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.

I love this author and was so excited to read her latest thriller. This book doesn't disappoint. The author weaves a tale that’s suspenseful, twisted, and shocking, but equally tender with a vulnerability that will crawl right into your mind and stay in your thoughts for days after you finish it.
A true master in thriller writing, and a book I highly recommend.

𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐚𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞.

Jennifer Hillier has been an auto-buy author for me ever since JAR OF HEARTS, and as soon as I saw the cover for this one, I anxiously waited for the day it would be available to request. THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK exceeded every expectation I had.

Paris Peralta knows she's going down for murder. The young yoga teacher is found in her bathroom holding a straight razor presumed to be the item that opened her much older celebrity husband's femoral artery as he lay dead in the bathtub, But while Paris is worried about the murder charge, it's the media attention she's worried about.

Paris has worked to overcome her past, and she is terrified that someone will recognize her. She's right to be worried because she's caught the attention of Ruby Reyes, dubbed 'The Ice Queen' by the media. Convicted of an eerily similar murder 25 years prior, Ruby is unexpectedly released from prison and is making demands of Paris.

We have a dual timeline, a celebrity murder, a strip club, a narcissistic mother, courtroom drama, and a podcast that gives a nod to this clever title. Are the "things we do in the dark" out of shame, out of necessity, out of protection, or out of a fierce need for survival? In this story it's all of these and so much more. Utterly engrossing with characters so sharply formed, each horror described with such breathtaking precision, reality came to a complete standstill. I was absorbed in this dark fictional tale, and I know that you will be too. Releases July 19, 2022, from Minotaur Books. Forever grateful to the publisher and to NetGalley for this riveting early read.

Jimmy Peralta is a famous comedy who is in the midst of a comeback after previously retiring. One night he is found dead in the bathtub of his home and the number one suspect is his new wife Paris. Paris woke up in the same bathroom holding a razor that appears to be the murder weapon. However, there is much more to the story and Paris secret past might just be the answer to her current predicament.

The author has done it again and written another riveting suspense thriller. This is the third book I’ve read by the same author and have loved them all. This was was particularly good in that it had a couple different story lines and jumps between the past and the present. I did figure out the twist fairly early on but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book and I still hadn’t full figured everything out. It was also great that the author paid homage to Canada her home country and specifically Toronto. Being Canadian myself it was awesome to see Toronto represented in a major book. I would certainly recommend picking this one when it comes out later this year

Jennifer Hillier is definitely becoming one of my favorites for twisty murder books. I can't say that the outcome completely surprised me, but it was executed with such style and flair that it didn't matter that I had a decent guess. Joey/Paris is an awesome character - not really a villain but not really a hero either. And hooooo boy, that ending. So so good.

Jennifer Hillier has become a new favorite author of mine. This book was so incredible and mind blowing. Multiple POVs with a dual timeline. The build up, the mystery, the back story, the darkness of this book. SO GOOD. This book had the darkness of a Karin Slaughter with the effed up twist of an Alice Feeney novel. I will be recommending this to everyone. EVERYONE.

Things We Do In the Dark by Jennifer Hillier - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5
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Jennifer Hillier does it again! 💕At this point, I am convinced she can do no wrong. In this thriller, we follow Paris Peralta as she is accused of murdering her famous husband. She has escaped from a dark past, but someone is letting her know that they know exactly who she is, and what she is running from.
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I couldn’t get to the next page quickly enough. Hillier’s use of multiple points of view and timelines blend seamlessly together to create suspense and keep you guessing. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, this amazing roller-coaster of a thriller took me down another twisting tunnel. 🎢 Excellent and wonderful. Exactly what I’ve come to expect from Jennifer Hillier! ✨🙌🏻
•Favorite Line ~ “As a woman once reminded her a long time ago, the common denominator in all terrible things that have happened to you is you. Everywhere you go, there you are.”
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Available July 2022