Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier

85 reviews

queenblife's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I would definitely start out by saving, check the trigger warnings (tisted below), I did not prior to reading, but I think it also helped me that I listened to audiobook so it wasn't exactly the same as reading the words in print. I still thought it was a great read. I was immediately drawn into Paris' storyline, allegedly framed for murdering her older movie star husband. The media, of course, has a field days Everyone is on my suspect list and then Paris receives letters from someone who saw her in the media and knows who she really is". The drama absolutely kept me on my toes, even when we started getting backstory from another similar murdet, from 20+ years previously committed by the ice Queen", I started guessing at the ending and couldn't put it down, up till the very end. If you can get through the triggers, it's worth the read. From one booknerd ty another, Happy Reading!

tw: child abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse /assault /violence, pedophilia, suicide

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

kitkatreads_khadeejah's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Death, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Dementia, Body shaming, Bullying, and Racism

clevelandbookgirl's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Cursing, Rape, Racism, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Gore

Moderate: Drug abuse, Vomit, Drug use, Dementia, Suicide attempt, and Suicide

kshertz's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I love a good mystery. I also love when I can call any part of the book. Which in this case was only 1/5 twists. But I’ll take it! It’s a page turner that I couldn’t put down. Definitely worth the read!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship

goodgollymissmollee's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was a quick, easy read that was largely enjoyable. But I think it was just average. Nothing overly exciting or shocking. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Dementia, Drug use, Grief, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Mental illness

haleysversion's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Addiction, Blood, Body shaming, Child abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Violence

zeebookdragon's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault

bkmckown's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

4.5

Lots of questions throughout the book, events that didn’t line up or cases where you didn’t know who the killer was. It all came together so well. The author really has you rooting for Paris after everything she has been through in her life. The bonus interview with the author at the end said her inspiration for the book was the documentary The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez and I thought that was fascinating. Like the author said, that’s something you watch and it’s so awful, you either say “It’s too much for me” and turn away or you get angry and want to do something about it. I felt the same way. It made me want to advocate for those kids. It was a very thought provoking read. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Rape, Pedophilia, Murder, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Child abuse, Blood, and Addiction

bookworm247's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Rape, Suicide, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault

bookmarkedbybecky's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Paris Peralta gets arrested for the murder of her famous husband - a murder that looks eerily similar to a murder committed by Ruby Reyes twenty years earlier.  Paris knows her arrest could jeopardize her long-buried past. Now, it’s only a matter of time before someone recognizes her.  Well, Ruby Reyes knows exactly who Paris REALLY is, and when Ruby is unexpectedly released from prison, Paris must confront the past she thought she escaped.  

I’m really impressed TWDITD! Unlike a couple of Hillier’s other books I’ve read, this one didn’t have a major twist, at least not for me. I figured out “the who,” but “the why” is the winner here.  Hillier develops a character-driven psychological thriller that slowly unveils the lasting effects of abuse, neglect, and childhood trauma.  The toxic relationship between mother and daughter is written brilliantly, riddled with emotional abuse, physical abuse, and generational trauma. Bravo to Hillier for putting the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book because this one tackles lots of dark themes. 

I love Carla Vega’s narration!  I definitely recommend this format.  Vega nails the Filipino accent and sings song lyrics. 🤩Overall, the narration elevates this dark tale. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual violence

Dark themes