This was a great read! There were so many twists and turns and kept me on the edge of my seat! I couldn’t put it down!

This story was.... interesting. It appears to be a re-issue of a novel that was first published in 2021, and from the looks of it, it's is also a little over a hundred pages shorter. Which is a good thing for me because I cannot imagine how much more this one would have dragged on if it hadn't been trimmed. See here is the thing about this novel. It has potential. A lot of it. The author has a solid writing style which pulls you into the story, but at the same time you also need to be prepared to suspend disbelief. By a lot.

This story is told by dual points of view Elodie and her sister Ada. And here is where it starts to get a bit tricky. See the letters that Ada writes to Elodie during her disappearance add depth to the sister's relationship, allowing us to see things from the other side. I also enjoyed the way Ada appeared to be the only person who questioned certain people and behaviors and the way she refused to stop searching for her sister. However, Ada's chapters are also riddled with a lot of useless information that I really didn't care about. For example, is it integral to the plot that Ada has decided she doesn't want to have children? Do we need chapters dedicated to her and her husband arguing about it? Or her cousin trying to guilt trip her into having one despite her feelings? On the whole instead of adding anything to the plot or Ada's character, it came across as being preachy towards women who do not want children.

And then things begin to become unraveled for Elodie and she begins to see things for how they really are. Sadly, this was another instance where I feel like the story went off the rails a bit. You see, prior to this the story had been so well done, giving the reader enough to see the true colors of this character and it was interesting to watch them lead this sort of double life. But then it seems like they just decide to embrace the monster within, going entirely off the rails and doing some pretty unspeakable things.

Also this is the second book by this author that has dealt with incest. At least in this one it was more of a left up in the air are they related are aren't they kind of way, but it is still an off-putting plot-line that I feel didn't need to be included.

That being said, I would probably give this author a third try down the road to see how their writing has grown.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

One Small Mistake by Dandy Smith is an intense psychological thriller which, against a family background, entirely revolves around Elodie Fray, a debutant writer who is desperate to prove herself away from her seemingly perfect sister, Ada. Elodie's break from her job, to where she now seeks to pursue her dream of becoming an author, takes a sharp, dramatic turn through an impulsive choice one night on the town. A little mistake snowballs into a web of lies and misunderstandings, instantly resulting in her disappearance. The narrative shifts to Ada, who goes through her own crisis, forced to face some uncomfortable realities regarding her family, including questioning all she has thought to knew about her sister: the identity of the person who has taken Elodie.

Elodie emerges as a fiercely ambitious and vulnerable character. Flawed but realistic, she embodies naivety, which leads her through, desperately opening herself up to danger. The novel also has sections from the viewpoint of Ada, who finds herself in various societal contexts, dealing with the pressures of motherhood; this enriches the family dynamics. Supporting characters like Jack, Elodie’s friend, are complex and ambiguous, adding to the tension and moral ambiguity running through the narrative.

The novel covers themes like ambition, family rivalries, the cost of lies, societal pressures on women, defining success, and issues around motherhood. These themes are clearly linked to the current issues regarding mental health and identity, and the often-harsh judgments women face in threading their way through personal and societal expectations. It also raises issues of trust and consent, which add to the emotional của thriller.

To continue, the writing style that Dandy Smith applies in his work is straightforward and easily understood. The structure of narration alternates between Elodie's and Ada's points of view, ensuring that suspense is maintained and characters are developed. However, there is an uneven pace in some places and a predictability among plot elements, but these flaws were offset by the emotional tightness and character flaws to make the read thrilling and engaging.

The book creates an atmosphere that is tense and claustrophobic, which reflects Elodie's worsening desperation and Ada's dismally disintegrating world. The cultural context of this novel fits nicely in psychological thriller works such as those by Freida McFadden or B.A. Paris, but they also bring in some social commentary for contemporary times. Continuing Smith's agenda on unfathomably intricate female relationships and dark secrets, it all evolves to a much more powerful emphasis on family and ambition, compared to Smith's other novels.

One Small Mistake is different in that its characters feel highly relatable, and it does not shy away from illustrating the moral ambiguities. It makes the reader empathize with and scrutinize the results even of the most urgent decisions. However, some of the character arcs and subplots could have seen a little more work, adding greater depth and coherence to the final emotional experience.

Despite a few minor shortcomings, the novel offers a compelling exploration of ambition and the lengths individuals will go to achieve their desires. For readers who appreciate psychological thrillers with a strong emphasis on character development and authentic emotional stakes, this work is certainly worth considering.

I've been reading lots of horror/crime novels lately so when I began One Small Mistake, I had some preconceptions before opening the book. To my surprise, the novel took an interesting route to get where I assumed the characters and plots would head. This is a new, refreshing take on the predator-prey story we are used to. Enjoy this one - I did!

Dandy Smith is quickly becoming a favorite autobuy author. The Wrong Daughter was one of my top reads last year, so I was excited to dive into One Small Mistake. It’s even better than expected. Did you ever make a mistake that quickly spiraled out of control? Now imagine that x1000 and that’s One Small Mistake. I was completely invested in the story and characters right from the start, and all the twists kept me turning the pages until I reached the end. Dandy Smith is a talented author and I’ll read anything she writes. Highly recommended for psychological thriller and mystery readers!

Determined to top her too successful sister, Elodie quit her job and puts her life on hold to pursue a career as an author. She’s going to get what she wants and she doesn’t care who she hurts in the process. The problem is someone else feels the same way and they don’t care who they kill in the process.