this book been written by anyone else, I would probably have rated it four stars. But since it’s Jennifer Hillier’s and those not generally but always stun me into shock and amazement, I feel disappointed and want to give it three stars. I won’t though just because of my expectations, because again; it’s unfair. However, this is the first time a Hillier thriller doesn’t work for me. Yet, everything was in place: great characters—the good and bad ones—intricate plot, mystery of course. BUT a) I easily got the twists, and b) it was too slow-burning for me.
Hillier remains on my shelves of favorite authors nonetheless; and I will keep reading her—and expecting hugely from her :)

“There’s a time and place for erect nipples, but the back of a Seattle police care definitely isn’t it.”
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Paris Peralta is startled to find herself covered in blood, in her husbands bathroom surrounded by police. All she remembers is her husband, hitting her head and now the police and Zoeys screams that she murdered Jimmy. Everything happens so quickly now she’s facing a murder charge, grieving her husband and worrying about her secret.
Drew Malcolm never got over the death of his one true love, Joey Reyes. She died too soon, a house fire they said. When the twenty five year marks the release of her mother, Ruby Reyes. The ice Queen, arrested for the murder of her lover and the child abuse of her daughter Joey. Drew plans to run a special about the ice Queen on his podcast “things we do in the dark” only to uncover secrets long buried.
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“But sometimes, the only way to start over is to burn it all down.”
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As Paris burns yet another letter from the ice Queen she is faced with figuring out how to handle this situation. The secrets she left in the past are threatening to expose her. Ruin everything she has worked for, threatening her very being….Ruby is black mailing Paris, requesting money for her silence, for keeping her secret. But the real question is, how are these two connected?
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Finished in 4 hours! ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR LIST. Right now. Seriously, wherever you buy books - preorder now or add to your list. You definitely want to read this one!! This was awesome!

Thank you #netgalley and #stmartinspress #minotaur books for the eARC.

First and foremost I’d like to thank NetGalley and St. Martins Press for my gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. The mystery. The characters. The twists. I love how expressive the author is when showing us details and man oh man… the character development. Gahh. I wish I could read for the first time again. This book is going to stick with me for a long time.

📖: Things We Do In The Dark
✍🏼: Jennifer Hillier
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️// 5
Release Date🗓: July 19, 2022

🤔💭: First off, thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press (Minotaur Books) for providing me an eARC and I am voluntarily leaving my review! This one definitely hooks you in and is told from multiple points of view and flashbacks to past and present which show us how all these stories are connected to each other. Paris Peralta wakes up horrified to discover her celebrity husband dead, she’s covered in blood with the alleged murder weapon, which doesn’t look good for her when the cops arrive. Now with all the heightened media attention surrounding this case, Paris is worried that someone from her long, hidden past will recognize her and destroy this new life that she worked so hard to build. Now let’s flashback to twenty five years prior, Ruby Reyes known as “The Ice Queen” was convicted of a brutal murder that was pretty high profile in Canada in the 90s. Ruby knows who Paris really is and when she’s set to be released from prison, she threatens to expose all of Paris’ deep hidden secrets. Paris must confront the dark past she escaped while also having to deal with her current situation. This book definitely had some dark and twisted elements with some twists along the way.

Recommend: ✅ Definitely would recommend so make sure you add to your TBR for when this is released in July! 👍🏼

Ok. I have to confess, I moved this book to the top of my list immediately after receiving it, and I am so glad I did. I always enjoy reading anything by Jennifer Hillier, and this was no exception.
Hard to do a deep dive without giving anything away, but Paris Peralta has a complicated life. When her husband is found dead, her past intersects with her present, and we realize what she was running from.

First line from the book:
“There’s a time and a place for erect nipples, but the back of a Seattle police car definitely isn’t it.”

Now you know why I love Jennifer Hillier! From that first line alone, she got me well and good hahahahah!

I might be a tad biased since she is my all-time favorite thriller author, but all I can say after reading Things We Do in the Dark is that she did it again!!! Hands down 5 freaking stars for this book! There wasn’t a single moment where I wasn’t on edge — she just kept the suspense coming from start to finish.

As I’ve come to expect from JH books, the characters are always alluringly flawed with heart wrenching backstory, and like a moth to a flame, I’m always drawn to them. Probably because she exposes their vulnerability despite having questionable personalities. This book is not an exception. Paris Peralta is not your usual goody goody main character. She had a past and even though we can somehow guess what it was that she ran away from, we still get a lot of surprise plot twists along the way! Drew Malcolm is another character that I enjoyed reading. His investigation into Joey’s death was very thorough and I like his methodical approach and calm demeanor.

If her previous book Little Secrets was “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”, then the theme for Things We Do in the Dark is “I'm a survivor; I'm gonna make it; I will survive; keep on surviving”! Joey Reyes’ story is perhaps the most heartbreaking — she suffered so much and you really want to put her mother Ruby Reyes behind bars!!! You just can’t help but want to root for Joey to have HEA!

I’d like to laud JH for doing a thorough research and giving us a great insight into the work of poll dancers/strippers. It was written very tastefully.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Kudos to the author as well for having Filipino characters in the story. Although in her previous books there’s always extra Filipinos mentioned, they weren’t as prominent and as integral part of the story as in this book. And because this is JH, expect some gruesome elements to be included. Some trigger warning: child abuse, sexual abuse, violence, and murder.

This book comes out on July 19, 2022. I know it is still a long wait, but you can pre-order it already! I promise you’ll not only get a twisty and nail-biting thriller but also an intensely satisfying story!

Thanks to @netgalley for my e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.