The It Girl: The deliciously dark thriller from the global bestseller

I devoured this novel, almost in one sitting. I couldn’t wait to pick it up again. The backdrop of Pelham College and the detail about life as a student at Oxford is just delicious as this classic whodunnit plays out. The storyline was really well crafted, with a cast of colourful characters, who could all have been plausible killers. The ending was tense and dramatic and a very fitting denouement. Loved it!

Rating: 4.4/5There is something almost irresistibly appealing about a mystery or drama set within the hallowed walls of academia. So, when Ruth Ware, one of the most consistently impressive mystery writers around, decides to set a novel in the surroundings of a fictitious Oxford University college, I was always going to make sure that I read it at the earliest opportunity ... and it certainly didn't disappoint. Ruth Ware has delivered another fine example of contemporary mystery fiction.I won't rehash the core plot here - there is adequate information in the official marketing blurb to get you started, without running the risk of any annoying spoilers from me. Ruth Ware once again makes full use of the potential presented by her chosen atmospheric setting. She invariably selects appealing backdrops for her stories, but unlike some less accomplished writers, she doesn't waste the capacity it has to add to the overall impact of the narrative. If you have read this author's work previously then you would also expect her to paint well-rounded, credible characters and that is precisely what she provides.Ruth Ware is an exquisite storyteller. In this instance the events alternate between events around ten years ago at Oxford University and Hannah's current life in Edinburgh. The switches in time frame are handled nicely and the reader is able to see the relevance of earlier happenings as the full picture gradually develops. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way, along with some skilful misdirection.Regular readers of the genre may well piece together the various bits of information and work out the solution before the official reveal - but whether you do or not, it really doesn't matter. One of the things that I like and admire about Ruth Ware's mystery writing is that she is always completely fair with the reader. There are no rabbits being pulled out of hats, nor sudden, incredible developments that couldn't have possibly been foreseen. All of the clues are there for the astute reader to pick up along the way, or else to be acknowledged and appreciated in hindsight ... and that is just the way a proper mystery should be constructed.

Some unexpected twist and plot changesGood characterisation and liked the now and then concept .Enjoyable read overall and would recommend

I finished this wonderful book a couple of nights ago.When I attended An Evening with Clare Mackintosh a couple of years ago, Clare answered a question about who was her favourite author’s books to read and she replied that it was Ruth Ware.Since then, I’ve been wanting to read Ruth’s books. As I’ve said before, I’m a bit of a skinflint and slways wait until they are 99p on kindle 🙊. Last week, The It Girl was 99p!I wasn’t disappointed. If you enjoyed I Let You Go by Clare you will enjoy this. Set, initially, at Oxford University, it follows the lives of Hannah and her fellow students. Hannah finds her best friend and roommate, April, murdered and is sure that she has seen the murderer leaving the room. But was the man she saw leaving the murderer? Everyone else seems to have alibis. Ten years later, the alleged murderer dies in prison and Hannah starts to rethink things.I was disappointed when it ended but I’ve found another book by Ruth for 99p so I have another thrilling story to start soon!

I have read four of Ruth Ware's thrillers and they have all been brilliant. The plot has many twists and surprises, and the setting is so well described you feel you are living in the world of her characters. They are an unlikely group of friends at 'Pelham' College, Oxford, and the underlying tensions between them rise to the surface as the story begins. The flawed character of April is surprisingly memorable and you feel for Hannah's plight as she tries to uncover what happened to her best friend. Brilliant writing, I just felt that the ending took a long time to wrap up.

This is the first Ruth Ware book I've read and I really enjoyed it. The characters were well defined and believable. The college and students' accommodation was described so well, I was amazed that Ruth Ware wasn't an Oxford student herself! The "It Girl" is an excellent title. Although it is written in the present day, the "It Girl" makes me think of the 1920s and I picture April as a sort of Clara Bow character. However, the story was told alternatively around the events 10 years ago which had had a profound effect on the protagonist, and recent news which caused her anxiety, exacerbated by her pregnancy, and her desire to uncover the truth. Gradually the who and the why and how came out with an unexpected twist which I didn't anticipate. I shall certainly look for more by this author.

As thrillers go, this one was pretty solid, even though I very nearly DNF’d it about halfway through - I’m glad I didn’t. The last third of the novel made it for me and I just wish Ware had gotten there sooner, the pacing was a little off on this one with a HUGE drag in the middle. Nevertheless, I loved the ending and how everything eventually came together. Not as predictable as what I thought… not as cliché as I imagined.

I liked the settings - Oxford and Edinburgh - and the student characters, some likeable and some not so. I wondered who done it for most of the story and then I realised who and possibly how. Easy to read and liked the back and forth in time as the story played out.

The media could not be loaded. The first half of the book was good, but slower ... if it would have continued at that rate, I would have given it 4 stars. However, the second half picked up in speed, with multiple twists that took it to a 4.5 or even 5 star.Dual timelines - college days in Oxford with their friends, and then 10 years later.Back then: Hannah meets April in the dorm room when she discovers that they are roommates. They have a shared main room, and separate bedrooms. It's not just April's helper that makes it obvious how different they are, it's the pure luxury of her clothes, the champagne that she pops to commemorate the event. Differences aside, the two become fast friends.Their other close knit circle of friends includes April's boyfriend Will, Will's best friend Hugh, Ryan and Emily. Together, they get through hours of study, parties, pranks, and drama until the night when it all changed and April is found dead.10 years later and Will is now with Hannah and they are expecting their first child.The man put behind bars for the murder of April died a natural death in prison, claiming innocence until the end. Hannah decides to analyze what really happened that night - did she help convict the wrong person?

Very tense mystery, pure Ruth Ware style, which holds you until the end- and then surprises you again. So many red herrings along the way. An exciting read which will not disappoint you!

Not really, a little predictable and waaaaaay too descriptive.

It's well printed and has nice paper, but the story itself is one long drag of repetitive emotions by the protagonist. As thrillers go, there is not much to thrill, only 3/4 in the book it starts to go somewhere. However, as a bedtime story to go to sleep, it is fine. I wonder about the reviews of other authors on the back cover, did they actually read this?

The book was amazing and in good n well condition and I am also satisfied with delivery and packaging 👍👍