My mind in “Dark Places”

Book Review

Cover for “Dark Places”

Image found: AbeBooks.com

Title: Dark Places

Author: Gillian Flynn  

Number of Pages: 538

Synopsis

“Dark Places” by Gillian Flynn is a book about a thirty-two-year-old woman, Libby Day, whose mother and two sisters are brutally murdered when she is seven years old. Libby’s brother Ben Day, is arrested and charged with the murders.  Twenty-five years later, Libby, in need of cash, gets entangled with a strange group of people obsessed with her case. These people, called the Kill Club, are willing to pay for new information about the Day murders and Libby is willing to play investigator. However, the more details she uncovers about the case, the more she finds her own certainty about it wavering.

What I Liked About “Dark Places”

I hate people who start conversations with facts- what are you supposed to do with that? Sure is hot today. Yes, it is. 

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.

My favorite element of the book was the character of Libby Day. Libby was the perfect mixture of snarky and cynical that I was truly able to enjoy and relate to her character. Oddly enough her character constantly left me feeling optimistic every time I put the book down. I found myself relating to her opinions and experiences, I just genuinely fell in love with her character.

Another thing that made me truly respect the book was the fact that it constantly kept me guessing. The ending of the book was totally unexpected and for that I will refrain from giving any big spoilers. Although I didn’t see the book’s conclusion coming, I will admit that you are given a good share of clues throughout the book. WARNING, these elements will result in a dire urge to reread the book!

I also found the format of the book particularly compelling. The book alternates between three perspectives: Libby Day in the present. Ben Day, Libby’s brother, in 1985. Finally, Patty Day, Libby’s mother, also in 1985.

SPOILERS: There is also one other perspective the reader is given closer to the end of the book. END OF SPOILERS.

What I Did Not Like About “Dark Places”

After long deliberation, I was able to come up with something I did not love about the novel. Something that I first enjoyed about the book but became tedious later on in crucial parts was the rambling inner monologue of the protagonist. During early moments in the book, I liked this theme because it was good getting into the heads of the characters and getting to know them intimately. However, as the book goes on and the suspense heightens if falls a little flat and I can understand how someone might classify that as annoying.

Wrapping Up My Thoughts

Overall, I really enjoyed reading “Dark Places” and look forward to reading more by Gillian Flynn. The book had great, well-developed characters and a twisting plot that keeps readers continuously guessing. For more about Gillian Flynn visit her website! To find out more about “Dark Places” specifically use this link! Also, a movie was made in 2015 based on this book, here is a link to the trailer!

Word Count: 497