Book Review: Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

 

I have a meanness inside me, real as an organ.

Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.” As her family lay dying, little Libby fled their tiny farmhouse into the freezing January snow. She lost some fingers and toes, but she survived–and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, Ben sits in prison, and troubled Libby lives off the dregs of a trust created by well-wishers who’ve long forgotten her.

The Kill Club is a macabre secret society obsessed with notorious crimes. When they locate Libby and pump her for details–proof they hope may free Ben–Libby hatches a plan to profit off her tragic history. For a fee, she’ll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club . . . and maybe she’ll admit her testimony wasn’t so solid after all.

As Libby’s search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the narrative flashes back to January 2, 1985. The events of that day are relayed through the eyes of Libby’s doomed family members–including Ben, a loner whose rage over his shiftless father and their failing farm have driven him into a disturbing friendship with the new girl in town. Piece by piece, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started–on the run from a killer. (Description from http://www.amazon.com).

My thoughts:

My best "Adult" book pick for 2012 was Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Previously to Gone Girl, Gillian wrote two novels, Sharp Objects and Dark Places.  I happened to find Dark Places on the paperback shelf at my library, so I decided to read to see if her previous novels were as good (or better) than Gone Girl.

Libby is the only survivor of a horrific murder that killed her mother and two sisters. Her brother Ben was incarcerated as the killer, due to Libby's testimony.  Libby obviously suffers from various post-traumatic stress issues and happens to get involved in a secret society called "The Kill Club," whose members are obsessed with crimes. With the promise of payment, she will reconnect with her brother and find out what exactly happened that night.

Dark Places, for me, was just as good as Gone Girl. Loved it. Yes, it was another disturbing novel from Gillian Flynn, but oh so satisfying. One that I could not put down. I don't know exactly what is it about her writing that keeps me on the edge of my seat, but it does and I enjoy it.

Gillian Flynn does an amazing job of alternating between characters (Libby, her mom and her brother); both in the present day and in flashback. Never once did I need to go back and find out who was speaking, it was that clear.  All of her characters are rich and complex. The ending was satisfying because as so many times in life, things are never perfect.

If you are looking for a deep, dark and disturbing novel this would fit the bill. I love that in the end notes the author acknowledges her twisted thoughts by writing  "What do I say to a man who knows how I think and still sleeps next to me with the lights off?" Love it!

Anxious to read Sharp Objects and anything else that she writes in the future!