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Thanks to NetGalley and Scout Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: September 8th, 2020
384 Pages
Synopsis: The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Turn of the Key and In a Dark Dark Wood returns with another suspenseful thriller set on a snow-covered mountain.
Getting snowed in at a beautiful, rustic mountain chalet doesn’t sound like the worst problem in the world, especially when there’s a breathtaking vista, a cozy fire, and company to keep you warm. But what happens when that company is eight of your coworkers…and you can’t trust any of them?
When an off-site company retreat meant to promote mindfulness and collaboration goes utterly wrong when an avalanche hits, the corporate food chain becomes irrelevant and survival trumps togetherness. Come Monday morning, how many members short will the team be?
There have been many variations of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, since it was published in 1939, but I couldn’t resist the upcoming One By One, as it’s written by Ruth Ware, and although I didn’t quite find it flawless, it was an enjoyable and quick read. One issue I had was that the lightly sketched characters were tossed at the reader at once, and it took me a few chapters to separate them in my head. I also guessed the identity of villain pretty early on which making the mystery a little predictable. However, the motive remained tantalizingly elusive until near the end, which kept me reading. While the characters were a little on the light side, the setting was eerily atmospheric and the story suspense-filled. Overall, I don’t think One By One is one of Ware’s best books (I reserve that honor for last year’s The Turn of the Key), but I believe fans of hers will be pleased. If you’re new to her writing, and you enjoy authors like Agatha Christie, and you’re looking for a fun escape, I unhesitatingly recommend this.
It does feel a bit too ‘all done before’ to me, Kim.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Writers still continue to be caught up in modernizing Christie’s classic, but I think this is one of the better ones.
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They should leave that stuff to Agatha, and think of something more original. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I love how the atmosphere almost becomes a character in her books. I am already on the list at my library for this one. Great review Kim.
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You’ll find that with this one too Carla.
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I’m usually not a big fan of a lot of characters thrown at you in go…but then again the story sounds interesting enough. I do have to agree slightly with Pete though…it does sound like a familiar tale. That said…if it’s good, it really doesn’t matter, and four stars is good enough for me 😊
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It was a bit confusing in the beginning, but as there are only five MCs, it only took a few chapters for me to separate them. Ware is wonderfully adept at creating these creepy settings that are almost characters themselves.
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I’m sold! I can’t get enough of books that play off And Then There Were None, especially when the setting is a snowbound one. It’s one of my weaknesses. I’ve read Ware before, so that alone is a draw for me. Even if the characters are a little on the light side, I’m in.
Now if I can just make a dent in my TBR!
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I feel your pain Mae!
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I’m a huge Ruth Ware fan, I loved The Woman in Cabin 10, I read it when I was on a cruise. She captivates me. I look forward to her next book! Thanks for your review, C
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I’d love to know what you think when you read it.
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Hi! Thanks for sharing this – I read The Woman in Cabin 10 and liked it, but I haven’t read her other books. I’m thinking I will read this one 🙂
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This is good but I’d also recommend The Turn of the Key.
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Oh great – thanks for the recommendation 🙂
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I like many others, appreciate Ruth Ware. I haven’t delved into this one because I heard it was lacking in plot, but I’m glad to learn–from you–that she makes up for it, not only with her trademark atmospheric flourishes, but by dangling the why. I’m always after the why.
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I didn’t like it as much as The Turn of the Key, but it was still entertaining.
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This does sound like a book I’d enjoy, Kim. I am an Aggie fan.
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It’s one of the better ones of the retellings that I’ve read Robbie.
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Not for me, the lone voice in the wilderness 😀
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I like her, but we all have different tastes.😊
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I absolutely love Ruth Ware!! I didn’t even know a new book was coming how exciting. Thanks for the review and letting me know about it coming ❤️
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My pleasure!
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She is such a good writer!
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She is.
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