First Sentence: There’s a time and place for erect nipples, but the back of a Seattle police car definitely isn’t it.

Paris Peralta’s husband has been murdered. Covered in blood, and holding a straight razor, she is immediately arrested. Her greatest fear is that the media attention will result in Paris’ true identity and past being exposed by her mother, Ruby Reyes, who is in prison for a similar crime. Ruby will claim Paris was guilty of that murder, too.

The first line of this book sets the tone, and it goes straight downhill from there. The biggest problem with this book is that it was filled, absolutely filled, with unlikable characters. There really isn’t one with whom one can identify or empathize.

Back story can be a good thing. Drowning the reader in back story is not. And a backstory that often makes one’s skin crawl is even worse. Yes, it was understandable and explained why the character was as she was, but one would need something to make one care about the character. Instead, she made some horrendously stupid decisions both in the past and in the present.

Although this wasn’t meant to be a police procedural, the lack of any normal procedure was almost comical. Any author who writes books involving the police should at least know the basics.

There was no real suspense; no breath-catching twists. The perpetrator was obvious very early on in the book, and the outcome was predictable.

THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK was an overlong, convoluted story with characters about whom one may not care less. Apparently, Hillier has written other highly-rated books, but one couldn’t tell that by this one.

THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK
PsyThriller-Paris Peralta-Canada-Contemp
by Jennifer Hillier
Standalone – 352 pp
Minotaur Books – Jul 2022
RATING: Poor / D

Boring, predictable, and anticlimactic

After how much everyone has raves about this author, I’m so disappointed

Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier is a dark mystery/thriller about the wife of a famous celebrity who is found dead in his bathtub. The wife (Paris) is immediately a suspect in the murder investigation. The story switches between multiple points of view and multiple mysteries: Paris and her dead husband, Drew, a reporter investigating the parole of convicted killer Ruby Reyes, and a flashback to the childhood/young adult years of Joey Reyes, Ruby's daughter.

There is a lot going on in this story, but I thought all three perspectives worked well together. I was engaged throughout most of the book, but it is a dark read with depictions of abuse and the life of an exotic dancer in a strip club.

I didn't love the ending and didn't find any of the twists to be all that surprising. This one seemed to lose some steam towards the end. But overall, I liked it and would recommend it for anyone who is okay with a dark story.

𝙈𝙮 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)

𝙈𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:

Meh.

I could really leave my review at that. I generally love Ms. Hillier’s books so I was disappointed to find that this one, I just didn’t.

I expected to love it, and was disappointed when I realized I just didn’t care about it. It was a bit too cliché and not all that plausible for me. It wasn’t bad, per se, it just wasn’t great. “Meh” kind of encapsulates my feelings about it.

And I know I’m an outlier. But sometimes, a book just doesn’t work for some people.

That being said, I will continue to read and look forward to Ms. Hillier’s future work.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and Jennifer Hillier for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙒𝙚 𝘿𝙤 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠 is available now.

𝙈𝙮 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)

𝙈𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:

Meh.

I could really leave my review at that. I generally love Ms. Hillier’s books so I was disappointed to find that this one, I just didn’t.

I expected to love it, and was disappointed when I realized I just didn’t care about it. It was a bit too cliché and not all that plausible for me. It wasn’t bad, per se, it just wasn’t great. “Meh” kind of encapsulates my feelings about it.

And I know I’m an outlier. But sometimes, a book just doesn’t work for some people.

That being said, I will continue to read and look forward to Ms. Hillier’s future work.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and Jennifer Hillier for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙒𝙚 𝘿𝙤 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠 is available now.

Jennifer Hillier, author of Jar of Hearts, returns with another amazing twisty stunner with Things We Do In the Dark. When we first meet Paris, I have to be honest, I didn't really like her. She just seemed kind of surface and maybe just a gold digger. And because of that it took me a little while to get into the book. So if this is you, keep reading, it gets so good.

When we meet convicted murderer Ruby Reyes, the story really gets going. We learn about about her crimes, and we hear about her daughter, who was good friends with Paris many years ago. Things We Do In the Dark is one of those books that the minute you think you've figured out what is happening, turns out you are wrong! Just read it.

Special thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced e-galley in exchange for my honest review. This one is available now.

I absolutely loved Jennifer Hillier's previous book Little Secrets, so nobody was more disappointed than I was to not love Things We Do in the Dark. This book started out so strong for me. I listened to the audiobook for this one and I was HOOKED during the first section. We see Paris Peralta, celebrity wife of an older husband who was found dead in his bathroom. While Paris herself was standing over his body. This storyline was so addicting to listen to. However, there's a second story that was woven throughout which happened 25 years prior to Paris's story. In this interwoven story, we have Ruby Reyes, who is convicted of a similar crime to Paris Peralta. Though they were interwoven to tell a similar story and show the connections between the women, I found the second story of Ruby Reyes to not be as captivating as Paris's story. I quickly lost interest in the story and it began to feel long and tedious to me. I do appear to be in the minority, so if this book is in your wheelhouse of usual reads, I think it's worth a read for sure.

Things We Do In The Dark by Jennifer Hillier is my type of suspense: fast moving and propulsive!

When the story begins Paris Peralta wakes up in her bathroom covered in blood, holding a straight razor. Dead in the bathtub is her husband, famous comedian, Jimmy Peralta.

As the murder mystery is revealed, Paris’ secrets are revealed.

In an alternating storyline, Drew is a podcaster who is working on a story about Ruby Reyes, the Ice Queen, convicted of killing her banker lover 25 years ago. Ruby is about to be paroled and Drew has a personal stake in her story.

As the book unfolds, the stories are seemingly unrelated but are they? Read Things We Do In The Dark to find out!

I really enjoyed this book! I look forward to reading more of her books.

Thank you to #netgalley and #minotaurbooks for the advanced e-copy of #thingswedointhedark .

This book published in July 19, 2022 and is available now.

This was such an interesting mystery. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives and the way everything came together at the end. I like following Paris and learning more about her past. The reveals weren’t too shocking but I liked how you could put the pieces together just before things were revealed. This wasn’t my favourite my Jennifer Hillier, but it was a fun time and I will definitely continue reading from her!

Probably my favourite thriller of 2022. Hillier knows how to plot a twist ending! The characters will stick with you for a while after this one!

I inhaled this book. Twisty, well-plotted, and moving, Things We Do in the Dark is perfect for avid thriller lovers in constant search of fresh and surprising storylines. Bravo, Jennifer Hillier! I’ll follow wherever you go!

Wasn't a great fan of this. Thought the mystery was a little obvious. I didn't know why but I wasn't excited by this mystery.

Paris Peralta is arrested for the murder of her husband after he is found dead in his home and she is covered in his blood. However, a murder charge isn't what Paris is most concerned with- it's her troubled past she has worked so hard to keep hidden, that might be unveiled.

This book is SO GOOD. If you are not easily triggered and looking for something gruesome and dark, this is the book for you. It's part investigative journalism/true crime podcast, part legal thriller, and full of twisty secrets. I am such a sucker for a book with multiple POVs and timelines, and this one totally delivered. Jennifer Hillier does not hold back with the content this book covers, so if you are squeamish or sensitive to certain topics, please make sure to read the content warnings! My heart just ached for Paris's character. She has been through SO much over the course of her life, I was routing for her but also holding my breath for the big reveal at the end. There are so many other characters in this book that made me straight up angry, and for that I applaud JH, because she really writes in a way that'll tug at your emotions. I give this one 5/5, I still like JAR OF HEARTS the best, but this is a great suspenseful book to add to your list.

Jennifer Hillier is a must-read author for me. I really enjoyed Jar of Hearts and Little Secrets so I had really high expectations for Things We Do in the Dark. It did not disappoint. 

I really enjoyed trying to solve multiple mysteries at once in this plot. I was worried it might be confusing, but it wasn't. Although I didn't enjoy the part from Drew's perspective, it did give a lot of depth to Joey and Ruby. Hillier never lets me down when it comes to character development. She always provides such detail in her characters. I know you will love to hate so many of them! 

I did at times find the twists predictable, but in an odd way. I knew when something wasn't right, but I didn't guess what it was if that makes sense. Maybe the red herrings got me? Either way, this book held my interest easily. I actually read the last 50% in one day, which is huge for me as a slow reader. 

Overall, another solid thriller from Jennifer Hillier!

Paris Peralta is found holding a razon in the bathroom with her dead husband, Jimmy, covered in blood. Paris is arrested and facing murder charges. Even more frightening is her past. Two decades prior, Ruby Reyes was charged with a similar murder in Canada. Ruby knows all about Paris' past.

Ruby is unexpectedly released from prison and now Paris is going to have to face her past.

THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK
By Jennifer Hillier

This was probably one of the best Jennifer Hillier thrillers I have read so far. This thriller read was so gripping and thrilling, packed full of emotions and twists, that I could literally not put this book down.

The story begins as Paris Peralta is found next to her husband Jimmy, 30 years her senior dead in a bloody bath tub. Married only a year, she looks all too guilty, but this does not phase Paris, because there is something else more sinister going on in the background.

The writing was so emotionally gripping, with lots of twists and turns. The character study was perfect and the way the story reveals itself was so masterfully written. I really loved this thriller.

Highly recommend.

‘Things We Do in the Dark,; by Jennifer Hillier has a great premise and a good story. If you are not someone who is trying to solve while you read you will probably enjoy it more than those who need to figure out the plot.

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for my honest review.*

Paris Peralta is being arrested for the murder of her much older, celebrity husband. Twenty-five years ago, Ruby Reyes was convicted of murdering her older lover who was also her boss. The stories are revealed throughout the book with twists along the way.

Hillier is a master story teller and I thoroughly enjoyed the twists in this novel. I did guess a few of them earlier on, but I still enjoyed the read from one of my go to authors.

⁉️Are you a thriller reader?
Thrillers usually land in the 3-3.5 stars range for me, but like rom coms, they just scratch and itch in my reading life that draws me to them even though I almost never expect to be blown away. Though, to be fair, sometimes they really surprise me (in a good way).

I definitely feel like I ramp up my thriller reads in fall and to get myself out of a slump.

BOOK REVIEW
Things We Do in the Dark @jenniferhillierbooks
Pub date: July 19, 2022
@minotaur_books
352 pages

This book opens with Paris Peralta standing over her dead (celebrity) husband holding a razorblade, and so the whodunnit aspect of the book begins. As far as books in the genre go, I felt like the reader gets a lot of backstory on the main characters, which I really appreciated as someone who loves a good character driven novel. Unfortunately, it made it easy to guess what was going on relatively early in the story.

That said, I like thrillers especially, that are full of vengeful women. It’s that antihero thing, where you’re kind of rooting for woman who know has or is doing bad things.

There are a lot of important triggers to be aware of in this story. So, be sure to look them up before reading.

I’ve read this and Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier, and will definitely be adding Little Secrets to my TBR.

Thanks @netgalley for my e-ARC!

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This thriller had a great premise, but I thought the twist quickly becomes clear; I wish it had been more suspenseful and the ending had been less obvious.