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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book via Edelweiss+.
Snow falls softly outside Molly Bradley’s home on a frigid January night. Inside, half a dozen close friends are gathered to celebrate the fortieth birthday of Molly’s psychologist husband, Jay. Candlelight gleams against dark wood, wine flows, and the house rings with laughter. Everybody loves Jay, Molly most of all. Yet next morning, Molly discovers Jay dead on the floor of his office, his throat brutally slashed.
After decades working with the Boston PD, Detective Rita Myers has grown accustomed to the banality of evil—the murders that make no sense beyond bad luck or a tragic brush with the worst of humanity. But Jay Bradley’s murder isn’t random, or a mere crime of opportunity. Rita is convinced that someone in the couple’s small circle killed him. Someone who was celebrating with them that night.
Devastated, Molly tries to make sense of her husband’s death. Jay was her rock, the only person who really understood the nightmare she lived through long ago. He knew the horrors she’s kept hidden even from her friends. But shocking revelations are making her question if Jay was all he seemed to be—and whether someone else knows her past too. And until Molly figures out who she can really trust, she won’t be able to stop herself becoming the next target . . .
This was exactly the type of book I was looking for. I loved trying to piece together what was going on with this close knit group of friends and which one of them would be a murderer. Molly's story threw me off for a bit but overall I enjoyed the rest of the book.
Snow falls softly outside Molly Bradley’s home on a frigid January night. Inside, half a dozen close friends are gathered to celebrate the fortieth birthday of Molly’s psychologist husband, Jay. Candlelight gleams against dark wood, wine flows, and the house rings with laughter. Everybody loves Jay, Molly most of all. Yet next morning, Molly discovers Jay dead on the floor of his office, his throat brutally slashed.
After decades working with the Boston PD, Detective Rita Myers has grown accustomed to the banality of evil—the murders that make no sense beyond bad luck or a tragic brush with the worst of humanity. But Jay Bradley’s murder isn’t random, or a mere crime of opportunity. Rita is convinced that someone in the couple’s small circle killed him. Someone who was celebrating with them that night.
Devastated, Molly tries to make sense of her husband’s death. Jay was her rock, the only person who really understood the nightmare she lived through long ago. He knew the horrors she’s kept hidden even from her friends. But shocking revelations are making her question if Jay was all he seemed to be—and whether someone else knows her past too. And until Molly figures out who she can really trust, she won’t be able to stop herself becoming the next target . . .
This was exactly the type of book I was looking for. I loved trying to piece together what was going on with this close knit group of friends and which one of them would be a murderer. Molly's story threw me off for a bit but overall I enjoyed the rest of the book.
3/5 Stars ⭐️
All The Dark Places by Terri Parlato is an enjoyable psychological thriller, though it didn’t quite stand out from others in the genre. The story follows a familiar setup — a mysterious murder in a seemingly perfect suburban setting — with secrets and betrayals slowly unraveling.
The writing itself is solid, and the pacing moves along well enough to keep you engaged. One of the book’s strengths is that it avoids overly graphic or triggering content, making it a good pick for readers who enjoy a lighter thriller without diving too deeply into dark or disturbing territory.
However, while nothing was wrong with the book per se, it lacked the edge or unique twist that might make it more memorable. The characters and plot points felt a bit predictable, blending into the mold of other domestic suspense novels. It’s not a bad read — it’s just not the kind that leaves a lasting impression.
If you’re in the mood for a straightforward, easy thriller that doesn’t demand too much emotional investment, this one’s worth a try. But for those seeking something more gripping or unpredictable, you may find it a bit underwhelming.
All The Dark Places by Terri Parlato is an enjoyable psychological thriller, though it didn’t quite stand out from others in the genre. The story follows a familiar setup — a mysterious murder in a seemingly perfect suburban setting — with secrets and betrayals slowly unraveling.
The writing itself is solid, and the pacing moves along well enough to keep you engaged. One of the book’s strengths is that it avoids overly graphic or triggering content, making it a good pick for readers who enjoy a lighter thriller without diving too deeply into dark or disturbing territory.
However, while nothing was wrong with the book per se, it lacked the edge or unique twist that might make it more memorable. The characters and plot points felt a bit predictable, blending into the mold of other domestic suspense novels. It’s not a bad read — it’s just not the kind that leaves a lasting impression.
If you’re in the mood for a straightforward, easy thriller that doesn’t demand too much emotional investment, this one’s worth a try. But for those seeking something more gripping or unpredictable, you may find it a bit underwhelming.
2.5 rounded up bc I read it without skimming.
Free Prime Reading — not great but entertaining enough. Very simple characters and plot.
Told in alternating POVs from Molly and Detective Rita.
Molly threw a birthday party for her psychiatrist husband, Jay. That night he is murdered. The suspects are the party guests : Jay’s hockey buddy, Cal, and beautiful Laken, coworker Elise and her husband Scott, and Molly’s best friend Kim and her husband Josh.
Not at the party was Molly’s sister and her husband.
There’s obviously a secret from Molly’s past. Then she starts getting phone calls and a letter, addressing her as Melanie. When she was six years old she and her friend were kidnapped by her friend’s cousin. They were held in a basement/cellar for three days. Molly doesn’t want anyone to know she’s Melanie.
SPOILER : Cal was obsessed with the case. He followed Molly’s life and befriended Jay to get close to her. His brother is the guy who originally kidnapped Molly/Melanie. There’s a weak explanation that he’s jealous that his brother got all the infamy. No explanation how he followed her all those years though. Cal kidnaps Molly but she’s saved just in time.
Spoiler : Jay found a necklace with initials engraved on it and hid it in his office. The necklace belonged to a woman who went missing months (a year?) earlier when the whole gang was at Molly and Jay’s mountain home. Cal murdered the girl and accidentally left the necklace behind. Cal killed Jay so he couldn’t turn him in.
Free Prime Reading — not great but entertaining enough. Very simple characters and plot.
Told in alternating POVs from Molly and Detective Rita.
Molly threw a birthday party for her psychiatrist husband, Jay. That night he is murdered. The suspects are the party guests : Jay’s hockey buddy, Cal, and beautiful Laken, coworker Elise and her husband Scott, and Molly’s best friend Kim and her husband Josh.
Not at the party was Molly’s sister and her husband.
There’s obviously a secret from Molly’s past. Then she starts getting phone calls and a letter, addressing her as Melanie. When she was six years old she and her friend were kidnapped by her friend’s cousin. They were held in a basement/cellar for three days. Molly doesn’t want anyone to know she’s Melanie.
SPOILER : Cal was obsessed with the case. He followed Molly’s life and befriended Jay to get close to her. His brother is the guy who originally kidnapped Molly/Melanie. There’s a weak explanation that he’s jealous that his brother got all the infamy. No explanation how he followed her all those years though. Cal kidnaps Molly but she’s saved just in time.
Spoiler : Jay found a necklace with initials engraved on it and hid it in his office. The necklace belonged to a woman who went missing months (a year?) earlier when the whole gang was at Molly and Jay’s mountain home. Cal murdered the girl and accidentally left the necklace behind. Cal killed Jay so he couldn’t turn him in.
I really liked this mystery. It was well written and the author did a good job of giving each character back stories. Although I was surprised at the reveal at the end, I do think it was slightly underwhelming. Still kept me hooked though!
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5 rounded up
There’s a lot going on in this book and points where the plot is very disjointed with extraneous subplot
There’s a lot going on in this book and points where the plot is very disjointed with extraneous subplot
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated