Dark Places

A Novel

By: Gillian Flynn

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman, Cassandra Campbell, Mark Deakins, Robertson Dean

Length: 13 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

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 15-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.

©2009 Gillian Flynn (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

"Gillian Flynn is the real deal, a sharp, acerbic, and compelling storyteller with a knack for the macabre." (Stephen King)

"A gritty, riveting thriller with a one-of-a-kind, tart-tongued heroine." (Booklist)

“A riveting tale of true horror by a writer who has all the gifts to pull it off.” (Chicago Tribune)

Ending???

I enjoyed this book. However, I wasn't pleased with the ending. The story was wrapped up nicely but it just sort of ends. Enjoyed Gone Girl much better.

STELLAR!!!!

excellent mystery, juicy story, totally compelling through and through. Way better than Gone Girl in every way.

Enjoyable listen with a genuine surprise ending

Kept my interest throughout...I liked the story and the narrator. My only criticism is that I'd like to know more about several of the characters (Runner, Diane, Crystal) including what happened to them.

Not Gone Girl, but close

What made the experience of listening to Dark Places the most enjoyable?

The characters

What did you like best about this story?

The complex story line and characters

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Actually, it hurts it.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Pay attention.

Any additional comments?

I was often confused by the narrators.

Again, I did not see that coming.

Would you consider the audio edition of Dark Places to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version. I always listen to audio

What did you like best about this story?

Carefully told from each character's viewpoint yet not revealing too much.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Libby

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reaction other than the fact that I was amazed at not seeing the twist.

Any additional comments?

This author surprises me with each book I have read. They are not feel good books but real books.

Great listen - recommend!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The heroine of the story. She was well rounded - things I didn't like about her and things I did. Admired her cunning and bravery in spite of what life gave her.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Her voice was pleasant - not overdone or distracting.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed a little at her sarcasm. Shocked and surprised at parts.

Any additional comments?

Love this author from what I have read so far.

Very good book

I really enjoyed listening to this book it was a very good story and I like the way the author writes. It was read very well by the actors. I do wish that the book on audible was cheaper though.

Disturbing.

Disturbing story but the Narrator's were great. Not one I will be suggesting to others though.

Hard to press the pause button...

Would you consider the audio edition of Dark Places to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but for an excerpt. I felt that listening to it was similar to watching a scary movie. It made it more entertaining for me.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the build-up to the dramatic events that set the entire story in motion. By the time I reached it I almost felt sick to my stomach, wanting to find out what really happen but at the same time afraid to listen to it.

Would you listen to another book narrated by the narrators?

I really liked Rebecca Lowman. Cassandra Campbell had a very soft voice that bothered me. I'm sure there are people that prefer that but I didn't. Mark Deakins was an odd choice as he was mostly narrating a teenage boy and his voice is aged and deep. He didn't really change his voices for any of the characters and I found that I didn't enjoy the "Ben" chapters as much as the rest of the book because of the narration. He seemed to be just reading quickly instead of acting out the emotion behind the words, and as a result I had to rewind a few times because it was harder for me to listen attentively during those chapters. It seemed to just drone on at time. I don't want to be too harsh but his narration wasn't for me.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I'm not sure, but I heard that they are making a movie and Charlize Theron is playing the lead, which is so weird considering the main character is a short redhead! lol

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book due to the changing timeline; modern day switching over to the day, years before, when the murders occurred, told from both Ben and his mom's point of views. It was interesting to hear certain things told from Ben's POV and then his mom hearing about it secondhand later and I'm thinking, "that's not what really happened!"

The story itself was cleverly crafted and detailed; I've grown to love Gillian Flynn's way of writing and storytelling. The ending is certainly not what you would think. I listened to it and thought well, I did not see that coming! I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for something suspenseful. It was a great nail-biter and while I was so looking forward to reaching the end of it, so I could find out whodunit, I was disappointed when it was actually over.

A winner in my opinion

Nice listen, great story that keeps you guessing who dunnit and makes you feel connected