One By One by Lauren Street is the 10th book in The Bishop Smoky Mountain Thrillers. The was a show starting book, that was very dark and disturbing. Mitch and Rileigh finally are able to go on their date, made it all the way through the meal and then once again they were interrupted by the disappearance of a 16 year old girl. I found this book hard to get into, it was just to different that a normal read for me. I would still recommend to others, because I know not everyone enjoys same writing styles.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

One by One is the next book in the Bishop Smoky Mountain Thrillers and I have to admire how the author can keep writing taught mysteries book after book. While this one has the appearance of a paranormal aspect, the actual truth is far different and I appreciate how perspective can play a huge role in witness accounts and how difficult it is for a police detective to separate fact from fiction.

The plot wove around the disappearance of a sixteen-year-old girl, but the reader did get to meet her in the first quarter of the book and learn some of her fears. I found this approach more in style of horror novels although this was definitely not a horror novel in the slightest. I did find that approach to be helpful once Mitch and Rileigh started digging into her disappearance as you already knew some of the backstory, but not enough to give anything away. The manor is actually run by the great-granddaughter of the man who originally built the home, but who was at the center of grisly family murder that has pretty much remained unsolved all these years. The plot moved along rather quickly and involved multiple POV, but they were clear and easy to follow. I did have a problem with sentence structure, punctuation and grammar to the point where it actually jolted me out of the story a couple of times. As a proofreader, I tend to let certain mistakes slide, but when actual names of characters are wrong multiple times, it gets harder not to get annoyed. And I did take a look at a published copy compared to my ARC to see if the mistakes were fixed and they were not. I only mention this when it is definitely an issue.

The author does assume that you have prior knowledge of the relationship between Rileigh and Mitch when reading this book, but I don't think that is actually a big problem. Personally, I felt like the character development was not a priority in this book and while that may be fine for the main characters whom we have met multiple times, it didn't help with the secondary characters we met for the first time in this book. To be honest, most just kind of faded to the background as the story went on, and while I liked the ending, I did feel like it was incomplete as it focused more on foreshadowing for the next book and what was going to happen to Rileigh rather than concluding the present book.

One by One had some great moments, and I definitely enjoyed the overall story even though I did find some of it predictable. I liked how the author wove the paranormal aspect into the story, but it wasn't what people would expect. I did think the plot overshadowed character development in this book which affected the ending and left some questions for the reader. Overall, a decent entry in the series.

THE BISHOP SMOKY MOUNTAIN THRILLERS:
ONE BY ONE, #10 - I read this book a few days after reading Cime Back to Me, which didn't ruin this story, although I knew what was in the box. Interesting. Intense. Good story lines. A twist or two to add excitement but predictable as to the killer but not the helper. Source: Netgalley. 4*

BECAUSE ONE OF US WAS WRONG, Novella - This is a funny, interesting, intriguing and entertaining introduction to the Bishop Smokey Mountains series. Likeable characters, crimes like crazy, good story lines, and good humor. A must read first. Basic editing would have been nice. Source: Download through Hide Me Away, book one of the series. 5*

HIDE ME AWAY, #1 - Interesting. Intriguing. Good pacing. Hard to put down with all the happenings, the variety of characters, and some intense story lines. It was easy to figure out the murders, even with all the suspects. Good team work between the acting sheriff and the veteran in solving the crimes. I like the writing style of the author. Basic editing would have been nice. Source: the author. 5*

FUEL TO THE FLAME, #2 - This story picks up four months after Hide Me Away ends. I'm not sure why the author though it was important to rehash HMA in the first four chapters, and others, which made it difficult for me to keep reading since I read HMA. The story kicks into gear and turns out full of gory but not graphic crimes, mixed with more crimes and plenty of action. Thar's a bit of crazy going on in those mountains. Intense story lines. Basic editing would have been nice. Source: BookSprout. 4*

CLOSER BY THE HOUR, #3 - Rather intriguing and a bit gory, but not graphically detailed, and definitely difficult to put down, the interesting, well written story lines and good characters made for an immersing, entertaining read. A good pace, terrible crimes and poor ole Rileigh getting herself into plenty of "Oh, snap" situations. Some humor, and Lily and Daisy are hoots. A little predictable but well worth reading. Now, a little bit of editing .... Source: BookSprout. 5*

A GAMBLE EITHER WAY, #4 - Interesting and hard to put down with all kinds of happenings, and on a paddlewheel steamboat. Hairy story lines with good characters and a constant pace. Intense. Intriguing. Editing is better. Source: The author, ARC. 5*

HERE YOU COME AGAIN, #7 - Very interesting and intriguing and too easy to solve, but still a good read. Enjoyable characters with a dark story line balanced with a possible romance brewing. I enjoy this series, eventhough I do not understand the lack of basic editing; closing a sentence before a partial quote, Bible Belt and such in lowercase, etc. Source: NetGalley. 4*

COME BACK TO ME, #11 - Interesting but sad, with good characters and good story lines. Proper editing needed. Source: Netgalley. 4*
THE BISHOP SMOKY MOUNTAIN THRILLERS end.

I really like the story and the mystery and all this is the 3 book i read by her and it didn't disappointing ☺️

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Street masterfully builds suspense, relying on subtle psychological cues and a claustrophobic sense of atmosphere. The isolated setting of this novel becomes a character in itself, amplifying the characters' growing sense of dread and isolation. This story explores the dark side of ambition and the fragility of human connection, forcing readers to question the motives and true nature of each character.

"One By One" is a chilling reminder that even in the most idyllic of settings, danger can lurk beneath the surface.

Recommended for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers, character-driven stories, and suspenseful narratives that explore the complexities of human relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of One By One by Lauren Street. It was a slow start, but the book's second half got very interesting and I was hooked. My only critique was in the most important part of the book why does no one have a mobile phone when you need one, I would understand if this was pre-mobile phones but it wasn't this was based after Covid!

I enjoyed this! The ending was unexpected and creative. I really liked the writing style because it was very immersive. If you enjoy thrillers I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Lauren Street,Sterling and Stone and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

One By One by Lauren Street is a gripping, atmospheric thriller that blends mystery and horror. The story follows Rileigh Bishop as she investigates the disappearance of teenager Hillary Scofield, last seen near the eerie Shagbark Manor. As Rileigh delves into the manor’s dark history—linked to a century-old axe murder—she uncovers a deadly pattern, with a new killer seemingly recreating past atrocities. Street masterfully weaves suspense with supernatural elements, creating a chilling sense of urgency as Rileigh races to uncover the truth before she becomes the killer’s next target. With its tense plot, haunting setting, and unpredictable twists, One By One will keep readers on edge until the final page.

One by One by Lauren Street is a tense psychological thriller set at a remote retreat, where a group of colleagues begins to disappear one by one. The novel excels in building suspense, creating an atmosphere of fear and paranoia as the characters’ secrets and alliances unravel. Street’s writing keeps readers on edge, blending mystery with deeper themes of betrayal and survival. While some twists may feel predictable, the strong character development and psychological tension make this a gripping read for fans of suspenseful thriller.

Darker and more disturbing than other books in this series, I found this book really intriguing. As ever, the characters are engaging and even inspiring, at times, while the setting and circumstances they are in throw challenge after challenge at them. I liked this better than previous offerings and it may be because I felt like the author really challenged themselves to plumb some depths in themes and writing,

It took me a few chapters to really get into this book, but once I did, I could not put it down! There are all sorts of twists and turns that keep you on your toes, and the ending was pure adrenaline fueled, action-packed insanity in the best possible way. Such a good series. I love the books by this author.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley & Sterling & Stone for the ARC copy in exchange for a review.

I quite enjoyed this, it was a totally change of pace and genre than my usual, and it did take me a while to get used to the POV - it was one of the reasons I marked it down because I struggled to connect to the characters due to this.

I enjoyed the paranormal aspect of this, and would definitely look to read more books like this in the future, it did keep me on my toes and kept me guessing the wjo way through.

I also enjoyed watching the relationship between Rileigh and Mitch develop throughout.

One by One by Lauren Street
The Bishop Smoky Mountain Thrillers #10

Dark, gritty, disturbing, and immersive ~ I cold not put this book down

What I liked:
* Rileigh Bishop: retired military, ex-police sergeant, consults with local sheriff, lives with her mother and sister, has feelings for Mitch, bright, capable, caring, lethal, survivor, strategic thinker
* Mitchell Webster: sheriff, intelligent, good at his job, intriguing, has scars and history that were shared in book six, has feelings for Rileigh, calm under pressure, capable, caring
* Watching the relationship between Rileigh and Mitch progress
* Jillian: Rileigh’s older sister, survivor, returned home after decades as a slave, has PTSD, is growing as she settles in
* Lily: Rileigh’s mother, wise, caring, has dementia, trying new recipes, want to know how her action at the end of the book will impact things
* Hilary Schofield: sixteen-year-old, uprooted, unhappy, angry, dislikes her stepmother, loves her half-siblings, a bit of a mess, concerned by disturbing things seen where she is living
* Shagbark Manor: over a century old, axe murder site, ghost house, mysterious, brooding, and filled with dark vibes – a character in and of itself
* The friendship that Rileigh and Georgia have – I wonder if her nightmares will go away
* The plot, pacing, setting and writing
* That all of the threads of this dark story eventually are followed, unknotted, and the mystery of Shagbark Manor is revealed
* Knowing that there is another book to look forward to

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how “sick” more than one character in this book was and the negative impact they had on so many others

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

A missing teenager. A haunted manor. A killer who isn’t done yet. Rileigh Bishop and Mitch have faced their share of dangers, but nothing could prepare them for the horrors lurking in Shagbark Manor. Sixteen-year-old Hillary Scofield warned of blood-soaked visions, floating violins, and a body surrounded in a puddle of blood. Then she disappeared without a trace.

Determined to find the girl, Rileigh digs into the manor’s grim history, uncovering the chilling tale of Crawford Tillman – a man who returned home nearly a century ago to find his family murdered by an axe-wielding killer. Now, a new killer appears to be imitating the murders, starting with Hilary. With each passing hour, the danger grows closer. If Rileigh can’t unravel the truth behind Shagbark Manor, Hillary won’t be the only one who disappears.

Chilling. Gory. Disturbing. This installment has great characters and a compelling plot, and we are surprised with lots of twists and turns along the way. This kept me up way past my bedtime! 🙂 Overall 4⭐ because there was a little too much gore for my taste. Great read!

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

This book had me intrigued right from the start.

I’m a sucker for a “haunted” house with a gruesome history (and really anything with creepy dolls and ghosts), so the story drew me in right from the prologue and kept me wanting to know more all the way through.

Although I didn’t “love” the characters all that much or feel connected to Mitch and Rileigh, and found some of the flow to be a bit awkward, I still found myself wanting to solve the mystery of Shagbark Manor and get to the bottom of the disappearances!

If you love a good creepy mystery that’ll keep you guessing ‘til the end, then I recommend giving this book a try!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for the ARC. This is my honest review.

3.5 - The plot was good, but the flow of the characters and storyline wasn't smooth so I didn't really connect with the characters.

Rileigh Bishop and Sheriff Mitch are on another case that involves a haunted house and the disappearance of a young girl. When a family moves into Shagbark Manor, their 16-year-old daughter begins seeing disturbing visions of blood and dead bodies. Although her parents (dad and stepmom) think she is simply acting out to get them to return to their hometown, the visions are so terrifying that the daughter seeks out the Sheriff to report what is happening. To Mitch, the stories sound fantastic and a little bit like teenage drama; however, when the girl disappears leaving blood behind, Mitch asks Riley to help him investigate. It's a suspenseful story with a great denouement.

It’s a good thing Lauren Street writes so fast because I am obsessed with this series! Rileigh and Mitch have such a cute relationship, and in this book, everyone finally gets that thing they’ve all been waiting for. This book veered a little into a different direction, but it wasn’t a paranormal in the typical sense. There was no gothic horror with this one like a couple of other reviewers said. I love a good paranormal story, and this one used the idea of a haunting with perfection. I loved it just as much as every other story in this series. The ending though did leave me with some questions, which is unusual for me with respect to this series. What happened to Hillary’s family at the end? Especially that harpy of a woman, Tabitha? They were never mentioned again after Mitch and Rileigh’s “experiment”. What happened to the boyfriend? And what happened to the handyman? These were important characters that must kind of faded away toward the end. Other than that, I thought the ending was done very well. I just wish those character’s stories had been tied up a little tighter. Of course, we know what happens on the last page. How will Rileigh react when she finds out?

Huge thanks to Sterling & Stone and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

A Chilling Masterpiece of Suspense and Mystery!

Book 10 DID. NOT. DISAPPOINT!
Lauren Street has done it again! One by One is a spine-tingling addition to the Bishop Smoky Mountain Thrillers series, and I couldn’t put it down. This book had me glued to the edge of my seat with its hauntingly atmospheric setting, nerve-wracking tension, and expertly crafted mystery.

Shagbark Manor is the perfect backdrop for this dark and twisted tale—creepy, mysterious, and steeped in history. The eerie visions and gruesome past of Crawford Tillman set the stage for a terrifying modern-day mystery that kept me guessing until the final page.

Rileigh and Mitch continue to shine as a team, balancing relentless determination with moments of vulnerability that make them so relatable. I loved how Rileigh’s compassion drives the investigation, even when danger closes in around her. And the stakes have never been higher—every chapter left me wondering who would survive.

Street’s ability to blend heart-stopping action with deep emotional connections is unparalleled. The twists in One by One are perfectly paced, building to a climax that left me breathless.

If you haven’t started this series yet, you are seriously missing out! Each book somehow gets better, and now I’m already desperate for book 11. Lauren Street has solidified her place as one of my all-time favorite authors. This series is a must-read for thriller fans!

Thanks to Ms. Street, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

What a great addition to the series. The story moves along smoothly and wraps up everything neatly by the end of the book. A typically well written story with well developed characters & plot. This one keeps you guessing until the end.
I received an advance review copy via NetGalley/Sterling & Stone and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.