One By One

Professor Maxie Reddick Files #1

by Helen Bridgett

Professor Maxie Reddick has her reasons for being sceptical of traditional policing methods, but, in between her criminology lecturing job and her Criminal Thoughts podcast, she stays firmly on the sidelines of the crime solving world. Then a young woman is brutally attacked, and suddenly it’s essential that Maxie turns her words into actions; this is no longer an academic exercise - this is somebody’'s life. But as she delves deeper, the case takes a sickening turn, which leads Maxie to the horrifying realisation that the attack might not have been a one-off. It seems there’'s a depraved individual out there seeking revenge, and they'’ll stop at nothing to get it . . . little by little . . . one by one.

Genres: Crime, Murder Mystery

Audio CD

Published February 1, 2023

About the author

Helen has always loved books and always loved writing. One year she decided her New Year’s resolution would be “Write a novel to give as a Christmas present”. She spent the year writing and The Mercury Travel Club was born.

Helen hails from the North East When not writing, Helen can usually be found walking or drinking wine – not usually at the same time.

Like many people, Helen believes that the music you grow up with as a teenager stays with you for the whole of your life. Being a child of 80’s rock, when she hears the opening riff to Sweet Child of Mine, she cannot be held responsible for her actions!

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor Maxie Reddick, her husband Philip and their eighteen-year-old son Karl lived in the same house, but generally went their own way during the day. Since Philip had been made redundant, his downward spiral had intensified. Karl was almost at the exam stage at school, studying and completing assignments, while Maxie was at the University lecturing on criminology plus running her podcast on crime, weekly. But when Maxie was contacted about a brutal and vicious attack of a young woman, Maxie’s life – and that of the young woman's – changed irrevocably.

As Maxie looked into the attack, she unearthed frightening similarities – and as she didn’t believe in coincidences, her contact at the police station felt Maxie’s presence constantly. Maxie became obsessed to the detriment of her family – she couldn’t let the young woman down. What would be the outcome for Maxie as she came closer to a person who was determined to take them out – one by one?

One by One by Helen Bridgett is an intense psychological thriller which kept me breathless well into the night. Maxie annoyed me a little with her obsessiveness, but Philip was worse! Karl was the most sensible of the lot! It says a lot when the author can get the reader to have responses like I did! Highly recommended.

With thanks to ChocLit Publishers for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that hits the ground running and then doesn't let up with the tension and twists! And I loved it! It's one of those books that instantly grabs you and doesn't let go!! And in Professor Maxie, the author has created a character who you want on your side as she's tenacious in her pursuit of the perpetrator, no matter what it costs her personally.

When a young woman is raped, Maxie is brought in by her friend who wants Georgina to report the attack to the police. She's obviously very traumatised by the attack and struggles to open up. Maxie has a way with words to try and tease little snippets of information out of her and sets out to retrace her steps on the night of the wedding party when the attack took place.

Her role as a professor of criminology means she pays attention to the smallest of details and that proves her strength in her quest to find out just who would commit such an act. And when the case takes an even darker turn, she is drawn in even more and might even be putting her own family at risk.

And we also get to see things from the viewpoint of the criminal himself which gave an incredible insight into his frame of mind and his attempts to justify his actions. Putting the blame on the victim and doing all he can to stay out of sight.

There is a great flow to this book. The action never lets up and alongside the investigation into the attack, we also see that things aren't great for Maxie in her own personal life and haven't been for some time. You often wonder if she's spending so much time on the case in order to avoid things at home.

This was an intense and thrilling story and I can't wait to read more from the author!

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few months ago, I had the pleasure to read a feel good story by this author. Now I was allowed to immerse myself in a mystery book by her. Needless to say I was looking forward to that.
The main character is a professor at the university. You could say aha an amateur sleuth. Well, no not quite because she teaches criminology but you are right on the other hand because she is not a member of a police force. Kudos to the author for making it original.
Maxie is determined to solve the case. She holds on like a terrier, but when you invest a lot of time in one thing, it often results in neglecting others.
She is pig-headed too. This not necessarily has to be a bad thing, but sometimes it for the best when you listen to what other say or advise you to do. Your life might depend on it and that is maybe a bridge to far.
Maxie does have to keep a lot of balls in the air for sure. Will she succeed or will some of them come crushing to the ground?
If your interest is piqued now, you know what to do… 😉
I enjoyed it. I hope you will too. 4 stars

Thank you, Helen Bridgett and Choc Lit

[Anthony Fratto · Rating 5 out of 5]

another mixed review from me:

This Books is very well written. A true Mystery. It will keep you guessing until the very last chapter with a true surprise ending.

The main character in this book, Maxie, is a very strong, independent Woman, who has her PHD in Criminology. She is a collage Prof and is everything I admire in a woman.

She is also left of center, hates religion and people who believe in God. Everything I hate in people in general ! I will note that I found it very funny that at one point she has to enter a church to help solve a crime and she wonders "if he even knows that I dont believe" which if you think about it , means she does believe ... how can he know anything if he is not real after all ? Just my own thoughts on the minds of such people is all ...

The main crime in this book that Maxie has to try to solve is Rape. Something that I Detest, and something I am uncomfortable thinking about. Would be awesome if not thinking of things made them not real, but real life does not work that way. Maxie's desire to find this slime bucket and have him face justice for what he has done is something I admire in her. Reading about rape is not a favorite pass time of mine, so that may have also added to my conflicted views of this book.

Hating the main Char in a book does not make it poorly written. It is in fact written very well and was very interestng. I simply did not enjoy the book at all. So why the four star review? The Author did an amazing job on this book, she thought out every tiny bit of it very well and the book is extremely well written. I would and do recommend the book to everyone and anyone with the warning that the main Char is left of center, hates people of faith and appears to not be very fond of men in general. More than that , Her personal family values have a lot to be desired. She makes the minimum effort in her Marriage and then wants to cry over it ending. She gives her Husband, who is going through some tough times, the very Minimum support, even behaving as if his getting older is a fault. Sets him up to fail because of the lack of support. Makes a HUGE mistake, feels forced to make another mistake to correct the first one and is out there foundering in the water all alone because his life partner has left him all on his own to deal with his situation, and then she wants to take the holier than thou attitude with him. Perhaps things would have gone very differently had she been at his side instead of leaving him to flounder on his own. Reading about people like this makes me appreciate the Wife that I have. God blessed me with a partner that supports me in all I do and is by my side no matter what and I remain firmly planted at her side. How a true marriage should be. Each supporting the other.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

One by One drew me in and slowly, steadily kept me in this world for one reading session. I could say I couldn’t put it down, and that would be true, but also it kept me wanting to know more so that any time I ‘could’ have gone to sleep became ‘just one more chapter’ until it was done.

Part of my enjoyment was the delivery of the points of view we experience, and the steady, growing obsession that Maxie will develop to find this monster and see them brought to justice. It takes over her world, and that intensity becomes the reader’s as well.

I will give a possible trigger warning for the sexual assault.

I think what stood out for me in One by One was the sense of normal slowly descending into chaos. Maxie, her husband, her son – they all had their normal lives that slowly unraveled for various reasons. Although her son did seem to remain the most in control throughout this story. I felt bad for her husband’s situation (for a while until he went off the rails a bit), but it was Maxie’s deep dive into finding an attacker who isn’t finished with their sickening crime spree that kept me flipping pages long after I should have been asleep.

As with any Mystery story I’m not giving out details for those should come naturally to you as you discover the clues (or the twists and turns) along the way. I can say that although I’ve enjoyed this author’s other lighter works, I really hope that she continues in this genre for she tells a fascinating, chilling story. If you love an excellent Mystery novel then One by One is perfect for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, ChocLit/Ruby Fiction. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

One By One, by Helen Bridgett, combines a heart-racing crime story with social commentary and fascinating insights into crime and the criminal mind.

I enjoyed watching criminology professor Maxie figure out who the perpetrator was by painstakingly researching the victims’ backgrounds and getting creative with the limited methods available to her as a civilian. The question of exactly what he was planning for his second victim, and whether Maxie would become a victim herself, also kept me turning the pages and feeling tense. Her home life kept me on the edge of my seat as well, as I grew increasingly nervous about what her husband Philip had gotten himself into!

I also loved watching Maxie in action in the classroom and on her podcast, as well as discussing research with her colleagues. I just found it all so interesting and felt like I learned some new things about criminology and psychology. The facts usually come out in conversations and soundbites, so I never felt like I was being lectured to or info-dumped on. The depiction of the differences between academic work and practical policing, and how these can hinder collaboration between two groups working towards the same ultimate goals, was very realistic.

I really liked Maxie as a character because she’s smart, driven and sympathetic. She reminded me of two other fictional middle-aged crime-solving academics I love - Elly Griffiths’ Dr Ruth Galloway and Robert Bryndza’s Kate Marshall. I thought her interactions with her 18-year-old son, Karl, were very sweet. It also helped that I agreed with her views on crime - I cheered when she gave a right-wing commentator what for on her podcast!

Maxie treats all the victims and their families and friends kindly and gently, but I was particularly moved by the understanding she showed for the initial rape victim, Georgina, who is reluctant to report and blames herself for what happened to some extent. As Maxie explains, these are common responses to being sexually assaulted. While desperate to catch the perpetrator and aware that he has a twisted mind, Maxie mostly manages to keep a cool head is curious to know his story.

One By One is gripping, tense and insightful.

[Zelda FeatzReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visit the blog: https://featzreviews.com
A story about revenge, One by One is told from Professor Maxie Reddick’s perspective. A strong, successful woman determined to see justice served. She has been let down by the police before and she is determined to see the guilty party punished, one way or the other.
This was my first encounter with Helen Bridgett, and I found myself truly entertained the entire time I spent reading this book. Her writing is clear and descriptive making it easy to relate to her characters, and quickly get drawn into the world she has created. Her protagonist being a professor had me a little concerned about being caught up in a world of academia – but the author created a beautiful balance not allowing the academic influence to overpower the story.
When an acquaintance calls asking Maxie to help a friend who was raped her world is soon consumed by her determination for justice. Balancing work on her podcast, her commitments to her students, her devotion to her son and concerning developments with her husband. Can Maxie hunt down the man responsible for Georgina’s suffering and bring him to justice? Without destroying the relationship, she is working so hard to establish with local law enforcement? Will she succeed? Or should she take her husband’s advice and back off?
One by One starts with the rape of Georgine and very quickly draws you into a world where this young woman’s suffering is the driving force behind Maxie’s determination for justice. As the story progresses and more details are revealed you find yourself rooting for Maxie and share her need for justice. I loved how this story consumed me and left me sharing the characters' emotions. In the end, you even have a little sympathy for the guy responsible.
The characters were brilliant. Maxie is strong and successful making it easy to like her. Georgina was vulnerable making her pain feel very real while you are reading. Phillip, Maxie’s husband was an arse! I quickly disliked him and could not understand why Maxie allowed him to wallow in self-pity for so long.
My favourite was Karl – the son every mother dreams of. This character reminded me of how badly I once wanted a son. (It never happened – I ended up with two amazing daughters instead.)
Yep, you guessed it, this title has comfortably made it onto my 2021 Loved list. This book will appeal to crime fiction and thriller enthusiasts, but lovers of women’s fiction will find it enjoyable as well.
Go ahead, get yourself a copy. This entertaining tale will keep you guessing and is guaranteed to leave you eager to read more books written by this author.

[Richard Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read buy a new author and new character to me.

It follows Professor Maxie Reddick who whilst working at the local university and being sceptical of the local police, also wants to use her skills to help them in the long term.

The author has chosen in this book to not have Maxie on the police books so in essence she basically works on her own to try and help solve the crime rather than just being someone the police go to for advice. This novel way of writing the story I feel works well and allows the author to take Maxie in areas that she would not ordinarily be able too if she was part of the police force. So not only is Maxie looking into a horrific crime she is also trying to keep her marriage together and support her son at the same time. The author is clearly trying to make her main character an interesting, strong and independent woman and I think she manages that.

All in all, I found it a strong start and I am glad to see that there is more Maxie Reddick to come and I for one will be reading it.

[Isabelle D · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the predominantly fun, summery novel (Summer at Serenity Bay) that was my introduction to this author, I hadn't expected her second Ruby book to be a thriller, but clearly she's good in both genres and I'll be happy to read either kind from her next.
I really liked Maxie, the heroine of this story that - good news! - is the first in a series. It was very interesting to see her apply her expertise as a criminology professor to help the police find the perpetrator of what looked like very different crimes. And yes, it kept me guessing until very close to the end, although I don't even think I would have enjoyed it less if it hadn't. So I would recommend it to anyone who likes crime/thriller novels, with only a little word of caution as some readers might not feel able to cope with a rape scene (shown in the victim's point of view in the opening chapter).

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sukaina Majeed · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a detailed investigative thriller! The narrative keeps you engaged throughout as Maxie keeps you company as a sister,a mother,a wife and a professor who makes you fall in love with the feisty person she is.

The book explores the investigation and the human conversational narrative gives it a relatable point where you feel that this can happen to any one of us.

The author explores the idea of revenge and also writes around themes of family, friendships and college life

As you move ahead in the story with Maxie every twist and turn makes your heart go beating faster.

The book makes you a part of its own and then controls the ways it wants to take you

I did not want the book to end and I am a big fan of Professor Maxie Reddenick and I look forward to reading her second case and the way Professor researches more and solves crimes.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story. I was totally immersed in the process of criminal techniques that were brought out in the book. I learnt a lot which was a big change from so many crime novels which seem so predictable currently. The whole story was well crafted and thought out. From the horrific incident at the start to the final unveiling of the villain I was held. The threads of the various relationships were well woven, and integral to the crimes committed. I am looking forward to, hopefully, a follow up book.

[Isobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book by Helen Bridgett that I read was enjoyable and very relaxing as it featured a calming wellness retreat. One by One is certainly not calming and all the characters would benefit from a retreat I think, but it is a very enjoyable book. Fractured lives feature throughout as events unfold at a lightening pace. It is absorbing and intriguing as the main character Maxine copes with personal disaster and professional challenges whilst pursuing justice for the victim of a horrible crime. I'm certainly looking forward to the next instalment of her story.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller! It was interesting and different to see the story develop from Professor Maxie’s POV. A criminology lecturer who takes this investigation in to her own hands. It’s extremely fast paced, towards the end of the book I was completely attached to my kindle eager to find out the ending. Lots of twists and turns throughout, I really had no idea where it was going to go. I will mention at the beginning there is a scene of sexual assault. I was completely lost in the book whenever I was reading it, and the author has a clever way of playing with your thoughts, making you suspicious of certain characters throughout. A great crime novel!

[Angela Britnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good mystery/thriller and this book grabbed my interest from the start. I hope we see criminology professor Maxie again as she puts into practice the theories she's studied to try to help a young woman who's been raped. The police are ambivalent about her involvement and her family are even less keen but she's determined to succeed even when the twists and turns of the story become more deadly.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this book – I loved it!! The mystery and suspense were amazing! I love reading books with strong female protagonists and Maxie did not disappoint. If you are looking for a great mystery that will have you guessing to the end, look no further!

[Rachel R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over a weekend as I could NOT put it down!
As with the author’s note in the back, yes I was guessing until the very end!! Incredible!!
Within minutes of putting it down I am searching to buy another of the Professor Maxie Riddick Files!
I so hope that the author sees this review!! ❤️❤️❤️

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this from my book club's trolley. It's the first in a series featuring Professor Maxie Reddick. I found the initial storyline a little bit upsetting, though the description of the crime wasn't graphic. Once I moved past that, I got quite into the book, as Maxie was a great character. I enjoyed reading about her.

[Anni Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, a great read. I loved every minute of it. Helen Bridgett knows how to tell a fast-paced story with many twists and turns along the way. I couldn’t put it down. Great plot, great characters, tightly written. Brilliant. I can’t wait to read more in this genre from Helen.

[Shirley Wain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start, the book is about a family Maisie Phillip and Karl who gave issues going on.
Maisie is a professor of criminologist and tries finding out why a young woman and a young man came to their deaths and how she tries to find out who the killer is. I really liked this book.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept me guessing a lot the chapters where we saw the criminal and what he was planning next really helped keep the reader in the loop with the progress of the investigation. It was such a creative way of writing it. I wasn’t too keen on the ending though.

[Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first-class book from an author who I previously knew for her light hearted novels. Very well written, an addictive mystery full of false clues.

Maxie Reddick, a criminology professor at the local university, is contacted by a friend with news of a young woman who's a victim of a vicious sexual attacker. Maxie is doubtful that the police will discover the offender and using her academic knowledge, she determinedly commences her own investigation, immediately attracting the attention of the criminal.

Alternating chapters between Maxie's progress in her search to reveal the criminal's identity and the attacker who prays on young women.

One by One is not a light and fluffy read, instead it's a spine chilling thriller full of twists and turns.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really struggled to get into this book, and I think something must be wrong with me after reading all the great reviews.

[Loraine Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good plot just a little slow burning for me.

[Polly · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 50%