Your Preview Verdict: One Dark Night by Hannah Richell

Buy a copy of One Dark Night here.

Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:

Love love love this book! Best murder mystery I’ve had the pleasure of reading in a long time. Not only is the story-line engaging, the characters are so well formed it’s hard to put the book down. Sam, QLD, 5 stars

This is the first book I’ve read written by Hannah Richell and I loved it. This book is set in a small English town where everyone knows the tale of the Sally, a girl murdered on her wedding day and who in a white dress haunts the local woods. When a student from the local school is found dead and dressed like Sally at the bottom of an old stone Foley after a Halloween Party several members of the local community, including the daughter of one of the local Police Detectives, are considered suspects. The book is cleverly written, just when you think you know who the murderer is another clue unfolds and while you’re not back a square one the twist and turn make this an intriguing storyline that also cover topics that are affecting the mental health of young people today. Jill, VIC, 5 stars

I am a first time reader of Hannah’s work and I am thoroughly impressed! I was entirely captivated from the first few chapters and couldn’t think about anything else until I finished reading. I loved the unique setting of this book and how we got to watch the story unfold from different perspectives. I read a lot of thriller and crime books so I have grown to expect twists and turns, but One Dark Night kept me on my toes and every guess I had was wrong, I NEVER would have guessed the ending! Georgia, TAS, 5 stars

One Dark Night is a gripping thriller with a mysterious murder plot set in a spooky location near a private school in the woods. The characters like Rachel, Ben and Ellie add layers to the story, especially with their own personal traumas with adds depth to the narrative. The suspenseful twists and turns keep you guessing until the very end, making it an exciting read filled with intrigue and suspense. This story is based on a thrilling tale highlighting the intricate plot, the well developed characters and finally the skilful way that Hannah keeps the readers guessing right up to the very end. I truly taken by this book from the start to finish. Love having the opportunity to review this outstanding narrative. Amanda, TAS, 5 stars

The perfect page-turner! The eerie atmosphere created in this murder mystery hooked me in from the very first page. I really felt as though I was in the woods on that dark night. Hannah Richell cleverly uses a real place in the UK as the setting and develops believable and relatable characters. Although a story of a crime, the exploration of the complex relationships within two families are well developed and Richell enables the reader to feel empathy with all the characters. My only criticism is some of the unprofessional conduct of school staff seems unlikely but overall, an enjoyable read, well written with twists and turns to keep you guessing to the end. I will certainly look out for more of Hannah Richell’s books. Catherine, QLD, 5 stars

I was thrilled to receive a preview copy of One Dark Night by Hannah Richell, an author I had not read before. The story took place in the space of 6 days. The novel grabs you at page 1 and doesn’t let go until the surprising conclusion, with many twists and turns and possible suspects along the way. One Dark Night ls cleverly written, not giving away any clues until the very end. A body is found after Halloween, a girl in a white dress, echoing the local legend of the haunted woods and a young girl in a white dress, luring people to their death. Local detective Ben Chase is assigned to the case and the plot thickens as the victim is identified as a student from his daughter’s elite school. It also portrays complex family relations between him, his ex-wife Rachel, the school counsellor and his daughter. All in all, a very well written and clever psychological thriller. I can highly recommend! Robyn, QLD, 5 stars

I am so very grateful to have been given the opportunity to read and review One Dark Night by Hannah Richell. I gave this book a rating of 5 stars (out of 5). I must have been living under a rock; I can’t believe that I haven’t read any of Hannah’s books previously. What a ‘folly’ that was; one I addressed immediately! The book is set in the small town of Thorncombe where everyone knows the tales of the haunted woods where the birds don’t sing and a girl in a white dress roams, luring people to their deaths. The central characters in the book are the Chase family; Dad Ben Chase (a local police officer), his ex-wife Rachel Dean (student counsellor) and their daughter Ellie Chase (school student). When a teenage Halloween party in the woods goes wrong and ends in tragedy the police are desperate to find the killer and the teenagers who were at the party are loathe to part with their secrets; so begins a roller coaster ride of a book. This book was very easy to read and maintained the suspense from start to finish.I didn’t see all of the twists and turns that were in the story. A couple of times I thought I had the story worked out only to find out that I was close, but not nearly close enough. I was quite surprised by the ending which I was especially pleased with as its disappointing when you work out the ending when you are a long way from finishing a book. Overall I found One Dark Night a very interesting and engaging read which I am sure will appeal to readers who enjoy thrillers. Toni, SA, 5 stars

Hannah Richell definitely has a way of words when it comes to her books, I was left shocked when it got to the part which really took the cake of the book. A real good twisty mystery for people who love who dun it mystery reads. Mary, VIC, 5 stars

A group of high school students attend a Halloween party in the woods, one doesn’t return home and a body is found in the woods the following morning. In the small town of Thorncombe these woods are said to be haunted As the police investigation races to identify the killer, the list of suspects grows as more secrets are uncovered and not everyone is who they seem on first impressions. This is a cleverly plotted novel with an atmospheric setting and well developed characters. The story had plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing to the end. Highly recommended. Holly, WA, 5 stars

I enjoyed the book and feel like it will be a best seller for readers who like a good mystery and thriller novel. Very well written and the book is hard to put done once you start reading it! Felt like we were given enough background on the characters for the context of the novel and keeps the pace moving nicely. Enjoyed the complexity of the characters and how everything is linked across different stories and perspectives- many stories tell the whole story. This is an engaging book with many twists and turns to keep the reader entertained and wanting to find out what happens next, with a massive plot twist intertwined throughout the story. You feel you can’t fully trust any of the characters, including the high school students or adults. A sense of danger is always lurking with lots of suspense in the nature of the writing, right until the end of the novel. Would highly recommend this book and can’t wait to explore other novels by Hannah Richell! Angela, SA, 5 stars

One Dark Night is a gripping tale of murder, relationship dramas and historical precedence which keeps you guessing until the end. As I settled in for a long bus ride, I soon became entrenched in the mystery and invested in the characters. When the body of a teenager is found in the woods after a Halloween party, local police and family and friends scramble to find out the identity of the killer. Within the local community and the school community, there appear to be many suspects who could fit the bill. Tensions rise and fingers are pointed as the rumour mill runs riot. Overshadowing it all is the historical tale of “Sally in the Wood”, which serves to build fear and lends a superstitious overtone to the event. This book kept me reading right throughout my trip, and I was able to finish it in two days. When the end finally came, I still hadn’t guessed the killer and was surprised by the truth. The sign of a great mystery! Karina, QLD, 5 stars

Intrigued from start to finish, I really enjoyed the story. Things began pretty fast paced and straightaway I was thrown into the characters world of Thorncombe, finding myself on edge as I waited to find out who had killed Sarah. The setting itself was creepy and the perfect location for scares, the woods and the urban legend of Sally. Because the descriptions of the woods were so well written it was realistic enough for me to feel as if I was also there, scared out of my wits and waiting for Sally to show up. I found myself longing for more of the story of Ben and Rachel, they were both characters who I found easy to relate to and I love how their backstory entwined to the present. It provided a nice reprieve from the thriller side of the story, as well which I found good, making it an all round read for everyone no matter which genre you prefer. I was questioning who the killer was until the very end and it is safe to say I did not see it coming! I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. It kept me guessing, Invested in the characters and what would happen to them, it provided great entertainment and I thoroughly enjoyed the way Hannah writes. Her storytelling draws you in and keeps you wanting more. Sarah, TAS, 5 stars

A party in the woods on Halloween for a group of friends ends up with Sarah murdered but by who? Everyone is a suspect right till the end ! Mike, TAS, 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book! From the very first page, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. It’s one of those thrillers that keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly guessing what’s going to happen next. Just when you think you have it all figured out, another twist throws you off course. The pacing is spot on – fast, intense, and completely enthralling. I found myself racing through the pages, eager to know what would happen next. And the ending? Wow. A huge twist that I didn’t see coming! It’s been a long time since a book shocked me like this, and I mean that in the best possible way. This is such a fun and highly entertaining read. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a good crime novel or just enjoys a story that keeps them guessing from start to finish. If you’re a fan of suspenseful thrillers, you absolutely have to pick this one up. Can’t recommend it enough! Carly, NSW, 5 stars

Hannah Richell’s One Dark Night is a gripping mystery set in the small town of Thorncombe, where local legends of haunted woods become chillingly real. The discovery of a girl’s body, eerily arranged at the base of an old stone folly after a Halloween party, sends shockwaves through the community. As Detective Chase navigates the investigation, he confronts not only the mystery at hand but also the vulnerabilities within his own family, raising the stakes and adding emotional resonance to the narrative. The atmospheric setting of the haunted woods adds a layer of suspense, while the exploration of family dynamics and community secrets provides depth to the characters. One Dark Night is a compelling read that I read in one sitting. It combines elements of mystery, thriller, and folklore of the supernatural. The suspense remained until the end. Leticia, QLD, 4 stars

One dark night – what a page turner! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was kept surprised throughout. This novel is full of suspense, spookiness and drama, I could not put it down! The story of ‘Sally in the wood’ alongside the murder investigation complemented each other and formed the vibe for the whole story. This story kept me guessing right until the end and wanting more, highly recommend adding to your list! You won’t be disappointed! Brooke, VIC, 4 stars

One Dark Night by Hannah Richell is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you guessing with each twist and turn. Richell does a great job of building tension and keeping you on the edge of your seat. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a touch of mystery, you will enjoy One Dark Night. Nicole, VIC, 4 stars

One Dark Night was an enjoyable read full of twists and turns. While it started fairly slowly, the pace picked up about a quarter of the way through. The storyline was a little clumsy on parts, but overall it held together pretty well. Vanessa, QLD, 4 stars

A good, quick read perfect for lazy summer days. When the body of a young woman is found at the foot of an old stone folly, investigations turn to the local private school. It’s a complication DS Chase didn’t need; his ex-wife works at the school, and their daughter is a student. One Dark Night is the sixth novel by Richell, but the first I have read. It’s a solid tale of murder and relationship dramas, with a little ‘haunted woods’ flavour thrown in to muddy the waters. Expect secrets aplenty, red herrings and twists, but nothing too unsettling. The characters are sound, although a little clichéd, and the pace is good. The novel is generally well-written – it is a bit clunky now and then (since when does a rider on a motorbike ‘put his foot to the floor’?). Overall, it is a good, quick read (I knocked it off in two sittings), perfect for lazy summer days. Rod, ACT, 4 stars

One Dark Night by Richell has a great premise – a murder in a small English town that hits home for a local officer, with hints of mystery and the supernatural. This is a riveting suspense thriller novel that show cases the brilliance of english crime. It has strong protagonists, with the right amount of tension and unease between them (Rachel and Ben) who share a teenage daughter that has a secret. The plot of this book is driven by strong movements by the protagonists and supporting characters – it doesn’t drag, it keeps you guessing and it is well executed with pace, language and character development. I thoroughly enjoyed this book – well written with a good plot supported by interesting characters. A must for your to read list, there will be times you absolutely cannot put it down. Kathleen, ACT, 4 stars

One Dark Night, the latest crime novel by Hannah Richell, is fast paced with twists that I did not see coming. Told from multiple perspectives, the author delivers a thriller set in spooky woods with a ghostly urban legend thrown in for good measure. With many suspects this crime novel will keep you reading from the first page. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Patricia, QLD, 4 stars

Another great book from the lovely and incredibly talented author, Hannah Richell. A fast-paced, engaging read which has you hooked immediately. I was very smug towards the end thinking I had it all figured out but, nope, I didn’t see the twists coming. The small town community of Thorncombe is thrown into turmoil when a teenage girl is found dead in the woods the morning after Halloween. Was she the victim of a party prank gone wrong or does her death represent something more sinister and ritualistic? No spoilers allowed so I am just going to highly recommend this book! If you are a crime thriller fan and you want a book that makes you race through the pages while you are sitting on the edge of your seat then this is a book for you! Tara, NSW, 4 stars

One Dark Night by Hannah Richell is a captivating psychological thriller that intertwines mystery and emotional depth. The story follows the lives of three women, each carrying their own secrets and burdens. Set in a small coastal town, the plot centers around a tragic event that occurred years ago, unraveling slowly through flashbacks and present-day narratives. Richell skillfully navigates between past and present, creating a compelling atmosphere of suspense and tension. The writing is evocative, with vivid descriptions of the setting and characters’ emotions. The author’s exploration of grief, guilt, and personal redemption resonates deeply, making the characters relatable and complex. While the pacing is occasionally slow, it allows for a careful build-up of mystery that pays off in the end. The unexpected twists in the final chapters keep readers hooked, making One Dark Night an engaging read for fans of atmospheric, character-driven thrillers. Melissa, VIC, 4 stars

One Dark Night is a mystery thriller filled with intrigue, tension, spooky and a whole lot of drama. Secrets, lies and deception is on everyone’s lips in this gripping tale. Welcome to the small town of Thorncombe. In the woods there’s the legend of the girl in the white dress. How she lures them in and haunts them to their death. On Halloween night, the local school teens have a party. By morning a girl is found dead. Police detective Ben Chase begins the investigation. As he analyses the evidence, what he uncovers is shocking….. Hannah’s new book centres around a upmarket school and a party that goes horribly wrong. Well written and eerily atmospheric, this is one that needs to be added to your reading pile on release day. A compulsory page turner that will keep you turning the pages way into the evening. Craig, VIC, 4 stars

One Dark Night was filled with realistic characters that resonate with the reader, and a plot that points you towards several different paths at the same time. Hannah Richell writes so descriptively that you can visualise yourself in each of the locations and really get your bearing of where you are and where those around you may be. An easy read that will be enjoyed by people who like trying to figuring out “Who Dunnit” before the end of the book Alicia, NSW, 4 stars

One Dark Night is a cleverly constructed mystery/thriller with a fabulous twist at the end that I did not see coming. The story keeps you guessing throughout. What happened to Sarah? She is the girl found dead in the woods, dressed all in white; perpetuating the stories of the woods being haunted. The characters are very believable and likewise, the setting. I felt some of the writing was overly descriptive at times though and this made some of the reading for me slow going, but the carefully engineered ending made it totally worth the ride! Kim, NSW, 3 stars

Buy a copy of One Dark Night here.