A review by nebulous07
One Down by Diana Wilkinson

dark informative mysterious sad 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

3.0

One Down by Diana Wilkinson is an intriguing and exciting read. It tackles murder through the lens of cryptic crossword puzzle clues. Nathan and Amanda's relationship has ended; Amanda thought he was out of her life for good, but Nathan appears to have other plans. He uses the crossword to send clues about her indiscretions, struggles and relationship milestones. Each chapter unveils how their relationship ran through multiple timelines, which sometimes got confusing. The crossword clues, the champion plot point, got repetitive, with identical hints used numerous times. I have to raise a trigger warning flag of alcoholism, addiction and rape. Furthermore, it is relatively easy to decipher who the culprit and potential suspects are. Still, Diana does an excellent job of connecting the dots and delivering a satisfactory ending. 

Thank you, NetGalley & Boldwood Books, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
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