things we do in the dark: a not so thrilling thriller
- paigenherbooks
- Jun 10, 2022
- 5 min read
3.5/5
Jennifer Hillier's novel Things We Do in the Dark was a compelling read. I was hooked from page one--trying to figure out what exactly is going on. I did enjoy this book, and I read it in about 24 hours, so the writing style speaks for itself. Though the longer I contemplated on it, the more issues I started to see arise. So, come along, let's dive into this "thriller" of a book.
Synopsis: Things We Do in the Dark is a dark thriller about the wife of a famous comedian who was murdered and her dark and secretive past. Paris Peralta becomes front-page news when her old and very famous husband, Jimmy, is found stabbed to death, and she is found by the police holding the murder weapon.
First, let's talk about the book as a whole.
Well first fair warning, I'm writing this sentence hours after writing my review...but be warned. This review is basically a rant so if things aren't super coherent it happens! also there are TONS of spoilers and a TW for drug abuse, sexual abuse, and murder just to let yall know....but let's continue...
I wouldn't consider this a thriller...like at all.
When I chose it for my BOTM (book of the month) I was excited because I've been on a true crime kick here for a bit, and it was as if the reading gods knew exactly what kind of book I wanted. The blurb about a murder and then maybe a double murder charge had me enticed. As I was reading the story though I didn't feel that suspense or apprehension one feels when watching or reading a thriller. No butterflies or pounding hearts. No wondering if I'm going to be able to sleep after this. I would more clearly define this story as maybe a mystery? or maybe even realistic fiction due to the events and how the book was set up.
That brings me to the plot.
I will say I was engaged in the story. I wanted to know what was happening and was trying to piece things together. In some ways I wish the author would have done a better job with the mysterious of plot twists. For example, we read from seemingly three POV's. Pairs, the wife being accused of murder, Drew a detective trying to figure things out since a murderer is getting out on parole, and Joey the daughter of the murderer getting out on parole. I'm not quite sure how but I just knew that Joey and Paris was the same person. I know that was suppose to be a big twist or like "oh wow!" moment but it just wasn't...it was fairly obvious.
Which then leads me to the murder of Jim Peralta, who is the famous comedian found dead in his bathtub.
Paris or Joey, is accused of his murder. And seemingly this takes a back seat to the plethora of background the author provides on Joey's life. Don't get me wrong, I love background stories. I love stories about real things. But...when a huge murder that is supposed to be the center of the book takes the back burner and then is super rushed in clearing it up... no bueno. So let's dive into these two timelines we have within the story.
The murder of Jim Peralta.
Okay so it looks like Paris did it...she was found asleep in the bathroom covered in blood, great got it. But she didn't...she quickly explains she was away for the weekend and found Jim like that, slipped and hit her head, causing her to pass out. Then she is put on house arrest because this trial, since he is famous, is suppose to take maybe years, or at least an extensive amount of time. Because they don't believe that it's suicide, as Paris and her lawyer (life long friend of Jim's) Elise say. Then we figure out their just dropping the case because it actually does look like a suicide and Paris's alibi checks out. Like this huge murder charge is just dropped.
Within a paragraph Paris is a free woman. I just felt that was way to rushed and then...it gets better...
So there's Zoe this super sketchy assistant who I was convinced was a part of it...turns out no, the author just enjoys crafting guilty characters lol. And then there's Elise. She use to date Jimmy back in the day and has been his best friend for about 50 years. Well after the paragraph about how there is no more murder charge, within about five minuets, Paris makes some divine revelation that Elise killed Jimmy... all because there is one razor missing and they hear Elise's voice on the tape before Jim died. I am here for a twist okay, like totally. But not a really rushed one. It made almost no sense to me why Elise would kill Jim. The author essentially played the "if I can't have you no one will" card. But at a weird time. I don't know I didn't like the fact that within two pages a murder charge was dropped and a new one was reopened so fast.
Then, the second subplot is that of Joey becoming Paris.
The big thing is that Joey is suppose to be dead because she died in a house fire. Well she didn't, obviously. I will say I almost enjoyed this background subplot more than I enjoyed the main one for the story. This story speaks of Joey's abuse and home life. It to me, really showcased some of the true emotions that a child goes through when being raised in a house like Joey's. Now the whole murder that her mother was put away for. That was good!
I enjoyed that.
And the final twist at the end, the well, final final twist was good. I didn't see it coming until about one page before I read it. It took a whole book to get there...it was perfect timing, no rushing. But I will say when Paris/Joey goes back to visit her mom...that scene was a little odd to me. Like I don't know, again it felt rushed. She's out, they meet, they argue, her mom pushes her, they call the cops, and boom her mom is back in jail for breaking her parole. I just felt like the author could have fleshed out that ending a LOT better.
And Drew was just a side character that in my opinion didn't add too much in my other than a source of information and then obviously a possible love interest for the remainder of the story.
I liked the book. It was good but it wasn't great. It didn't keep me up, though I will say it did keep me thinking...about why the author was in such a rush. Maybe she had somewhere to be and she had a deadline haha. Jennifer Hillier has written other "thriller" (hopefully they are actually thrillers) novels, so I will most likely be checking those out.
So, if you want a good thriller....do not read this book. Read this book if you want a story of loss and regaining life, with a sprinkle of murder, and some interesting twists.
Cheers to true crime and real thriller books.
Best of reading to yall!
xoxo
paige :)
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