Reviews with content warning for Drug use - In a Dark, Dark Wood

This is a very compelling locked-room murder mystery. I usually know whodunnit long before the end but this one kept me guessing right up to the reveal. I had trouble putting this one down. It’s not the heart-racing type of thriller story, but it definitely still gives you the creeps. The chapters were mostly short, the writing is decidedly British, and the plot was incredibly believable. I look forward to reading more of Ware’s work!

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liesvdm's review against another edition

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mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

I quite enjoyed this, even though I did guess some major plot points as soon as they were hinted at - I mean

once the ouija board said "murder" and Nora felt it might be about her, I figured it would refer to abortion. And when she revealed that James broke up with her via text, it was pretty clear it wasn't him sending the text at all, duh. Also a little far fetched that they then would NEVER EVER be in contact again after that. But okay, books like this often need you to suspend your disbelief a little bit.

However, I was kept guessing who would be the mastermind

as Flo was clearly a little unhinged and Claire was obviously too "perfect" and kind of annoying and phony

Overall I liked this and I kept finding moments to put my headphones on and continue listening. Loved the woody wintery setting and I loved some of the characters, especially Nina, she was cool.
The narrator was good, both the main character and the others in the "hen party" were well done. Most of the other accents were good too (like the Scottish nurse - I think the narrator is Scottish), just a few that were a little off but those were minor. I will put this narrator on my "approved" list ;-)

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aprilblues348's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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rolexia's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Ummmm!!! It was a pretty good read! Now I wouldn't have went as far as Claire did because that was a bit much lol. Just tell the truth and move on with it! And Nora can say it was about a breakup all she wants but ma'ma we all know it was about a lost pregnancy! Still 10 years is a long time to have not have healed from all that from 15/16 why didn't you think of GETTING HELP MA'MA! this was the most far-fetched story I have read in my life lol. It was a good read no doubt but it was a bit much lol. Flo was really weird and odd and I didn't understand how she didn't see that Claire wasn't just using her! I would have went home as soon as Claire went oh I'm marry James! Because why am I invited to your "Hen" and not your wedding lol nope! If I can't come to one I'm not coming to the other! Just a wild storyline! And nah!! And idk who just doesn't noticed and react to their phone just missing nah! We getting up and finding that now! Because yall playing with me at this point!

But got little afternoon read if you not really expecting anything Jaw dropping and omg! Toss the book across the room great!

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jenniferropell's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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sh543's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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jordynjohnson's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I really wanted to love this book but I found that it kind of dragged and the twists were quite predictable. I still enjoyed it but I didn’t love it.

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greatexpectations77's review against another edition

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mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I've read nearly every book by Ruth Ware at this point, and it's only because I've been so stressed and overwhelmed recently that I can't spare the brain space for anything more complicated. I need Ms. Ware's super repetitive writing that reminds me of details several times, so that I can zone out a good bit. I was really surprised how many lists this book was on. I mean, this was fine. I did want to know what happened in the end. I predicted the villain pretty early. I also found the MC extremely annoying. And why is it so hard to get a MC who isn't a precious little size small with size 6 feet like a fourth grader. Like my god, why is a female writer trying to make her protag the smallest that a woman can be? I do appreciate that Imogen Church does her very best with the text though, every time.

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