I really enjoyed this one. The pacing was great and the tension slowly built as the story went on. The atmosphere, as well as the plot building, really made this a very engaging thriller.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Publishes in the US August 19, 2025.

This was a well-written spooky mystery that I devoured in one day. It had the perfect amount of tension throughout the story so I couldn't put it down. This book has all the elements I love- a posh boarding school, creepy caretakers, caves, bonfires on Halloween, and a local ghost story. Add in the fog and the twisty ending, and it's easily one of the best books I've read lately.

As I dove into the first chapter, it became immediately clear that this was a British author at work. I have a deep appreciation for British thrillers; there's something about their intricate plots and nuanced characters that captivates me. This was my first experience with this particular writer, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. The book was a swift read; I found myself completely absorbed, unable to put it down for even a second. The characters were brilliantly crafted, each one adding depth and intrigue to the unfolding story. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat, filled with unexpected twists and turns that heightened the suspense. My only regret is that the narrative is steeped in rich autumn imagery, evoking the warm hues and crisp air of that season, making me wish I had experienced it during autumn rather than the cold winter months. The combination of setting and storytelling created a vivid backdrop that would have been even more enchanting amidst the fall foliage.

A mystery/thriller around Halloween? Sign me up! This book was everything I needed! It pulled me in by my shirt collar and clung to me! I couldn’t put it down!!

This was my first time reading this author, and I’m a fan! It is set during my favorite holiday, Halloween! 🎃 This story has it all-teens partying in the woods, a spooky legend, and a discovery of a dead body. The ending had a shocking twist I didn’t see coming. I kept thinking I had it figured out but nope. 🤣 Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Author of search party strikes again with one dark night. A spooky, intense thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. This story gives readers everything they are looking for in a thriller.it was suspenseful and takes place around Halloween.

Following the perspectives of school counselor Rachel and her seventeen year old daughter Ellie, One Dark Night delves into the mysterious death of Ellie’s schoolmate Sarah. Coincidentally, Sarah’s death takes place in the woods which are already haunted by ghost stories surrounding ‘Sally of the Woods’ leaving the townspeople on edge to begin with.

As Rachel begins to wonder about her daughter’s potential involvement that night, her ex husband (a police officer) is also working to solve the case as quickly as possible. With an abundance of twists and turns, Hannah Richell had me thinking I had it figured out only to be twisted in a completely different direction!

I loved the perspectives of both mother and daughter alternating between chapters and the development of their relationship dynamic throughout the story. The twists kept me eagerly waiting to find out what really happened that night in the woods.

This was a fantastic quick read with the right amount of twists. Some that were an easy hunch, but definitely on ENORMOUS twist that blindsided and delighted me all at the same time.

I enjoyed the family dynamics in the book. Books with "perfect" families always are more difficult for me to relate to. The dysfunction made the characters more likable, and a couple just down right despicable.

The side of student life was represented well also. The things kids face these days are dramatic and sometimes scarring, but they are also extremely resilient.

One Dark Night was an amazing read! The story begins when the body of a young girl is found dead the day after Halloween near Sally in the Wood, an area where the local kids like to party. The young girl is found with half her face covered in a bizarre feather mask and she’s wearing a white gown. As this story involves a local school which prides itself on its reputation, the investigator involved happens to be the ex husband of the schools counselor and one of the teen girls who attends the school as well as the party. There are lots of twists and turns in this book and just when you think you know who it is, you are dead wrong. I literally did not see this ending. I found this book to be very entertaining, easy to follow and an author I want to read again! Thank you so much NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read this book!

New author for me and I am impressed! This is a mystery set at Halloween. Teenagers in the woods, a scary legend and a dead body. Great read with a twist at the end, that you won’t see coming. Loved the characters and the storyline.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy, for an honest review.

This was such an interesting thriller! Throughout some of the book I felt the pace was a little slow, but really you just needed that backstory for when things got crazy!

A Halloween party ends in disaster. There are many suspects but also a lot of misinformation. Between teachers, students and parents… who is telling the truth?

The game of trying to find out who is guilty and who’s not was very twisty! All while also trying to get into the minds of the students who actually attended the party. The characters were very dynamic and it was fun to experience their thought processes!

This is a must read for 2025. After the initial information it is very fast-paced and has a very shocking ending you don’t want to miss!!


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book early! I cannot wait to get myself a copy when it comes out later this year!

I was excited to read this since I loved Richell's SEARCH PARTY, but sadly it did not compare.
In fact, the amount of miscommunication: missed/ignored messages and calls, mistaken identities and assumptions, from the two MC's made the book seem like a joke. Then the poor communication among those two and their daughter (who deserved a slap on the face for her lies, attitude and behavior but unfortunately never got one) was embarrassing and infuriating. Especially considering their professions: a cop and a guidance counselor! I couldn't believe the lame scenes in the beginning of the book regarding the daughter sneaking out and the parents not knowing for half the book because they didn't understand each others' texts or wouldn't talk to each other about it, even when they were standing right next to each other. This weak tactic to further the plot happened again at the end of the book and I almost didn't finish it. The murderer reveal was a surprise to me but not enough to make me enjoy the book overall.
Thank you Atria/Netgalley for the digital review copy.

This book was a solid 3.5 ⭐️ for me. Pretty engaging overall and a fairly easy read.

The beginning of the book was confusing for me as there were several characters introduced in a very short amount of time. I wasn’t sure I was going to like it because I couldn’t figure out who the main characters were going to be. After quite a few chapters, the story became easier to follow.
I tend to prefer when a book keeps you guessing instead of plainly laying out the potential suspects. It was very obvious who the author wanted us to believe were the culprits and it wasn’t until the book was 90% finished when the truth was revealed.
It seemed like a pretty childish twist to me and I wasn’t thrilled with the whole “catfishing” outcome. The overall message behind the ending was good though, and I was glad that the author included those themes in the story.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This is an extremely well written book. Captured my interest straight away, and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I usually value myself as an excellent villain-guesser and I definitely didn’t have it in me this time! I will be recommending this book to anyone and everyone! Excellent face paced thriller read!!!

I enjoyed the story line of this book but found it dragging at times. I was skimming pages and ready for it to end. I feel this book should be advertised as YA, the themes were very juvenile. I would recommend this book to a younger audience who might resonate with the characters of Ellie, Sarah and Olivia.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book early! I really thought I had it figured out and was prepared to not give a good rating……. However I was pleasantly surprised by the ending! I really enjoyed this book and when it comes out will be recommending it to my book club group! Well done!

Great plot that definitely didn’t see coming! Thank you NetGalley for opportunity to read this book early! I would definitely recommend this!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read One Dark Night in exchange for an honest review. This story centers around a creepy section of woods where a teenager dies on Halloween night. Chapters switch between different characters’ points-of-view leaving breadcrumbs for the reader trying to decipher the mystery. I do feel as if some of the beginning chapters were a bit slow and lengthy. However, just when I KNEW who the killer was came a huge surprising twist! I thoroughly enjoyed the ending and loved how the author wrapped up the story. I will definitely be looking for more books by Hannah Richell in the future!

This book wasn’t a bad read, but I don’t think I would go out of my way to recommend it to anyone either. The first 70% of the book was fairly slow, but the last bit was really good. Big twist at the end! Overall a decent read.

Thank you NetGalley or the opportunity to read this ARC!

Ooouuuuuuhhhhhh I loved this book! I thought I had it figured out and then WHAM!! I was ohhh so wrong! I've never read a book from this author, this was my first! That's definitely going to changeeee!!