When you pick up a Gillian Flynn novel, you are guaranteed three things - a strong though deeply troubled female lead, a twisted mystery, and some of the darkest themes imaginable. Of all Flynn's works, Sharp Objects is perhaps the darkest, and for me the most compelling. Not for the faint of heart, Sharp Objects catches you by the throat and won't let go. Every character is untrustworthy and despicable, every twist reeks havoc on your psyche, every chapter is more skin crawling than the last - but despite all of this, you will never want to put it down. You'll find yourself both disappointed and oddly relieved that it's such a quick read. More of a psychological thriller than a mystery, Sharp Objects is a great follow up for fans of Gone Girl, and for fans of books with a bite.
Returning to her hometown after an eight-year absence to investigate the murders of two girls, reporter Camille Preaker is reunited with her neurotic mother and enigmatic, thirteen-year-old half-sister as she works to uncover the truth about the killings.