Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have to admit up front that I was very disappointed in In a Dark, Dark Wood. The story centers on Nora, a 26 year old crime fiction writer who is sometimes referred to by other characters as Lee, Leonora, or Leo. Nora is invited to a bachelorette weekend party to celebrate the marriage of Clare, a person she hasn't seen in a decade. The reunion is awkward (Clare is marrying Nora's old boyfriend) and the guests include various stereotypes: the mentally unhinged Flo, catty Tom, stressed out new mom Melanie, and sassy best friend Nina. Toss in lots of alcohol, a litttle cocaine, and plenty of bad feelings and you have the makings of a really unpleasant party. And then there's a murder which leaves Nora battered with amnesia trying to put her memories back together. Touted as a mystery in the Agatha Christie mold the story plays out more like a Scooby-doo tale. The author drops conspicuous clues repetitively. Two characters who are of similar build wear identical clothing (Jinkies!) and there's a shotgun hanging on the wall loaded with blanks (Ruh-roh). There are other warning signs as well -- no phone service, mysterious footprints and a missing cell phone. The author lays out the clues in an heavy handed, overt manner. The characters come across as fairly shallow and juvenile. There didn't seem to be anyone to root for -- not even the murder victim. The ending is quite obvious -- although not to Nora which reinforces her characterization as incredibly dim (especially for a crime fiction writer). I don't want to give out any spoilers, but the tea drinking conversation near the end of the book is ludicrous. I can not recommend this book.