Sharp Objects: A major HBO & Sky Atlantic Limited Series starring Amy Adams, from the director of BIG LITTLE LIES, Jean-Marc Vallée

Many books start with characters in bad circumstances who escape those places. Sharp Objects looks at what happens when you return. Camille Preaker is a reporter dealing with life after a stay in a psych ward (or the politically correct, “mental health inpatient unit”). Her alert editor smells a story, a potential serial killer on the loose in a small town, that will boost the paper’s prestige. The murders, however, are taking place in Preaker’s home town, Wind Gap. Once back there, Preaker struggles to remain the adult she’s become since she left and moved to Chicago. She finds herself deferring to her mother and wanting her sister to like her. Like Preaker, I had a childhood filled with troubles – I was sexually abused by two relatives and emotionally abused by another – and while I’ve resolved those things, whenever I return to visit my family, I find myself acting like a little boy. Flynn’s story is gripping. One of the things I love most about crime novels is working out who did it. Flynn outwitted me and I’m grateful. Her writing is sharp and fresh. If you like crime books, then this is a no-brainer must-read.

..this novel is gripping, creepy and leaves you guessing til the last page. An interesting, not immediately likable main character, who, like most of us is flawed and biased, and more than unconventional in her attempt to get to the bottom of the story, but for that reason certainly not less intriguing. A definite recommendation.

Sarah on Behalf of Regular Radio Camille Preaker (played by Amy Adams in the HBO Series) makes the long trip to her home town Wind Gap, Missouri at the request of her Editor, to report on the murder of one local girl and the disappearance of another. Embarking on a dark journey through her past, her investigations eventually lead her to uncover a family secret that leads to an arrest. Author Gillian Flynn's writing style is unique and intriguing. I found the somewhat random interjections distracting from the story line, but at the same time necessary in portraying the mysterious characters. Sharp Objects is a captivating book touching on substance abuse, self harm and disturbing human behaviors. I for one thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and darkness of the book and look forward to reading more of Gillian Flynn's writing.