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jayneb22's review against another edition
3.0
I was shocked that Erin was the killer! The whole
Time i was thinking tiger or topher. This book was long and drawn out but did have me hooked.
Time i was thinking tiger or topher. This book was long and drawn out but did have me hooked.
kallmekirby's review against another edition
3.0
3.5! I liked it! Dwight Schrute’s theory about solving a mystery kinda ruined the main ~twist~ for me
lifepluspreston's review against another edition
4.0
One By One by Ruth Ware--Truly delightful, this book follows the executives of a hip tech startup as they attend a swanky ski chalet for a corporate retreat. Things devolve from there, but the story is told really well. I found this to be much more predictable than other Ware books, but that didn't keep me from thoroughly enjoying it, particularly as this book also had a side of societal commentary. Thumbs up.
vbanfo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bookph1le's review against another edition
2.0
This is the third book I've read by this author and I remain tepid on her works, which means it's time for me to pass up any future books by her. Mildly spoiler-y comments ahead.
It's not that I think her books are bad, I just find them bland. They're thoroughly fine to me, and entirely forgettable, which I think is due to their feeling very paint-by-numbers to me. That's always a problem, since the books I tend to enjoy most are those that present me with situations I wasn't expecting, or that take me to surprising places. This doesn't prevent me from enjoying books with predictable plot lines, it just means that those books have to offer me something else in the form of interesting takes on tropes or fascinating characters. I don't dislike Ware's characters, but I don't feel anything for them either.
With this book in particular, though, I thought the structure shot the book itself in the foot. It did not take me long to figure out whodunnit, so when that particular revelation arrived I wasn't at all surprised. The perpetrator's reasons for what they did were pretty meh in my opinion. I don't have to sympathize with the murderer, but it does make the story more interesting to me when I can see where the murderer is coming from. To me, the best stories are those where you question the way a villain chose to react instead of their reasons for reacting.
It's a shame I didn't like this book more because closed mysteries are usually my jam. But the thing about closed mysteries is they require either skillful plotting or engrossing characters--or both, whereas Ware's books feel to me like they follow a basic outline.
It's not that I think her books are bad, I just find them bland. They're thoroughly fine to me, and entirely forgettable, which I think is due to their feeling very paint-by-numbers to me. That's always a problem, since the books I tend to enjoy most are those that present me with situations I wasn't expecting, or that take me to surprising places. This doesn't prevent me from enjoying books with predictable plot lines, it just means that those books have to offer me something else in the form of interesting takes on tropes or fascinating characters. I don't dislike Ware's characters, but I don't feel anything for them either.
With this book in particular, though, I thought the structure shot the book itself in the foot. It did not take me long to figure out whodunnit, so when that particular revelation arrived I wasn't at all surprised. The perpetrator's reasons for what they did were pretty meh in my opinion. I don't have to sympathize with the murderer, but it does make the story more interesting to me when I can see where the murderer is coming from. To me, the best stories are those where you question the way a villain chose to react instead of their reasons for reacting.
It's a shame I didn't like this book more because closed mysteries are usually my jam. But the thing about closed mysteries is they require either skillful plotting or engrossing characters--or both, whereas Ware's books feel to me like they follow a basic outline.
smfrazer's review against another edition
4.0
Not spectacularly written or anything, but I couldn’t put it down.
pattyfeme's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
redvelvetpenguins's review against another edition
1.0
Normally I love the genre of "we're all stuck here and one by one we're all dying" it's a trope that I fall for every time. This one, just didn't hit for me. I felt a disconnect from it basically the whole time. By then end it was morphed into an even weird sub category I didn't care for. Still a fan of Ruth and will continue to read her
jahncie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25