Jennifer Hillier
Born: August 22, 1974 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Jennifer Hillier is a Filipino-Canadian novelist who writes psychological thrillers centered on obsession, betrayal, and buried secrets. She is best known for Jar of Hearts, Little Secrets, and Things We Do in the Dark. A USA Today bestselling author, she has won International Thriller Writers awards, and her books appear in 23 languages.
Biography & Author's Journey
Jennifer Hillier is a Filipino Canadian novelist of psychological suspense, born and raised in the Toronto area. She began writing early, first with a darkly revised Snow White story at six, then with original stories and poetry by ten, and she kept trying unfinished novels through middle and high school, helped along by teachers who noticed her talent. ((https://jenniferhillierbooks.com/about/)) Her literary education was largely self-built rather than institutional: after a stretch in her twenties when she stopped writing, a move from Toronto to Seattle became the hinge point. On the brink of that move, she found three forgotten pages in an envelope, kept writing through the relocation, refined her work in critique groups and two Gotham Writers workshops, queried almost a hundred agents, and eventually reached publication with Creep in 2011. ((https://jenniferhillierbooks.com/faq/)) She spent eight years in Seattle, and that city became both the place where she first became a published author and the setting for all of her books. ((https://jenniferhillierbooks.com/about/))
Quotes
You May Also Like
Popular Books
Discover more
Johan Liebert
This plan provides a deep dive into criminal psychology and the mechanics of manipulation. It is ideal for students of psychology, true crime enthusiasts, or anyone seeking to understand the darkest aspects of human behavior.
Dark romance
Dark romance has emerged as one of the fastest-growing and most psychologically complex subgenres in contemporary fiction, attracting readers who crave emotionally intense stories that explore the shadowy side of desire and human connection. This learning plan is ideal for romance readers seeking more morally complex narratives, writers wanting to understand the genre's conventions and subversions, or anyone interested in how literature explores taboo themes, power dynamics, and the intersection of love with darkness.
Become a dark romance author
Dark romance is one of the fastest-growing subgenres in publishing, with readers craving emotionally intense stories featuring morally grey characters and complex relationships. This learning plan is ideal for aspiring authors who want to break into this lucrative market, as well as existing romance writers looking to pivot into darker, more psychologically complex narratives that resonate with modern audiences.
Baek Se-hee’s Death and South Korea’s Mental Health Crisis
Korean author Baek Se-hee’s death has reignited global attention on South Korea’s mental health crisis and the legacy of her bestselling memoir.
BeFreed team
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Explore Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's books on feminism, identity, and race, including We Should All Be Feminists and Americanah.
BeFreed team
The Psychology of Hidden Motives
In a world where true intentions are often masked, understanding the underlying mechanics of human behavior is a critical competitive advantage. This plan is ideal for leaders, negotiators, and anyone looking to master social dynamics by reading between the lines of every interaction.
The Mind of the Hunter
Understanding the psychological architecture of violent offenders is crucial for professionals in criminal justice and forensic psychology. This plan is ideal for aspiring profilers or true crime enthusiasts looking to move beyond headlines into the science of behavioral analysis.
i just want to read ana huang books
Ana Huang has redefined contemporary romance with her blend of high-stakes power dynamics and intense emotional vulnerability. This guide is perfect for readers who want to dive deep into her signature tropes and find similar authors who capture that same addictive spark.
Community Voices
"Jennifer Hillier is a thriller queen so skilled at her craft that I'm convinced we simply don't deserve her"
— Book Riot
"Jennifer Hillier is one of my favorite writers, and this is her best book yet"
— Riley Sager
"Jennifer Hillier locks you in on the first page, and astonishes to the last"
— Joseph Finder
"Jennifer Hillier writes the kind of propulsive, no-holds-barred crime fiction that keeps you up at night"
— Alex Segura
"Better yet, trust Jennifer Hillier, a rising star in crime fiction whose work is like no one else's"
— Laura Lippman
"One of the best writers in the genre, Jennifer Hillier is synonymous with the deeply thought-provoking, raw, twisty thriller"
— Samantha M. Bailey
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
