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)

Kansas Family Murdered

This is a gripping novel that is absolutely riveting. By the end you will know each of the characters and will have their physical characteristics clear in your mind. The story holds your attention until the very last page. It is a must read for sure.

This will keep you guessing until the end

You won’t regret taking the time for this story. It will be your obsession until the last page.

Second read

It took 2 times listening to this book for me to really appreciate it. First time listening, I fell asleep often. It’s an interesting story and the performances were good.

Light read for a vacay..

Good story but very light reading. The who of the "who dunnit" was very disappointing. Libby was a likable character regardless of her faults. Good vacation listen. Narrating team was fantastic!

I enjoyed the different narrators. This book I felt like I was there in the moment.

I loved it all. It was fantastic. Great detail in the narration. I felt like I got a perspective from the characters.

unrealistic ending

Although "Gone Girl's" ending was more preposterous, the ending of this one is pretty far-fetched. It's an ok story til the end. Narrators are fair. Overall an ok book but nothing better.

Excellent narration, Suspenseful

More suspenseful than Sharp Objects due to the subject matter. Here, you are dealing with a gripping "who done it" and you are really eager to get to the end.

At the same time, the narration is fantastic since there are multiple voices and perspectives to fill in the gaps.

And we are flipping between current time and the 1980s and we are hearing from the characters in their youth and adult views.

Well done. Well done.

First rate

While some of the scenes are challenging for vegans or PETA folks, this is a well written, well paced, well narrated piece of fiction. Difficult to put down--intelligently written.

A win

Ever since Girl Gone I want to read anything by Gillian. This book was good. It was layed out well and I liked how the story came together.

A Transfixing Story Line leading to Final Peace

What did you love best about Dark Places?

How the author wove in and out of the history of the characters, all building up to the final twist and climax of the story. A Masterful 'Who was the Killer', all bound in the agony and lost life of the one suriving child.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

This was one of the few books with male / female readers. It worked wonderfully to give added light to the story line. I always wonder why they don't do this more.

The readers pulled this off wonderfully!

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

Oddly Yes. It kept the pace up very well.

Any additional comments?

It is a Dark Book, Graphic at Points, visceral in others, sweet and charming in most places.

I highly recommend this book.