I absolutely love Freida’s writing! I have been into psychological thrillers lately and she has so many books that fit this category.

I finished the first 2 Housemaid books and was looking for something else to read and this popped up. I’m glad I chose it, it definitely kept me on my toes throughout the book. I kept changing my mind about who the bad person was because something would happen and make you think differently. I love these kind of books where I’m guessing til the end. It makes them more interesting and much more exciting!

***Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC copy***

A group of friends’ supposed relaxing getaway to a luxurious cabin in the woods turns deadly after their mini-van breaks down in the middle of the woods. They’re struck down one by one and they don’t know if the hunter is a wild animal or one of them.

I’m always excited when I get an ARC written by Freida McFadden, I love her other books so much. This one though was so-so for me. I wasn’t rooting for any of the morally gray characters, and though it was an easy read, the plot twist was too unbelievable for me to suspend my disbelief. Loved how she slowly revealed the backstory though, it was eery and kept you guessing who the killer was until the very end.

*One by One* is a psychological thriller with a promising premise that delivers mixed results, earning it a three-star rating. The story centers around a group trapped together, disappearing one by one, which creates a suspenseful atmosphere filled with paranoia. Frieda McFadden excels in building tension and keeping the reader guessing.

However, the character development and plot twists can be uneven, with some parts feeling predictable or forced, affecting the pacing and overall engagement. Despite these issues, McFadden's writing is clear and the setting is effectively eerie, providing a decently engaging read.

This book is best suited for those who enjoy psychological thrillers with a classic mystery element and are looking for a quick suspenseful read, despite some narrative shortcomings.

I must read every book by Freida! Could not put this down. 3 couples travel together and they start disappearing one by one. They get lost in the woods. I did not see the end coming!

What starts off as a a couples getaway week, instantly turns bad when the crew ends up lost in the woods. While things were complicated to begin with, they quickly make a turn for the worst as someone or something seems to be picking them off one by one...

Claire was.... not particularly likable, but sometimes those characters are necessary. I DID like how the POV flipped between Claire and "Anonymous" giving us all the information we need from the beginning without actually spoiling the twist. I was on the lookout for how it was going to play out the entire time, and I was still pretty shocked when it came to light.

Couldn't put this book down! Read it in one sitting and thought I had everything figured out. As per usual Freida gets us all in the epilogue.

This book is thrilling all the way to the end! Thank you so much NetGalley for this ARC.

I feel like I always have the same thoughts after reading this author's book. The premise sounds intriguing and I always stay until the end for the final reveal, but the road there is bumpy. The writing style feels unrefined, the characters are all terrible and make awful decisions, dialogue was not rational, and overall felt messy. I think this could've been better as the storyline was engaging and creepy, but needed so much more editing. For example, the reason behind the villain's murder spree in this one feels so weak and out of pocket. Then the anonymous flashback scenes? Felt like two separate books altogether. I'm giving an extra star because I was interested enough to stay until the end, but I can admit I was powering through.

I enjoy a good thriller, especially by Freida McFadden. Her books are easy to read and hard to put down! I liked the multiple POV’s in this story, the outdoor setting, short chapters, the suspense, and the amazing plot twist! She keeps you guessing until the very end! Just when you think you’ve figured it out, bam! You were wrong! That’s why her books are so good! Highly recommended.

Frieda is such an amazing author. Yet another hit! Can’t wait to keep reading her books. I was on the edge of my seat reading this and flew through it. All her books so far have been quick but gripping reads.

I love all things Frieda and this book was no exception. The plot is dark (of course, we know our Frieda) but very engaging so it is a nice balance. I loved the twists - I kept trying to figure everything out and was wrong each time - and how you come to love AND hate each character throughout the book.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC.

I decide to give Freida McFadden one more try. I read the Inmate and I really enjoy that book. But all of her other books that I've read, I find unbelievable and cringy.

This book unfortunately fell into that category as well. I had high hopes for this but it's just not for me.

McFadden yet again knocks the ball out of the park! An absolute spine tingling thriller, that twists and turns right until the end! A must read

Entertaining and twisty! 3 couples head off in a minivan on vacation together. The minivan breaks down and they get stranded in the woods. One by one, the 6 of them die or disappear. This one kept me guessing till the very end. It was very fast paced which I enjoyed. The characters were all very unlikeable, but it worked well for the book. Overall, pretty enjoyable! 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Thank you, Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley for a copy in return for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Freida McFadden for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVE Freida McFadden's books! Once I read The Housemaid, I knew immediately she was going to be a new fav thriller, and auto buy author for me! And once again, this one did not disappoint! I love how easy her books are to read, but also how quickly she hooks me into the story and the crazy wild ride she takes us on. The twists and turns this story took was mind blowing and I loved every second of it! 5 stars for me!!

2,5 ✨️

Freida McFaden's "One by One" promised a gripping thriller, but for me, it fell a bit short in delivering a truly thrilling experience. The plot, while structured well, felt flat and somewhat predictable. I found myself anticipating most of the twists. I didn't guess the ending outright, but I was so close that when the reveal came, it lacked the 'wow' factor that I crave in a thriller.

The characters were another sticking point. There were six main players in the story, yet none of them managed to elicit any strong feelings from me. They all came across as bland and underdeveloped, more like side characters than central figures in a tense narrative. This lack of depth made it difficult to empathize with any of them, diminishing the emotional engagement that often elevates a thriller.

However, the anonymous point of view was a standout element. This mysterious perspective kept me invested, as I was eager to confirm my suspicions about the character's identity (I'm a proud gal). This narrative technique was effective in maintaining my interest, even when other aspects of the story lagged.

The final tension was well-crafted, and the ending was indeed thought out. Nonetheless, I couldn't help but feel frustrated. After spending so much time following the characters through the woods, the conclusion felt rushed, wrapping up in just a few pages. It was disappointing to see all the buildup resolve so quickly, leaving me feeling a bit cheated of a more satisfying finale.

I acknowledge that Freida McFaden is often hailed as the queen of thrillers, and while this book didn't quite work for me, it's not without its merits. I didn't hate it, but it wasn't life-changing either, and that's totally okay. Some books are simply good fillers for free time, and "One by One" fits that bill. It’s a decent read for when you need something to pass the time, even if it doesn't leave a lasting impression.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and the author for sending me the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

Unfortunately I really didn't like this one - I felt like it was so unbelievable and the plot devices used were super cheesy. The execution also didn't really match the description which made the whole thing miss on expectations.

1/5 - makes me question reading more from McFadden even though I liked the inmate

3.5 STARS
Ms. McFadden knows how to write a good thriller! The story was well written, and had a good pace, keeping the suspense throughout the book. But the ending was a bit of a letdown. When you find out who did it and why, it was just MEH.
This is a story of mostly friends, who decide to travel to a cabin for a week of relaxation. Most of them have secrets. When their car breaks down, they must find the destination on foot without phones. Then something or someone is causing the members of the group to go missing one by one. I like how the events played out, but I felt there was a lack of effort to make the ending as good as the rest of the story.
Thank you Netgalley for the copy of this book.

This book was very fast paced and I really enjoyed the story! I loved that it went back and forth and I really wasn't sure who was the bad guy in the beginning. I had a feeling about one of them, but the other... def didn't see that coming, and I really liked that!!

Just finished *One by One* by Freida McFadden, and wow, what a wild ride! Claire Matchett's much-needed getaway turns into a nightmare when her group gets lost in the woods, and they start being picked off one by one. The suspense is relentless, and McFadden does an incredible job of keeping you guessing about who—or what—is behind the terror. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Highly recommend for fans of gripping thrillers! #BookReview #Thriller #FreidaMcFadden #MustRead

I’m convinced Freida can’t write a bad book even if she tried. Each page and chapter left me wanting more. This was so good, I gave it 5 stars. Claire was happy to get away for a week, but on their way there the car breaks down and they have to walk the rest of the way. The deeper her and her friends get into the woods, one by one they start going missing. Claire realizes only one of them will
make it out alive. It was thrilling and had me at the edge of my seat the whole time. This was a very fast paced thrilling, easy read.