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amanda_siegrist's review
5.0
Wow! Amazing story.
This story had me gripped from page one. Even the way it started it threw me for a surprise. I love a good suspense that keeps me guessing until the end and this one definitely didn't disappoint. I can't wait to get started on the next book, Two.
Xavier and Annabelle both had such hurdles to overcome. It was great to see them unfold slowly and with such great depth. Jane Blythe definitely knows how to weave a great story filled with suspense and intense emotion!
This story had me gripped from page one. Even the way it started it threw me for a surprise. I love a good suspense that keeps me guessing until the end and this one definitely didn't disappoint. I can't wait to get started on the next book, Two.
Xavier and Annabelle both had such hurdles to overcome. It was great to see them unfold slowly and with such great depth. Jane Blythe definitely knows how to weave a great story filled with suspense and intense emotion!
naughtybookaffair's review
5.0
Wow I have read Jane's other books but nothing prepared me for this one. This is the first one in this series and it kicks off with a mind blowing storyline. If you have a weak stomach I advise you not to read this one. This is about a person that goes around killing and enjoys it a little to much. He is seeking revenge for the past. Two detectives are trying to solve this case and prevent him from killing anymore. But it is not so easy. One of them is falling for one of the victims.
I absolutely loved this book. It had me hooked from the first chapter to the end. I did feel that the ending left me hanging a little hoping that we would get more from the characters. But Jane did a wonderful job writing this one. To have the mind that she does. She describes the scenes so well and the characters feelings when it comes to what is happening to them. I just could not get enough. An absolute must read if you love a great mystery, full of suspense with a little romance on the side. Hold on because you will be taken on quite the ride with this one.
I absolutely loved this book. It had me hooked from the first chapter to the end. I did feel that the ending left me hanging a little hoping that we would get more from the characters. But Jane did a wonderful job writing this one. To have the mind that she does. She describes the scenes so well and the characters feelings when it comes to what is happening to them. I just could not get enough. An absolute must read if you love a great mystery, full of suspense with a little romance on the side. Hold on because you will be taken on quite the ride with this one.
bookingbonkers's review
5.0
One by Jane Blythe is an amazing and terrifying suspense thriller novel that does not disappoint.
A killer is in the loose murdering families and leaving one survivor. They are seemingly unconnected but there is so much more so this horrific story.
This story is so intriguing and has many twist and turns. The events and clues throughout keep you guessing right until the end. The characters are darkly complex which adds to the darkness of the tale. The romance part of the story fits in well and is done in the right balance so that it is believable.
While I really like Annabelle and Xander’s characters, as they have both been through so much trauma and heartache and yet are still both stronger than they realise, I could not help but be wowed by the killers character. They are so evil, cruel and totally psychotic. It is clear that he begins this completely unaware of how much blood lust he has in him and he begins to relish in killing people, abandoning any morals and sense of reality along the way. The killer is written so terrifyingly and awful that my heart bang to pound whenever the story brought us back to them. Unhinged, obsessed and ruthless.
This story is very graphic and gripping and a wonderfully terrifying ride. I read this book in one go as I could not put it down and I'm so glad it is part of a series. I cannot wait to read them all. I will warn, again, that this book is pretty graphic and has rape content in it although not described in gory detail.
Buckle up and do not read before bed!
A killer is in the loose murdering families and leaving one survivor. They are seemingly unconnected but there is so much more so this horrific story.
This story is so intriguing and has many twist and turns. The events and clues throughout keep you guessing right until the end. The characters are darkly complex which adds to the darkness of the tale. The romance part of the story fits in well and is done in the right balance so that it is believable.
While I really like Annabelle and Xander’s characters, as they have both been through so much trauma and heartache and yet are still both stronger than they realise, I could not help but be wowed by the killers character. They are so evil, cruel and totally psychotic. It is clear that he begins this completely unaware of how much blood lust he has in him and he begins to relish in killing people, abandoning any morals and sense of reality along the way. The killer is written so terrifyingly and awful that my heart bang to pound whenever the story brought us back to them. Unhinged, obsessed and ruthless.
This story is very graphic and gripping and a wonderfully terrifying ride. I read this book in one go as I could not put it down and I'm so glad it is part of a series. I cannot wait to read them all. I will warn, again, that this book is pretty graphic and has rape content in it although not described in gory detail.
Buckle up and do not read before bed!
alwaysreadingreview's review against another edition
5.0
This is Book #1 in the Count to Ten series. This was the first book I read by this author, too. This had suspense, crime, murder, intrigue, and a little bit of romance. I was going back and forth of who did it. I love books that keep me guessing on who did it. Normally I read romance books, but I love when I leave the genre for books I know I will love.
The entire time I was reading this book I was thinking one thing. Why didn't these families have a dog? Yes, a dog!! Like a German shepherd like our Storm. Storm lets us know when someone is close to our home. She barks and growls. The one night she found someone going through our trash.
☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!
Happy Reading!
Melissa
m3l89's review
5.0
I received a free copy of One in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book in the “Counting to Ten” series so the title will probably make more sense nearer the end of the series when all the novels can be viewed as a whole.
The idea of having a family killed but one family member left to live is a good idea, which I am sure has been done many times before and will be written many times again but can go so many different ways depending on the characters the author decides to introduce.
Easy to read, plot flowed well and kept my attention as a reader. Structured and written very well with interesting, accurate descriptions.
Themes explored include family, neighbours - you never know what goes on behind the closed doors of people you live near, and conflicts between duty and feelings.
I thought the investigation around Annabelle’s could have gone on for a bit longer and really explored her feelings around being accused, but plot wise she didn’t remember anything so this may have been a pointless addition.
Well written with complex characters who were believable in both their actions, dialogue and motives. I found Xavier’s character particularly interesting especially his interactions with Annabelle and Kate. I was interested by his conflicts between his duty and his feelings and feel this is generally a really good element to have in a novel as it gives the characters real depth and makes them relatable. It also makes the reader put themselves into the place of the character and think about how they would react in such a situation.
The ending and the revelation around who the culprit was, was equally as well written. I enjoyed having sections written from the culprit's point of view without knowing who they are. Rather than just reading from their point of view after they have been unmasked.
A very definite 5 stars, up there with the top books of 2016. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and am first in line for books Two through to Ten!
This is the first book in the “Counting to Ten” series so the title will probably make more sense nearer the end of the series when all the novels can be viewed as a whole.
The idea of having a family killed but one family member left to live is a good idea, which I am sure has been done many times before and will be written many times again but can go so many different ways depending on the characters the author decides to introduce.
Easy to read, plot flowed well and kept my attention as a reader. Structured and written very well with interesting, accurate descriptions.
Themes explored include family, neighbours - you never know what goes on behind the closed doors of people you live near, and conflicts between duty and feelings.
I thought the investigation around Annabelle’s could have gone on for a bit longer and really explored her feelings around being accused, but plot wise she didn’t remember anything so this may have been a pointless addition.
Well written with complex characters who were believable in both their actions, dialogue and motives. I found Xavier’s character particularly interesting especially his interactions with Annabelle and Kate. I was interested by his conflicts between his duty and his feelings and feel this is generally a really good element to have in a novel as it gives the characters real depth and makes them relatable. It also makes the reader put themselves into the place of the character and think about how they would react in such a situation.
The ending and the revelation around who the culprit was, was equally as well written. I enjoyed having sections written from the culprit's point of view without knowing who they are. Rather than just reading from their point of view after they have been unmasked.
A very definite 5 stars, up there with the top books of 2016. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and am first in line for books Two through to Ten!
becsa's review
4.0
This was such a great book with so many twists and turns that I kept guessing from start to finish on who the killer was but I kept changing my mind with every piece of new evidence.
I thought Xavier was such a great character and although I was super mad at him in the beginning for what happened to Annabelle he definitely worked hard to redeem himself. Xavier was working super hard on the case with partner Kate but the killer seemed to be one step ahead of him.
My heart broke for Annabelle and everything she had to go through in the book from start to finish. So many times I just wanted to go in and protect her from what was happening to her. She was strong in that she had gone through so much and kept fighting for herself.
The twists and turns in this book were totally insane and the killer became more gruesome with every killing. I had a feeling it wasn’t one of the characters due to the blood but then I wasn’t sure after everything that happened.
I loved the way the book played out with keeping us on our toes. I totally did not expect the ending to turn out the way it did and I am really looking forward to the next book!
I thought Xavier was such a great character and although I was super mad at him in the beginning for what happened to Annabelle he definitely worked hard to redeem himself. Xavier was working super hard on the case with partner Kate but the killer seemed to be one step ahead of him.
My heart broke for Annabelle and everything she had to go through in the book from start to finish. So many times I just wanted to go in and protect her from what was happening to her. She was strong in that she had gone through so much and kept fighting for herself.
The twists and turns in this book were totally insane and the killer became more gruesome with every killing. I had a feeling it wasn’t one of the characters due to the blood but then I wasn’t sure after everything that happened.
I loved the way the book played out with keeping us on our toes. I totally did not expect the ending to turn out the way it did and I am really looking forward to the next book!
theestherhadassah's review
5.0
DISCLAIMER: I was given a copy of this book from the author.
When it comes to suspense and thrillers, I have to say that I can handle them, but there are times when I can't handle them, so I have not read that many of them in a while out of being a major scaredie-cat. This was such a great read. The author writing style is so much better than I anticipated. The charcters were well developed; the crime that takes place had me on the edge of my seat. And sheesh! It feels as though the detectives couldn't catch a simple break!
Great read. Keeps you up at night. Check it out!
When it comes to suspense and thrillers, I have to say that I can handle them, but there are times when I can't handle them, so I have not read that many of them in a while out of being a major scaredie-cat. This was such a great read. The author writing style is so much better than I anticipated. The charcters were well developed; the crime that takes place had me on the edge of my seat. And sheesh! It feels as though the detectives couldn't catch a simple break!
Great read. Keeps you up at night. Check it out!
bwagner's review
4.0
One (Count to Ten Book 1) by Jane Blythe is the first book in her Count to Ten series. This book is a dark, suspenseful romance story that is full of action, danger and of course you can't miss the romance that tops it off. This is my first story by this author and one of my favorite things about her is her attention to detail. I also enjoyed the development of her characters and how true to life they were for me. All the characters had a connection which in turn made you connect with them. They will take you on a roller coaster ride that is full of twists and turns, you won't want to miss what is behind every corner. This story will keep you engaged until the end and will leave you wanting more. Find out what happens when a brutal murder is on a killing spree and one detective is determined to find them.
What happens when one brutal murder of a family leaves on survive without any memory of it? Annabelle says she has no memory of that brutal night she lost all of her family. Will one detective believe her? But against his better judgment, he is drawn to her. Will this forbidden attraction force him to make a choice of a lifetime? Will he let the killer he has been searching for go free if he makes the wrong choice?
This story is told in the point of view of three of the characters, the detective, the killer and Annabelle. Annabelle is kind of a mystery to the story throughout most of the story. We don't know a lot about her but what we do know is that she is kind of shy and feels safe when she is with the detective. The detective has some demons of his own that he is dealing with. He is committed to his job and thinks before he acts. The one thing that I don't think he has thought through so much is Annabelle. What will happen when he starts having feeling for her? He knows this is bad but his heart is telling him otherwise. Will he listen to his heart or reason? The killer's character is just pure evil. He has a plan and he plans to continue it unless the detective gets him first. When he puts the detective in a position that he needs to make a life and death choice, what will he do? Will everyone lose because of one choice or will the safe choice be made? These three are strong characters that while reading each POV it because a little confusing sometimes who is talking when and I had to read it twice but I did enjoy all of these characters. I thought that the way the author had all three POVs in this story was great. You get to see three different sides of the same story. It keeps the story flowing until the end and will make you want to see more from these characters. They each had their own personality that you will enjoy and getting inside the killer is a little freaky but it was great. Find out what happens with the detective and Annabelle and if they are able to find the killer before he is able to carry out his entire plan.
This is my first story by Jane Blythe and I know it won't be the last. I can't wait to see what book 2 has in story for us. Jane has loved reading and writing for as long as she can remember. When she is not writing she loves to read, eat anything that is chocolate, go to the beach, ski, horse back ride and watch Disney movies. You will enjoy that she has created a fast paced story that will keep you reading until the end. You will find yourself not being able to put this book down. You will want to see what is lurking behind every page you turn. I highly recommend this book as I know you will want to see what happens to these characters as much as I did. You won't want to miss the suspense and mystery!
What happens when one brutal murder of a family leaves on survive without any memory of it? Annabelle says she has no memory of that brutal night she lost all of her family. Will one detective believe her? But against his better judgment, he is drawn to her. Will this forbidden attraction force him to make a choice of a lifetime? Will he let the killer he has been searching for go free if he makes the wrong choice?
This story is told in the point of view of three of the characters, the detective, the killer and Annabelle. Annabelle is kind of a mystery to the story throughout most of the story. We don't know a lot about her but what we do know is that she is kind of shy and feels safe when she is with the detective. The detective has some demons of his own that he is dealing with. He is committed to his job and thinks before he acts. The one thing that I don't think he has thought through so much is Annabelle. What will happen when he starts having feeling for her? He knows this is bad but his heart is telling him otherwise. Will he listen to his heart or reason? The killer's character is just pure evil. He has a plan and he plans to continue it unless the detective gets him first. When he puts the detective in a position that he needs to make a life and death choice, what will he do? Will everyone lose because of one choice or will the safe choice be made? These three are strong characters that while reading each POV it because a little confusing sometimes who is talking when and I had to read it twice but I did enjoy all of these characters. I thought that the way the author had all three POVs in this story was great. You get to see three different sides of the same story. It keeps the story flowing until the end and will make you want to see more from these characters. They each had their own personality that you will enjoy and getting inside the killer is a little freaky but it was great. Find out what happens with the detective and Annabelle and if they are able to find the killer before he is able to carry out his entire plan.
This is my first story by Jane Blythe and I know it won't be the last. I can't wait to see what book 2 has in story for us. Jane has loved reading and writing for as long as she can remember. When she is not writing she loves to read, eat anything that is chocolate, go to the beach, ski, horse back ride and watch Disney movies. You will enjoy that she has created a fast paced story that will keep you reading until the end. You will find yourself not being able to put this book down. You will want to see what is lurking behind every page you turn. I highly recommend this book as I know you will want to see what happens to these characters as much as I did. You won't want to miss the suspense and mystery!
shannonlovesbooksandreading's review
5.0
I usually read straight up romance stories. Some are erotic in nature while others are historical, contemporary, paranormal and even fantasy based. They all have one key element in common…romance. Some have unicorns and rainbows while others have whips and gags.
Jane Blythe is able to include all of this in her story One, with the added bonus of a psycho blood thirsty killer. And it’s just the first book in the Count to Ten series! Love it! This story is not one to be read before bed or even while you are home alone…just too creepy. Blythe kept me on my toes and reading until the very end---which, for me means sleep is so overrated.
This story is filled with murder and mayhem, plot twists, and a little bit of romance that left me wanting for more! Although I do think that if Blythe had given more graphic details of the sexy times then the element of the psycho would have been lost. She did a great job of keeping me focused on the killer at hand! (You have to read this story to get that pun!)
This is the first in the series with book 4 coming out at the end of July, so hurry and get this book now and get ready for a crazy ride! I recommend this book and am looking forward to reading book two, ironically called Two.
Jane Blythe is able to include all of this in her story One, with the added bonus of a psycho blood thirsty killer. And it’s just the first book in the Count to Ten series! Love it! This story is not one to be read before bed or even while you are home alone…just too creepy. Blythe kept me on my toes and reading until the very end---which, for me means sleep is so overrated.
This story is filled with murder and mayhem, plot twists, and a little bit of romance that left me wanting for more! Although I do think that if Blythe had given more graphic details of the sexy times then the element of the psycho would have been lost. She did a great job of keeping me focused on the killer at hand! (You have to read this story to get that pun!)
This is the first in the series with book 4 coming out at the end of July, so hurry and get this book now and get ready for a crazy ride! I recommend this book and am looking forward to reading book two, ironically called Two.