"One of the Good Guys" explores the thought-provoking dilemma that in a world where most men claim to be good, why do women still feel fear when walking alone at night? The story unfolds as Cole, recently separated and now a wildlife ranger in a remote seaside location, befriends Leonora, an artist living nearby. Initially portrayed as a meek and nice guy, Cole's character takes a surprising turn when viewed through the lens of his estranged wife's perspective.

Author Hall takes her time building the narrative, allowing readers to immerse themselves in Cole's world in the first part. As the story progresses, we gain insights from both Cole's wife, Mel, and Lennie. What becomes apparent is that none of these characters are truly good people. The narrative delves into complex psychological issues, exploring desires for family, the search for someone to fill parental voids, and the impact of gender stereotypes.

Beyond personal dynamics, the story tackles broader societal issues, including how social media shapes news consumption and the tendency to pass judgment without complete information. The mystery element revolves around two young women raising awareness about violence against women who go missing on New Year's Eve while camping nearby.

The narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion, bouncing back and forth in time and shifting perspectives. While the book may start slowly, it gradually captivates the reader, becoming increasingly difficult to put down. The intricate plot prompts reflection on the raised issues long after the book is finished.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gillian Flynn Books for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Would recommend for fans of…
🤦‍♂️ You
🤦‍♂️ Promising Young Woman
🤦‍♂️ Don’t Worry Darling
🤦‍♂️ The Last Housewife

One of the Good Guys is one of those books that’s really hard to talk about given all of the twists, but all you need to know is that this book is perfect for anyone looking for a tense and provocative thriller that discusses gender and power dynamics in our society.

Keeping things vague, One of the Good Guys shares some similarities with the book You. Cole, the protagonist, would get along marvelously with Joe Goldberg, and reading from his POV at the start of the story was chilling. After that, things take a turn and the story becomes something completely different. I really enjoyed the other POVs that were included, as well as the texts, social posts, and transcripts that were incorporated throughout.

What kept this from being a full on five star read for me was the slow start in combination with an ending that felt a little flat compared to the rest of the story. I can understand why Hall chose to end the book the way she did, but it just felt like a bit of a letdown after the tense pages that preceded it.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book, but do acknowledge that it can be heavy. Be sure to check out content warnings and don’t hesitate to DM me if you have any questions about it.

One of the Good Guys is out now. Thanks to NetGalley and Zando Projects for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's taken me a while to write a review on this book. Not because I haven't had the time, but because I've been thinking about it. It's definitely a book that stuck with me. There's two parts to this book - the book/story itself, and the message it delivers. As a woman, right off the bat I could see issues with the characters and the story line. As things progressed, my book detective brain could see right through it. But I don't think this book was meant as a mystery. This book had a message to bring to light. You have to finish reading the whole story to see where it was going.

One of the Good Guys is a smart, original novel that I am still thinking about. It is a book that I think works best when the reader goes in blind, so I would avoid reading any summaries or descriptions. The mystery aspect was the least compelling to me; I absolutely love what the author has to say about gender roles, relationships, art, media, societal expectations. I appreciated the mixed media elements and feel they really added to the book. I loved the first 2 perspectives, and initially did not love the ending however on deeper reflection, it works well. This is a great selection for anyone interested in well-written feminist books who do not mind unlikeable characters. It would be a fantastic book club choice with plenty of discussion points. Thank you to NetGalley and Gillian Flynn books for an advanced digital copy. 4 stars.

The women depicted in this novel were full of anger and hate and revenge. I would never have finished it except I really wanted to know how all of that would play out. I guess it was a depiction of what our society has devolved into becoming: totally disinterested in truth; hungry for someone to victimize; and interested only in how they can benefit themselves from destroying someone else. The entries from social media knew nothing about the people they were supporting or blaming, but I guess I see this every day in real life.

Did the author write this as a treatise on society, thinking that people would see themselves for what they’ve become? Or did she write it because she, herself, is full of anger and hate and revenge and needs an outlet?

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Quite frankly I would have been really upset if I’d paid good money for it.

One of the Good Guys was honestly a miss for me. I went into the novel believing it to be a psychological thriller and it was not. It read like literary fiction.

The first 40% we have Cole’s POV and I believe it was the intention to lay out his red flags and I truly hated this guy. So that was props to the author for eliciting such emotion. There was little to no action just basically character development on Cole.

Then we get the wife’s POV and I did stick with the book because I kept thinking any minute the thrilling part will happen.

What is supposed to be the thriller is really falls flat and wrong because I don’t think it achieved at all what they wanted. I really didn’t like all the social media posts.

Typically I will DNF a book if I feel like it’s going to be less than 3 stars and to be honest I’m noting giving it 2 for bad writing. The writing isn’t bad I just really didn’t like decisions the author made and how it was handled.

The whole book is basically a huge trigger with infertility, rape, control, and a scene depicting skinning a rabbit.

Thank you to Gillian Flynn books for my advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I think you know what you are getting yourself into when you read a book under Gillian Flynn’s imprint - men behaving badly, secrets, surprise twists, and women bent on seeking revenge. I enjoyed the coastal setting and found it hard to put down. Suspense with a psychological twist!

Thank you to Sandi and NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a mix for me. There was some good. It starts off relatable: wanting to get away from it all after a bad breakup. Finding solace outside. Finding a new person to like.

It also has a lot of social commentary and dynamic analysis. Interesting at times. Overkill at others.

Dead people. Can’t have a thriller without those.

The trials of being a woman. The trials of being accused.

It’s a lot.

Overall, hmmm, hard to judge, but I’ll go with a 4.

This is an awesome book that hooked me from the beginning! Cole has moved to the country and is a new ranger, trying to move on from his ex-wife Melanie who divorced him but wants to keep the frozen embryos as they were once attempting a pregnancy. In his new cliffside home, he meets Lenora whom he intends to get to know as she's an artist and is also single and, he assumes, lonely as well. As all this transpires, there is a famed Walk for Women going on along the coast below as too many women are being targeted and assaulted and this is an attempt to raise money for the cause. And then everything goes wrong...and I mean seriously haywire! Enough said. Just read and try to put it down--because you can't!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

OMG what a story. Araminta Hall really goes there with her books. In the beginning of this story, at around the 1/3 mark or so I was like where is this going?? (in an extremely intrigued way). And then the story starts shifting, and the rest of the story really goes off and gets a little unhinged? It's definitely a "good for her" story, which I love. But I also I think that Araminta Hall is leaving some things as ambiguous and not necessarily good or bad, and leaves it open to the interpretation of the reader. This would make such a good book club selection. Araminta, I will continue to pick up everything you write.

The book is gripping and it is written in first person perspective. I enjoyed reading the book from Cole’s perspective and his ex-wife’s perspective as well. The book splattered light upon the most prominent topics. The author has made us think of each individual and their perspectives towards life. The book is thought-provoking. The Author has very well portrayed the emotions of two individuals and how they feel in marriage addressing the other important issues too. There is something that author has said about cooking and I felt so good after reading it. So there are a lot of feminist thoughts in the book.

Col and Mel separated, Col wanted to leave behind the feeling of a failed marriage so he accepted the job as a Wildlife Ranger. There he meets Leonora and a realisation hit him. The realisation how we meet right and wrong person and how our life could have been better. His past slowly encapsulates and then the unexpected happens in the plot. Two women go missing and soon Col and Leonora find themselves in the midst of police investigation. The book definitely has power to make you doubt on your own instincts. Like things were just going well and suddenly they take a different turn. The book is twisty and unpredictable. I would recommend it.

I am grateful to Publisher, Author and Netgalley for accepting my request. Thank you.

I thought this book was so thought provoking and interesting. It’s told from three different narratives, Cole , Mel and Lennie. Throughout the novel we get various opinions from social media and podcasts, which is so effective. Cole has decided to rent a cottage in the middle of the countryside where he can get away from his breakup from Mel. Both have them have been struggling with their marriage. Lennie is an artist who is also renting a remote cottage near Cole. As well there are two young women protesters on a march for safety for women , who go missing. I was just gripped throughout . I can see all points of view and I think this was the author’s intention. It is described by some as a feminist thriller and I agree it certainly gets the point over how misogynistic the world can be and how women can be portrayed by social media . Having said that not all men are the same and the extent the women go to in this story could be seen as extreme. However the women in this story feel they are not being heard , feeling they have no option. I loved this and will definitely read more by this author.

HOLY SH!T what did I just read?!? After finishing this book, I am not surprised that it is the fourth book published by Gillian Flynn’s imprint. If you have read and enjoyed any of Ms. Flynn’s books then you will enjoy this.

If you’ve ever looked behind you with your keys between your fingers like a weapon while walking in a parking garage alone at night, or ever been made to feel like a slut because your skirt was too short or shirt too tight, or been made to feel like you’re crazy when your boyfriend gaslights you, then you should read this book. Honestly, if you have a vagina you should read this book. It will, in equal parts, infuriate you, scare you, and make you sad. I am certain it will be one of my favorite books this year.

Intricately plotted, fully realized and fleshed out characters and locations, and a fast paced story will make this a must read thriller of 2024.

Thanks to the author and Gillian Flynn books for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Very cat and mouse or made cat vs cat! I enjoy this face pace and even thought the end made me question of that the way I want the book to end. The characters would both believable and yet in the corner of your mind you think can I really trust what I’m reading.

"But what I had forgotten is that, even though we kid ourselves that we’re in control, sometimes things happen which we haven’t accounted for."

Araminta Hall’s One of the Good Guys is your next favourite feminist thriller; it’s unexpected, relevant, and edgy.

When we meet Cole, he is trying to move on from his broken marriage and moves to a remote cottage to escape. Oddly enough, Leonora, a painter, had the same idea and has moved just a walk away from Cole. The two slowly start to connect, only to be thrown into the middle of a police investigation. When two young women, activists for gendered violence, go missing it throws their new relationship into a tailspin and exposes the truth behind the person they’ve shared with one another, and who’s really in control.

What a wild, wild ride. And nothing like what I’ve read before. I didn’t know much going into this book, and I feel like that benefitted me, so I’ll do the same for you by not sharing TOO much :) What I will say is that fans of Gillian Flynn (whose imprint published this) will enjoy this thriller full of complicated characters, which also deftly incorporates some hard to tackle issues. You’ll find yourself taken aback by not only the book's thrills and twists but by its insight into the relationships and dynamics between men and women.

Even if at some points it felt a little too on the nose, One of the Good Guys is effective, impactful, surprising, and ultimately an experience I won’t soon forget (on more than one level). As you turn the final page, you might find yourself divided on how to feel about the characters and their actions, but one thing I don’t think anyone will argue are the twists, turns and clever commentary are on full display.

I thought this would be a bit more of a thriller. I went in blind not knowing what it was going to be about. It’s not my favorite book.. it dragged on at times but the ending was probably the best part. I did like the plot and main meaning of the book.

It always makes me sad to give a one star rating. I want to read and promote authors but this book was a big miss for me.

I was expecting to get a domestic thriller that would keep me on the edge of my seat and eagerly turning pages.

What I got was confusing to say the least. Is this a book pushing a feminist agenda? Is this a book promoting believe all women and hate all men? I really am not sure what the hoped for outcome was intended to be but I feel it missed.

The first third of the book we follow Cole and we get his perspective. He is going through a divorce with his wife Mel after not being able to have children and undergoing IVF. He is an unreliable narrator as he gets migraines and we are not totally sure what that is about but here I was thinking is where the thriller part of the book would happen. Is he odd? For sure. Does he do some awful things, yes, if any of this book is to be believed.
Then we get another view from Mel's perspective and she seems like an awful human as well. I honestly did not like her or feel for her at all. I feel I should have had some kind of positive feeling toward her if I am to believe how awful Cole is, but she just came off even worse.
We also get a perspective told from Lennie, a neighbor of Cole's that he is starting a relationship with. She is also deceitful and setting Cole up. Hard to feel for the plight of women when they are all behaving badly.
Throughout these points of view there is a mystery if you will of two young girls that are walking along the coast to raise awareness of women and the dangers they face every day. These women have an encounter with Cole where they also set him up to look malicious but was he? I am not sure. Then there is a twist and it doesn't really work for me. But it did sadden me a lot.
We also get the nauseating take on social media and how awful people are when they are sitting behind a keyboard voicing not only their opinions but making rather vulgar and unkind to say the least comments. I get enough of that and try to avoid it at all costs so to then have to read about it was irritating.

Trigger warnings should be noted for rape, violence, killing of animals, language, and more.

This book is highlighting conversations that are being had and that are important but it did not do justice to either side of the conversation and if anything just added to the already hostile environment. Some points made were good, some were not.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an e -arc of this book in exchange for a review.

This thriller seeks to answer the question of if men are good, why are women afraid to walk home at night. This surprisngly brought a lot of insightful thoughts despite being a bit of a popcorn thriller. I didn't love all the twists and turns, but I love what this book had to say.

Cole is one of the good guys. Or so he believes and wants everyone else to believe it. But is he really? Recently separated from his wife Cole lands at a small countryside escape to get away from it all. Lennie his neighbor is there more or less for the same reasons. When two female activists suddenly go missing suspicion automatically seems to falls onto Cole. But he's a good guy, right?
This was such an interesting and insightful book, not really what I was expecting, but I loved it none the less. Well written and really made me think. A very satisfying ending as well

Not your average domestic thriller, this got VERY weird and then some more. I honestly didn't see any of it coming, and I loved how creative the author was with the "art part" (can't say because of spoilers).