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One Night
One night. That's all the time a family has to decide what to do with the man they believe murdered their daughter: Do they forgive him, or take justice into their own hands? An electrifying novel by the author of Nanny Needed. . .
The anonymous letters arrive in the mail, one by one: To find out what really happened to Meghan, meet at this location. Don't tell anyone you're coming. In one night, you'll find out everything you need to know.
Ten years after her murder, the letters tell Meghan's family exactly when and where to meet: a cliffside home on the Oregon coast. But on the night they're promised answers, the convicted killer--her high school boyfriend, Cal, who spent only ten years in prison for murder--is found unconscious in his car, slammed into a light pole near the house where the family is sitting and waiting. Is he the one who invited them to gather?
As a storm rampages along the Pacific Northwest, the power cuts off and leaves the family with no chance of returning to the main road and finding help. So they drag Cal back to the house for the remainder of the night. How easy it would be to let him die and claim it was an accident. Or do they help him instead? As the hours tick by, it becomes an excruciating choice. Half of the family wants to kill him. The other half wants him to regain consciousness so he can tell them what he knows.
But if Cal wakes up, he might reveal that someone in the family knows more than they're letting on. And if that's the case, who is the real killer? And are they already in the house?
The anonymous letters arrive in the mail, one by one: To find out what really happened to Meghan, meet at this location. Don't tell anyone you're coming. In one night, you'll find out everything you need to know.
Ten years after her murder, the letters tell Meghan's family exactly when and where to meet: a cliffside home on the Oregon coast. But on the night they're promised answers, the convicted killer--her high school boyfriend, Cal, who spent only ten years in prison for murder--is found unconscious in his car, slammed into a light pole near the house where the family is sitting and waiting. Is he the one who invited them to gather?
As a storm rampages along the Pacific Northwest, the power cuts off and leaves the family with no chance of returning to the main road and finding help. So they drag Cal back to the house for the remainder of the night. How easy it would be to let him die and claim it was an accident. Or do they help him instead? As the hours tick by, it becomes an excruciating choice. Half of the family wants to kill him. The other half wants him to regain consciousness so he can tell them what he knows.
But if Cal wakes up, he might reveal that someone in the family knows more than they're letting on. And if that's the case, who is the real killer? And are they already in the house?
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2023
32 people are currently reading
11348 people want to read
About the author
Georgina Cross
6 books785 followersAuthor of ONE NIGHT and NANNY NEEDED with Bantam, Penguin Random House, and author of THE STEPDAUGHTER, THE MISSING WOMAN, and THE NIECE with Bookouture, Hachette Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 402 reviews
August 1, 2023
They were all invited to the secluded house on the Oregon Coast-and when they arrived they found a table, set for an elegant dinner-place cards indicating where each family member should sit. Paul. Alice. Geoff. Rebecca. Maureen. Samantha.
But, at the head of the table, the place card is missing, the host’s identity kept a secret for now.
The rain is pelting outside and the wind is howling as they await the person who enticed them all there with the promise of revealing what really happened 10 years ago-the night Meghan died, and her boyfriend, Cal was arrested for a murder he would serve jail time for, despite protesting his innocence.
I loved the atmospheric beginning, and I couldn’t wait for this dinner party to get started, but it was not to be.
Geoff would arrive, with an injured Cal in tow, so he wouldn’t be speaking. All we could learn from him was what he wrote in his journal entries which, didn’t sound authentic to me.
The book stalled as Meghan’s family debated on whether or not to save him so they could finally learn the truth or whether they should let him die, to exact their revenge.
Each had been hiding a secret from the night in question, but as a seasoned reader of thrillers, it all seemed predictable to me, and the strong beginning fizzled fast.
Perhaps the story will be more surprising and satisfying for readers who only read the genre occasionally?
Available Now
Thank You to Ballantine for inviting me to read a gifted ARC provided through NetGalley, in exchange for a candid review.
But, at the head of the table, the place card is missing, the host’s identity kept a secret for now.
The rain is pelting outside and the wind is howling as they await the person who enticed them all there with the promise of revealing what really happened 10 years ago-the night Meghan died, and her boyfriend, Cal was arrested for a murder he would serve jail time for, despite protesting his innocence.
I loved the atmospheric beginning, and I couldn’t wait for this dinner party to get started, but it was not to be.
Geoff would arrive, with an injured Cal in tow, so he wouldn’t be speaking. All we could learn from him was what he wrote in his journal entries which, didn’t sound authentic to me.
The book stalled as Meghan’s family debated on whether or not to save him so they could finally learn the truth or whether they should let him die, to exact their revenge.
Each had been hiding a secret from the night in question, but as a seasoned reader of thrillers, it all seemed predictable to me, and the strong beginning fizzled fast.
Perhaps the story will be more surprising and satisfying for readers who only read the genre occasionally?
Available Now
Thank You to Ballantine for inviting me to read a gifted ARC provided through NetGalley, in exchange for a candid review.
July 27, 2023
One Night.......
Meghan was murdered ten years ago, and her family has been reeling ever since. Cal, her boyfriend at the time, was convicted of her murder and has just been released from prison. When the family received invitations to a home on the Oregon coast, they agreed to attend not knowing who invited them as they wanted to know what really happened the night Meghan was murdered.
Soon after arriving a powerful storm hits, taking down trees and leaving the family with no way to get out or call for help. As they are trapped together, they have a decision to make, to save an injured Cal or let him die.
This book had atmosphere, secrets, loss, various POV's and that trapped feeling that I enjoy in books. I had a feeling where this was going and wasn't entirely wrong. This was an enjoyable fast read about a family that was fractured after a devastating loss. They all have secrets, and they want to know who invited them, setting the stage (and the table) for the one night that will give them answers.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Meghan was murdered ten years ago, and her family has been reeling ever since. Cal, her boyfriend at the time, was convicted of her murder and has just been released from prison. When the family received invitations to a home on the Oregon coast, they agreed to attend not knowing who invited them as they wanted to know what really happened the night Meghan was murdered.
Soon after arriving a powerful storm hits, taking down trees and leaving the family with no way to get out or call for help. As they are trapped together, they have a decision to make, to save an injured Cal or let him die.
This book had atmosphere, secrets, loss, various POV's and that trapped feeling that I enjoy in books. I had a feeling where this was going and wasn't entirely wrong. This was an enjoyable fast read about a family that was fractured after a devastating loss. They all have secrets, and they want to know who invited them, setting the stage (and the table) for the one night that will give them answers.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
September 9, 2023
Wow! I wrapped myself in a blanket so tightly, like a low-fat human burrito (an obvious result of feeding myself with books and forgetting to eat), even though the calendar shows it's summer! This book sent chills down my spine. As the biggest fan of locked room mysteries, I was immediately drawn into the main plot from the beginning. The formula was similar to other claustrophobic, trapped-in-one-place plots: a group of people gathering in an isolated house out of nowhere as a storm starts and blocks the roads. Eventually, the power goes off, and, of course, the cell reception fails. The pressure escalates with each moment, as the spine-tingling possibility that a killer is out there to hunt them or that the killer may be one of them lingers.
This book follows the standard formula, but its mind-bending execution, the guessing game until the end of the mystery, the revelations after revelations that punch you in the face unexpectedly, and the jaw-dropping final twist that leaves you in awe are what make this book unique, addictive, and unputdownable.
My contact lenses were literally glued to my eyes, getting drier with each passing moment, but I couldn't move an inch to change them. I kept flipping the pages faster, realizing that my instincts, which usually warn me before the twists hit me in the face like a warning train horn, didn't work this time. The author was literally a few steps ahead of me, making my guesses unreliable.
The plot revolves around several points of view (POVs) as they gather at a rental beach house on the Oregon Coast. A grief-stricken family receives an invitation from a mysterious host, inviting them to this place to share the big secret about the murder of the family's elder daughter, Meghan, ten years ago. The timing is extra suspicious, considering Meghan's convicted murderer, Cal, who was her boyfriend, has just been released. Could he be the mysterious host, inviting them to prove his innocence?
Maureen, an overprotective mother who still misses her daughter and suspects from the beginning that this is entirely Cal's doing, has every intention to punish him for what he's done to her daughter. She is one of the guests. Sam, their youngest daughter, is adamant about finding out the secret behind their invitation and still questions whether Cal is innocent, despite her testimony that sent him to prison.
The middle daughter, Alice, cuts ties with her family after a big fight between her and her father's best friend, Geoff, at Christmas dinner. Reluctantly, she joins them, looking haggard, thinner, and more fragile than before. Their father, Paul, divorces Maureen to marry her colleague, Rebecca, after Meghan's death. They are the other guests of the house, along with Paul's longtime friend, Geoff, who once saved Meghan's life and became the family's hero, being called "Uncle Geoff" as a part of the family.
When they gather in the house around the dinner table, with placards and shelves filled with things they'd enjoy consuming and things they've found that belong to Meghan, questions arise about the identity of their host. However, as Geoff appears with Cal, whom he accidentally hit with his car, covered in blood, they realize he's not the one who trapped them in this house.
Nowhere to run, they are stuck inside together in the middle of the storm, with no cell reception or electricity, and more questions than they had before. As the pressure builds and secrets come out, each of them may discover that nothing is as it seems.
Overall, I loved the concept! Even though I hate the guts of the characters, their flaws and irritating traits served the entire execution well. I devoured it in one sitting, and I highly recommend it to lovers of locked room mysteries and psychological thrillers!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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This book follows the standard formula, but its mind-bending execution, the guessing game until the end of the mystery, the revelations after revelations that punch you in the face unexpectedly, and the jaw-dropping final twist that leaves you in awe are what make this book unique, addictive, and unputdownable.
My contact lenses were literally glued to my eyes, getting drier with each passing moment, but I couldn't move an inch to change them. I kept flipping the pages faster, realizing that my instincts, which usually warn me before the twists hit me in the face like a warning train horn, didn't work this time. The author was literally a few steps ahead of me, making my guesses unreliable.
The plot revolves around several points of view (POVs) as they gather at a rental beach house on the Oregon Coast. A grief-stricken family receives an invitation from a mysterious host, inviting them to this place to share the big secret about the murder of the family's elder daughter, Meghan, ten years ago. The timing is extra suspicious, considering Meghan's convicted murderer, Cal, who was her boyfriend, has just been released. Could he be the mysterious host, inviting them to prove his innocence?
Maureen, an overprotective mother who still misses her daughter and suspects from the beginning that this is entirely Cal's doing, has every intention to punish him for what he's done to her daughter. She is one of the guests. Sam, their youngest daughter, is adamant about finding out the secret behind their invitation and still questions whether Cal is innocent, despite her testimony that sent him to prison.
The middle daughter, Alice, cuts ties with her family after a big fight between her and her father's best friend, Geoff, at Christmas dinner. Reluctantly, she joins them, looking haggard, thinner, and more fragile than before. Their father, Paul, divorces Maureen to marry her colleague, Rebecca, after Meghan's death. They are the other guests of the house, along with Paul's longtime friend, Geoff, who once saved Meghan's life and became the family's hero, being called "Uncle Geoff" as a part of the family.
When they gather in the house around the dinner table, with placards and shelves filled with things they'd enjoy consuming and things they've found that belong to Meghan, questions arise about the identity of their host. However, as Geoff appears with Cal, whom he accidentally hit with his car, covered in blood, they realize he's not the one who trapped them in this house.
Nowhere to run, they are stuck inside together in the middle of the storm, with no cell reception or electricity, and more questions than they had before. As the pressure builds and secrets come out, each of them may discover that nothing is as it seems.
Overall, I loved the concept! Even though I hate the guts of the characters, their flaws and irritating traits served the entire execution well. I devoured it in one sitting, and I highly recommend it to lovers of locked room mysteries and psychological thrillers!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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July 24, 2023
After reading and really enjoying Nanny Needed in 2021, my sister and I decided another Georgina Cross buddy read was in the cards! The author clearly knows how to write suspense and draw the reader in, while also crafting some wild and over the top twists, in the best way. This wasn’t quite as addicting for me as Nanny Needed, but I’m still glad that I read it.
With quite a large cast for a locked room mystery, we receive 6 POVs along the process of this story, some more prevalent than others, but all come together to tell the story of how Meghan died that fateful night “Ten Years Ago” in the prologue. Even though it seemed like the on again/off again boyfriend was the likely culprit, all have been lured to a beach house by an anonymous host to find out what really happened to the 17 year old girl. Everyone’s a suspect this time, and I think perhaps the reason that I wasn’t able to rate this one higher is due to the fact I was expecting one thing, and this book went in a different direction.
Going in, I thought that there would be a bit more buildup to the portion of Cal being brought in and the family deliberating on what to do with him. Maybe it is because Cal isn’t able to truly give his input in for basically the entire time that made things feel a bit repetitive and stuck in the middle, or maybe it was just my expectations of feeling like there would be more of an Agatha Christie cast pointing the finger at each other to keep the mystery portion alive. Either way, the ending was not exactly what I expected, but also unsurprising.
If you can go into this one knowing the ending is OTT with a dramatic flair and that the entire cast of characters are wholly unlikable, One Night is a fun domestic drama.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
With quite a large cast for a locked room mystery, we receive 6 POVs along the process of this story, some more prevalent than others, but all come together to tell the story of how Meghan died that fateful night “Ten Years Ago” in the prologue. Even though it seemed like the on again/off again boyfriend was the likely culprit, all have been lured to a beach house by an anonymous host to find out what really happened to the 17 year old girl. Everyone’s a suspect this time, and I think perhaps the reason that I wasn’t able to rate this one higher is due to the fact I was expecting one thing, and this book went in a different direction.
Going in, I thought that there would be a bit more buildup to the portion of Cal being brought in and the family deliberating on what to do with him. Maybe it is because Cal isn’t able to truly give his input in for basically the entire time that made things feel a bit repetitive and stuck in the middle, or maybe it was just my expectations of feeling like there would be more of an Agatha Christie cast pointing the finger at each other to keep the mystery portion alive. Either way, the ending was not exactly what I expected, but also unsurprising.
If you can go into this one knowing the ending is OTT with a dramatic flair and that the entire cast of characters are wholly unlikable, One Night is a fun domestic drama.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
April 16, 2023
Wow! That ending blew me away. This atmospheric thriller has it all. Family secrets, betrayal, and revenge with everyone under a cloud of suspicion. Family members each receive a mysterious invitation to a house on the Oregon coast where they are told all questions about the oldest daughter’s murder will be answered. Who is behind this unsettling family getaway? No one can be trusted when guilt and vengeance are unwelcome guests and lives are changed forever. Thank you NetGalley and Bantam for my ARC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 18, 2023
Meghan was murdered 10 years ago and her boyfriend Cal has spent the last 10 in prison.
Meghan’s family and Cal receive invitations to a Creepy home on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Someone wants them to know what really happened that night. A storm comes in and terror begins.
This was an exciting read that I finished quickly. Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this ARC that will be released August 1, 2023!
Meghan’s family and Cal receive invitations to a Creepy home on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Someone wants them to know what really happened that night. A storm comes in and terror begins.
This was an exciting read that I finished quickly. Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this ARC that will be released August 1, 2023!
August 26, 2023
This is my third @georginacrossauthor books and they always deliver. One Night delivers a locked 🔒 room mystery … one of my absolute favorite type of books. Listen to this….
Meghan was only 17 years old when she was MURDERED! 😳😭 Her then boyfriend Cal spent 10 years in prison for it… except he has always maintained he is innocent.. Don’t they all???? 🤷♀️ I mean we all know it ALWAYS the husband… or the boyfriend!! Right?! 😉
This is where things get interesting… 🤔Meghan’s family is invited to a weekend together… ten years later.. after Cal is released from prison.. they assume Cal has some… unfinished business with them… will he finally come clean?? 😬
This quickly turned into a taut locked 🔒 room mystery when at the isolated house.. the storm ☔️ moves in… the electric goes out… they are sitting ducks… 🦆
As expected… @georginacrossauthor gave me the twists that I was hoping for!! I can’t wait to read whatever she has out next!! 😍
☔️☔️☔️ Is this on your list? Do you have a favorite @georginacrossauthor book? Do you love a locked 🔒 room mystery like I do?? What is a favorite?☔️☔️☔️ Thank you @randomhouse @suzyapprovedtours for this gifted copy
Meghan was only 17 years old when she was MURDERED! 😳😭 Her then boyfriend Cal spent 10 years in prison for it… except he has always maintained he is innocent.. Don’t they all???? 🤷♀️ I mean we all know it ALWAYS the husband… or the boyfriend!! Right?! 😉
This is where things get interesting… 🤔Meghan’s family is invited to a weekend together… ten years later.. after Cal is released from prison.. they assume Cal has some… unfinished business with them… will he finally come clean?? 😬
This quickly turned into a taut locked 🔒 room mystery when at the isolated house.. the storm ☔️ moves in… the electric goes out… they are sitting ducks… 🦆
As expected… @georginacrossauthor gave me the twists that I was hoping for!! I can’t wait to read whatever she has out next!! 😍
☔️☔️☔️ Is this on your list? Do you have a favorite @georginacrossauthor book? Do you love a locked 🔒 room mystery like I do?? What is a favorite?☔️☔️☔️ Thank you @randomhouse @suzyapprovedtours for this gifted copy
October 1, 2023
Ten years ago, Meghan Chisholm drowned in a creek during a bonfire with friends. When the police investigated, her sister Sam admitted that she had seen enough that night to know that Meghan’s ex-boyfriend, Cal, was behind her sister’s death. At trial, she testified and helped put him behind bars for ten years.
A decade later, each of the now somewhat fragmented Chisholm family receive a mysterious anonymous letter in the mail. Inside, it directs them to a house on the coast of Oregon where they’ll finally learn exactly what happened to Meghan that ill fated night. Is the truth far from what they’ve believed all these years? Or is the invitation a cruel prank on a still grieving family?
Despite the cloak and dagger approach, all six members of the Chisholm family show up at the isolated cliffside home on the designated night. Before they get the truth they all so desperately want, however, Cal is discovered unconscious in his car after running headlong into a tree. Why was he also in the area? Could he have been the one who invited them all there?
Their nightmare suddenly goes from bad to worse, however, when an approaching storm unleashes itself on the the remote Oregon coast. Thrashing the group, they must decide what to do with the now comatose Cal. Against their better judgement, they carry him back to the house. But just as they return, the lights suddenly go out and a downed tree cuts them off from the main road. With no cell service and not another person in sight, they must huddle together and wait out the storm.
But just as they’re coming to terms with being face-to-face with Cal after all these years, it becomes clear that they’re divided on what to do with him. After all, it would be all too easy to let him simply succumb to his already present injuries and claim it was just an accident. Especially since half of the family wants to take the ultimate revenge. The other half, however, merely want answers so they’ll do almost anything to keep the young man alive.
The only thing is, if Cal does regain consciousness, whatever he knows might just reveal that one of their own knows more than they’ve ever said. If that’s true, someone else just might be responsible for Meghan’s death. Have they been grieving side-by-side with the actual killer while an innocent Cal was rotting behind bars? If so, are they trapped in the darkened house with whoever it is right now?
Wow. In one word, I am stunned by the utter brilliance of the writing in One Night. The first of Georgina Cross’s books that I’ve read, I was sucked in by the premise as soon as I read the synopsis. So when I finally picked up my copy and dove in, I was thrilled to instantly fall for the eerie locale, evocative prose, and constantly rising foreboding. Just the same, there were some very real issues here and there, but let’s tackle the selling points first.
Right from the get-go, Cross had me from hello with the magically illustrated impending doom. With a family on the edge all gathered together for what they did not know, their panic and hysteria were perfectly done. Add to that the threatening storm that trapped them alone in the dark without any means of getting help? Well, what can I say… I fell in love on the spot.
It was the plot that had me won over, yet also disappointed just a smidge. After all, for probably two thirds of the book, it felt more like a domestic drama with quite a bit of foreboding than a locked room mystery or psychological thriller. Once I accepted that I wasn’t going to get any shocking twists and turns, I settled down for a riveting tale of a grieving family desperate for answers. Resonating with emotion, it led me down the path of what turned out to be a pretty sad story in the end.
So imagine my surprise when I hit that last third and found one startling reveal after another. Even better, the best one was saved until last, right there in the very finale. I do have to say, however, that I did have to suspend my disbelief as I nevertheless flipped the pages faster and faster. With events that felt somewhat contrived and reactions that rang with just a bit of melodrama, I had to look beyond it to enjoy it all. It was, however, something I was happy to do as I watched this family fully unravel.
My biggest problem, however, was how drawn out the whole evening—and storyline—felt. This was far from action-packed, instead coming across as a long, slow burn that was, at times, just a bit repetitive. In actuality, I believe it all would’ve been much more successful had it been shortened into a hard-hitting novella. But then, that’s just this very non-author’s take on what could’ve amped up the plot.
Ultimately, however, the multiple POVs and timelines wove together in a captivating way to create a gripping and poignant tale that kept me guessing throughout. And while part of the conclusion probably should’ve been readily apparent to me, a shedload of red herrings and plenty of characters hiding unguessable secrets kept me fully in suspense. So as long as you approach this without expecting Agatha Christie-esque vibes, you’ll probably enjoy it just as much as I did. After all, this is one story that actually equaled its beautiful cover. Rating of 3.5 stars.
Trigger warning: death of a daughter/sister, drowning, bullying, mention of: attempted suicide
A decade later, each of the now somewhat fragmented Chisholm family receive a mysterious anonymous letter in the mail. Inside, it directs them to a house on the coast of Oregon where they’ll finally learn exactly what happened to Meghan that ill fated night. Is the truth far from what they’ve believed all these years? Or is the invitation a cruel prank on a still grieving family?
Despite the cloak and dagger approach, all six members of the Chisholm family show up at the isolated cliffside home on the designated night. Before they get the truth they all so desperately want, however, Cal is discovered unconscious in his car after running headlong into a tree. Why was he also in the area? Could he have been the one who invited them all there?
Their nightmare suddenly goes from bad to worse, however, when an approaching storm unleashes itself on the the remote Oregon coast. Thrashing the group, they must decide what to do with the now comatose Cal. Against their better judgement, they carry him back to the house. But just as they return, the lights suddenly go out and a downed tree cuts them off from the main road. With no cell service and not another person in sight, they must huddle together and wait out the storm.
But just as they’re coming to terms with being face-to-face with Cal after all these years, it becomes clear that they’re divided on what to do with him. After all, it would be all too easy to let him simply succumb to his already present injuries and claim it was just an accident. Especially since half of the family wants to take the ultimate revenge. The other half, however, merely want answers so they’ll do almost anything to keep the young man alive.
The only thing is, if Cal does regain consciousness, whatever he knows might just reveal that one of their own knows more than they’ve ever said. If that’s true, someone else just might be responsible for Meghan’s death. Have they been grieving side-by-side with the actual killer while an innocent Cal was rotting behind bars? If so, are they trapped in the darkened house with whoever it is right now?
Wow. In one word, I am stunned by the utter brilliance of the writing in One Night. The first of Georgina Cross’s books that I’ve read, I was sucked in by the premise as soon as I read the synopsis. So when I finally picked up my copy and dove in, I was thrilled to instantly fall for the eerie locale, evocative prose, and constantly rising foreboding. Just the same, there were some very real issues here and there, but let’s tackle the selling points first.
Right from the get-go, Cross had me from hello with the magically illustrated impending doom. With a family on the edge all gathered together for what they did not know, their panic and hysteria were perfectly done. Add to that the threatening storm that trapped them alone in the dark without any means of getting help? Well, what can I say… I fell in love on the spot.
It was the plot that had me won over, yet also disappointed just a smidge. After all, for probably two thirds of the book, it felt more like a domestic drama with quite a bit of foreboding than a locked room mystery or psychological thriller. Once I accepted that I wasn’t going to get any shocking twists and turns, I settled down for a riveting tale of a grieving family desperate for answers. Resonating with emotion, it led me down the path of what turned out to be a pretty sad story in the end.
So imagine my surprise when I hit that last third and found one startling reveal after another. Even better, the best one was saved until last, right there in the very finale. I do have to say, however, that I did have to suspend my disbelief as I nevertheless flipped the pages faster and faster. With events that felt somewhat contrived and reactions that rang with just a bit of melodrama, I had to look beyond it to enjoy it all. It was, however, something I was happy to do as I watched this family fully unravel.
My biggest problem, however, was how drawn out the whole evening—and storyline—felt. This was far from action-packed, instead coming across as a long, slow burn that was, at times, just a bit repetitive. In actuality, I believe it all would’ve been much more successful had it been shortened into a hard-hitting novella. But then, that’s just this very non-author’s take on what could’ve amped up the plot.
Ultimately, however, the multiple POVs and timelines wove together in a captivating way to create a gripping and poignant tale that kept me guessing throughout. And while part of the conclusion probably should’ve been readily apparent to me, a shedload of red herrings and plenty of characters hiding unguessable secrets kept me fully in suspense. So as long as you approach this without expecting Agatha Christie-esque vibes, you’ll probably enjoy it just as much as I did. After all, this is one story that actually equaled its beautiful cover. Rating of 3.5 stars.
Trigger warning: death of a daughter/sister, drowning, bullying, mention of: attempted suicide
April 25, 2024
3.75⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriler
Setting ~ Oregon
Publication date ~ August 1, 2023
Page Count ~ 306 (p+ 43 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 28 minutes
Narrators ~ Brittany Pressley, Kirby Heyborne
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ present and past timeline, murder, locked room
Maureen & Paul's 17 year old daughter, Meghan, was murdered 10 years ago. Now a mysterious someone has invited everyone that was close to Meghan to a dinner party because they have something to say about what really happened the night she died.
The attendees are:
Sam & Alice ~ Meghan's younger sisters.
Rebecca ~ Paul's new wife.
Cal ~ Meghan's boyfriend who went to prison for the murder.
Uncle Jeff doesn't have any chapters told by him, but he's Paul's best friend who has always been a big part of the family, so he's invited, too.
Overall, it's quite predictable, but I was still kept engaged with the full on locked room feel. There's a raging storm with no electric or cell service to help build up the suspense. There was a nice last little zinger that bumped up my rating.
Hubs in depth review:
Figured out who did it in the first 13 minutes, however pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns throughout. Overall, enjoyed it.
I was able to listen to a copy as well.
Narration notes:
You can never go wrong with Brittany as a narrator. She really knows how to build up the suspense.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ psychological thriler
Setting ~ Oregon
Publication date ~ August 1, 2023
Page Count ~ 306 (p+ 43 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 28 minutes
Narrators ~ Brittany Pressley, Kirby Heyborne
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ present and past timeline, murder, locked room
Maureen & Paul's 17 year old daughter, Meghan, was murdered 10 years ago. Now a mysterious someone has invited everyone that was close to Meghan to a dinner party because they have something to say about what really happened the night she died.
The attendees are:
Sam & Alice ~ Meghan's younger sisters.
Rebecca ~ Paul's new wife.
Cal ~ Meghan's boyfriend who went to prison for the murder.
Uncle Jeff doesn't have any chapters told by him, but he's Paul's best friend who has always been a big part of the family, so he's invited, too.
Overall, it's quite predictable, but I was still kept engaged with the full on locked room feel. There's a raging storm with no electric or cell service to help build up the suspense. There was a nice last little zinger that bumped up my rating.
Hubs in depth review:
Figured out who did it in the first 13 minutes, however pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns throughout. Overall, enjoyed it.
I was able to listen to a copy as well.
Narration notes:
You can never go wrong with Brittany as a narrator. She really knows how to build up the suspense.
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January 21, 2024
I loved Nanny Needed so I was excited about this one coming out. I like that you see the story from so many different perspectives and the writing was ok, but overall I wanted more from this thriller. I figured everything out pretty early and there weren’t any herrings strong enough to shake that. The beginning was fairly strong, but I didn’t think the ending was as good (in fact I found some parts to be downright unrealistic and take me away from any enjoyment I was having. 10 years ago Meghan was murdered. Her boyfriend at the time, Cal, went to prison for that murder but has recently been released. When the whole family gets mysterious notes inviting them to an Oregon beach house to find out the full truth of what happened to Meghan they come. But when a horrible storm comes in they are stranded and it’s clear there are more secrets than they know. Overall I gave it 3.5 stars.
June 16, 2023
I do love a locked room mystery and this one had it all. Another book where the characters are easy to like but that did not stop me from turning those pages. One Night is a fast paced and wild ride, full of family secrets, a raging storm both inside and outside the house. A great read for thriller lovers
The Chisholm Family have been summoned to a cliff top house on the Oregon coast by an anonymous person to find out what really happened 10 years ago. They thought they knew already, their 17 year old daughter Meaghan was murdered by her high school boyfriend, Cal. He has just been released from prison and they believe he sent the invite. A storm hits and they are cut off from electricity, phone lines and the road is blocked by a fallen tree. Who sent the invite and what did they want to tell the family?
It is an intense situation and the storm makes it even more so. Secrets will be revealed and lives will be changed.
Thanks to the publisher Random House and Negalley for my copy of this book to read. Published on August 1st.
The Chisholm Family have been summoned to a cliff top house on the Oregon coast by an anonymous person to find out what really happened 10 years ago. They thought they knew already, their 17 year old daughter Meaghan was murdered by her high school boyfriend, Cal. He has just been released from prison and they believe he sent the invite. A storm hits and they are cut off from electricity, phone lines and the road is blocked by a fallen tree. Who sent the invite and what did they want to tell the family?
It is an intense situation and the storm makes it even more so. Secrets will be revealed and lives will be changed.
Thanks to the publisher Random House and Negalley for my copy of this book to read. Published on August 1st.
August 7, 2023
Review coming soon.
May 17, 2024
Wow! I flew through this book and found myself thinking about the mystery over and over!
This is a dark, gloomy story set on the Pacific coast. It’s told from many perspectives and between decades. I was SO surprised, multiple times, by the twists and turns. I definitely recommend for all thriller readers! 🎢
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest feedback!
This is a dark, gloomy story set on the Pacific coast. It’s told from many perspectives and between decades. I was SO surprised, multiple times, by the twists and turns. I definitely recommend for all thriller readers! 🎢
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest feedback!
September 23, 2023
Tense, Atmospheric, and a Bang-Up Ending!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Jeepers! One Night is a fast-paced, white-knuckle ride I couldn’t tear myself away from! I could barely take time out to feed the dogs (they won’t be ignored, lol). This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’ve just added her others to my TBR list.
It only takes one night to destroy a family. Meghan’s family is shattered after her murder and even though her HS boyfriend was convicted, it tore them apart.
Not everyone is convinced that Cal is responsible for Meghan’s murder. Ten years after her murder, Cal is released from prison and mysterious invitations show up for those close to Meghan. Lured by the promise they will finally find out what happened that night.
This story takes place over one suspenseful night at a remote cliffside house in Oregon. The turbulent storm delivers an angry and atmospheric setting. The unpredictable ending is brutal yet brilliant! Again, one night changes this family forever. Thriller lovers need to read this one!
Sincere thanks to Random House Publishing-Ballantine/Bantam for this complimentary ARC provided by NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own and are left voluntarily.
#OneNight #netgalley #GeorginaCross #randomhousepublishing #ballantine #bantam #justfinished #newrelease #giftedARC #igbookreels #thriller #honestreview #thrillerbooklovers #thrillerfriendsunite #mysteryandthrills #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #suspense #mystery #lovetoread #bookworms #lovebooks #lovetoreadbooks #fortheloveofbooks #booknerd #bookreviewer
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Jeepers! One Night is a fast-paced, white-knuckle ride I couldn’t tear myself away from! I could barely take time out to feed the dogs (they won’t be ignored, lol). This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’ve just added her others to my TBR list.
It only takes one night to destroy a family. Meghan’s family is shattered after her murder and even though her HS boyfriend was convicted, it tore them apart.
Not everyone is convinced that Cal is responsible for Meghan’s murder. Ten years after her murder, Cal is released from prison and mysterious invitations show up for those close to Meghan. Lured by the promise they will finally find out what happened that night.
This story takes place over one suspenseful night at a remote cliffside house in Oregon. The turbulent storm delivers an angry and atmospheric setting. The unpredictable ending is brutal yet brilliant! Again, one night changes this family forever. Thriller lovers need to read this one!
Sincere thanks to Random House Publishing-Ballantine/Bantam for this complimentary ARC provided by NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own and are left voluntarily.
#OneNight #netgalley #GeorginaCross #randomhousepublishing #ballantine #bantam #justfinished #newrelease #giftedARC #igbookreels #thriller #honestreview #thrillerbooklovers #thrillerfriendsunite #mysteryandthrills #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #suspense #mystery #lovetoread #bookworms #lovebooks #lovetoreadbooks #fortheloveofbooks #booknerd #bookreviewer
June 28, 2023
The Chisholm family was left reeling when the oldest daughter, Meghan, died. She was at a bonfire party with her boyfriend, Cal, and in the present, he has just finished serving ten years in prison for the assault that led to her drowning.
Soon after Cal is released, Meghan’s family gets invitations to a house on the ocean - a dinner party, if you will. The guest list consists of Meghan’s sisters, Alice and Sam, their mom, Maureen, their dad and his new wife, Paul and Rebecca (can’t forget their dog, Bella!) and Paul’s best friend, “Uncle” Geoff.
They all go, even though this seems shady as hell and none of them have any desire to be there. When Maureen and Sam arrive first, they find the dining room table set, complete with name cards and a creepy item from the past. One card is missing, though their place is set. Who will be their mystery guest? Is it the one who invited them to come together?
Uncle Geoff is the last to arrive, and he arrives carrying - you guessed it - Cal. The Pacific Northwest is in the middle of a raging storm, and he got into an accident with Cal’s car on the way to the house. A tree now blocks access, and emergency services say it may be hours before they can get someone out to assess Cal’s injuries.
Now this family is sitting in the house, attending to the man found guilty of Meghan’s death, and the idea of just getting revenge while he’s unconscious is definitely on the table. We do get to hear from Cal, in the form of letters he sent to the family while incarcerated, but at present time, he’s out like a light. The curiosity of why he brought them all there is killing them though - will he die, or wake up and tell them the truth?
I’m putting this in the popcorn mystery/thriller category because this entire book was completely implausible from beginning to end. The plot was decent, there were good red herrings and those who like locked-room mysteries will probably enjoy this one. It’s the actions of the characters, along with some medical inaccuracies and the convoluted ending that make this completely unbelievable. If you don’t mind that though, you’re in for a book that can be read in one sitting. Three stars.
(Thank you to Bantam, Georgina Cross, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on August 1, 2023.)
Soon after Cal is released, Meghan’s family gets invitations to a house on the ocean - a dinner party, if you will. The guest list consists of Meghan’s sisters, Alice and Sam, their mom, Maureen, their dad and his new wife, Paul and Rebecca (can’t forget their dog, Bella!) and Paul’s best friend, “Uncle” Geoff.
They all go, even though this seems shady as hell and none of them have any desire to be there. When Maureen and Sam arrive first, they find the dining room table set, complete with name cards and a creepy item from the past. One card is missing, though their place is set. Who will be their mystery guest? Is it the one who invited them to come together?
Uncle Geoff is the last to arrive, and he arrives carrying - you guessed it - Cal. The Pacific Northwest is in the middle of a raging storm, and he got into an accident with Cal’s car on the way to the house. A tree now blocks access, and emergency services say it may be hours before they can get someone out to assess Cal’s injuries.
Now this family is sitting in the house, attending to the man found guilty of Meghan’s death, and the idea of just getting revenge while he’s unconscious is definitely on the table. We do get to hear from Cal, in the form of letters he sent to the family while incarcerated, but at present time, he’s out like a light. The curiosity of why he brought them all there is killing them though - will he die, or wake up and tell them the truth?
I’m putting this in the popcorn mystery/thriller category because this entire book was completely implausible from beginning to end. The plot was decent, there were good red herrings and those who like locked-room mysteries will probably enjoy this one. It’s the actions of the characters, along with some medical inaccuracies and the convoluted ending that make this completely unbelievable. If you don’t mind that though, you’re in for a book that can be read in one sitting. Three stars.
(Thank you to Bantam, Georgina Cross, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on August 1, 2023.)
June 5, 2023
A family is still reeling over their daughters death years before, at supposedly the hands of her high school boyfriend, who is recently paroled. While dealing with the stress of him being released they all receive an anonymous invitation asking them to spend the weekend at a beach home they all used to visit. Who sent the invitation? We do not know! But it promises answers to her murder/death.
This is more of a secluded beach cabin/locked room trope where everyone is questioning everyone else. I do think once it got going it moved fast but there have been so many books tackling the locked room genre that I may be a bit worn out on it. I did figure out the end game, but did like the POV and time line switches as it gave a little bit more depth into it, but I wasn't super enthralled.
Nanny Needed by this author was by far my favorite and was hoping this lived up to that, but fell a bit flat. I will still read more by this author for sure. I think many will enjoy this and encourage others to read,
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my honest review in exchange for an advanced copy
This is more of a secluded beach cabin/locked room trope where everyone is questioning everyone else. I do think once it got going it moved fast but there have been so many books tackling the locked room genre that I may be a bit worn out on it. I did figure out the end game, but did like the POV and time line switches as it gave a little bit more depth into it, but I wasn't super enthralled.
Nanny Needed by this author was by far my favorite and was hoping this lived up to that, but fell a bit flat. I will still read more by this author for sure. I think many will enjoy this and encourage others to read,
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my honest review in exchange for an advanced copy
July 11, 2023
This ended up being a much better than expected page turner.
As the book starts, you soon realize that a) you don’t like very many of the characters and b) you have a pretty good idea of why certain things happened.
I can tell you that you’re almost right. Most of the characters have issues and the reason behind everything is *almost* what you think it is.
Despite some of the predictability, it’s an entertaining and suspenseful read – especially when the storm comes and things start getting weird!
In the end, I enjoyed it and found that what the author does with some of the characters was both devious and delightful.
• ARC via Publisher
As the book starts, you soon realize that a) you don’t like very many of the characters and b) you have a pretty good idea of why certain things happened.
I can tell you that you’re almost right. Most of the characters have issues and the reason behind everything is *almost* what you think it is.
Despite some of the predictability, it’s an entertaining and suspenseful read – especially when the storm comes and things start getting weird!
In the end, I enjoyed it and found that what the author does with some of the characters was both devious and delightful.
• ARC via Publisher
March 5, 2023
Review to come
June 18, 2023
This was a locked-room type mystery that kind of worked for me. It centers on the family of Meghan, who was murdered 10 years prior at the age of 17 at a bonfire party. Her boyfriend Cal was jailed for the murder but has recently been released when her family (mother, 2 sisters, father, stepmother, and family friend) receive invitations from an unknown person to meet at a beach house to find what really happened. They all assume that it’s Cal who brought them together, but secrets are revealed that make some of them question his actions as well as his intent. The story is told in alternating POVs from many characters intermingled with flashback chapters.
There is a definite creepiness in the setting as well as the storm that keeps them trapped in the house. Though there are a lot of characters and the POVs alternate, it’s not hard to keep everyone straight. That being said, I still never figured out the motivations for some of the decisions that the characters made and couldn’t help but think that a lot of the mystery would have been solved if people just talked to each other. I can’t say the ending was a huge surprise but I do think the author could have done a better job in giving the reader more background to help lay the breadcrumbs for the ending. That being said, the story was still fast paced and I was invested in learning what happened.
Overall, ok story but I don’t love when the motivations for people to do what they did are not made clear as the story continues, and when people just talking to each other would have solved a lot of the problems. It is a quick read, though, that never made me bored. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There is a definite creepiness in the setting as well as the storm that keeps them trapped in the house. Though there are a lot of characters and the POVs alternate, it’s not hard to keep everyone straight. That being said, I still never figured out the motivations for some of the decisions that the characters made and couldn’t help but think that a lot of the mystery would have been solved if people just talked to each other. I can’t say the ending was a huge surprise but I do think the author could have done a better job in giving the reader more background to help lay the breadcrumbs for the ending. That being said, the story was still fast paced and I was invested in learning what happened.
Overall, ok story but I don’t love when the motivations for people to do what they did are not made clear as the story continues, and when people just talking to each other would have solved a lot of the problems. It is a quick read, though, that never made me bored. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2023
One Night
By: Georgina Cross
5 ⛈️⛈️⛈️⛈️⛈️
This was my first novel by Cross, and I will without a doubt read more. This intense psychological thriller is about a family that is summoned to a home in Oregon. They each receive handwritten red invitations to a night they won’t ever forget.
Ten years ago Maureen and Paul’s daughter Megan was killed. Her boyfriend Cal was put away in prison. He is now out. He has always claimed his innocence and her family was torn with his verdict.
Their other daughters Alice, Sam and Paul and his new wife have been given invitations to come to a home overlooking the Pacific in Oregon to find out what really happened to Megan. Their “Uncle Geoff has also been invited to this chilling event.
The scenery, the dangerous storm, and the chilling details had me wrapped up and waiting to find out what really happened to Megan. The events that happened during this intense night and had me scared for their family.
Count me in for more of her novels!
❓ Do you like a good thunderstorm??
Thank you Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for introducing me to this author.
By: Georgina Cross
5 ⛈️⛈️⛈️⛈️⛈️
This was my first novel by Cross, and I will without a doubt read more. This intense psychological thriller is about a family that is summoned to a home in Oregon. They each receive handwritten red invitations to a night they won’t ever forget.
Ten years ago Maureen and Paul’s daughter Megan was killed. Her boyfriend Cal was put away in prison. He is now out. He has always claimed his innocence and her family was torn with his verdict.
Their other daughters Alice, Sam and Paul and his new wife have been given invitations to come to a home overlooking the Pacific in Oregon to find out what really happened to Megan. Their “Uncle Geoff has also been invited to this chilling event.
The scenery, the dangerous storm, and the chilling details had me wrapped up and waiting to find out what really happened to Megan. The events that happened during this intense night and had me scared for their family.
Count me in for more of her novels!
❓ Do you like a good thunderstorm??
Thank you Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for introducing me to this author.
August 2, 2023
This was quite a tense and creepy thriller. It's been ten years since the oldest Chisholm daughter, Meghan, was found drowned, and her high school boyfriend, Cal, was found guilty of her murder. Cal has recently been released from prison, and now Meghan's family has been anonymously summoned to a rented beach house with the promise that they will finally learn what actually happened that night. Throw in a violent storm, a creepy staged dinner party, a whole lot of secrets, and some solid twists, and you have a pretty entertaining thriller. The whole book was pretty well-paced and full of red herrings and moments of suspense. Even if you have some idea of where it's all headed, there are still enough twists that make for a satisfying ending.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I'm excited to check out this author's back catalog.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I'm excited to check out this author's back catalog.
May 12, 2023
I did not care for this - I was curious about the answer to the mystery so I kept reading but it felt like it dragged on FOREVER.
August 31, 2023
Let me just say, I love locked room mystery so after absolutely LOVING Nanny Needed, I had to get a copy of One Night!
This thriller is set at a beach house during one day/night with lots of flashbacks, which I always love. While it was a slower build for me in the beginning once everything clicked together I was hooked. Every time I thought I figured out what happened to Meghan, I would be thrown for a loop. But the ending was mind blowing 🤯 and completely made the book worth the read/listen! If you are looking for a book or audiobook that will keep you guessing until the very end, add this to your TBR!
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job!
Thank you @thrillerbookloverspromotions , @prhaudio, @randomhouse , @netgalley , and Georgina Cross for my gifted copies!
This thriller is set at a beach house during one day/night with lots of flashbacks, which I always love. While it was a slower build for me in the beginning once everything clicked together I was hooked. Every time I thought I figured out what happened to Meghan, I would be thrown for a loop. But the ending was mind blowing 🤯 and completely made the book worth the read/listen! If you are looking for a book or audiobook that will keep you guessing until the very end, add this to your TBR!
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job!
Thank you @thrillerbookloverspromotions , @prhaudio, @randomhouse , @netgalley , and Georgina Cross for my gifted copies!
July 5, 2023
One night. That's all the time a family has to decide what to do with the man they believe murdered their daughter: Do they forgive him, or take justice into their own hands?
A locked room mystery, messed up family, isolated house during a storm and grief stricken parents who want answers about their daughters death ten years earlier … hooked yet?
There’s a large cast of characters in this mystery - 6 POV’s in all. Most are unlikable and often unreliable, however its pretty fast paced and it’s a page turner. The family have all been mysteriously invited to a home on the Oregon Coast, under the premise of finding out answers to their daughters death. Their daughters murderer, who has spent the last 10 years in prison for her murder has just been released - is it him?
Best to go in blind to this one - Expect fast paced, atmospheric, high tension, secrets aplenty unveiling with a brilliant final twist.
Great 3.5 stars (rounded up) ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
A locked room mystery, messed up family, isolated house during a storm and grief stricken parents who want answers about their daughters death ten years earlier … hooked yet?
There’s a large cast of characters in this mystery - 6 POV’s in all. Most are unlikable and often unreliable, however its pretty fast paced and it’s a page turner. The family have all been mysteriously invited to a home on the Oregon Coast, under the premise of finding out answers to their daughters death. Their daughters murderer, who has spent the last 10 years in prison for her murder has just been released - is it him?
Best to go in blind to this one - Expect fast paced, atmospheric, high tension, secrets aplenty unveiling with a brilliant final twist.
Great 3.5 stars (rounded up) ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
September 16, 2024
An interesting story with unlikable characters and an extremely disappointing conclusion.
May 12, 2023
I absolutely love locked room thrillers. This one was absolutely fantastic. This story starts off with so much suspense and keeps going until the very end. The characters are easy to keep up with. I really enjoyed this story!
🔥 Locked room thriller
🔥 Suspenseful
🔥 Family secrets
🔥 Stormy night setting
🔥 Multiple POVs
🖤 Spoiler free character list:
• Maureen- mother
• Paul- father/Maureen’s ex husband
• Rebecca- Paul’s wife
• Meg/Meghan- oldest daughter/Cal’s girlfriend/deceased
• Alice- second oldest daughter
• Sam/Samantha- youngest daughter
• Cal- Meg’s boyfriend/accused of ☠️ Meg/served 10 years in prison
• Uncle Geoff- Paul’s best friend
• Bella- Rebecca’s dog (for you animal lovers, yes, the dog remains safe🖤)
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
🔥 Locked room thriller
🔥 Suspenseful
🔥 Family secrets
🔥 Stormy night setting
🔥 Multiple POVs
🖤 Spoiler free character list:
• Maureen- mother
• Paul- father/Maureen’s ex husband
• Rebecca- Paul’s wife
• Meg/Meghan- oldest daughter/Cal’s girlfriend/deceased
• Alice- second oldest daughter
• Sam/Samantha- youngest daughter
• Cal- Meg’s boyfriend/accused of ☠️ Meg/served 10 years in prison
• Uncle Geoff- Paul’s best friend
• Bella- Rebecca’s dog (for you animal lovers, yes, the dog remains safe🖤)
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
dnf
July 9, 2023This books sounds like everything I wanted. Come to this location on the Oregon Coast if you want to know who murdered your daughter. Honestly, I had a hard time with this book. It just didn’t keep my interest. I will try again as it is so highly rated.
August 1, 2023
I thought this was a pretty predictable book. Within a few chapters I had already guessed who was really responsible.
At times the story seems a bit wordy to me. If you like psychological thrillers definitely check this book out.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
At times the story seems a bit wordy to me. If you like psychological thrillers definitely check this book out.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
July 21, 2023
Thank you to PRHAudio for the complimentary audiobook and Bantan and Thriller Book Lovers for the ARC!
Meghan’s family is promised answers as to what happened when she was murdered ten years ago. Each family member receives a letter inviting them to a cliffside home in Oregon. They know that Meghan’s boyfriend, Cal, was just released from prison. He served ten years for killing her, but maintained his innocence. The family thinks Cal has invited them on this night, but he is found unconscious in his car, slammed into a light pole near the house. Is Cal really the killer or has someone elses invited them, and if so what is their motive?
This was a fast-paced, locked room thriller. Told over the course of this one night, readers see what really happened to Meghan through flashbacks of the night of her death. The atmosphere also played a huge part in the story; everyone together in this one house, not knowing who invited them there or what their intentions were, a storm raging outside, and tension between the family and Cal. Then there’s the fact that if Cal wakes up, what will he tell them? This story had me on the edge of my seat and while I had some suspicions I did not guess the the twist and how it was going to play out. When I saw Brittany Presley was narrating, I had to grab the audio too, as she is one of my favorites! She and Kirby Heyborne perfectly brought the characters to life.
“One Night” releases August 1, 2023! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly.
Meghan’s family is promised answers as to what happened when she was murdered ten years ago. Each family member receives a letter inviting them to a cliffside home in Oregon. They know that Meghan’s boyfriend, Cal, was just released from prison. He served ten years for killing her, but maintained his innocence. The family thinks Cal has invited them on this night, but he is found unconscious in his car, slammed into a light pole near the house. Is Cal really the killer or has someone elses invited them, and if so what is their motive?
This was a fast-paced, locked room thriller. Told over the course of this one night, readers see what really happened to Meghan through flashbacks of the night of her death. The atmosphere also played a huge part in the story; everyone together in this one house, not knowing who invited them there or what their intentions were, a storm raging outside, and tension between the family and Cal. Then there’s the fact that if Cal wakes up, what will he tell them? This story had me on the edge of my seat and while I had some suspicions I did not guess the the twist and how it was going to play out. When I saw Brittany Presley was narrating, I had to grab the audio too, as she is one of my favorites! She and Kirby Heyborne perfectly brought the characters to life.
“One Night” releases August 1, 2023! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly.
August 2, 2023
One Night is the story of a family broken when the oldest daughter is murdered. Meghan was the oldest daughter and always had to be the best at everything. She put down her other 2 sisters often and made sure they did what she wanted. Alice and Samantha are the middle and youngest daughters and they love and look up to Meghan most of the time. When Meghan wants to go to a bonfire party she tells Alice that she has to go to cover for her. She only wants to say she's at the party, but she has other plans. Alice isn't the partying type and really doesn't want to go, but Meghan got her to promise and holds her to it.
At the bonfire, Meghan gets a ride from Cal, her current boyfriend. He's supposed to take her to Homecoming in a week but they've been arguing a lot lately. Cal thinks Meghan is beautiful and really likes her. He wants to talk to her about what's bothering her but Meghan keeps putting him off. Meghan has a plan to meet Geoff in the woods by the bonfire and have him drive them to a beach house that's nearby. Geoff who is called Uncle Geoff by the 3 girls is their Dad's best friend. He rescued Meghan and saved her from serious injury when a huge wave came ashore on vacation. Ever since he risked injury to himself and prevented Meghan from any injury he's been known as Uncle Geoff even though there's no familial ties.
Will Geoff agree and take Meghan to the beach house for a night they'll never forget? Is he the one who murdered her? Will Cal find out what's going on and that Meghan has no interest in him? Will that be enough for him to murder her? Could it be someone else? Meghan's dead body is found in the creek with a head wound and she drowned. Sam tells the police that the last person she saw with Meghan was Cal and that they were arguing. Cal is arrested for Meghan's murder and goes to jail.
Ten years later, Cal gets out of prison. He has maintained his innocence the entire time and sent letters to Meghan's mom and dad throughout his prison stay. Invitations arrive for each member of Meghan's family, for Geoff, and for Cal. Meghan's parents are divorced and her Dad remarried so both are coming to the "party". The invitation says to come to the beach house to find out what really happened to Meg. The writing is block letters so there's no indication who might have sent them. As the invites begin to arrive, no one is happy about being there. The house sits near a cliff with the ocean below. All of the family has arrived when Alice finally shows up very late.. Uncle Geoff still hasn't arrived and neither has Cal.
A terrible storm moves in and there's crazy wind, torrential downpours, sharp lightning and loud thunder. Everyone looks around the house for flashlights and candles just in case. As they're in storm prep there's a knock at the door. It's Geoff and he's carrying an injured Cal. Geoff explains that his SUV ran into Cal's truck that was pulled off on the side of the road. He didn't see the truck due to the storm and the downed tree that prevented Cal from driving further. Cal has a head injury that is bleeding badly and looks like he's on death's door. Is this what really happened? Is Geoff telling the truth?
Things begin to escalate as Meghan's Homecoming dress is laid out in the house, place cards for dinner are set, food has been bought and is ready to eat, favorite drinks have been provided. Who did all of this and when? Why are there magazines in the house with Geoff's name and address? Is he behind this? Who has set this up and why? Will Cal tell them why he killed Meghan? Did Cal really do it? Someone is hiding something and it's all going to come out.
This book will have you flipping pages at record speed. Georgina Cross does it again with a thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end! One Night came out today and I highly recommend you read it! I rate the book 4 stars and know that you'll enjoy the guessing game. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Bantam Books for an advanced copy of One Night in exchange for a fair review. #OneNight
At the bonfire, Meghan gets a ride from Cal, her current boyfriend. He's supposed to take her to Homecoming in a week but they've been arguing a lot lately. Cal thinks Meghan is beautiful and really likes her. He wants to talk to her about what's bothering her but Meghan keeps putting him off. Meghan has a plan to meet Geoff in the woods by the bonfire and have him drive them to a beach house that's nearby. Geoff who is called Uncle Geoff by the 3 girls is their Dad's best friend. He rescued Meghan and saved her from serious injury when a huge wave came ashore on vacation. Ever since he risked injury to himself and prevented Meghan from any injury he's been known as Uncle Geoff even though there's no familial ties.
Will Geoff agree and take Meghan to the beach house for a night they'll never forget? Is he the one who murdered her? Will Cal find out what's going on and that Meghan has no interest in him? Will that be enough for him to murder her? Could it be someone else? Meghan's dead body is found in the creek with a head wound and she drowned. Sam tells the police that the last person she saw with Meghan was Cal and that they were arguing. Cal is arrested for Meghan's murder and goes to jail.
Ten years later, Cal gets out of prison. He has maintained his innocence the entire time and sent letters to Meghan's mom and dad throughout his prison stay. Invitations arrive for each member of Meghan's family, for Geoff, and for Cal. Meghan's parents are divorced and her Dad remarried so both are coming to the "party". The invitation says to come to the beach house to find out what really happened to Meg. The writing is block letters so there's no indication who might have sent them. As the invites begin to arrive, no one is happy about being there. The house sits near a cliff with the ocean below. All of the family has arrived when Alice finally shows up very late.. Uncle Geoff still hasn't arrived and neither has Cal.
A terrible storm moves in and there's crazy wind, torrential downpours, sharp lightning and loud thunder. Everyone looks around the house for flashlights and candles just in case. As they're in storm prep there's a knock at the door. It's Geoff and he's carrying an injured Cal. Geoff explains that his SUV ran into Cal's truck that was pulled off on the side of the road. He didn't see the truck due to the storm and the downed tree that prevented Cal from driving further. Cal has a head injury that is bleeding badly and looks like he's on death's door. Is this what really happened? Is Geoff telling the truth?
Things begin to escalate as Meghan's Homecoming dress is laid out in the house, place cards for dinner are set, food has been bought and is ready to eat, favorite drinks have been provided. Who did all of this and when? Why are there magazines in the house with Geoff's name and address? Is he behind this? Who has set this up and why? Will Cal tell them why he killed Meghan? Did Cal really do it? Someone is hiding something and it's all going to come out.
This book will have you flipping pages at record speed. Georgina Cross does it again with a thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end! One Night came out today and I highly recommend you read it! I rate the book 4 stars and know that you'll enjoy the guessing game. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Bantam Books for an advanced copy of One Night in exchange for a fair review. #OneNight
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