I didn't think it was possible, but Hank has done it again. Villains so carefully crafted you don't see them coming, and a heroine in a thoroughly relatable predicament that made my heart break. Thank god the plot was so fast-paced that I could see how she got out of it! Clear your weekend because you won't want to put it down!

ONE WRONG WORD by HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN

Arden Ward specializes in crisis management help, repairing injuries to reputations of the wronged or imprudent. It’s delicate work, especially important for those in the public eye, and she does it ethically. Others might not. We all want to present the best version of ourselves, but at what cost? Would we harm others to keep our public record clean? Pay a blackmailer? (Sherlock Holmes declared blackmail the most heinous of crimes).
Arden finds her limits tested when she herself is slandered and then given one final impossible and dangerous assignment. I came to admire and root for Arden and wish this stand-alone could be a series. The complex, twisty plot flowed seamlessly and kept me reading despite complications in my life.
Arden compares her work to nursing, helping people become whole, which leads me to —
Personal note: Right after I started reading ONE WRONG WORD, I took one wrong step, slipped on mud in the street, and broke my wrist, needing long, painful repairs. ONE WRONG WORD held my interest through trauma, pain, and much waiting and was written with such clarity that I could follow easily, even on pain meds. An extreme test, one I hope not to repeat. I can finally type well enough to write a much-deserved review.
Advice: read this book and be careful out there IRL.

Wow! Amazing read! Great interaction between all parties involved. An “accident”, a trial, an acquittal and all the feelings that come after that whether real, imagined or created to paint the situation in a certain light come together for a roller coaster ride. Totally recommend this book! I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This one was wild! I didn’t know who to believe. Kept me on the edge of my seat. And while I did partly figure out whodunnit I was still shocked by the whole story and ending!
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I loved Arden and getting a little glimpse of that goes on behind the scenes in PR for the wealthy clients was definitely interesting.
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If you love a good twisty tale with lies, secrets and multi layered characters, you don’t want to miss this one!
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Thanks to NetGalley and Forge for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

If you’re a fan of mystery novelist Hank Philippi Ryan (and if you’re not, why not?), her fifteenth novel is a must read. The story focuses on two strong women—crisis manager Arden Ward and Assistant District Attorney Monelle Churchwood. When Monelle fails to convict Ned Bannister of vehicular homicide, Arden is hired to restore his reputation. Both, working under the pressure of dismissal by domineering male bosses, spring into action when someone attempts to murder Ned’s attorney. Who has the motive, means, and opportunity?

One Wrong Word is Hank Phillippi Ryan's latest masterpiece. It is well crafted, and the characters are just so real. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to unfold next. Arden Ward, the main character in the book, is my absolute favorite of Ryan's characters. You could not help but be drawn into her world. This story encompasses the belief that one wrong word can absolutely change the trajectory of your life. I highly recommend this riveting book. It's a definite must read!

Can one wrong word really ruin your life? Well, it seems it can as Hank Phillippi Ryan aptly shows in her newest book One Wrong Word. The story centers around three main characters: Ned and Cordelia Bannister and Arden Ward. As the book begins, Ned is on trial having been accused of driving drunk and killing a man and the jury is deliberating on its verdict. Meanwhile, Arden Ward, a specialist in rehabilitating reputations is being fired from her job by her boss who received a complaint from a client's wife about an alleged affair between Arden and the woman's husband, a powerful businessman. It isn't true but with two weeks to wrap up her work and leave, the boss gives Arden the assignment of helping Cordelia and Ned in the aftermath of his trial. The implicit message is that if Arden can help them, she may get a decent reference for future opportunities. The story of these three protagonists is frequently dizzying - who is telling the truth and who is sabotaging whom? One Wrong Word is classic Ryan - just when you think you have it all figured out, chances are you really don't!

Oh, what a great book! I already loved the author, and now I love her more!

The twists and turns in this book were mind-boggling. Between Ned and Cordelia, I couldn’t keep track of which one was doing what. What a mess.

I always love the little Boston references, since I’d love to go back there someday.

Read this book! It’s definitely worth it.

I loved all the secrets and lies in this book! There were so many unreliable narrators, which is one of my favorite tropes! I didn’t know which way this story was going to go and my thoughts kept going back and forth. This was a great book!

Once again Hank delivers a thriller with interesting characters and lots of twists and turns. It was sometimes hard to know who to like and who not to, although some were clearly only out for themselves. Some of the suspense created by not answering a question or following through on something when the phone would ring or a text was received, became slightly annoying at times and possibly a bit unbelievable. I think that the main protagonist would have taken more effort to get her questions answered in a more timely manner.

I have to admit that my favorite character who was mostly a minor character but so very important to the story was Pip, Cordelia's son. I would have almost liked for him to play a larger part in the present day's activity, as well as the grandma.

From the master of suspense, Hank Phillippi Ryan has given us “One Wrong Word” and it’s an exceptional cat and mouse thriller. Hank pulls you in with her characters and writing style. You never see the twists coming and page after page you are sitting, mouth agape, never wanting it to end.
Hank is a genius storyteller.

I am proud to be a Hank super reader and many thanks to Hank Phillippi Ryan and Forge Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-kimmerthebooknerd

Hank Phillippi Ryan’s latest thriller ONE WRONG WORD is well-paced, adeptly crafted and chillingly thrilling! She depicts vividly the grief, the pain, the frustration, and the fear that surrounds those who are being hurt and betrayed by just one word, one wrong word!

The prologue has instantly piqued my curiosity. As the pages turn, the suspense intensifies, and the relentless twists and turns have drawn me deeply into the world of deceit, aggression, and agony of Arden, the crisis management expert, and her high-profile clients!

ONE WRONG WORD is a taut, immersive and nightmarish thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and keep you guessing until the end!

One wrong word

All I can say is wow. Wow wow

What a great book there’s twist and turns if you think it’s this one you think it’s that one then you don’t know really who it is back-and-forth

Awesome Awesome book.


A must read for everybody

If you’re looking for a pacy domestic suspense thriller, with multiple POV, filled to the brim with twists and red herrings, then you’ve found it 🤩

This is the first book I’ve read where crisis management was at the forefront and I loved the unique edge it brought. This was my first by Ryan but I’m already looking up the backlist! With snappy dialogue and well rounded characters - I loved the character of Arden - this cat and mouse thriller had me glued to my chair. I really enjoyed how her mind worked and trying to figure things out alongside her.

A solid thriller with a crime fiction edge - highly recommended! Get it on your list!

Amazing! Could stop reading as It was a page turner and need to know what awaited in the next chapters. Worth the read and highly recommend.

Oh my gosh!! I absolutely loved this book!! Not surprising because
I love other books by this author.
This book grabbed me from the first paragraph! The characters
are very well developed and there are so many twists and turns to keep
you on the edge of your seat that you find it very hard to put the book down. I
could not wait to get to the end to see if I was correct in my assumptions,
while at the same time, I didn’t want it to end. I highly recommend this
book!
Thanks Hank Phillippi Ryan and Net Galley for the opportunity to read an
ARC for an honest opinion.

Hank Phillippi Ryan has written another masterpiece!

Ned, accused and acquitted of killing a man while driving drunk, makes you wonder if things are as they seem, It appears to be a pretty clear case, but if Ned wasn't drunk, what really happened. His wife Dee is determined to find out the truth. (Wouldn't you if you were married to a drunk killer?)

Arden loves her job, but is accused of having an affair with a client. She didn't and wouldn't. She is given 2 weeks to clear out and finish one more project. She meets Cordelia (Dee) who wants help with her and Ned's reputations.

There are times when one wrong word changes everything. Words are powerful and this book sends that message loud and clear.

No spoilers or book report here. I'm just going to tell you I recommend you read One Wrong Word for yourself. I couldn't put it down until I finished it!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an unedited pre-publication copy and to Hank Phillippi Ryan's team for selecting me to be a super reader for an honest review. Honestly, I Loved It!!

I was very excited to get an advanced copy of this book. I enjoyed the author’s previous book, so I had high hopes for this, and Hank did not disappoint! This psychological thriller kept me guessing and had me rethinking everything multiple times throughout!

The first part of the book was a bit of a slow burn as we get background on the main players in this twisty story. The author does a great job of keeping her readers on their toes with all the clues and red herrings she throws in. I enjoyed the multiple points of view and loved the main character, Arden Ward. I really hope there will be more books with her character (hint hint!).

I loved the setting of Boston! I live nearby and go into Boston often for work so loved reading about places that I actually know where they are! I could picture the neighborhoods and places mentioned throughout while reading this story and felt Hank did a great job of describing the city and transporting her reader there.

Although this book is a thriller, I wouldn’t say it had my heart racing many times, but there was one scene that got my heart rate up for sure! Hank has a way of writing a gripping novel that is so hard to put down because the reader needs to know how it will all end. Did I have an idea of the ending of this one? Yes, but that didn’t take away for my need to know if I was right or not. If you’re looking for a suspenseful mystery then I highly recommend this book.

“Help me, Arden!” So say the clients of Arden Ward, Public Relations and Crisis Management guru. Arden has a reputation for being the best when your reputation is at its worst. But Arden is facing her own public relations nightmare. She’s been falsely accused by a client of an inappropriate relationship with another client. Her boss gives her one last chance to save her career. The only catch is that she must resurrect the good name of a man who may have gotten away with murder.

Ned Bannister has just been acquitted of driving drunk and killing a man—on a technicality. As Arden works with him to restore his name and handle the fallout for his family, she wonders if she’s really working for a guilty man. And matters only get worse when someone close to her client is gravely injured in a hit and run. Was it her client? And who can she trust? With her career and perhaps even her life hanging in the balance, Arden must use all her skills to get to the truth.

Hank Phillippi Ryan has done it again. Her compelling characters, whose layers just make the story more twisty, and the propulsive action and suspense make this book impossible to put down. Written evocatively to capture Boston in November, the story will capture your imagination and keep with you long after you’ve finished reading.

One Wrong Word will be available February 6, 2024.

Thank you to the author and to Forge Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of the book.

Hank Phillippi Ryan's "One Wrong Word" is a four-star page-turner that had me instantly hooked from the first page. The narrative's magnetic pull, coupled with the desire to unravel the mysteries within, made this novel an enthralling and suspenseful experience. A huge thank you to Hank for sending me this advanced copy for me to review!

The story revolves around Arden Ward, a crisis management expert thrust into her own crisis when falsely accused of an affair with a powerful client. As Arden grapples with the impending crash of her career and dreams, readers are drawn into a world of scandal, secrets, and high-stakes consequences. The author's skillful storytelling weaves a tapestry of complexity, leaving me eager to discover the truth behind the accusations and root for Arden in her fight for redemption.

The plot gains momentum as Arden takes on a crucial case involving Cordelia Bannister, a woman seeking Arden's expertise to salvage her husband Ned's reputation after a fatal drunk driving accident. The intricate dynamics between the characters and the well-paced revelations kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to untangle the web of lies surrounding the Bannister family.

Ryan's portrayal of Ned Bannister adds an extra layer of intrigue, and as Arden delves deeper into the case, the mysteries multiply. The narrative skillfully navigates the delicate balance between suspense and emotional depth, making the characters relatable and the plot genuinely engaging.

As a reader, I found myself captivated by the exploration of the power of words, gossip, and the far-reaching consequences of falsehoods. The theme resonates throughout the novel, creating a palpable tension that kept me invested until the final pages. The author's social commentary on reputation management and societal judgment adds depth to the story, making it not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.

"One Wrong Word" is a compelling addition to the suspense genre, and Hank Phillippi Ryan delivers a story that is as addictive as it is thought-provoking. Once I started this book, the mysteries and intricacies of the plot held me captive, making it a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. Ryan's exploration of the impact of "one wrong word" will linger in my mind long after the final page.