Author: Freida McFadden

Genre: Thriller

Publication Date: April 2, 2024 (originally published July 13, 2020)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

One by One by Freida McFadden has a really interesting premise that caught my attention. Set in a remote forest, Claire Matchett and her friends head out  on what was supposed to be a rejuvenating getaway. However, when their minivan breaks down and they find themselves lost in the woods, their vacation takes a sinister turn as members of their group start disappearing one by one.The storyline initially builds some good tension as the characters navigate the dark and treacherous forest, which is a staple of McFadden’s writing. While the plot was intriguing, the characters felt pretty one-dimensional, which made it difficult to care what happened to them. Certain plot points seemed predictable, and didn’t create that feeling of tension that is one of the best parts of the thriller genre. The ending felt rushed, and overall, I was underwhelmed by this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.