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And Then There Was One
Six weeks after Lyla Smith dragged her sister’s dead body onto the Lake Erie shore, she escapes her small Ohio town to work as a nanny for distant relatives on their remote private island. Plagued by strange memories and drowning in the guilt she tried to leave behind, Lyla struggles to break up with her boyfriend and forget her feelings for her sister’s girlfriend. Especially now that she has met another girl on the island who seems to be flirting with her.
Lyla’s first family dinner is a tense affair, and mid-argument the matriarch, Crystal Payne, takes a sip from her wineglass and dies. Suddenly everyone is a suspect. From rival interests in Crystal’s corporation to family secrets that won’t stay hidden, there are too many people with a motive for murder, and Lyla’s trapped with an unknown killer.
The only way to save herself is to be free of the secrets that drag her down. But when the killer strikes again, it’s only a matter of time before Lyla drowns.
Lyla’s first family dinner is a tense affair, and mid-argument the matriarch, Crystal Payne, takes a sip from her wineglass and dies. Suddenly everyone is a suspect. From rival interests in Crystal’s corporation to family secrets that won’t stay hidden, there are too many people with a motive for murder, and Lyla’s trapped with an unknown killer.
The only way to save herself is to be free of the secrets that drag her down. But when the killer strikes again, it’s only a matter of time before Lyla drowns.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2024
2 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 13, 2024
DNF I couldn’t get into this at all. Didn’t like either main character
July 10, 2024
Intense Mystery with a Twist!
Following the death of her sister, Lyla is working on a remote island as a nanny, when she finds herself along with everyone else there, a suspect in the alleged murder of Crystal Payne. Trying to get over her own heartache, when a young woman on the island appears to have a romantic interest in her, Lyla ends caught up in all the family drama and secrets, and must save herself from the same fate as her sister.
This had me hooked from the very beginning. Something didn’t feel right, and no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t figure out what it might be. Lyla’s behaviour was odd to me, but then when the other characters all started being introduced, she suddenly seemed the most normal. Her suspicious nature after Crystal’s death was infectious and it made me the same way. I was trying to work out what was with all these people, who equally had motive to commit murder, and certainly more so than she seemed to have.
The whole story was blanket with a dark, creepy feel that suited the murky ideas of an island where they were effectively isolated and all sitting ducks, if there really was someone just murdering in cold blood. Obviously there had to be a reason for what was happening, but it was expertly kept woven into the intricacy of the story, so there was just no guessing. As things got more intense, the more hooked I became, and I just couldn’t put it down until I knew the truth.
A great story, and a perfect mystery. Can’t wait to read more from Michele, as this was the first story I’ve read, but I love the style and story so much! If you love a thrilling mystery, I can’t recommend this one enough!
Following the death of her sister, Lyla is working on a remote island as a nanny, when she finds herself along with everyone else there, a suspect in the alleged murder of Crystal Payne. Trying to get over her own heartache, when a young woman on the island appears to have a romantic interest in her, Lyla ends caught up in all the family drama and secrets, and must save herself from the same fate as her sister.
This had me hooked from the very beginning. Something didn’t feel right, and no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t figure out what it might be. Lyla’s behaviour was odd to me, but then when the other characters all started being introduced, she suddenly seemed the most normal. Her suspicious nature after Crystal’s death was infectious and it made me the same way. I was trying to work out what was with all these people, who equally had motive to commit murder, and certainly more so than she seemed to have.
The whole story was blanket with a dark, creepy feel that suited the murky ideas of an island where they were effectively isolated and all sitting ducks, if there really was someone just murdering in cold blood. Obviously there had to be a reason for what was happening, but it was expertly kept woven into the intricacy of the story, so there was just no guessing. As things got more intense, the more hooked I became, and I just couldn’t put it down until I knew the truth.
A great story, and a perfect mystery. Can’t wait to read more from Michele, as this was the first story I’ve read, but I love the style and story so much! If you love a thrilling mystery, I can’t recommend this one enough!
June 11, 2024
I did not see this coming. A brilliant whodunnit murder mystery with a little sapphic twist.
I received an advance copy from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lyla is broken. She watched her twin sister Dalia drown in the waves of Lake Erie, unable to prevent her death. To escape her new reality she accepts a nannying job at the island of her very rich great aunt and the rest of the family Payne. She will be babysitting little Rock while his mom, her cousin, Charlotte is away for college. Once on the island the past keeps haunting her. The households manager Ms. Eldonforth runs a tight ship, until at the first family dinner in the island, great aunt Chrystal Payne is murdered. Lyla and her cousins are lost at what to do. Who had it out for Mrs. Payne and will they come after them next? Atop of it all, Lyla has a few secrets of her own that are threatening to bubble up to the surface.
I’m not one to gravitate towards murder mysteries, but I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this one. Seen as I am no expert on the subject, I must go with my own feelings and boy, did this story enrapture me. The Payne’s are one messed up family with a lot of skeletons in their closet. One after another is revealed and the plot keeps thickening. As a reader I was kept in the dark for a deliciously long time.
The story is told from Lyla’s point of view and it’s a very intimate way to live in her head like that. You know something doesn’t add up, but it’s so well done you keep being thrown into the wrong direction.
I won’t reveal more about the story, where’s the fun in that, right? But take it from me, read this! Even if you’re not a murder mystery lover, like me, read it, it is so good!!
I received an advance copy from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lyla is broken. She watched her twin sister Dalia drown in the waves of Lake Erie, unable to prevent her death. To escape her new reality she accepts a nannying job at the island of her very rich great aunt and the rest of the family Payne. She will be babysitting little Rock while his mom, her cousin, Charlotte is away for college. Once on the island the past keeps haunting her. The households manager Ms. Eldonforth runs a tight ship, until at the first family dinner in the island, great aunt Chrystal Payne is murdered. Lyla and her cousins are lost at what to do. Who had it out for Mrs. Payne and will they come after them next? Atop of it all, Lyla has a few secrets of her own that are threatening to bubble up to the surface.
I’m not one to gravitate towards murder mysteries, but I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this one. Seen as I am no expert on the subject, I must go with my own feelings and boy, did this story enrapture me. The Payne’s are one messed up family with a lot of skeletons in their closet. One after another is revealed and the plot keeps thickening. As a reader I was kept in the dark for a deliciously long time.
The story is told from Lyla’s point of view and it’s a very intimate way to live in her head like that. You know something doesn’t add up, but it’s so well done you keep being thrown into the wrong direction.
I won’t reveal more about the story, where’s the fun in that, right? But take it from me, read this! Even if you’re not a murder mystery lover, like me, read it, it is so good!!
June 10, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
lylas twin sister had died... she had drowned even though layla had tried to save her
now she was about to spend some time with her extended family looking after rock whilst his mom charlotte went to uni to finish her course...
and layla was dreading it.... she was no good with rules and this was going to be full of them....
but on her first night at the family dinner the matriarch of the family died right in front of their eyes.... and it wasnt a normal death.... oh no she was poisoned....
and everyone was a suspect....
not a bad storyline kept me guessing right to the end whodunnit....
lylas twin sister had died... she had drowned even though layla had tried to save her
now she was about to spend some time with her extended family looking after rock whilst his mom charlotte went to uni to finish her course...
and layla was dreading it.... she was no good with rules and this was going to be full of them....
but on her first night at the family dinner the matriarch of the family died right in front of their eyes.... and it wasnt a normal death.... oh no she was poisoned....
and everyone was a suspect....
not a bad storyline kept me guessing right to the end whodunnit....
June 11, 2024
Lyla is still grieving her twin sister while blaming herself when she comes to Great Lake Island to be a nanny to her five year old cousin Rob hoping to help her heal. While there having family dinner which was becoming intense the head of family Crystal drop dead and everyone becomes a suspect as Lyla tries to uncover the secrets in her family she has to overcome her own before she becomes the next victim. Enjoyable read about loss, resilience and what shapes us into who we are.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
June 9, 2024
After Lyla’s twin sister died in a freak drowning accident in Lake Erie, she feels lost. So, in an attempt at finding some stability, she decides to take her sister’s old job as a nanny for some distant relatives on their private island near Sandusky, Ohio. But things go sideways quickly when the families domineering matriarch drops dead at the dinner table. With only a limited number of people on the island, everyone is a suspect. And Lyla can’t trust anyone she’s trapped there with, including herself….
I was really hooked from the beginning of this story because we’re really dropped in the middle of the action. Lyla is arriving at the island as the book opens, so to say that things develop quickly is an understatement. And they don’t slow down from there. We really just start meeting the characters and the action kicks in immediately. As I said, I was hooked.
And it didn’t take long for the main mystery to develop and suspects to emerge. But then, some aspects of the “twists”/ending became pretty apparent. It was fairly obvious. But there were still some surprises left in the ending that made it worth sticking around for. I didn’t guess everything, not by a long shot, and I’m glad I didn’t skim or anything thinking I had it all figured out!
This book has some Agatha Christie-type vibes, paired with some good thriller elements that make it well worth reading for fans of the genre.
I recommend it to anyone looking for a quick summer mystery.
I was really hooked from the beginning of this story because we’re really dropped in the middle of the action. Lyla is arriving at the island as the book opens, so to say that things develop quickly is an understatement. And they don’t slow down from there. We really just start meeting the characters and the action kicks in immediately. As I said, I was hooked.
And it didn’t take long for the main mystery to develop and suspects to emerge. But then, some aspects of the “twists”/ending became pretty apparent. It was fairly obvious. But there were still some surprises left in the ending that made it worth sticking around for. I didn’t guess everything, not by a long shot, and I’m glad I didn’t skim or anything thinking I had it all figured out!
This book has some Agatha Christie-type vibes, paired with some good thriller elements that make it well worth reading for fans of the genre.
I recommend it to anyone looking for a quick summer mystery.
May 27, 2024
A really good sapphic mystery thriller!
As I was reading this book I found myself forgetting the main protagonist wars a teenager. She seemed wise for her years.
The story was intriguing and kept me entertained throughout. I found the characters likable, especially Rob, the 5 year old cousin of Llyla Smith. Llyla is grieving from the death of her identical twin sister and takes a job being a nanny to Rob on the family estate on Great Lake Island. When her Great Aunt and matriarch of the family mysteriously dies during dinner, everyone is shocked. The investigation into her aunt’s death begins and Llya decides to stay on to care for Rob. No one knows that Llya is carrying a secret of her own.
Lots of mystery to keep the reader guessing and a couple of twists to surprise you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the arc. I leave this review voluntarily.
As I was reading this book I found myself forgetting the main protagonist wars a teenager. She seemed wise for her years.
The story was intriguing and kept me entertained throughout. I found the characters likable, especially Rob, the 5 year old cousin of Llyla Smith. Llyla is grieving from the death of her identical twin sister and takes a job being a nanny to Rob on the family estate on Great Lake Island. When her Great Aunt and matriarch of the family mysteriously dies during dinner, everyone is shocked. The investigation into her aunt’s death begins and Llya decides to stay on to care for Rob. No one knows that Llya is carrying a secret of her own.
Lots of mystery to keep the reader guessing and a couple of twists to surprise you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the arc. I leave this review voluntarily.
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August 9, 2024Really didn’t connect with this one. The first half especially was such a slog. Perhaps I missed some nuances with the wills, but (SPOILER) the grandmother was the one who built the company so why would the child of the long-dead grandfather be getting an inheritance? Also I think you’re usually legally prevented from inheriting from someone if you murder them and it seemed like there was zero attempt to frame someone else for the murder or even make it look like a natural death…but anyway. Also the twist about the protagonist’s real identity (Was it even intended as a twist? It was so obvious from the get-go) was so nonsensical and added nothing to the story. Very frustrating!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2024
I received an ARC through NetGalley from the publisher.
This book is tough to rate. I enjoyed most of it, then part of the ending kind of ruined it for me and dragged it down at least a full star. But let's go chronologically and talk about the things I enjoyed first.
And Then There Was One is both a murder mystery and an LGBT romantic mystery (not clear whether bisexual or lesbian). Lyla is the poor cousin of one of the richest families around, who is working as a nanny on their private little island when the family matriarch is murdered. I especially liked Lyla's perspective because she is part of the family and an outsider at the same time. And this family has enough secrets to fill an island.
I enjoyed the characters, who all felt like their own real people, and I especially liked the little ocean-obsessed great-grandson, Rock. I liked that the matriarch dying actually came with relief for the adult grandchildren, because they could finally figure out how to live their own lives without the toxic pressure.
And then there was that twist at the end. It was a secondary twist that didn't really affect the main plot, so I feel like it didn't add anything to the story except being the biggest cliché that happens in every book with this topic. So it kind of soured the book for me, especially because I actually found the main plot interesting, so this just felt unnecessary.
This book is tough to rate. I enjoyed most of it, then part of the ending kind of ruined it for me and dragged it down at least a full star. But let's go chronologically and talk about the things I enjoyed first.
And Then There Was One is both a murder mystery and an LGBT romantic mystery (not clear whether bisexual or lesbian). Lyla is the poor cousin of one of the richest families around, who is working as a nanny on their private little island when the family matriarch is murdered. I especially liked Lyla's perspective because she is part of the family and an outsider at the same time. And this family has enough secrets to fill an island.
I enjoyed the characters, who all felt like their own real people, and I especially liked the little ocean-obsessed great-grandson, Rock. I liked that the matriarch dying actually came with relief for the adult grandchildren, because they could finally figure out how to live their own lives without the toxic pressure.
And then there was that twist at the end. It was a secondary twist that didn't really affect the main plot, so I feel like it didn't add anything to the story except being the biggest cliché that happens in every book with this topic. So it kind of soured the book for me, especially because I actually found the main plot interesting, so this just felt unnecessary.
July 28, 2024
I had a bit of a mixed reaction to this one. The plotting was complex and had a lot of twists ~ including some big ones… the writing is good, the pacing is well handled, and there is a huge cast of characters. But I just didn’t identify with Lyla, and a couple of times I wanted to shake her.
Lyla is recovering from the drowning death of her sister and takes up a job as nanny to distant relatives on an island. Although she welcomes the chance to get away, she has mixed feelings about the people and especially a woman who flirts with her. It also seemed strange that the family were named after metals and minerals ~ though I think Rock got the best of that deal.
I’ll certainly look out for other novels by Ms Castleman as this one wasn’t bad. It just didn’t gel completely with me.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.
Lyla is recovering from the drowning death of her sister and takes up a job as nanny to distant relatives on an island. Although she welcomes the chance to get away, she has mixed feelings about the people and especially a woman who flirts with her. It also seemed strange that the family were named after metals and minerals ~ though I think Rock got the best of that deal.
I’ll certainly look out for other novels by Ms Castleman as this one wasn’t bad. It just didn’t gel completely with me.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.
June 4, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, author Michele Castleman and publisher Bold Strokes books for the ARC and opportunity to review this book.
While I found this book to be more so geared to the Young Adult fiction it was very well written. The characters were realistic and the storyline was intriguing and somewhat suspenseful.
While I figured out the twist early on, it was still a page turner to see how it would all play out.
The writing style was easy to read and will keep readers attention from the beginning to the end.
This was my first book from this author and I would recommend this book to those looking for a fast paced young adult read.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
While I found this book to be more so geared to the Young Adult fiction it was very well written. The characters were realistic and the storyline was intriguing and somewhat suspenseful.
While I figured out the twist early on, it was still a page turner to see how it would all play out.
The writing style was easy to read and will keep readers attention from the beginning to the end.
This was my first book from this author and I would recommend this book to those looking for a fast paced young adult read.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 24, 2024
Based on the book description, I was looking forward to this read. My focus was on Rock, Lyla and the mystery. Lyla was serving as a nanny for Rock while his mother finished college. Lyla is also a not much appreciated cousin. There is a murder and the whodunit begins. There are also several secrets and Lyla has a big one. I liked how the story started but then it floundered a bit and took awhile for me to engage again. I hung in there but the ending did not provide much closure. I had some what about this? What about that? And some head shakes.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
June 8, 2024
This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me. There were a lot of things I liked. It's fast-paced and atmospheric. The mystery was intriguing, though I did see the big twist coming.
The ending was where it lost me a bit. There was a lot of build up and there were a lot of things going on. It just didn't come together as much as I would've liked it to.
That said, I did enjoy the book all in all though. It's definitely a moody, twisty kind of read.
I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.
The ending was where it lost me a bit. There was a lot of build up and there were a lot of things going on. It just didn't come together as much as I would've liked it to.
That said, I did enjoy the book all in all though. It's definitely a moody, twisty kind of read.
I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.
June 8, 2024
Many secrets in this story. Layla is haunted by the death of her twin sister and becomes the nanny for her distant relative. The plot has many twists and turns as family secrets come to life. I recommend this book for thriller readers.
July 10, 2025
This story really takes off in the second half. Pay close attention. Lots of surprises are in store. If you have spent anytime in north central Ohio you will love the setting and local references.
June 24, 2024
Intriguing mystery. Llya Smith is 18 and comes to a remote Great Lake island to be a nanny to the five year old child of her cousin. She is still grieving the loss of her twin sister, for which she blames herself. The Payne side of the family is very wealthy with their grandmother (Llya’s great aunt) ruling the family and its business. There are only seven on the island for a family dinner when the matriarch mysteriously dies. Police are investigating everyone.
Lyla is the narrator and stumbles upon secrets from the past. The story has good twists and turns, the biggest I suspected fairly early. I was genuinely surprised that there isn’t more finger pointing about a possible killer by the family. I like mysteries and zipped through this one quickly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
Lyla is the narrator and stumbles upon secrets from the past. The story has good twists and turns, the biggest I suspected fairly early. I was genuinely surprised that there isn’t more finger pointing about a possible killer by the family. I like mysteries and zipped through this one quickly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
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