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One by One: A completely unputdownable crime thriller

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'This book should come with a once you start you won't be able to stop reading! I am still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor' Reader Review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Ten years since she was pushed. Now someone is back for the rest...

With tensions between the police and public at an all-time high, a music festival during a heatwave is the last thing DS Alice Washington needs. Especially when she learns that the headline act is infamous rock band The Dolls, appearing for the first time since the lead singer Ris was pushed to her death.

It was an open-and-shut Ris's best friend was witnessed committing the crime by hundreds of people. But when The Dolls start receiving death threats, Alice is forced to re-examine the events leading up to Ris's murder. Was it really just teenage jealousy, or is there something more sinister beneath the surface?

As the threats escalate, Alice must race to uncover the truth before someone else gets hurt. Because while Ris's killer has been behind bars for ten years, it's clear someone is still out for blood.

Readers are LOVING One by
'Gloriously twisty storytelling . . . I'm already craving more!' NAOMI WILLIAMS

'I absolutely LOVED this book . . . original, fast-paced, brilliantly plotted and full of dark humour, it's absolutely one of my favourite reads of this year' DANIEL AUBREY

'Captivating and infectious' KATHRYN SHARMAN

'Manages to be both edge of your seat and laugh out loud at the same time' CHRIS BRIDGES

'Crackling with tension . . . I cannot WAIT to get my hands on anything else she writes!' G.D. WRIGHT

'I raced through this!' KINGSLEY PEARSON

414 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2025

1 person is currently reading
14 people want to read

About the author

Sam Frances

6 books
Sam Frances is a British crime thriller author from Tyne and Wear. She writes stories that combines her love of sardonic characters with her background in policing and lives in London with her partner and their wolf pack of pets.

When not writing (or daydreaming about writing or listening to writing podcasts), she can usually be found no more than 9-10 metres from a block of cheese, either in deep conversation with one of her cats, or playing a musical instrument poorly.

You can find her on Instagram and X @SamFranWriter. All Eyes on You, the first book in the DS Alice Washington series, is her first novel.

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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Shona.
528 reviews19 followers
December 3, 2025
With tensions between the police and public at an all-time high, a music festival during a heatwave is the last thing DS Alice Washington needs. Especially when she learns that the headline act is infamous rock band The Dolls, appearing for the first time since the lead singer Ris was pushed to her death. It was an open-and-shut case: Ris's best friend was witnessed committing the crime by hundreds of people. But when The Dolls start receiving death threats, Alice is forced to re-examine the events leading up to Ris's murder. Was it really just teenage jealousy, or is there something more sinister beneath the surface? As the threats escalate, Alice must race to uncover the truth before someone else gets hurt. Because while Ris's killer has been behind bars for ten years, it's clear someone is still out for blood.

After recently reading, and loving, the first book in this series, I was very excited for this second book. And when the first line starts with a mention of ‘Roy’s arse crack’, well I was already sold!🤣

DS Alice Washington is back taking on another mysterious case, one that delves into the past, asking the questions no one did. The ‘girls’ in the band are brilliantly described, their differing characteristics showing their clear personalities, all adding importance in the story overall, with some unexpected twists along the way keeping you guessing throughout.

The events of the first book are mentioned briefly in passing at times but this book definitely stands it’s ground as a standalone too, although please do read both as the character knowledge does add more even more value. I especially loved the character relationship development with Bret, a lovely insight into a quieter character from the first book. And yes Sam, I still read Alice in your accent and am definitely a member of Team Roy all the way! Roll on book three!❤️
Profile Image for Beth Reads Crime.
115 reviews17 followers
December 8, 2025
2025 sure is being kind to us old punk rock kids, isn't it? All the bands I loved at 15 are suddenly touring again. On top of that we've been gifted Lucy Nichol’s 'Girls to the Front', M.L. Rio’s 'Hot Wax', Sally Wainwright’s 'Riot Women' tele series and now 'One by One' by Sam Frances.

The premise is that the infamous rock band The Dolls are performing for the first time in years since the former lead singer was pushed to her death.

As if I wasn’t already sold on the rock band meets crime drama combo, I was 100% invested the moment I met DS Alice Washington, who is a woman after my own heart. She’s absolutely hilarious, instantly likeable and if you don’t warm to her… well, let’s not be friends. The good news is that if you’re new to Frances’ work, then you are in for a treat as this is actually the second in the series.

I adored how working-class, Northern and genuinely authentic Alice felt. It’s honestly such a joy to read characters and dialogue that sound so local and familiar to me personally. I was hooked on her repertoire of phrases, which include classics such as: "fannied around", "gannet" and "twattish". As mentioned she's funny too, one of my favourite lines being: "At ease, Geppetto, the wooden man hasn't become a real boy just yet."

'One by One' is sharp and funny, with a protagonist I’d happily follow through many more cases. Punk spirit, Northern grit and crime drama chaos. Yes!

Thanks to Headline Accent for the ARC.
Profile Image for Jacqueline.
58 reviews5 followers
December 3, 2025
ARC REVIEW 📚✨️

One By One by Sam Francis

Many thanks to headline for an advanced ecopy of this thriller. I absolutely loved it.

One by One follows our FMC DS Alice Washington, as she races against time to uncover secrets of a murder from the past.

As someone who is really into music and going to gigs I loved the chilling storyline of a singer who was murdered on stage at a show. This isnt a story line I've read before so really enjoyed reading something fresh and exciting!

Ten years had passed since Ris the lead singer of The Dolls was pushed to her death on stage infront of hundreds of fans, but the case is far from over. Everyone thought her death was clear cut, however the band started recieving death threats and Alice must re-examine the case.

I really enjoyed meeting and learning about DS Alice - she is a real bad ass FMC and is so strong and resillient. There was a few characters throughout who my opinions of changed, which i enjoyed too, it's nice to end a book not disliking everyone 😂

The tension is built throughout this novel and then ramps up toward the end. I'd recommend this one to anyone who likes police thrillers, fans of sam holland, chris carter - this one is right up your street!

4⭐️
Profile Image for Charlotte Murphy.
Author 7 books136 followers
December 24, 2025
I really really enjoyed this! From the very first page I was excited to be back into the mix iwth DS Alice Washington and her band of merry men solving another case.
This was really juicy with Alice having to figure out who was trying to unalive the remaining members of a band who lost their lead singer a decade earlier in dodgy circumstances.
The pace was really good throughout and i loved that nothing felt unnecesssary. All the characters were distinct, believable and really authentic on page. From accents to lifestyles, everything was really well put together and i really enjoyed the to and fro.
What really worked well was the subtlety of some of the side plot, the tidbits of information that while not explicitly said made such an impact on the overall story and had such a great take on the social commentary around police officers and their relationship with the community.

Not a bad word to say about it but also loving that the superiority of Custard Creams over Bourbons has been cemented within these pages in a character modelled quite proudly after myself if only without that most important of arguments!

A wonderful second book that I implore you all to pick up from a great writer!
Profile Image for Cecelia.
102 reviews
December 2, 2025
It took me a little time to get into this book however once I got further into it I had to finish it. Good twist that I hadn't seen coming. Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for this ARC,
Profile Image for Susie Green.
206 reviews31 followers
November 9, 2025
If you love gripping crime thrillers with a rock-and-roll twist, One By One by X is unmissable. The second instalment in the DS Alice Washington series, this novel is packed with twists, suspense, and unforgettable characters. As Alice races against time to uncover chilling secrets from the past, you’ll be hooked until the very last page.Huge thanks to H for sending me a copy of this book which is being published on 6th November in e-book and 4th December in paperback.

Ten years have passed since Ris, lead singer of The Dolls, was pushed to her death, but the past is far from over. Everyone thought Ris’s death was clear-cut due to being witnessed by hundreds of music lovers at a gig. However, the band has started receiving chilling threats and Alice must re-examine the case - was it really just a tragic act of jealousy, or is there something darker lurking beneath the surface? As the danger escalates, Alice must race against time to uncover the truth before history repeats itself and someone else pays the ultimate price!

Alice Washington is a great protagonist. Her intelligence, resilience, and moral compass make her relatable and engaging, and the pressures she faces, both from the public and within the police force felt very authentic.

I loved that the story centred around a rock band, this was a really fun premise for an otherwise gruesome story. They are a really interesting bunch of characters and I found myself switching between liking and loathing most of them at one point or another throughout the book!

The pacing of the novel is excellent, with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the final chapters. One By One is not just a thrilling mystery, but also a story about the consequences of past actions and the shadows they cast over the present. It’s a tense, clever, and immersive crime thriller, perfect for fans of police procedurals and rock bands!
Profile Image for Leanne.
663 reviews64 followers
September 1, 2025
A searing heatwave. A fractured community. A music festival pulsing with memory and menace. One By One unfolds like a slow-burning requiem, where the past refuses to stay buried and justice is anything but straightforward.

Sam Frances delivers a taut, emotionally resonant thriller that lingers in the mind long after the final page. At its heart is DS Alice Washington—a woman navigating not only the complexities of a high-profile investigation, but the fragile trust between police and public. Her presence is quietly commanding, her instincts sharp, yet it’s the emotional undercurrents that truly elevate this narrative.

The reappearance of The Dolls, a band haunted by the death of their lead singer Ris, sets the stage for a reckoning. Frances deftly explores the blurred lines between loyalty and guilt, fame and vulnerability, truth and perception. The murder may have seemed open-and-shut, but as threats mount and secrets unravel, the story deepens into something far more unsettling.

What makes One By One so compelling is its atmosphere—claustrophobic yet electric, sun-drenched yet shadowed by grief. The writing is lean but evocative, with moments of quiet lyricism that catch you off guard. It’s a novel that asks not just whodunnit, but why we believe what we do, and how far we’ll go to protect the stories we tell ourselves.

A haunting, intelligent thriller that balances pace with poignancy. Perfect for readers who crave mystery with emotional depth and a touch of noir.

Thank you to Sam Frances, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Profile Image for Mark.
1,691 reviews
December 4, 2025
Worth starting by saying this is the 2nd in the series however I had not read the first and as i found was more than fine to read as a ‘stand alone’

We meet D.S. Alice Washington as a music festival featuring ‘The Dolls’ is about to happen,this should be a ‘run of the-mill’ policing matter…..except for the fact Ris their lead singer was killed and this is the first time since that the band have played together…when threats to other members of the group start to be received Alice starts to think there was more to Ris’s murder than was initially thought…could Ris’s murder,seen by many as she was pushed by a ‘best friend’ really have been as first thought?i

And so this tense fast paced story starts and really doesn’t let up

I loved the dark humour throughout,gave an edge to the book,I really liked Alice and her thinking and her life was interesting to read about,I enjoyed the writing focusing on a rock band and a festival and loved the twists and turns in the book which were aplenty,a book that keeps you on you’re toes and tricks you is always good and for me this one really did

Engaging and very readable this new to me author is one will look forward to reading more from
267 reviews6 followers
December 1, 2025

I really enjoyed this one.
When DS Alice Washington is tasked with coordinating a festival, where a pop group from ten years ago is due to perform, little does she know what she is getting into.
With a history of a band member being murdered in what appears to be an open and shut case, what problems could this possibly cause our DS?? Well lots in fact!
Nothing and no one are quite what they seem as we are led on a journey with lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. There are certainly some red herrings thrown our way, which will have you exclaiming out loud!
I loved how ‘the girls’ were portrayed, despite being over thirty years old, I could totally see them as a typical young band, still behaving now in similar, difficult ways. I loved all their different personalities.
I also loved things being a problem for future Alice. That really made me chuckle and will be using that phrase in real life.

All in all a brilliant read that you won’t want to put down in a hurry.
Profile Image for Gail.
286 reviews11 followers
December 8, 2025
Filled with humour this is a zippy, breezy and droll read which will take a few of us back to the seminal girl bands of our youth (in my case, The Slits, The Belle Stars, The Runaways and Bananarama).

Authentic, likeable police sergeant Alice Washington is asked to police a local pop concert which sees a girl band playing together for the first time in 10 years. At their last infamous gig, lead singer Ris was pushed to her death in what is now viewed as a closed case with someone behind bars.

But it becomes clear that it is far from unfinished business, and more members of the band may be at risk.

I enjoyed the down-to-earth language and dark humour that gave the book something different. The Dolls are prima donnas, and I was reminded of girl bands like All Saints and The Spice Girls where petty rivalries were never far from the surface.

There were more red herrings than on Vladivostok 2000 (the world's largest fishing vessel). Lots of fun and perfect for when the Twixmas period begins to pall.

Profile Image for Staceywh_17.
3,696 reviews12 followers
December 20, 2025
Frances is a new to me author, and one I'm definitely keeping on my radar.

I had no idea that One By One was the second in the DS Alice Washington series, the first being All Eyes on You. It was easily readable as a standalone though.

It had a gripping, fast paced plot; tensions were taut and suspense rolled high. The twists and turns had me hooked and kept me reading way later into the night than I should have.

Washington was reminiscent of Jane Tennison, relentless and resolute. It was easy to emotionally invest in her character and I look forward to reading more about her in future books.

An enjoyable page turner.
Profile Image for Lost Vegas.
319 reviews15 followers
August 31, 2025
This is the second book in a series, while I didn’t know this when I started it, it wasn’t difficult to read without reading the first.

Alice Washington finds herself looking again at a murder, when members of the same rock band are threatened.

Something about the writing was very cosy and I could see this being perfect for a winter weekend, all cuddled up under a blanket.
The case is not a typically ‘cosy’ case but I think if you a like a thriller you will enjoy this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this eArc in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Dee Groocock.
1,419 reviews58 followers
November 20, 2025
Ris tragically died ten years ago, and the band, The Dolls, have decided to get back together with the remaining members for a festival.

DS Alice Washington has to coordinate the festival and soon finds herself delving into the past over the death of Ris following death threats to the band.

This is a punchy crime thriller that held my attention. The twists and red herrings were superb and ensured my guesses were completely wrong!

The different personalities of the girls in the story shone through thanks to the descriptive writing. I liked Alice’s character, she didn’t suffer fools and worked hard, as well as showing her persistence for getting to the truth.

This is the second book in the series, and it didn’t matter that I haven’t read the first book. Sam Frances is a new author to me, and I shall be going back to read the first book in this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Profile Image for Lisa reads alot  Hamer.
950 reviews24 followers
December 10, 2025
A book full of building tension and suspense made this a read that I could not put down reading into the night until I’d finished.
It was full of twists and turns that left me wondering what was going to happen next, it was fast paced and heart racing, a cleverly written plot that not only gripped me but had a wit too that brought more than one smile when reading.
My first read by this author but I will be looking out for further reads to add to my list.

#OneByOne @samfranwriter @headlineaccent @randomthingstours
Profile Image for Kate Edmondson.
196 reviews4 followers
December 15, 2025
I really enjoyed this murder mystery. It was modern and surprising. We follow DC Alice as she investigates a murder and continuing murder threats as a local festival gets closer and closer.

Her character is guarded, as are the suspects and the local animal population…

The mystery unfolds around a band who are reforming, and a historic crime rears its head and needs correcting

One by One is drilled into you especially with the descriptions of the stage!!

A great crime thriller that will entertain you and keep you invested
66 reviews
December 8, 2025
This book is completely unputdownable. Once you start,
you just won't be able to stop reading . It's fast paced and full twists and turns and suspense. And just when you think you've got the ending figured out, nope there's another twist.

I loved Alice Washington as a character. She's tenacious and unstoppable. I haven't read Sam's other books but after this I really need to.

Highly recommended
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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