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)

Such a great thriller

Loved how this story was set up. I started this whilst on a road trip and I was fully engaged the entire time. Just an incredibly, smart, sophisticated thriller. Seriously, listen to this book, you won't regret it.

Dark and daring

It was definitely dark...but well written. If you love tv shows like Law & Order: SVU, you'll like this book. I love that it was written from many vantage points...made the story even more interesting

Super Story

If you could sum up Dark Places in three words, what would they be?

Sad. Interesting. Twisted.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Libby. She's so sad and desperate. Almost unable to work,but works hard at staying unemployed. If she had gotten the help she needed early in her life she would never had learned the truth.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Her ability to move between characters and never loose the audience.

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

The last Day

Any additional comments?

Great story of a little girl lost and the young man who comes along to help her find herself.

Enjoyable

I liked this book. Didn't love it, but glad I listened. I figured out the who done it part about half way through but there were surprises adding the way that made it worthwhile. Y2k the narrator was very good too.

excellent narrating

really painted a picture. I actually look for books with this woman who reads them aloud.

Good story great narration

Would listen again one of gillian's better books. Glad I took a chance on it

Awesome

Very good, but what else do you expect from Gillian Flynn?

Slow build, so do not lose your patience as there is a BIG payoff.

All mystery/thriller lovers, this one is for you!

Great Listen!

Couldn't Stop Listening to all twists and turns! Totally didn't see this killer coming at all!

Great story

I love the book, very interesting and keeps you wanting to listen to find out what really happened. But I have to say, I really cannot stand the main character Libby. She is not a likable character at all!!

worth the read!

Kept you guessing until the end. I love the narrator,I have listened to a few books with her and I always think she is great!