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)

Good read!

Overall, a good plot. jumps back and forth, but flows well and storyline is easy to follow.

New all-time favorite

I truly enjoy Gillian Flynn. I love all her books, but Dark Places definitely takes the cake! I could not stop listening. She has an amazing way let you think that you know what the ending is, but you're never right. I love that about her writing. Not many writers can put together different characters, and time lines seamlessly the way Gillian does. She's very talented. I highly recommend this book, 100% worth the credit!!

Great book!!!

This was a Great read, but at times I felt I needed to stop reading because the story line is a bit sad. I managed to complete it though. :)

The readers enhance a great book.

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

In the film version of this book that will be coming out soon- the actors will have a lot to live up to compared to the performances of the three narrators in this. The breathed such nuanced life into the words- which are great all on their own- but they take it to another level.

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

Gone Girl- another Flynn novel with equally amazing performances. They compliment each other quite well.

Which scene was your favorite?

Great job all around but the voice of Libby was top notch.

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

A lot of people had a problem with the ending of Gone Girl. This one has an ending that's a little more traditionally satisfying in a climactic way.

Prepare to listen and listen.

Very compelling story with layered and twisted characters. Kinda of saw the ending coming via a pretty on the nose hint early one. But overall well thought out tale that spans decades.

Embracing

Finished the book in no time.
Feels like some dark, terrifying visit by strange part of my family I had no idea existed, came to an end.
Recommended to the theory lovers.

Love the twist

I read a lot and this was a nice change . Keeping me guessing and on the edge of my seat !

My Favorite Gillian Flynn book!

I've read Gone Girl and Sharp objects but this was without a doubt my favorite. This book completely caught me off guard at the end.

Drawn in by then Darkness

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

Story line told from several character's perspectives. Fast pace while still proving plenty of background for character development and historical context of complies relationships.

What did you like best about this story?

Style of unraveling through many eyes.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Narration brought richness to characters.

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

I could have easily. However, taking breaks to think about the storyline, plot development, and the characters brought additional connection with them and the protagonist's mission.

Any additional comments?

Dark, sad and, frightening could describe the feel of this story; yet, hope, perseverance, even love are threaded through the tapestry of a tale of a family facing poverty, children living as outcasts, adults trying to do right for their children, and ultimately triumph of the very children who survived a tragedy unimaginable to most.

Good concept, but...

The murder mystery story line was really well done. There were some loose ends that felt like they should wrap up, but didn't. Also, there was some oddly sexualized moments that seemed to be attention seeking and 'trying too hard' to be something it was not. Overall, it was decent. It kept me company through a long drive. I wouldn't recommend it outright, but I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it either.