Ok, alright, although these may be popcorn thrillers - I am always on the edge of my seat. And I’m always wrong?!? Drives me insane but I love it! It drives up the thrill!! Shock.

This one was fine for me - not the best and not the worst. Freida McFadden is so hit or miss for me - but no matter what I can always count on the fact that I will be reading a book that I fly through with some fun twists and turns.

Entertaining and a quick read - perfect for a palette cleanser between some heavier books.

6 people
6 days
6 person minivan
666 is the number of the devil. And so it begins.


This was a quick, enjoyable read that I thoroughly had fun with. Six people set out on what seems like a simple journey, only for things to quickly spiral out of control. The chapters alternate between Claire’s perspective and that of "Anonymous"—a mysterious character who is clearly the source of the trouble, though their identity remains unknown for most of the book. I managed to guess part of the ending, but the full twist caught me off guard.

While I found Claire a bit whiny and not the sharpest tool in the shed, I still enjoyed her character. Most of the other characters were likable, though there was one character I absolutely couldn’t stand—at times, I almost wanted to scream at them. The pacing was steady, though it did start off a little slow.

Overall, I liked the book and would recommend it if you're looking for an easy, entertaining read rather than a complex, cerebral thrille

okay, this is my third McFadden book, and my feelings on her remain the same: her books are ADDICTING and easy to fly through but not actually good 😂 like did I enjoy this? yes. was it good? no 😅 I definitely think this was better than Housemaid, but I know I’m in the minority there. you know how sometimes the twist in a thriller is super unpredictable in a really satisfying way, and sometimes it’s super unpredictable only because it was so stupid/ridiculous you would have never been able to guess? this was the second one 😂

long story short, this was no masterpiece but it was a fun ride. I recommend if you want a quick page turner especially if you’ve enjoyed her past books! thanks @netgalley for this gifted digital copy ✨

This was not my favorite Freida book in the sense that I hated almost every character. This is not typical of me for her books. Due to this, it took me slightly longer to get through than normal (a week vs 24 hours to finish). However, in typical Freida fashion, I did not see the twists coming!

This one was not my cup of tea... I didn't like any of the characters and hated how they kept repeating the same narrative over and over. It lacked detail and the plot twist was kinda stupid in my opinion. This is my least fave Freida book I've read yet. I'm glad it was a quick short read though.

Loved it! Was a quick, easy read that keeps you guessing! Who is picking off this friend group, one by one? Will any of them make it out of this alive? Finished this book in one sitting. The end was a shocker! I definitely didn’t guess the twists!

Freida McFadden’s One by One offers an engaging premise—a group of friends on a getaway becomes stranded in a remote forest, with members mysteriously disappearing one by one. The story begins with great tension, blending the isolation of the wilderness with the creeping realization that not everyone will make it out alive. Claire, the protagonist, adds complexity with her secrets and personal struggles, though she may not always be likable.

The book delivers fast pacing and suspenseful twists, keeping it a quick and absorbing read for thriller fans. However, some reviewers found the characters one-dimensional and the dialogue repetitive, which detracted from the emotional impact. The plot twists, while entertaining, could feel convoluted or rushed, leaving some loose ends and predictable moments. Despite these critiques, the atmospheric setting and overarching mystery kept many readers invested, making it a fun, if flawed, addition to McFadden’s thriller repertoire.

If you enjoy quick thrillers with dramatic twists, this might be worth adding to your list, though it may not satisfy those seeking deep character development.

Freida's books are always twisty good fun! Three couple friends decide to go on a weekend retreat for relaxation and Claire is wondering if this is the last chance for her marriage. Claire's minivan breaks down and the group becomes lost in the woods. One by One the group either gets lost or hurt and they have to keep moving on hoping to find their destination. No matter what Freida book you read, the twist is always totally unexpected.

Love this book read it in one day don't remember much cause I read it a while ago but the female lead is in a friend group and she's having issues with her relationship and they go on a car trip and the car breaks down and stuff goes down from there (from what I can remember ofc without spoiling haha)

Have you read start reading a book and you get an immediately feeling that this isn't the book for you? Well, I had that within the first chapter with our unlikable lead and her equally unlikable husband. Nothing wrong with unlikable characters - I quite enjoying reading flawed leads - but the writing and the repetition were the nail in the coffin for me.

I had such high hopes for Freida McFadden as it feels like everyone is raving about her thrillers, but this felt rushed and really absurd.

I love Freida McFadden books but this was not my favorite. I felt like there was a lot of repetition and sometimes it did not feel very realistic. It was a very quick read though. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I feel like FMF is just busting out books like crazy at this point. I would rather have 1-2 really good reads a year than multiple. :( this was was just not for me

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.

This story kept me interested enough to read it quickly. I did not guess the ending, which is something I look for in a murder mystery story. It did leave me with a lot of questions in the end. However, if you are a fan of Freidas work, then you would probably enjoy this one as well.

Freida has done it again!! This book is fabulous; highly engaging and easy to read. It kept me guessing the whole time and I definitely could not predict the ending. Highly recommend!

I will ALWAYS read anything by Freida McFadden! This book was filled with twists and turns. It was the perfect mystery-thriller. The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because I feel like most of the time the characters are a bit flat and lack the details to make the book even better. The book is very fast paced and the perfect fall/winter murder mystery!

A special thank you to Netgalley, Freida McFadden, and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

One by One is an intense, edge-of-your-seat thriller that perfectly balances suspense and mystery. Freida McFadden masterfully spins a tale of a group trapped in a remote, snowbound cabin where trust erodes as tensions rise. Each character’s secrets are slowly peeled back, creating a chilling atmosphere of paranoia and fear. With each page, you feel the noose tighten, and just when you think you know who to trust, McFadden throws a twist that will leave you reeling. If you love thrillers that keep you guessing until the very end, this one is impossible to put down.

This book was very true to Freida McFadden's usual style. One comes to accept that at times the dialogue sounds out of place and the characters aren't fully fleshed out. If you want a thriller with all sorts of twists- then you have found the book to read. We have a cabin, a couple that doesn't like each other, friends and only one survivor. It's never who you think it is which I do enjoy. I'm kept on my toe and am more curious to find out how this is going to get wrapped up against all kinds of odds and still be somewhat believable. Yet, it is. That's the magic of Frieda McFadden.

This was pretty middle of the road for me but I enjoyed it overall.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Who doesn't like that common mystery troupe of each of the characters slowly getting picked off and murdered? This typical whodunnit plot scheme can seem annoying to some, but as a super Freida Fan--I just devoured this one! Yes, there are plot holes, but I don't care because I was having FUN. Also, there are clues left peppered in the text for the attentive reader to catch on to who the villian is before you get to the end! While the overall intentions of the villian are unclear until the end, it was an enjoyable read watching these adults squabble in the forest while walking in circles! 10/10 recommend to the Freida junkies who aren't too serious about the perfect mystery!