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 mystery but its heavy

This is such a good mystery that had me guessing the whole time. I was questioning so much more than just “who did it?” The overall book is pretty dark but there are a couple scenes that were intense in different ways than I expected. I’ve been getting suggestions to read Gillian Flynn and this was my first one and I think I’ll try another.

Listened to it in 2 days

I would recommend this book to my friends and family. It was a great listen it was suspenseful and a great mystery. Much better than the movie! I listened to the book 1st, then tried to watch the movie. I only got 20 minutes into the movie before I had to stop LOL.

Title is appropriate

Too dark and depressing for my taste. I didn’t really enjoy this book. The reveal happened all too quickly as if the author was in a hurry to wrap it up. I do not recommend.

Drags a bit in my opinion

If your life is treating you grand perhaps you will not be as affected as I was by the sad tale of the dysfunctional Day family. I don't read true crime books any longer but by the time she winds this up that is what I have endured. It is a powerful book that is a STRONG testament to her skills. I wish it had been edited as strongly because I honestly couldn't take any more.

entertaining

this book certainly kept my interest right up until the end. I really liked the characters and found it very entertaining. I was sorry it was over

Heartbreaking and masterful

My second book I’ve listened to by Gillian Flynn and I will always be in awe of her ability to write in such a way to where I had to, especially with “Dark Places” continually remind myself that this was a story of fiction. The realness and rawness of this book is almost too much but still worth the emotional rollercoaster you will feel that you are on.

So dark and so twisty

When I was looking at reviews before starting this story, someone said “I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn’t a true story” and that absolutely rang true! Gillian is an incredible story teller who captures the thoughts and feelings of each character perfectly. If you are a parent, this is definitely going to make you kids your babies an extra time before bed.

Good story, but a bit of a speed bump in the middle

Story is good but for some reason I’m the middle I feel like it over complicated itself and becomes too convoluted. I did enjoy the ending though, but it kind of felt unjustified.

Glad I read it. Glad it’s over.

Great story! Wicked dark but amazing

Loved this book. Her writing efforts are to be celebrated and the performance was exquisite. Thank you!

Disturbing!

Flynn is an amazing writer! The story is dark and gave me nightmares! I don’t regret reading it, but it’s going to take some time to recover. Narration was excellent too!