Things We Do In the Dark

I’ll cut to the chase (no story-related pun intended): This was perfectly good, but I hoped for great!

Paris Peralta is found by police holding a bloody straight razor next to the tub holding her now-deceased and much older husband, famous comedian Jimmy Peralta. Did she do it or is there another explanation? 

This scenario looks similar to a murder committed 25 years prior by a woman named Ruby Reyes, better known as The Ice Queen, who was found guilty and imprisoned for killing her older lover.  Funny thing is: Ruby somehow knows Paris, and she wants a share of Paris’ potentially huge inheritance to keep old secrets quiet.  

There’s SO much potential in that premise, and that’s the story I wanted to read.  I wanted the razzle dazzle twists, nail-biting suspense and big thrills one might expect with such an intriguing set-up! What I got was more of a long, sad backstory for Paris, alternating with her present day legal troubles. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it. It had enough twists and red herrings to satisfy my inner detective and keep me turning the pages.

This was my first Hillier book, and I genuinely liked her writing, and for the most part, the story.  When I put aside my thriller hopes and just read it as a mystery with some psychological head games and family dysfunction, it was a good story. 

My biggest issue with the book is that I felt a general lack of connection to Paris. I felt sympathetic to her circumstances, but I didn’t feel that emotionally invested in her as a person. What I LOVED is that she was Filipina, rather than another homogeneously white female MC so common in the genre. 

All things said, I will absolutely be reading Hillier’s previous and future titles.  The talent is clearly there, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

★★★ ½  (rounded to 3)

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley and author Jennifer Hillier for the opportunity to honestly review this ARC.  It will be published July 19, 2022.