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)

Kept me in the car longer than necessary.Loved it!

What made the experience of listening to Dark Places the most enjoyable?

The story was rich and although it spans 25 years, it is so well connected and developed. The characters arebrought to life through the narrators performance....Will definitely listen a second time....which is rare for me.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the raw and unapologetic approach the author takes in developing her characters. She has an incredible skill in making you love the unlovable and hate the seemingly righteous.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

The performance of Patty Day was my favorite, however Libby was a close second.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I sat in my car listening to the final chapters....they were gripping. You had no idea what was coming, but yet I wasn't surprised at all.

Daring and touches your heart

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

Absolutely! I thought this story has so many facets it would hold almost any genre of readers attention.

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

Blood Memory written by Greg IIes. Both characters thought they knew the truth, but boy were they wrong.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

I didn't really have a favorite. To me each character needed the other in order to make the story truly come alive.

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

Young girl lost in the snow finds that truth doesn't always set you free...

Decent story, but not one I'll recommend

As a fan of Gone Girl, I thought I'd give Flynn's Dark Places a try. The plot kept me engaged and wanting to know more, and each character had its own diverse story that was well-told. Like any book with a mysterious plot, the web of events was well-strung, and in the end the pieces fit together beautifully. I found myself reacting out loud to the story towards the end as the lies are unraveled, and it was not as predictable as I had thought it would be. The narrator was also good, which can really make or break an audiobook. In the end, I gave the overall story a 3, frankly because I found parts of the storyline be gross and unsettling, especially when involving children. I don't think I would read it again or recommend it because of that, but it was well-written and engaging.

A true thriller

What did you love best about Dark Places?

I loved how all the character's stories pulled together at the end to make the reader go 'ah-ha'. It was never predictable and kept me interested.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dark Places?

When you realize the mother paid someone to kill her

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

No

Great story. Amazing narrators.

Gillian Flynn is always good for a great, well-paced thriller with interesting characters that feel authentic no matter how crazy the story gets. But I have to give special recognition to the narrators. These might be four of the best audiobook performances of any book I’ve listened to. I can’t even pick a favorite. They work really well together to create a complete story and perfectly keep the tone and pace of Flynn’s novel. I might even start seeking out other performances of these voice actors on audible!

Didn't see that coming til the end!

I love when you can't predict the outcome of a story. This one kept me guessing right up until the end! Great story. My only issue was that the narrators had different volumes. I put this book on at night while falling asleep, and the female narration was significantly louder than the male's, so I found I had to keep adjusting the volume. That said, both narrators did a fantastic job narrating. Another great work by Gillian! I highly recommend it!

good story, great narration.

good story, but I guessed who done it a little early on, or rather had a good idea. narration was excellent.

A definite thriller

Would you listen to Dark Places again? Why?

Probably, The book had so many twists and turns, dead ends and possible suspects... I probably missed something.

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

I guess, I compared it to Gone Girl, I don';t often read mysteries or murder thrillers. I don't often dwell in the minds and hearts of the vicious.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

I had no favorite. None of the characters had enough redeeming qualities to really favorite. Every single character, bar none, had a serious character flaw... an evil that was distasteful.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't laugh or cry, but I paid close attention.

Wow I was hooked!

Terrific story with plenty of unique characters that kept my interest and curiosity. One chapter was especially gruesome; rest was ok for murder descriptions.

Great narration!

This was a good story made better by the great narration. While some pf the details were disturbing, and some of descriptions too laborious, overall the story had a good narrative arc and kept me guessing. The way the chapters went back and forth in time, from different characters' perspectives, kept this long story interesting. Kept me awake through several long commutes!