Book Review: One by One by D.W. Gillespie
A family of four moves to a strange house and finds there’s a picture under the wallpaper that resembles them. The daughter, Alice, is excited about the new home at first, but then creepy things start to happen around them. Certain they’re being watched, Alice starts reading a diary someone left for her to find, in hope that it contains the answers she seeks.
One by One is a story set up like a haunting. And for a while, it reads that way, as well. However, the mystery eventually takes hold more than anything else, and it’s there that this story shines. The tension continues to rise throughout the novel, which is soaked in drama and blanketed in an uncomfortable atmosphere. Gillespie writes strongly from start to finish, even if some of Alice’s dialogue and narrative seem older than she. I was very happy with the ending, and look forward to reading more of Gillespie moving forward.
Review by Aiden Merchant
Twitter - AidenMerchant89
I received a paperback copy of this novel from the publisher, Flame Tree Press, for review consideration.