Dark Places

I've been slacking on my reading, but this past week I finally finished Gillian Flynn's Dark Places. I love her books, but I have to say this one was hard to finish. I struggled through the middle and crawled to the last page.

Anyway. It wouldn't be a Gillian Flynn novel without something dark and twisted happening to the main character before you even start the first page. Libby Day is the sole survivor from the murder of her family. Her brother, Ben murdered her two sisters and her mother. Their dad really isn't existent in their lives and only came around when he wanted money… still to this day.

Now 20 some years later, Libby is on the verge of going broke since her savings is dwindling. She isn't the most motivated and has never held a steady job. With her financial crisis, a group called the Kill Club reaches out to her. This club studies murders, kidnappings, and other freak accidents that have happened in the past. The Kill Club is interested in Libby's family and what actually happened the day the Day family was murdered. They ask Libby to help them uncover the truth and pay her for her services.

Did Ben Day really kill his family? Can Libby figure out what actually happened that night? Can she remember the past? You will find out in Dark Places. 

Although I was not as happy with this book as Gillian Flynn's other two, it's worth the read. It took me a while to finish, but I was glad that I did. 

And…ah, when is her next book coming out?

Sharp Objects

Gillian Flynn has got to be my new favorite author. I love dark, thought-provoking books and she has delivered again with Sharp Objects. These kind of books remind me of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series. Dark, deep, and intriguing. I like reading them more than any other kind book because they are real, rather than a Nicholas Sparks' tragic love story. Those get to be redundant. 

I've been told that her #1 New York Times Bestseller, Gone Girl will soon be a film too! Can't wait!

Camille Preaker is a reporter for the Chicago Daily Post. Her latest assignment is to report about the killing of two little girls, in Wind Gap, Missouri. Wind Gap happens to be her home town. As she interviews and learns more about the girls, she starts connecting with them from her own life experiences. Camille has a bit of a troubled past. Her past helps her unravel what happened, while coping with returning home to the house she grew up in. 

My review is a bit short because like any Gillian Flynn book, her delivery is wonderful on top of the story. I don't want to give anything away and ruin it for you! So, prepare for a rough ride because Sharp Objects takes you down a troubled path of the past, present, and future. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. There is something to be said about nurture and nature. You can only explain behavior by genes for so long, before life experiences come into play. Things start to make a lot more sense knowing what kind of trauma or situations have been sent someones' way.

Flynn's Dark Places is next on my reading list. 

Enjoy!

Gone Girl

Many people have raved to me about this book.  I finally got to read it this week. It was nice flight reading material. It took a little time to get into the story, but once it starts going…it does not stop. Holy page turner. This book truly blew my mind.

Mr. Nick Dunne is married to Ms. Amy Elliot Dunne. Amy is perfect, as described in her parents' children's book series, Amazing Amy. Nick and Amy are both writers too. They lived in New York City, but some hardships have sent them back to the good ole midwest. While living in Missouri, Amy goes missing... 

And who do the police believe was involved? The husband, of course.

When did Amy go missing? On their fifth anniversary. Nice timing, right? The media plays a large role in the investigation and sways the public in so many directions. Amy prepared her traditional "treasure hunt" for Nick's anniversary present. Each clue is an inside joke between the two of them, leading Nick to the next location where he will eventually find his present. These clues help unravel his wife's whereabouts and what might have happened to her.

I'm not going to elaborate or give anything away because thats what makes this book so good. However, I will say that its amazing how certain people's minds work. Intelligence can be used for good and evil. The story is separated into three sections and at each one, a switch is flipped and everything that you thought before is now thrown out the door. 

I will say that I was a little disappointed in the ending. I expected justice. And I will leave it at that. 

Enjoy!

To everyone that recommended this book to me, Thank you! Great read.