Loved this book! Jennifer Hillier's writing is amazing. I could not put this book down. Read in a single sitting. All the stars!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced listener's copy in exchange for my honest review.

Paris Parelta is the main suspect in her celebrity husband's murder. His murder triggers something that has been hidden deep down inside of her core. Paris' story is intriguing and dark. Will her future be destroyed once all of her secrets come out?

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook! The narrator, Carla Vega was easy to listen to and had me hooked! This audiobook is filled with twists, suspense, and alternating timelines. The backstory was a little slow at times, but didn't stop me from listening. The ending was SO GOOD! Love Jennifer Hillier books!

Highly recommend listening to this dark thriller!

4 1/2 Stars

Jennifer Hillier is one of my must read authors. She earned that spot with Jar of Hearts and I'm always ready to read her new offerings when a new book comes out. So, when I received an early copy of Things We Do in the Dark, I was over the moon. Then I received an early copy of the audio as well and it was the cherry on top.

As I delved into this book, I was immediately engrossed in the storyline. The author knows exactly how to draw a reader in and make you want to continue reading just to see what will happen next. This book definitely covers some dark topics and sensitive readers should take note that there are potential triggers.

I thought that Ms. Hillier wove this story together in a very clever way. Even though I could see some of the twists coming, I was never completely sure of exactly how they'd play out. There was always a little doubt. She knows how to lead you up to the edge of a theory but pull you back enough so that you doubt yourself and aren't sure if you want to fully commit or not.

This book follows Paris Peralta. She's the wife of a famous, wealthy older man who has recently been found dead. She is instantly suspected of murdering him and a great deal of circumstantial evidence points in that direction. A great deal of the book focuses on this storyline and working on her defense. In addition, there are several other backstories in the book as well.. They provide information from the past that also connects to Paris.

I really enjoyed how the author developed this story and went back and forth between present and past. As always, her writing style is immersive.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: I was also fortunate enough to receive the audiobook for an early review. The narration was perfect and it was easy to get pulled into the story. There are times when I enjoy listening to mysteries and thrillers even more than reading them. This one was one where I could equally enjoy the narration as much as the written book. In the case of the audio, I did rotate between the written ebook and the audio. 5 stars for the audio.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC and early copy of the audiobook. I voluntarily chose to review these and the opinions contained within are my own.

Start of with a young woman found with her dead, famous, rich, older husband. She’s covered in his blood and holding a straight razor. What do you assume happened? Probably, what everyone else would assume. After all, it’s pretty safe betting on the spouse in any murder. But did he really kill himself? The answers to all of the questions raised in Things We Do in the Dark are not what you expected.

Another woman dies in a fire. Her life had been harsh. Mother accused of killing a boyfriend when she had just been a child. Abused by most of the adults in her life, and stripping to make a living, Joey doesn’t seem to have much of a future. Then her apartment catches fire and her remains azure found.

The real story here is not how this all fits together nor what happened in that bathroom with the straight razor. That’s what we start and end with, but in the middle there is the story of a a strong little girl who becomes a strong woman. It is a story about how abuse doesn’t have to define you and how hard it is not to let it.

Thanks to the author and the publisher for the ARC. Now, I need to go and order the book. I suggest everyone do the same.

Really enjoyed this thriller. It starts out with a celebrity that is murdered and his wife deemed the criminal. Then the story suddenly switches to a young girl being abused my her mother and others. When it all comes together the story really draws you in! The audio book was well done and liked the voice.

Trigger warnings around, however this is another intense, captivating thriller from Jennifer Hillier. Fast moving plot and strong character development - highly recommended to fans of the author or thrillers in general.

4.5 rounded up to 5
Jennifer Hillier is an autobuy author for me, her work is always amazing.

Although I figured out all of the twists I still loved every minute of the book. This story is a lot of back story & memories between the main characters but it definitely helps to build the full story.

4.5 stars

Jennifer Hillier has done it again!
Things We Do in the Dark is a smartly written, complexly plotted psychological thriller that had me in its grip from page one!
Paris Peralta is covered with blood, holding a straight razor, as her wealthy husband Jimmy lies dead in his bathtub, and the Seattle police are in the doorway. Paris tells the police she can’t remember what happened, and is arrested for the murder of her husband.
Meanwhile, far away in Toronto, a crime reporter with a podcast is looking into the case of convicted killer Ruby Reyes, who has a mysterious relationship with Paris.
No spoilers here—the plot unfolds in present action and past history, from multiple POVs, as Paris’ marriage to Jimmy is explored and her traumatic childhood elucidates her historical connection to Ruby.
I liked this deft unraveling of the past life and motivations of these characters, as well as the perseverant journalist, Drew, and Jimmy’s loyal lawyer/friend, Elsie.
The author is skilled at layering the plots and asking probing questions throughout. Can people outrun their pasts? Can friends or lovers grow and evolve together or is their relationship undeniably altered by their evolutions? What dark deeds do people cover up and hide, with what consequences?
I highly recommend this book to readers who appreciate dark, fast-moving crime novels populated by well-drawn, if flawed, characters who struggle mightily with their past and present lives.
I enjoyed the audiobook version, which is skillfully narrated by the excellent Carla Vega.

Thank you to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the audio ARC. This is my unbiased review.

Paris Peralta is arrested of her husband's murder, after being found in her bathroom, covered in his blood and holding a straight razor. Try as they might to make the pieces fit, even her husband's best friend and attorney believes that Paris is innocent. In the process of investigating the death, will the secrets of the past come to the surface?

The best part of this book was the narration by Carla Vega. Things We Do in the Dark is performed, not simply read, by the voice actress and is the only reason why I did not give up on the book. Besides being disappointing and predictable, the author chose certain turns of phrase that are off-putting and not necessary. I was confused as to why Jennifer Hillier found it necessary to describe the main character's lack of dress to such a degree. With the eyes of the world on the case, I did not seem plausible that the detectives would treat Paris with such anomosity from the start. As a huge fan of mystery thrillers, I was disappointed in Things We Do in the Dark. The premise was not that unique and the characters were not all that interesting. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend the novel in any of its formats.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Audio Copy of Things We Do in the Dark by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to review this book rests entirely with me.

***4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account***

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

The only one who knows all our secrets is ourselves and in Things We Do In The Dark, by one of my favorite thriller authors Jennifer Hillier, the fear of anyone else finding out who we really are is a death warrant.

As in any of this writer's books it's best to go in blind and enjoy the winding twisty tale. Just as a tease the protagonist of this crazy WTF story is Paris who is married to a decades older famous comedian and she has just been found covered in blood next to his dead body in their bathroom holding what appears to be the murder weapon. Now for the crazy part, she is not worried about proving her innocence, but about the publicity leading to who she really is and what she really did many years ago.

I went between reading the book and listening to the audiobook. Narrator Carla Vega made me much more emphatic towards Paris, especially when her earlier life comes to light. Her performances of these characters, many who are pure evil, is a masterpiece of narration having to go from human to monster in many different dialogues.

If you are a fan of this genre this new summer psychology thriller is a MUST READ for you. I figured out a lot before it happened but there still were some very fun surprises at the end and some things I wished had stayed in the dark!

I received a free copy of this book and audiobook from the publishers via #netgalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

***Beware Numerous Triggers***

Things we do in the dark by Jennifer Hillier – A review

A copy of the audiobook was provided to me by NetGalley.

If you prefer books that are tense, dark and character focused books – this is for you!

Five main categories each of five points are assigned to each star — if a category has more than two out of five points, I give them the star. (✖ / ✓ )

World/Atmosphere ✓ (3/5)
Characters ✓ (4/5)
Plot ✓ (4/5)
Writing style/originality ✓ (2/5)
Enjoyment ✓ (4/5)
In total: 4 stars

Some introductory thoughts:

I loved how the story had content warning in the begining and that the audiobook actually narrated them aswell instead of glossing over it. The story was engaging and thrilling — especially compelling for someone who hardly picks up this genre. I enjoyed it immensely, it made me want to try more books from this genre.

World and Atmosphere:

For a murder mystery, this was very intriguing and honestly well done — I just wish I had the chance to glimpse at panic along with the other tense and suspensful emotions this book elicited in me. The beginning was done quite ambiguosly, the whole atmosphere was on guard with Patis as shse was convicted of Jimmy Peralta’s murder. It was entertaining, intriguing and very well set.

I admit I dont really go for this genre, but this book’s atmosphere and story did not dissapoint — i actually went on to search for more mystery and crime books!

Characters:

Oh my god, do you catch the informal? Because I fell in love with these characters, the gap between Paris now and who she used to be and the contrasting feelings towards her because of that, as we saw the story unfold was so well done. I loved each character’s development in the beginning and end of the story, how the events affected and changed them.

I loved that Paris and Drew didn’t become a romantic pair when they reunited. I loved that Paris has this energy that makes her capable of violence despite her innocense mostly due to all she went through. The twists of what actually happened to Jimmy — perhaps since I dont read much mystery I was easily wooed, I dont have much experience to know, but personally I fell in love.

Plot:

The plot and build up was pretty well done, I’d say everything explored and told was great — perhaps for someone who likes a more fast paced sequence it might be aggravating, but I loved the pace. For this story, it matched perfectly to tell us what we needed to know and when in my opinion.

The contrasts and similarities were brilliant, I just wish Betty was explored a bit more. We saw drew visit a whole lead for Betty and her whereabouts and though her circumstance finishes all other important storylines that she might’ve opened, I wish we could’ve delved more into her character and what she planned to do with her boyfriends cash and drugs if she didn’t want to give them back even though she could have. If only to add more layers to that plot line.

Other than that, I think the plot was pretty perfect. Stakes and emotion, pace, flowing towards the end from the beginning, very well done and brilliant.

Writing Style:

For a murder mystery the writing was good, not exceptional or anything special — just there, and for audiobook it worked greatly! There were just some moments in some scenes that felt a bit too out of sequence and a bit amateur which distracted you from the whole narrative.

Like some reactions fell a bit awkward and it broke the flow of the scene and made me cringe, perhaps only 5-6 times too much? I still loved the book though, I just wish those were edited out or rewritten before publication — they just feel like first stage of editing a book, mistakes.

Enjoyability

I think it’s safe to predict from the previous passages of this review, that I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with this book/audiobook, I was impressed since I did not think I would enjoy this genre as much as I ended up enjoying it — though for someone who loves true crime this should have been obvious haha..

Either way, please read this, it was amazing!

Paris is not what or who you think. The image of the frilly yoga instructor and kept wife is a misconception. When her famous husband is found dead in their bathroom and Paris is covered in blood it looks bad. However, the more we get a picture of Paris’ childhood and back story, the more we start rooting for her. A good “whodunnit”.

B O O K • R E V I E W 🎧
•
Title: Things We Do In The Dark
Author: Jennifer Hillier
Rating: 4/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
“You could take a completely true story, omit a few key details here and there, diminish certain facts while highlighting others, and end up with a completely different narrative. Was the story still true? Yes. It was just a different expression of the truth, designed to tell the story in a specific way to garner a specific reaction.”
•
Happy Pub Week!! You guys, the hype is real with this one!! This is was my second read by Jennifer Hillier and I cannot wait to pick up more of her work. This was another phenomenal read that has it all from secrets and lies, family drama, murders, disappearances to a ton of manipulation.
•
This one is told in six parts, varying in POV and also the time line, easy as anything to follow, and each one will grab a stronger grip on you, having you not want to put the book down. I was so engrossed in Paris and Drew’s stories that I needed to know what happened.
•
Not overly shocked by some of the twists, but the execution of this one was great. These twists and turns are all stemmed from some serious darkness and I think Hillier did a great job with some really difficult topics. There are a ton of trigger warnings for this one, which are listed in in the front of the book - be sure to check them out.
•
I was given an advanced copy of this gem on audio and Carla Vega brought this story to life! One of my favorite things is to be able to listen to an audiobook while reading so happy I was able to listen to and read this one. I highly recommend reading this, its dark, twisted, and will keep you entranced until the very end. @hillier - you have officially become an auto-buy author for me.
•
Huge thank you to @netgalley, @macmillianaudio and @jenniferhillier for the advanced audio recording of this amazing read/listen!
•
#bookreview #fourstarbookreview #netgalleyaudios #botmpick #grippingread #darkandtwistedread #thisbookhasitall #triggerwarningsgalore #autobuyauthor #macmillianaudio #unabridgedproduction #advancedaudiorecording #thingswedointhedark #jenniferhillier

Jennifer Hillier is the master of twists and turns. I read her other book Jar of Hearts so I think my expectations were set slightly high. Hillier is a master at what she does. She knows how to hook her readers and keeps them wanting more.This book is about a monster of a mother who only loves herself. Her daughter Joey is a victim of her mother and her numerous monstrous boyfriends. We truly get to learn about Hilliers characters in this book which is full of twists and turns along the way. At the beginning it looks as thought Paris/Joey killed her famous husband. Did she or who could it have been?? While I didn't like this book as much as the other book I read by her, it was still a great read. A little slow to start but definitely picks up. Would reccomend.

Thank you for the chance to listen to this one!

I got through this very quickly. I like to read multiple books at a time, but kept coming back to this one because I wanted to see how it ended. I had theories early on, and I love when those pan out and new twists are added and layered in.

THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK by Jennifer Hillier

I haven’t read a Jennifer Hillier book in awhile and based on the ratings, I have been missing out.

Her books are edgy and her characters are flawed but all of that is welcomed and status quo. So what makes her unique?

In THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK we’re following Paris. Paris has just been found in a precarious position and we’re going to find out how she got there and of course every truth about why will be revealed along the way.

It’s part thriller, part mystery, equally entertaining and heartfelt. When you read a Hillier book you’re going to care about the characters in the story. They are well built and multi-faceted. They don’t always do the “right” thing, showing fallibility, making them easy to align with and root for.

I really enjoyed my time reading this one and I’m tempted to revisit her backlist while she’s working on her next book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy!

This one is out now!

THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Paris Peralta is found with her dead celebrity husband's blood all over her in her bathroom and the murder weapon, a straight razor in her hands. She has no memory of what happened and is charged with murder. The story flips to a similar murder that happened 25 years ago by Ruby Reyes who is about to get out on parole. Ruby claims to know who Paris is and Paris's secret. The mystery of what happened in the past and the present form the premise of this gripping thriller.

This was my first Jennifer Hillier book and I was super desperate to get my hands on this one. I was worried I would be disappointed after all the hype but it did not. It was gripping and I was so involved in the plot from beginning to end. Will be reading more of Jennifer Hillier's work!! If you love thriller/mystery books definitely check this out.

Please check the trigger warnings before reading the book. Thank you Macmillan Audio for sending me the ALC of Things We Do in the Dark.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

I’ll be honest, I usually don’t really enjoy thrillers. I continue to read them, though, in hopes that I’ll find one where the characters aren’t despicable and I don’t figure out the twist early on in the book.
And I finally found it- Things We Do in the Dark.
I seldom listen to audiobooks that aren’t nonfiction, only because I find my mind wandering a lot. This book held my attention the entire time. I did not figure out the twist at the end before it came (maybe just me!), and I almost always figure out the twist.
Well written- hitting hard-to-read but important social issues.
I couldn’t believe this was a debut, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

After thinking about what I was going to say, I decided to give this a 2 because I couldn't think of much about it that I liked.

Very underwhelmed. Quite disappointed as I adored Little Secrets. Filled with unlikable characters, no real mystery, and I had to force myself to keep reading because I was so bored.

There are multiple storylines, some in the present, some in the past. I don't know if the author thought that we wouldn't figure out how the two were related but it was quite obvious from the beginning. In the end, there is only one actual mystery (Did Jimmy commit suicide or did Paris or someone else kill him?) and the way it is solved is both laughable and eye rolling.

Another part that made this book head scratching (spoilers on Goodreads)

I did listen to most of this book as an audiobook, and Carla Vega's narration kept me engaged when reading it on the page probably wouldn't have done the same thing. However, when I got to the parts about stripping and some of the sexual/child abuse situations--now, those were difficult to listen to and I wish I had been reading the print copy in order to gloss over them. Hearing them was painful.

Let's just say that this book didn't do it for me. I love Hillier's writing and will chalk this up to a one off and I'll be here for the next one hoping for the mystery/thriller I know she can write.

Paris Peralta gets arrested for the murder of her famous husband - a murder that looks eerily similar to a murder committed by Ruby Reyes twenty years earlier. Paris knows her arrest could jeopardize her long-buried past. Now, it’s only a matter of time before someone recognizes her. Well, Ruby Reyes knows exactly who Paris REALLY is, and when Ruby is unexpectedly released from prison, Paris must confront the past she thought she escaped.

I’m really impressed TWDITD! Unlike a couple of Hillier’s other books I’ve read, this one didn’t have a major twist, at least not for me. I figured out “the who,” but “the why” is the winner here. Hillier develops a character-driven psychological thriller that slowly unveils the lasting effects of abuse, neglect, and childhood trauma. The toxic relationship between mother and daughter is written brilliantly, riddled with emotional abuse, physical abuse, and generational trauma. Bravo to Hillier for putting the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book because this one tackles lots of dark themes.

I love Carla Vega’s narration! I definitely recommend this format. Vega nails the Filipino accent and sings song lyrics. 🤩Overall, the narration elevates this dark tale.