Reissued! One One by One by Freida McFadden was a 2020 self-published title by a popular domestic suspense author. The book has been recently re-released in paperback in 2024 by Poisoned Pen Press. I hadn’t yet read this fast-paced title with an “And Then There Were None” concept. What did I think and where can you join the Spoiler Discussion Post for One by One by Freida McFadden?
Jen’s Quick Take on One by One by Freida McFadden
- “And Then There Were None” concept with a friend group trapped in the woods
- Very successfully creates and sustains suspense
- Sympathetic first-person narrator, alternating with…
- … a creepy anonymous killer narration
- For me, the resolution was a little disappointing
Review of One by One by Freida McFadden
One by One was originally self-published by Freida McFadden in 2020. Poisoned Pen Press is re-issuing the book onApril 2, 2024.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review. I read this book in March 2024.
One by One had a lot of things going for it. Even though another book is by far Freida McFadden’s most popular, I thought One by One is one of her stronger books.
Main narrator Claire is very sympathetic. She’s a special-ed teacher and a mom of two. Being a parent has put a strain on her marriage. Her adorable young daughter even warns her against going on this (ill-fated) trip.
The second narrator, an obviously disturbed person, vows that “only one of us will make it home alive.” Well, then!
This made me wonder right away: is Claire an unreliable narrator? Especially when we learn an unsavory secret about her pretty early on.
What I Liked Most About One by One
One by One kept me interested and kept me guessing.
With only six characters (I don’t count Claire’s two kids or her sister, who is babysitting) to work with, I thought McFadden did a great job of making sure there were multiple suspects for Burn Book person, as I’m calling the unhinged person who wants to be the last one standing.
I also thought some of the ways the killer sabotaged the trip and took down the victims were ingenious.
Weaknesses of One by One
Freida McFadden’s strengths as a writer are definitely her first person narrations and her twists. Her books use very straightforward narrative structure and prose and don’t have much character development.
In One by One, the Burn Book author, who gives us a good bit of non-identifying information about his or her tough childhood.
I also felt that the book fell apart a little at the end. The resolution was weirder than I was hoping and the final twist was pretty “eh” to me.
But I can see why Poisoned Pen Press chose One by One for a reissue. It has a Friend Group Thriller aspect, as four out of the six characters are college friends. I guess you could call it a Locked Room Mystery, as the group gets trapped in the woods with no apparent way out.
If you’ve read the book, don’t forget to join the Spoiler Discussion for One by One!
Also check out my posts on:
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
The Co-Worker by Freida McFadden
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden