Review: One by Jane Blythe

Published: Bear Spots Publications, January 2016

Pages: 288

Synopsis: "Annabelle Englewood slaughters her family while they sleep. Or so it seems to Detective Xavier Montague when he and his partner arrive at her house to find her sleeping peacefully, her family all dead. But then another family and another are murdered, again with one family member left alive, and it becomes clear that Annabelle is simply a pawn in a vicious killer's game. Intrigued by Annabelle, the first woman Xavier has been attracted to since his divorce, when he comes face to face with the killer he will be forced to make the ultimate choice, a life and death decision, that could let a psychotic murderer walk free."

Rating: *****

I received a free copy of One in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book in the “Counting to Ten” series so the title will probably make more sense nearer the end of the series when all the novels can be viewed as a whole.

The idea of having a family killed but one family member left to live is a good idea, which I am sure has been done many times before and will be written many times again but can go so many different ways depending on the characters the author decides to introduce.

Easy to read, plot flowed well and kept my attention as a reader. Structured and written very well with interesting, accurate descriptions.

Themes explored include family, neighbours - you never know what goes on behind the closed doors of people you live near, and conflicts between duty and feelings.

I thought the investigation around Annabelle’s could have gone on for a bit longer and really explored her feelings around being accused, but plot wise she didn’t remember anything so this may have been a pointless addition.

Well written with complex characters who were believable in both their actions, dialogue and motives. I found Xavier’s character particularly interesting especially his interactions with Annabelle and Kate. I was interested by his conflicts between his duty and his feelings and feel this is generally a really good element to have in a novel as it gives the characters real depth and makes them relatable. It also makes the reader put themselves into the place of the character and think about how they would react in such a situation.

The ending and the revelation around who the culprit was, was equally as well written. I enjoyed having sections written from the culprit's point of view without knowing who they are. Rather than just reading from their point of view after they have been unmasked.

A very definite 5 stars, up there with the top books of 2016. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and am first in line for books Two through to Ten!