In In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware, Nora, a reclusive writer, receives an unexpected invitation to an old friend's bachelorette party after a decade of no contact. The story unfolds in a secluded glass house in the woods, where tension rises, secrets are revealed, and a tragedy occurs, plunging Nora deeper into her friend's life. The plot twists, multiple mysteries, and murder unfold in a fast-paced, suspenseful manner, keeping readers hooked until the end.
The atmospheric setting, well-described locations, and unique characters add depth to the narrative, placing readers in the main character's shoes, whether in her flat or the eerie forest cabin. Despite some predictable elements and repetitive moments, the book maintains a level of suspense and mystery that makes it a page-turner, with a satisfying ending that ties up the loose ends of the thrilling plot.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for In a Dark, Dark Wood include themes of violence, murder, trauma, emotional abuse, and some mentions of substance use.
From The Publisher:
*AUTHOR OF THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 and THE LYING GAME
*INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, AND LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER
*SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE
An NPR Best Book of the Year * An Entertainment Weekly Summer Books Pick * A Buzzfeed "31 Books to Get Excited About this Summer" Pick * A Publishers Weekly "Top Ten Mysteries and Thrillers" Pick * A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year * A BookReporter Summer Reading Pick * A New York Post "Best Novels to Read this Summer" Pick * A Shelf Awareness "Book Expo America 2015 Buzz Book" Pick
What should be a cozy and fun-filled weekend deep in the English countryside takes a sinister turn in Ruth Ware's suspenseful, compulsive, and darkly twisted psychological thriller.
Sometimes the only thing to fear…is yourself.
When reclusive writer Leonora is invited to the English countryside for a weekend away, she reluctantly agrees to make the trip. But as the first night falls, revelations unfold among friends old and new, an unnerving memory shatters Leonora's reserve, and a haunting realization creeps in: the party is not alone in the woods.
Ratings (99)
Incredible (6) | |
Loved It (33) | |
Liked It (34) | |
It Was OK (14) | |
Did Not Like (9) | |
Hated It (3) |
Reader Stats (174):
Read It (108) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (55) | |
Not Interested (9) |
4 comment(s)
I enjoyed this book enough to read it through I suppose. I liked the idea of the plot, but I didnt feel attached to the characters.
I have done absolutely nothing today because I started reading this book. And when I haven't been reading the book, I've been telling my husband about the book and googling about whether it's going to be made into a movie.
I thought this book was fantastic -- creepy setting and odd characters. It flashes between events at a bachelorette weekend and the present when the main character (Nora) awakens in a hospital, unsure of what had happened. She tried to piece together what happened and when she does, it's a doozy!
****2.5****
This is a dark psychological murder mystery and Ruth Ware's debut novel.
Nora, a 26 year old writer is invited to a hen party of her old friend Clare Cavendish. Both have lost touch from 10 years as Nora left the school unexpectedly without talking to anyone about it.
But when Nora attends Clare's hen along with her another school friend Nina, a doctor now, the party turns sour making them want to leave it. Then it becomes a nightmare when there is a murder in the house. Different friends from Clare's life are there and all are having secrets. And when murder happens and Nora meets an accident trying to save the dying person, and is unable to recall the last few hours of the drama. She is questioned by the police but still is in a amnesia induced by trauma.
In a dark, dark wood there was a dark, dark house;
And in the dark, dark house there was a dark, dark room;
And in the dark, dark room there was a dark, dark cupboard;
And in the dark, dark box there was a....skeleton!
Though I would like to change the last line to:
And in the dark, dark box there was a....NOTHING AT ALLLLLLLL!
Well, the story has all the defects of the "Debut novel" and so many unnecessary parts and people. And I guess Ruth Ware wrote this book after reading a set of Agatha Christie books as the plot reeks of christie's plots. Though I didn't like it much, I completed the book only to know
WHAT NORA FORGOT!
Easy and a weekend holiday read, if you want.
Happy Reading!!!
Meh. The last 100 pages were bad. But it's a quick read and was somewhat enjoyable at the beginning.
What can you read after
In a Dark, Dark Wood?
About the Author:
Ruth Ware worked as a waitress, a bookseller, a teacher of English as a foreign language, and a press officer before settling down as a full-time writer. She now lives with her family in Sussex, on the south coast of England. She is the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail (Toronto) bestselling author of In a Dark, Dark Wood; The Woman in Cabin 10; The Lying Game; The Death of Mrs. Westaway; The Turn of the Key; and One by One. Visit her at RuthWare.com or follow her on Twitter @RuthWareWriter.
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