One Night
by Georgina Cross (Goodreads Author)
71496353
Jodie I GeauxGetLit's review Aug 02, 2023 · edit
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bookshelves: 2023-netgalley-read

One of my favorite books was Nanny Needed and this book was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I really enjoy the authors writing style and it was a solid story. I was able to figure out the twist twist at the end very early on, and I was hoping more more red herrings to shake my suspicions up, but most wasn’t enough to sway me in any other direction.
All in all, a solid thriller with a high dose of sibling descent. 3.5 stars

Thank you netgalley for my gifted copy.

They all got one. Red envelopes that arrived with a simple message. Come to the designated location and you will finally know what really happened to Meghan the night she died. Her mother is convinced Meghan's old boyfriend is behind this, having just been released from jail completing his sentence for her murder. They all gather at the secluded cliffside home that's been rented by their secret host as a storm begins to rage outside. But when the suspected mastermind behind this night is found unconscious after a car wreck the family begin to spiral. Desperate for answers - Who brought them here? Why has the truth been kept secret for so long? What really happened to Meghan? Cal is now too injured to give them what they want...but that doesn't mean they can't have closure. Who would miss him if they took true justice into their own hands? Help is not coming and accidents do happen after all. Half of the group wants to hear what he has to say while the other half wants to serve him no mercy. But what will happen if Cal does wake-up and reveal the truth that maybe he wasn't guilty after all and the killer is someone already in the house. "One Night" is a twisty closed-door mystery that though fairly predictable had me gripped. I don't mind if the plot is easy to figure out as long as the slight possibility that I'm wrong exists and this is exactly what Cross has done. A good mystery/thriller for fans of this genre.

One Night is twisty and suspenseful. I loved the atmospheric setting on the Oregon coast- it somehow made this book more suspenseful and I was on the edge of my seat reading this! This is the perfect mystery to snuggle up with on a night in!

One Night by Georgina Cross is a chilling atmospheric thriller that I couldn't put down.

The setting is perfect, a remote coastal area in deserted Oregon.

A family that is still grieving their daughter's death comes face to face with their daughter's previous boyfriend.

A brilliant, locked room thriller. The characters were expertly weaved and well fleshed out.

The suspense and the twists and turns were so perfect.

An incredible psychological thriller that I highly recommend!

#GeorginaCross is back with an electrifying new novel filled with revenge, forgiveness, & murder.

I loved her last, #NannyNeeded & jumped at the chance to read her latest when Vanessa Duque, Marketing Assistant, with #BallantineBantamDell | #RandomHouseGroup offered me a copy to read & give my honest review!

This is a tense #psychologicalthriller filled with twists until the end of a family trying to discover who killed their beloved daughter!
#GeorginaCrossauthor is at her best! I’ll read anything she writes!


Thank you, Georgina Cross, Random House &  Netgalley for my copy! All opinions are my own!

One-sentence summary:
Ten years after Meghan was murdered, her entire family -- including her two sisters, a close family friend, her mother and father and her father's new wife -- receive an anonymous invitation to a house on the bluff where they used to vacation, but when the man accused of her murder unexpectedly joins them, they are all forced to reckon with what actually happened the night of the murder so many years ago and which one of them is actually a killer.

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I loved Nanny Needed, so I was excited for this new read by Georgina Cross and it did not disappoint! The first half, while intriguing, is a bit of a slow burn as we learn – through various POVs - about the different characters and the details of that fateful night ten years ago when Meghan was killed. As someone who watched Clue the Movie about a million and one times as a kid, I loved the set up of people mysteriously being invited to a house for the night by a secret host who has something to reveal.

I thought the characters were complex and interesting, and I especially appreciated Maureen, the mother, who is still experiencing such grief from the loss of her child (truly, does that grief ever end?) and such anger at Cal, the former boyfriend of Meghan who was convicted of murdering her and recently released from prison. While her judgment at times seemed very clouded due to this tremendous loss, you can’t help feeling for her. I found her emotions and reactions to be so believable.

This is a very fun locked-room mystery, and by the mid-point of the book, the tension is ratcheted up so high that I couldn’t stop flipping pages to see what would happen next. There was the constant feeling that someone was going to be hurt – or killed – by the time the night ended. I won’t say more beyond this, but the ending did NOT disappoint.

This is a fabulous domestic suspense meets locked room mystery, and I definitely recommend it for any mystery or thriller fans or anyone who is looking for that great beach read this summer. I will continue to read whatever the incredibly talented Georgina Cross writes!!

This just came out on Tuesday!

Thank you Bantam for the ARC!

One Night by Georgina Cross is a locked room mystery that defies the rules. Many twists (most I never saw coming) and an ending that will shock you to your core. The story takes place over one night and also incorporates flashback to the past, so we understand what is going on. The flow of the story was excellent, with each flashback coming at the perfect time. Maureen drove me crazy at times but her motivations made more sense the more I read. I was totally encompassed by this story and went to bed way too late for a mom who has her kids home for the summer.

I love a locked room thriller and this one did not disappoint! The atmospheric mood (the storm, a beautiful mansion on the cliff, lost electricity, windows shattered, trees down, lightning) enhanced the story even more.

10 years ago, Meg was killed at a bonfire and her boyfriend was accused and sentenced to prison time. Now, Meg's family receive letters to meet at a Cliffside home on the Oregon coast to find out what happened to Meg. Told in multiple POV's and timelines, Meg's family gathers and awaits the answers they have been waiting years for. But these answers are ones nobody wants to hear. Immediately, I did not sympathize with the victim. She was a cruel, hurtful person who wanted all the attention for herself and her mother was just as bad. I really enjoyed when the story was told from Sam's (Meg's sister) point of view.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for the ARC.

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.

First, I want to thank Georgina Cross, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

O.M.G!! Georgina Cross’s latest intensely twisted psychological thriller One Night has to be one of her best written books ever!! My prediction is this will be on the bestseller list in no time! It is a highly addicting fast paced read that I could not put down! Oh yes! It was that good so you may want to clear your schedule!

I LOVED this book and just couldn’t get enough of it!! If you think your family has drama you have not met this family! Ohh she had my head spinning out of control at not only one climatic ending but three of them! However, nothing could prepare me for the final revelation that made my jaw just drop!! Ohh she is GOOD!!

This is one book that you will be on the edge of your seat for as it is intense! There were so many mysteries that needed to be solved. One Night is packed with tragedy, heartbreak, secrets, wicked twists and turns, and even a taboo storyline thrown into the mix!

They always say write what you are passionate about and this is just what Georgina did in One Night. Georgina has a special place in her heart for Oregon where she and her husband vacationed. She fell in love with the breathtaking views and sights that she wanted to incorporate into her book.

Georgina is always so thankful and appreciative to all her readers, book reviewers, bloggers for sharing the love for her books.

One Night is the story of a family broken when the oldest daughter is murdered. Meghan was the oldest daughter and always had to be the best at everything. She put down her other 2 sisters often and made sure they did what she wanted. Alice and Samantha are the middle and youngest daughters and they love and look up to Meghan most of the time. When Meghan wants to go to a bonfire party she tells Alice that she has to go to cover for her. She only wants to say she's at the party, but she has other plans. Alice isn't the partying type and really doesn't want to go, but Meghan got her to promise and holds her to it.

At the bonfire, Meghan gets a ride from Cal, her current boyfriend. He's supposed to take her to Homecoming in a week but they've been arguing a lot lately. Cal thinks Meghan is beautiful and really likes her. He wants to talk to her about what's bothering her but Meghan keeps putting him off. Meghan has a plan to meet Geoff in the woods by the bonfire and have him drive them to a beach house that's nearby. Geoff who is called Uncle Geoff by the 3 girls is their Dad's best friend. He rescued Meghan and saved her from serious injury when a huge wave came ashore on vacation. Ever since he risked injury to himself and prevented Meghan from any injury he's been known as Uncle Geoff even though there's no familial ties.

Will Geoff agree and take Meghan to the beach house for a night they'll never forget? Is he the one who murdered her? Will Cal find out what's going on and that Meghan has no interest in him? Will that be enough for him to murder her? Could it be someone else? Meghan's dead body is found in the creek with a head wound and she drowned. Sam tells the police that the last person she saw with Meghan was Cal and that they were arguing. Cal is arrested for Meghan's murder and goes to jail.

Ten years later, Cal gets out of prison. He has maintained his innocence the entire time and sent letters to Meghan's mom and dad throughout his prison stay. Invitations arrive for each member of Meghan's family, for Geoff, and for Cal. Meghan's parents are divorced and her Dad remarried so both are coming to the "party". The invitation says to come to the beach house to find out what really happened to Meg. The writing is block letters so there's no indication who might have sent them. As the invites begin to arrive, no one is happy about being there. The house sits near a cliff with the ocean below. All of the family has arrived when Alice finally shows up very late.. Uncle Geoff still hasn't arrived and neither has Cal.

A terrible storm moves in and there's crazy wind, torrential downpours, sharp lightning and loud thunder. Everyone looks around the house for flashlights and candles just in case. As they're in storm prep there's a knock at the door. It's Geoff and he's carrying an injured Cal. Geoff explains that his SUV ran into Cal's truck that was pulled off on the side of the road. He didn't see the truck due to the storm and the downed tree that prevented Cal from driving further. Cal has a head injury that is bleeding badly and looks like he's on death's door. Is this what really happened? Is Geoff telling the truth?

Things begin to escalate as Meghan's Homecoming dress is laid out in the house, place cards for dinner are set, food has been bought and is ready to eat, favorite drinks have been provided. Who did all of this and when? Why are there magazines in the house with Geoff's name and address? Is he behind this? Who has set this up and why? Will Cal tell them why he killed Meghan? Did Cal really do it? Someone is hiding something and it's all going to come out.
This book will have you flipping pages at record speed. Georgina Cross does it again with a thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end! One Night came out today and I highly recommend you read it! I rate the book 4 stars and know that you'll enjoy the guessing game. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Bantam Books for an advanced copy of One Night in exchange for a fair review. #OneNight

One Night is a gripping locked-room mystery that unravels at an exhilarating pace. This tense and expertly crafted thriller takes place on a secluded stretch of the Oregon coastline, where a family finds themselves confronting the murderer of their cherished daughter.

Prepare to be captivated as the story hurtles forward, leaving you on the edge of your seat. Cross skillfully maintains a relentless momentum, ensuring that every page is filled with heart-pounding suspense. The remote setting adds an extra layer of intrigue, as the family grapples with their darkest fears in a place seemingly untouched by the outside world.

With meticulous attention to detail, Cross weaves a web of secrets and deception, keeping readers guessing until the final, shocking revelation. The characters are brought to life with depth and complexity, their emotions palpable as they navigate the treacherous terrain of grief and vengeance.

One Night is a masterclass in storytelling, showcasing Cross's ability to create a thrilling narrative that will leave readers breathless. This compelling novel is a must-read for fans of the genre, offering a unique and unforgettable experience that will linger long after the final page is turned.

One Night is about a young high school girl, Meghan, who died mysteriously ten years ago. Her ex-boyfriend, charged with her murder, was just released from prison right as her family received letters telling everyone to meet at a cliffside vacation house for the real story of what happened to Meghan. This was a good story, but not my favorite. It had all the right elements of suspicious and untrusting characters. I think something was off with the pacing. In the beginning, a lot is going on. It kept me guessing who the culprit was. Just when I thought I had it, someone else would do something that’d shine the guilt light on them. I liked that. There’s an uneasiness within the group, not being able to trust anyone. What I didn’t like was that the culprit was revealed too soon. At about 84% in, I started to lose interest. The person was already revealed to me. So I didn’t have any motivation to continue. I did finish but it wasn’t satisfying. The bomb should be dropped much, much later. There wasn't much of a shock factor.

Georgina Cross did a wonderful job of pulling me into the story. By the end of the first chapter I was hooked. I had to find out what the heck was going on. It’s been 10 years since Meghan died and her family has been invited to a remote vacation house with the promise of finding out what really happened. They thought they already knew, after all Cal, Meghan’s boyfriend spent the last ten years in jail for manslaughter. But is that what really happened? Is there more to it? I won’t spoil the plot here, but I will say this is one of those books where even though you know certain things are going to happen (storm rolling in, power going out, no cell reception) but you still delight when they happen. And while I anticipated quite a few of the plot twists, I still enjoyed the book quite a bit. In places the atmosphere just permeates the pages. A solid thriller to while away a weekend with. Thanks so much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley for the eARC.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-night-georgina-cross/1141319185?ean=9780593496893&bvnotificationId=8ac78c67-307e-11ee-914d-124fcaa5a95b&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/254378886

An anonymous invitation for One Night to reunite and discover the truth of Meghan’s death. Upon arrival, an house overlooking Haystack Rock is set up for a dinner party that never happens….. A major storm is swiftly approaching and the last 2 guests show up. One injured and incapacitated being carried by the other. Who killed Meghan? The on and off again boyfriend? The stepmother? The uncle? Will the family find the true killer or will they turn on themselves?

I thought this was a fairly fun read. In the beginning atmosphere setup, I expected to love this mystery with a little suspense but I found the first ~60% to be a little repetitive and stagnant. The twist at the end didn’t really feel shocking to me. I would definitely read another book by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a book I requested on NetGalley because I heard so many good things about NANNY NEEDED! The author came highly recommended to me and I had to check her out for myself. I took one look at the synopsis and was sold.

I read this as a buddy read, but I think we all finished it much faster than the schedule created. It did start a little slow to me, but once I got about halfway through then I had to know how the book would end. The ending wasn't what I expected, but I also wasn't completely shocked by the revelations either. Honestly, I felt like that was a good thing as anything else might have been doing too much... and Maureen was already doing the most. So unlikable and dramatic.

One thing that drove me nuts, (but totally a personal quip as no one else seemed to notice), is how the author rereferred to a character as "Sam's dad" instead of just saying "Paul" on more than one occasion. I also wish we got a little more of the story than where it ended as I'm the kind of person who likes all closure.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

High schooler Meghan drowned in a creek during a party ten years ago and her boyfriend Cal was sent to prison for the crime. He's now out of jail and Meghan's family receives anonymous invites to a beautiful home on the Oregon coast proclaiming the truth of Meghan's death will be revealed. Was it really Cal? Or did someone else get away with murder? A storm wrecks havoc on the evening and everyone looks suspicious. An enjoyable murder mystery and family drama rolled into one.

Meghan is the oldest of three sisters and is preparing for her senior year dance. She has been dating Cal for awhile but says they are breaking up. But then, she turns up dead and Cal is convicted of her murder while pleading innocent.

After serving ten years in prison, he is released. By now, Meghan’s parents, Maureen and Paul are divorced and he has married Rebecca. Meghan’s sisters, Alice and Sam, have grieved for so long for their sister.

Now, all of the family members have received an invitation for a night at a remote cottage on the Oregon coast. They are promised that the real killer of Meghan will be revealed. Upon arrival, they realize they are facing a severe storm that hits with a huge intensity cutting off phone and cell service. When Paul’s good friend Gregg arrives, he is carrying an injured Cal who had run into a tree. Badly injured and unconscious, Gregg insists they care for his injuries while others wish him dead as they truly believe he killed their beloved Meghan.

As the night goes on, and it’s a terrible night filled with rain, winds, thunder, and lightening, things become more and more tense. Accusations are thrown about and readers will be on the edge of their seats. Who - who really killed Meghan and why? This book is very intense leaving you right up to the very end of the book until all is revealed. Whew. What a ride. My only complaint is that I wished the book could have been shortened somewhat but then again the tension wouldn’t have been as great. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

It's been years since Meghan died and her boyfriend was sent to jail for the crime. Now, Cal is out and each of Meghan's family members get an odd invitation. One night. One secluded costal house. One dinner. And they are promised answers for what happened to Meghan.

This was an interning thriller. The concept was interesting and unique! Each family member has secrets that they don't want coming out, some relating to Meghan's death. The overall atmosphere was very Agatha Christie, with no way to escape those secrets.

The character were well drawn out as was the set up and chapters. But, I wasn't really a fan of how the narration play out, flipping from different characters. There were too many to really dig in deep with. I did like, however, that it was the women you followed through the whole thing.

All in all, this was a decent thriller that mostly kept my attention and had some good twists and turns.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Ballantine Bantam, for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Georgina Cross - 4 stars!

Invitations arrive in the mail to all the members of Meghan's family to meet at a remote location on the Oregon Coast and get the answers they've been waiting for. Meghan died ten years ago and her accused killer, high school boyfriend Cal, has been in jail. On the night they gather at the home, family friend Geoff shows up with an unconscious, bleeding Cal in tow, having run into him on the road to the home. Was Cal the one who summoned them?

This was a good locked-room mystery, complete with raging storm, power outages, and lots of suspects. Meghan's mom especially hates Cal, whom she blames for Meghan's death, and feels like it would be poetic justice to just let him die. But everyone is keeping secrets, from Megan's sisters and stepmom. There was lots of tension and enough twists that kept me turning the pages!