Thrills and Disappointments in Freida McFadden’s One by One
As a devoted fan of Freida McFadden, I vowed to dive into everything the queen of twists pens. Seriously, I could probably get lost in her grocery lists! Her Housemaid series had me giggling—yes, I even devised a laughter ritual for the endings—so it was with high expectations that I picked up her standalone novel, One by One. However, as I turned page after page, the excitement I usually feel morphed into a mix of anticipation and, ultimately, a bit of disappointment.
The premise kicks off with a spark: six adults crammed into a tiny minivan, headed for a luxurious inn with dreams of hiking and unwinding. But the plot thickens when their car breaks down in the desolate woods, leaving them stranded. What unravels next is a game of cat and mouse, with characters disappearing—one by one. It teeters on a familiar edge of suspense, promising thrills but, unfortunately, failing to deliver on some essential fronts.
Let’s talk characters. There are two main points of view: Claire, the not-so-likable everywoman, and an anonymous character possibly hiding dangerous secrets. Claire’s husband Noah is the ever-sullen partner, while their friends—Jack, the charming best friend; Jack’s icy attorney wife; a plastic surgeon resembling a Ken doll; and Claire’s Barbie-like best friend—felt like they stepped straight out of a B-list movie. Honestly, I found myself questioning if some of them had a purpose beyond serving as mere placeholders. Their shallow backgrounds and uninspired dialogues sapped emotional investment, leading to a “who cares?” attitude about their fates. What a letdown!
The heart of a thriller lies in its suspenseful pacing, which McFadden nearly nails here. The quick, gripping chapters held my attention, even as my frustration with the characters mounted. Yet, as the plot progressed, the villain’s motivations felt maddeningly simplistic, making me roll my eyes and exclaim, “Is that really it?” I thrive on far-fetched plots with stunning twists, but this conclusion left a bittersweet taste.
Despite my criticisms, I still couldn’t bring myself to rate One by One lower than three stars. The constant action and cliffhanger-like chapters kept me turning the pages, eager to uncover what happened next—even if I was rooting for the killer to finish their job quickly just to get to the end!
Would I recommend this book? Maybe to those who enjoy a quick read that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It could be perfect for a cozy, rainy day curl-up, even if it lacks the depth that usually comes with McFadden’s work. As for me, I’m crossing my fingers for her upcoming novel, Inmate. I can’t wait to devour whatever twists await—because with Freida McFadden, thrilling and dark fun are rarely far behind.
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