ONE BY ONE, by Freida McFadden, is the story of a trip that went wrong.  Very wrong.  Told primarily in the voice of Claire Matchett, she makes it clear that she hates her husband and that the feeling is probably mutual. She is certain they are still together for the sake of their young children.  So, why are they going on a week-long vacation with two other couples? And why has Claire booked separate rooms for herself and her husband?  It turns out that Claire has secrets, as do her friends.   When the characters find themselves lost in the woods with no cell phone service after their car breaks down, the planned getaway turns into a horror show as members of their group start dying.  Is something or someone stalking them?

ONE BY ONE is everything a psychological thriller should be.  Skillfully crafted, it is mesmerizing and gripping.  I found it to be downright scary.  Even so, I couldn't put it down.  The characters are complex and each has their own agenda.  Are any, or perhaps all, of them capable of murder?  Things really heat up as suspicions escalate. Who can be trusted? There is just the right amount of tension throughout the narrative as it races towards its unexpected conclusion.

Well plotted and exciting, ONE BY ONE is well worth reading.