A story about revenge, One by One is told from Professor Maxie Reddick’s perspective. A strong, successful woman determined to see justice served. She has been let down by the police before and she is determined to see the guilty party punished, one way or the other.

This was my first encounter with Helen Bridgett, and I found myself truly entertained the entire time I spent reading this book. Her writing is clear and descriptive making it easy to relate to her characters, and quickly get drawn into the world she has created. Her protagonist being a professor had me a little concerned about being caught up in a world of academia – but the author created a beautiful balance not allowing the academic influence to overpower the story.

When an acquaintance calls asking Maxie to help a friend who was raped her world is soon consumed by her determination for justice. Balancing work on her podcast, her commitments to her students, her devotion to her son and concerning developments with her husband. Can Maxie hunt down the man responsible for Georgina’s suffering and bring him to justice? Without destroying the relationship, she is working so hard to establish with local law enforcement? Will she succeed? Or should she take her husband’s advice and back off?

One by One starts with the rape of Georgine and very quickly draws you into a world where this young woman’s suffering is the driving force behind Maxie’s determination for justice. As the story progresses and more details are revealed you find yourself rooting for Maxie and share her need for justice. I loved how this story consumed me and left me sharing the characters’ emotions. In the end, you even have a little sympathy for the guy responsible.

The characters were brilliant. Maxie is strong and successful making it easy to like her. Georgina was vulnerable making her pain feel very real while you are reading. Phillip, Maxie’s husband was an arse! I quickly disliked him and could not understand why Maxie allowed him to wallow in self-pity for so long.

My favourite was Karl – the son every mother dreams of. This character reminded me of how badly I once wanted a son. (It never happened – I ended up with two amazing daughters instead.)

Yep, you guessed it, this title has comfortably made it onto my 2021 Loved list. This book will appeal to crime fiction and thriller enthusiasts, but lovers of women’s fiction will find it enjoyable as well.

Go ahead, get yourself a copy. This entertaining tale will keep you guessing and is guaranteed to leave you eager to read more books written by this author.