Reviews: One Dark Night (59)
“Another great novel from Ms Richell”
(Hardback)
by jean
Another great novel from Ms Richell. When pupils from a private school throw a Hallowe'en party in the local woods things get really out of hand and the next morning. the body of one of them is found there. Throwing local folklore and numerous "clues" into the mix the author spins a twisty tale, and I was convinced of the killer from early on only to be satisfyingly wrongfooted at the very end. Thank you to netgalley and Simon and Schuster for an advance copy of this book.
“Creepy in parts, but entertaining with it”
(Paperback)
by Fiona Green
A decent, quick read with a few twists and keeps your interest. The characters were fleshed out enough to matter, but not so involved. Typical teenage angst and weird school caretaker, it ticked many boxes! An interesting tale on a creepy wood and the legend that lies within. Recommended.
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
“A suspenseful and spooky mystery-thriller”
(Paperback)
by Sarah Hood
One Dark Night is a suspenseful mystery thriller set within the community of an exclusive school in Somerset, England. Several students from the exclusive Folly View College congregate for a clandestine party in the woods nearby the school on Hallowe'en night, and by morning one of their number is found dead near the base of a dilapidated tower known as the Folly. The surrounding woods are the subject of local folklore, particularly associated with the road, known as Sally in the Wood, reputed to be haunted by the ghost of a local girl who was murdered. As the reverberations from the tragedy filter through the Folly View College community, school guidance counsellor Rachel Dean tries to balance the demands of her role with her concerns for the wellbeing and safety of her own daughter, Ellie, who unbeknownst to Rachel was also present in the woods on the night of Sarah Lawson's death. Compounding the pressures upon her, Rachel's ex-husband - and Ellie's father - DS Ben Chase is the senior investigating officer on the case. Using multiple character points of view, author Hannah Richell explores themes around privilege, teen social dynamics, environmental activism and corruption. As members of the school staff come under suspicion, and individual students become increasingly traumatised by events, an atmosphere of foreboding pervades Folly View College. The conclusion, when it comes, is genuinely shocking. I'd recommend One Dark Night to readers who enjoy their mysteries with distinct gothic undertones and evocatively spooky settings. My thanks to the author Hannah Richell, publisher Simon & Schuster Australia, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
“A haunting, beautifully written thriller”
(Hardback)
by Alison Hartley
Loved this book. A great paced story with interesting and likeable characters. Definitely keeps you guessing all the way to the end. From the very first page, One Dark Night pulls you into a taut, atmospheric mystery set in a small town rocked by a chilling discovery—the body of a young woman found in the woods the morning after Halloween, posed with ritualistic precision. At the heart of the story is teenager Ellie, who has more reason than most to be afraid, and whose secrets threaten to unravel everything. Her mother, Rachel, is not only dealing with the fear every parent feels in the wake of a local murder, but also the added pressure of being the school counsellor—supporting a frightened community while watching her own daughter slip away. The tension between them is raw and real, made even more gripping by the unspoken truths that simmer just beneath the surface. Then there’s Ben, Rachel’s ex-husband and the detective on the case. He’s determined to catch the killer, but with his own daughter caught in the web of fear and suspicion, he finds himself torn between duty and family. The characters are incredibly well drawn—flawed, relatable, and full of depth. A haunting, beautifully written thriller that lingers long after you finish. Highly recommended.
“An absorbing tale”
(Hardback)
by Richard Angrave
The second book I have read by author Hannah Richell. An absorbing tale with many twists and turns to follow. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.
Page
of 12
One Dark Night

One Dark Night

Fiction, General Fiction
Hannah Richell (author)
Hardback Published on: 03/07/2025
Price: £16.99
In stock
Usually dispatched within 1-2 days
Check click & collect stock near you
Collect today: Pay in shop