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MNHQ

Book giveaway: In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

63 replies

UrsulaMumsnet · 18/01/2016 12:17

Apply now for one of 50 free copies of Ruth Ware's new book and Richard and Judy's book club choice In a Dark Dark Wood.

This chilling new thriller has been described by The Independent as "the year's hottest crime novel". When Nora is invited to an old school friend's hen do, she thinks it'll be a chance to rekindle their friendship. But as the champagne is poured and secrets start to come to light, the evening becomes rather more sinister than expected...

Vintage have asked us to find 50 Mumsnetters to read In a Dark Dark Wood and tell us what they think about it on this discussion thread. Go to the giveaway page to find out more and apply for a free copy.

You don't have to win a free copy to take part in the discussion. Anyone who has read In a Dark Dark Wood can post their feedback here, and all who post before 7th March will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2Shop voucher.

Don't worry if you haven't finished reading. Feel free to drop in at whatever point you've got up to and give your fellow readers your first impressions about the story, characters, writing style.

This giveaway is sponsored by Vintage

OP posts:

kateandme · 08/02/2016 20:26

as soon as I got the book I was reminded of the childrens tv program with skeletons I used to watch.and it made it more eerie!!
but what a book. the blurb grabbed me and I new I wanted to receive one.and I'm so thankful I did. it great debut novel and I love forward to more. I can see this author progressing greatly as one of my faves.
there are often themes in novels so authors can sometimes get into a rut of following one another. but she manages to make this one different and so a fab read.

alialiath · 08/02/2016 20:35

Many thanks for my copy of In a Dark Dark Wood. Thoroughly enjoying this unusual thriller so far.

Scorpiostar · 08/02/2016 21:04

Gripping! Kept me on the edge of my seat right to the end. It's not my usual genre so I'll definitely look for more books by the same author.

amysmum18 · 09/02/2016 11:23

I received my copy on Friday, thanks so much! I've only had the chance to read the first few chapters, but I am very interested with the storyline already. As I only get chance to read now and again, I really like books that hook you in right from the start and even though I've only read a few chapters, I'm keen to read more. I'll report back when I've read more of it! x

aristocat · 09/02/2016 11:38

Enjoying this book too, great as a debut novel. Only read about 1/3 so far so will give final thoughts once finished.

Thanks again

19sharon · 09/02/2016 12:38

I was lucky enough to be selected to review this book so qualified for a free copy. I'd never heard of Ruth Ware so had no idea what to expect. The blurb made it very clear that this was a chilling and compulsive book, but with so many twists and turns it is making a really good read for me. There are toxic friendships to deal with, and the author sets the scenes so well you really feel as though you are living through this with the girls. I have since found out that this was also a "Richard & Judy Book Club" pick, so it delivers for me. I can't wait to try out another Ruth Ware novel.

LeighAO · 09/02/2016 16:11

I've only just started reading this novel but it's gripping from the start. Difficult to put down from only a few pages in. I can't wait to get into bed at night to find out what happens next and suspect the only fault with this novel is that I'm going to finish it in just a few days. A great read for anyone that likes to pick up a book and be immersed right from page 1.

minsmum · 09/02/2016 20:14

Well I finished it last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. I did guess the ending but it didn't spoil it. It's a good first novel

TheGreenNinja · 10/02/2016 09:02

I finished this book last night. Great read, gripping story. I really enjoyed the switching between her current situation and the events of the hen weekend. I guessed the ending as well, from the very large clue dropped in of the text message!
The only really small niggle I had was the writing of two character's dialect in an accent. Personal view, but I hate that! It's enough to say someone is Australian, I know what the accent sounds like (although the speech seemed to be written more like South African - I read it in an Afrikaans accent anyway!). Really minor point though, on the whole very chilling and enjoyable - the events of the final night were brilliantly atmospheric.

lorka · 10/02/2016 12:35

Thank you for the copy of in a Dark Dark Wood. Will report back once I have read more. :)

allthingsred · 10/02/2016 12:46

I wasn't selected for free copy. But seen then thread & had to comment.
There are lots of this type of thriller books out at the moment but have to say this is one of my favourites. It's really easy to read, & one of those books that will have you up late cause you want to know what happens next.
The fact that it's a debut novel makes it even better. I'll definitely be looking out for Ms Ware's next book.
If your unsure on if to get this book. Buy it you won't be disappointed

aristocat · 10/02/2016 23:25

I have now finished this book and I loved it. It's my favourite genre and it is a quick easy read. I did guess the ending (rather predictable tbh) but that did not spoil my enjoyment at all.

A definite page turner. I have already passed this on to one of my best friends to share. Only one problem is that because it is her debut novel I now have to wait until the summer for another

Thanks mumsnet 10/10 from me!

redalertalpha · 11/02/2016 16:17

This is my kind of thriller, it reminded me of the old classic James Paterson / Point Horror books of my youth; lots of suspense, lots of twists, lots of secrets, lots of suspicion!
I couldn't put the book down and though I felt the final reveal could have had a bit more bite & teeth, it was a fantastic book

StitchesInTime · 11/02/2016 22:54

I've received my copy of this a few days ago. I'm about a quarter of the way through, enjoying it so far. Will report more when I've finished reading it.

sherbertfountain · 14/02/2016 16:40

Well, I was lucky to win a free copy and as soon as it arrived I was very taken by the look of the book. I would have been drawn to this cover on a book shop shelf. I started it yesterday and have just finished it. Which is basically to say I couldn’t put it down! I have got out of the habit of reading novels since having a family and so this is unusual for me and really felt good. I was totally gripped by the characters and the situation. I thought the clues were good, and kept me guessing to the end. I would really recommend this book, it isn’t too heavy, it’s gripping and well written. I will definitely look out for more by the same author.

Lucretia12 · 14/02/2016 21:55

I was lucky enough to be given a free copy of this seriously creepy thriller. From the first page it snared my interest. I found myself reading this book every minute I could spare and thinking about it whenever I was forced to put it down (ie: due to lack of sleep, etc. A sign of a good book!) The characterisation was very believable and the build up of tension amazing. I must admit, I never saw the twist at the end coming at all but this only added to my enjoyment of a book well written. I definitely recommend reading this book and will be looking out for more books in this genre by the author.

Dianec67 · 15/02/2016 13:48

Thank you for the copy of this book which I have just finished. It was a very atmospheric thriller that was hard to put down. The setting of an old house in the woods, cut off from civilisation with a group of people the character doesn't really know anymore all add to the tense build up of the story. I like the way the story switched from the build up to the aftermath of what happens. This increases the dark atmosphere of the story as we know something bad has happened but not what until the story unfolds. A very good book, highly recommended to fans of atmospheric thrillers.

hlc123 · 17/02/2016 12:07

I found this book very gripping - I started it last night and finished it at 3.15am! It kept me guessing right until the end, but I didn't warm to any of the characters although I still wanted to know what happened to them.

DoinMiFuckinHeadIn · 17/02/2016 12:59

Not finished it yet.. reading opportunities have to be grabbed when possible around these parts but absolutely loving the twists and turns.

Clawdy · 17/02/2016 13:38

I was very pleased to receive a copy of this book. It was certainly a page turner and also well-written with some believable characters - we've all met a Florence! But I was a bit disappointed that the culprit, and even the motive were signposted early on. I know now everyone is used to spotting twists, but this book did need more. However, still a good read, and I will be looking for her next one.

noideawhat · 17/02/2016 22:18

I loved this book! I too was lucky enough to win a free copy & read it within a couple of days (I'd have been quicker but don't read very fast with 3 under 5 any more!). It was brilliantly tense & a fab debut. I wouldn't be surprised if the author is also a Mumsnetter...I could imagine the threads about the toxic friendships & horrendous hen night! Really looking forward to reading more from her.

Radley1 · 18/02/2016 14:49

I was lucky enough to also win a copy . Congratulations to Ruth on her debut novel as she can certainly maintain and hold the tension and
suspense . Like the others I was able to predict who done it but the plot twists and characters were spot on

hv35 · 20/02/2016 10:54

Won a copy and it didn't disappoint!

Amydbarker · 20/02/2016 10:57

This is not the type of book I would normally read but I was hooked from the start and couldn't put it down. It was very easy to read and kept me wanting to find out what was going to happen next. I also thought it was quite obvious who the killer was but there were enough twists and turns to make me keep doubting and to keep me engaged. I would read another book by this author, particularly if I wanted an easy holiday read.

ladydepp · 21/02/2016 16:38

Many thanks for my copy. I read the book very quickly and was very keen to find out what happened to all the characters. The author maintained the tension pretty well, and I am glad to say I didn't find the novel scary (I don't like anything too scary!).

I did find the main character quite juvenile, particularly in the way she was still fixated on a teen romance ten years later. I also didn't really warm to her, she didn't seem to like anyone very much; and it really bothered me that her mother didn't fly to her side near the end of the book! The characters all just seemed quite cold and thinly drawn.

Another annoyance was the naming, two of the characters have 4 letter names beginning with N - Nina and Nora, why? This makes it confusing for those of us who read a little too quickly and then get confused about who is in the action .

All in all, I think it is a very promising first novel for this author, and I look forward to reading her future books.

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