Sharp Objects

A Novel

By: Gillian Flynn

Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

NOW AN HBO® LIMITED SERIES STARRING AMY ADAMS, NOMINATED FOR EIGHT EMMY AWARDS, INCLUDING OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES FROM THE NUMBER ONE NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF GONE GIRL

Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: She must return to her tiny hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful 13-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed in her old bedroom in her family's Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims - a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story - and survive this homecoming.

Praise for Sharp Objects:

“Nasty, addictive reading.” (Chicago Tribune)

“Skillful and disturbing.” (Washington Post)

“Darkly original...[a] riveting tale.” (People)

©2006 Gillian Flynn (P)2006 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Mystery Writers of America 2007 Edgar Nominee, Best First Novel by an American Author

"A witty, stylish, and compelling debut. A real winner." (Harlan Coben)

"Flynn delivers a great whodunit.... Piercingly effective and genuinely terrifying." (Kirkus Reviews)

"To say this is a terrific debut novel is really too mild. I haven't read such a relentlessly creepy family saga since John Farris' All Heads Turn as the Hunt Goes By, and that was 30 years ago, give or take. Sharp Objects isn't one of those scare-and-retreat books; its effect is cumulative. I found myself dreading the last 30 pages or so but was helpless to stop turning them. Then, after the lights were out, the story just stayed there in my head, coiled and hissing, like a snake in a cave. An admirably nasty piece of work, elevated by sharp writing and sharper insights." (Stephen King)

Dark and twisted, in a good way

This is my third book I've listened to by Flynn. As an author she definitely has a penchant for dark, but she's really good at it. She's good at creating fully fledged characters. And her observations about the way life is are accurate and interesting. Flynn also knows how to create truly frightening characters. I got the creeps numerous times during his story. I had already seen the HBO series which was based on this book. It was actually incredibly true to the way it was written, but it was nice to go further with it.
The narration was good as well. I flew through this book.
Just for comparison's sake, I thought Gone Girl was better than this but that this was better than Dark Places.

Not for the squeamish

Sharp Objects is a tight, integrated story that flirts with Southern Gothic, Stephen Kingesque horror without crossing the line. Although you will probably guess the villain and the specific syndrome early in the novel, the characterization and plot are so tightly interwoven that it holds your interest to the very end, and the reward is one more horrific detail. Flynn is an excellent writer, far above most who write in this genre. The plot is described elsewhere, so I won't rehash that. I do recommend this book to anyone who wants something a little different in mystery suspense.

Deliciously Dark

This book is one you need to prepare yourself for. The subject matter is unsettling, if not outright disturbing. The story is so well-written, though, you can't help but to keep listening. So after a few hours under the headphones, you feel pretty rotten. At least, I did. Gillian Flynn really drags you into the story; you are made to suffer the angush and anxiety of the narrator right along with her. I had to force myself to take breaks because I was getting so anxious myself.
Meanwhile, the narrator took a bit of getting used to. There was something about her voice that made me a bit uneasy, but I guess that worked out in the end considering the story.
All in all, it was a fantastic book and I look forward to more of Flynn's stories.

Excellent 4 stars! Highly recommend.

Any additional comments?

Don't be put off by my 4 stars. I hold 5 stars for books that I could listen to over and over again. Kept me engaged from start to end and didn't tune out once, which says something because my mind wonders frequently. It has moments in it that will make you cringe, but not overly graphic. For the parents out there not something you want to listen to with them in car - Adult coitus, Adult language, Adult content - Rated R.

Couldn’t put it down!

I really enjoyed this story! Recommend to anyone who loves mystery and drama!! Very well read

Better than Gone Girl

Walked and walked just so I could have an excuse to "read". Unpredictable and provoking.

love lovelove!!

this was an awesome book. kept me interest the whole time! it was so amazing all the characters had such personalities!

LOVE THIS AUDIBLE BOOK

Great twists and turns with a big shocker at the end. Wasn't sure I would enjoy listening rather than reading a thriller - but it was a fabulous experience!

could NOT put it down.

amazing performance. incredibly well-written. best audiobook so far. can't wait to watch see he hbo show!!!

Master of the Dark Soul

Sharp Objects is a journey into the unthinkable. Layers of grief, deception, pain and secrets slowly reveal themselves in a rural Missouri town with clarity so bright it burns. This whodunnit takes the listener into the dark souls of sisters living public and private lives that bear no resemblance to each and a mother whose seething jealousy gives rise to the cruelty only someone who knows where all the scars are.