Reviews with content warning for Medical trauma - In a Dark, Dark Wood

It's not quite a 4 star, I didn't particularly like the 75% mark twist. Other than that it's a 4 star. I understand how it plays into the rest of the story, but that doesn't seem like a good twist to focus in on, personally.

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

2.0

Nora hasn't seen her childhood best friend, Clare, for over ten years. When she receives an invitation to Clare's bachelorette party Nora is beyond confused, she can't imagine a single reason for the sudden invite out of the blue. Despite her reluctance, Nora decides it wouldn't hurt to pay a visit to an old friend before her wedding. The festivities kick off normal enough, but as the weekend devolves into a wild, unpredictable party, Nora feels that something isn't quite right. What could go wrong in a secluded cabin the woods?

Let's start off with the positives: this was a quick read, but that's about it. The structure of the mystery was pretty standard and the set up was one I'm familiar with. Take a group of near strangers, isolate them, and it's the perfect opportunity for something shocking to happen. The plot had promise, but the execution could have been better. I spent a lot of this book wondering when something was going to happen because so many moments read like filler–there were long stretches of stagnant plot before the story gets going. Even when the story gets going it's difficult to get into because the characters are flat and fairly annoying. There isn't a chance to get to know anyone in depth beyond Nora really, and I didn't enjoy my time spent with her inner monologue if I'm being blunt.

I wasn't a fan of the back and forth between the present and the events of the bachelorette party. It did create mystery around the big event that sets the second half of the book in motion, but the whole memory loss trope is hit or miss. Without that one aspect the entire mystery would fall apart.

The main reason this book suffers is the characterization of Nora. She's naive, whiney, and I had a hard time believing she would have accepted the invitation to Clare's bachelorette party once the big reveal happens. The plot relies on a lot of unbelievable circumstances lining up perfectly for the story to unfold the way it does. I couldn't suspend my disbelief that much.

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