From the book: Dark Places: A Novel
“I was not a lovable child, and I’d grown into a deeply unlovable adult. Draw a picture of my soul, and it’d be a scribble with fangs”.
“I have a meanness inside me, real as an organ. Slit me at my belly and it might slide out, meaty and dark, drop on the floor so you could stomp on it. It’s the Day blood. Something’s wrong with it. I was never a good little girl, and I got worse after the murders”.
When Libby Day was just 7 years old, she survived a massacre that took the lives of her mother and two older sisters. She was just a child when she testified that her 15-year-old brother Ben was the one who committed the murders. Fast forward twenty-five years, Libby’s brother Ben is serving a life sentence in prison, and Libby is running out of money from the trust that was set up in her behalf by strangers who donated money when she was little. Just as she is notified her trust fund has just hundreds of dollars remaining, Libby is contacted by someone named Lyle who has a proposition for Libby.
Lyle belongs to a group called: “The Kill Club", a group misfits obsessed with serious crimes. The group believes that Ben did not kill Libby’s family. Libby agrees to reconnect will people who were around at the time of the killing to find out more, hoping she will profit from the money the Club’s players are willing to pay to find out the truth. Libby is finally forced to confront the terrifying “dark places” she has managed to block out for most of her life.
The story is told in alternating chapters, present day and the time of the murders (1985), which works well, and although it takes a while for the story to build, the reader gradually learns about what happened on that terrible day in 1985.
I guess I should have known how dark and creepy this story would be after reading the author’s first book: Sharp Objects: A Novel
several years ago --- I did enjoy that one. I did think the author did a very good job building the suspense about the events that occurred on that horrible day in 1985. A word of caution, if you are bothered by large amounts of foul language, and gore, you might want to pass on this title, otherwise if you are ready for a creepy-psychological thriller, give this one a shot.
several years ago --- I did enjoy that one. I did think the author did a very good job building the suspense about the events that occurred on that horrible day in 1985. A word of caution, if you are bothered by large amounts of foul language, and gore, you might want to pass on this title, otherwise if you are ready for a creepy-psychological thriller, give this one a shot.
RATING – 4/5 – COMPLETED – 5/25/09
WHERE FROM: My review Stacks
Thanks for visiting my blog! This sounds intriguing. I don't read fiction often but when I do, Psychological Thriller's are always good. I don't much like swearing but may try this one anyways. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to read Sharp Objects by this author since I first heard about it. This one sounds really good too! Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteI loved Sharp Objects. It was creepy and gothic and delicious. I have this one on my shelf waiting. I hope I can get to it soon.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't gotten to Sharp Objects! It's on my TBR Shelf - just waiting. Glad to see you enjoyed her second book, too.
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of psychological thrillers if they too filled with gore. As I have aged I prefer a good mystery without all the creepy stuff.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like it's right up my alley. I wouldn't mind reading it.
ReplyDeleteDoes this ever sound dark! I'm intrigued, but still not sure if this is for me. Thanks for featuring it!
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to reading this. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI loved this but really liked Sharp Objects better than this one. It is difficult to read, but so worth it. Ms. Flynn is now one of my favorite authors.
ReplyDeleteOh..this one sounds very very good. I might be creeped out..but sounds like it's worth the chance. haha!
ReplyDeleteBTW - love your blog colors! It's been awhile since I have visited instead of just reading via google reader - so not sure if it's a recent change or not, but I like it!
Qoq! great review, thank you for coming by my blog. Diane, stop by anytime. I'm following you, I think. I better make sure.
ReplyDeleteI like drastic fiction so I think I would really enjoy this book. I haven't read a book that would completely shock me in quite a while.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it would be creepy but good.
ReplyDeletethis sounds good. i think i just might give it a shot.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds very dark and interesting. I think I am going to pick up a copy. I also really liked the excerpts that you posted.
ReplyDeleteOhh, I want to read this one! I really liked Sharp Objects. Onto my WL it goes.
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