In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

I read In a Dark, Dark Wood this past weekend. It is Ruth Ware's debut book. Yes, two days, probably six hours. It is a quick read and REALLY holds your attention.



"Nora hasn't seen Clare for ten years. Not since Nora walked out of school one day and never went back.

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."

Here is a Halloween poem that prefaces the book:

In a Dark Dark Wood    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 cupboard there was a dark, dark shelf;
And on the dark, dark shelf there was a dark, dark box; And in the dark, dark box there was a....

Sets a creepy tone.

This is a really good, suspenseful book.

The story goes back and forth between Nora in the hospital with multiple injuries, trying to remember how she got there, to the days before she awoke in the hospital, at her college friend's "hen weekend" aka bachelorette party. The police keep stopping in to question Nora in the hospital but won't tell her anything about what happened to her. She hears two policemen in the hall outside her hospital room, say something about murder. Someone has died but who? And how did she get all these injuries? How is she involved? The story continues with Nora remembering bits and pieces slowly and back to the weekend party that led up to being in the hospital. As Nora remembers more and asks more questions, it appears her life may be in danger too.

It is a very gripping tale. You won't be able to put it down. Really.