One dark night by Hannah Richell: a gripping thriller full of secrets

What starts as a Halloween dare in the woods spirals into tragedy in Hannah Richell’s One Dark Night, a novel that blends small-town secrets, teenage vulnerability, and the long shadow of trauma into an atmospheric thriller you’ll race through. The story unfolds after a student is found dead near the notorious Sally in the Wood—a place steeped in eerie folklore and whispered warnings.

At the heart of the novel are Rachel, a guidance counselor struggling to connect with her daughter Ellie, and Ben, her detective ex-husband who’s investigating the case while facing personal turmoil. As the community reels, Ellie hides dangerous secrets of her own, and the past refuses to stay buried. Told through multiple perspectives, Richell keeps the tension taut, weaving in folklore, atmosphere, and a growing sense that danger lurks where you least expect it.

One of the strongest elements of this book is how it examines the unsettling reality of grooming. Richell shows how people in positions of authority can manipulate children and young adults into silence or complicity, preying on trust while adults look the other way. This ties directly into another theme: listening to your instincts. Too often we’re conditioned to dismiss those gut-level warning signs, to give others the “benefit of the doubt.” Yet, as One Dark Night demonstrates, those doubts are often your subconscious recognizing the truth—you’re seeing someone reveal who they really are.

Richell also explores the damage unprocessed trauma can inflict, not only on individuals but on the people closest to them. Pain that is buried doesn’t disappear; it leaks out sideways, sometimes in devastating ways. This ripple effect is captured with empathy and sharp insight, making the story resonate beyond its twists and surprises.

That said, I did have one frustration with the book: Rachel’s repeated calls to her ex-husband Ben in situations where she should have been calling the police directly. Just because he’s a cop doesn’t mean he’s the only cop in town. Given their strained relationship, her reliance on him felt not only impractical but, at times, unbelievable—especially when he ignored her calls.

But when it comes to the mystery itself? Richell completely blindsided me. I usually pride myself on working out the ending of a thriller well before the reveal, but this time, I didn’t see it coming. If you’re the type of reader who loves to beat the author to the punch, consider this a challenge—you might not catch on any faster than I did.

With its moody setting, haunting folklore, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, One Dark Night is a thriller that lingers long after the final page. It’s a story about secrets, survival, and the danger of ignoring the signs right in front of us.

Have you read One Dark Night yet? Do you think you’d figure out the ending? Let me know your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear if the twist caught you off guard too.

An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Related Content

• Hannah Richell – Writing the Search Party (Writes4Women)
• Author interview: Hannah Richell (Mic Loves Books)
• I was inspired by love and loss: Hannah Richell on The River Home (Better Reading)
• Author interview: Hannah Richell (Beauty and Lace)

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For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.