Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier

*INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER* "Propulsive and chilling." --People Magazine "An intoxicating thrill ride. Hillier jams her foot on the accelerator and never lets up." --New York Times Book Review Things We Do in the Dark is a brilliant new thriller from Jennifer Hillier, the award-winning author of the breakout novels Little Secrets and Jar of Hearts. Paris Peralta is suspected of killing her celebrity husband, and her long-hidden past now threatens to destroy her future. When Paris Peralta is arrested in her own bathroom—covered in blood, holding a straight razor, her celebrity husband dead in the bathtub behind her—she knows she'll be charged with murder. But as bad as this looks, it's not what worries her the most. With the unwanted media attention now surrounding her, it's only a matter of time before someone from her long hidden past recognizes her and destroys the new life she's worked so hard to build, along with any chance of a future. Twenty-five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, known as the Ice Queen, was convicted of a similar murder in a trial that riveted Canada in the early nineties. Reyes knows who Paris really is, and when she's unexpectedly released from prison, she threatens to expose all of Paris's secrets. Left with no other choice, Paris must finally confront the dark past she escaped, once and for all. Because the only thing worse than a murder charge are two murder charges.

I didn't think I would enjoy this book as I hate the podcast trope, but the way it was worked in this time was fantastic and not in your face. The twists might be predictable to seasoned thriller readers, but it was still an enjoyable time.

Everything considered I was pleasantly surprised with this book. The three narrative threads tied together well, and the twists (while a little predictable) were well-plotted and tied up nicely. I was hoping for a little more of the “suspense” factor that would keep me more bound to the book, but there was definitely enough plot progression to craft a story I enjoyed reading.

I Refuse To Be My [Parent]. Yes, a version of the title line of this review is said in the book. And that was the moment the book hit particularly hard for me. Because I've lived it. Not directly, but as the child of a person that did. To be clear, it was not the same kind of abuse that my parent endured, but it was abuse and it did shape that parent in ways that have played out over the course of my own life. So at that moment, this book became very, very real for me and I could see that character's actions as clear as day and understand them on levels I don't often get to even in fiction.

The rest of the book, with a present day murder and blackmailing, a secret identity, a true crime podcast looking at a murder years ago and how it all ties together... was all excellently done. Other reviews complain about the backstory, but for me that was the actual story - because it shows everything that caused the person to utter the line I titled the review with. Overall a strong tale that survivors of domestic abuse may struggle with, but which ultimately should prove cathartic indeed even for them. Very much recommended.