Dark Places

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A NEW YORKER BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • NOW IN DEVELOPMENT AS AN HBO LIMITED SERIES

From the acclaimed author of Gone Girl, “a riveting tale of true horror by a writer who has all the gifts to pull it off” (Chicago Tribune)
 
“Sensuous and chilling . . . a propulsive and twisty mystery.”—Entertainment Weekly

Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.” She survived—and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, the Kill Club—a secret society obsessed with notorious crimes—locates Libby and pumps her for details. They hope to discover proof that may free Ben.

Libby hopes to turn a profit off her tragic history: She’ll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club—for a fee. As Libby’s search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started—on the run from a killer.

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Published May 4, 2010

349 pages

Average rating: 7.25

517 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

KikiStoneCreek
Jun 03, 2023
I normally don't take the time to write a review as I'm usually already on to the next book by the time I update my GoodReads bookshelves, but this one is the exception! Awesome writing, great characterizations and terrific storyline. I love books told from the perspectives of several characters--provided it's done right--and it's easy to see why Ms. Flynn is the recipient of book awards. She is the reason readers like me look forward to settling down in the evening or on the weekend with a good book. I'd have to say this was my favorite book for the past 12 months!
CheriF
Sep 25, 2025
10/10 stars
Couldn't put it down. Great voice and writing. Kept me in suspense until close to the end and I can usually figure out "whodunit" pretty quickly. I absolutely recommend it to anyone who likes a dark tale with plenty of blood, mystery, and a nice touch of humor mixed in.
Tamanna
May 25, 2025
9/10 stars
Again Gillian... I mean kept me hooked up till the last page and also kept me wondering what must have happened next.. the book was extremely good it
ediehas
Feb 28, 2025
8/10 stars
mostly read this because heard the show is coming out soon. enjoyed it more than i thought. still prefer sharp objects. edge of my seat the whole read !
Trejo80
Jan 20, 2025
9/10 stars
Great book. I wish there could have been more to the ending.

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