Georgina Cross

Review of eBook

It’s been ten years since Meghan Chisholm’s murder. Now everyone in the family received an anonymous invitation to meet at a home on the Oregon coast with a promise that they will find out what really happened to Meg. Is the anonymous sender Meg’s one-time boyfriend, Cal, who spent ten years in prison after a jury convicted him of her murder?

As a storm brews, Geoff finds Cal finds unconscious and brings him into the house. Should they exact their revenge for Meg’s death and kill him? Cal has always proclaimed his innocence; what if he is telling the truth?

What did happen that night ten years ago? And what will happen to Cal on this night?

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Told from multiple points of view, all of the characters have truths they’ve hidden away, some secret they’ve kept all these years. But none of them are particularly likable and the teen drama from the past reinforces that dislike. Meg, who certainly did not deserve her fate, was a mean, manipulative girl who bullied and tormented others. But she was also a daughter and a sister, and her loss shattered her family.

As backstory admissions give way to present-day revelations, the twisty plot keeps readers guessing [although astute readers, having taken note of the hints along the way will not be surprised at the final epiphany. Readers should note that sections of the story are extremely difficult to read and are sure to be particularly so for readers who have lost a child. [But the author got it exactly right.]

For fans of domestic Sturm und Drang as well as those who enjoy locked room mysteries will find much to appreciate here.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley
#OneNight #NetGalley… (plus d'informations)

One Night is terrifying and will keep you off balance and wondering what will happen next right from the first page. Starts off simple enough: it’s been 10 years since teenage Meghan’s murder. Her boyfriend Cal was convicted of the murder and has just been released from prison. Meghan’s family and old family friend Uncle Geoff receive anonymous letter inviting them to spend one night at a certain house that had meaning in their past and the truth about Meg’s murder will be revealed. Most of them assume the letters came from Cal, that he’ll finally admit he killed Meghan and say why. But it’s not that simple. One thing after another goes wrong. Focus shifts from person to person. It seems they all have secrets, but are all those secrets related to the murder? Twists, turns, suspicions, accusations, threats, accidents and a storm that traps them in the house. Fear and anger permeate the house.

It's an exciting story but a little too frantically told for me, never settling enough to get a clear picture of the possible suspect(s). This family is very dysfunctional. Resentments simmering, anger bursting, but there is not enough depth to the characters for the reader to understand them – or sympathize or empathize with them. Meg was spoiled, mean, manipulative, a bully. Not enough reason for someone to die but not a tragic figure. Maureen, the mom, idolized Meg in life and has glorified her in death. It goes on and on but apart from the fast, fast paced action, danger and unknowns it never quite resonated with me.

Thanks to Random House Group for providing an advance copy of One Night via NetGalley. I voluntarily leave this review. All opinions are my own.… (plus d'informations)