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A review by bethreadsandnaps
One in Four by Lucinda Berry
3.0
3 ⭐️
ONE IN FOUR by Lucinda Berry
Lucinda Berry has made waves in the Kindle thriller world in the last few years, but I hadn’t yet read anything by her. When I saw she had a new novel coming out, I thought I’d give her a try.
In this novel, therapist Laurel works on a reality show Comeback Kids with washed-up child stars who are now drug addicts (think Big Brother crossed with Intervention). One of the show stars Maddie passes away one evening, after coming out of the bathroom bleeding. When the detectives show Laurel evidence that implicates her as being involved, the story turns. While most of the story is in the present day, there are occasional flashbacks to an unnamed woman’s past experiences.
➕ The premise and setting of the murder sounded really interesting
➕ Quick, propulsive read
➖ The novel pivots a little over halfway through and abandons the initial murder of Maddie. I felt like it WAS resolved, but at the same time I didn’t want to pivot in such a way.
➖ There are a lot of triggers and more close-up horror than I expected with a lot of weak characterizations.
I know the author has a background in psychology and trauma, but I’m not sure this book approached those topics with much care because a lot seemed gratuitous. Due to the vivid descriptions of some scenes, I think this one will stick with me. I’m not sure I’d recommend it though.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
It publishes May 13, 2025.
ONE IN FOUR by Lucinda Berry
Lucinda Berry has made waves in the Kindle thriller world in the last few years, but I hadn’t yet read anything by her. When I saw she had a new novel coming out, I thought I’d give her a try.
In this novel, therapist Laurel works on a reality show Comeback Kids with washed-up child stars who are now drug addicts (think Big Brother crossed with Intervention). One of the show stars Maddie passes away one evening, after coming out of the bathroom bleeding. When the detectives show Laurel evidence that implicates her as being involved, the story turns. While most of the story is in the present day, there are occasional flashbacks to an unnamed woman’s past experiences.
➕ The premise and setting of the murder sounded really interesting
➕ Quick, propulsive read
➖ The novel pivots a little over halfway through and abandons the initial murder of Maddie. I felt like it WAS resolved, but at the same time I didn’t want to pivot in such a way.
➖ There are a lot of triggers and more close-up horror than I expected with a lot of weak characterizations.
I know the author has a background in psychology and trauma, but I’m not sure this book approached those topics with much care because a lot seemed gratuitous. Due to the vivid descriptions of some scenes, I think this one will stick with me. I’m not sure I’d recommend it though.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
It publishes May 13, 2025.