Ruth Ware: One By One
One By One by Ruth Ware
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Overall Review
Ruth Ware's "One by One" is a chilling thriller—pun intended. Its claustrophobic setting and well-crafted characters make it a gripping page-turner that will satisfy fans of the genre—"satisfy" being the keyword here.
The story takes place in the French Alps, where a group of colleagues from a tech startup retreats to a luxurious ski chalet for a corporate getaway. The tension begins to build when an avalanche cuts them off from the outside world, leaving them trapped and isolated. As the days pass, an atmosphere of suspicion and fear takes hold as one by one, members of the group start mysteriously dying and disappearing.
Ware excels at creating a sense of claustrophobia and paranoia within the confines of the chalet. The setting itself becomes a character, with its icy slopes, creaking floorboards, and isolation intensifying the growing unease. The author's vivid descriptions bring the chilling mountain landscape to life, further heightening the sense of impending danger.
The characters in "One by One" are intriguing and well-drawn, each with their own secrets and motivations. The alternating perspectives between the two main narrators, Erin and Liz, provide different insights and add layers of complexity to the plot. While some of the supporting characters could have been more fully developed, their interactions and dynamics add to the overall suspense.
The pacing of the novel is expertly handled, gradually building suspense and tension as the body count rises. The short chapters and alternating perspectives contribute to a fast-paced narrative that
However, one minor criticism is that the identity of the killer was too easy to uncover. Despite this, the author still manages to captivate the reader until the very end, so although this is a criticsm, I still must comend Ruth Ware in her ability to keep my attention.
Overall, "One by One" is a compelling and atmospheric thriller that will captivate fans of the genre. Ruth Ware's ability to create a sense of unease and her knack for delivering surprising twists make this a worthy addition to anyone who enjoys suspenseful tales of isolation, suspicion, and deadly secrets.
Thanks for reading my review! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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