(9/10)

"When Paris Peralta is arrested in her own bathroom—covered in blood, holding a straight razor, her celebrity husband dead in the bathtub behind her—she knows she'll be charged with murder. But as bad as this looks, it's not what worries her the most. With the unwanted media attention now surrounding her, it's only a matter of time before someone from her long hidden past recognizes her and destroys the new life she's worked so hard to build, along with any chance of a future."

Not having read anything by Jennifer Hillier in the past, I wasn't really sure what to expect when I picked up Things We Do in the Dark, but I was instantly drawn into the story. Hillier masterfully weaves together multiple points of view and storylines spanning over decades into a dark, heartbreaking narrative that had me struggling to ever put the book down. I love very psychological, character-driven stories, especially if they deal a lot with family dynamics, so even though I haven't read many thrillers in the past this was still right up my alley. My heart was aching for Joey for most of the book, but as dark and twisted as the story was, it was still interspersed with a lot of love and hope.

Bonus props for the beautiful cover and how the title ties into the story! Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

You find out a big reveal early on but this was well written and entertaining, thus I wasn't shocked by anything that happened. I prefer it over her last book, Little Secrets.

THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK
BY: JENNIFER HILLIER

I was excited to read Jennifer Hillier's latest novel called, "Things We Do in the Dark," because she is one of my favorite thriller authors. Since I read the unforgettable "Jar of Hearts," which is probably right up on the top best thrillers I have ever read. So naturally I wanted to read her newest novel. I have been eagerly anticipating for her work searching Net Galley for this author periodically. I think her thriller that she came out with last year called, "Little Secrets," was my second favorites of hers.

This one wasn't as compelling to me and it reminded me of her earlier work. This was more masterly written than the ones I haven't mentioned, but I loved the ones I have listed above more.

There is no doubt that Jennifer Hillier is an erudite writer but I guess I am in the minority here because I didn't love this. It could be that this was well above average writing but I wasn't as enthusiastic about this one. It is original in its plot and characterization henceforth my four star rating.

Paris Peralta is being arrested for killing her comedian husband Jimmy and she is charged with his murder. She has reinvented herself and doesn't want the publicity because she is somebody else. She is being blackmailed by a vile and vicious murderer named Ruby to expose her true identity. Intuitively, you will probably get the sense that she didn't do it. But she has many secrets and this story meanders into Paris's true identity. Everything does come together in the end seamlessly even though it has a backstory which it is pretty easy to figure out. That vile blackmailer named Ruby was convicted of murder and is just about to be released from prison. She was a horrible mother and she often let her many boyfriend's have their way with her young and innocent daughter Joelle.

I will leave it at that because I am not going to divulge spoilers. I will say that this is complex and not really thriller genre material, at least in my humble opinion. It was more like a slow burn mystery. I apologize but due to "Jar of Hearts," setting the bar so high this doesn't compare. I found the plot to this interesting but it wasn't what I have come to expect from Jennifer Hillier. Still, all in all, I did think this is creative but I was underwhelmed because it just didn't deliver to be what I have come to expect from this author. I wish her my very best wishes for success with this latest offering.

Publication Date: July 19, 2022

Thank you to Net Galley, Jennifer Hillier and St. Martin's Press-Minotaur for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#ThingsWeDoInTheDark #JenniferHillier #StMartin'sPressMinotaur #Netgalley

This was a really great thriller to read. While it was predictable and k never was shocked by any turn of events, it was a solid plot line and had interesting characters. Joey was a survivor and her determination and strong will carried throughout the book. Drew was a pleasant surprise and I thoroughly enjoyed his chapters. The conclusion with Ruby felt anticlimactic but necessary.

I adore all Hillier's books so was excited to read this latest and it did not disappoint! Paris has been arrested for killing her husband; as she awaits trial, we get to see some of their history and it leads us to understand their history. But things get twisty as Hillier's always do, and it manages to keep you off balance as you strive to figure out what really happened! You don't really need any plot; go into it blind and just be prepared to have your head spinning until the end. Another winner for this writer!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

“Things We Do in the Dark” by Jennifer Hillier is a contemporary mystery/thriller. Most of the book focuses on Paris, the wife of a much older comedian who is making a “comeback.” Paris is accused of murdering her husband, but she doesn’t recall murdering him. It also turns out that she’s being blackmailed for something in her past. Then the book focuses on Drew, a former reporter now turned crime podcaster. It takes a while for Drew’s story to connect to Paris’s but it does … throw in some blackmail, some red herrings, some twists, some miscommunication and some withheld information … and you have this book.

I really liked parts of this book - I felt some of the characters were very well developed and explored. Other characters I didn’t enjoy as much - and it wasn’t only because they were unlikeable and untrustworthy. I believe, as in real life, every character in this book has their flaws - some more obvious than others. This book should come with trigger warnings - but for the most part, the triggering items are treated with respect (opposed to being glorified on the page). I think that Ms. Hillier writes in a way where the story has layers and as things are discovered, oftentimes there’s more to the story (yet another few layers). Some of the “twists” can be puzzled out before the ending, but honestly it does not spoil the story (see mention of those layers). I would read another book by this author, which is high praise from me.

Solid 4.5 ⭐️! I stayed up all night to finish this and even though you find out a huge twist early on, Jennifer Hillier’s writing style kept you wanting more and did not disappoint! The story is told in different POVS and jumps between the past to the present. I feel it’s best going into this blind without reading the plot and then don’t stop until you have finished. Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this outstanding thriller.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Holy shit.
Jennifer Hillier…Queen of Thrillers 👑 back at it! And I am here 👏🏼 for 👏🏼 it 👏🏼
I’ve read every book she’s put out and *loved* every single one. I’ve anxiously awaited a new release and this one didn’t let me down. You seriously can’t go wrong with one of her books.
They are all twisty-turny, suspenseful gold.
And this one is no exception.
I preordered this book last year without so much as glancing at the synopsis, because that’s how much I love all her books. It was easily my most anticipated read of 2022. To say I was excited to get to read it early is an understatement. I was thrilled. (Thanks @Netgalley !) And, I still can’t wait to have my hands on the physical copy in July…yes, it’s that good.

First off…this book mentioned The Green Bean again and I tell ya what, it makes me goofy grin. I loooove seeing places from her previous books brought up in the new. 🖤

Paris Peralta is found in her bathroom covered in blood, clutching a straight razor with her dead husband behind her in a tub full of his own blood. She knows shit has hit the fan, how incredibly bad this looks. That she’s more than likely going to be charged with murder. But her real fear is that her famous husbands death will bring her hidden past & all the secrets she’s spent years burying, creeping out of the dark and into the glaring light of day…just in time to really fuck up her carefully constructed life.
And, she’s really not sure she could survive that.

Don’t sit on this one - go - preorder this bad boy right now! It’s SO worth it.
Releases in July
& while you’re waiting, if you haven’t read her other books, do it!

I was so excited to get my hands on the new thriller by Jennifer Hillier, Things We Do In The Dark.
It was the exact read I was looking for, with the typical who done it, but filled with awesome twists and turns throughout. Plenty of characters to love and hate and an array of pieces that connects you to the grand finale.

Already hoping for and looking forward to Hillier's next book.😊

She’s done it again, folks! Another 5 star thriller from Jennifer Hillier! I absolutely loved the character backstories and relational dynamics represented in the novel. Joey’s experiences of trauma and resulting trauma responses felt so real and immediately caused me to align with her throughout my reading experience. I always love the way Hillier crafts characters that feel at the same time genuine and larger than life. Every character was flawed, but our MC was humanized enough that we rooted for her regardless of her indiscretions. The plot unfolded masterfully and made the book feel unputdownable! I was so happy with the ending. It felt sinister and satisfying at the same time. JHill never disappoints!

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, St. Martin’s Press and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


I didn’t set this down from the moment I picked it up until I was done reading it. What a wild ride. Suspense, intrigue, thrills, bumps in the night kind of wild ride!

What a book!!! This was my first Jennifer Hillier book and wow did she deliver. The book opens with the murder of a well known comedian and his wife, Paris Peralta, who is accused of his murder and then we are taken on a wild ride into the life of infamous killer Ruby Reyes who is about to be released from prison.

The author weaves the two stories together seamlessly and kept me guessing up until the very end. I enjoyed how much thought was put into the story line of each character and the seamless transitions from one period of time to another. The book is raw, honest, emotional and unlike any other book I have read. I appreciated that it didn't feel like a forced ending, the story line wrapped up neatly and I wasn't left feeling like I was missing something. A special thank you to St Martin's Press, Minotaur books and Jennifer Hillier, it was my first ARC and I am VERY pleased!!!

Jennifer hillier has done it again with this amazing novel. I read this book literally in one day because I couldn't put it down. After Paris husband is killed Paris is accused of his murder. There's so many mysteries within this one story . Who killed her husband jimmy and was it even a murder or could it be a suicide. Also who is Paris . She has secrets that she's kept since she met her husband that she wants to keep buried. This is the book to read if your looking for your next thriller and I'm sure this will be on the top book list for the year.

True Confession: ​I started reading Jennifer Hillier's new novel "Things We Do in the Dark" and never set my Kindle down till I read every last page. Yes! It's that good! In fact, it's brilliant! I was absolutely mesmerized by the storyline!

Jimmy and Paris Peralta have been happily married for 2 years. Jimmy is a world famous comic still actively working in the entertainment industry. He is almost 30 years her senior, but age does not matter to the couple. They are very happy together until Jimmy is murdered and Paris is arrested for the crime. Did she do it? Was money the motive? Is she secretly a gold digger at heart?

Jennifer Hillier has earned her place among the most popular storytellers for good reason. In this gripping standalone, Hillier adds gradual layers of intrigue chapter-by-chapter building up to a mind blowing conclusion. The characters are well developed and the scene details spot on. This book has a masterfully written crime story at the heart of it. All the rest is beautiful gravy to go with it.

Take a huge bow Jennifer Hillier for this outstanding 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read! "Things We Do in the Dark" will be published July 19, 2022.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the honor of reviewing this amazing e-book. It was a huge thrill to be picked to read it!

I have to say I am a huge fan of Jennifer Hillier and was so excited to get to read this book. She just manages to write such a dark and twisted tale that you just can't put it down. I would highly recommend this book.

Paris is arrested as they believe she killed her husband Jimmy. It doesn't look good that she is covered in blood and holding a razor in her hand. Paris has so much to hide and is worried her old life will come back to haunt her. I have to say that I love how resourceful Paris is.

Thank you #Net Galley

Meet Joey. A daughter to a single mom, Ruby, who is more interested in men and what kind of life they can provide her, than the safety and well-being of her daughter. Joey suffers physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her mother for 13 years before Ruby murders her boyfriend in a jealous rage. Joey is taken away by the state and is sent to live with her mother's sister, who hates Ruby & Joey, where she is treated less than and suffers even more abuse for 5 years until she escapes and is able to live alone with Drew and his girlfriend.

Meet Paris. She is married to retired comedian Jimmy Peralta, a man who is decades older than her, but who Paris geniunely loves and cares for. When Jimmy is found dead in their bathtub by Paris, who was gone for a yoga retreat, Paris's world is taken for a wild ride. The crazy part? This is not the first time Paris has found herself smack in the middle of a crime scene.

This book dragged me in from the very first sentence. It is told in alternating POV and in both present and past tense. We have Joey, Paris and Drew all telling different sides of events and each character really has their own personality, voice and emotion throughout each of their dialogues. I really enjoyed reading Joey's POV the most. She had so many things happening in her life that it kept me so interested and really waiting to hear from her again. There were lots of twists and turns in this one. From the beginning to the very end. When something happened that you expected to be the "twist", there was another one not far behind.

The only part I didn't love was Drew's dialogue. It wasn't bad. The writing was great. His personality shone through, but he just wasn't as exciting or interesting as Paris and Joey. There was a long chunk of just Drew in the middle and I got bored while I was trying to make it through, but the rest of the book really made that chunk worth it, and it really was vital to the story.

Thank you NetGalley for my chance to read this advanced e-reader copy. I will DEFINTELY be suggesting this one to all my friends!

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

I loved this one. Very fast paced, had me turning pages as I tore through it – I had to see how it would end. The characters were well rounded and the narrative felt believable. Gave me chills. Solid five

this is hands down one of the best thrillers i’ve read in a long time!
I think it’s best going into this one knowing very little about the plot, because Hillier starts throwing in reveals and curveballs within the first few chapters and she just doesn’t let go! we’re following several different timelines and the story is kind of told out of order, but it’s definitely done in a way where everything comes together brilliantly.
another knockout from Hillier, proving she’s one of the best thriller authors in the game right now

It’s no secret Jennifer Hillier has inspired my own stories for years and with good reason—her writing is knockout fantastic. In THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK she expertly weaves a tale that’s suspenseful, twisted and shocking, but equally tender with a vulnerability that will crawl right into your ribcage and sit in your heart. A true masterclass in thriller writing, this is a novel you do not want to miss.

This is so crazy, yes I knew early on the big reveal, but it’s still twisty and suspenseful! Paris Peralta is arrested for the death of her celebrity husband, Jimmy Peralta. It doesn’t look good for Paris, but eventually she posts bail. There’s a few POVs and we get to know Ruby and her daughter Joelle “Joey” Reyes. There’s so much to uncover, lives are intertwined, and secrets pour out. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.