Tense and nail biting! Three couples, five old friends, many secrets - cheating, betrayal, lies, and did I say secrets? One has a plan, a plan for the rest - off they go for that weekend getaway, but who will actually get away? And who or what is out there? A suspenseful winner!

This book had me glued to the book! Freida is one of my favorite authors! I absolutely loved this book. I had to know who was gonna be next and find out what happened and why. Thank you for the read.

I had already read this book but it was another winner-winner-chicken- dinner from the wonderful Freida McFadden. She can suck you in from the beginning and doesn't let go.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this early.One By One by Freida McFadden is a pyschological thriller with twists that you would never see coming. I felt like I was at the edge of my seat the whole time. I did not want to stop reading it.

Freida does it again and again. She knows how to pull readers in from the first page. I love everything about this book and about Freida McFadden!

3.5 ⭐

We’ve all had vacations turn into nightmares; things don’t go as planned, the kids act up, car/plane mishaps. BUT, I’ll bet none of our adventures compare to the one these three couples have planned in the French Alps.

With almost 7000 reviews and 113,000 ratings on Goodreads, you really don’t need my detailed response to this book, so it’s short and sweet.

I enjoyed following Claire and Noah, Lindsay and Warner, and Jack and Michelle as they get lost in the woods on their way to a remote inn. These tech entrepreneurs may be wired for success, but when it’s a life-or-death situation, their skillset is challenged. Will this team-building retreat be successful or will the ‘fun’ be extinguished before they even get started?!

😀great locked door setting
😀twisty; didn’t predict the ending
😀creepy ‘anonymous voice’ POV
😀great foreshadowing

☹️language
☹️infidelity, revenge and betrayal become too repetitive

Despite not being ‘wowed’ by this book, I’d still reach for another McFadden thriller!

I was gifted this copy by Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Freida is one of my favorite authors. I've read over ten of her books, and she is masterful at twists and turns. Her writing is more basic, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Her plots are easy to follow, and her books are easy to get lost in.
The book is told in the POVs of Claire and Anonymous as 6 friends share a ride for a week away at a hotel in the woods. When their car breaks down, they decide to hike to the hotel. But one by one they start disappearing.
Unfortunately in this book, none of the main 6 characters were likeable. They each fit into a stereotypical mold, and their attitudes were terrible. None of them had any redeeming qualities which made it hard to root for any of them to survive. It honestly didn't matter to me if they did or not. I only wanted Claire to make it out alive so she could go home to her two kids.
I liked the anonymous sections as it gave us some backstory on who the killer actually was. Several of these chapters gave more clues than others about their identity. Anonymous had a very crappy upbringing, but I don't think the events of the book would have transpired this way just because of their background.
3/5.

Freida McFadden’s stories are addictive. They suck you in from the get go. “One by One” is no exception. The prologue instantly had me hooked. I couldn’t stop reading. I *had* to know what was going to happen. The ending was not so outlandish that it was completely out of nowhere. It wasn’t exactly what I expected, but it wasn’t too far off. I loved following the twists and turns of the story, wondering who was going to die next. As the prologue states “At the end of this week, only one of us will make it home alive.”

Capturing readers with the plot is definitely McFadden’s strong suit. However, I felt very little connection to the characters. I didn’t care much about any of the characters who died. I felt apathetic about everyone involved. It was not my feelings of concern for the main characters that pushed me to read, it was the urge to discover what was happening. I have read one another McFadden book, “The Teacher” and I felt much the same.

If you’re interested in a quick, captivating read “One by One” by Freida McFadden may be the book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I love Freida McFadden's books!!!!

"One by One" by Freida McFadden is a heart-pounding thriller that plunges readers into a gripping tale of betrayal, survival, and the unraveling of friendships under extreme circumstances. McFadden, known for her bestselling works like "The Housemaid" and "The Coworker," once again proves her mastery in crafting suspenseful narratives that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The story follows Claire Matchett, a woman in desperate need of a break from the pressures of work and family life. A planned hiking trip with friends at a remote hotel in the woods seems like the perfect escape. However, when their minivan breaks down on a desolate dirt road, the group is forced to continue on foot, only to find themselves lost in the dark and unforgiving forest.

As tension mounts and the group struggles to navigate their surroundings, they are struck down one by one in mysterious circumstances. McFadden skillfully builds the sense of dread and paranoia, leaving readers questioning who—or what—is responsible for their predicament. Is it a random accident, or are they being hunted by something sinister lurking in the woods?

The characters are well-developed, each with their own secrets and motivations that add layers to the unfolding drama. Claire, in particular, undergoes a journey of self-discovery as she grapples with the harsh realities of survival and the betrayal of those she once considered friends.

Freida McFadden is one of my favorite thriller authors. I've read almost all of her books, and they always leave me guessing, on the edge of my seat, and shocked at the end. Her writing style is fantastic, and I know I'm in for a good time when I sit down to read one of her books.

3 couples decide they are going on a vacation to an Inn in the wilderness. On the way there, the minivan breaks down and they are forced to walk the rest of the way. As they travel deeper into the wilderness, mysterious events unfold, and one by one, members of their party are struck down. The group is left grappling with the haunting question of whether they are being hunted by a wild animal or if the threat is coming from within.

I recommend reading this book if you love a twisty, "who's next" style thriller with a "how well do you know the people closest to you" vibe. A few loose ends for me at the end, and some unlikeable characters which made it hard for me to root for anyone, but overall a great read!

One By One by Freida McFadden is another gripping pyschological thriller with twists that you would never see coming. I felt like I was at the edge of my seat the whole time. Very well done.

One by One is a fast-paced thriller by Queen Freida. I have loved reading her books and this title is no different. I was able to predict some of the twists, but she keeps you guessing until the very end. I couldn't put this book down and surprised at the ending. Overall, I really enjoyed the book. Keep them coming, Freida!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was full of twists and turns. Freida McFadden really is becoming an absolute favorite author of mine. Her books are gripping and suck me in from the beginning and keep my interest peaked throughout the whole book. This was no exception, I did not see the ending coming and enjoyed this book.

Six friend set out on an adventure and only one returns alive…Claire departs for the trip with a secret burning that she knows she needs to tell her husband Noah. Memories of the past weave through the group of friends as they embark on their vacation as tensions rise in a perfectly narrated fashion that leaves just the slightest pit in the bottom of your stomach as you turn the pages. Freida McFadden is a talented writer with absolutely gripping books but One By One stands out with the absolutely remarkable development of the twisted interpersonal relationships. When their car breaks down, all bets of a planned few days of rest and relaxation fly out the window and all bets of putting this book down also fly out the window…

Freida is the queen of twists! The twist in this book is one I did not see coming and I couldn't have been more shocked! I'm rarely disappointed by her books and this one just added to my reasons why!

This proved to be a satisfying read. My initial expectations for the plot took a turn with a welcomed twist that added an element of mystery to unravel. The characters played a vital role in weaving the story together, contributing to what I consider a thoroughly enjoyable read.

One by one

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I originally gave this book a 3 but after sitting with it a couple days, I’ve changed my mind. I can’t stop thinking about this book and actually really enjoyed it, I love an ensemble story where all the characters are together all the time.

It was just a fun book that I couldn’t put down!

So this book puts me out of the huge long reading slump that I thought would go on forever. A short, fast paced psychological thriller was all I needed and I wish I realized it sooner! But anyway my life was busy and now I finally get some time off to get back to books.

Talking about this book, it’s one of my favorite thriller plots, a road trip with friends to the wilderness. When there are more characters, it’s bound to keep you guessing till the end as to who is the culprit. All the characters were so different from each other and the chapters alternate between the female protagonist and “Anonymous”. A good whodunnit always gets you excited and you can’t help but binge the book. I realized how much I missed reading my thrillers!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hopping on to the next book by this author!!

Thanks to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the ARC.

Freida McFadden's "One by One" delivers a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller that keeps you engaged from start to finish. With a blend of mystery and tension, this book is perfect for those looking for a quick and entertaining read.

The story follows Claire Matchett and her friends on what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation. However, when their minivan breaks down in the woods, their trip takes a dark turn. As they struggle to find their way back to civilization, members of the group start disappearing, leaving the survivors to question if they are being hunted.

McFadden's writing style is engaging, and I found myself drawn into the story right away. The use of an anonymous narrator adds an intriguing layer to the unfolding events, keeping the reader guessing until the end.

While "One by One" follows a familiar trope of friends facing peril in the wilderness, McFadden manages to breathe new life into it with her flair and finesse. However, some aspects of the story were a bit predictable, and there were a few continuity errors that could have been ironed out.

The characters, unfortunately, fell into the trap of horror and thriller clichés, with supposedly intelligent individuals making questionable decisions that strained credibility. From failing to recognize basic wildlife to improbable survival skills, the characters' actions sometimes left me frustrated.

Overall, "One by One" is a solid thriller with its share of twists and turns. While it may not break new ground in the genre, it offers an enjoyable escape for those looking for a suspenseful read. Just be prepared for some eye-rolling moments and characters who may test your patience.

"Creepy and terrifying! McFadden is at her atmospheric best in this wickedly chilling story of a getaway gone BAD. There were six, in the beginning, then ONE BY ONE. . . ."

Told from Claire's POV with alternating POV:
Anonymous (very creepy)
and one chapter from Lindsay (BFF)

A luxury getaway
3 couples
6 people
6-person mini-van
6-day vacation
6 people have a secret.
666 is the number of the devil. The number six represents both man and the evil that weakens him. (per Anonymous)

On the trip:
Claire and her husband, Noah (married for 15 yrs)
Claire's best friend, the beautiful Lindsay. (single) she has known since college and
Warner, Lindsay's new doctor/plastic surgeon boyfriend.
Jack (BFF of Noah) and Claire since college, and his wife
Michelle (divorce lawyer)

Six adults are off in a mini-van for a much-needed vacation at an expensive luxury inn in Denver, North Colorado. Six days of hiking and hot tubs. Six days from civilization.

Will they make it there in one piece? Who will make it home alive?

Claire and Noah have two children, Emma and Aidan. Emma has a dream and does not want her mom to go on this trip. Her children are left in the care of her sister Penny and her children. Claire has a bad feeling about this trip. Little does she know it will be an absolute nightmare, and their lives will be in danger.

From flashes from the "Anonymous voice" from childhood, this person known as "I" led a highly dysfunctional childhood with an abusive, manipulative horrible mother, bullied at school, and a father who was away on business most of the time. Creepy. Eerie. Twisted. Funny.

Claire and her husband, Noah, are not getting along. Constant bickering with one another. Claire wants a divorce and secretly has an affair. She booked them two separate rooms. She is not looking to the four-and-a-half drive but looking forward to the trip for other reasons (which we will find out in the book).

But their well-laid plans go wrong. The van's battery dies, and they are stuck in the woods with no cell service. They think they are about two miles from the inn, so they walk. They have a compass and map, but things go from bad to worse. They seem to go further into the forest, and no help in sight. Three hours later, they dare nowhere near the inn.

With hardly any snacks, food, or water, the days turn into nights and appear to be lost in the woods. Fear and panic, The worst is yet to come. Is something more sinister going on? Is there a murderer among them?

The tensions are high, and no one is getting along. Then one eats blueberries (deadly nightshade) that are highly toxic and poisonous. Deadly. Then, one by one, someone winds up dead.

Days and nights pass, and they are out of food and water and sleeping on the ground. Then they find a small deserted cabin. It looks like someone left a sandwich on the table, and there is running water and some food in the refrigerator.

They do not see anyone in the cabin, so they decide to stay put until they figure out what to do.
A truck.
A man.
A phony map.
A compass compromised.
A carving on a tree.
A gun.
A Swiss army knife.

Revenge. Infidelity. Betrayal. A past. Secrets. Psychopaths. Two people can't keep a secret. Not unless one of them is dead. MURDER. Someone needs to be taught a lesson and get what they deserve.

Diabolically clever, a twisty game of cat and mouse with well-developed characters in this riveting and fun domestic suspense! McFadden does what she does best: Gives us a locked-door claustrophobic (forest) setup and lets the tension, fear, and suspicion simmer while she sits back and waits to drop the ball with her signature twists you do not see coming. I love the fun dark humor.

I purchased the e-book and the audiobook and listened in one sitting! Alyson Krawchuk exceptionally narrated the audiobook, and WOW, the voice of Anonymous was spine-chilling!

If you have yet to read this author, why not? A top psychological thriller author. One by One is perfect for fans of Lisa Unger's Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six, and Ruth Ware's One by One. Coming in paperback April 2, 2024!

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an ARC for an honest review.

Blog Review posted @
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@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: April 2, 2024 (Paperback)
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