The It Girl

Ruth Ware
57 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 2022

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Book Brief

Ruth Ware

The It Girl

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022
Book Details
Pages

432

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Mystery & Crime Fiction

•

Horror & Suspense

•

Psychological Fiction
Setting

Oxford, England • 2010s

Theme
Self Discovery

•

Guilt

•

Friendship
Topic
Social Class

•

Grief & Death

•

Education
First Publication Year

2022

Publisher

Scout Press

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In "The It Girl" by Ruth Ware, protagonist Hannah Jones grapples with the traumatic memory of discovering her best friend April Cloutts-Cliveden murdered at Oxford University. A decade later, motivated by guilt and a reporter's questions, Hannah seeks to uncover the truth behind April's death, exploring themes of identity and guilt against a backdrop of dark academia. The narrative alternates between Hannah's present life in Edinburgh and her past at Oxford, slowly revealing clues and suspects until a final twist unveils the real killer. Descriptions of assault and murder are present.

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Dark

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

3.9

341,635 ratings

70%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Ruth Ware's The It Girl has garnered mixed reviews. Praised for its compelling plot and Ware's knack for creating atmospheric tension, the novel keeps readers engaged. However, some critics found the pacing uneven and the characters less developed. Overall, it remains a gripping psychological thriller with a few narrative hiccups.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The It Girl?

Fans of suspenseful thrillers, particularly those who enjoyed Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Paula Hawkins's The Girl on the Train, will relish Ruth Ware's The It Girl. This novel is perfect for readers who appreciate intricate plots, unreliable narrators, and a blend of psychological intrigue with classic whodunits.

3.9

341,635 ratings

70%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Character List

The protagonist who navigates her first year at Oxford University and later life in Edinburgh, as she grapples with the aftermath of a tragic event involving her suitemate.

Hannah's wealthy and glamorous suitemate at Oxford, known for her confident demeanor and complex friendship with Hannah, which is central to the novel's events.

Hannah's college crush and later husband, who shares a complicated history with both Hannah and April, influencing much of the story's personal dynamics.

A member of the friend group at Oxford who maintains a low profile and whose family has high expectations for him academically and professionally.

Part of Hannah's friend group, sharing a similar socioeconomic background to her, and dealing with complex feelings about class differences at Oxford.

A witty and confident mathematician who is supportive of Hannah, playing a critical role in their friend group dynamics.

Hannah's academic advisor at Oxford who has a significant impact on her academic journey and personal growth.

A reporter with a distinct perspective on the high-profile case who believes in uncovering the truth, offering new insights into the story's central mystery.

A porter at Pelham College whose interactions with Hannah are pivotal to the unfolding events at Oxford.

April's sister and a social media influencer who becomes involved in revisiting past events and analyzing new evidence with Hannah.

Book Details
Pages

432

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Mystery & Crime Fiction

•

Horror & Suspense

•

Psychological Fiction
Setting

Oxford, England • 2010s

Theme
Self Discovery

•

Guilt

•

Friendship
Topic
Social Class

•

Grief & Death

•

Education
First Publication Year

2022

Publisher

Scout Press

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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