Dark Places

A Novel

By: Gillian Flynn

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman, Cassandra Campbell, Mark Deakins, Robertson Dean

Length: 13 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in "The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas". As her family lay dying, little Libby fled their tiny farmhouse into the freezing January snow. She lost some fingers and toes, but she survived, and famously testified that her 15-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer.

Twenty-five years later, Ben sits in prison, and troubled Libby lives off the dregs of a trust created by well-wishers who've long forgotten her.

The Kill Club is a macabre secret society obsessed with notorious crimes. When they locate Libby and pump her for details, proof they hope may free Ben, Libby hatches a plan to profit off her tragic history. For a fee, she'll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club...and maybe she'll admit her testimony wasn't so solid after all.

As Libby's search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the narrative flashes back to January 2, 1985. The events of that day are relayed through the eyes of Libby's doomed family members, including Ben, a loner whose rage over his shiftless father and their failing farm have driven him into a disturbing friendship with the new girl in town.

Piece by piece, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started...on the run from a killer.

©2009 Gillian Flynn (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

"Gillian Flynn is the real deal, a sharp, acerbic, and compelling storyteller with a knack for the macabre." (Stephen King)

"A gritty, riveting thriller with a one-of-a-kind, tart-tongued heroine." (Booklist)

“A riveting tale of true horror by a writer who has all the gifts to pull it off.” (Chicago Tribune)

Stunning and edge of your seat!

Would you listen to Dark Places again? Why?

No, just bc I don't ever re—read books. I would rather use my time to read new books or listen to new stories.

What other book might you compare Dark Places to and why?

Not sure, still new to all these authors.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Though a narrator can kill a good book, I don't have a favorite as of yet. But I do listen to samples to hear the narrator to see if I can handle their voice... If it captivates me and judge from there.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Same as Title of book!

Really enjoyed this one

What did you love best about Dark Places?

I thought it might end up being predictable, but for me part of it wasn't until close to the ending. But I loved all the twists and how the author tried to make you think it was the obvious choice.

What did you like best about this story?

The story was well written and it was great to learn about all the characters from different perspectives and as a reader knowing things that they characters didn't know.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I probably could have listened to it all at once but I did break it up and only allowed myself to listen during a long commute.

Any additional comments?

Would love to see what happens to the characters next.

Enjoy the brilliant mind of Ms Flynn!

Gillian Flynn is a brilliant writer! I couldn't stop listening!And the narrators were all great & the main character's (Libby) narrator was absolutely perfect for the character!

A few mispronunciations

I was born there and the town is pronounced "Suh-lye-na" not saleena. I also heard "riffled" when it should have been rifled. Otherwise I thought everything was well done

Couldn't stop listening

I am a Gillian Flynn fan. The writing is amazing. The story is good and I liked the readers. Thanks.

Great audiobook!!

Another suspenseful and exciting book from Gillian Flynn! Loved the twists and turns and great character development!

loved it

narators voice captures the tone of the story as you are dragged back into the darkness of on horrific, twisted day. one that she has avoid for so long and yet has shaped every waking moment of her life. what really happened and who was it who really killed the Days?

Gut Wrenching, Dark Suspense

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. In fact, I already have. The multiple performers in this audiobook make it even more engaging. There were very few times that I thought the inflection was off or the cadence was annoying.

What other book might you compare Dark Places to and why?

The obvious comparisons are to Gillian Flynn's other books. Personally, I have only read Gone Girl, which I didn't care for much. Whereas the end of Gone Girl seemed to be an afterthought--just a quick bow to finish an otherwise interesting story--Dark Places seems well thought out and planned.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. And I did. It's amazing how much housework you can do when you have a "can only listen when I clean" rule.

Love

Great read. Love this author and the twist she adds to her books, you never see coming. Always entertaining.

A dark tale and a bit gory

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book if you don't mind gore. It is a bit slow to build, but comes through in the end.

If you’ve listened to books by Gillian Flynn before, how does this one compare?

This one is a bit more flat compared to Flynn's Gone Girl!