As the story opens we find Paris Peralta in the back of a police car covered in blood. She is the main suspect in her husband’s death. With no recollection of the crime; her biggest worry at this point is not being charged with her husband’s death. Paris needs to make sure her deep dark secrets that she has spent 20 years hiding aren’t revealed.
The story unfolds in six parts switching between past and present and different characters perspectives. I found this to add dimension to the story line. The characters are well developed and very relatable.
I really liked the ending. I thought I knew how the story was going to end, but then came a big twist that totally left me saying “oh wow”. I devoured the book and didn’t want it to end. I highly recommend this book if you like a suspenseful read. TW: child abuse

I want to thank Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jennifer Hillier does it again, another amazing thriller.
Thank you to Saint Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this arc!!

Wow. I feel a little speechless with how much I enjoyed that book. Completely kept me from beginning to end and I really love the shifting of time throughout. Jennifer Hillier has done it again

I’m sorry to say I didn’t like this one very much. Like most of Ms. Hillier’s books, the story started off strong. Unfortunately, it turned into a convoluted mess soon after. I was often bored and the plot didn’t seem very suspenseful. The flashback chapters weren’t very interesting either. Overall, a very big disappointment.

This was my first book from this author and I DEVOURED it. So dark and delicious. I can't say enough good things. It's one of my top 5 books ever. Wowwwww.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the chance to read and review this book prior to its release.

This book has been a huge hit with most early reviewers. Unfortunately because of some of the content, I won't be able to personally recommend it to my followers, but I wish you huge success!

Featuring perhaps the greatest opening sentence in the modern history of the written word, Things We Do In The Dark is a brilliantly constructed thriller featuring murder, abuse, blackmail, and deception. Jennifer Hillier has delivered another fantastic and unputdownable novel filled with secrets, scheming, suspense and surprises.

Paris Peralta is in a lot of trouble. Her famous comedian husband is dead and she’s found covered in his blood holding a straight razor in the same room as the body. Arrested and charged with murder, you’d think that would be the worst thing she’s facing. But the thing is, Paris has a secret past she wants to keep hidden and the media attention threatens all she’s done to build a new life for herself. Meanwhile, Ruby Reyes is about to be paroled after spending 25-years in prison for murder and she knows exactly who Paris is and what she’s done in her past. So while Paris is facing murder charges and would love to keep past history dead and buried, she must face everything head on once and for all if she wants to remain free from prison…and her past.

This is a well-crafted thriller due to two reasons: storytelling and characters. The premise might not be super original – someone running from their past hopes it won’t catch up to them when something bad happens in the new life they’ve created – but the flow, the flashbacks, the emotions it elicits and the slow drip of information are done in a perfect and precise manner to keep you suspicious of multiple characters and their motivations. And these characters…whoa baby. They’re all flawed individuals with remarkable backstories, some of which will hit you in the feels. They’ve been tested and have experienced personal pain yet hold out hope for the better life they seek and feel they deserve. And that “better life” isn’t clean and pure in everyone’s case. Which means you’ll support some characters while hoping others go to hell in a handcart. Especially Ruby. She’s a first-class grade A narcissistic bitch who deserves a one-way express ticket to hell. But holy crap is she a fantastically conceived character in a book filled with complex, well-structured individuals.

Jennifer Hillier proves again that she is one hell of a thriller author and that readers should have her on “automatic read” status anytime she releases a new book. So make sure Things We Do In The Dark is on your TBR list and preorder a copy from your favorite bookstore. It’s most excellent and not to be missed.

The First 20% of this book dragged. I almost gave up, but im happy I did not.
This book begins by introducing Paris, married to a much older comedian. When he's found dead, she is accused of his murder.
A journalist is introduced (after the 20%)
Along with a stripper named Joey(female) and her Mother. The book gets really good after that slow begining.

I loved Jar of Hearts by Hillier and throughly enjoyed Things We Do in the Dark. Fans of Hillier should not miss out on this one! I loved the alternating points of view, the past and present timelines and how many layers there were to Paris. When a big connection was made with so much left in the book, I knew I was going to be surprised by the rest of the story; and that's exactly what happened! If you're looking for a book that sucks you in and keeps your attention to the very last page, this is it!

This book held my interest all the way through, though I was able to guess a few of the “twists.” For me, it was entertaining while I was reading, but it’s not a book that will stick with me for long. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When you want your past to be kept a secret, the last thing you want to do is draw attention to yourself. When Paris Paralta is suddenly arrested for the murder of her celebrity husband, she isn’t as much concerned about that as she is having her past dredged up. Can she find a way to clear her name from the murder and keep her secrets buried in the past?
Thank you Netgalley, Jennifer Hillier and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book. I have never read anything by Jennifer Hillier, but, after constantly seeing it pop up on social media, I knew this was one that I couldn’t pass up. This was such a great book that in my opinion definitely lives up to its hype. I loved the storyline and seeing everything unfold right before my eyes. It was pretty fast paced and held on to my attention the whole time. I loved the twists in this book and was pretty shocked at the ending. A definite must read if you like thrillers/mysteries! I’ll definitely be reading more from this author! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I’ve read this author before and this book does not disappoint. I really liked the premise of the story and felt like there was excellent character development especially for Joey. The first 20% or so of the book was about Paris who woke up too find her husband that was 30 years older than her was dead in the bathtub and she’s been arrested as the most likely culprit. Then the book goes to Drew’s perspective which I felt was by far the weakest. Drew is upset about Ruby the Ice Queen getting released from prison because he was good friends with Ruby’s daughter Joey who died in a fire. Drew has a podcast and wants to focus around Ruby and Joey’s past so he starts to investigate. The third chunk of the book is mostly told through Joey’s perspective but there are jumps back to Paris and Drew. Some of Joey’s chapters were hard to read and trigger warning for child abuse but they were well written and really gave good depth to her character. I didn’t find the twists as twisty as I would have liked, but it was overall an excellent thriller.

Meh! That’s how I feel after finishing this one. It’s not a suspenseful thriller like I expected. I would categorize it as more of a family drama, which I’m not a huge fan of. It could also be I just wasn’t in the right mood. The story was good, but the build up with the backstory was a D-R-A-G.

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley but also purchased it as my Book of the Month selection

Jennifer Hillier does it again. I binged this one and was completely hook on the life of Paris Peralta. The dual timelines never left me hanging (hate when that happens)! This would also make a great movie, but I doubt anyone will ask my opinion on that 🤣.
Basically, if you love thrillers and haven’t read a Hillier book then you’re missing out!

The "Queen of Thrills" returns following Little Secrets with her seventh novel, THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK. A chilling and gripping multi-layered psychological/crime thriller that will take you deep into the mind of a psychopath.

A well-crafted character and plot-driven thrilling emotional tale of survival, the unraveling of long-buried secrets, and one woman's dark past.

A huge fan, bestselling Author JENNIFER HILLIER can be counted on to send a shiver down the spine, but this one exceeds even her high standards! Full of fascinating characters that take us to the darkest places imaginable.

When Paris Peralta is suspected of killing her celebrity husband, her long-hidden past now threatens to destroy her future.

Husband Jimmy Peralta was the star of the successful TV show, The Prince of Poughkeepsie. The Seattle comedian has been looking for a comeback and has managed to do so.

As the book opens, older retired Jimmy (comedian-actor) has been found in his home in Seattle, in the bathtub dead with his femoral artery slashed with what appears to be his straight-edge razor as a weapon.

His younger (fifth) wife, (30 years younger) Paris Peralta, and yoga studio owner/instructor has returned from a conference and found the scene. When the cops arrive, she is holding the razor.

Now a murder weapon.

She does not need to be in the spotlight since she has secrets from the past— she would like to keep buried. Has Karma come for her?

When they married two years earlier, she expected to live a quiet life with retired Jimmy, but then he changed his mind and was un-retired, and she was worried, and now he is dead.

Jimmy, an old soul, also has two other women working closely with him. Zoe, his assistant and right-hand woman in their house all the time, and Elsie, Jimmy's best friend since childhood and his attorney. They know probably more about him than Petra.

Murder or suicide? Jimmy also had other problems with drugs, his health, finances, and more. Many red herrings and suspects keep you guessing to the end.

Besides being worried about a murder charge, Petra has other more pressing concerns. Something in her past has surfaced which could destroy her. Years ago, Petra fled Toronto under an assumed name after a fire that claimed the life of Joey (Joelle Reyes).

Ruby Reyes (known as the Ice Queen), a horrible sinister monster —an evil and abusive mother (of Joey) has been serving time in prison for killing her married lover/ bank president, Charles Bazterdnet. Ruby is about to be paroled after twenty-five years, and now Paris is receiving blackmail demands and wanting money. She knows things.

In addition, we are introduced to Drew Lamcolm, true-crime podcaster THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK, who was a friend of Joey's. He despises Ruby and wants to keep her in prison, where she belongs.

How do all these characters connect, and WHO killed Jimmy?

Folks, this is Jennifer Hillier. I have read every book she has ever written and anxiously await the next. When you hear her name, you know you will be entertained and glued to the pages. Perfect for fans of unputdownable, gritty, and complex cat-and-mouse thrillers, ruthless killers, and 'didn't see it coming, OMG' endings.

THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK will have you flipping pages at breakneck speed, guessing, and gasping to the satisfying conclusion.

Hillier delves deep into the human psyche. Ruby was such a ruthless evil woman, and the author did an outstanding job getting inside her head and younger/older Joey. I loved Petra and that Jennifer created her as Filipino, as herself.

Filipinos have been described as friendly, outgoing, sensitive, easily offended, nosy, garrulous, direct, hospitable, feisty, irreverent, good-natured, clever, witty, gregarious, happy, generous, easy to laugh, gracious, easy to befriend, casual, fun-loving, sensitive and hospitable.

If you have followed Jennifer on social media, with her personal, family, and author life, you will see she is just that! Authentic, plus talented and beautiful on the inside/out. Highly recommend this one and all her books. Get this gem on your TBR list.

INTERVIEW: Stay tuned for my upcoming featured July #AuthorElevatorSeries Interview where we go behind the scenes of the book and the author. Sign up for my newsletter to have it delivered to your inbox.

@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
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A special thank you to #MinotaurBooks #StMarinsPress and #NetGalley for an ARC to read, enjoy, and review. #MinotaurInfluencers

Just finished TWDITD last evening and what a fast-paced thriller this one was! I do not think it compared to Jar of Hearts by this author for me, but I loved to hate Ruby Reyes as a character and this definitely was a good domestic thriller.

This book was OUTSTANDING! Great for a buddy read, as it had a lot of great discussion points and I had questions and theories throughout that were fun to talk through. I would highly recommend this to everyone to read! Check trigger warnings first!

I will admit that this book ended up being not what I expected it to be, which is probably what makes this a 4 star and not 5 star book. It starts out with Paris Peralta waking up covered in blood, holding a straight razor, next to her old rich dead husband. Paris hits her head and passes out and is woken up by police yelling at her to drop the weapon. She can't remember what happened and isn't sure if she killed her husband..

At first I wasn't sure if I liked the back and forth of the three perspectives, but I think it actually really added to the story. It gave so much background and life to each character. I left feeling like I knew so much about Paris, Ruby, Drew, and Joey.

Although the surprises didn't seem so surprising to me, I still really enjoyed this book. I've been pretty burnt out by reading the same tropes in thrillers the past couple years and this felt like a breath of fresh air. I will definitely be adding more books by this author to my TBR.

TW: sexual assault, suicide, addiction, child abuse, racism, etc. Lots of triggers, so make sure you are in a good headspace.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for this ARC!

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Jennifer Hillier for letting me read Things We Do in the Dark early. This one will be published on July 19.

I absolutely gobbled up Little Secrets, Jar of Hearts and Creep. There are only a few of her backlist books left for me to snag so I can say I’ve read them all! I was so excited to be allowed to read her newest one before it hits the shelves. Things We Do in the Dark was completely engrossing. It’s clever and captivating and I had a hard time putting it down. The twist didn’t shock me like her previous books did but maybe thats just me, a hazard of reading so much. I loved these characters and they were all so well developed. I highly recommend this one.

Paris finds her celebrity husband dead in their home, she is the one being charged with his murder. She’s all over the media and she’s more worried about her past catching up with her than being in jail for a crime she didn’t commit. She’s been working hard to create her new life and she’d like to keep it. Ruby was convicted of a similar murder twenty-five years before. Ruby knows Paris and knows her past and is willing to keep her secrets for a fee.

"While you can reinvent yourself, you can't outrun yourself."

Quick Summary: THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK is a thriller that follows Paris Peralta, the wife of a famous comedian that was murdered in his home. When Paris becomes suspect #1, she worries that someone from her long-hidden past will recognize her and destroy her new life.

This one kept me guessing! Jennifer Hillier gets a lot of hype so I was excited to finally read one of her books. There were several twists that had me second-guessing what I had originally thought. Of the big twists, one of them was easy to predict but the others not so much.

TWDITD is told in dual timelines which I loved! It helped to build suspense and answer some questions while asking others. A strip club was one of the settings in the novel. The second thriller I’ve read this year that features one- what are the odds!

It is a bit of a slow burn getting started but I was pleasantly surprised by how the characters were so well-developed. I think this is missing in a lot of thrillers! TWDITD is a dark story that shines a light on the horrible things a person does in the dark.

I recommend this for fans of Karin Slaughter!

CW: child abuse, sexual abuse