Name: One by One
Rating: 3.514134275618375 (283 reviews)
ISBN: 9781668019399

Ruth Ware

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. An off-site company retreat meant to promote mindfulness and collaboration goes utterly wrong when an avalanche hits, the corporate food chain becomes irrelevant and survival trumps togetherness.

One by One

Leonie

... and I lost count of the number of friends who called me up, saying if you need to talk, I'm only a phone call away. But I didn't want to talk. I didn't want to be that person. An object of pity. A victim. 

“The Agatha Christie of our generation.” —David Baldacci, #1 New York Times bestselling author “Diabolically clever.” —Riley Sager, author of Final Girls 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 startup, 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.

Pretty good, but honestly, I’ve read better. SPOILER ALERT: Also, it would’ve been bad ass, if Ava had faked her death and been the murderer I feel like it having been Liz was a given.

Lizeth Esmeralda

'Agatha Christie fans will love this ingenious thriller...the pace is fast and furious and the twists satisfying' Good Housekeeping Snow is falling in the exclusive alpine ski resort of Saint Antoine The shareholders and directors of Snoop, the hottest new music app, gather for a make or break corporate retreat to decide the future of the company. At stake is a billion-dollar dot com buyout that could make them all millionaires, or leave some of them out in the cold. The clock is ticking on the offer, and with the group irrevocably split, tensions are running high. When an avalanche cuts the chalet off from help, and one board member goes missing in the snow, the group is forced to ask - would someone resort to murder, to get what they want? **SELECTED BY TANA FRENCH AS AN OBSERVER BOOK OF 2020 AND BY LISA JEWELL AS A DAILY EXPRESS BOOK OF THE YEAR** PRAISE FOR ONE BY ONE: 'Perfect mash-up of Agatha Christie meets the staff of a tech start-up - in a secluded luxury mountain resort' Stylist 'Greed, ambition, manipulation, secrets, nifty plotting and a cracking denouement add up to a suspenseful and spine-tingling page-turner' Guardian 'A chilling, edge-of-your-seat thriller. Agatha Christie would have been up all night reading this one!' Shari Lapena, author of The Couple Next Door 'An engaging page-turner that will keep you guessing' Daily Express 'Books shouldn't really be gobbled down like cake but with Ware's there's no other way' Metro 'The queen of just-one-more-chapter has done it again' Clare Mackintosh, author of I Let You Go 'Impossible to put down and perfectly claustrophobic and gorgeously atmospheric' Gytha Lodge, author of She Lies in Wait 'So fast paced, action packed, twisty-turny, modern, clever, scary and ingenious!' Lisa Jewell, author of The People Upstairs 'A fab psychological thriller and I loved the snowy setting! Incredibly tense and kept me guessing to the end' Emily Koch, author of If I Die Before I Wake 'Blisteringly good' Observer 'Fiendishly delicious' Red 'Deliciously sly' Sunday Times 'The sense of dread deepens as the snow falls in Ruth Ware's tensely plotted...alpine thriller' Louise Candlish, bestselling author of Our House

The snowy new thriller from the queen of the modern-day murder mystery

emelia grace ilgner

It was fun! I didn’t expect the plot twist and I didn’t find the ending overly excessive. Just a good, fun, summer read. 

But also, Ruth, if you read this: consider adding even the tiniest bit of spice. Why does it matter if Inigo is smoking hot if there’s no spice? Maybe I’ve been inside too long — who knows!

Bria

** spoiler alert **
           I knew it was her. It was predictable.

Sonia Grgas

Suyash Goylit

Wonderful idea, poor execution

I was pretty excited for One by One since I read In A Dark, Dark Wood. Its description gave an impression of much better settings and at least comparable character dynamics, however, that was merely in theory. Maybe I had higher expectations or maybe the execution was flawed, but, Whatever the case, it was okay-ish and a rather tame story. It almost felt like the book was written by two authors. The first one, focused more on getting every detail in (irrespective of whether it may be of any interest to the reader), setting up the things at the beginning. The second author, more inclined towards making the novel interesting to the readers, created tension towards the middle part. However, that first author came back just as the tension was resolving, and although there were satisfying endings for all the characters, I didn't care much for it. The reason being the lack of investment in the story and the characters, to begin with. I probably would have preferred an unsatisfying conclusion for the characters I actually cared about.

(view spoiler)[Another thing that bugged me was the abrupt removal of characters towards the climax. The vulnerable protagonist being alone with the murderer definitely increased the tension, however, I believe a variety of characters, with all their quirks and qualms, trapped in a room with a disclosed murderer is the perfect way to go about it. Moreover, it felt like a complete waste of character development done throughout the novel. (hide spoiler)] 

In conclusion, One By One did have its moments, however, the style of writing wasn't impressive, and as a result, the story fell flat. 2.5 at best.

'The sense of dread deepens as the snow falls in Ruth Ware's tensely plotted and deliciously cast alpine thriller' Louise Candlish, bestselling author of Our House **The unmissable new thriller from the queen of the modern-day murder mystery.** Snow is falling in the exclusive alpine ski resort of Saint Antoine, as the shareholders and directors of Snoop, the hottest new music app, gather for a make or break corporate retreat to decide the future of the company. At stake is a billion-dollar dot com buyout that could make them all millionaires, or leave some of them out in the cold. The clock is ticking on the offer, and with the group irrevocably split, tensions are running high. When an avalanche cuts the chalet off from help, and one board member goes missing in the snow, the group is forced to ask - would someone resort to murder, to get what they want? PRAISE FOR ONE BY ONE: 'A chilling, edge-of-your-seat thriller. Agatha Christie would have been up all night reading this one!' Shari Lapena, author of The Couple Next Door 'The queen of just-one-more-chapter has done it again' Clare Mackintosh 'Impossible to put down and perfectly claustrophobic and gorgeously atmospheric' Gytha Lodge, author of She Lies in Wait 'So fast paced, action packed, twisty-turny, modern, clever, scary and ingenious!' Lisa Jewell, author of The People Upstairs 'A fab psychological thriller and I loved the snowy setting! Incredibly tense and kept me guessing to the end' Emily Koch, author of If I Die Before I Wake 'Chilling, claustrophobic and clever. This is Ruth Ware's best yet' Jo Jakeman, author of Safe House 'One By One has all the elements of a classic crime novel, brilliantly reinvented for the modern era with a dramatic setting, pin-sharp characterisation and up-to-the-minute plotting. It is fast-paced, astute and utterly compelling.' Jane Casey, author of The Cutting Place

Eh, this didn’t do much for me as a thriller. I just couldn’t relate to the characters or the setting and the whole tech-company drama got tiresome after a while. 

erin alise 

I felt like I was up in the mountains in the chalet. Well written 

Joanna Tweedale

Denaiir

I know a lot of people didn't like this one, too slow maybe? But I really enjoyed it, it was just a little bit too long at the end with the skiing part. Really enjoyed and the characters were sometimes despicable but it was enjoyable to read about them, not annoying. Overall I had a good time and the audio was great as usual.

Lara Engle

It was more fun this try. Still not amazing, but entertaining.

Ariel

** spoiler alert **
           2.5 Stars.

I liked the twist and the way the book ended, I mean i knew Liz didnt like them and wasnt of a sound mind but i wasnt expecting Liz to be the murderer and i feel that her explaination made sense. I have read so many murder mysteries where i struggled to understand how all the loose ends tied together.
However, i felt that there were too many character, it got me confused and once i get confused it really takes me out of the experience and creates a disconnect. I feel that if i had been able to understand the way the app worked and the character's background more, i might have liked this book more but it was definitely not serious enough of a disconnect for me to give it 2 stars

Sarah Pino

4.5.
Freaking.
Stars.

Beautifully written. Atmospheric. Good pace. Characters I felt for or cared about. Nail biting. Epitome of a book i could not put down.

I would've loved a snappier beginning. But it does get quicker after 1/4 of the way.

When the weather finally agreed, I could pick up Ruth Ware’s “One by One” with the landscape bundled up under a, at least, thin layer of snow. This book just needed the right setting, I was sure of that. I usually eat up anything Ruth Ware writes, because she treads the thin line of mysterious setting, thrilling plot and plot twists very well but this book did fall short for me an all three, unfortunately.

The setting was okay, I can’t say anything else, it was, however, not the extraordinarily spooky vibe she usually can pull the reader into within the first few pages. The characters were so incredibly annoying I did not even want to cheer for one of them – and also, their blandness was so predictable. What’s left? The pacing was off. This book had nothing at all in terms of pace up until the last quarter and then still 50 pages too much, during which I was wondering why we still were reading and not wrapping it up by now.

I used to be an avid thriller reader and I’m not anymore, this book being another notch in the “this is why” list, because at some point they just either are so damn predictable (I tabbed a page, not saying which, but it was before 100, because at that point I had a pretty detailed idea of what was about to go down, who might be at fault and which tools would be used) or they are outrageously manufactured into plot twists that don’t even make sense in the grand scheme. While One by One did not fall into the latter category, it for sure did for me in terms of the former: I was not surprised. I would even go as far as saying, except for about 50 pages, boredom was my constant companion, uttering a “oh, there it is” every once in a while, when another thread was woven exactly the way I expected.

Maybe thrillers are just not my kind of thing anymore or maybe this was simply not Ruth Ware’s best work. I’m not too sure, both are absolutely possible, especially seeing I’m not along with a mediocre rating on this.

When the weather finally agreed, I could pick up Ruth Ware’s “One by One” with the landscape bundled up under a, at least, thin layer of snow. This book just needed the right setting, I was sure of that. I usually eat up anything Ruth Ware writes, because she treads the thin line of mysterious setting, thrilling plot and plot twists very well but this book did fall short for me an all three, unfortunately.

The setting was okay, I can’t say anything else, it was, however, not the extraordinarily spooky vibe she usually can pull the reader into within the first few pages. The characters were so incredibly annoying I did not even want to cheer for one of them – and also, their blandness was so predictable. What’s left? The pacing was off. This book had nothing at all in terms of pace up until the last quarter and then still 50 pages too much, during which I was wondering why we still were reading and not wrapping it up by now.

I used to be an avid thriller reader and I’m not anymore, this book being another notch in the “this is why” list, because at some point they just either are so damn predictable (I tabbed a page, not saying which, but it was before 100, because at that point I had a pretty detailed idea of what was about to go down, who might be at fault and which tools would be used) or they are outrageously manufactured into plot twists that don’t even make sense in the grand scheme. While One by One did not fall into the latter category, it for sure did for me in terms of the former: I was not surprised. I would even go as far as saying, except for about 50 pages, boredom was my constant companion, uttering a “oh, there it is” every once in a while, when another thread was woven exactly the way I expected.

Maybe thrillers are just not my kind of thing anymore or maybe this was simply not Ruth Ware’s best work. I’m not too sure, both are absolutely possible, especially seeing I’m not along with a mediocre rating on this.

 

Rhiannon Jerrom

I really enjoyed this, I can totally understand how it’s not for everyone, as the plot is pretty predictable especially once you get to the sort of half way point. That being said I don’t care, I loved the story, I liked our main character Erin, I liked the way the story was told with the split perspectives, I liked the pacing. I just thought it was really very enjoyable and I’m glad I read it despite poor reviews. I devoured this book in one sitting and that is very unusual for me so if that helps demonstrate how much I loved this book!

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.

Kristen Claiborn

I wish I was able to give half stars, because this would be a 3.5, but alas. This was my second Ware novel, and after having been thoroughly unimpressed by the first, my expectations were low. I was pleasantly surprised, this book was pretty enjoyable. While entirely predictable, I had a hard time trying to figure out the reasoning, which made turning pages a necessity. This was a quick and satisfying mystery.

I didn’t mind this book. I did feel it was dry at times. I heard a lot of mixed reviews and I understand why. I believe this book is great for people who are just starting to get into thriller/mystery books. It wasn’t terrible, but wasn’t amazing either. 

Bookworm

Izza

3 stars | this was a decent thriller. the ending was a little disappointing though.

sophia n

i can't decide if this was 2 or 3 stars, but i enjoyed the ending a lot and once the pace picked up it was engaging and immersive. but it started so slow, and i had a REALLY hard time caring about any of the characters. two characters that are killed i was like, wait who? also i felt like the app stuff was kind of stupid, and the killer felt too obvious so i kept waiting for a twist to happen. that being said, the story is split between two narrators and i really started to enjoy them both after the halfway point, their perspectives were very interesting and once the pace and tension picked up i felt like i was actually there. loved the setting, but i think some things were just lacking in execution.

Cheri McElroy

Well, it’s Ruth Ware, my favorite. And it is a closed circle mystery, a favorite trope of mine. So, what’s not to like?

I will say this is more modern and has two narrators, which is new for Ware. But no one can create an atmosphere like Ruth Ware so this was a hit for me.

This was very meh. Predictable, weird gen z terminology was jotted throughout the dialogue and I just found the characters to be so boring…?

Don’t get me wrong, it was fast paced and it kept me nice and entertained, but I’m not that fussed about this book.

Ella Grace

Allison

I keep reading her books even though I haven’t LOVED any of them.

Holli Clark

Megan Vaughn

** spoiler alert **
           I saw the ending coming from the very beginning. I didn’t believe the scared, sheepish facade Liz put on for a single second and was certain that the other players in the book were putting pressure on her regarding her decision for the buyout. 

Good story, incredible setting, and I’m altogether a sucker for a male/female friendship that doesn’t escalate into an awkward romance.

Ipshita Kanungo

4.25⭐ 0.25 is just for the premise, i have a thing for people being stranded at a ski resort, being killed one by one (throwback to shiver by Allie Reynolds)
I really loved Ruth's writing style and am definitely checking out her other books. The book has a really good start & even after 5-6 chs in u can't rly makeout Liz's role in all this & how can all these end up in murder. It's moderately paced, giving u time to catch up while also not resting heavily on unnecessary details (yeah a lot of thrillers do that). The person who got killed first was totally not who i expected would be killed first so the book is good with surprises, if not some earth shattering plot twists. 
And the tension between those two - OMG. I was turning pages like a maniac during those 10-15 chapters, not knowing what to expect. All of it was so gripping. I did have a tiny wish tho - some bigger plot twist that can turn the whole thing upside down coz the murderer was whom i expected it to be from the very beginning so I hoped someone else would turn up so that we have two situations atleast. But it's okay that would've definitely complicated a lotta things. 
I like the idea it presented. Like they didn't try to excuse the murderer's action, but they also recognised how they were a victim, no matter what. It felt real, somehow. And glad it didn't end up in a Erin-Danny romance lol, i loved their friendship. 
My only problem was ofcourse the middle ground where the killer was revealed coz it wasn't as thrilling as i expected then. But still, the book's really good and you NEED to read this. 

Nicole Kerekes Boe

** spoiler alert **
           One by One is my 4th Ruth Ware read and unfortunately, not my favorite. I think the format of the book would be more enjoyable to read, rather than to listen to. However, I loved the imagery and constant perspective change throughout the novel. There were times that I felt so engrossed in the story that I found myself reacting out-loud despite being in a silent room by myself with my headphones in 😂

One by One tells the tale of what happens when a stuffy corporate mindfulness retreat full of secrets and manipulation takes place in a ski chalet, during an avalanche. Will the power go out? Yes. Will someone go missing? You betcha. Will intentions be exposed? Sure will. Will multiple people turn up dead? YUP.

⛷⛷⛷/5 skiers for this slippery (& sloppy) story

One by One

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