What do you think?
Rate this book
There Should Have Been Eight
In this chilling thriller from New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh, a remote estate in New Zealand’s Southern Alps hosts a reunion no one will ever forget.
Seven friends.
One last weekend.
A mansion half in ruins.
No room for lies.
Someone is going to confess.
Because there should have been eight. . . .
They met when they were teenagers. Now they’re adults, and time has been kind to some and unkind to others—none more so than to Bea, the one they lost nine long years ago.
They’ve gathered to reminisce at Bea’s family’s estate, a once-glorious mansion straight out of a gothic novel. Best friends, old flames, secret enemies, and new lovers are all under one roof. But when the weather turns and they’re snowed in at the edge of eternity, there’s nowhere left to hide from their shared history.
As the walls close in, the pretense of normality gives way to long-buried grief, bitterness, and rage. Underneath it all, there’s the nagging feeling that Bea’s shocking death wasn’t what it was claimed to be. And before the weekend is through, the truth will be unleashed—no matter the cost. . . .
Seven friends.
One last weekend.
A mansion half in ruins.
No room for lies.
Someone is going to confess.
Because there should have been eight. . . .
They met when they were teenagers. Now they’re adults, and time has been kind to some and unkind to others—none more so than to Bea, the one they lost nine long years ago.
They’ve gathered to reminisce at Bea’s family’s estate, a once-glorious mansion straight out of a gothic novel. Best friends, old flames, secret enemies, and new lovers are all under one roof. But when the weather turns and they’re snowed in at the edge of eternity, there’s nowhere left to hide from their shared history.
As the walls close in, the pretense of normality gives way to long-buried grief, bitterness, and rage. Underneath it all, there’s the nagging feeling that Bea’s shocking death wasn’t what it was claimed to be. And before the weekend is through, the truth will be unleashed—no matter the cost. . . .
416 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2023
549 people are currently reading
23723 people want to read
About the author
Nalini Singh
247 books26.7k followersI've been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There's no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 838 reviews
March 27, 2024
I was excited for this one. I'm a fan of locked room mysteries and Nalini Singh, but the plot of There Should Have Been Eight was somehow both too fast and too slow.
The characters were one-dimensional. I didn't care or connect with them because they simply weren't fleshed out enough. In the time we could have learned more about each we were instead treated to a completely pointless subplot that happened years before, which dragged the book way down.
And the end... it was ok, I guess.... but not surprising in the least.
It was overall just a bit of a let down.
The characters were one-dimensional. I didn't care or connect with them because they simply weren't fleshed out enough. In the time we could have learned more about each we were instead treated to a completely pointless subplot that happened years before, which dragged the book way down.
And the end... it was ok, I guess.... but not surprising in the least.
It was overall just a bit of a let down.
November 19, 2023
How is this my first book by Nalini Singh? I loved the way this author writes and will absolutely be looking out for more of her books.
There Should Have Been Eight had every thing that I love in a thriller - a locked room mystery, isolated location, cut off from the outside world, a storm brewing, childhood friends having a reunion, remembering a lost one, strange things happening that they can’t explain… what more do you need?
This was a slow burning thriller, for the first half of the book at least. There was a lot of character development and scene setting, which the author did so well. You start to feel as if you are in the creepy, gothic mansion. The second half of the book is where the action revved up and it just kept going. It was twisty and shocking and ai couldn’t stop reading. I had no idea how it would end up.
Thanks so much to the author for sending me a copy of this book to read.
There Should Have Been Eight had every thing that I love in a thriller - a locked room mystery, isolated location, cut off from the outside world, a storm brewing, childhood friends having a reunion, remembering a lost one, strange things happening that they can’t explain… what more do you need?
This was a slow burning thriller, for the first half of the book at least. There was a lot of character development and scene setting, which the author did so well. You start to feel as if you are in the creepy, gothic mansion. The second half of the book is where the action revved up and it just kept going. It was twisty and shocking and ai couldn’t stop reading. I had no idea how it would end up.
Thanks so much to the author for sending me a copy of this book to read.
May 29, 2024
3.5 Set in New Zealand, have not read many books set in that locale, and a old Gothic mansion, that has been half shutdown. Seven friends, who met in college, meet to reminisce about their friend, who is no longer with them, due to suicide. Almost from the time they arrive, strange things start happening. Injuries and death are soon to follow in this snow filled, out of touch mansion.
There are secrets, lies, cover-ups and these friends who thought they knew each other so well, are co fronted with the fact that one of them is the killer? Or is it? Reminded me so much of Christie's, And then there were none. They are locked in because of the snow,have no cell phone connection and they are caught up someone's trap. But whose?
Held my interest, but I think it bordered on overkill. Too much going on and a lot of running around too and fro.
The narration was perfect for this story.
There are secrets, lies, cover-ups and these friends who thought they knew each other so well, are co fronted with the fact that one of them is the killer? Or is it? Reminded me so much of Christie's, And then there were none. They are locked in because of the snow,have no cell phone connection and they are caught up someone's trap. But whose?
Held my interest, but I think it bordered on overkill. Too much going on and a lot of running around too and fro.
The narration was perfect for this story.
November 25, 2023
As a devoted fan of Author Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series, I couldn't wait to crack open her first offering in the suspense thriller genre. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EIGHT is an intense, locked room style mystery set in a partially burned-out gothic mansion in New Zealand during a storm that strands the cast with no contact with the outside world for the duration. We're talking secret panels and tunnels, mysterious attacks, people who disappear, murder. Are you spooked yet?
Nine years ago, a tight group of eight teenagers were the best of friends until Bea, the girl everyone loved, died, and the group drifted apart. Bea's sister, Darcie, organizes a reunion of the seven remaining now adults in her family's old, isolated mansion - an opportunity for the group to catch up with each other and reminisce about Bea and the good old days. Luna, our narrator, is a photographer who's just received devastating news that she has a genetic disease that will steal her eyesight over time, a diagnosis she chooses not to share with the others - a decision that elevates the tension and drama to come as readers soon learn. It's through her eyes and camera lens that readers learn about each of the other individuals in attendance along with their sordid affairs and dark secrets. Luna hopes to gain answers to troubling questions surrounding Bea's death as well as the shocking decision by Darcie to have her sister cremated before any of her friends could say goodbye. There's a lot of resentment, frustration and rage festering between members of the group, and it's soon painfully clear someone is seeking revenge. When a fall down the stairs results in one dead from a broken neck and a blizzard cuts off communication with the outside world, it becomes a game of survival. One of them is a murderer . . . who is it?
THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EIGHT is a chilling, highly atmospheric gothic suspense thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they're charged with sifting through the multitude of secrets, lies and strange happenings to unmask a murderer. Singh excels at building intriguing, beautiful yet deadly worlds that take on the role of another character as is evident in the setting of this story. While some may feel the pace moves a bit slow in the beginning, I appreciate the author's diligence while introducing each player and setting the scene, affording readers a good feel for each character and their stake in the deadly game playing out. Readers will find it nigh on impossible to put this book down as the pace and tension increase dramatically as members go missing or suffer mysterious accidents and the full extent of their dire, life or death situation becomes a reality.
Author Nalini Singh has penned an intriguing, super atmospheric locked room mystery in THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EIGHT. Strong characterizations, a tension laden plot line and spooky setting are all inducive to a creepy, gothic style who-done-it mystery. I'll admit to being surprised at the big reveal in an explosive climax that's sure to leave readers stunned, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else Singh will release in this genre. Highly recommended to fans of locked room mysteries and suspense thrillers.
Many thanks to Berkley Publ. for an arc of this title. It's release date is Nov. 21, 2023. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
Nine years ago, a tight group of eight teenagers were the best of friends until Bea, the girl everyone loved, died, and the group drifted apart. Bea's sister, Darcie, organizes a reunion of the seven remaining now adults in her family's old, isolated mansion - an opportunity for the group to catch up with each other and reminisce about Bea and the good old days. Luna, our narrator, is a photographer who's just received devastating news that she has a genetic disease that will steal her eyesight over time, a diagnosis she chooses not to share with the others - a decision that elevates the tension and drama to come as readers soon learn. It's through her eyes and camera lens that readers learn about each of the other individuals in attendance along with their sordid affairs and dark secrets. Luna hopes to gain answers to troubling questions surrounding Bea's death as well as the shocking decision by Darcie to have her sister cremated before any of her friends could say goodbye. There's a lot of resentment, frustration and rage festering between members of the group, and it's soon painfully clear someone is seeking revenge. When a fall down the stairs results in one dead from a broken neck and a blizzard cuts off communication with the outside world, it becomes a game of survival. One of them is a murderer . . . who is it?
THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EIGHT is a chilling, highly atmospheric gothic suspense thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they're charged with sifting through the multitude of secrets, lies and strange happenings to unmask a murderer. Singh excels at building intriguing, beautiful yet deadly worlds that take on the role of another character as is evident in the setting of this story. While some may feel the pace moves a bit slow in the beginning, I appreciate the author's diligence while introducing each player and setting the scene, affording readers a good feel for each character and their stake in the deadly game playing out. Readers will find it nigh on impossible to put this book down as the pace and tension increase dramatically as members go missing or suffer mysterious accidents and the full extent of their dire, life or death situation becomes a reality.
Author Nalini Singh has penned an intriguing, super atmospheric locked room mystery in THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EIGHT. Strong characterizations, a tension laden plot line and spooky setting are all inducive to a creepy, gothic style who-done-it mystery. I'll admit to being surprised at the big reveal in an explosive climax that's sure to leave readers stunned, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else Singh will release in this genre. Highly recommended to fans of locked room mysteries and suspense thrillers.
Many thanks to Berkley Publ. for an arc of this title. It's release date is Nov. 21, 2023. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
July 19, 2023
What the hell did I just read? I usually really like Nalini Singh's work but this one did not work for me at all. The characters were one dimensional, not likable and the plot twist was not twisty. That being said, the tension and suspense were there but I couldn't find that I cared about what happened to any of the characters. The ending also seemed to be a complete 180 on the main character as well.
I think I'll be sticking to her Psy/Changeling and Guild Hunter series.
I think I'll be sticking to her Psy/Changeling and Guild Hunter series.
October 8, 2023
Very much my trope set so I enjoyed this one - technically an isolated closed circle, but has more the feel of a secrets from the past meets house of horrors. The ending was a little off the rails for me, but overall, very entertaining
CW: self harm, miscarriage, mental illness
CW: self harm, miscarriage, mental illness
December 10, 2023
I wrestled with 1 or 2 stars. This was pretty terrible. Was it even edited? There were several passages where it wasn't clear what was happening or it seemed like a paragraph or two was missing.
Luna was annoying as the main pov. "You eat your oatmeal with cinnamon? That reminds me of my dead friend." Umm, that's pretty common for oatmeal.
And the doll. What kind of 20 year old is chilling with her doll from when she was six? So much so that all of her friends recognize said doll.
Not for me.
Luna was annoying as the main pov. "You eat your oatmeal with cinnamon? That reminds me of my dead friend." Umm, that's pretty common for oatmeal.
And the doll. What kind of 20 year old is chilling with her doll from when she was six? So much so that all of her friends recognize said doll.
Not for me.
November 20, 2023
I... was so ready to get invested in this one, but sadly, I never really got sucked in like I wanted to! the first third of the book was more of a friendship / family drama rather than a mystery, and I was super bored by the unnecessary plot points. it just seemed like the group was trying to hang onto old memories, including their unalived friend, instead of making new ones and trying to mend.
other than kaea, I also felt that the characters were superficial in a way that we never really got to know the heart of who they were ... even the narrator had an unnecessary storyline about her health that literally never panned out in the slightest. I just didn't understand what the point of backstories are if they're not utilized.
once the thriller portions of the story started happening around the halfway mark of the book, I just didn't really care anymore? and in my opinion, the person behind it all was super obvious just based on process of elimination - so that the "shocking" ending wasn't shocking at all. I just wanted more from this one!! it had so much potential to be good, but sadly, it fell victim to the overused thriller tropes and too obvious plot twists.
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 2 stars
wine pairing: napa valley merlot
other than kaea, I also felt that the characters were superficial in a way that we never really got to know the heart of who they were ... even the narrator had an unnecessary storyline about her health that literally never panned out in the slightest. I just didn't understand what the point of backstories are if they're not utilized.
once the thriller portions of the story started happening around the halfway mark of the book, I just didn't really care anymore? and in my opinion, the person behind it all was super obvious just based on process of elimination - so that the "shocking" ending wasn't shocking at all. I just wanted more from this one!! it had so much potential to be good, but sadly, it fell victim to the overused thriller tropes and too obvious plot twists.
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 2 stars
wine pairing: napa valley merlot
November 29, 2023
4.5⭐️ Seven friends reunite at a family estate to remember the one who is no longer with them. As a blizzard isolates them from the rest of the world, these friends are forced to confront the secrets of the past.
I am leaving the synopsis short and sweet because There Should Have Been Eight is the type of book that you really want to go into blind. This insanely atmospheric story took me by surprise in the best way. I was captivated from start to finish, not just with the story itself, but with every single one of the unique and very flawed characters, each carrying a multitude of secrets. It was as though Singh was slowly peeling back the layers of this story, giving us just what we needed to know at any given time, and no more. If you are a lover of locked room mysteries, add this one to your radar.
ʀ ᴇ ᴀ ᴅ ɪ ғ ʏ ᴏ ᴜ ʟ ɪ ᴋ ᴇ :
•locked room mystery
•secluded estate
•set in the alps of New Zealand
•single POV with ensemble cast
•atmospheric suspense
•Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware
Thank you Berkley Pub, PRH Audio and Nalini Singh for my gifted copies.
I am leaving the synopsis short and sweet because There Should Have Been Eight is the type of book that you really want to go into blind. This insanely atmospheric story took me by surprise in the best way. I was captivated from start to finish, not just with the story itself, but with every single one of the unique and very flawed characters, each carrying a multitude of secrets. It was as though Singh was slowly peeling back the layers of this story, giving us just what we needed to know at any given time, and no more. If you are a lover of locked room mysteries, add this one to your radar.
ʀ ᴇ ᴀ ᴅ ɪ ғ ʏ ᴏ ᴜ ʟ ɪ ᴋ ᴇ :
•locked room mystery
•secluded estate
•set in the alps of New Zealand
•single POV with ensemble cast
•atmospheric suspense
•Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware
Thank you Berkley Pub, PRH Audio and Nalini Singh for my gifted copies.
November 23, 2023
I have never left a one star review. And I have loved every Nalini Singh book (and I have read them all). But this book was a convoluted, depressing mess of a book. It has sucked the joy right out of my day. The characters were impossible to relate to - their personalities all seemed as two-dimensional as the main character’s vision. Perhaps that was the point? Whew.
November 29, 2023
It took me a minute to figure out a rating for There Should Have Been Eight by Nalini Singh, and that may have just been me, but this is a hard one y'all! The overall pacing of this book is very slow, and it would be extremely easy to lose focus, especially if you are listening to a bad audiobook. Luckily for me, the audiobook for this was very good, and despite Saskia Maarleveld having a very odd mix of fast and slow narration (no idea what this is due to but not her fault), she 100% kept me glued to the story and on the edge of my seat. I did love the hidden passageways and the general eeriness of the atmosphere, it just took a little too long for the action to hit.
Around the 70% mark things do end up getting pretty wild, and I had to slow the audiobook down to make sure I didn't miss anything. Luna's vision problems started to make things pretty interesting, and it kept making me wonder if I was getting the full picture of what was going on. If you find yourself getting bogged down by the pacing of There Should Have Been Eight, I fully suggest you hang on because the end is definitely worth the wait! The twist was a jaw-dropper and added in with the secluded setting and the superb characterization made this slow burn still hit with a punch.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Around the 70% mark things do end up getting pretty wild, and I had to slow the audiobook down to make sure I didn't miss anything. Luna's vision problems started to make things pretty interesting, and it kept making me wonder if I was getting the full picture of what was going on. If you find yourself getting bogged down by the pacing of There Should Have Been Eight, I fully suggest you hang on because the end is definitely worth the wait! The twist was a jaw-dropper and added in with the secluded setting and the superb characterization made this slow burn still hit with a punch.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 19, 2023
3.5 rounded up.
A compelling locked room, storm stayed reunion of a group of friends slowly sees members getting killed in this latest from (new to me) best-selling New Zealand author, Nalini Singh. For me, this was a bit longer than I thought it needed to be and I had wished it was a little faster paced at times but I really enjoyed that one of the MCs had a disease that saw her slowly losing her sight and the extra layer that added to the overall suspense. Recommended for fans of authors like Ruth Ware and Lisa Unger and great on audio. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
A compelling locked room, storm stayed reunion of a group of friends slowly sees members getting killed in this latest from (new to me) best-selling New Zealand author, Nalini Singh. For me, this was a bit longer than I thought it needed to be and I had wished it was a little faster paced at times but I really enjoyed that one of the MCs had a disease that saw her slowly losing her sight and the extra layer that added to the overall suspense. Recommended for fans of authors like Ruth Ware and Lisa Unger and great on audio. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
December 14, 2023
Wow, what a superb read this was!
If you're in the mood for an incredibly atmospheric, twisted, intricately-plotted, locked-room thriller, look no further, this is the book for you! This is probably the most atmospheric book I've read in some time, and it was perfect for this chilly season!
When seven friends gather at a remote mansion for a weekend away, long-hidden secrets are quickly unearthed and the bodies inevitably begin to pile up! Add to the fact that a winter storm is raging outside, and there is seemingly no escape for the dwindling number of survivors! Who is the culprit? Where are they staying hidden? Why were they brought to this dilapidated mansion in the middle of nowhere, and most importantly, again, WHY???
To say I didn't see this one coming would be a major understatement - this one blew me away! I would begin to believe the story was headed in one direction, only to be knocked back by a reveal and then begin thinking it was going another route, to then be shocked yet again, leaving me profoundly clueless as to where this was all going! That's exactly how I want my thrillers to play out! Initially, it took some time to get all of the seven characters straight, but the story was only told from ONE perspective, which is becoming increasingly rare, so it helped me navigate the friends faster than I would in a multi-perspective story. Another thing I really appreciated in the way that it ended was that it wasn't as straight forward - there were several parties I held accountable for the events that unfolded and I found that refreshing, and I believe it added depth to the characters in the process!
I admit, I picked this one up mainly for its' gorgeous cover, but I kept reading because Singh did an exceptional job of created one chiller of a thriller that I just couldn't get enough of! This was my first read by this talented author, but it will definitely not be my last!
If you're in the mood for an incredibly atmospheric, twisted, intricately-plotted, locked-room thriller, look no further, this is the book for you! This is probably the most atmospheric book I've read in some time, and it was perfect for this chilly season!
When seven friends gather at a remote mansion for a weekend away, long-hidden secrets are quickly unearthed and the bodies inevitably begin to pile up! Add to the fact that a winter storm is raging outside, and there is seemingly no escape for the dwindling number of survivors! Who is the culprit? Where are they staying hidden? Why were they brought to this dilapidated mansion in the middle of nowhere, and most importantly, again, WHY???
To say I didn't see this one coming would be a major understatement - this one blew me away! I would begin to believe the story was headed in one direction, only to be knocked back by a reveal and then begin thinking it was going another route, to then be shocked yet again, leaving me profoundly clueless as to where this was all going! That's exactly how I want my thrillers to play out! Initially, it took some time to get all of the seven characters straight, but the story was only told from ONE perspective, which is becoming increasingly rare, so it helped me navigate the friends faster than I would in a multi-perspective story. Another thing I really appreciated in the way that it ended was that it wasn't as straight forward - there were several parties I held accountable for the events that unfolded and I found that refreshing, and I believe it added depth to the characters in the process!
I admit, I picked this one up mainly for its' gorgeous cover, but I kept reading because Singh did an exceptional job of created one chiller of a thriller that I just couldn't get enough of! This was my first read by this talented author, but it will definitely not be my last!
December 1, 2023
Was this book written by ChatGPT?
Reading this book made it very apparent the author had a “word minimum” to reach- so much unnecessary details. Which initially I thought maybe can tie in with the ending in some way- for example- when she got into the details of adding the “right ratio of milk” to her tea”. Yeah- I mean isn’t that already an assumption the reader can reach on their own?
Perhaps my (not) favorite “unnecessary” is when the author tried to end a chapter on a “cliffhanger” with something touching her hand in the dark… and the next chapter tells you- oh- it was just a moth.
Had the potential to be a great story- but the author tried to do too much with it that it became unnecessarily boring and annoying.
This ended up in my DNF pile.
Reading this book made it very apparent the author had a “word minimum” to reach- so much unnecessary details. Which initially I thought maybe can tie in with the ending in some way- for example- when she got into the details of adding the “right ratio of milk” to her tea”. Yeah- I mean isn’t that already an assumption the reader can reach on their own?
Perhaps my (not) favorite “unnecessary” is when the author tried to end a chapter on a “cliffhanger” with something touching her hand in the dark… and the next chapter tells you- oh- it was just a moth.
Had the potential to be a great story- but the author tried to do too much with it that it became unnecessarily boring and annoying.
This ended up in my DNF pile.
December 10, 2023
This book was unsatisfactory for me. Too much of a slow burn, too much character development and not enough action. Before I knew it, characters were dying and all this talk about how special Bea was was just creepy.
There are better books for this locked room trope.
There are better books for this locked room trope.
January 5, 2024
Do yourself a favor and don’t read this book.
August 27, 2024
3.5 stars
This title was so unlike anything else that I've read by Nalini Singh, it's hard to believe she wrote it! It's oh so gothic: an isolated huge country manor complete with burnt out wing and creepy family history. The insanity and suicide of Beatrice nine years before still haunting this group of close friends.
The seven friends arrive for a vacation in Darceline & Beatrice's family home, with Luna, our narrator, mourning Beatrice and believing with all her being that there should have been eight. They have Aaron's new wife Grace as their eighth member but that can never replace the missing one. But Luna has her failing vision to deal with—blindness seems to be her ultimate future, a scary proposition for a dedicated photographer. Still, Luna is the first to see a pattern when weird things start to happen to the group. Paintings defaced, accidents injuring people, drugs slipped into drinks…. And then the weather changes, bringing snow and freezing temperatures. The road is closed and mobile phones are basically useless. Will they get out alive?
The whole set-up had distinctly And Then There Were None vibes. A house full of people being struck down one by one with no access to help. Everyone getting more and more paranoid as the situation deteriorates. I will admit that I had half-assed guessed what was happening, but I only made it part way to the answer. The last several chapters were very tense, forcing me to take frequent reading breaks. I wasn't sure about Singh's thriller writing abilities, but I have been convinced. Yes, I would read another.
This title was so unlike anything else that I've read by Nalini Singh, it's hard to believe she wrote it! It's oh so gothic: an isolated huge country manor complete with burnt out wing and creepy family history. The insanity and suicide of Beatrice nine years before still haunting this group of close friends.
The seven friends arrive for a vacation in Darceline & Beatrice's family home, with Luna, our narrator, mourning Beatrice and believing with all her being that there should have been eight. They have Aaron's new wife Grace as their eighth member but that can never replace the missing one. But Luna has her failing vision to deal with—blindness seems to be her ultimate future, a scary proposition for a dedicated photographer. Still, Luna is the first to see a pattern when weird things start to happen to the group. Paintings defaced, accidents injuring people, drugs slipped into drinks…. And then the weather changes, bringing snow and freezing temperatures. The road is closed and mobile phones are basically useless. Will they get out alive?
The whole set-up had distinctly And Then There Were None vibes. A house full of people being struck down one by one with no access to help. Everyone getting more and more paranoid as the situation deteriorates. I will admit that I had half-assed guessed what was happening, but I only made it part way to the answer. The last several chapters were very tense, forcing me to take frequent reading breaks. I wasn't sure about Singh's thriller writing abilities, but I have been convinced. Yes, I would read another.
November 30, 2023
I wanted so badly to like this book. There were many plot points that felt unnecessary and I figured out who did it pretty early on. I found the main character frequently insufferable and abnormally obsessed with her friend. It was just engaging enough to push through, but this really fell flat for me.
November 21, 2023
I enjoy Singh’s books, whatever the genre, and devoured her last mystery thriller. The story slowly builds as we get to know the friends, the hosts and stories from their past. The group are friends who went their separate ways when one of their own, Bea, took her own life.
The story takes place in the remote alpine region of New Zealand at a home belonging to Bea’s family estate. The seven of them gather as a storm rolls in, cutting them off from the rest of the world. As strange things happen and Luna wonders why Darcie, her sister, handled the death so strangely, we question everything we’ve been told.
The first part of the story began slowly as we get to know the characters and take in our surroundings, but as the storm rages, an accident occurs and things unfold. Twists, turns and unholy happens left me flabbergasted. I couldn’t set this down as I made assumptions and waited for the truth to reveal itself.
I love Singh’s writing style from the pacing to the tightly woven tale. She hooks reads from the first page and never lets go.
A compelling thriller, perfect for the first snow of the season. Grab a blanket and curl up with There Should Have Been Eight. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
The story takes place in the remote alpine region of New Zealand at a home belonging to Bea’s family estate. The seven of them gather as a storm rolls in, cutting them off from the rest of the world. As strange things happen and Luna wonders why Darcie, her sister, handled the death so strangely, we question everything we’ve been told.
The first part of the story began slowly as we get to know the characters and take in our surroundings, but as the storm rages, an accident occurs and things unfold. Twists, turns and unholy happens left me flabbergasted. I couldn’t set this down as I made assumptions and waited for the truth to reveal itself.
I love Singh’s writing style from the pacing to the tightly woven tale. She hooks reads from the first page and never lets go.
A compelling thriller, perfect for the first snow of the season. Grab a blanket and curl up with There Should Have Been Eight. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
December 14, 2023
I wanted to like this I love a closed circle trope with a group of people stranded somewhere getting killed off one by one… this though was odd. It was like a series of unnecessary events and situations…
This is your classic group of friends get together for a reunion… years ago one of the group died mysteriously and there are still questions. Luna the single POV character is the main one questioning what happened to their friend years… some weird things start happening and people start getting hurt it seems accidental but is it? Then someone is dead and they are trapped in the house no way to contact anyone with a killer someone in the house. Is the killer a stranger or one of the group?
It was very obvious very quickly who was behind everything that was going on and even once you get all the way at the end… it’s ridiculous everything in this book is ridiculous. The more I think about it the more I’m just wondering why to all of it. Exactly one person in this book did anything wrong. Also the way it ended was just like…. What? Seemed like a lot of things were thrown in and none of them really went together.
Was Luna’s medical diagnosis and pending future blindness necessary to the story? Nope not at all.. what was the point of it? Was there a point to the story bout the whole backstory of the people who use to live in the house? Nooooppe it wasn’t at all it didn’t really matter to the story. Was Bea actually crazy? Was there anything actually wrong with her at all? That’s never even answered. So her sister just decided one day that something was wrong and then things happened how they did?
Two stars because it’s not the worst thing I’ve read this year but it wasn’t the best.
This is your classic group of friends get together for a reunion… years ago one of the group died mysteriously and there are still questions. Luna the single POV character is the main one questioning what happened to their friend years… some weird things start happening and people start getting hurt it seems accidental but is it? Then someone is dead and they are trapped in the house no way to contact anyone with a killer someone in the house. Is the killer a stranger or one of the group?
It was very obvious very quickly who was behind everything that was going on and even once you get all the way at the end… it’s ridiculous everything in this book is ridiculous. The more I think about it the more I’m just wondering why to all of it. Exactly one person in this book did anything wrong. Also the way it ended was just like…. What? Seemed like a lot of things were thrown in and none of them really went together.
Was Luna’s medical diagnosis and pending future blindness necessary to the story? Nope not at all.. what was the point of it? Was there a point to the story bout the whole backstory of the people who use to live in the house? Nooooppe it wasn’t at all it didn’t really matter to the story. Was Bea actually crazy? Was there anything actually wrong with her at all? That’s never even answered. So her sister just decided one day that something was wrong and then things happened how they did?
Two stars because it’s not the worst thing I’ve read this year but it wasn’t the best.
November 24, 2023
Luna and her friends are reuniting at a remote estate, getting together after years apart, but one of them isn’t part of the group. Bea Shepherd, Darcie’s younger sister, died eight years earlier and it still doesn’t make any sense to Luna. Bea was a bright star in the group, with her magnetic personality, everyone loved her. Luna can’t forgive the way Darcie handled her death, brushing it and the details under the rug.
Luna has struggled with the loss, but now has an added reason to finally get answers about Bea’s death. She’s going blind and wants to be able to look her friends in the face, see their reactions to her questions. She wants the truth, even if her questions stir up anger and bitterness.
Their meet-up turns dangerous as a winter storm cuts them off from civilization, trapping them at the estate while things start going wrong. Tensions grow while they struggle to survive long enough to escape.
Oh, this was a twisty, atmospheric mystery! It took a little to get into it, getting to know the characters and history, but as soon as strange things started happening, I was hooked! The characters stuck together at a gothic-like, creepy estate upped the tension! There were a couple of surprises as all is revealed! I’m still thinking about the story!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
Luna has struggled with the loss, but now has an added reason to finally get answers about Bea’s death. She’s going blind and wants to be able to look her friends in the face, see their reactions to her questions. She wants the truth, even if her questions stir up anger and bitterness.
Their meet-up turns dangerous as a winter storm cuts them off from civilization, trapping them at the estate while things start going wrong. Tensions grow while they struggle to survive long enough to escape.
Oh, this was a twisty, atmospheric mystery! It took a little to get into it, getting to know the characters and history, but as soon as strange things started happening, I was hooked! The characters stuck together at a gothic-like, creepy estate upped the tension! There were a couple of surprises as all is revealed! I’m still thinking about the story!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2023
There Should Have Been Eight is an isolated, closed circle thriller. Told through the perspective of Luna, seven friends come together for a weekend get-away to reminisce about their friend Bea. Everyone has a secret and people start disappearing and dying. Honestly, there should have been a thriller here somewhere, but sadly there just wasn't.
I really wanted to love this one. But I just thought it was meh. I was honestly bored thorough most of it. I never really felt a sense of danger or urgency. The characters were insufferable. I couldn't find a character to root for. They are all supposed to be best friend, yet I never felt like they were. Luna was going blind, but she refused to tell her friends? Why? I know she was still coming to terms with it, but why wouldn't you clue in your "best friends"? I also got tired of her complaining about the way Bea's sister handled Bea's funeral. We get it, you are mad. Move on. The ending was predictable. I think fans of this author will like it, but it just wasn't thrilling enough for me.
I really wanted to love this one. But I just thought it was meh. I was honestly bored thorough most of it. I never really felt a sense of danger or urgency. The characters were insufferable. I couldn't find a character to root for. They are all supposed to be best friend, yet I never felt like they were. Luna was going blind, but she refused to tell her friends? Why? I know she was still coming to terms with it, but why wouldn't you clue in your "best friends"? I also got tired of her complaining about the way Bea's sister handled Bea's funeral. We get it, you are mad. Move on. The ending was predictable. I think fans of this author will like it, but it just wasn't thrilling enough for me.
November 24, 2023
I feel like I should have liked this one more than I did. I found it really easy to stop listening and hard to start back up again. I did figure out pretty early on a couple of things, was still surprised by one. In the end this one just left me feeling sad, that one person could do that to another, to someone that they loved. It didn't make me question Luna's choice at the end, she made the right one.
December 23, 2023
Save yourself and leave this one behind. Poorly constructed and edited. Every page seemed to have a locked door. And the place they were staying in seemed to get bigger as the book went on. Secret rooms and passageways, no cell signal, storms - so many tropes and no sense. I finished it and I still really don’t know who’s alive or dead or why because I don’t care. And because the story is so poorly told.
February 24, 2024
https://wendyreadit.wordpress.com/202...
So, this one starts out with a group of seven friends, hence the title, but that's where the trouble started for me. There weren't seven friends, really, one of them is a girlfriend of one of the classmate friends that nobody else really knows. Then you have the missing 'eighth' character of Bea, Darsi's sister and everyone's school friend who is no longer with them. It seems she passed away, Darsi told them, and there was no funeral, no service, no closure. So, I of course am thinking that she didn't really die. That's just what I was thinking and I'm not going to tell you if I was right or not, you'll just have to read it to find out - or not. It took a while for me to figure out the characters and I never really got to the point where I cared about any of them.
So, this one starts out with a group of seven friends, hence the title, but that's where the trouble started for me. There weren't seven friends, really, one of them is a girlfriend of one of the classmate friends that nobody else really knows. Then you have the missing 'eighth' character of Bea, Darsi's sister and everyone's school friend who is no longer with them. It seems she passed away, Darsi told them, and there was no funeral, no service, no closure. So, I of course am thinking that she didn't really die. That's just what I was thinking and I'm not going to tell you if I was right or not, you'll just have to read it to find out - or not. It took a while for me to figure out the characters and I never really got to the point where I cared about any of them.
November 6, 2023
This one missed the mark for me. I am so thankful to have gotten access to it on PRH Audio and from Berkley and Nalini Singh, but there was just too much going on in the plot for me to even begin to grasp what was happening.
Ultimately I guess it's just safe to say, if you're estranged friend group asks you to reconnect for a little friendly reunion after the loss of one of your pivotal friend group members, maybe don't go??? especially if you are slowly going blind and could be caught at an impaired disadvantage... There were so many times during the plot of this book that I wanted to rattle and scream at our main character to make better decisions, but of course they couldn't hear me, because I'm yelling at an audiobook.
Anyway, I will need to pick it up again in physical format to get the fully defined scoop. This zinger hits shelves on November 21, 2023.
Ultimately I guess it's just safe to say, if you're estranged friend group asks you to reconnect for a little friendly reunion after the loss of one of your pivotal friend group members, maybe don't go??? especially if you are slowly going blind and could be caught at an impaired disadvantage... There were so many times during the plot of this book that I wanted to rattle and scream at our main character to make better decisions, but of course they couldn't hear me, because I'm yelling at an audiobook.
Anyway, I will need to pick it up again in physical format to get the fully defined scoop. This zinger hits shelves on November 21, 2023.
January 28, 2024
This book was beyond disappointing. I’m having a hard time believing that NS wrote this. It’s such a dramatic deviation from her usual stuff. I absolutely love her Guild Hunter series. I even liked her first couple books of the mystery/thriller genre. This just did not feel like her work. The MC was unlikeable. The internal narrative by the MC felt very repetitive and filled with unnecessary details at times. Most of the book felt like a bad soap opera to me. Although I guessed at part of the “twist” very early on, the ending was ultimately very convoluted and incredibly far-fetched. This ending is why I’ve mostly sworn off psychological thrillers as a genre. I almost DNF’d this multiple times, and I should have. I was hesitant to do so because of the author. I was hoping it would get better, but it never did.
December 15, 2023
2.5 stars, rounded up
A group of New Zealand friends from uni have a reunion nine years after one of their number committed suicide. They gather at a gothic, decaying mansion completely isolated at the foot of the New Zealand Alps and in short order get cut off from the world by terrible weather, with no way to communicate. Then they start to be attacked and bumped off one by one. Whaaaat? People are forever wandering off by themselves, the number of characters seemed excessive (a little unwieldy), I had it mostly figured out about midway, and it just went on tooooo looooong. There Should Have Been an Editor.
A group of New Zealand friends from uni have a reunion nine years after one of their number committed suicide. They gather at a gothic, decaying mansion completely isolated at the foot of the New Zealand Alps and in short order get cut off from the world by terrible weather, with no way to communicate. Then they start to be attacked and bumped off one by one. Whaaaat? People are forever wandering off by themselves, the number of characters seemed excessive (a little unwieldy), I had it mostly figured out about midway, and it just went on tooooo looooong. There Should Have Been an Editor.
January 8, 2024
Couldn't finish it so boring.
January 22, 2024
I just wrote an entirely lengthy review about this book and all my 2am thoughts and the app crashed. Not feeling the need to get back into my seven paragraph review, but I’ll just say - I wasn’t entirely sure the payoff was worth the length it took to get there.
With such a large cast of characters and lots of backstory to cover, of course this book is going to hit the 400 page mark. And I enjoyed the writing. But I kept finding lulls in the narrative that dragged in comparison to when things were actually happening.
Overall, Agatha Christie fans can rejoice that the And Then There Were None trope is not only still going strong, but inspiring great works such as this one. Though this may not have been my favorite and I felt it fell a bit flat in comparison to the twists and turns I was expecting, there is always something compelling and terrifying about stranded not-so-accidents accidents happening to an unsuspecting group of people.
With such a large cast of characters and lots of backstory to cover, of course this book is going to hit the 400 page mark. And I enjoyed the writing. But I kept finding lulls in the narrative that dragged in comparison to when things were actually happening.
Overall, Agatha Christie fans can rejoice that the And Then There Were None trope is not only still going strong, but inspiring great works such as this one. Though this may not have been my favorite and I felt it fell a bit flat in comparison to the twists and turns I was expecting, there is always something compelling and terrifying about stranded not-so-accidents accidents happening to an unsuspecting group of people.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 838 reviews