In reading a few of Ruth Ware’s books, I’ve learned that either I’m a genius or her plot twists can be seen a mile away. In this case, I guessed it when I was reading the synopsis on Amazon. But…hear me out, Ruth Ware’s writing is pretty tight and you’re still drawn in even though you’re going to know what’s going to happen. This wasn’t one of my favorites of hers because I thought that the last 1/3 of the book was blah. The building of tension was fabulous and I really hated just about everyone at this party because they are awful people–sometimes it makes me happy to hate fictional characters (I don’t have to explain myself to you). Here’s the deal, Leonora who goes by Nora rather than Lee (it gets brought up a lot so that when one particular plot point hits, you ABSOLUTELY understand why you were subjected to that sentence so often) these days gets an invitation to her best friend from high school’s bachelorette party (Hen Party because it’s England). The weird thing is, Nora hasn’t spoken to the girl in 10 years, hasn’t been invited to the wedding, and doesn’t seem like she goes out much at all. So what does she decided to do? Of course, she goes.
Why?
That would be a big NOPE in my book. Mama (me) ain’t got time for this nonsense, especially if I were asked to go to some secluded mountain cabin. C’mon, at least take me to a spa! But Nora doesn’t seem to have any friends or things to do so she goes.
Anyways, she gets there and learns that her former friend is actually marrying Nora’s boyfriend from high school, and not just any boyfriend but the absolute love of her life…and man that she loved so much…that she never talked to him after they broke up. Instead of noping right back down the hill, she’s subjected to playing “Who knows the Groom Better?” showing excellent restraint, she doesn’t not give the correct answers even when she knows them until she is forced by the biggest bitch bridesmaid you’ve ever heard of in your life. And hey, I’ve been in a lot of weddings with power-play bridesmaids who want you to understand that they know the bride better than you and go out of their way to show that. This is like that, but worse. Then they go skeet shooting which seemed fun…but you know it seemed anachronistic so I figured it might be a bit of a set up…and then..
Oh yeah, and then there’s a murder… and that was a little exciting (and I was right about the set up!)
Oh and then there’s a really extended hospital scene where someone can’t remember anything and that was oh so tedious and boring (also done on every soap opera and Lifetime movie known to man)
Oh and then there’s an absolutely terrible conclusion that I really just wasn’t a fan of. Nobody can be that dumb, right??
I sound way harsh (Tai), but it was a quick read and I really liked most of the book. Alas, not all books can hit a home run and this one just didn’t for me. If I had to describe it, it would be like:
Scooby Doo + Lifetime + Bridesmaids (but like psycho ones)+ no one would ever behave that way or do that(x5)= In a Dark, Dark Wood
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