A full five stars once again to Jennifer Hillier for her newest mystery/thriller THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK, It's a story of abuse (if you thought you had a horrible childhood, just wait.) It's a story of friendship and new beginnings and of course love.

The story opens with the death of an aging comedian. His wife is arrested covered in his blood. Simple enough premise right? Nuh uh. The twists and turns will will keep you reading without skipping any pages. What a fantastic book! Hillier gets better and better with every novel she writes. It's a small thing. And maybe I shouldn't even mention it. But since I'm me, I will. Jennifer Hillier didn't write about Caucasians as most authors seem to do. She varied the races and I really appreciated that. The world is not homogenous.

All in all I think this was a great book and St. Martn's is so lucky, not to mention smart to have signed Ms. Hillier. If thrillers are your jam, don't miss THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK.

CW: child abuse, rape

First impression: Let me start out by saying @jenniferhillier is one of my favorite thriller writers! I own all of her books and she’ll forever be an auto buy author for me! She never fails to push the limits and bring on the twists. I can’t wait to see what her new book brings! Major shoutout to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC for my review. This was a dream! & what makes it even better is doing it as a buddy read with @davynsden! We’ve buddy read almost every Hillier novel together!

Halfway point: The twist and theories are forming and I am here for it! I can’t wait to see how this all comes together!

Final impression: This one wasn’t as dark and twisted as her previous books, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it! I don’t know what else to say other than Jennifer Hillier is still one of my favorites! I’ll happily read anything she puts out and I already can’t wait to see what she comes up with

3.5 stars - I'm a fan of Hillier's and can always count on her for a good dark, creepy book. While this book was certainly very dark I found it to be less of a thriller/suspense and more of dark drama. I think my hopes were up a little for more suspense but most of the twists were pretty predictable. I was invested in present day a lot more than the past sections but all that being said, it was still a strong story overall. Will definitely continue to read books from this strong author!

It definitely starts off high on drama when Paris, wife of Jimmy, celebrity is found in blood next to her husband's body. And obviously she is the suspect as she is 30 something wife of older millionaire husband. She claims to be innocent but she is definitely hiding where she was which opens up more questions. But what is she hiding and who is blackmailing her but why? There are two unsolved deaths that are connected with Paris and she seems to be responsible for both. Regarding her past, I felt no suspense as I guessed the whole plot right away. But there was confusion with Jimmy's death and that part kept me hooked mostly.

Overall, though it was more or less expected plotline, it was engaging all the way.

Jennifer Hillier has been on my "Must Read" list ever since about 10 or so years ago when Creep first came out. I have since read everything she has written. Imagine my excitement to receive an ARC of this one. WOW!!! Jar of Hearts is still my favorite, but this is a very, VERY close second! The story is told in 2 timelines. We hear from Paris Peralta, whose husband has just died, and she is holding a bloody razor. We also hear from Joey, whose mother is the Ice Queen, named for murdering her lover. Last but not least, we hear from Drew, a podcaster. How do the stories connect? We find out in a super-fast paced story that I could have easily read in one sitting if I didn't have to work and take care of responsibilities. The characterization is EXCELLENT, as is the atmosphere. I really could visualize the Cherry club and feel Joey's desperation. Buckle in for a dark and crazy ride with this one, you won't be disappointed!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Jennifer Hiller and St. Martin's Press for this much appreciated ARC!

I always look forward to Jennifer Hillier books! They're always perplexing, with a great twist and and great character development. This one didn't disappoint. While I will admit, it was a slower start than some of her other books, this one got me hooked immediately. I will definitely recommend this to my audience!

Paris Peralta is found covered in blood and holding a razor in the bathroom with her dead husband, Jimmy. Paris is subsequently arrested and realizes that she will face a murder charge. However, she is more concerned with her past being exposed than the actual murder charge. Over two decades prior, Ruby Reyes is charged with a very similar murder in Canada. Ruby knows all about the secrets from Paris’ past. When Ruby is unexpectedly released from prison, Paris realizes that she might have to face her past, front and center!

Jennifer Hillier blew me away with this highly entertaining and very engaging novel! The main characters are developed perfectly throughout the story. To be able to stand out with a very unique storyline in a crowded genre is an amazing accomplishment. This book earned each and every star!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

My weekend was MADE when the approval email arrived for Things We Do In The Dark! I loved author Jennifer Hillier's last two books, Jar Of Hearts and Little Secrets, and couldn't wait to dive into this one.
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And let's just say, this one is GOOD!! I love a dark mystery, different POVs and twists and turns that unravel layer by layer until the very end. I also like multifaceted characters and enough details to feel like you know them, and Hillier's books have it all. And in the thriller book world, it's truly a hard thing to find!
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So, in short, add this book to your list, it's not to be missed! I already know it will be making waves this summer in the reading world. This one hits bookstore shelves on July 19th, 2022!

This was such a fun read, one that kept me turning the pages and held my interest the whole way through and even though I saw a lot of things coming, the writing was so engaging and entertaining I didn't even care. There were still lots of twists and surprises that kept me on my toes and kept me reading.

Turning a fun story that every fan of a good mystery and thriller is going to get completely caught up in.

Jennifer Hillier has been a favorite author of mine since I first read Jar of Hearts. Her latest, THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK gave me all the feels Jar of Hearts did.

Character driven, dark and gritty, this book will have your head spinning with all the twists. I read it in less than 24 hours and trust me, you will not be able to put it down once you start. There are multiple POV and dual timelines which I love in a book, and I think they were handled perfectly. I think the less you know going in the better. The ending was very satisfying, and I screamed WTF out loud! I’m still thinking about this book days later.

Add this to your TBR now!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC.

Serious question- is Jennifer Hillier capable of writing anything I won't immediately devour and absolutely love? Jar of Hearts and Little Secrets are two that I especially loved, but Things We Do in the Dark just edged them out as my most favorite.

Paris Peralta, a yoga studio owner in Los Angeles, is arrested for the murder of her husband, Jimmy Peralta, a beloved stand up comic thirty years her senior. Because of Jimmy's popularity, media coverage of the event is swift and prolific. Paris worked hard to build this life after escaping her past, and she fears that someone who knew her then will destroy everything she has built, along with her future.

Another key player in this novel is Ruby Reyes, known as the Ice Queen after a conviction for killing her on again, off again lover. Ruby knows all about Paris' past, and when Ruby is granted early release, she threatens to expose Paris to the world.

Hillier's characters in this book were well fleshed out, and even the characters that I liked best had acknowledged personality flaws. I absolutely love when characters seem so real and can evoke a range of emotions in the reader; you know she's an excellent author when I feel for the antagonist. The plot was well paced, and I really like the way the story unfolded; it alternated between past and present seamlessly. I didn't expect the book to end the way that it did, and it was beautifully done. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging thriller or who is already a fan of Jennifer Hillier.

Starts with a bang... "Things We Do in the Dark" begins with the main character waking up on the bathroom floor holding a bloody razor while her husband lies dead in the tub feet away from her. Intrigued yet? She is arrested and named the prime suspect in his murder. I was really enjoying the story from Paris' perspective but then the story switches to a different character and I was confused and lost interest a little. It DOES shift back to Paris though and I was hooked again.

Paris has secrets and is afraid the past she hoped to stay buried will catch up to her. It was a fun ride to discover all the secrets she was hiding...

This was a quick, enjoyable thriller that I recommend to any thriller lovers and I can't wait to see what Jennifer Hiller comes up with next!

A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for granting me an advanced copy of this book.

Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier has a very contemporary vibe to it, and a familiar plotline, a younger woman, not too successful married to a much older and much more successful man. Then a murder. The woman is accused of murdering her husband and from there the story unfolds. A little predictable, this one was just okay for me.

Hiller has become one if my favorite writers. I thought Jar of hearts was good but this top this and more. It's definitely in my top 10 books I've ever read. I like the pov from each character in the story. It keeps you on the edge of your sit reading it.

The title alone brings a riveting, suspenseful thrill. Opening with a quote from Billy Joel,
"She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes."... Each chapter begins with a song quote.
After reading Jennifer Hillier's Jar of Hearts, this was a MUST read.

Paris Peralta awakens to police warning her to drop her weapon. Startled by the sight, she is covered in blood as well as her dead husband soaking in a bloody tub. Her multi-millionaire husband Jimmy is a celebrity on Netflix and is 30 years older than her. With less than a year married, probable cause paves the way to a guilty scene. Although she claims her innocence that she found him that way, the assumption is there waiting to tear her story apart.

Hillier creates so many avenues this could go in. Paris with her dark abusive history is running from a past that is delivered late in the book that will haunt you. She is threatened by Ruby Reyes tagged as the Ice Queen Killer soon to be released after 25 years in prison. She knows who Paris really is and writes letters of bribery to keep her from revealing another murder Paris was involved in.

A lot of interesting characters are introduced that drive the story to a shocking, twisted ending. Even if you guess the setup, it will still deliver a fantastic punch. A creative scheme with things that can only happen in the dark. I cannot lie that I had a moment of hum-drum with the back story, but it was necessary to fulfill the affect of this journey with Paris. It ranked a 5 star even through that.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this incredible copy in exchange for my honest review.

Jennifer Hillier does it again with her brilliant writing! She has a way of drawing you in and making you crave her characters, wanting more and more. This book was full of twists and turns and kept me guessing until the very end. I loved that just when you think you've figured the twist out, something else was thrown at you. This is an author that takes what people want to read and makes it happen in a way you never knew you needed it. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next.

Things We Do in the Dark introduces you to Paris who's husband was a famous comedian, before his untimely and highly suspicious death. Paris is considered the prime suspect and in the eye of the public is guilty. The thing about Paris is she's a chameleon that has lived many different lives and will fight to prove her innocence. You're taken back through time to learn who she was, what she's seen and what she'd do to escape the things that happen in the dark.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I sit down to read only the first chapter in this book, the next thing I know I’m already 60% of the way in! It’s that good.

I am going to be vague with the synopsis because the less you know going into this one, the better!
Paris Peralta wakes up to find herself covered in blood and holding a straight razor. Behind her is her famous comedian husband dead in a bathtub and in front of her is a police officer holding a gun and screaming for her to put the weapon down. Paris claims she’s innocent and she’s terrified that the past she’s tried so hard to hide from, will soon come back to haunt her.

This my friends are how a thriller should be done! In a market saturated with predictable, overused plots, and undeveloped characters, Jennifer Hillier’s thrillers always stand out. Filled with jaw-dropping twists, dimensional and complex characters, original/unique storylines, and phenomenal writing, her books never disappoint and Things We Do In The Dark is no exception.

I immediately connected with Paris's character. Hillier crafted her main character with so much depth and complexity that by the end of the book I felt like I knew her. The reader learns about how Paris’s heartbreaking past motivates her thoughts and actions in the present. Also If you were a teenager in the 90’s you will especially love how Hillier incorporates several popular songs from the decade into her book(she also did this with Little Secrets and Jar of Hearts).

I am very selective about giving out 5-star ratings but Things We Do in the Dark is a solid 5-star book. I couldn't find any issue whatsoever with this brilliant story and as always from Jennifer Hillier, the writing was excellent. I highly recommend this dark, twisty, page-turning thriller for all fans of psychological thrillers!

Things We Do in the Dark will be available on July 19! A massive thanks to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book is one of murder, horror, and mystery...intrigue...dynamics of family and friends...these themes abound in this book by Hillier. How this author managed to weave this story into one that is realistic...a true crime almost...could be...family...standing by the person accused...unrealistic events...realistic...this book was sent to me by Netgalley for review electronically...the story moves slowly at some points, but the characters come alive on these pages.

3.5 ⭐️

This is my first book I’ve read by Jennifer Hillier. The actual story was devastating and beautifully executed. That being said - it didn’t really feel like a “thriller” to me. I found it very thought provoking and it suited being a drama or domestic fiction novel. There were no twists or surprises for me in this book - I anticipated the different outcomes of the story.

The story flips from past and present and I found the first transition really confusing. I didn’t understand how it was relevant - it felt like two completely different story lines. The book lost my interest for a bit during that portion and then I enjoyed the second half of the book more.

I definitely want to give more Jennifer Hillier novels a read!

TW: rape & sexual assault

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Paris Peralta's famous husband is found dead in the bathtub and she is found next to his body covered in blood, and holding a razor. She is immediately arrested and the prime suspect in his murder. Paris swears she would never hurt him and is eager to prove her innocence. Unfortunately for Paris, she now has a ton of attention surrounding her which is one of her major worries. She has tried to stay out of the limelight for fear that her past will catch up to her and her secrets will be exposed. With all the unwanted media attention surrounding the death, she is concerned the wrong people will see her picture, track her down, and threaten the life she has so carefully created for herself.

I was so excited to read the new Jennifer Hillier book and downloaded it right away. Jar of Hearts is one of my go to recommendations and she has become one of my must read authors. This book did not disappoint. The story went back and forth among Paris's past and present which was a little difficult to follow in the beginning. The chapters never said what year it was so I would have to read a little before figuring out when the story was taking place. I felt like the transitions could have been smoother. That was my only complaint. Hillier did a great job developing Paris's character and I really felt like I knew her. I'm looking forward to her next book!