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Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,
Discovering new authors and enjoying their works is one of my favorite things to do. When I picked up novels by Ruth Ware I discovered a crafty author with books that are a mix of family drama, suspense, and murder. The Death of Mrs. Westaway and the Lying Game were both fantastic reads with twisty plots and plenty of suspense. Of course, I wanted to continue to read more of Ware's novels. Two down, two to go.
In a Dark, Dark Wood is Ruth Ware's tense and explosive first novel, published by Scout Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. In it, we are introduced to crime fiction writer Nora Shaw, who is being held in a hospital under police guard. She is covered in wounds and bruises as if she has been in an accident. Her memory is faint, but she remembers one thing: she had recently fired a gun.
Flashback to a time prior to Nora's hospitalization. Nora receives an email from a woman, named Flo. Flo has invited her to a bachelorette weekend in honor of an old friend of Nora's, Clare. She is puzzled as to why she is being invited to the party, but not the wedding. Curiosity leads her to accept, and she and her friend, Nina, head to the party. When they reach their destination they come upon the Glass House. A large construction of steel and glass, the Glass House is an imposing shape in the countryside. They are greeted by Flo, who ushers them into the home and they begin introductions. Inside they meet Melanie, a new mother who is away from her child for the first time. And Tom, Clare's friend from the theater community, whose husband (who is not in attendance) does not care for Clare at all. Nora notices that Flo is very flighty and nervous. It seems that she worships Clare and wants this weekend to go smoothly, as well as keep her aunt's home as clean as possible. But Flo's personality is a bit much, almost insane.
With one landline and no cell reception, communication is at a minimum. And a storm is on the way to the area that promises several inches of snow. When Clare finally arrives it is revealed that she is marrying Nora's high school sweetheart, James. This is a crushing blow to Nora, who after ten years has not managed to get over their break up. Visibly upset, she is guarded as the weekend progresses. Then one morning when she comes back from a run, Nora notices footprints outside of the house. When she inquires about the footprints, no one claims to have made them. With stories of local folks having a grudge against Flo's aunt, they wonder if someone was indeed lurking outside. Their question is answered one evening as an intruder enters their peaceful weekend, leaving someone lying in a pool of blood.
In a Dark, Dark Wood was an immensely entertaining novel loaded with drama and a tense atmosphere. I was drawn in by the story and Nora's struggle to regain her memory. The flashes of the past mixed with the present thrust me into a tale of lives that were filled with decades of betrayal. Ware's characters were three-dimensional people with deep-rooted anxiety and social inadequacies. When they were presented they all read as suspects capable of anything through their desperation. Some were likable, while others were not, showing us a wide range of personalities that kept me guessing their motives. I enjoyed Nora Shaw's story, and her resentment for her past was a great recipe for suspicion. I may not have agreed with all of her choices, but I did appreciate her perseverance in attempting to right her wrongs. One character that I would to see more of is Detective Constable Lamarr. She was a likable character that I believe would serve well in another story.
Imogen Church once again provided a fantastic narration of the audiobook. Her full range of voices and dynamic storytelling was on display here. She was engaging and left me wanting more. I loved her work on Ware's second and fourth novels and this reading also did not disappoint. I hope Simon & Schuster keeps her on as Ruth Ware's only narrator.
I know that some have reviewed this book negatively, complaining about it not meeting their expectations. But reviews are subjective and we all have different opinions. No, this is not a thriller with a high body count and gritty police drama. But it is a tense and dramatic tale of deception and deadly consequences. It is also a tale of lives thrown together into a dangerous situation. If you enjoy a book with mystery, tension, and drama, then this will be the perfect read for you. Just remember to trust your own decisions, and that will in the end be the best reward.
In the Dark, Dark Wood was a fun and entertaining four-star read that had me turning pages into the early morning hours. I highly recommend this book for your Summer or Autumn reading. Ruth Ware continues to deliver well-written novels with twisty plots and addicting narratives.
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