Dr. Laurel Harlow can’t believe she’s agreed to do a reality TV show. But her years as a chemical dependency counselor and personal history with the show’s director make her the obvious choice. Treating a mansion full of former child stars on the road to recovery is the tallest order of her career—especially when one of them turns up dead while the cameras are still rolling.
In a house full of narcissists vying for the spotlight, everyone’s hiding something…including Laurel. An investigation could expose a past she’d rather keep buried. But among the attention-starved patients, only one of them is a predator. And Laurel is skilled at spotting a predator when she sees one.
As she hunts a killer in her present, the unsettling truths of Laurel’s past are forced into the light. But this time, she’ll face her demons head on. She’ll stop at nothing to expose a murderer, even if it means risking everything she holds dear.
One in Four is an addictive psychological thriller that delves into themes of trauma, addiction, and the dark side of the human psyche. Set against the backdrop of a reality TV show, “One in Four,” the story follows Dr. Laurel Hargrow, a therapist overseeing former child stars in rehab. The show films their stay 24/7 and takes a tragic turn when one participant, Maggie, fumbles out of her bathroom and dies suddenly while viewers are watching. As the investigation unfolds, Laurel becomes a prime suspect after suspicious evidence points to her. Determined to prove her innocence, Laurel takes matters into her own hands by looking into her patients’ secrets and confronting her own dark past.
The book has a fresh and compelling premise that fuses murder mystery with the intrigue and drama of reality TV. The story is fast-paced, with many chapters ending on cliffhangers that keep readers furiously turning the pages. The whole concept of a reality TV show featuring former child stars in rehab has red flags written all over it and raises the morally ethical question of whether such individuals can lawfully consent to such a thing while coming off major drug addictions. It sadly mirrors our own world in many ways, whether it be child actors or young entertainers who end up in bad situations after being exploited for entertainment and monetary gain—we’ve seen it happen time and time again.
Because of how fast-paced the story is, there is very little character development outside of the main characters. At first it seems the story is heading towards a whodunnit, where the residents at the rehab facility will become suspects and readers will learn more about their motives—but this isn’t the case. Instead, the story mainly focuses on Laurel—an expert in substance abuse treatment who genuinely cares about her patients. As the story unfolds, more and more disturbing details about her past are revealed. Her determination to get to the truth and prove her innocence makes her admirable, and the harrowing obstacles she faces will have readers empathizing with her by the end—despite her flaws and tainted past!
It should be noted that there are some major potential triggers in this book, including violence, suicide, substance abuse, sexual assault, & harassment—readers sensitive to these topics should approach with caution. Berry, a former psychologist and expert in childhood trauma, never shies away from heavy topics or sugarcoats her characters’ addictions and traumas. If you’re familiar with her work, none of this will surprise you!
One notable criticism is that the storyline abruptly shifts from Maggie’s murder mystery to a dual timeline narrative centered on Laurel’s dark past around the midpoint, giving a bit of a disjointed reading experience. In the second half, some of the twists literally come out of nowhere, without sufficient buildup, and readers need to suspend their disbelief. In addition, a few characters display sudden shifts of character that aren’t overly convincing. The story culminates with a series of very dramatic scenes, followed by an abrupt, unresolved ending that may leave readers unsatisfied—and it’s also an ending you’ll want to discuss with others right away!
Overall, One in Four is a dark, emotionally intense thriller that punches a lot of entertainment value into its short pages. Seasoned thriller readers may likely find the twists and character motivations more implausible than typical. Readers who enjoy fast-paced, twisty thrillers that don’t shy away from dark subject matter should consider this book!
Narrator Performace
READ BY: SASKIA MAARLEVELD, TESSA ALBERTSON, BRITTANY PRESSLEY
The audiobook is expertly narrated by acclaimed narrators Saskia Maarleveld, Tessa Albertson, and Brittany Pressley. Maarleveld performs the majority of the narration as protagonist Laurel and vividly brings the character to life with such nerve-wracking emotional intensity that keeps listeners glued to their headsets. Tessa Albertson gives a fantastic performance of Gia that dramatically changes in the second half, showcasing Albertson’s acting skills and vocal range. Brittany Pressley performs Noelle’s POV at the very end with an engrossing tone of uncertainty and tension, perfectly matching the character’s predicament and the open-ended, unresolved conclusion. Together, all three narrators elevate the story and transform this thriller into a thoroughly entertaining listening experience, despite some of the implausible plot points. If you’re considering this book or have enjoyed previous books by this author, the audiobook is the recommended format to binge this one!
Narrator Performace
READ BY: SASKIA MAARLEVELD, TESSA ALBERTSON, BRITTANY PRESSLEY
The audiobook is expertly narrated by acclaimed narrators Saskia Maarleveld, Tessa Albertson, and Brittany Pressley. Maarleveld performs the majority of the narration as protagonist Laurel and vividly brings the character to life with such nerve-wracking emotional intensity that keeps listeners glued to their headsets. Tessa Albertson gives a fantastic performance of Gia that dramatically changes in the second half, showcasing Albertson’s acting skills and vocal range. Brittany Pressley performs Noelle’s POV at the very end with an engrossing tone of uncertainty and tension, perfectly matching the character’s predicament and the open-ended, unresolved conclusion. Together, all three narrators elevate the story and transform this thriller into a thoroughly entertaining listening experience, despite some of the implausible plot points. If you’re considering this book or have enjoyed previous books by this author, the audiobook is the recommended format to binge this one!
READ BY: SASKIA MAARLEVELD, TESSA ALBERTSON, BRITTANY PRESSLEY
The audiobook is expertly narrated by acclaimed narrators Saskia Maarleveld, Tessa Albertson, and Brittany Pressley. Maarleveld performs the majority of the narration as protagonist Laurel and vividly brings the character to life with such nerve-wracking emotional intensity that keeps listeners glued to their headsets. Tessa Albertson gives a fantastic performance of Gia that dramatically changes in the second half, showcasing Albertson’s acting skills and vocal range. Brittany Pressley performs Noelle’s POV at the very end with an engrossing tone of uncertainty and tension, perfectly matching the character’s predicament and the open-ended, unresolved conclusion. Together, all three narrators elevate the story and transform this thriller into a thoroughly entertaining listening experience, despite some of the implausible plot points. If you’re considering this book or have enjoyed previous books by this author, the audiobook is the recommended format to binge this one!
