Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn

The mind of Gillian Flynn must be a darkly fascinating place, I’ve read all three novels now and I’d say Gone Girl was actually the least disturbing of the bunch. Sharp Objects is an incredible read, the kind that leaves you with a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach, the kind of abject horror that you can’t not read, yet you aren't even sure if you want to.

Camille is a mediocre reporter for a mediocre newspaper, editor Curry thinks she has potential and even more than that, that his paper does, so he sends Camille back to her hometown to break the story about a potential serial killer targeting children before any other paper can.

Camille reluctantly returns and immediately, is drawn back into the insidiousness of her mother’s life. A well groomed and presented woman with a dark heart. She also gets the chance to know half sister Amme, a seriously disturbed 13 year old with the kind of promiscuity that makes you want to lock your children up forever and step-dad Alan, who is literally,  the creepiest man alive without even speaking.

Camille’s life is troubled. She is a borderline alcoholic who uses self-harm to escape, her method is to carve words into her skin. She is in recovery but that’s not without its urges. She isn't just a mediocre journalist but a reluctant one and her attempts to report on the murder of two young girls (who had their teeth removed post mortem) are lackluster. She doesn't have the passion or the drive for the job and she knows it.

Her mother Adora is the evilest woman ever. I won’t ruin the story, but her behavior is on the line on being incestuous, she’s very disturbed and incredibly cruel. Amma is more outrageous than most 18 year olds and she is supposed to be just thirteen. You want to punch Alan in the face. Local police chief Vickerery is an idiot and Kansas detective Richard is annoyingly ambiguous.

If you think reading about the murder of two little girls would be the worst part of the novel you’ll be horrified to discover there are many, many occasions where other things happen that come pretty close. When the killer is finally revealed it doesn't even bring the usual satisfaction at finally having some justice, if just leaves you with an uncomfortable feeling that lingers long after the last page.

4/5. Gillian Flynn is easily cementing herself as a major player for the crime/genre.