Dark Places

About “Dark Places”

Libby Day was seven years old when she witnessed the brutal murder of her mother and two sisters on the family farm. The accused was her older brother, who was later sentenced to life in prison. Since that day, Libby has lived without direction, stuck in a life of isolation with no friends, family, or job. Twenty-four years later, she is approached by a group of people who believe her brother is innocent. This prompts Libby to ask questions she has never dared to ask before. Was the voice she heard that night really her brother's? Was he capable of murder? Could there be a hidden truth behind the crimes? Gillian Flynn weaves Libby's investigative journey with flashbacks of the crime day, keeping the reader uncertain of the truth. The novel, published in 2009, explores how memory can be unreliable and how a child might lie to herself to cope with trauma. It is a skillfully written story that challenges perceptions of guilt and innocence.