Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Reviewed by: Laura Warren, Reference Assistant
Genre: Suspense
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about?: Camille is a newspaper reporter living in Chicago, where she covers some of the darker cases that plague the Windy City. Almost a year ago a young girl was killed in the small town of Wind Gap, Missouri, and now another young girl has vanished. Wind Gap just happens to be Camille’s hometown, where the rest of her family still resides. Camille’s editor, sends her back to her hometown, to investigate the murder and disappearances of the girls. As Camille returns to Wind Gap, so do the demons, which she fled to Chicago to escape. Her memories of this town are not fond, and history already haunts her emotionally and physically. As Camille digs deep into the case, Wind Gap’s skeletons refuse to remain in the closet, and they may just lead Camille back to her childhood home.
My Review: When I began reading this book I felt that it was a little formulaic. I was enjoying it, but it seemed like a typical murder mystery. What I was not expecting was the character study that would follow. Though the mystery in this book is interesting, and has some twists, it was the main character that kept me turning the pages. When reading, I long for a flawed main character, and if you love a flawed main character, Flynn definitely delivers. Camille takes us to sinister, dangerous, deep places, we are not certain she will ever truly escape. Sharp Objects explores the experiences which create dreadful behavior as the protagonist navigates the dark side of Wind Gap. This book fearlessly delves into the dark and shame-filled places few people are comfortable going. It not only discusses the dark place the killer resides, but it also drags us kicking and screaming to that dark place that resides in all of us.
Rating: 4/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!