I have not written as much about Ruth Ware as I have Freida McFadden. However, if you love Freida’s books, I think you will really enjoy Ruth Ware’s books. There has yet to be a book I have not loved, this one no exception.
Synopsis:
Vivacious, bright, occasionally vicious, and the ultimate It girl, she quickly pulled Hannah into her dazzling orbit. Together, they developed a group of devoted and inseparable friends—Will, Hugh, Ryan, and Emily—during their first term. By the end of the year, April was dead.
Now, a decade later, Hannah and Will are expecting their first child, and the man convicted of killing April, former Oxford porter John Neville, has died in prison. Relieved to have finally put the past behind her, Hannah’s world is rocked when a young journalist comes knocking and presents new evidence that Neville may have been innocent. As Hannah reconnects with old friends and delves deeper into the mystery of April’s death, she realizes that the friends she thought she knew all have something to hide…including a murder.
Why do I like this book? Let me count thy ways…
Ok, so this book reminds me a little of Dead Poets Society – not necessarily the story but the setting. No, this book does not take place at an elite private school in the United States. However, it does take place at University of Oxford. I loved a little of the history and imagery that Ruth Ware instilled within the book. The story takes place at Pelham College. If you very familiar with Oxford, then you may realize this college does not exist. Well, I am NOT familiar with Oxford but thankfully found this out while researching the setting. You do learn this at the end of the book but don’t go research Pelham after you start reading. I did, however, enjoy looking at pictures of Oxford just to help me visualize everything.
Second, I love this book because you really do not put everything together until the very end. If you are a “Freida Readah,” then you are somewhat of an expert at trying to figure out an ending only to be left with a “do what?!?!?” Well, although this book is different than Freida’s books, I still (as much as I tried) did not figure it all out until the ending. If you are needing a “Freida”-style book because you have read through all of her books, well, here you go.
Now…I did not like the use of the F-word but I am pretty good about skimming over it once I know a certain character will say it over and over. Saying that, I can deal with the F-word over raunchy scenes. Glad that isn’t an issue in this book (there are innuendos but nothing graphic).
If you do not prefer to purchase the book, check out your local library. I actually was able to “check out” this book through Libby (county’s digital checkout system). Now that I shared with you this amazing book, I am going to go look more into this week long summer study on Keynesian and Monetary policy at the University of Oxford (as much as I would love this, my teacher budget says, “Girl, nah!” LOL). Happy Reading (and in my case, Happy Dreaming)!
