readingwithhippos's review against another edition
3.0
Sheridan “Danny” Doyle is a forensic psychologist. He evaluates people who have committed heinous crimes, testifies at trials, and publishes books on his professional experiences. But the case he's unraveling in One of Us is his own family's.
When Danny was a child, his mother was convicted of killing his baby sister and spent the rest of his childhood in prison. Danny was left with only his abusive, alcoholic father in the tiny, depressing coal-mining town of Lost Creek. Now, armored with advanced degrees and designer clothes, he's heading back to his old hometown to care for his 96-year-old grandfather Tommy, one of the few bright spots in his otherwise wretched formative years.
It turns out Tommy is still pretty hearty for a former coal miner in his 90s, and doesn't need Danny's help that badly. However, Danny decides to stay around town after discovering a body near the gallows where a group of (mostly) innocent men were executed years ago at the hands of the wealthy owner of the mine. The incident lives on in the memories of the town's residents, and in some ways little has changed since, with the mine owner's great-grandson still living in the enormous estate outside of town while the rest of the population rots in poverty.
The corpse at the gallows proves to be just one of several deadly incidents in Lost Creek. With the help of police detective Rafe Malloy, a kindly role model from his childhood, Danny works to uncover the person behind it all. It quickly becomes apparent that Danny isn't just solving a recent spate of murders, he's also coming close to the truth of what happened all those years ago, when his baby sister's body was found buried in their backyard.
O'Dell's strength is in developing quirky, memorable characters, and that's where most of the book's appeal comes from. 96-year-old Tommy stubbornly continues to drive his old truck and live alone in his old house. Rafe the police detective is a comically bad dresser, mixing colors and patterns seemingly at random. Scarlet, the daughter of the mine owner and occasional narrator, emerges as a cold-blooded sociopath, slinking ominously around town in a mink coat. And there's Danny, who wears Armani suits to project confidence but inside still feels like an outcast.
One of Us is a quick-reading, absorbing mystery that successfully avoids the formulaic and simplistic. O'Dell introduces so many strands to the narrative, from the past to the present, from Danny's immediate family to the larger population of Lost Creek, that it doesn't seem possible to cut through the lies and the years to get to the truth. But eventually, Danny does, and the resolution is surprising and satisfying.
With regards to NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for the advance copy. On sale August 19.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
When Danny was a child, his mother was convicted of killing his baby sister and spent the rest of his childhood in prison. Danny was left with only his abusive, alcoholic father in the tiny, depressing coal-mining town of Lost Creek. Now, armored with advanced degrees and designer clothes, he's heading back to his old hometown to care for his 96-year-old grandfather Tommy, one of the few bright spots in his otherwise wretched formative years.
It turns out Tommy is still pretty hearty for a former coal miner in his 90s, and doesn't need Danny's help that badly. However, Danny decides to stay around town after discovering a body near the gallows where a group of (mostly) innocent men were executed years ago at the hands of the wealthy owner of the mine. The incident lives on in the memories of the town's residents, and in some ways little has changed since, with the mine owner's great-grandson still living in the enormous estate outside of town while the rest of the population rots in poverty.
The corpse at the gallows proves to be just one of several deadly incidents in Lost Creek. With the help of police detective Rafe Malloy, a kindly role model from his childhood, Danny works to uncover the person behind it all. It quickly becomes apparent that Danny isn't just solving a recent spate of murders, he's also coming close to the truth of what happened all those years ago, when his baby sister's body was found buried in their backyard.
O'Dell's strength is in developing quirky, memorable characters, and that's where most of the book's appeal comes from. 96-year-old Tommy stubbornly continues to drive his old truck and live alone in his old house. Rafe the police detective is a comically bad dresser, mixing colors and patterns seemingly at random. Scarlet, the daughter of the mine owner and occasional narrator, emerges as a cold-blooded sociopath, slinking ominously around town in a mink coat. And there's Danny, who wears Armani suits to project confidence but inside still feels like an outcast.
One of Us is a quick-reading, absorbing mystery that successfully avoids the formulaic and simplistic. O'Dell introduces so many strands to the narrative, from the past to the present, from Danny's immediate family to the larger population of Lost Creek, that it doesn't seem possible to cut through the lies and the years to get to the truth. But eventually, Danny does, and the resolution is surprising and satisfying.
With regards to NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for the advance copy. On sale August 19.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Set in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania, Tawni O'Dell's One of Us is a riveting and complex psychological thriller. This spellbinding story has a richly drawn cast of colorful characters, a very intriguing mystery and a compelling storyline.
Dr. Sheridan "Danny" Doyle might have escaped his small home town of Lost Creek but the memories of his youth still haunt him. The legacy of his childhood is not one that can be easily forgotten (his mother's battle with mental illness and subsequent conviction for killing her baby girl) or forgiven (the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father). The bright spots in his dysfunctional past are the relationships he enjoys with his maternal grandfather, Tommy, and local police officer Rafe Malloy. After learning that his now ninety-six year old grandfather has recently been seriously ill, Danny returns to Lost Creek, where he is immediately caught up in events that lead to some startling revelations about long ago events.
One of Us is written in first person and alternates between two very different points of view. Both narrators have escaped Lost Creek but each have returned at around the same time, but for very different reasons. It is also interesting to note that they come from completely diverse socio-economic backgrounds but they both have deep roots in the local community and their families lives are inexplicably linked through the local mine.
Danny's family has worked in the Dawes' coal mine since his ancestors immigrated from Ireland and until Danny, they were unable to escape their hardscrabble life as coal miners. Danny's success is hard won and his fascination with the human mind has resulted in a very successful career as a forensic psychologist. He delves deep into the psyche of serial killers but interestingly enough, Danny's expertise is lost on himself as he continues to battle the demons of his past.
Lost Creek is bleak and poverty stricken, but it is the perfect setting for the somewhat dark atmosphere of the unfolding story. The townspeople are hardworking but fighting to make ends meet. It is a town where families are deeply entrenched in a class struggle of sorts with the wealthy Dawes' family and the memory of the long ago hangings of their descendants are never forgotten.
One of Us unfolds slowly but steadily and the seemingly unrelated storylines gradually combine into a dramatic and shocking climax. It is a somber story but brief snatches of humor lighten the tone. Tawni O'Dell masterfully combines the past and present into an incredibly fascinating mystery that is sure to be a hit with fans of the crime solving genre.
Set in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania, Tawni O'Dell's One of Us is a riveting and complex psychological thriller. This spellbinding story has a richly drawn cast of colorful characters, a very intriguing mystery and a compelling storyline.
Dr. Sheridan "Danny" Doyle might have escaped his small home town of Lost Creek but the memories of his youth still haunt him. The legacy of his childhood is not one that can be easily forgotten (his mother's battle with mental illness and subsequent conviction for killing her baby girl) or forgiven (the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father). The bright spots in his dysfunctional past are the relationships he enjoys with his maternal grandfather, Tommy, and local police officer Rafe Malloy. After learning that his now ninety-six year old grandfather has recently been seriously ill, Danny returns to Lost Creek, where he is immediately caught up in events that lead to some startling revelations about long ago events.
One of Us is written in first person and alternates between two very different points of view. Both narrators have escaped Lost Creek but each have returned at around the same time, but for very different reasons. It is also interesting to note that they come from completely diverse socio-economic backgrounds but they both have deep roots in the local community and their families lives are inexplicably linked through the local mine.
Danny's family has worked in the Dawes' coal mine since his ancestors immigrated from Ireland and until Danny, they were unable to escape their hardscrabble life as coal miners. Danny's success is hard won and his fascination with the human mind has resulted in a very successful career as a forensic psychologist. He delves deep into the psyche of serial killers but interestingly enough, Danny's expertise is lost on himself as he continues to battle the demons of his past.
Lost Creek is bleak and poverty stricken, but it is the perfect setting for the somewhat dark atmosphere of the unfolding story. The townspeople are hardworking but fighting to make ends meet. It is a town where families are deeply entrenched in a class struggle of sorts with the wealthy Dawes' family and the memory of the long ago hangings of their descendants are never forgotten.
One of Us unfolds slowly but steadily and the seemingly unrelated storylines gradually combine into a dramatic and shocking climax. It is a somber story but brief snatches of humor lighten the tone. Tawni O'Dell masterfully combines the past and present into an incredibly fascinating mystery that is sure to be a hit with fans of the crime solving genre.
sjj169's review against another edition
4.0
Danny Doyle- he grew up in a town where mining was king. Everyone was either working there or expected too. Years ago his great grandfather was hung with the Nellies for uprising against the mine owner. Danny grew up hard, with an abusive father and a mentally ill mother. He comes back to town as a "boy done good." He is a forensic psychologist that studies serial killers-I would have liked even more on his job. (That part was so interesting)
He is a tad bit proud of that fact that he has risen above his past.
He comes home because his grandfather Tommy has been sick and wants to check in with him.
Tommy: Frigging Awesomeness! I wanted more of him in this book!
I know it's useless for me to ask him to drive, so I sit back and brace myself in the passenger side of his truck as he careens down the steep, twisting roads, not seeming to care if another vehicle whips toward us from the opposite direction. Most people become cautious as they grow older, but age has made Tommy even more reckless. Instead of viewing the remainder of his life as something he should protect and savor, he sees it as something left over that he needs to gulp down before someone else gets their hands on it.
Arriving at the famous gallows where the Nellie's were hung Danny discovers a body.
The town people can't decide if it's a killer on the loose or ghosts haunting their town.
They even have the famous paranormal show Ghost sniffers come to town. (Scooby Doo crew gone cray-cray)The Rat Terrier that is the Scooby version is worth one star for this book alone.
The writing in this book is above par and kept me interested throughout the whole book.
There was one thing that bugged me and it cost this book a star. In almost every chapter of this book the author makes sure that some high end clothing brands get mentioned. That distracted from the whole story. Way overdone. I wanted to shove that mink coat that kept getting mentioned up the characters ass.
Psst. The evil character in this book. One of my all time favorites. I want more!
I did receive an arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
He is a tad bit proud of that fact that he has risen above his past.
He comes home because his grandfather Tommy has been sick and wants to check in with him.
Tommy: Frigging Awesomeness! I wanted more of him in this book!
I know it's useless for me to ask him to drive, so I sit back and brace myself in the passenger side of his truck as he careens down the steep, twisting roads, not seeming to care if another vehicle whips toward us from the opposite direction. Most people become cautious as they grow older, but age has made Tommy even more reckless. Instead of viewing the remainder of his life as something he should protect and savor, he sees it as something left over that he needs to gulp down before someone else gets their hands on it.
Arriving at the famous gallows where the Nellie's were hung Danny discovers a body.
The town people can't decide if it's a killer on the loose or ghosts haunting their town.
They even have the famous paranormal show Ghost sniffers come to town. (Scooby Doo crew gone cray-cray)The Rat Terrier that is the Scooby version is worth one star for this book alone.
The writing in this book is above par and kept me interested throughout the whole book.
There was one thing that bugged me and it cost this book a star. In almost every chapter of this book the author makes sure that some high end clothing brands get mentioned. That distracted from the whole story. Way overdone. I wanted to shove that mink coat that kept getting mentioned up the characters ass.
Psst. The evil character in this book. One of my all time favorites. I want more!
I did receive an arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Mental illness, Murder, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Infidelity, Child abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Kidnapping, Grief, and Suicide
virginiacjacobs's review against another edition
5.0
Tawni O'Dell is an amazingly talented storyteller. You should read her stuff!
nbrickman's review against another edition
2.0
I usually love her writing but there was too much that didn't work for me in this book. The characterization was too heavy handed for me, the multiple explanations of exactly which 3-4 designer items the two main characters had on were irritating and I'm terrible at ending predictions and I saw the stuff coming a mile away- pretty much the second that the narration from Scarlett's viewpoint began. Bummer. I loved the first several chapters and it seemed like it all changed after that- including the quality of the writing!
alexblackreads's review against another edition
3.0
I actually liked this book, probably because it was more of a mystery than her previous books and that made the story a little more palatable. I also enjoyed the characters much more and really didn't mind following them around for a whole book. This was also the first time I enjoyed her small, poor mining town atmosphere. I didn't love this book, but I did find myself quite enjoying it, especially in comparison to her previous books.
ciska's review against another edition
3.0
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review*
Author
Tawni was born and raised in the coal-mining region of western Pennsylvania, the territory she writes about with such striking authenticity. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in journalism and spent many years living in the Chicago area before moving back to Pennsylvania where she now lives with her two children.
Review
This mystery and psychological part of this book kept me reading. Though I did guess most of the connections early on I was still intrigued enough to find out how it would be worked out and when truths would be revealed.
I enjoyed Danny's personality. Despite being some famous person he is not made an arrogant personality which often happens. The sensitive kid can be seen easily. I did have a lot of trouble with Scarlett. Though I can enjoy evil she was so over the top that I had a hard time taking her serious. Still the interaction between both characters was interesting.
I did not like the detailed descriptions of the looks and clothing of the characters. Though I did understand at points why it was done it felt unnecessary to know exactly the complete outfit of a character with brands, textures and colour.
Author
Tawni was born and raised in the coal-mining region of western Pennsylvania, the territory she writes about with such striking authenticity. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in journalism and spent many years living in the Chicago area before moving back to Pennsylvania where she now lives with her two children.
Review
This mystery and psychological part of this book kept me reading. Though I did guess most of the connections early on I was still intrigued enough to find out how it would be worked out and when truths would be revealed.
I enjoyed Danny's personality. Despite being some famous person he is not made an arrogant personality which often happens. The sensitive kid can be seen easily. I did have a lot of trouble with Scarlett. Though I can enjoy evil she was so over the top that I had a hard time taking her serious. Still the interaction between both characters was interesting.
I did not like the detailed descriptions of the looks and clothing of the characters. Though I did understand at points why it was done it felt unnecessary to know exactly the complete outfit of a character with brands, textures and colour.
andshe_reads's review against another edition
4.0
What can I say? I'm a sucker for the book cover, ultimately that's what draws me to even look at a book, When I saw this I was instantly intrigued leading me to read the blurb.. then I just fell right in head first!!
From the beginning I was completely invested in the storyline, Danny Doyle was born and raised in Lost Creek however he is now a famous psychologist in Philadelphia who goes home to look after his grandfather. Danny soon finds himself in the centre of a murder mystery that dredges up his own past which he would rather try to forget. The storyline is a page turner, O'Dell has you eager to read on and to uncover secret by secret and just when you think you've got it down to a tee all figured out something else surprises you on the next page.
Throughout the story we meet a very diverse set of characters, all vividly portrayed to us through their personalities. I found I enjoyed all the characters and they really suited the story well however admittedly Scarlett was my fave being an absolutely crazy psychopath so detached from normality it was nice having someone that was the complete opposite of a lucid and vulnerable Danny it really balanced things out.
O'Dell didn't miss any detail, she even mentioned the clothing brands several times throughout the story to show the different level's of wealth and possessions which I found quite shallow and wasn't really necessary as you can tell from the characters who is likely to be of higher class.
I have decided to rate this book 4 stars! A compelling read from start to finish bursting with secrets from within.
Thanks to Gallery books via NetGalley for the E-Arc of One Of Us!
From the beginning I was completely invested in the storyline, Danny Doyle was born and raised in Lost Creek however he is now a famous psychologist in Philadelphia who goes home to look after his grandfather. Danny soon finds himself in the centre of a murder mystery that dredges up his own past which he would rather try to forget. The storyline is a page turner, O'Dell has you eager to read on and to uncover secret by secret and just when you think you've got it down to a tee all figured out something else surprises you on the next page.
Throughout the story we meet a very diverse set of characters, all vividly portrayed to us through their personalities. I found I enjoyed all the characters and they really suited the story well however admittedly Scarlett was my fave being an absolutely crazy psychopath so detached from normality it was nice having someone that was the complete opposite of a lucid and vulnerable Danny it really balanced things out.
O'Dell didn't miss any detail, she even mentioned the clothing brands several times throughout the story to show the different level's of wealth and possessions which I found quite shallow and wasn't really necessary as you can tell from the characters who is likely to be of higher class.
I have decided to rate this book 4 stars! A compelling read from start to finish bursting with secrets from within.
Thanks to Gallery books via NetGalley for the E-Arc of One Of Us!
readinggrrl's review against another edition
4.0
I originally requested this book because the main character is from Philadelphia and since I live there I thought it would be fun to read about different places I've been, but while the main character lives there most of the story takes place in Lost Creek. Lost Creek is a struggling coal mine town where the family that owns the mine's also owned most of the people. Throughout the years the mine owners have kept the town under their thumbs, but now the mines are drying up and the town is struggling even more. Developers want to come in and tear down some of its history to build structures that it says will bring money to the town, but the ghosts of those wrongly punished and hung (referred to as the Nellies) seem to be enacting their revenge and people are dying.
Sheridan Doyle is a direct descendant of one of the "Nellies" he grew up in the small town but has shunned its way of life and the town itself. Wearing expensive suits he returns home to help his grandfather and finds the local police turning to him for help to stop the killing, but he doesn't realize that he may be connected to the killings in ways he wouldn't have thought possible.
Quirky characters and a man struggling to reconcile his past with his current self help move the story along. I found this to be a quick read and engrossing story.
Sheridan Doyle is a direct descendant of one of the "Nellies" he grew up in the small town but has shunned its way of life and the town itself. Wearing expensive suits he returns home to help his grandfather and finds the local police turning to him for help to stop the killing, but he doesn't realize that he may be connected to the killings in ways he wouldn't have thought possible.
Quirky characters and a man struggling to reconcile his past with his current self help move the story along. I found this to be a quick read and engrossing story.