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chevygirl's review
4.0
Very good book. It read really slow and the good stuff didn't really happen until half way through, but once it did, I couldn't put it down!
readingwithgee_'s review
4.0
Alice and her family have moved to the bargain house of her father's dreams but not everyone in the family is all that excited. Alice discovers a child's drawing on the wall behind some wallpaper which surprisingly resembles her own family, who then begin disappearing one by one and it's up to her to figure out what's going on before it is too late.
This book certainly was odd... I mean, it was definitely a new experience for me and a welcome one at that. It did take me a while to get used to the writing style and I did find it pretty slow burning but it worked and I never lost the urge to keep reading.
I really enjoyed the creepy, unnerving vibes that ratiatedd from this book. I found myself checking my surroundings on multiple occasions and if I'm honest, I was on edge! It's not often I read a book that actually manages to creep me out so, round of applause there. Mental health played a significant part of this book and i was constantly wondering who was actually sane and even if any of what was happening was even real.
Mind games everywhere in this book and the suspense had me hooked, I definitely reccomend picking this one up if you're looking for a bit of a chill this fall.
This book certainly was odd... I mean, it was definitely a new experience for me and a welcome one at that. It did take me a while to get used to the writing style and I did find it pretty slow burning but it worked and I never lost the urge to keep reading.
I really enjoyed the creepy, unnerving vibes that ratiatedd from this book. I found myself checking my surroundings on multiple occasions and if I'm honest, I was on edge! It's not often I read a book that actually manages to creep me out so, round of applause there. Mental health played a significant part of this book and i was constantly wondering who was actually sane and even if any of what was happening was even real.
Mind games everywhere in this book and the suspense had me hooked, I definitely reccomend picking this one up if you're looking for a bit of a chill this fall.
justaddwater's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Definitely a fun book. Amazing plot twists with dark and terrifying imagery. Unexpectedly grotesque.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Child death, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Animal death, Grief, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Incest, and Sexual violence
Be prepared for an action packed ending, despite a slower, introspective start.vondav's review
5.0
If you are like me and have watched a lot of horror films then you know that if your parents buy a run-down house that needs work, then try and persuade them not to move. Unfortunately, Alice didn’t know this.
It is not often I have read a book where the main protagonist is a 10-year-old girl and I enjoyed reading this story from her point of view. Alice was a smart girl, although with her mind wandering as she daydreams, people would underestimate her. The family relationship was believable, and the way Alice and Dean interacted was like any other brother and sister
From the 1st page I knew I was going to love this book. As soon as Alice and her family move in, strange things started to happen. The writing was descriptive and atmospheric which gave this story a creepy feel to it and with enough suspense to keep me turning the pages. The addition of diary helped explain past goings on in the house and had me wondering throughout the story who was behind the strange feelings Alice had in the house.
This story read at a steady pace until the Iast quarter when I found myself reading faster as I wanted to find out the answers to the mystery. This was a quick read as I could not put it down.
I am enjoying the books that Flame Tree Press are publishing and will look out for more from DW Gillespie
It is not often I have read a book where the main protagonist is a 10-year-old girl and I enjoyed reading this story from her point of view. Alice was a smart girl, although with her mind wandering as she daydreams, people would underestimate her. The family relationship was believable, and the way Alice and Dean interacted was like any other brother and sister
From the 1st page I knew I was going to love this book. As soon as Alice and her family move in, strange things started to happen. The writing was descriptive and atmospheric which gave this story a creepy feel to it and with enough suspense to keep me turning the pages. The addition of diary helped explain past goings on in the house and had me wondering throughout the story who was behind the strange feelings Alice had in the house.
This story read at a steady pace until the Iast quarter when I found myself reading faster as I wanted to find out the answers to the mystery. This was a quick read as I could not put it down.
I am enjoying the books that Flame Tree Press are publishing and will look out for more from DW Gillespie
ohthesheenanigans's review
4.0
Well shit. That was creepy as fuck and that only amplified after having a Ghost Adventures marathon the night before. Go big or go home I say. Nevertheless, I was highly impressed by the authors writing style and how he was able to showcase Alice, the ten year old lead, POV and her journey in finding out what was happening in her family's new home. I will note that despite the fact that this story is supposed to be in a 10 year old POV, the lead character had an almost grown-up persona and it didn’t make me feel like I was reading the story from the child’s perspective. Besides that flaw and lackluster epilogue in which case I didn’t think concluded the story in the way I envision, I wasn’t able to put this down. It was a non-stop suspense thriller creepfest surrounding a family who decided to move into a fix-upper while unbeknownst to them, something or someone lingers in the dark ready to strike. Needless to say, this would be perfect for readers looking for a little scare this upcoming holiday and would recommended that everyone keeps this author on their must watch list.
bowdiesgirl's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Fantastic! Definitely not what I expected. Definitely gripping and puts you on the edge of your seat. Did not end how I expected it to.
readbydusk's review
4.0
This book begins like a typical haunted house story where a family moves to an old, dilapidated house. The move is due to the father’s plan to shake up their lives so the rest of the family is pretty unhappy. Of course things start going haywire!
The book is from the POV of the daughter, 10-year-old Alice. She’s smart but prone to daydreams so when weird stuff happen her family dismisses her concerns. I liked that while Alice is shown to be naive in some ways due to her age, she catches on pretty quickly. I could feel her frustration at her family's disregard for her worries. I thought the portrayal of the parents' marriage feels real and raw, even uncomfortable. It really added to the tension in the house. The way the family dynamic is depicted makes it clear that they love each other but there's an underlying stress. It asks the question of whether they can survive the move - and whatever else is thrown at them.
The story takes some time to get going but once it does, it‘s intense! It goes to places I didn’t expect and brings up the horrors of family secrets and lasting trauma. There is a pretty gruesome animal death so take note if this bothers you. Overall, this is a solid horror story, a nice twist on the haunted house trope.
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
The book is from the POV of the daughter, 10-year-old Alice. She’s smart but prone to daydreams so when weird stuff happen her family dismisses her concerns. I liked that while Alice is shown to be naive in some ways due to her age, she catches on pretty quickly. I could feel her frustration at her family's disregard for her worries. I thought the portrayal of the parents' marriage feels real and raw, even uncomfortable. It really added to the tension in the house. The way the family dynamic is depicted makes it clear that they love each other but there's an underlying stress. It asks the question of whether they can survive the move - and whatever else is thrown at them.
The story takes some time to get going but once it does, it‘s intense! It goes to places I didn’t expect and brings up the horrors of family secrets and lasting trauma. There is a pretty gruesome animal death so take note if this bothers you. Overall, this is a solid horror story, a nice twist on the haunted house trope.
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
panicatthebookstore's review
5.0
What a great book! I enjoyed this one from start to finish. I always love movies and books about spooky old houses, and this one did not disappoint.
It was a slow burn, but from very early on you just know it is going to be good. It made me feel tense and on edge, and kept me guessing til the end.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this.
It was a slow burn, but from very early on you just know it is going to be good. It made me feel tense and on edge, and kept me guessing til the end.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this.
wellwortharead's review
5.0
Frank Easton is thrilled to leave his ordinary house and move his family into a huge fixer upper that he got on the cheap. He seems to be the only one who is excited. His wife Debra is used to his butterfly chasing as she calls it. Frank is always ready to follow one whim after another but this latest dream is putting more than the usual strain on their marriage. Their son Dean would rather be in their old neighborhood, and daughter Alice tries to see it as an adventure but it isn't long before she realizes something is not right in their creepy new home. This was a highly atmospheric novel with a perfect setting. There was not only the sinister feeling house to contend with but also the woods and a snowstorm added heft and weight to the suspense.
I received an advance copy for review.
I received an advance copy for review.
rodsreads's review
4.0
I want to thank D.W. Gillespie, Flame Tree Press, and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Let me start by saying that this was my first time reading D.W. Gillespie.
You know the thrill that comes with reading an author that is new to you:
Will I like the writing style?
Will I DNF it?
Will the author become a new favorite?
Well, I can certainly tell you that I loved Gillespie's writing. And I'm looking forward to reading more of his works.
Now let's get down to business.
Here's the Synopsys:
"The Easton family has just moved into their new fixer-upper, a beautiful old house that they bought at a steal, and Alice, the youngest of the family, is excited to explore the strange, new place. Her excitement turns to growing dread as she discovers a picture hidden under the old wallpaper, a child’s drawing of a family just like hers.
Soon after, members of the family begin to disappear, each victim marked on the child’s drawing with a dark black X. It’s up to her to unlock the grim mystery of the house before she becomes the next victim."
"One by One" is the kind of book that is hard to review without spoiling the fun. For that reason, I won't go into much of the details.
A family moves to an old house and strange things start happening?
Yes, please!
The minute I saw it on NetGalley, I knew I needed to read it.
The story had me hooked from the get-go. And the fact that it reads like a movie helped to keep me furiously turning pages.
We follow Frank, Debra, Dean, and Alice. As they "try" to settle in their new home. But unfortunately—for them, not us—things start to go south after Alice discovers an old painting behind the wallpaper in her room.
The book starts off as your typical haunted house story. The descriptions of the house are very well done. I could feel the atmosphere growing tense as the story progressed.
But not everything is at it seems.
Alice finds herself more and more invested in the mystery that surrounds her family, and the old house.
What happened to the previous owners? Is there a dark past attached to the house?
And this is where I'll stop.
The only thing that prevented a 5-star rating was the lack of character development. We get just enough to make it work. Don't get me wrong, it does work!
Although I was able to maintain a connection with our protagonist, I can't say the same about other characters.
Overall, I feel like "One by One" was a nice read!
Let me start by saying that this was my first time reading D.W. Gillespie.
You know the thrill that comes with reading an author that is new to you:
Will I like the writing style?
Will I DNF it?
Will the author become a new favorite?
Well, I can certainly tell you that I loved Gillespie's writing. And I'm looking forward to reading more of his works.
Now let's get down to business.
Here's the Synopsys:
"The Easton family has just moved into their new fixer-upper, a beautiful old house that they bought at a steal, and Alice, the youngest of the family, is excited to explore the strange, new place. Her excitement turns to growing dread as she discovers a picture hidden under the old wallpaper, a child’s drawing of a family just like hers.
Soon after, members of the family begin to disappear, each victim marked on the child’s drawing with a dark black X. It’s up to her to unlock the grim mystery of the house before she becomes the next victim."
"One by One" is the kind of book that is hard to review without spoiling the fun. For that reason, I won't go into much of the details.
A family moves to an old house and strange things start happening?
Yes, please!
The minute I saw it on NetGalley, I knew I needed to read it.
The story had me hooked from the get-go. And the fact that it reads like a movie helped to keep me furiously turning pages.
We follow Frank, Debra, Dean, and Alice. As they "try" to settle in their new home. But unfortunately—for them, not us—things start to go south after Alice discovers an old painting behind the wallpaper in her room.
The book starts off as your typical haunted house story. The descriptions of the house are very well done. I could feel the atmosphere growing tense as the story progressed.
But not everything is at it seems.
Alice finds herself more and more invested in the mystery that surrounds her family, and the old house.
What happened to the previous owners? Is there a dark past attached to the house?
And this is where I'll stop.
The only thing that prevented a 5-star rating was the lack of character development. We get just enough to make it work. Don't get me wrong, it does work!
Although I was able to maintain a connection with our protagonist, I can't say the same about other characters.
Overall, I feel like "One by One" was a nice read!