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In A Dark Dark Wood

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015

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Book Brief

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Ruth Ware

In A Dark Dark Wood

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015
Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Northern England • Contemporary

Publication Year

2015

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Ruth Ware's psychological mystery thriller In a Dark, Dark Wood, protagonist Nora Shaw navigates between her present state in a hospital with a head wound and murky memories from a recent weekend hen party in a remote forest. Long estranged from the bride-to-be, Clare, Nora confronts unresolved tensions and secrets from her past, ultimately unraveling a shocking truth. The book addresses themes of trauma, mental health struggles, and emotionally abusive relationships.

Suspenseful

Mysterious

Dark

Reviews & Readership

3.9

396,531 ratings

62%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Ruth Ware's In a Dark, Dark Wood generally captivates with its atmosphere and suspense, excelling in a gripping narrative and well-crafted tension. However, some critics find the characters underdeveloped and the plot somewhat predictable. Despite these flaws, the book is still recommended for fans of psychological thrillers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read In A Dark Dark Wood?

Readers who relish psychological thrillers with atmospheric tension and unreliable narratives, akin to Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl or Paula Hawkins' The Girl on the Train, will enjoy Ruth Ware's In a Dark, Dark Wood. Ideal for fans of suspenseful, page-turning mysteries that explore dark secrets.

3.9

396,531 ratings

62%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Character List

Leonora “Nora” Shaw

Nora is a 26-year-old novelist and the narrator of the story, who attends the bachelorette party of her former best friend, Clare, despite their ten-year estrangement. She becomes embroiled in a complicated situation filled with past memories and current uncertainties.

Clare is Nora's former best friend from grade school, known for her charming yet manipulative demeanor. She commands attention effortlessly and is central to the unfolding events and the group's complex dynamics.

Nina is a sarcastic yet compassionate doctor and Nora's enduring friend from school. She strives to support Nora through difficult moments and holds a clear dislike for Clare due to past grievances.

Flo is Clare's devoted maid of honor who looks up to her to an unhealthy extent. Exacting in her desires for a perfect celebration, she is intensely loyal yet vulnerable to manipulation.

Tom is a playwright and the only male at the party, who often uses humor to cope with tense situations. He is married and associated with both Clare and James through his work and social circles.

Melanie is a new mother who struggles with being away from her baby for the first time during the hen party. Her practical concerns lead her to reveal personal insights about Clare and Flo to the others.

Detective Lamarr is the lead investigator charged with solving James's murder, characterized by her professionalism and considerate treatment of Nora. She balances careful inquiry with approachable empathy.

Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Northern England • Contemporary

Publication Year

2015

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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