Title: In a Dark, Dark Wood
Author: Ruth Ware
Genre: Thriller
Publication Date: 2015
Number of Pages: 308
Geographical Setting: Set in London and the countryside
in Northumberland.
Time Period: present day, at least similar to the
year it was published.
Series (If applicable): n/a
Plot Summary: Leonora, Leo, is a twenty-six-year-old crime writer who lives in a tiny flat in London. She receives an unexpected invitation to a hen party weekend to celebrate the engagement of a friend she hasn’t seen in ten years. After some hesitation and pact with another long lost friend, she decides to make the trip to the Northumberland countryside for the weekend. The event takes place down a long lane, in a glass house, out in the middle of a forest, with little to no cell reception. The party is made up a group of relative strangers who all have the bride in common. Each person is complex and not what they first appear, each has their own history with the bride, and each has their own reasons for being there.
The story alternates between a hospital setting and the
events of the hen party. From the beginning it's clear that the party goes
horribly wrong in some unknown way. The story keeps building with every new revelation about the
characters, until the point where both the present and past storylines collide.
In our course readings for this week Saricks describes a thriller as a story that takes place in a short amount of time and a story that has a sense of menace throughout (2016, p.17). I think this book fits this description. The story takes place over a weekend and there is a sense of foreboding with the way the story begins with a nightmare flashback and then to a hospital room.
In another reading for this week the authors Wyatt and Saricks
describe a thriller as fast paced, full of action and conflict and having a
sense of danger throughout ( 2019, pp. 5-6). Given that Saricks was also the
author in the reading mentioned above, it makes sense that their descriptions
of what a thriller is would be similar. Both versions are representative of how
this book is set up and how the story unfolds.
Subject Headings:
Psychological fiction
Female Friendship fiction
Here are some words from another reading from this week
called “The Secret Language of Books, a Guide to Appeal” that I would use to
describe the appeal of this book (Novelist, 2018).
This story would appeal to people who enjoy reading stories that:
- Have Strong female characters who are relatable.
- Are fast paced.
- atmospheric and a bit menacing
3 terms that best describe this book:
- Character driven
- Slow burn
- Atmospheric
Relevant Fiction Works and Authors
Author: Paula Hawkins
Book: A Slow Fire
Burning
Both authors write stories that are character driven and
layered and have many twists and turns. This particular book focuses on three
women and their relationships with a murdered man.
Author: Riley Sager
Book: The Last Time I Lied
Both authors write stories about how past secrets come back
to haunt peoples’ present day lives. This book focuses on a group of friends, a
mysterious disappearance from a summer camp and secrets revealed.
Author: B.A Paris
Book: The Dilemma
Both authors write stories about people who have secrets and
how those secrets effect the people around them. This book focuses on a couple celebrating
their 40th anniversary, but each has a secret that will change their
lives forever.
Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors
Author: Harold Schechter
Book: Hell's Princess: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher
of Men
In a similar vein as Ware’s book, this one focuses on a woman
and her secrets, in this case murder. There are many unexpected revelations and
twists and turns.
Author: Emily Copley Eisenburg
Book: The Third Rainbow Girl: The Long Life of a Double
Murder in Appalachia
In a similar vein as Ware’s book, this story focuses on how one terrible event and the secrets around it can affect the lives of so many.
References
Novelist. (2018). The secret language of books, a guide
to appeal. Ebscohost.
Saricks, J. (2016). At Leisure with Joyce Saricks.
Booklist, 112(17), 17.
Wyatt, N., Saricks, J. (2019). The readers advisory guide
to genre fiction. ALA Editions.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteHow did you feel about this book? I've definitely liked some of the other books that Ruth Ware has written much better like The Woman in Cabin 10. I'm interested in why you chose this book/how you found it.
When I started choosing genres to read for this class, I asked some of my friends, who are also librarians, for their recommendations. This was one of the books they suggested for the Thriller category. I really enjoyed the book. I thought it had some interesting twists and turns and the characters were engaging. I've never read any other books by the author, but reading this one definitely makes me want to track down other titles she's written.
DeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Ruth Ware's The Turn of the Key, I have been interested in other books by her. The Turn of the Key had the most brilliant ending - a slow burn, indeed. I actually checked out In a Dark, Dark Wood a few years ago but never got a chance to read it. However, this book has been in the back of my mind for a while now. Based upon your review and answer to Kelsey's question, I might need to check out this book again and give it a try!
Tiffany
Hi Tiffany -
DeleteJust wanted to second In a Dark, Dark Wood as a recommendation, especially if you've considered it before. I know I really loved it when I read it myself.
- Sydney
Hi Mary -
ReplyDeleteI read In a Dark, Dark Wood a few months ago for my book club and I loved it, so I enjoyed reading your take on it for your annotation. In looking at your relevant fiction works, I noticed that you mentioned Paula Hawkins' A Slow Fire Burning, and I was actually considering reading that one for my thriller! Since you have it listed here, I will definitely be adding it to my TBR list as soon as possible. I also love Riley Sager and haven't read The Last Time I Lied yet, so I'll have to check that one out as well. Thanks!
Mary, this book sounds really interesting! I am all about the English countryside. A murder/accident/what-have-you occurring in said countryside is even better. Without knowing anything else about this book, I wonder if there is witchcraft involved!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your annotation! Your summary is fantastic and you do a great job outlining the appeals. I also loved that you described WHY each of the readalikes would appeal to those that liked this book. Full points!
ReplyDelete