Paris Peralta awakens to a scream. Police command her to drop the weapon. She looks down and sees a bloody straight razor in her hand. Behind her, her husband Jimmy is dead in their en suite bathtub. Paris can remember nothing of what occurred. This is the headrush scenario of a new mystery thriller, Things We Do in the Dark.
After a banging first third where we see the police charge Paris with her husband’s murder, the tempo slows down considerably with the story of a Canadian podcaster’s coverage of a murderer being released from prison. We also learn about Paris’ tragic childhood. This part was my least favorite part of the book. Eventually, the book links the two stories together but even that feels contrived. I also felt that some of the earlier resolutions, like what happened to Jimmy, were better than the actual ending.
I was disappointed by Things We Do in the Dark. I loved the author’s prior book, Little Secrets, so maybe my expectations were too high. This book is okay but that one was great. 3 slightly disappointed stars.
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.