Things We Do in the Dark: A Novel

When Paris Peralta is arrested, she is worried about her hidden past being exposed and destroying her new life. Twenty-five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, known as the Ice Queen, was convicted of a similar murder and threatens to expose Paris's secrets. Paris must confront her past, or face two murder charges.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2023
Publisher: Minotaur Books,US

When Paris Peralta is arrested in her own bathroom, covered in blood, holding a straight razor, her celebrity husband dead in the bathtub behind her, she knows she will be charged with murder. But as bad as this looks, it's not what worries her the most. With the unwanted media attention now surrounding her, it's only a matter of time before someone from her long-hidden past recognizes her and destroys the new life she's worked so hard to build, along with any chance of a future.

Twenty-five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, known as the Ice Queen, was convicted of a similar murder in a trial that riveted Canada in the early nineties. Reyes knows who Paris really is, and when she is unexpectedly released from prison, she threatens to expose all of Paris's secrets. Left with no other choice, Paris must finally confront the dark past she escaped, once and for all. Because the only thing worse than a murder charge is two murder charges.

Paris Peralta had it all. A successful career, a loving husband, and a beautiful daughter. But everything changed when she was arrested in her own bathroom, covered in blood, holding a straight razor, and her celebrity husband dead in the bathtub behind her.

As she sat in her cell, waiting for her trial, Paris couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She knew she would be charged with murder, but what really worried her was the unwanted media attention that was now surrounding her. She had always tried to keep her personal life private, but now it seemed like everyone knew her secrets.

Days turned into weeks, and Paris's fear grew. She knew that with the media attention, someone from her long-hidden past would eventually recognize her and expose all of her secrets. She had been living a lie for years, and she was terrified that it would all come crashing down around her.

One day, as she was sitting in her cell, a woman walked in. She was tall and slender, with piercing blue eyes and a fierce expression. Paris recognized her immediately, even though she had tried to forget her.

The woman was Ruby Reyes, known as the Ice Queen. Ruby had been convicted of a similar murder twenty-five years earlier, and she had been in prison ever since. Paris had always heard stories about Ruby, but she had never really paid much attention to them.

As Ruby approached her cell, Paris could feel the tension in the air. She knew that Ruby was not here to make friends.

"Paris Peralta," Ruby said, her voice cold and menacing. "I know who you are. And I know what you've been doing."

Paris tried to stay calm, but her heart was racing. She had never faced someone like Ruby before.

"What do you want?" Paris asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ruby smiled, a cruel smile that sent shivers down Paris's spine. "I want revenge," she said. "I want to expose all of your secrets. And I want to destroy the life you've built."

Paris felt like she was drowning. She had no idea how to stop Ruby, and she knew that she was in grave danger. But she refused to give up. She had worked too hard to build the life she had, and she was not going to let it be destroyed by someone from her past.

Over the next few weeks, Paris tried to stay one step ahead of Ruby. She knew that Ruby was not going to give up until she had gotten what she wanted. But every time Paris thought she had found a way to protect herself, Ruby would find a way to get around it.

One day, as Paris was walking through the prison yard, Ruby approached her.

"I've been waiting for you," Ruby said. "I know that you're trying to protect yourself, but you can't hide forever. I have all of your secrets, and I'm going to expose them."

Paris felt like she was going to collapse. She had no idea what to do. But then, something inside of her clicked. She remembered something that she had forgotten for years.

"You don't have all of my secrets," Paris said, her voice firm. "There is one that you don't know about."

Ruby's eyes narrowed. "What is it?" she asked.

Paris took a deep breath. "I am not Paris Peralta," she said. "My real name is Ruby Reyes. I was the one who killed your husband twenty-five years ago. And I am going to kill you."

Ruby's face twisted in rage. "You're lying," she said. "I know who you are."

Paris smiled. "You don't," she said. "I have been living a lie for years. I was the one who killed your husband because he was abusive and controlling. I wanted to get away from him, and I knew that he would never let me go. So I killed him and started a new life."

Ruby was stunned. She had always believed that Paris was the victim, not the perpetrator. But now she knew the truth.

"You're a monster," Ruby said, her voice trembling.

Paris smiled. "Yes, I am," she said. "But I am not the only one. You were the one who killed my husband, and you have been living a lie for years. It's time for you to face the consequences of your actions."

Ruby tried to fight back, but Paris was too strong. She grabbed Ruby by the throat and squeezed until she felt like she was going to pass out.

"You're going to pay for what you've done," Paris said, her voice cold and menacing. "And I am going to make sure that you never see the light of day again."

Ruby struggled, but it was no use. Paris was too strong, and she was determined to see Ruby pay for her crimes.

Days turned into weeks, and Paris was finally released from prison. She had been granted early release due to her good behavior and the fact that she had been willing to testify against Ruby. She knew that she had a long road ahead of her, but she was ready to face it.

As she walked out of the prison gates, Paris felt a sense of relief. She had finally been able to confront her past and come to terms with it. She knew that she would never forget what had happened, but she was also able to move forward.

She returned to her home, where she was welcomed by her daughter and her husband. They were overjoyed to see her, and they were grateful for everything that she had done to protect them.

Paris knew that she had a long road ahead of her. She would have to deal with the media attention and the backlash from Ruby's supporters. But she was determined to stay strong and face whatever came her way.

As time passed, Paris began to rebuild her life. She started a new career, and she became involved in her community. She was determined to use her experience to help others who had been in similar situations.

One day, as she was walking down the street, she saw Ruby. Ruby was standing on the corner, looking lost and alone. Paris knew that she had to do something to help her.

She approached Ruby and offered her a helping hand. Ruby was hesitant at first, but Paris was persistent.

"I know what you've been through," Paris said. "I know how it feels to be trapped in your past. But there is a way out. You can start over, and you can make a new life for yourself."

Ruby looked at Paris with tears in her eyes. "You don't understand," she said. "I can't just start over. I have too much to lose."

Paris smiled. "You don't have to lose everything," she said. "You can start over with a clean slate. You can make a new life for yourself, and you can be happy."

Ruby took a deep breath. "You're right," she said. "I want to start over. I want to be happy."

Paris smiled. "That's the spirit," she said. "I will help you every step of the way. You can count on me."

Ruby and Paris started to rebuild their relationship. They were both flawed individuals, but they were able to forgive each other and move forward. They became friends, and they supported each other through the difficult times.

Years passed, and Paris became a respected member of her community. She had faced her past and come out on top. She had helped others who had been in similar situations, and she had found a sense of purpose in her life.

Ruby, too, had found a new sense of purpose. She had started over, and she had found happiness. She had learned that it was never too late to start over, and that there was always hope for a better future.

As Paris looked back on her life, she realized that it had been a journey of growth and self-discovery. She had faced her darkest fears and emerged stronger than ever before. She knew that there would always be challenges ahead, but she was ready to face them head-on.

Ruby, too, looked back on her life with a sense of pride. She had faced her past and come out on top. She had learned that it was never too late to start over, and that there was always hope for a better future.

In the end, Paris and Ruby had both found a sense of peace and fulfillment in their lives. They had faced their pasts and emerged stronger than ever before. And they knew that they would always be there for each other, no matter what.

As Paris walked down the street, she felt a sense of gratitude for the life that she had built. She knew that it had not been easy, but she had been able to overcome her fears and emerge stronger than ever before.

She also knew that there were still challenges ahead, but she was ready to face them head-on. She had learned that life was a journey of growth and self-discovery, and that there was always hope for a better future.

As she turned the corner, she saw Ruby standing on the corner, looking lost and alone. Paris knew that she had to do something to help her.

She approached Ruby and offered her a helping hand. Ruby was hesitant at first, but Paris was persistent.

"I know what you've been through," Paris said. "I know how it feels to be trapped in your past. But there is a way out. You can start over, and you can make a new life for yourself."

Ruby looked at Paris with tears in her eyes. "You don't understand," she said. "I can't just start over. I have too much to lose."

Paris smiled. "You don't have to lose everything," she said. "You can start over with a clean slate. You can make a new life for yourself, and you can be happy."

Ruby took a deep breath. "You're right," she said. "I want to start over. I want to be happy."

Paris smiled. "That's the spirit," she said. "I will help you every step of the way. You can count on me."

Ruby and Paris started to rebuild their relationship. They were both flawed individuals, but they were able to forgive each other and move forward. They became friends, and they supported each other through the difficult times.

Years passed, and Paris became a respected member of her community. She had faced her past and come out on top. She had helped others who had been in similar situations, and she had found a sense of purpose in her life.

Ruby, too, had found a new sense of purpose. She had started over, and she had found happiness. She had learned that it was never too late to start over, and that there was always hope for a better future.

As Paris looked back on her life, she realized that it had been a journey of growth and self-discovery. She had faced her darkest fears and emerged stronger than ever before. She knew that there would always be challenges ahead, but she was ready to face them head-on.

Ruby, too, looked back on her life with a sense of pride. She had faced her past and come out on top. She had learned that it was never too late to start over, and that there was always hope for a better future.

In the end, Paris and Ruby had both found a sense of peace and fulfillment in their lives. They had faced their pasts and emerged stronger than ever before. And they knew that they would always be there for each other, no matter what.

As Paris walked down the street, she felt a sense of gratitude for the life that she had built. She knew that it had not been easy, but she had been able to overcome her fears and emerge stronger than ever before.

She also knew that there were still challenges ahead, but she was ready to face them head-on. She had learned that life was a journey of growth and self-discovery, and that there was always hope for a better future.

As she turned the corner, she saw Ruby standing on the corner, looking lost and alone. Paris knew that she had to do something to help her.

She approached Ruby and offered her a helping hand. Ruby was hesitant at first, but Paris was persistent.

"I know what you've been through," Paris said. "I know how it feels to be trapped in your past. But there is a way out. You can start over, and you can make a new life for yourself."

Ruby looked at Paris with tears in her eyes. "You don't understand," she said. "I can't just start over. I have too much to lose."

Paris smiled. "You don't have to lose everything," she said. "You can start over with a clean slate. You can make a new life for yourself, and you can be happy."

Ruby took a deep breath. "You're right," she said. "I want to start over. I want to be happy."

Paris smiled. "That's the spirit," she said. "I will help you every step of the way. You can count on me."

Ruby and Paris started to rebuild their relationship. They were both flawed individuals, but they were able to forgive each other and move forward. They became friends, and they supported each other through the difficult times.

Years passed, and Paris became a respected member of her community. She had faced her past and come out on top. She had helped others who had been in similar situations, and she had found a sense of purpose in her life.

Ruby, too, had found a new sense of purpose. She had started over, and she had found happiness. She had learned that it was never too late to start over, and that there was always hope for a better future.

As Paris looked back on her life, she realized that it had been a journey of growth and self-discovery. She had faced her darkest fears and emerged stronger than ever before. She knew that there would always be challenges ahead, but she was ready to face them head-on.

Ruby, too, looked back on her life with a sense of pride. She had faced her past and come out on top. She had learned that it was never too late to start over, and that there was always hope for a better future.

In the end, Paris and Ruby had both found a sense of peace and fulfillment in their lives. They had faced their pasts and emerged stronger than ever before. And they knew that they would always be there for each other, no matter what.

Dimension: 210 x 137 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781250889683