One by One by Ruth Ware is a fast-paced thriller set in a French chalet where an avalanche and blizzard cut off the inhabitants from the rest of the mountain, leading to a series of mysterious deaths. The story is told from alternating points of view, creating a suspenseful atmosphere reminiscent of Agatha Christie's works. The plot revolves around a group of co-workers from a music networking app company called Snoop who are trapped in the chalet, testing their relationships and revealing hidden motives as the body count rises.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for One by One include themes of murder, psychological distress, and elements of isolation, though they are not overwhelmingly graphic.
From The Publisher:
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
"A claustrophobic spine-tingler." -People
"Not only do Ware's novels wink at [Agatha] Christie in a saucy way, but Ware herself is turning out to be as ingenious and indefatigable as the Queen of Crime." -The Washington Post
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Turn of the Key and In a Dark, Dark Wood returns with another suspenseful thriller set on a snow-covered mountain.
Getting snowed in at a luxurious, rustic ski chalet high in the French Alps doesn't sound like the worst problem in the world. Especially when there's a breathtaking vista, a full-service chef and housekeeper, a cozy fire to keep you warm, and others to keep you company. Unless that company happens to be eight coworkers…each with something to gain, something to lose, and something to hide.
When the cofounder of Snoop, a trendy London-based tech start-up, organizes a weeklong trip for the team in the French Alps, it starts out as a corporate retreat like any other: PowerPoint presentations and strategy sessions broken up by mandatory bonding on the slopes. But as soon as one shareholder upends the agenda by pushing a lucrative but contentious buyout offer, tensions simmer and loyalties are tested. The storm brewing inside the chalet is no match for the one outside, however, and a devastating avalanche leaves the group cut off from all access to the outside world. Even worse, one Snooper hadn't made it back from the slopes when the avalanche hit.
As each hour passes without any sign of rescue, panic mounts, the chalet grows colder, and the group dwindles further…one by one.
Ratings (63)
Incredible (5) | |
Loved It (25) | |
Liked It (21) | |
It Was OK (9) | |
Did Not Like (1) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (130):
Read It (64) | |
Want To Read (55) | |
Did Not Finish (4) | |
Not Interested (7) |
2 comment(s)
4*
RTC
SYNOPSIS:
Erin and Danny work at a bougie, private mount chalet. They’re both hosts, but Danny is the chef & Erin handles cleaning and customer service side of things.
They are hosting a group associated with a company called Snoop, which is a popular music-related app.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t turn out to be a dreamy stay. Pretty quickly into the story, someone dies & an avalanche happens. Electricity is out. They are isolated. Is there a killer among the group?
MY THOUGHTS
Multiple POVs (Erin (chalet host) & Liz (Snoop shareholder))
The story didn’t feel particularly unique to me. A whodunit in a secluded setting.
The ending was satisfying.
A bit slow-paced, but last quarter of book picks up.
There were too many characters. At times, it was hard to keep track. I would have preferred quality over quantity. Very little character development in this one, due to the sheer number of them.
In general, I like Ware’s writing, and this isn’t my first read of hers. I, however, would probably recommend another one to start. This one isn’t my favorite for hers.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A whodunit in a secluded setting
What can you read after
One by One?
About the Author:
Ruth Ware worked as a waitress, a bookseller, a teacher of English as a foreign language, and a press officer before settling down as a full-time writer. She now lives with her family in Sussex, on the south coast of England. She is the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail (Toronto) bestselling author of In a Dark, Dark Wood; The Woman in Cabin 10; The Lying Game; The Death of Mrs. Westaway; The Turn of the Key; and One by One. Visit her at RuthWare.com or follow her on Twitter @RuthWareWriter.
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