Sharp Objects

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, published in 2006, is a chilling psychological thriller that follows the mystery of a series of murders in the small town of Wind Gap, Missouri. Beneath these hair-raising murders lie even darker secrets. 

The story is told from the perspective of Wind Gap-born-and-raised Camille Preaker, a reporter who fled the nest to the city of Chicago to escape her shadowy past. Reluctant to return to her place of origin and risk digging up once-buried trauma, Camille fights her unhealthy coping mechanisms as she investigates the homicides. The murders, abnormal in nature, target the elementary-age girls of Wind Gap. The small police force of the town, aided by big-shot Kansas City detective Richard Willis, is unwilling to let Camille into their investigation. 

I can’t say much without spoiling major parts of the story, but I can say that the twists and turns this novel takes you on are jaw-dropping. With every turn of the page, you uncover new details about Wind Gap, the people within it, and the murders. I can also say that this book is a very disturbing thriller, and I highly recommend looking up the trigger warnings before reading. That being said, don’t let the idea of dark themes keep you from reading this book. In my opinion, these darker themes shed light on real-world issues that people should be more aware of.

By far, my favorite aspect of the book is the characterization. Camille Preaker is by no means a “perfect” main character, but that’s exactly why you root for her in her endeavor to solve the case. It's clear in the text that her trauma is laced into every action and dictates the way she functions. You empathize with her, even when you don’t agree with her actions. Interestingly, even the most unlikable of characters have backstories that feel uncannily real and offer some explanation for their wrongdoings. Every character, no matter how small, jumps off the page. As you read, Wind Gap is not a fictional town full of fictional characters, but a lively place with grisly, interconnected stories.

Sharp Objects is by no means an easy read, but it is a worthwhile one. You're left reeling at the end of the book, simultaneously content with the ending and yearning for more. I highly recommend it.

If you find yourself enjoying the novel, it was adapted into a TV series in 2018. The author Gillian Flynn has also written many other acclaimed novels like Gone Girl and Dark Places.