Review - In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
Published: August 2015 by Scout Press
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4 Stars

Nora hasn’t seen Clare for ten years. Not since Nora walked out of school one day and never went back.
In a dark, dark wood there was a dark, dark house
Until, out of the blue, an invitation to Clare’s hen do arrives. Is this a chance for Nora to finally put her past behind her?
And in the dark, dark house there was a dark, dark room
But something goes wrong. Very wrong.
And in the dark, dark room…
Some things can’t stay secret for ever.




This was a decent mystery/thriller for me. I honestly bought it thinking it was a horror novel, but it turned out to be a good mistake. The main character is Nora, a writer who enjoys her independent lifestyle, including her precious alone time. She once dated a boy named James when she was a teenager. They broke it off and kept the secret of why... well, a secret for over ten years. Nora denies it even to herself, but she's still not over James. 

Out of the blue, a woman named Flo emails Nora inviting her to a hen party weekend at a secluded house in the woods for one of Nora's old high school friends, Claire. Claire was an amazing best friend ten years ago. Nora and Claire did everything together, but Claire was always the one of the two who shined brightest. Nora was confused when she read the invitation... Nora and Claire had drifted apart years ago. Claire spends a few days thinking on whether or not to accept the invite. She eventually decides to go and rides up to the secluded house with another one of her old friends, Nina. There are a few other characters who come along for the weekend getaway as well such as Mel and Tom. It can't be a party without people, right? 

As soon as Claire arrives at the house, she drops a bomb on Nora. Claire is marrying Nora's old flame, James. Nora finally understands why she was invited to a party for someone she hasn't even heard from in ten years. This was Claire's way of making sure that Nora knew, but by breaking the news as easily as possible. Of course, Nora is upset, but she reminds herself that her and James' relationship ended ten years ago. Nora and the rest of the group try to enjoy the weekend as much as possible. 

Let me talk about Flo... she is quite the character. Flo, the overprotective friend of Claire, now starts to act strangle. She makes everyone uncomfortable, including me. She's very snippy and reminds everyone how they should be eternally grateful to even be considered one of Claire's friends. Flo even dresses like Claire, which unfortunately looks unflattering because of the body type difference between Claire and Flo. Everyone just assumes Flo is obsessed with Claire and they try to ignore her strangeness and get on with the weekend, or more truthfully... get to the end of the weekend. 

So many deceptions, secrets, lies, truths... all unfold during this weekend getaway. It seemed never-ending. I thought I had it figured out several times, but I was fooled. If you're looking for a mystery/thriller with a great well-rounded group of characters, then this one is for you.