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)

Great twists, truly dark

Definitely dark, a lot of foul language. The story line was good and keeps you interested but much darker than the summary implies. I probably would not have bought it having known this.

Really enjoyed this book

It really sucked me in. Kind of bummed it's over. Very well written and read!

Haunting

At first I didn't much like the carachters, but it stuck in my head every day as I waited to hear the next part. This book gets more and more dark and intense as it progresses to a unbelievable climax and soothing ending. An excellent look into the psyche of teenagers who get swept up into situations that surpass their ability to think things through and make decisions.

DARK is right. Well written but just too macabre.

Although I liked elements of this book and I often enjoy fiction of a melancholy nature, this one felt just a tad "icky" for my taste. The subject matter of this book contains themes of sex, murder, violence, isolation, depression, anger and justice but is heavily focused on negativity in general (in my opinion). The book centres on a crime of a young woman's past---the brutal slaughter of her entire family and her brother sentenced to life in prison for it. As she wrestles with her personal demons of anger, hate and general misery she is confronted with learning the truth about what really happened to her family.

While I found the mystery of the story quite good, the writing solid and the character development impressive, I couldn't enjoy the miserable protagonist or the side-story of her brother. The protagonist was stubborn, hateful, rude and foolish and I personally couldn't relate to her nor did I find satisfaction in her "development." The Narrative also centres on her incarcerated brother's past which was painfully slow, drawn-out, and disturbing. Again, my personal taste didn't derive satisfaction from scenes involving awkward sexual situations and teenage sociopaths doing drugs and killing cows. Although descriptive and visceral, not my cup of tea!

Overall, this book was expertly written and subject matter aside, it was fantastic. This book would be a great option for those looking for non-traditional characters, dark subject matter and suspenseful murder mystery drama. I rated it based on my personal taste, not quality. Please keep that in mind and no offence to the author!

Captivating story. Credits well spent.

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

Absolutely. The book moves forward at the perfect pace - enough to keep my mind off of the long drives endured through many States. That's why I subscribed to Audible in the first place, and this one delivered.

Who was your favorite character and why?

None of the characters were my favorite. The author represented all of the main characters equally, all flaws, all weaknesses.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Every performance was excellent.

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

It wasn't in the beginning, but it became one!

great book!

loved this book, very addicting and good through and through! I loved "gone girl" and loved this one to. just bought the "sharp objects" one also. can't wait to get started!

Another Pleased Gillian Flynn Reader

Any additional comments?

Here is a mystery/thriller that won't disappoint. Flynn has you appreciating your own troubled childhood with this one. (Poor....bullying....getting into the wrong crowd....farmers that only care about themselves.) One families troubles and hardships make for one crazy unfortunate night of death.

Flynn's characters tell of events that went on that dreadful day. This read will have you wanting more of Flynn's books. She has a crazy disturbing talent of helping you get into each of the lead characters of the book. Ben was of particular interest to me. Just how she describes this awkward teen's sense of being,trying to fit in, is superb. I taught high school and it really makes you feel for those awkward/different looking kids.

These characters are all flawed but definitely don't deserve the life they eventually have been dealt. If you are a true mystery/thriller reader this is a MUST read. If you are offended by bad language, warped sex don't read this!!

If I have one negative it would be as one other reviewer noted...... The male voice needed to sound like that of a teen. It still did not disappoint.

Couldn't stop listening

Gillian Flynn is officially my favorite author ! Can't wait to watch the movie! Definitely worth a credit!

Loved it !

This was the best book I've listened to in a long while ! Loved it ! I found myself sneaking in moments to listen to it throughout the "Day" - I can't wait for the movie to come out .

Thrilling

If you liked Gone Girl you'll like this book too. Spot on performances and a mystery you'll want to solve