Getting arrested in your own bathroom for killing your husband is such an interesting and unique concept. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into this book. I picked it up so many times and despite the interesting concept, it fell flat for me and I couldn't get through it.

This may have been a smash hit for many others but it didn't really do it for me. This is my third Jennifer Hillier book and I liked the other two much more (LITTLE SECRETS, JAR OF HEARTS... well, I DNFed CREEP so there's also that). I just don't seem to connect with her writing and there just wasn't enough pulling me in to keep this story exciting and interesting. I felt like too much time was spent in the past and I usually don't like when a past storyline overtakes a present storyline, depending on how the book is done. This was one of those times.

The twists really didn't seem to do it for me either. There was one thing at the end that I actually didn't piece together because I wasn't look to, but it didn't bowl me over either. It was a nice little punch to toss in at the end, but it wasn't enough for me to add on any stars or anything.

I guess I also just didn't really connect to the content of the story. I didn't love the backstory full of abuse and the stripper job. That does make for a logical step to lead to any character protecting themselves or loved ones against an abuser so that leads to a murder victim story line, but it was a strong focus and a constant one and it made me disconnect instead of feeling more for the characters. I also just really didn't connect to the main emotionally characters at all. Could be because of their trauma but it prevented me from make that leap.

I can see how this is a thrill for others but it just wasn't my cup of tea. Not bad, but just not usually the things that line up to make an amazing thriller for my personal tastes.

"Things We Do in the Dark" by Jennifer Hillier is just not for me. I tried listening to the book and reading the digital ARC, but I couldn't finish this one. I wanted to like the book and the author because so many people have recommended the books to me, but unfortunately, this is a DNF.

WOW this was good. From the very beginning I was sucked in. I felt like I was watching a super intense movie the whole time, it was so vivid and so good. I stayed up way too late finishing because I could not put this book down.
I really liked that the author listed the trigger/content warnings at the beginning, I think all authors should do that.

Jennifer Hillier always hits it out of the park and Thing We Do in the Dark was no different. This was a fascinating story with gripping details. The plot thickens in every chapter as you wonder what the outcome will be. I received an ebook and audio copy and went back and forth between the two so that when I couldn't have the book in my hands, I could read it while driving. Read this one in 2 days! Will always look forward to everything Hillier writes!

I love how layered this book was. Told from multiple perspectives and timelines, though it’s not overwhelming or confusing. I guessed all the twists from the beginning but I don’t care it was a terrific read.

Okay, okay maybe holding a straight razor being covered in blood, while your murdered husband in the bathtub looks guilty. BUT Paris Peralta didn't do it! Or so she says.

To make matters... more creepy... twenty five years earlier a very similar crime happened that had Canada absolutely (terrifyingly) riveted. The woman convicted is called "The Ice Queen" and she is out of prison, and she knows Paris' secret.

"Because the only thing worse than a murder charge are two murder charges."

*dun dun dun*

It's such a fun thriller, 4/5 stars. It had plot twists I did NOT see coming, which is always great! Recommend for those who love a true crime vibe. The narrator also did a great job!

*Gifted by Netgalley & Minotaur Books - thank you! All opinions are my own.

The beginning showed great potential, and as a fan of the author's previous work, I was eager to dive in. One aspect that I genuinely appreciated was the pace of the book—it kept me engaged throughout. However, despite the brisk tempo, the overall storyline turned out to be rather conventional and lacked the dark and twisty qualities that I've come to relish in Hillier's writing. The final confrontation, unfortunately, felt somewhat lackluster, and despite the favorable pacing, this one didn't quite meet my expectations, particularly as a fan of the author's earlier works. It could also be that i read too many thrillers so most things seem obvious to me.

Thank you Macmillan audio and Netgalley for the ALC.

THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK by Jennifer Hillier
Publication: July 19,2022
Macmillan Audio (Minotaur Books)
Narrated by: Carla Vega
Running Time: 11 Hours, 50 Minutes


Another amazing immersive mystery thriller from the pen of Jennifer Hillier. I was lucky enough to experience the Audio Book version with the wonderful performance of Carla Vega. This talented narrator brought the many characters to life with varying voices that easily allowed differentiation of the varied voices and accents. This version truly brought the story to life in the theatre of my mind. The tale is told in two time lines, with each having a relevant mystery and murder. Twenty five years ago Ruby Reyes was convicted of initially child abuse and soon after the murder of her married lover, bank president Charles Baxter. Was Baxter also guilty of abusing her daughter, Joelle Reyes? “Joey” denies it at the trial. That was “then” … but we also follow the rough life of “Joey” …. forced to live with her resentful and mean aunt and grandmother, rather than being placed in foster care. Joey soon learns that her “bad mom” was raised by another “bad mom” … history relentlessly repeating itself. We’ll follow her life after she runs away, and strives for successful independence. She is the roommate of Drew Malcolm and his girlfriend, and becomes emotionally attached to Drew. Later in her life she finds it necessary to become a stripper to make ends meet. She is doomed to inadvertently get involved with crime and drugs … and eventually murder.
The “now” story abruptly drops us into the murder of Seattle comedian, Jimmy Peralta. His fifth wife, Paris Peralta, comes home from a Yoga conference in Vancouver, in the early hours of the morning. She finds her husband Jimmy in his blood filled bathtub with his femoral artery slashed. After years of retirement from the successful TV show, The Prince of Poughkeepsie, he had just made a startling comeback with a recent successful comedy special. Paris says in her confusion she grabbed the bloody straight razor, and while trying to check to see if he was still alive, slipped, hit her head and passed out. Jimmy’s oldest friend, and lawyer, attorney Elsie Dixon is prepared initially to help Paris with her defense. The media naturally assumes that the “gold digging” wife killed Jimmy for his money. This is not Paris’s first brush with murder… hopefully her secrets and previous life will not be revealed.
Ruby is about to be paroled after twenty five years for “good behavior.” Drew Malcolm is a noted podcaster, and the Baxter murder by the “Ice Queen” had captivated his attention, even in his youth. Hearing of her imminent release, he decides to dedicate an upcoming true crime podcast to the “Ice Queen.”
Hillier proves to be a masterful storyteller as she weaves the multiple plot lines together with escalating suspense and intrigue. She explores themes of child abuse, murder, and long term friendships and love with her multi-layered character development. A surprising , but satisfying denouement gradually unfolds as the layers of mystery are pealed back. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for supplying an advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

CW: child abuse, sexual abuse, racism...really bad people

I was debating between 3 and 4 stars for this one. I liked it, but it was bordering on too dark for me to recommend. It's a catch 22. Part of what makes the story work is understanding some horrible things that have happened, but reading about all of those horrible things is stomach-churning. I ate a lot of Tums getting through this book.

I did enjoy the getting to know the main character and seeing how things played out. I love a good twist! I might have preferred it to be less graphic, but I went in knowing that it was probably going to be unsettling.

Thank you @Netgally for my ALC. All opionions are my own.

I loved this book. It is fast-past and kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time. Told in alternating POVs with details slowly coming out. The characters are well developed and full of depth. I enjoyed getting to know each character and their backstories added to the plot as well as characters.

While some of the book is predictable, it didn't take away from the story nor did I see the final twist coming! I highly recommed this book and I look forwaed to more from this author!

This book was such a fun ride. I loved how it kept you guessing. I did enjoy the narrator as well.
Thank you!!

I really enjoyed this one. Read like Real Housewives meets your favorite thriller. Great twists and reveal.

Jennifer Hillier early on has become and auto buy author for me. When I seen Things We Do in the Dark written by yours truly, you already know, I couldn’t hit request from NetGalley fast enough. Many BIG thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for my gift copies of this stunningly amazing read. Jennifer did it again, y’all. Knocked it our the park!!! Wowza, 5 Glowing STARS!! Her writing style never disappoints for me and this new book didn’t either.

Jennifer has a natural talent when it comes to character and plot development. She pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. The plot unfolded masterfully and made this book so binge worthy. I just couldn’t stop listening once I started it. I had the pleasure of receiving a physical Glow in the Dark edition of this book and I enjoyed listening along to the audiobook so much while reading along with the physical book. What a reading experience it was.

Jennifer gave us a fantastic thriller about an abusive mother and her relationship with her daughter. I was invested. If I said it wasn’t a little predictable, I’d be lying. But did I still love the book, YES, I did. I highly recommend. Happy Reading!!

"While you can reinvent yourself, you can't outrun yourself." Every time I read a Jennifer Hillier book I just always find myself thinking "there is no way that this will be able to outdo the last" and then somehow they just keep getting better and better? Like truly what is this witch craft? This book was dark, the characters at times were unlikable, but it just made the story that much better. Were any of my theories right? No. But did I still love this book anyways and probably even more because of that? Absolutely.

Let me start by saying that Jar of Hearts is one of my all-time favorite thrillers. I keep picking up Jennifer Hillier's newest releases because of my love for that book, and I keep getting disappointed - since that book, her go-to writing strategy seems to be to turn these books into slow burn mysteries, and while I would say they're *suspenseful," I wouldn't necessarily call them "thrillers." This book had such an interesting premise but it was one of the most predictable thrillers I have ever read: I called the main "twist" like 3 chapters into this book.

Thank. you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC.

I was excited to read this book. I had heard really good things about thrillers by Jennifer Hillier. Things We Do in the Dark left me a little underwhelmed. The narrator did not do the voices well (not enough differences by the characters). I also thought the murder plot and the person who did it was a little predictable. I did like the sub-story and the background of the main character. Some of the themes, such as child abuse may be triggering to some readers. The sub-story made me hate the mother in the story intensely. She was so vile and greedy.

Wow what a good book! I was excited to read this, even though it was my first of Jennifer Hillier, and I was so pleased. The writing was really good and transportive. The narrator was fantastic and made you feel like you were with the characters as they told their story. Gosh, I loathed one of the main characters and that was tough to handle, but Hillier wrote her so well. This book was well thought out, skillfully executed, and addictive. I am excited to read more from Jennifer Hillier!

WOW this book was intense in all the right ways! Paris was such an unlikely hero, and initially unlikable but I was quickly hooked! I read this months ago, and there are scenes still lingering with me. Definitely a dark mystery, not the cozies I'm used to, but not gratuitously gory or overly-dramatic. I will be looking up more books by this author!

•BOOK•REVIEW•

Title: Things We Do in the Dark
Author: Jennifer Hillier
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 352

•Quick Deets•
Celeb Murder
Trophy Wife
Past catches up with you

•Rating•
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 star review
A Must Read

•Review•
This book had so much going on and I loved every second of it. The pages turned quickly. It was an easy read and a lovely distraction. Writing that kept you guessing until the very last chapter. This is definitely a book to get lost in!