Publication
Waterville : Thorndike Press, 2022.
Collection
Call number
Large Print Fiction W
Physical description
675 p.; 23 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
"April Clarke-Cliveden was the first person Hannah Jones met at Oxford. Together, they cultivated a group of inseparable friends during their first term. By the end of the second, April was dead. Now, a decade later, Hannah is expecting her 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 journalist 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"--
Genres
Media reviews
The It Girl is told in two timelines, Before and After. In the Before storyline, freshman Hannah arrives from her state school, and finds Oxford full of freshman who were all the top of their year. Which, you know, is exactly what happens when you go from a state school to Oxbridge. Anyway.
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Fortunately, Hannah’s assigned a room in a set, two bedrooms with a shared common room, with beautiful, wealthy party girl April Clarke-Cliveden. Hannah is pulled into April’s circle, and they’re basically always drinking champagne and having wild times, when they’re not heads-down studying. It is Oxford, after all. Sure, April’s pulled some pranks on the others, and some of the pranks haven’t been completely fun for the victim, but it’s all part of the Oxford hijinks! Some of the pranks, comments and general attitude from April got so mean that I wasn’t fully sure why Hannah wanted to be her friend, but then, on the next page or the next paragraph, the champagne and fun was back on. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member Kiaya40
I've been trying to think about how to write this review and share my thoughts for a little while and what it comes to is that it disappointed me with this story. It had its positives and all, but overall, it was a letdown. This was a very hyped-up book and I'm not sure why.
This story is about
As I mentioned previously, this was an extremely hyped-up book and I felt that it didn't live. up to that hype. The first half or so of this book was a bit long, slow moving and hard for me to get through to get to the good part and finish the story.
If you like Ruth Ware or can push through the slow parts then you'll probably enjoy this one more than I did. This one, I think, was just not for me.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Gallery Books/Gallery/Scout Press for letting me read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story is about
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Hannah and Will, who are married and expecting their first baby. They have had to build a life and recover from 10 years earlier when Hannah found her friend/roommate murdered one night and this story is told from two different timelines. One timeline is from a decade ago when Hannah was living the events that lead up to finding April, her roommate, strangled, and the other is the present timeline. Hannah finds herself lead to uncover the answers to what really happened and who killed April 10 years ago and in the process finds out secrets being kept by others around her and puts herself, her baby, her husband, her marriage all in danger as she pushes to find and uncover the truth.As I mentioned previously, this was an extremely hyped-up book and I felt that it didn't live. up to that hype. The first half or so of this book was a bit long, slow moving and hard for me to get through to get to the good part and finish the story.
If you like Ruth Ware or can push through the slow parts then you'll probably enjoy this one more than I did. This one, I think, was just not for me.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Gallery Books/Gallery/Scout Press for letting me read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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LibraryThing member japaul22
I generally enjoy Ruth Ware's mystery/suspense novels for what the are - clever enough and fun to get sucked into. This brand new one was sort of mediocre compared to some of her better books. The story centers on a group of friends at Oxford and the murder of the group leader - beautiful and
I liked this, but the ending was REALLY predictable. I rarely figured out "who did it" before the end, partially because I don't care to think while I'm reading a mystery. I'm there to not think and just enjoy. But this one was just really obvious, and I don't think it was meant to be.
So, I don't know, if you really like Ruth Ware, go for it, but she has better books.
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wealthy April. Ten years later, her roommate is finally ready to reassess what might have happened that night and whether the person she accused was actually guilty. I liked this, but the ending was REALLY predictable. I rarely figured out "who did it" before the end, partially because I don't care to think while I'm reading a mystery. I'm there to not think and just enjoy. But this one was just really obvious, and I don't think it was meant to be.
So, I don't know, if you really like Ruth Ware, go for it, but she has better books.
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LibraryThing member bfister
A small town girl, Hannah, is delighted to be accepted to Oxford, where she feels like a fish out of water but soon makes a cluster of good friends, including her best friend, a glamorous and rich roommate - who is murdered. A creepy porter who seemed to be stalking Hannah is found guilty, largely
This novel didn't work for me. While it's pleasant to spend some time at Oxford, the drama among a cluster of friends, it all felt artificial to me, and the drama of pointing the finger at various old friends got old. The denouement seemed manipulative - which may be a feature of thrillers, but I found myself rolling my eyes.
Evidently mine is a minority opinion, but I was disappointed and glad when I finished the book.
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based on Hannah's eyewitness account of seeing him leave her lodgings at the time of the crime. Years later, Hannah has been traumatized by the publicity around the murder, is expecting a child when she learns the guilty man has died in prison, still protesting his innocence. Was her testimony flawed? If so, who could have committed the murder? This novel didn't work for me. While it's pleasant to spend some time at Oxford, the drama among a cluster of friends, it all felt artificial to me, and the drama of pointing the finger at various old friends got old. The denouement seemed manipulative - which may be a feature of thrillers, but I found myself rolling my eyes.
Evidently mine is a minority opinion, but I was disappointed and glad when I finished the book.
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LibraryThing member silversurfer
Another terrific thriller from my new favorite mystery Author
LibraryThing member gpangel
The It Girl by Ruth Ware is a 2022 Gallery Scout Press publication.
Hannah’s testimony sends John Neville to prison for the murder of her best friend, April. Now, ten years later Neville dies in prison, protesting his innocence to the very end.
This event should put Hannah’s mind at rest.
But, instead, Neville’s death triggers doubt about his guilt. When a reporter tracks her down, giving her new information about the case, Hannah can’t rest until she knows for sure if Neville was the guilty party…
Ruth Ware, with an exception, here or there, is at the very least a dependable ‘go to’ author for me. Occasionally, I feel like she succumbs to pressure from an editor or publisher, which is why I approached this one with a bit of caution, hoping it wasn't going to become a habit.
Thankfully, this book was really good!!
I've been suffering through a very dry spell in the mystery/thriller category this year, so I really needed this one. It’s been a LONG while since I’ve come across a new mystery that drew me in like this one did.
I loved the setting, the premise, and felt some good spine-tingles here and there, too. I loved the guessing game, and while I had some pretty good cases built up for one or two of the possible suspects, I guessed wrong…
So, there you have it. I very strong effort by Ware- atmospheric, effective, engrossing and it kept me on my toes. No book is flawless, but this one certainly deserves the 4+ stars.
Hannah’s testimony sends John Neville to prison for the murder of her best friend, April. Now, ten years later Neville dies in prison, protesting his innocence to the very end.
This event should put Hannah’s mind at rest.
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Finally, this will mean an eventual end to all the reporters hounding her and she can focus on her life with her husband, Will, and the imminent birth of their first child. But, instead, Neville’s death triggers doubt about his guilt. When a reporter tracks her down, giving her new information about the case, Hannah can’t rest until she knows for sure if Neville was the guilty party…
Ruth Ware, with an exception, here or there, is at the very least a dependable ‘go to’ author for me. Occasionally, I feel like she succumbs to pressure from an editor or publisher, which is why I approached this one with a bit of caution, hoping it wasn't going to become a habit.
Thankfully, this book was really good!!
I've been suffering through a very dry spell in the mystery/thriller category this year, so I really needed this one. It’s been a LONG while since I’ve come across a new mystery that drew me in like this one did.
I loved the setting, the premise, and felt some good spine-tingles here and there, too. I loved the guessing game, and while I had some pretty good cases built up for one or two of the possible suspects, I guessed wrong…
So, there you have it. I very strong effort by Ware- atmospheric, effective, engrossing and it kept me on my toes. No book is flawless, but this one certainly deserves the 4+ stars.
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LibraryThing member charlie68
A story grippingly told by Hannah of a group of friends at Oxford who suddenly aren't so good friends anymore. Good ending believable maybe.
LibraryThing member waldhaus1
A young college student was strangled and her flat mate identified the man suspected of being her killer. He is convicted and ten years later dies in prison. Then she learns some things that make her suspect her original conclusion. As things are followed up an unexpected result ensues.
LibraryThing member dpappas
I was a fan of some of Ruth Ware's books so I was excited to get the chance to read her latest. This book follows Hannah as the murder of her college roommate becomes front and center in her life years after it happened.
While I liked Hannah well enough I would have enjoyed reading from the other
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the galley.
While I liked Hannah well enough I would have enjoyed reading from the other
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characters point of views as well. I did enjoy the switching between the present day and past. In regards to what actually happened in the past I do have to say that I figured out the who not that far in but couldn't really figure out the how or the why. The ending was okay but I kind of expected maybe some more turns or action. This was a great beach read for me and I look forward to reading more from Ruth Ware. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the galley.
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LibraryThing member EllenH
Wow! Ruth Ware can really write suspense! Grabbed me from the start and kept me interested and guessing.
LibraryThing member Cats57
To be perfectly honest, I could not finish this book. I even tried to give myself a couple of days and then coming back to it, but that didn't work.
I found that I was curious about the ending, but unfortunately not curious enough to keep reading. It was written as two separate stories set at
I understand that most readers love this author and all of her past books as well as this one, so give it a whirl it may just be that it is not my goblet of Zinfandel!
*ARC supplied by the publisher Simon & Schuster, Gallery/Scout Press, the author, and NetGalley.
I found that I was curious about the ending, but unfortunately not curious enough to keep reading. It was written as two separate stories set at
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different times in the lives of these so-called friends. There is an issue with repetitiveness and ceaseless streams of consciousness on the part of our main character Hannah. And what a spineless human being she is in both timelines. Perhaps she gets better at the end, but I'm not going to stick around to find out.I understand that most readers love this author and all of her past books as well as this one, so give it a whirl it may just be that it is not my goblet of Zinfandel!
*ARC supplied by the publisher Simon & Schuster, Gallery/Scout Press, the author, and NetGalley.
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LibraryThing member CelticLibrarian
A mystery and friendship drama that involves a woman's obsessive quest for closure after her best friend is murdered.
Hannah Jones and April Clarke-Clivedon (as per my copy) met at Oxford and were roommates and best friends as they began their college days in a centuries old institution with a very
What I liked about this book: the setting and descriptions of Pelham College and Oxford.
What I did not like: everything else.
I was so happy to get out of Hannah's head by the time this was over. The narrative is a constant stream of consciousness and so banal and inane and repetitious that I almost DNF. I absolutely could not stand the character and have no clue how anyone else could bear to be around her or in a relationship with her. It took FOREVER to get to the gist of the mystery with all of Hannah's dithering. The story flips back and forth between "Before" (the college days) and "After" (10 years later). The author dangles all the red herrings and it was easy to tell by the order in which they dropped who the bad actor was going to end up being. I was totally bored and this all went on way too long.
I have read most all of this author's other books and this is certainly not her best work. I should have skipped it but I see that all the fans have a different opinion about this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for the advance copy to read and review.
Hannah Jones and April Clarke-Clivedon (as per my copy) met at Oxford and were roommates and best friends as they began their college days in a centuries old institution with a very
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rich history. The pair become part of a group of other students and they are having a grand time. Until April is murdered. Ten years later, Hannah is married and expecting a baby but has never moved on from that event. A journalist contacts her when the man convicted dies in prison. It all comes rushing back.What I liked about this book: the setting and descriptions of Pelham College and Oxford.
What I did not like: everything else.
I was so happy to get out of Hannah's head by the time this was over. The narrative is a constant stream of consciousness and so banal and inane and repetitious that I almost DNF. I absolutely could not stand the character and have no clue how anyone else could bear to be around her or in a relationship with her. It took FOREVER to get to the gist of the mystery with all of Hannah's dithering. The story flips back and forth between "Before" (the college days) and "After" (10 years later). The author dangles all the red herrings and it was easy to tell by the order in which they dropped who the bad actor was going to end up being. I was totally bored and this all went on way too long.
I have read most all of this author's other books and this is certainly not her best work. I should have skipped it but I see that all the fans have a different opinion about this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for the advance copy to read and review.
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LibraryThing member Mrsmommybooknerd
#FirstLine ~ Afterwards, it was the door she would remember.
I loved this book. It bounces between before and after in perfect balance. I was uneasy the whole time reading, which is awesome. There was such an engaging plot and the pace was outstanding. The reader will be transfixed and delighted
I loved this book. It bounces between before and after in perfect balance. I was uneasy the whole time reading, which is awesome. There was such an engaging plot and the pace was outstanding. The reader will be transfixed and delighted
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with this book cover to cover. A must read! Show Less
LibraryThing member fredreeca
April’s murderer has passed away in jail. This starts a whole new frenzy about her murder. But, when a journalist blindsides Hannah at work and informs her of some new evidence, Hannah immediately begins to question everything she knew about that horrible night and everything she knew about
I will always read this author. I love the chase in her books…The who done it! She is a master of manipulation of the reader. I swear! I changed my mind 5 times. But, I do find her books a bit on the wordy side. She could cut a good bit out of all her books and I would be happy!
Now, that I got that out of the way…Hannah is a character I just loved! I found her warm and cautious at first. Then, when questions started to arise about the murder of April, I discovered she had intelligence and courage to possibly correct an egregious wrong.
I also enjoyed the format of this book. The chapters were labeled Before and After. Before was when April was alive and they were all in college. The After chapters are what all of them are experiencing in present time, after April’s murder. This really helped to understand some of the thought processes and why it all happened.
This is definitely a story I will not soon forget!
Need a good whodunit! THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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April.I will always read this author. I love the chase in her books…The who done it! She is a master of manipulation of the reader. I swear! I changed my mind 5 times. But, I do find her books a bit on the wordy side. She could cut a good bit out of all her books and I would be happy!
Now, that I got that out of the way…Hannah is a character I just loved! I found her warm and cautious at first. Then, when questions started to arise about the murder of April, I discovered she had intelligence and courage to possibly correct an egregious wrong.
I also enjoyed the format of this book. The chapters were labeled Before and After. Before was when April was alive and they were all in college. The After chapters are what all of them are experiencing in present time, after April’s murder. This really helped to understand some of the thought processes and why it all happened.
This is definitely a story I will not soon forget!
Need a good whodunit! THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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LibraryThing member Twink
I'm a fan of Ruth Ware's writing. I don't even bother reading the flyleaf before jumping in - I just know I'm in for a great tale! Her new book is The It Girl.
There's one on every campus - an 'It Girl' - popular, vivacious and somewhat catty. That describes April Clarke-Cliveden to a tee. And on
Hannah is the voice of this book. We see everything through her eyes in 'before' and 'after' chapters that span ten years. What event has Hannah marking time like this? It's the death of her friend April (not a spoiler as this is in the publisher's description) And the now is that the man associated with her death has died and a reporter is digging up the past. I love back and forth narratives, being left hanging at the end of a chapter. It makes for a lot of one more chapter' listening.
Hannah is uncertain is so many ways - what is her own place in the group of friends, her marriage, her own self worth, her work and more. She questions every little bit of the past and begins to doubt what she thought was the truth. And how does that affect the present.....
I chose to listen to The It Girl. The narrator was Imogen Church, a favorite of mine. She's come up with voices that are absolutely perfect for the characters. Hannah's voice is hesitant, deferring to stronger personalities. April's voice is by turns, haughty, derisive, needling, but also kind. A few times I could hear a 'valley girl' tone. There are other female characters and quite a few male players as well. Church provides a different tone for each that makes it easy to know who is speaking. Church's voice is easy to understand, with clear diction and a perfect reading speed. I thought she captured and presented Ware's book very well. She brings the emotions and actions of the book to life. I know I became more immersed in this book by choosing to listen.
There's one on every campus - an 'It Girl' - popular, vivacious and somewhat catty. That describes April Clarke-Cliveden to a tee. And on
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the other side of the coin is her uncertain, quiet, studious new roommate, Hannah Jones, at Oxford. They're chalk and cheese, but strike up an unlikely friendship. Hannah also comes to know and become a part of a group of April's friends.Hannah is the voice of this book. We see everything through her eyes in 'before' and 'after' chapters that span ten years. What event has Hannah marking time like this? It's the death of her friend April (not a spoiler as this is in the publisher's description) And the now is that the man associated with her death has died and a reporter is digging up the past. I love back and forth narratives, being left hanging at the end of a chapter. It makes for a lot of one more chapter' listening.
Hannah is uncertain is so many ways - what is her own place in the group of friends, her marriage, her own self worth, her work and more. She questions every little bit of the past and begins to doubt what she thought was the truth. And how does that affect the present.....
I chose to listen to The It Girl. The narrator was Imogen Church, a favorite of mine. She's come up with voices that are absolutely perfect for the characters. Hannah's voice is hesitant, deferring to stronger personalities. April's voice is by turns, haughty, derisive, needling, but also kind. A few times I could hear a 'valley girl' tone. There are other female characters and quite a few male players as well. Church provides a different tone for each that makes it easy to know who is speaking. Church's voice is easy to understand, with clear diction and a perfect reading speed. I thought she captured and presented Ware's book very well. She brings the emotions and actions of the book to life. I know I became more immersed in this book by choosing to listen.
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LibraryThing member eyes.2c
Intricate psychological thriller!
At times the tension in “It Girl” is high to the point of breathlessness. Hannah Jones is beyond devastated over her friend April Clarke-Clivedon’s brutal murder. Anguished because this was her friend, anguished because it was Hannah’s evidence that had
The story moves between the time a group of young things from various walks of life first meet at Pelham College Oxford University to the current times, some ten years later. We know there’s more to come. Hannah has retreated away from Oxford, from being a top student, to living and working in Edinburgh away from the spotlight, suffering severe anxiety and depression. Married to Will she maintains a fragile stability but every time The Pelham Strangler murder is revisited in the headlines she’s thrown. Now a revisiting and a plea from one of their youthful cohort to talk with a journalist about the events of that time has thrown her. Pregnant and anxious, with Will disapproving of any discussion, where the past and present are about to collide, the outcome is anyone’s guess. But make no doubt, collision is unavoidable.
Ware’s writing is tight although at times I wanted less of the slow buildup. At times I just wasn’t wasn sympatico with Hannah, and one had to wonder if April was simply a troubled rich kid or super devious. And then there’s April’s ex-boyfriend Will, now Hannah’s husband. Hmm!
The technical transition between the ‘past’ and the ‘now’ is clear and precise and not at all bothersome.
Another complex mystery from Ware. The breadcrumbs as always are scattered to the four winds, but the hunt is intriguing!
A Gallery Books ARC via NetGalley. Many thanks to the author and publisher.
At times the tension in “It Girl” is high to the point of breathlessness. Hannah Jones is beyond devastated over her friend April Clarke-Clivedon’s brutal murder. Anguished because this was her friend, anguished because it was Hannah’s evidence that had
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college porter John Neville had been imprisoned for life. Anguished that Neville maintains his innocence, anguished because of the ‘what if’s” if Hannah was wrong about Neville. And dare I say on another plane entirely the fact that she’s married to her dead best friend’s boyfriend. The story moves between the time a group of young things from various walks of life first meet at Pelham College Oxford University to the current times, some ten years later. We know there’s more to come. Hannah has retreated away from Oxford, from being a top student, to living and working in Edinburgh away from the spotlight, suffering severe anxiety and depression. Married to Will she maintains a fragile stability but every time The Pelham Strangler murder is revisited in the headlines she’s thrown. Now a revisiting and a plea from one of their youthful cohort to talk with a journalist about the events of that time has thrown her. Pregnant and anxious, with Will disapproving of any discussion, where the past and present are about to collide, the outcome is anyone’s guess. But make no doubt, collision is unavoidable.
Ware’s writing is tight although at times I wanted less of the slow buildup. At times I just wasn’t wasn sympatico with Hannah, and one had to wonder if April was simply a troubled rich kid or super devious. And then there’s April’s ex-boyfriend Will, now Hannah’s husband. Hmm!
The technical transition between the ‘past’ and the ‘now’ is clear and precise and not at all bothersome.
Another complex mystery from Ware. The breadcrumbs as always are scattered to the four winds, but the hunt is intriguing!
A Gallery Books ARC via NetGalley. Many thanks to the author and publisher.
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LibraryThing member amysan
Another enjoyable read by Ruth Ware! This was more of a slow burn, but suspenseful.
LibraryThing member jfe16
Review of Advance Uncorrected eGalley
Hannah Jones, newly arrived at Oxford University’s Pelham College, meets her roommate, April Coutts-Cliveden. April, outgoing, effervescent, and bright, comes from wealth and seems to want for nothing. She’s absolutely dazzling . . . and soon the two girls
But April has a mean streak, visible as she delights in pranking others, often leaving her “victim" feeling distressed or foolish. One night, Hannah sees creepy porter John Neville coming out of their staircase and then discovers April in their room . . . dead.
Ten years later, Hannah and Will are married and expecting their first child. And when the man convicted of murdering April dies in prison, Hannah finds herself thrown back into the mystery of April’s death as a journalist says there is evidence that John Neville might not have murdered April, after all.
Hannah sets out to find the truth, but what she discovers may not be at all what she expected to find. Will she find that Neville was innocent, after all? And if he was, will she find the one who murdered her best friend?
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The academia of Oxford provides a strong sense of place for the telling of this tale. Told in chapters alternating between Before and After, the character-driven narrative finds Hannah [who testified at the trial of the man accused of murdering April] concerned that her testimony may have incarcerated the wrong man. Now she is determined to re-visit that horrific event to discover if someone else might be responsible for April’s death.
The characters, flawed and not always likable, are nevertheless believable; April can be mean-spirited [and often is]; readers may find it difficult to relate to her. Hannah, who tends to come off as particularly naïve, is her polar opposite. The relationships between the six friends are complex and abstruse.
The story, told from Hannah’s point of view, is intriguing. The suspect pool is large and readers may find the identity of the culprit a surprise.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Gallery Books, Gallery/Scout Press and NetGalley
#TheItGirl #NetGalley
Hannah Jones, newly arrived at Oxford University’s Pelham College, meets her roommate, April Coutts-Cliveden. April, outgoing, effervescent, and bright, comes from wealth and seems to want for nothing. She’s absolutely dazzling . . . and soon the two girls
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have a group of devoted friends; Will, Hugh, Ryan, Emily, Hannah, and April are close-knit, staunch friends, but it is April who stands out as the ultimate IT girl.But April has a mean streak, visible as she delights in pranking others, often leaving her “victim" feeling distressed or foolish. One night, Hannah sees creepy porter John Neville coming out of their staircase and then discovers April in their room . . . dead.
Ten years later, Hannah and Will are married and expecting their first child. And when the man convicted of murdering April dies in prison, Hannah finds herself thrown back into the mystery of April’s death as a journalist says there is evidence that John Neville might not have murdered April, after all.
Hannah sets out to find the truth, but what she discovers may not be at all what she expected to find. Will she find that Neville was innocent, after all? And if he was, will she find the one who murdered her best friend?
=========
The academia of Oxford provides a strong sense of place for the telling of this tale. Told in chapters alternating between Before and After, the character-driven narrative finds Hannah [who testified at the trial of the man accused of murdering April] concerned that her testimony may have incarcerated the wrong man. Now she is determined to re-visit that horrific event to discover if someone else might be responsible for April’s death.
The characters, flawed and not always likable, are nevertheless believable; April can be mean-spirited [and often is]; readers may find it difficult to relate to her. Hannah, who tends to come off as particularly naïve, is her polar opposite. The relationships between the six friends are complex and abstruse.
The story, told from Hannah’s point of view, is intriguing. The suspect pool is large and readers may find the identity of the culprit a surprise.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Gallery Books, Gallery/Scout Press and NetGalley
#TheItGirl #NetGalley
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LibraryThing member Romonko
I received this e-book as an ARC, and would like to thank the publishers (Simon & Schuster) and the author for the giving me the opportunity to read this book. I am offering this honest review as a way of saying thanks for the opportunity. I have read a number of Ruth Ware books, and it is not
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without reason that she is thought of as the "Queen of Crime". This, her latest book, will be published in July of 2022. If you are a Ruth Ware fan you will want to read it for sure. If you're new to her writing, this may not be a bad place to start. Ms. Ware is a master at writing taut thrillers, with just as much shock and awe as is required to keep her readers turning pages. This book is no different, but I found the pace just a little bit slower at first than most of her books that I have read. The story begins at Oxford University with two roommates who are freshmen in Pelham College. Hannah is a bright English student who comes from a middle class family in a small town. April is an "It Girl" who seems to have it all. She's beautiful, brilliant, comes from a wealthy family, and she loves to party hard and grab life with both hands. The book skips back from that first year of Uni to ten years later when Hannah is married, pregnant and living in Edinburgh. When April is found dead in their shared rooms near the end of final term of that year, things change drastically for Hannah and her college friends. Hannah has never really come to terms with April's tragic death, and she begins to questions her former assurance that the killer had been found and sent to prison. When a young journalist tells Hannah that the man in prison claimed he was innocent right up to his recent death, she begins to question everything that happened on that terrible night, and begins to look at her friends and even closer to home, her husband, as to whether or not they had something to do with the death. The book slips back and forth from both timeframes. This form of telling a story allows the reader to formulate their own opinions as to who and what actually happened. The shocking end hits like gangbusters, (Ruth Ware's trademark denouement). I enjoyed this book, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys taut, gripping, dark thrillers. In today's world of such similarity in storylines in this genre, Ruth Ware is a pleasant surprise. There is no repetition and no repetitive themes in her books. Recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member khoyt
Oh, my! What an exciting, pulse-pounding read! "Mystery-thriller" is almost too tame a statement. The list of suspects grows as Hannah remembers the night of the murder. The story continues to build quickly to a resolution as the solution begins to loom larger and larger. One is swept up in the
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actions and emotions of Hannah Jones 'til one feels your own pulse skyrocketing. Show Less
LibraryThing member SallyElizabethMurphy
Three stars is a generous rating. This novel could have been condensed. I felt like the story would never end.
LibraryThing member smik
Hannah Jones believes she may have been responsible for an innocent man spending ten years in jail. It proved to be the rest of his life. John Neville was jailed mainly on the evidence that Hannah gave, but now she believes she may been wrong, and that the murderer is still at large.
At the time
A very readable story, and intriguing. The only problem I have is with the title.
Like many other readers, I really didn't see the end coming.
At the time
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that April was murdered Hannah's husband, Will, was April's boy friend. And even Will is not above suspicion. As Hannah tries to work out who was where when April died, she realises that even those who are closest to her are not above suspicion.A very readable story, and intriguing. The only problem I have is with the title.
Like many other readers, I really didn't see the end coming.
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LibraryThing member bookofsecrets
Ruth Ware's latest novel is an engrossing dark academia mystery that centers around the murder of Oxford "it" girl April Coutts-Cliveden. Hannah Jones became BFFs with the wealthy, clever, and sometimes cruel April, after they're paired as roommates freshman year. But, before the school year ends,
Fast forward a decade, and Hannah is still haunted by April's death, in part because the porter has died in prison, maintaining his innocence until the end. Then a journalist contacts her, claiming that new evidence suggests the police got the wrong guy. Hannah's life is once again in turmoil. If it wasn't the porter, then who killed April?
I enjoyed this slow burn whodunit that showcases Ruth Ware's talent for weaving a twisty story. Though unique from her other books, I would say THE IT GIRL's atmosphere is closest to THE LYING GAME (less drama though). Not exactly Gothic or thriller, but suspenseful and keeps you guessing. Lots of red herrings and possible suspects had me changing my mind often, and I was shocked when the truth was revealed! I'll be buying a copy for my keeper shelf!
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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April is dead, and a creepy porter will be convicted of the crime based on Hannah's eyewitness testimony.Fast forward a decade, and Hannah is still haunted by April's death, in part because the porter has died in prison, maintaining his innocence until the end. Then a journalist contacts her, claiming that new evidence suggests the police got the wrong guy. Hannah's life is once again in turmoil. If it wasn't the porter, then who killed April?
I enjoyed this slow burn whodunit that showcases Ruth Ware's talent for weaving a twisty story. Though unique from her other books, I would say THE IT GIRL's atmosphere is closest to THE LYING GAME (less drama though). Not exactly Gothic or thriller, but suspenseful and keeps you guessing. Lots of red herrings and possible suspects had me changing my mind often, and I was shocked when the truth was revealed! I'll be buying a copy for my keeper shelf!
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member DKnight0918
Thanks to Goodreads for the review copy. Every time I was sure I knew who the killer was a plot twist happened and kept me guessing. I stayed up late to finish it and was surprised by the final plot twist. Looking forward to reading more books by Ware.
LibraryThing member OMBWarrior47
The It Girl by Ruth Ware is a psychological thriller about a woman whose roommate was killed and her killer was imprisoned. However, the woman believes that the wrong person was convicted and she searches her past to figure out who the killer really is.
This was the first book I’ve read by Ruth
★★★★★ I don’t have anything negative to say about this one! I would recommend.
This was the first book I’ve read by Ruth
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Ware and I like her writing style. She writes smoothly and keeps the storyline moving. I didn’t feel that there was a single slow part in the book. The killer was not obvious and the motive / cause of death was very creative and I didn’t see it coming. ★★★★★ I don’t have anything negative to say about this one! I would recommend.
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LibraryThing member thewanderingjew
The It Girl, Ruth Ware, author; Imogen Church, narrator
A new term has begun at Oxford University. The students come from different backgrounds. Some are completely shocked to find themselves there; some think they are lucky to be there; some think it is their due to be there. Some are accepted
As six of the new students arrive at Oxford University’s Pelham College, circumstances throw them together. In the dining hall, they banter with each other and begin to bond. Some had known each other in the past, some were so surprised to find themselves there, they seemed to be in a state of silent shock, but still, their excitement propelled them forward and into their futures.
First, we have Hannah Jones. She does not seem to be the typical student. She is rather overwhelmed with her good fortune. She is grateful and honored to be in this esteemed environment with the others she is meeting. However, she is very naïve, sometimes seems very immature, and often makes foolish choices, never seeming to learn from her mistakes, always second guessing her choices after she has made them, and is always making herself the main attraction so that she stubbornly brings on her own discomfort. She is sometimes a character that is not easy for the reader to like, since her personality can be annoying. She has been assigned to share a two-bedroom, with living room, set in New Quad, with April Clarke-Cliveden. Most of the other students are in The Cloisters, in single rooms, so she is very lucky to have this accommodation.
April is an incredibly wealthy student who takes her presence at Oxford for granted. She has an easy-going demeanor, accepting everything that comes her way no matter how it happens. She has a servant unpacking her clothes from magnificent suitcases and trunks. She has defied the rules by bringing furniture to personalize her room to make it feel a bit luxurious, and she has assigned herself the largest bedroom, because, after all, she got their first. She believes rules are made to be broken. April and Hannah could not be more different, and yet, they grew to like each other and became best friends. Still, even their names practically acknowledged their different backgrounds. Jones vs Clarke-Cliveden almost seems to scream the class divide. April has taken over the set; she is confidently lying on the couch and welcomes Hannah casually when she enters, as if she, April, has always been there. Although April is self-confident and kind of charming in her own way, she can also be cruel. She likes to play jokes on people and her pranks are often very hurtful. What is April’s hold on people? Is it her charm, her wealth, or something else?
Will de Chastaigne is April’s boyfriend. They were in the same school before. He is comfortable at Oxford, accepting his right to be there. He is handsome, seems thoughtful and considerate, and is easy to get to know. Hannah is immediately attracted to him, and somehow, he is also attracted to her. That makes for an awkward situation, since he is her roommate’s boyfriend. They do not develop a relationship in school, although others notice how they seem to react in each other’s presence. Does April notice?
Hugh is Will’s best friend. They seem to be polar opposites, as well. Hugh is so happy to be at Oxford but seems terribly afraid that he will not make it and will disappoint his parents who have placed all their hopes and dreams in him and have worked hard to be able to afford to send him there. He is soft-spoken and agreeable. At Oxford, he becomes a good friend to Hannah.
Emily is a brilliant, brash and outspoken young woman. She says what is on her mind at all times, sometimes making the situation uncomfortable. She meets her match in Ryan, and they pair off. Ryan seems very self-confident too, secure in his place there, but Ryan is not as faithful as he should be. Does Emily know or care? He is almost too self-confident; she is almost too cavalier.
As these six students, from diverse backgrounds, with varied interests and unique personalities begin to explore their new lives on very unequal footing, they somehow all enjoy being together. As their friendship grows, it deepens and thrives.
Another character is Hannah’s English tutor. He lives in New Quad, as well and often meets with the students to go over what he has previously taught them. He also invites many of the students, especially the females, to get-togethers in his rooms. It is convenient for Hannah, who lives in the same building. April also tags along uninvited. It is April’s way. She seems to be able to do as she pleases and gets away with her outrageous behavior. Horatio Myers is a bit arrogant and pompous, impressed with his own stature and position. He does not mind April’s presence at all.
There is one thorn in the basket for Hannah. There is a porter on staff who brings them their mail, secures the campus at night and basically serves the needs of the students. This porter immediately made Hannah uncomfortable. His manner and appearance frightened her. He seemed odd, ungainly and often made inappropriate comments or bent the rules, appearing in places he had no business to be, like her room, delivering a package instead of waiting to give it to her in the Porter’s Lodge. His name is John Neville; he will have an unfortunate influence on her life, and his own. Will it be through any fault of his own, or will it be due to circumstances beyond his control?
Hannah and April lived in a separate building from the others. The others lived in the regular housing known as the Cloisters, in their own small, but private, single rooms. Toward the end of the second semester, April was appearing in a theater production. Hugh, Hannah and Ryan attend it, with Hannah actually arranging a party in her honor for later that night. Will was out of town and Emily had way too much work to attend it. April, however, was quite good in her role. Because of Hannah’s fear of bumping into the porter John Neville, Hugh walked her back to her room. What happened when she returned to her room would alter the trajectory of her dreams and her life.
April’s testimony at the murder trial was instrumental in putting John Neville in prison, where he would be until his death. Hugh also testified, since he was a witness to the events that played out shortly after she arrived back at New Quad. Were her assumptions about what she saw that night accurate, or had she condemned an innocent man to prison, while the actual murderer walked free. For ten long years, she had not allowed herself to be interviewed, or to read anything about the trial and its aftermath. Then, suddenly, when Neville dies in prison, her conscience reawakened, and she began to second-guess her testimony. She became determined to investigate, against everyone’s objections, which was often her way. However, now married and pregnant, it would not be as easy as it seemed. Still, since her memory of most of that night was blank from the shock of it, she began to question her friends to fill her in with theirs.
How have their lives played out? Who has stayed in touch? Who is successful and who has failed? All of them have moved on in different ways. As she opens the can of worms, she begins to wonder if she has made a mistake now, too, trying to relive the experience. That is Hannah’s fatal flaw. She is always wondering about what she has done, making herself irritating and not quite believable as the naivete she seems to be. How does real life alter what they thought was their destiny. Will they remain good friends or drift apart?
The title of the book is “The It Girl”. Although I thought of Hannah as the main character, April is the driving force behind everything that happens. Who do you think is the real “it” girl, and why? Who is the real murderer, Neville or someone else? Could it be one of the friends? As the plot thickens and moves along, it really gets tense. Ruth Ware knows how to put you on the edge of your seat, and although this book is not rocket-science, it is easy to read and will hold your attention for most of it, even if it sometimes seems contrived and is not always quite believable. In the end, all of the threads are knitted together.
A new term has begun at Oxford University. The students come from different backgrounds. Some are completely shocked to find themselves there; some think they are lucky to be there; some think it is their due to be there. Some are accepted
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because of their wealth and influence; some are the brightest and the best, but all hope to spend the next three years there, in this hallowed, revered space. As six of the new students arrive at Oxford University’s Pelham College, circumstances throw them together. In the dining hall, they banter with each other and begin to bond. Some had known each other in the past, some were so surprised to find themselves there, they seemed to be in a state of silent shock, but still, their excitement propelled them forward and into their futures.
First, we have Hannah Jones. She does not seem to be the typical student. She is rather overwhelmed with her good fortune. She is grateful and honored to be in this esteemed environment with the others she is meeting. However, she is very naïve, sometimes seems very immature, and often makes foolish choices, never seeming to learn from her mistakes, always second guessing her choices after she has made them, and is always making herself the main attraction so that she stubbornly brings on her own discomfort. She is sometimes a character that is not easy for the reader to like, since her personality can be annoying. She has been assigned to share a two-bedroom, with living room, set in New Quad, with April Clarke-Cliveden. Most of the other students are in The Cloisters, in single rooms, so she is very lucky to have this accommodation.
April is an incredibly wealthy student who takes her presence at Oxford for granted. She has an easy-going demeanor, accepting everything that comes her way no matter how it happens. She has a servant unpacking her clothes from magnificent suitcases and trunks. She has defied the rules by bringing furniture to personalize her room to make it feel a bit luxurious, and she has assigned herself the largest bedroom, because, after all, she got their first. She believes rules are made to be broken. April and Hannah could not be more different, and yet, they grew to like each other and became best friends. Still, even their names practically acknowledged their different backgrounds. Jones vs Clarke-Cliveden almost seems to scream the class divide. April has taken over the set; she is confidently lying on the couch and welcomes Hannah casually when she enters, as if she, April, has always been there. Although April is self-confident and kind of charming in her own way, she can also be cruel. She likes to play jokes on people and her pranks are often very hurtful. What is April’s hold on people? Is it her charm, her wealth, or something else?
Will de Chastaigne is April’s boyfriend. They were in the same school before. He is comfortable at Oxford, accepting his right to be there. He is handsome, seems thoughtful and considerate, and is easy to get to know. Hannah is immediately attracted to him, and somehow, he is also attracted to her. That makes for an awkward situation, since he is her roommate’s boyfriend. They do not develop a relationship in school, although others notice how they seem to react in each other’s presence. Does April notice?
Hugh is Will’s best friend. They seem to be polar opposites, as well. Hugh is so happy to be at Oxford but seems terribly afraid that he will not make it and will disappoint his parents who have placed all their hopes and dreams in him and have worked hard to be able to afford to send him there. He is soft-spoken and agreeable. At Oxford, he becomes a good friend to Hannah.
Emily is a brilliant, brash and outspoken young woman. She says what is on her mind at all times, sometimes making the situation uncomfortable. She meets her match in Ryan, and they pair off. Ryan seems very self-confident too, secure in his place there, but Ryan is not as faithful as he should be. Does Emily know or care? He is almost too self-confident; she is almost too cavalier.
As these six students, from diverse backgrounds, with varied interests and unique personalities begin to explore their new lives on very unequal footing, they somehow all enjoy being together. As their friendship grows, it deepens and thrives.
Another character is Hannah’s English tutor. He lives in New Quad, as well and often meets with the students to go over what he has previously taught them. He also invites many of the students, especially the females, to get-togethers in his rooms. It is convenient for Hannah, who lives in the same building. April also tags along uninvited. It is April’s way. She seems to be able to do as she pleases and gets away with her outrageous behavior. Horatio Myers is a bit arrogant and pompous, impressed with his own stature and position. He does not mind April’s presence at all.
There is one thorn in the basket for Hannah. There is a porter on staff who brings them their mail, secures the campus at night and basically serves the needs of the students. This porter immediately made Hannah uncomfortable. His manner and appearance frightened her. He seemed odd, ungainly and often made inappropriate comments or bent the rules, appearing in places he had no business to be, like her room, delivering a package instead of waiting to give it to her in the Porter’s Lodge. His name is John Neville; he will have an unfortunate influence on her life, and his own. Will it be through any fault of his own, or will it be due to circumstances beyond his control?
Hannah and April lived in a separate building from the others. The others lived in the regular housing known as the Cloisters, in their own small, but private, single rooms. Toward the end of the second semester, April was appearing in a theater production. Hugh, Hannah and Ryan attend it, with Hannah actually arranging a party in her honor for later that night. Will was out of town and Emily had way too much work to attend it. April, however, was quite good in her role. Because of Hannah’s fear of bumping into the porter John Neville, Hugh walked her back to her room. What happened when she returned to her room would alter the trajectory of her dreams and her life.
April’s testimony at the murder trial was instrumental in putting John Neville in prison, where he would be until his death. Hugh also testified, since he was a witness to the events that played out shortly after she arrived back at New Quad. Were her assumptions about what she saw that night accurate, or had she condemned an innocent man to prison, while the actual murderer walked free. For ten long years, she had not allowed herself to be interviewed, or to read anything about the trial and its aftermath. Then, suddenly, when Neville dies in prison, her conscience reawakened, and she began to second-guess her testimony. She became determined to investigate, against everyone’s objections, which was often her way. However, now married and pregnant, it would not be as easy as it seemed. Still, since her memory of most of that night was blank from the shock of it, she began to question her friends to fill her in with theirs.
How have their lives played out? Who has stayed in touch? Who is successful and who has failed? All of them have moved on in different ways. As she opens the can of worms, she begins to wonder if she has made a mistake now, too, trying to relive the experience. That is Hannah’s fatal flaw. She is always wondering about what she has done, making herself irritating and not quite believable as the naivete she seems to be. How does real life alter what they thought was their destiny. Will they remain good friends or drift apart?
The title of the book is “The It Girl”. Although I thought of Hannah as the main character, April is the driving force behind everything that happens. Who do you think is the real “it” girl, and why? Who is the real murderer, Neville or someone else? Could it be one of the friends? As the plot thickens and moves along, it really gets tense. Ruth Ware knows how to put you on the edge of your seat, and although this book is not rocket-science, it is easy to read and will hold your attention for most of it, even if it sometimes seems contrived and is not always quite believable. In the end, all of the threads are knitted together.
Show Less
Awards
Theakstons Old Peculier Prize (Longlist — 2023)
Globe and Mail Top 100 Book (2022)
LibraryReads (Annual Voter Favorite — Hall of Fame — July 2022)
Language
Original publication date
2022
ISBN
9781432899622