Famous comedian Jimmy Peralta is dead. He's discovered in the tub, bloodied; stabbed. When police arrive, they discover Paris Peralta in the bathroom as well. Covered in Jimmy's blood, straight razor in hand. When questioned about murdering her husband, she responds with "I don't know". Of course Paris is arrested for her husband's death: she's years his junior, runs a simple yoga studio, and has only been married to him a few years. Classic Hollywood gold-digging murderess. Case closed. Yet, the truth remains illusive. While trying to clear her name, Paris' past begins to creep up on her. Threatening to dishevel her current life, everything she's worked so hard for. She won't stand for it, she'll do anything not to go back there. But it keeps seeping in, it's knocking, calling to her. How far will she go to keep it at bay?

This is my first Hillier work and I understand now why her thrillers are widely recommended. At first, I suspected that the narrative was going to be transparent throughout. The initial twist is easily guessed (and I am.....very bad at that) but, it turns out to be more complex than that. Multiple points of view and time periods weave themselves together, revealing aspects of the storyline that I never would have considered including. The pacing of these revelations are perfection, gripping the reader and refusing to let go. Things We Do in the Dark explores dark themes like sexual assault, hard drug use, domestic violence, gang violence, molestation, rape, murder. The result is raw, mortifying, visualizations that elicit emotional response. Enveloping all of these elements into one plot gave each of the characters depth, even the lesser-mentioned ones are intriguing, all of them polarizing.

Hillier's writing style is sharp and diligent. It works quickly, cutting deep, getting emotional, real. While the ending was a bit too tidy for my liking, the prose and intricacy of Things We Do in the Dark will keep me coming back to Hillier's works for a long time to come.