In “One by One,” Ruth Ware elevates the locked-room mystery genre to new heights with her signature touch of spine-tingling suspense and tightly woven intrigue. Set against the stark, breathtaking backdrop of the French Alps, Ware’s narrative skillfully intertwines the suffocating isolation of a snowbound ski chalet with the simmering tensions of a corporate retreat gone awry.

Ware, already celebrated for her knack for crafting absorbing psychological thrillers like “The Turn of the Key” and “In a Dark, Dark Wood,” delivers yet another engrossing tale in “One by One.” The story opens with a seemingly idyllic scenario: a team from Snoop, a trendy London-based tech startup, is gathered in a luxurious chalet for a mix of work and leisure. The tranquility is short-lived, however, as business tensions rise with a controversial buyout offer, thrusting the group into a survival drama when an avalanche cuts them off from the outside world.

The novel is told from alternating perspectives primarily between Erin, the chaunt’s host, and Liz, a former employee and shareholder of Snoop. This choice adds a rich layer of depth to the story, offering insider and outsider views on the group dynamics, which grow increasingly fraught as the isolation takes its toll. Ware excels in portraying her characters with complexity and relatability, ensuring that the reader’s allegiance shifts as the plot twists and secrets unravel.

The setting of “One by One” acts almost as a character in itself. Ware’s descriptive prowess brings the cold and claustrophobic atmosphere of the chalet to life, making the reader feel every bit of the chilling dread that grips the stranded party. Her attention to detail paints each scene vividmed with chilling precision, reinforcing the novel’s tense atmosphere.

While the plot follows some familiar beats of the genre—the remote, inaccessible setting, the dwindling group of survivors, and the mounting paranoia—Ware manages to keep the story fresh with red herrings and judicious pacing. Just as the claustrophobia threatens to become overwhelming, Ware injects new life into the narrative with smart reveals and character development.

However, if there’s an Achilles’ heel in “One by One,” it lies in some of its predictability. Seasoned readers of thrillers might find themselves a step ahead of certain plot twists. Nevertheless, this does not deeply detract from the overall enjoyment of the book, as Ware’s strong prose and character exposition keep the engagement high.

In conclusion, “One by One” by Ruth Ware is a recommended read for fans of psychological thrillers and murder mysteries alike. It is a well-crafted reminder of the fragility of trust in closed environments, exploring how quickly the veneer of civility can vanish when survival is at stake. Ware proves once more that she is a master of creating suspenseful, atmospheric thrillers that captivate and entertain.