Dark Places Review

   The latest book I read was ‘Dark Places’ by Gillian Flynn, who you may have heard of as the author of the incredibly successful ‘Gone Girl’, a book (and later film, starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, who managed put the ‘creep’ back into ‘creepy’) that I had previously enjoyed. ‘Dark Places’ was also made into film last year, primarily, I assume due to the success of ‘Gone Girl’, and as I had enjoyed ‘Gone Girl’ immensely, I figured I’d give ‘Dark Places’ a go.

   The book itself focuses on Libby Day, a young woman in Kansas who 24 years previously had observed her mother and two elder sisters being murdered by, presumably her older brother Ben, who has spent the previously 24 years in prison for their murders. Doubts circling his innocence arise when Libby, running out of cash agrees to meet with the ‘Kill Club’, a murder investigation club who believe that Ben is innocent of the crimes committed. Spurred on by the chance to make a few bucks and her long held doubts over her own testimony encourage her to find out the truth. The novel itself switches between Libby in the present day and that of her mother and brother in January 1985, right before the murders took place. I found that by having three protagonists, Flynn was able to create a mystery which was very slow in eventually revealing itself. Each flick back in time revealed just a little bit more of what truly happened, while not completely giving the plot away by the mid-way point.

  As I don’t want to give the plot away, something which is way too easy when reading a novel like this, I’ll just leave you with this- I didn’t see the ending coming. The ending itself which happens rather abruptly, without much warning, was unexpected and would have been impossible for myself to guess. That said, the ending itself was in my opinion, well thought out and shocking for the reader, something which I particularly enjoy when reading these types of novels.

3.5 stars out of 5